News for Free Agent Players - 2010 5x5 Mixed League - $260 cap

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Mon Mar 1820:08Kenley Jansen Scheduled To Make Four More Spring AppearancesKenley JansenRPDodgersFree Agent
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that closer Kenley Jansen (back) has just enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season on March 28, but there is no margin for any more injury setbacks. "We're running out of time," Cora said. Despite being scratched from his second Grapefruit League appearance on Monday with lower-back tightness, Jansen is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and one more time in an exhibition game in Texas next week. The 36-year-old veteran reliever didn't make his first spring appearance until last Friday due to lat tightness, so Jansen has already dealt with two injuries this spring. While he could be ready for Opening Day, fantasy managers should be considering him a pretty shaky No. 2 closer in 2024. Chris Martin (groin) is also hurt and could open the year on the injured list, so the back end of Boston's bullpen is limping into Opening Day.
Source: The Boston Globe - Alex SpeierRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1816:36Justin Verlander Expected To Face Hitters "In The Next Day Or Two"Justin VerlanderSPTigersFree Agent
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) should face hitters "in the next day or two" in camp. Verlander came into spring training with right-shoulder issues, but he threw another bullpen session on Sunday and is ramping up with the start of the 2024 regular season right around the corner. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner is going to start the year on the injured list and might not make his 2024 debut until late April or early May. He became the first pitcher age 40 or older to win 12 games and post an ERA below 3.25 since 2013, so Verlander can clearly still be effective despite his age. However, injuries are a big concern, and his fantasy value has obviously dropped considerably in 2024 now that he could miss the first month of the season.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler RomeRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:10Kenley Jansen Scratched With Lower-Back TightnessKenley JansenRPDodgersFree Agent
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (back) has been scratched from the team's Grapefruit League game on Monday versus the Minnesota Twins due to lower-back tightness. However, he could pitch as soon as Tuesday, and the Red Sox still expect that he'll be ready for Opening Day on March 28. Jansen didn't make his spring training debut until last Friday due to lat soreness that he experienced after reporting to camp a month ago, so he hasn't been able to get much work in this spring. Boston is being extra cautious with the 36-year-old veteran reliever. Jansen is MLB's active leader in saves and will be Boston's primary ninth-inning man in 2024, but the injuries are beginning to pile up, and he should be considered a shaky No. 2 fantasy closer.
Source: MLB.com - Ian BrowneRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 1715:22Joey Votto Exits During DebutJoey Votto1BRedsFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto (ankle) was forced to exit early during Sunday's spring training contest against the Philadelphia Phillies. The veteran slugger launched a solo home run in his first at-bat with his new team. Sadly, Votto didn't last too much longer as he rolled his ankle stepping on a bat in the dugout. The team decided to take a cautious approach and pull Votto from the game. The expectation is that Votto will return to the lineup in a few days.
Source: Keegan MathesonRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 1708:51Giancarlo Stanton Crushes First Home Run Of SpringGiancarlo StantonRFMarlinsFree Agent
New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton clobbered his first home run of the spring on Saturday in a 10-9 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays. The 34-year-old demolished a 1-0 fastball from Jays pitcher Paolo Espino and finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored. It took Stanton 25 at-bats to hit his first homer and he's batting just .250 (7-for-28) in ten spring games, but at least he's healthy after missing 61 games last season. As long as he's in the lineup he should be a viable source of power and is available at the end of most drafts. Currently projected to hit 26 home runs over 104 games this season, if the former MVP can eclipse that number he could be a value.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1612:03Max Scherzer Cleared For Baseball ActivitiesMax ScherzerSPTigersFree Agent
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back), who had surgery on Dec. 15 on his back for a herniated disc that shut him down late last season, has been cleared for baseball activities around the 13-week mark since surgery. June remains the target date for the Rangers, although Scherzer doesn't fully see it that way. In eight starts for Texas in 2023 after being traded from the Mets, he went 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA, but he missed the final six weeks of the regular season due to a muscle strain in his right shoulder. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer isn't targeting any specific date to make his 2024 debut, and the reality is he could miss all of the first half of the season. Scherzer can still contribute in fantasy when he's healthy, but the fact that he could miss the first half drastically reduces his fantasy value in upcoming drafts.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi LandryRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1317:20Justin Verlander Close To Facing HittersJustin VerlanderSPTigersFree Agent
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is close to progressing to facing hitters again. Astros manager Joe Espada recently said that Verlander is slated to throw another bullpen session on Thursday. The team will wait and see how Verlander feels after that before deciding on when he'll face hitters again. The 41-year-old will open the season on the injured list, but it doesn't sound like Verlander is going to miss an extended period of time.
