News for All Players - 2015 Ezra Stiles Rotisserie Association

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Wed Mar 2722:00Kris Bryant In A "Great Place" PhysicallyKris Bryant3B/OFCubsBallbusters
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black says first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant is in a "great place" physically, and he believes 25 home runs is a possibility for the veteran. Bryant is entering the third season of a seven-year, $182 million contract that is widely perceived as an albatross, but the 32-year-old four-time All-Star did hammer three homers and draw six walks over 43 plate appearances during spring training. Set to primarily occupy first base in 2024, Bryant should have a much better chance of staying healthy at the cold corner after appearing in just 122 of a possible 324 games in the past two years for the Rocks. Only rostered in one-third of Yahoo leagues to begin the season, the former National League MVP can't be discounted as a potential bounce-back candidate with plenty of slugging upside from a premium lineup spot in Colorado's lineup at the hitter's paradise that is Coors Field.
Source: Patrick Saunders - Denver PostRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2717:50Gleyber Torres Will Bat Leadoff On Opening DayGleyber TorresSSCubsFree Agent
New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres is set to bat leadoff against the Houston Astros on Thursday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone made it official that Torres will take the first at-bat of the regular season for New York. It won't be an easy task against left-hander Framber Valdez. Boone said that Juan Soto is batting second and Aaron Judge hitting third. The move to the leadoff spot should give Torres a boost in fantasy value until DJ LeMahieu (foot) returns to the lineup.
Source: Bryan HochRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2717:31Max Scherzer Making Solid ProgressMax ScherzerSPNationalsDoppelganger
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back) continues making progress from his offseason back surgery and was able to play catch on Wednesday. The veteran right-hander won't be ready for Opening Day, but might not miss too much time. Rangers manager Chris Young doesn't believe that Scherzer will need to be placed on the 60-day injured list. Instead, Young suggested that Scherzer could be back as early as May. The Rangers are likely going to be cautious with the 39-year-old. His injury might push him back into the later rounds of fantasy drafts.
Source: Buster OlneyRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2714:35Will Smith Inks 10-Year Extension With DodgersWill SmithFree Agent
Will SmithRPBrewersDoppelganger
The Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith are finalizing a 10-year, $140 million contract extension. The 28-year-old has been one of the most productive offensive catchers since entering the big leagues in the 2019 season, putting together a career .263 average with 91 home runs and an .842 OPS across 486 games played. Most recently, he hit .261 with 19 home runs, 80 runs, 76 RBI, and a .797 OPS across 554 trips to the plate in the 2023 season. ATC projects Smith to club 21 home runs along with 74 RBI and an .823 OPS in 124 games in the 2024 season as he is every bit worthy of his 80.46 ADP as the fourth catcher off the draft board this spring.
Source: Jeff PassanRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2709:56Freddie Freeman Finishes Spring With Fourth HomerFreddie Freeman1BBravesBallbusters
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman finished Spring Training with a 1-for-4 performance against the Los Angeles Angels. Freeman's lone hit was a solo home run. For the spring, the veteran finishes with four homers, 16 RBI and a .282 average. Although he is another year older, Freeman remains as consistent as they come. One of the safest picks this season, Freeman should once again put-up big power numbers with a healthy batting average. He remains as safe of a pick as there is entering 2024 and should have even more RBI opportunities with Shohei Ohtani joining Mookie Betts as the two batters in front of Freeman this season.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2618:59Jon Gray Dealing With Stiff NeckJon GraySPRockiesTeam Jim
Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (neck) was scheduled to pitch on Tuesday but was scratched due to a stiff neck. He will instead throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and it shouldn't impact his first scheduled start of the regular season, although that date has yet to be announced. Gray was able to throw eight scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and two walks in two Cactus League contests this spring, but fantasy managers have wonder if his neck injury will have an effect on how he pitches early on in the 2024 regular season. The 32-year-old veteran got off to an excellent start last year before crumbling down the stretch to eventually finish 9-8 with a 4.12 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 54 walks and 142 strikeouts in 29 regular-season starts in his second season in Texas. It's hard to expect that much from an injury-prone pitcher in Texas who has gone over 170 innings just once in his nine seasons.
