6 mins agoThe Giants optioned outfielder Brett Wisely to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut on Thursday versus the New York Yankees. However, he'll now take a trip to the minors, with outfielder Bryce Johnson moving to the active roster. Johnson appeared in 11 games last season, accumulating two hits and seven strikeouts in 18 at-bats, so his fantasy value can't get any lower.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Maria Guardado

18 mins agoSan Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart (back) won't play on Saturday against the Yankees. He's dealing with back tightness, so it's anyone's guess how long he'll be out. Roberto Perez, who had a hit in two at-bats on opening day, will remain behind the plate. However, his fantasy upside is limited, especially since he's batting ninth.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Maria Guardado

25 mins agoAccording to Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, relief pitcher Mychal Givens (knee) will throw a bullpen session next week. The 32-year-old is dealing with left knee inflammation, although Hyde indicated the righty is moving in the right direction. Givens compiled a 4.79 ERA in 19 games last season while adding 20 strikeouts. That said, he's unlikely to make a difference on the fantasy end when he returns unless his role changes.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Andy Kostka

49 mins agoAccording to manager Gabe Kapler, San Francisco Giants outfielder Mitch Haniger (oblique) will be re-evaluated next weekend. The veteran began the season on the 10-day injured list because of an oblique strain. However, Kapler hopes to have him back after "a week of games." Haniger signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal in the offseason after spending the last five years in Seattle. He finished the 2022 campaign with a .246/.308/.429 slash line, 34 RBI, and 11 home runs (65 strikeouts). Blake Sabol should see more action in the outfield until Haniger can return, with the 25-year-old going without a hit in the opening-day loss to the New York Yankees.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic

1 hour agoSan Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb will make his next start on Wednesday, the second of three meetings with the Chicago White Sox. Anthony DeSclafani will begin the series on the bump, with Alex Wood on track to close out the series on Thursday. Webb had 12 strikeouts in the opening day loss to the New York Yankees. However, he finished with an ugly 6.00 ERA in six innings. Of course, the 26-year-old right-hander has a chance to turn things around versus Chicago, so fantasy managers should be optimistic moving ahead.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic

2 hours agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (lat) started some light throwing on Friday and made it through with no issues, per manager Aaron Boone. He threw again on Saturday and will continue to ramp up his throwing program, barring any setbacks. Severino had a low-grade right lat strain towards the end of spring training and was placed on the 15-day injured list back on March 30, retroactive to March 27. There's still no timetable for his return and the Yankees will be cautious with the oft-injured 29-year-old. Fantasy managers should continue to keep tabs on him.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Bryan Hoch of MLB.com

2 hours agoAtlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy is absent from the lineup on Saturday against the Washington Nationals. Travis d'Arnaud is sliding in behind the plate while Marcell Ozuna shifts from left field to designated hitter. Murphy went 0-for-5 in his Braves' debut on Thursday but he should be back behind the dish on Sunday for the series finale against the Nats.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 hours agoNew York Mets outfielder Starling Marte isn't in the starting lineup on Saturday against the Miami Marlins. This is just a scheduled day off for the veteran speedster. Jeff McNeil is taking over in right field and Luis Guillorme is filling in at second base. Marte has gotten off to a fantastic start this season, swiping two bags over the team's first two contests. He should be good to go for Sunday's series finale against the Marlins.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 hours agoToronto Blue Jays utility man Whit Merrifield is not in the lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Merrifield drew the start on Opening Day at second base but is taking a seat on Saturday vs. Jack Flaherty and the Cardinals. Cavan Biggio is manning the keystone while Daulton Varsho, George Springer, and Kevin Kiermaier man the outfield. Brandon Belt is filling at designated hitter for Toronto.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 hours agoMilwaukee Brewers infielder Luis Urias (hamstring) is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during his final at-bat of Thursday's opening-day game against the Cubs. Manager Craig Counsell told reporters that the team expects Urias to be out closer to two months. The 25-year-old infielder was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 31. Brian Anderson and Mike Brosseau will likely split duties at third while Urias is out. Brosseau is manning the hot corner on Saturday against Justin Steele and the Cubs.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: bv

3 hours agoSt. Louis Cardinals Outfielder Lars Nootbaar (thumb) is not in the lineup on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Cardinals manager Oli Marmol told reporters that Nootbaar jammed his thumb in Thursday's game while sliding into third base. The injury is not expected to lead to an IL stint but the talented 25-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now. Alec Burleson is starting in left field in Nootbaar's place against Kevin Gausman and the Jays. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on this situation to make sure Nootbaar is on track to return early next week.--Jon Mathisen - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Jones of BND.com

4 hours agoIn his first start of the 2023 season, St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Matthew Liberatore threw five scoreless innings in Triple-A. The southpaw struck out seven and generated 17 whiffs in a 9-1 win over the Charlotte Knights. The 2018 first-round pick has struggled to develop anything from his five-pitch arsenal in years past, but his curveball generated a 77% whiff rate on Friday. After a disastrous 2022 season where he had a 5.00+ ERA at both the Triple-A and major-league levels, the Cardinals' sixth-ranked prospect needs to sustain this level of play to get another chance in their major-league rotation.--Pranav Uppalapati - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline on Twitter

4 hours agoMilwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Joey Wiemer was officially promoted from the minors and will make his major-league debut on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs and left-hander Justin Steele. Wiemer is starting in center field and hitting ninth in the batting order. The team's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, almost made the club outright out of spring training, but he gets the call for the second game of the season with infielder Luis Urias (hamstring) landing on the injured list. The 24-year-old hit .262 (11-for-42) with a double, two home runs, four RBI and three steals in 18 Cactus League games. He also hit 21 homers in the minors in 2022 and stole 31 bases, so his power/speed potential makes him worth grabbing in all leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

4 hours agoChicago Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal is making his first start of the 2023 season on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Brandon Woodruff. Madrigal is starting at third base and hitting eighth, while Patrick Wisdom will start on the bench. The Cubs could have a revolving door at the hot corner this year with Madrigal, Wisdom and Edwin Rios, so it could be a frustrating situation for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Madrigal was limited to just 59 games in 2022 due to various injuries. The 26-year-old former fourth overall pick by the White Sox can hit, though, and he should be able to bounce back with better health. However, limited playing time is likely to limit his fantasy contributions.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

4 hours agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI, run scored and two strikeouts in the team's 9-4 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night in the second game of the season. It was nice to see Rodriguez get into the hit column after he went hitless on Opening Day on Thursday. The 22-year-old reigning American League Rookie of the Year was a high fantasy draft pick for a good reason, as there simply isn't much he can't do on a baseball field. If he can stay healthy in 2023, J-Rod has a realistic chance to finish as the most valuable fantasy hitter. Keep him in starting lineups each and every day.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com