Kevin Newman Viewed As The "Favorite" To Win Starting Shortstop Job

Los Angeles Angels infielder Kevin Newman is viewed as the favorite to win the starting shortstop job with Zach Neto (shoulder) sidelined. Rhett Bollinger noted that since Newman is a lock to make the roster he has the "leg up" on the competition. Tim Anderson and Scott Kingery are viewed as the other options but […]

Sebastian Walcott Assigned To Minor-League Camp

Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott has been assigned to the minor-league camp. Walcott is considered not only the top prospect in the Texas system but one of the best in the sport. Through his brief taste of spring training, he went 4-for-8 at the plate with a home run and three doubles. The 18-year-old […]

Luis Rengifo Scratched With Hamstring Tightness

Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) was scratched from Monday's Cactus League lineup against the Colorado Rockies due to hamstring tightness, according to the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher. Infielder Tim Anderson will take over for Rengifo at second base and will bat in the leadoff spot. The Angels likely pulled Rengifo out of […]

Trey Sweeney Not A Lock To Start At Shortstop

The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen doesn't have Detroit Tigers infielder Trey Sweeney as a lock to be the team's starting shortstop on Opening Day in late March. Carrying both Sweeney and Zach McKinstry would make the Tigers extremely left-handed and could force outfielder Kerry Carpenter into the lineup against left-handed pitchers. Stavenhagen projects Sweeney opening the […]

Gunnar Henderson Turning A Corner, Feeling A Lot Better

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (side) is feeling the "best he's felt" since leaving last Thursday's Grapefruit League game with right lower-side discomfort, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The skipper said that Henderson has turned a corner. With that said, expect Henderson to resume baseball activities soon and potentially get back into a spring training […]

Jackson Holliday Wants To Steal 20 Bases

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday plans to be busy on the basepaths this upcoming season. The young slugger said he'd like to steal 20 bases or more during the 2025 season. He knows he'll need to dial back his aggressiveness, but plans to keep stealing until the team tells him otherwise. Holliday stole four bases […]

Gunnar Henderson Nearing Return

Baltimore Orioles infielder Gunnar Henderson (side) is a few days away from returning to baseball activities, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The 23-year-old was held out of action this weekend due to lower side discomfort. The expectation is that Henderson will be back in the lineup within the next week. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect this […]

How Important Is Batting Order? Sabermetrics Glossary for Fantasy Baseball (2025)

Welcome RotoBallers to our overview of batting order. This article is a deeper dive into batting order, and is part of our ongoing series "Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball." In this article, we'll quantify the differences between lineup spots for fantasy purposes. Along the way, we'll clearly and concisely answer questions like "How many plate […]

Nacho Alvarez Jr. Expected To Return Soon

Atlanta Braves infield prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. (wrist) is expected to return soon. Alvarez suffered this minor wrist injury during Thursday's spring training contest. However, seeing that he is already nearing a return, suggest the injury was not very serious. Last season, the 21-year-old made his MLB debut. Across his first eight contests in Atlanta, […]

Luisangel Acuna Exits Early On Saturday

New York Mets infield prospect Luisangel Acuna (arm) exited Saturday's contest after being hit by a pitch on his left arm. He was hit by Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan in the second frame. The young infielder was able to swipe second base before being pulled from the contest. Fantasy managers should monitor […]

Jose Caballero Returning On Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Caballero (foot) is returning to the starting lineup on Saturday afternoon when the Rays face the New York Mets. The 28-year-old fouled a ball of his foot on Thursday but received negative results on his X-rays. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but seeing him return to the […]

Zach McKinstry Expected To Make Opening Day Roster

Detroit Tigers infielder Zach McKinstry is expected to make the Opening Day roster. With Matt Vierling (shoulder) expected to open the season on the injured list, McKinstry has a viable path to opening the season in the major leagues. Earlier in the offseason, McKinstry inked a one-year deal worth $1.65 million to avoid arbitration. The […]

Blaze Alexander Diagnosed With Grade 1 Oblique Strain

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Blaze Alexander (oblique) was diagnosed with a Grade 1 oblique strain and is expected to miss "weeks" not "days." Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated noted that the young infielder may not be ready in time for Opening Day. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status during camp as he slowly works his […]

Leo Jimenez Scratched Due To Illness

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Leo Jimenez (illness) was scratched from Friday's lineup due to an illness. He was replaced by infield prospect Arjun Nimmala. Fantasy managers should monitor Jimenez's status over the weekend as he may need additional time to recover. Last summer, the 23-year-old made his MLB debut. He held a .229/.329/.358 line with […]