Source: Dallas Morning News - Evan GrantRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2614:54Jose Urena Cracks Rangers Opening Day RosterJosé UreñaRP/SPMarlinsFree Agent
Texas Rangers right-hander Jose Urena has made the team's Opening Day roster after inking a minor-league pact with the club this winter. The veteran has struggled mightily in recent seasons, working to a 6.45 ERA across 10 outings between the Rockies and White Sox in the 2023 season, although his 4.10 ERA in five outings with the White Sox was far superior to his 9.82 ERA in five appearances with the Rockies to begin the season. Urena's inability to miss bats has long plagued him as he sports a minuscule 15.5% K% in is career. He generates ground balls at a hearty 48.2% clip but has still surrendered a 1.24 HR/9 clip in his 199 career outings. He remains well off the fantasy radar moving forward.
Source: Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2611:30J.T. Realmuto Hits Second Home Run Of SpringJ.T. RealmutoCMarlinsTeam Erik
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hit his second home of the spring on Monday in a 6-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Rays. It was a long time coming, as his first homer came in his first spring game back in February. The 33-year-old is now 10-for-40 (.250) in the spring, with a double, two home runs, four RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base. He's getting his hacks in this spring, as the 3x All-Star hasn't drawn a single walk, while he's struck out 11 times. Managers who drafted him as the second backstop off the board are counting on the power and stolen base numbers to be there this season, but with a price tag of 72 overall, it's best to grab a catcher further down the board.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2611:16Trevor Story With A Home Run, Three RBI On MondayTrevor StorySSRockiesFree Agent
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and a run scored in Monday's 9-2 Grapefruit League win over the Rangers. Story's bat has caught fire of late, as he's collected at least one hit in six straight games while going 9-for-18 (.500) over that span. The two-time All-Star is now 18-for-48 (.375) in Grapefruit League action with four doubles, three home runs, 14 RBI, six runs scored, and even three stolen bases. It appears the 31-year-old is fully recovered from last season's elbow surgery as well as the neck stiffness that he experienced earlier this spring. He's not a top-12 option at SS, but with his power and ability to steal bases, he's got the upside (and momentum) to easily outperform his NFBC ADP of 173 overall.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2610:44Marcell Ozuna Goes Deep Monday, Collects Three RBIMarcell OzunaCF/RFMarlinsTeam Erik
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna hit his second home run of the spring on Monday in a 4-0 Grapefruit League win over the Twins. Ozuna had started off the spring hot but his bat had gone cold as of late, going 2-for-17 over his last six games. The 33-year-old is still hitting .306 in the spring, going 15-for-49 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI (three of which came on Monday's HR), and four runs scored. He's got just two walks compared to 16 strikeouts which is a bit concerning, but as long as he keeps hitting home runs that can be tolerated. The Braves have their Grapefruit finale on Tuesday before opening the season Thursday against the Phillies in Philadelphia.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 2600:47Diamondbacks Select Contract For Tucker BarnhartTucker BarnhartCRedsFree Agent
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart's contract Monday and designated pitcher Peter Strzelecki for assignment in a corresponding move. This means that Barnhart will serve as backup to Gabriel Moreno to start the season. The 33-year-old is a two-time Gold Glove winner and can provide experience and leadership off the bench. However, he has hit just .217 this spring and has never been much of an offensive fantasy option.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2519:49Randal Grichuk A Good Bet To Open On Injured ListRandal GrichukCF/LF/PH/RFCardinalsTeam Lorin
