Ceddanne Rafaela Alters Stance, Adds Muscle

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela will continue using an altered batting stance in 2025 in which he lowers his hands so that he's connected with his front leg with a small leg kick to help his timing at the plate. A new strength routine in the offseason also […]

Owen Caissie Shut Down With Groin Tightness

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Thursday that outfield prospect Owen Caissie (groin) has been shut down in camp with left-groin tightness. Caissie also had core-muscle surgery over the winter, so this is a concerning development, especially after the Cubs designated outfielder Alexander Canario on Thursday. Per MLB Pipeline, Caissie is baseball's No. 54 […]

A's Talking Extension With Lawrence Butler

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler is engaged in talks with the team about a long-term contract extension after his breakout performance in 2024, according to people briefed on the discussions who weren't authorized to speak publicly. The 24-year-old power and speed threat hit .262/.317/.490 with an .807 OPS, 22 home runs, 57 RBI, 18 stolen bases […]

Jo Adell, Nolan Schanuel To Play In Spring Opener

MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell (oblique) and first baseman Nolan Schanuel (leg) are both scheduled to play in the team's Cactus League opener on Saturday against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Adell is fully recovered from the left-oblique strain that caused him to end last season on the injured list. […]

Mike Trout To Make Cactus League Debut On Monday

MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) will make his Cactus League debut this year on Monday against the San Francisco Giants. The Angels are planning to move Trout to right field in 2025 in order to try and keep him healthy for the entire season. The 33-year-old three-time American […]

Cubs Designate Alexander Canario For Assignment

The Chicago Cubs designated outfielder Alexander Canario for assignment on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for newly-signed infielder Justin Turner, sources told ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers. Canario hasn't really gotten a fair shake in Chicago and has played in just 21 big-league games, so Rogers suggests he'll be a pretty good trade […]

Yankees Sign Aaron Boone To Two-Year Extension

The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they signed manager Aaron Boone to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season. Boone led the Yankees to the World Series last fall for the first time since 2009 and is one of three managers in franchise history to lead the team to the playoffs in […]

Francisco Lindor To Hit Leadoff, Juan Soto To Hit Second

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is leaning towards putting shortstop Francisco Lindor at the top of the batting order and recently acquired outfielder Juan Soto in the two-hole. Lindor spent most of the 2025 campaign batting in the top spot and performed very well. When batting first, Lindor posted a stellar .303/.374/.552 line with […]

2025 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Call-Up ETAs - Predicting Top MLB Prospect Timelines

Every single season we see plenty of notable fantasy baseball prospects debut and make some level of impact for fantasy baseball that year. And over the last year or two, we've seen even more prospects get a shot earlier than expected given new rules incentivizing teams to bring up younger players. A few years ago, […]

Mauricio Dubon To See Extended Time At Second Base

Houston Astros infielder Mauricio Dubon is expected to see more opportunities at second base when Jose Altuve moves to the outfield. During the start of spring training, Dubon has been deployed as the top option at the keystone while Altuve is working with the outfielders. While Altuve will likely still see most of his starts […]

2025 Fantasy Baseball Prospect Rankings: Eric Cross' Top 25 Prospects for Redraft Leagues

Those of you who have followed my work here at RotoBaller will remember that I have been posting a weekly article series on the top 25 fantasy baseball prospects to stash and monitor in redraft leagues for each of the last two seasons. It's always a fun article to put together throughout the season, and […]

Guardians Place David Fry On 60-Day Injured List

The Cleveland Guardians placed catcher David Fry (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. This move was eventually coming after Fry had surgery to fix a torn ligament in his right elbow last November. At the time of the surgery, the 29-year-old was expected to need six to eight months of recovery. It remains […]

Rob Refsnyder Faces Live Pitching On Wednesday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Rob Refsnyder (forearm) took live batting practice on Wednesday in camp against right-hander Zack Kelly and turned on a high-90s fastball for a home run. Refsnyder finished last year on the injured list due to a right-forearm strain, but he appears to be fully healthy now and should be ready for […]

No Timetable For Giancarlo Stanton To Resume Baseball Activities

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that there is no timetable for when outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) will resume baseball activities. Stanton also dealt with tennis elbow in both of his elbows last year, but it's a bit concerning this spring that he hasn't started swinging at all and may not do so […]

Everson Pereira Limited To DH Duties

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that New York Yankees outfielder Everson Pereira (elbow) will be limited to designated-hitter duties until mid-March as he continues his rehab from an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last June. However, manager Aaron Boone said he could see Pereira "very much in the mix" for a roster spot out of […]

