Jose Martinez (1B/OF, STL) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 22% of leagues ANALYSIS: Martinez looks like he could be the next late bloomer to turn into a power stud after tallying a .309/.379/.518 triple slash in 307 big-league PAs for St. Louis. I’m sure you’ve heard about his wild 2017 and his 90.4 MPH average exit velocity, […]

Michael Brantley Plays a Full Nine Innings in Triple-A

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (ankle) was scheduled to play seven innings of Wednesday's Triple-A game, but he felt well enough to complete all nine innings instead. Brantley made some Cactus League appearances in spring training but was deemed not quite ready to break camp with the team. He's currently on the 10-day disabled list […]

Michael Brantley (OF, CLE) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Stash in 10+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 42% of leagues ANALYSIS: I know, Brantley is synonymous with injured and he’s starting the year on the DL so why are we discussing this? Well, this injury stint is just due to recovery from offseason ankle surgery and the concerns surrounding dealing with him potentially never coming […]

Lewis Brinson (OF, MIA) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 33% of leagues ANALYSIS: There’s little doubting Brinson is a talented player, but I understand why a 24-year-old that looked over his head during his cup of coffee last year is being shied away from. We can’t ignore that being Miami depresses value as well, but I hold […]

Yankees Place Aaron Hicks On Disabled List, Call Up Billy McKinney

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (ribs) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right intercostal muscle strain. Hicks played Thursday and seemed fine, so there is no update on how the injury occurred. The club has called up outfielder Billy McKinney from Triple-A to take the spot of Hicks. McKinney should […]

Nicholas Castellanos Batting Cleanup Friday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Nicholas Castellanos will assume the cleanup spot in the lineup Friday against Pittsburgh's Ivan Nova, against whom he has two hits in four career at-bats. Castellanos had a career-best 26 homers and 101 RBI last year and followed it up with five homers during spring training. Castellanos is a safe bet to […]

Kole Calhoun Homers, Scores Twice

Los Angeles Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun went 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored in LA's 6-5 loss in extra innings. Calhoun got off to a strong start, batting fifth behind Albert Pujols. Calhoun had a strong spring as well, a good indication that he is putting his ugly 2017 (.244) behind […]

Jesse Winker Leading Off Opener, Adam Duvall On Bench

The Cincinnati Reds have outfielder Jesse Winker leading off on Opening Day. Veteran Adam Duvall finds himself on the bench while 2017 leadoff man Billy Hamilton will bat ninth. Winker will draw a tough matchup as he will be the first Red to take his cuts against 2017 National League Cy Young winner Max Scherzer. […]

Mike Trout Goes 0-For-6 in Debut

Los Angeles Angels superstar outfielder Mike Trout did something he'd never done in a major league game on Opening Day -- he did not record a hit in six at-bats. While the 0-for-6 start is certainly disappointing, it obviously does not represent any real cause for concern for the superstar. Hitting second between second baseman Ian […]

Khris Davis Drives In Four Against Angels

Oakland Athletics outfielder Khris Davis went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run, ending the day with four RBI. He has hit at least 42 home runs and collected 102 RBI the last two seasons. Crush Davis is determined to make it three years in a row with at least 40 home runs, but it comes […]

Denard Span Is Tampa Bay Rays Opening Game Hero

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Denard Span was the hero of the first game of the regular season Thursday versus Boston. He came up with the bases loaded in the eighth inning with Tampa Bay losing 4-2. He would hit a bases-clearing triple to give them the lead before getting knocked in by the next hitter […]

David Peralta Has Three Hits From Leadoff Spot

Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta went 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI double in Arizona’s 8-2 win over the Rockies. The minor hand injury Peralta suffered at the end of spring training did not affect him at all. Peralta is two seasons removed from his breakout, but the contact and line drive skills remain despite […]

Eduardo Nunez Hits Inside-The-Park Home Run

Boston Red Sox utility player Eduardo Nunez hit an inside-the-park home run in the second inning against the Rays. Only recently did Nunez start getting more confident with the strength in his knees; knee injuries ended his 2017 season. The Rays outfielders get an assist for this home run because they misplayed the ball. However, […]

Adam Jones Hits Walk-Off Homer In Extras

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones rescued interim closer Brad Brach from being the goat on Thursday. He hit a solo homer in the 11th inning to give Baltimore an Opening Day win, 3-2. It was his only hit of the day, but it was a big one. That's one homer in your lineup if you started […]

Giancarlo Stanton Has Dream Debut For Yankees

After all the hype surrounding his arrival to the New York Yankees on the heels of an MVP-winning season, Giancarlo Stanton delivered the goods in Toronto. In his first plate appearance with his new club, the 28-year-old drilled a home run to center field on the second pitch he saw. Stanton recorded another home run […]

