4 hours agoThe Oakland Athletics plan to slot starting pitcher Shintaro Fujinami into the rotation every sixth or even seventh day to mirror his previous workload in Japan, per SF Chronicles' Matt Kawahara. The 28-year-old has shown both strikeout upside and command issues this spring, compiling a 4.26 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers are clearly not ready to trust him, as his current average draft position is about 555.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Matt Kawahara - SF Chronicle

4 hours agoSan Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin said that the results of outfielder Juan Soto's (oblique) MRI suggest that his oblique strain is "minimal". The 24-year-old suffered a strained left oblique while playing in a minor-league game on Sunday. The team expects him to resume swinging in the coming days and is optimistic that he could get more Cactus League at-bats. This is encouraging news for fantasy managers, as Soto remains one of fantasy's top hitter options and an early overall pick.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: AJ Cassavell - Twitter.com

4 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw turned in a solid start in Tuesday's Cactus League 4-2 win over the Guardians. Kershaw pitched 5 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks with three strikeouts. While the veteran has a 5.11 ERA over three starts, he said that he feels great physically. This is the most encouraging aspect for fantasy managers, as Kershaw has only managed 22 starts in each of the last two seasons. His performance on a start-by-start basis is still as strong as some of the best fantasy options, but his health has knocked his average draft position down over the years.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Juan Toribio - MLB.com

4 hours agoMinnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Tuesday that he would like to have outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) in the lineup as much as possible this season, which means he could primarily as the team's designated hitter, rather than play center field. The 29-year-old made his spring debut in Tuesday's Grapefruit League 5-2 win over the Rays, going 1-for-3 in the leadoff spot with a double and a strikeout. Buxton's power/speed combination makes him an intriguing fantasy option, but health has been a major issue for him, as he has managed just 636 plate appearances over the past two seasons. He should remain a higher-end fantasy option as long as he can stay on the field.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Do-Hyoung Park - MLB.com

5 hours agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito said Tuesday that he was not concerned with his relative dip in velocity in his Cactus League start against the Brewers. Giolito pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit (a home run) and two walks with six strikeouts. While his fastball sat in the 91-94 MPH range, Giolito said, "I'm missing bats. I don't care how hard I'm throwing." The 28-year-old came into spring 35 pounds lighter and has pitched well, compiling a 3.86 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 9 1/3 IP. He has had a frustrating career for fantasy managers and was a big disappointment in 2022, posting a 4.90 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 25.4% strikeout rate in 30 starts. Fantasy managers will be hoping for Giolito to rebound to the 2019-2021 version of himself.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Scott Merkin - MLB.com

5 hours agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani shined bright Tuesday as Team Japan defeated Team USA 3-2 to win the World Baseball Classic. Ohtani served as the team's closer to protect a one-run lead. He allowed a leadoff walk to Jeff McNeil before getting Mookie Betts to ground into a double play. In one of the tournament's greatest moments, Ohtani struck out Mike Trout on a full count to end the game, earning Team Japan the championship and himself the Most Valuable Player Award. Ohtani displayed his elite pitching and hitting skills throughout the tournament, adding further evidence that he is one of fantasy's top players.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Michael Clair - MLB.com

8 hours agoNew York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (ankle, knee) tested his sprained ankle/knee on Tuesday at camp. Team officials liked what they saw from him and said that Nimmo is progressing, although it's unclear what that means for his availability on Opening Day on March 30. The 29-year-old is dealing with low-grade sprains in both his right ankle and right knee, so there's a good chance he won't be ready for the start of the 2023 regular season. But if Nimmo does open up on the injured, he may not be there for long. When healthy, he's an excellent on-base machine for the Mets and fantasy managers alike, and he's also a great source of runs atop a stacked New York lineup.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Mike Puma

8 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (hand) said he wasn't able to really get much footing in the rain on Tuesday during his Cactus League start against the San Francisco Giants, which explains some of his inconsistent velocity. Syndergaard has been dealing with a blister off and on for the last few months, and it was bothering him a bit on Tuesday. The 30-year-old right-hander ended up allowing six earned runs on six hits while walking one in 4 1/3 innings. It's unlikely that Thor won't be ready for the start of the 2023 regular season, but his blister issue is something to watch early on. If he's able to regain some of his pre-Tommy John velocity in his first year in Hollywood, Syndergaard could be a nice value starting pitcher in fantasy.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya

9 hours agoSan Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin said there has been a "mild setback" for relief pitcher Drew Pomeranz (elbow). He has been throwing on flat ground but likely will not appear in a Cactus League game and will not be ready for Opening Day. The 34-year-old southpaw is dealing with more pain and inflammation in his left elbow, and it remains to be seen when the oft-injured reliever will be able to make his 2023 season debut. He missed all of 2022 after having surgery on his flexor tendon. Pomeranz should have some fantasy value in holds leagues when he returns, and he's expected to serve as a late-inning setup man in front of closer Josh Hader when he's fully healthy.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee

9 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias is likely to make the start on Opening Day on March 30 at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Urias was the Dodgers best starter in 2022 and went 17-7 with a league-best 2.16 ERA (3.71 FIP), 0.96 WHIP and 24.1 percent strikeout rate in 175 innings and 31 starts. The 26-year-old southpaw is lined up to start on Opening Day and will make his return to Cactus League action this Friday after pitching in the World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico. Because he doesn't strike out a ton of hitters like the elite fantasy starters, he's ideally a No. 2 fantasy starter target in upcoming drafts.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Times - Jorge Castillo

9 hours agoThe St. Louis Cardinals optioned left-hander Matthew Liberatore and right-hander Dakota Hudson to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. The Cardinals will roll with Adam Wainwright, Miles Mikolas, Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty and Steven Matz in their five-man starting rotation to begin the 2023 regular season, so Liberatore and Hudson will begin in the minors. Liberatore is the team's No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but the 23-year-old southpaw will need to show better life on his fastball if he's going to have continued success once he gets another shot in St. Louis' rotation. Hudson, 28, will work on building up his velocity at Memphis before the Cardinals consider him a rotation option at the big-league level.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cardinals Twitter

9 hours agoThe Colorado Rockies announced on Tuesday that they reassigned outfielder Zac Veen and catcher Drew Romo to minor-league camp. The Rockies have 44 players remaining in major-league spring training, including 10 non-roster players and one player on the 60-day injured list. The 21-year-old Veen, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was never expected to make the Rockies' Opening Day lineup. The ninth overall pick in 2020 was hitting 13-for-48 (.271) with two doubles, a home run, eight RBI, seven runs scored and eight stolen bases in 20 Cactus League games, so he certainly held his own. Veen has a bright future at the next level in a hitter-friendly ballpark, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues can ignore him for now.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Rockies Club Information

9 hours agoSan Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (oblique) is getting an MRI exam on Tuesday, according to manager Bob Melvin. "We're thinking it's fairly mild, which hopefully is the case." Soto suffered a strained left oblique while playing in a minor-league game on Sunday, but the team is still hoping that he'll be ready to go on Opening Day on March 30. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger also dealt with a minor calf injury in camp this year. If Soto has to begin the 2023 regular season on the injured list, it likely wouldn't be for long. He remains an early round target for fantasy managers heading into his first full season with the Padres as one of the best all-around hitters in baseball.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Jeff Sanders

12 hours agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman has yet to allow a run this spring. Through four games and 13 2/3 innings, Gausman has been nearly perfect. He has 18 strikeouts and a 0.80 WHIP. Gausman obviously can't keep up this pace, but it's nice to see a top pitching option showing he's ready for the season. He'll have his ups and downs, but with his 28.3% strikeout rate last season and 2.38 FIP, he's a great pick at his current ADP of 55. Rotoballer has him as their 47th-best player overall, so draft him for a great option in your rotation.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

12 hours agoPhiladelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber has been hit or miss in the World Baseball Classic thus far. Schwarber is 2-for-11 but has four walks. One of his hits was a home run and he has three RBI and three runs in the tournament. He has played in four games heading into Tuesday's finals matchup against Team Japan. The lefty has a .308 average and .438 on-base percentage in 13 spring training at-bats. Batting average will never be Schwarber's forte, as he hit just .218 last season, but he did hit 46 home runs and drive in 94. He also stole 10 bases in 2022 and plays in a stacked lineup that should help pad his counting stats again this season. Look to draft him in the top 45 while racking up the homers.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com