Source: Matt KawaharaRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1212:36Kenley Jansen Expected To Make Spring Debut FridayKenley JansenRPDodgersFree Agent
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen's (lat) live batting practice session appeared to go well on Tuesday, as he gave a thumbs up and a "yes, sir" when asked how it went. He is expected to pitch in his first Grapefruit League game on Friday. The Red Sox have been slow-playing Jansen in camp after he reported to spring training with lat soreness. The 36-year-old veteran has progressed nicely, though, and as long as he doesn't have a setback once he starts pitching in actual games, he will be ready for Opening Day later this month. Jansen is MLB's active leader in saves and will be Boston's primary ninth-inning guy when he's healthy, but there's no denying that he's a pretty big injury risk for fantasy managers at this stage of his career.
Source: MLB.com - Ian BrowneRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1212:31Joey Votto Could Play As Early As WednesdayJoey Votto1BRedsFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto could be in minor-league games in spring training as early as Wednesday, according to manager John Schneider. This would put Votto on track to appear in his first Grapefruit League game in the days that follow this weekend, but the Blue Jays want to ramp him up against minor-league pitching first. The 40-year-old veteran joined the club as a non-roster invite to spring training last Friday and will attempt to make his hometown team in what could be his final season as a professional. There's a good chance Votto will start the year at Triple-A Buffalo, but he could eventually be up in Toronto as a veteran left-handed bat off the bench. In 65 games in 2023 for the Reds, he hit just .202 but with 14 home runs.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan MathesonRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1200:18Kenley Jansen To Throw Live Batting Practice TuesdayKenley JansenRPDodgersFree Agent
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw another live batting practice session on Tuesday, per the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham. The 36-year-old reported right lat soreness early in camp and was shut down, but is now building up for Opening Day. Fantasy managers should monitor his situation for a better idea of whether he will be ready for Opening Day. It seems as though veteran Chris Martin (groin) would get the first shot at save opportunities for the Red Sox if Jansen is unable to start the season healthy.
Source: Pete Abraham - Twitter.comRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 1012:43Chris Sale Struggles In Third StartChris SaleRPWhite SoxFree Agent
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale was looking excellent on the mound until he faced off against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday. The left-hander was smacked around for three runs in 3 2/3 innings during Saturday's loss. Sale didn't have his best stuff as he allowed four hits and walked one batter during his rough outing. Despite the bad outing, fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about Sale. He still holds a 3.24 ERA with 11 strikeouts and a 1.20 WHIP over 8 1/3 innings this spring.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 814:16Joey Votto Signs Non-Roster Deal With Blue JaysJoey Votto1BRedsFree Agent
Free-agent first baseman Joey Votto has signed a non-roster invite deal to join the Toronto Blue Jays for spring training. The 40-year-old is from Toronto as the player and team seemed likely to at least connect on a minors deal this winter. Votto was relatively productive in the 2023 season, hitting just .202 but also slugging 14 home runs in just 65 games played while walking at a healthy 11.2% clip. He has seen his walk rates dip and his strikeout rates increase in recent seasons but his production hovered around league average a season ago, as per his 98 wRC+. He will battle for reps at designated hitter in the 2024 season but the Blue Jays also signed veteran Justin Turner to fill that void. Votto is well off the fantasy radar at this point.
Source: Buster OlneyRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 612:07Kenley Jansen Set For Live Batting Practice SessionKenley JansenRPDodgersFree Agent
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw his first live batting practice session of camp on Wednesday, but it could be postponed due to rain. The Red Sox won't take any chances with the field being wet. Jansen reported right-lat soreness early in camp and was shut down, but it's not expected to take the 36-year-old much time to ramp up in spring training, so he's not being ruled out for Opening Day just yet. If he suffers a setback or just isn't ready to go later this month for the start of the regular season, expect Chris Martin to get the first shot at save chances at the back of Boston's bullpen. Jansen is the active leader in saves and had 29 of them with Boston last year, but he's not getting any younger and is a pretty big injury risk as a fantasy relief pitcher in 2024.