Adam Frazier Faces Live Pitching On Wednesday

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman/outfielder Adam Frazier (thumb) was seen taking live batting practice off right-hander Mitch Keller on Wednesday. Frazier appears to be a full-go in spring training after signing a one-year, $1.525 million deal to return to the Pirates last month. The 33-year-old veteran was drafted by Pittsburgh in the sixth round back in […]

Blue Jays Might Use George Springer In Left Field

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the team might use outfielder George Springer "in left a little bit" in 2025, a spot that he's played just once for three innings in the majors before. The move would let new outfielder Anthony Santander play some right field. As for Springer hitting leadoff this year, […]

Tyrone Taylor Takes Part In Full-Squad Workout

New York Mets outfielder Tyrone Taylor (elbow, hernia) was seen taking part in the team's full-squad spring training workout on Wednesday. Taylor looks fully healthy in camp after having multiple surgeries late last year -- one to remove a loose body in his right elbow and the other being an umbilical hernia repair. Superstar Juan […]

Aaron Judge Open To Playing In 2026 World Baseball Classic

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge said he's open to playing in next year's World Baseball Classic, which would be his first time participating in the event. "I think that'd be pretty fun. It'd be cool to represent your country. [Team USA] made it to the finals, but they didn't win it. So we gotta […]

Jacob Melton Dealing With Mild Back Soreness

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that outfield prospect Jacob Melton (back) is dealing with some mild back soreness at camp. We can probably consider Melton day-to-day for now. The 24-year-old could be delayed getting into Grapefruit League games in spring training, but it doesn't sound like an injury that will cause him to get […]

Jose Altuve To Play Outfield In First Spring Game

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that second baseman Jose Altuve will play the outfield in his first Grapefruit League game. Altuve will work exclusively with the outfielders the next four to five days. Even though the Astros didn't re-sign Alex Bregman, it looks like the 34-year-old All-Star could still make the move […]

Bounceback Hitters: Fantasy Baseball ADP Values for Outfielders (2025)

All major league teams are back in camp, college baseball is fully underway, and fantasy baseball draft season is in full swing. It's a glorious time of year. One key aspect to having a good draft and succeeding in fantasy baseball is identifying which players could bounce back who disappointed the previous season for one […]

Alexander Canario Could Contend For Spot On Opening Day Roster

Chicago Cubs outfielder Alexander Canario could contend for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Patrick Mooney of The Athletic noted that the 24-year-old is out of minor league options, which provides him with the most leverage he has had. In addition, reports in the offseason have suggested that Canario will see work at first […]

Kevin Alcantara Could Be No. 2 Option In Center Field

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara is expected to be the team's No. 2 option in center field to open the season. While former top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is slated to be the team's everyday center fielder, Alcantara could get the call if he struggles or suffers an injury. Alcantara is ranked as the No. […]

Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System To Be Used During Some Spring Games

MLB will test an automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system this spring in order to gather data to determine whether or not to implement the system during regular season big league games, although that would not happen this season and no earlier than 2026. The league has tested the system through experimentation at the minor league […]

Jesus Sanchez Will Get Reps In Center Field This Spring

Miami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez will get reps in center field during the spring, according to manager Clayton McCullough. It sounds like this will just be to add some versatility, as McCullough also noted that Derek Hill and Dane Myers will get the most reps in center, with Myers currently projected to be the team's […]

Bryan Reynolds Expected To Play Right Field; No Plans To Play First Base

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds will work as the team's right fielder in 2025, according to manager Derek Shelton. There was talk of the veteran possibly making a move to first base due to Spencer Horwitz's (thumb) injury, but he's apparently put those rumors to rest. He's not the only one making a move, as […]

Athletics Set To Play In Las Vegas In 2028

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred stated that he expects that the Athletics' new stadium in Las Vegas will be open in 2028. In the meantime, the team will call Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California, home, which is also home to Triple-A's Sacramento River Cats of the San Francisco Giants organization. Manfred also […]

MJ Melendez Revamps Swing

Kansas City outfielder MJ Melendez revamped his swing during the offseason. Anne Rogers of MLB.com noted that the 26-year-old lowered his leg kick and adjusted his hands, making his stance more "balanced." Melendez decided to revamp his swing in hopes of tapping into his power more consistently. Throughout his three-year MLB career, Melendez has flashed […]

Sal Frelick Bulks Up

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick added 25 pounds of muscle since the end of last season, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Frelick is trying to stay around 190 pounds for as much of the 2025 season as possible as he heads into his second full big-league season. The 24-year-old former first-rounder hit .259/.320/.335 with only […]