Jose Caballero Could Return To Game Action On Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that infielder Jose Caballero (foot), who suffered a bruised left foot in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers, was "moving around much better" during a workout in camp on Friday and could return to a spring training contest on Saturday. Caballero fouled a ball off his […]

Gunnar Henderson Won't Play This Weekend

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (side) won't suit up for any spring training games this weekend. Henderson was pulled after one inning due to left side discomfort during Thursday's game. The young infielder is reportedly still sore, so the Orioles are going to take the cautious approach here. It doesn't sound like the team plans […]

12 Breakout Hitters For Fantasy Baseball Drafts

The word “breakout” is a polarizing one in fantasy baseball. To some, it is a player that will simply outlive the value you have to pay to draft a player. To others, it is a player who is set to take a big step and be going significantly earlier in fantasy drafts next season.  I […]

Max Muncy Quiet In Return To Action

Athletics shortstop prospect Max Muncy (undisclosed) has yet to tally a hit in his return to action. The infielder was sidelined during the final month of the season with an undisclosed injury. However, seeing him participate in the early spring games is a positive sign. Through his first four contests, the 22-year-old has gone 0-for-6 […]

Nick Madrigal To Undergo Shoulder Surgery, Likely Out For The Season

New York Mets second baseman Nick Madrigal (shoulder) will undergo surgery on his shoulder and will likely miss the entire 2025 campaign. Madrigal signed a one-year deal with the Mets worth $1.35 million earlier in the offseason. During the early part of spring training, Madrigal exited a contest after taking a hard fall on his […]

Sebastian Walcott Goes Deep In Return

Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott (arm) went 1-for-2 with a solo shot in his return on Thursday. Walcott battled arm soreness throughout the week but moved past this injury quite quickly as he launched his first long ball of the spring. Later in the contest, Walcott tallied his second RBI on a groundout. The […]

10 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Jarod Rupp's 2025 Picks

In an attempt to win our fantasy leagues, for months leading up to our drafts, we are taking in as much information as possible, forming thoughts and opinions on what the likeliest outcome for a player is. But sometimes, it's fun to take a break from all of that and think about what's possible, even […]

Marcelo Mayer Homers, Collects Three RBI In Three-Hit Day

Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer went 3-for-3 with three RBI in Thursday's 6-5 Grapefruit League win over the Tigers, which included a single, a triple, and his first home run of the spring season. The 22-year-old is now 5-for-11 (.455) in the spring, and although he's a long shot to make the team […]

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Jose Caballero

The X-rays came back negative on Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jose Caballero (foot). Caballero was lifted from Thursday's Grapefruit League contest after fouling a ball off his left foot. However, the infielder was able to avoid a serious injury and should be viewed as day-to-day. Fantasy managers should expect the team to exercise caution with […]

Nacho Alvarez Jr. Exits Thursday's Game With Wrist Injury

Atlanta Braves infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. (wrist) was lifted from Thursday's contest due to discomfort in his left wrist. Alvarez expressed pain when he struck out in the opening frame. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team will likely provide an update in the coming days. Alvarez made his MLB debut […]

Javier Baez To Serve As DH On Friday

The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reports that Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays and will serve as the designated hitter. The Tigers hope to have Baez playing in the field by next week. Despite undergoing a labral repair on his right hip in […]

Gunnar Henderson Dealing With Side Discomfort

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (side) was pulled from Thursday's Grapefruit League game early against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays due to lower right-side discomfort. In his only at-bat of the game, Henderson tried to beat out a ground ball and then also made a diving catch in the field. It's […]

Colson Montgomery Dealing With Back Spasms

Chicago White Sox shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery (back) was scratched from Thursday's Cactus League lineup against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians for precautionary reasons due to back spasms, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Montgomery is considered day-to-day. It's not a serious injury, but it's something to keep an eye on with the 23-year-old, who is considered […]

Jose Caballero Leaves Game With Foot Injury

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jose Caballero (foot) fouled a ball off his foot in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers and left the contest, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Caballero will surely go for testing to determine whether he's dealing with a serious injury, so stay tuned for more news […]

Gunnar Henderson Leaves Grapefruit League Game Early

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (undisclosed) left Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays after just one inning due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Luis Vasquez in the field. Henderson tried to beat out a muffed ground ball in the first inning and also made a leaping catch in the […]

Zach Neto Won't Be Ready For Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to manager Ron Washington. It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but Washington said he hopes to get Neto back at some point in the first month of the 2025 season. Neto had surgery on his […]