Source: The Athletic - Jen McCaffreyRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 512:11Andrew McCutchen Making Spring Debut TuesdayAndrew McCutchenCFPiratesFree Agent
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (Achilles) said that he is making his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday. "Got a uniform in here. Might as well wear it," McCutchen said. The 37-year-old said his modified, back-field program this spring has kept his health/body in a great spot entering the 2024 season. McCutchen suffered a partial tear of his left Achilles in 2023, which is why he's being slow-played in camp by the Pirates. The former National League MVP in 2013 is clearly past his prime, but he was decent before his injury in his return to Pittsburgh last year, slashing .256/.378/.397 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 112 games. McCutchen's lack of outfield eligibility in fantasy is bad news for his overall fantasy appeal, though.
Source: Pittsburgh PG - Jason MackeyRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 512:00Justin Verlander Will Start On Injured ListJustin VerlanderSPTigersFree Agent
Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will start the 2024 regular season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada confirmed on Tuesday. Verlander's right shoulder didn't respond the way he'd hoped this offseason, which caused him to come to spring training behind all the other starting pitchers. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner has been throwing bullpen sessions in camp but has yet to be cleared to face live hitters. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, but the Astros aren't going to rush an aging pitcher who has had injury issues in recent seasons. There's no guarantee that Verlander will be ready to go when he's eligible to come off the injured list on April 11. The future Hall of Famer is no longer a fantasy ace and comes with plenty of injury risk as a No. 3 or 4 starter for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com - Francys RomeroRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 500:20Andrew McCutchen Could See Game Action In Coming WeekAndrew McCutchenCFPiratesFree Agent
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (Achilles) could see Grapefruit League action the week of March 4. The 37-year-old signed a one-year, $5 million deal this off-season to return to the Pirates after slashing .256/.378/.397 with 12 home runs, 55 runs scored, 43 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 473 plate appearances. He was forced to miss the last month of the season due to a partial tear of his left Achilles. At this point in his career, while recovering from a leg injury, it is difficult to expect much from McCutchen fantasy-wise, particularly in terms of stolen base potential.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 417:07Josh Donaldson Hangs Up His CleatsJosh DonaldsonCAthleticsFree Agent
Veteran third baseman Josh Donaldson has decided to retire from professional baseball. The 38-year-old played 13 seasons in the big leagues and enjoyed a wildly successful career. Donaldson was a two-time Silver Slugger winner, appeared in three All-Star games, and took home the 2015 AL MVP Award. He put forth a .261 average with 279 home runs and a .847 OPS across 1,384 games played. Interestingly, his runs and RBI figures were identical at 816 apiece. Most recently, Donaldson appeared in 51 games between the Yankees and Brewers in the 2023 season but limped to a .152 average, although he did slug 13 home runs in just 189 trips to the plate. He spent his 13 years in the majors with the Athletics, Blue Jays, then-Indians, Braves, Twins, Yankees, and Brewers.
Source: MLBRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 316:43Chris Sale Looks Excellent Early OnChris SaleRPWhite SoxFree Agent
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale has looked sharp through two starts with his new team this spring. The left-hander has struck out nine batters with only three hits allowed in 5 2/3 innings of work. It's a small sample size but it's great to see Sale looking like himself again. The seven-time All-Star was traded to Atlanta from the Boston Red Sox in December. Sale has struggled to stay healthy over the last few seasons. He made 20 starts with the Red Sox last season but didn't look like himself. Fantasy managers shouldn't get too eager but possibly the old Sale is back with his new team.
Source: Talkin' BaseballRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 316:36Elvis Andrus Joins DiamondbacksElvis AndrusSSRangersFree Agent
The Arizona Diamondbacks have brought in shortstop Elvis Andrus on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. On paper, Andrus doesn't exactly fit in the overcrowded D-Backs infield. Geraldo Perdomo has already been named the starting shortstop. It won't be long before top prospect Jordan Lawlar is in the mix as well. At best, Andrus will have a bench role but that likely wouldn't be enough to provide consistent fantasy value. He slashed .251/.304/.358 with six homers and 12 steals during his time with the Chicago White Sox last season.
Source: Jesse FriedmanRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 313:18Justin Verlander Throws Bullpen SessionJustin VerlanderSPTigersFree Agent
Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw around 60 pitches during his bullpen session on Sunday morning. Verlander worked out of both the stretch and from the windup and appeared to throw some breaking pitches. The Astros are expected to determine if he's ready to face hitters next in camp. The 41-year-old's shoulder didn't respond the way he would have hoped this offseason, so he entered spring training behind the team's other pitchers. Even if Verlander moves to live batting practice sessions next, there's no guarantee he won't open the 2024 regular season on the injured list as a precaution. The future Hall of Famer was still productive for fantasy managers last year, but injuries aren't going to go away, making him more of a No. 3 starter than a fantasy ace now days.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt KawaharaRotoBaller.com
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