Christian Yelich Has Productive Night In Brewers Debut

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich looked good in his debut with the Brewers, going 1-for-4 with one RBI, one walk, and one strikeout. Yelich was acquired from the Marlins for Lewis Brinson, Isan Diaz, Monte Harrison, and Jordan Yamamoto and had a solid Spring Training showing with a .360 batting average and a 1.044 OPS. […]

Lorenzo Cain Has Ideal Leadoff Night In Brewers Return

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain went 3-for-5 with a stolen base in the 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres. This was Cain's first game as a Brewer since his rookie season in 2010, where he started with Milwaukee and looks to be the ideal leadoff man that the Brewers needed. Cain is good to […]

Jonathan Villar Strikes Out Twice, Replaced Against Padres

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jonathan Villar went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts and was eventually replaced by Eric Sogard defensively in the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres. This is not the start that the Brewers were looking for from Villar, as many were projecting Sogard to start at second. After a disappointing 2017 season where […]

Lewis Brinson Goes Hitless On Opening Day

Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson went hitless against the Cubs on Opening Day. Brinson, who was ranked as Miami's No. 1 prospect before the season started, went 0-for-5 and left two men on base from the leadoff spot. The former Milwaukee Brewer prospect saw limited big-league action last year, compiling a measly .106 average with […]

Kyle Schwarber Hits Home Run Thursday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a home run on Thursday. Schwarber has high expectations this season after transforming his body, and after a nice spring it’s nice to see him start 2018 on the right note. Schwarber will certainty offer fantasys owners power, but he is a candidate to be pulled late […]

Ian Happ Starts 2018 With A Home Run

On the first pitch of the Major League season, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ hit a home run off of Marlins starter Jose Urena. Happ was a monster this spring and so far he hasn’t slowed down. He finished the game 1-for-5 and did strike out three times, but the power is real and Happ […]

Mike Trout to Bat Second

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is slated to hit second this year. It looks like second baseman Ian Kinsler will be the regular leadoff hitter, although third baseman Zack Cozart will man the one-hole on Opening Day with Kinsler out. Kinsler and outfielder Justin Upton will provide very sound protection for Trout, who is in line […]

Michael Brantley Officially Placed on the Disabled List

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was officially placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right ankle injury. Brantley is well on his way back from an offseason surgery performed to strengthen the ligaments around his ankle. He made his first Cactus League appearance last week, but the team did not want to push him […]

Abraham Almonte Designated for Assignment

Cleveland Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte was designated for assignment on Thursday. He only managed a .174/.269/.304 slash line in 14 Cactus League games. He's a versatile defender with experience, so he'll likely draw some interest on waivers from other teams. If he goes unclaimed, he'll likely report to Triple-A Columbus and serve as outfield depth […]

Michael Conforto Could Return By April 5

The New York Mets had long been communicating a May 1 target return date for outfielder Michael Conforto (shoulder), but as spring progressed it became clear he would be ready long before that. On Thursday, general manager Sandy Alderson told the media that Conforto could be ready to return as early as April 5. That’s obviously […]

Odubel Herrera The Odd Man Out On Opening Day

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera is not in the starting lineup on Opening Day on Thursday. Manager Gabe Kapler said he considered the matchups, starter Aaron Nola as a ground-ball pitcher and the upcoming matchups in his decision not to start Herrera. Aaron Altherr gets the nod instead in center field for the opener, and […]

Ichiro Suzuki To Get Opening Day Start In Outfield

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki will get the start in the outfield to the begin the season. The iconic Mariners player will officially make his return on Opening Day after spending the last handful of seasons playing for the Marlins and Yankees. Suzuki has been battling a calf injury most of the spring and is […]

Ben Gamel To Begin Season On DL

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ben Gamel (oblique) will begin the season on the disabled list, per MLB.com. Gamel has been swinging off a tee trying to rehab an oblique injury and the team will bring him along cautiously. Gamel came on last season and put up decent numbers, hitting .275 with five triples, 11 home runs, 27 […]

Mets Place Michael Conforto On Disabled List

The New York Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the 10-day disabled list with a left shoulder injury. There's nothing to worry about here, as this was to be expected. Conforto seems well on his way to making his return in a couple of weeks rather than the original target date of May 1. There’s […]

Chris Davis Batting Leadoff On Opening Day

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will bat first on Opening Day. Yes, it's unconventional, but manager Buck Showalter likes to challenge the norm. The stakes aren't as high for Thursday, but it's still a different look. Davis, who struggled in '17, might be more focused in this spot. It's not permanent yet, though. It'll be […]