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo stopped short of saying that outfielder Randal Grichuk (ankle) will open the year on the injured list, but the skipper left little doubt. Lovullo said that Grichuk would be ready to serve as the designated hitter but that "just having a DH and not giving somebody a chance to play on the other side of the ball would not be fair to him or the team." The 32-year-old is recovering from surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle in February and is unlikely to be on the Opening Day roster. When Grichuk is healthy, he'll serve as outfield insurance for the Snakes after hitting .267/.321/.459 with 16 home runs and 44 RBI in 118 games with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels in 2023. Grichuk hasn't hit 20 homers since 2021 and lost most of his fantasy appeal when he left Colorado last year.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo MackieRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2519:44Michael Wacha Not Expected To Miss Any TimeMichael WachaSPCardinalsTeam Jim
Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (finger) is fine and isn't expected to miss any time to open the 2024 regular season. Manager Matt Quatraro said Wacha woke up Monday morning and even "forgot about it." Wacha is the club's No. 4 starter in his first year in KC, joining Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Brady Singer and Alec Marsh. The 32-year-old veteran suffered a bruised right middle finger during an intrasquad game on Sunday, but it won't impact his availability for the start of the 2024 campaign. He's expected to make his Royals debut on April 1 in a tough matchup against the defending American League East-champion Baltimore Orioles. Fantasy managers should expect regression from Wacha after two straight fortunate seasons in 2022 and 2023.
Source: MLB.com - Jackson StoneRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2519:05Willson Contreras Blasts First Homer Of SpringWillson ContrerasCCubsFree Agent
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras is finishing up his spring on a high note. The 31-year-old blasted his first home run of the spring during Monday's win over the Chicago Cubs. It's fitting that Contreras smacked his first homer off his former team. Contreas is slashing a lackluster .250/.300/.472 so far this spring. At this point, fantasy managers know what they will get from Contreras. The move to St. Louis doesn't seem to have boosted his offensive ability.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2518:39Joey Votto Likely To Stay In Extended Spring TrainingJoey Votto1BRedsTeam Erik
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto (ankle) is feeling better but has still yet to resume full baseball activities in camp. He will likely stay in extended spring training when the Blue Jays open the 2024 season later this week against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 40-year-old rolled his right ankle recently in a Grapefruit League game and will not be ready for the start of the regular season, although the injury isn't considered serious. It gives Votto a chance to stay in spring training to work on his swing after signing with the club late in spring training. Once he's healthy, he'll most likely head to Triple-A Buffalo while hoping to eventually join the Blue Jays in the big leagues as a veteran bat off the bench at both first base and designated hitter.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden ZwellingRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2516:15Jameson Taillon Throwing Live Batting Practice MondayJameson TaillonRPPiratesFree Agent
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Jameson Taillon (back) is scheduled to throw one inning of live batting practice in camp on Monday and then repeat the process on Friday. If all of it goes well, Taillon will be looking at a minor-league game after that. Due to a back injury that he picked up in spring training, the 32-year-old former first-round pick will open the season on the injured list and won't be ready to make his 2024 debut until at least the middle of April. We'll have a better idea of when exactly Taillon could rejoin Chicago's starting rotation once he pitches in minor league games. He doesn't walk many hitters, but Taillon hasn't been dominant and is also a fly-ball pitcher, leaving him very little fantasy upside in mixed leagues at this stage of his career.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Maddie LeeRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2512:51DJ LeMahieu Starting The Year On Injured ListDJ LeMahieu2BRockiesSchellackers
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) will start the 2024 season on the injured list, according to general manager Brian Cashman. "(It's been) a slow go on the recovery side" due to bone bruise, right foot," Cashman said. LeMahieu is dealing with inflammation and a deep bone bruise in his right foot and will have another MRI exam later this week to give the club an idea of how much progress he's made. The 35-year-old veteran might not have to miss much time, but there's also a chance his 2024 debut won't come until later in April. LeMahieu suffered the injury while fouling a ball off his foot in a spring game last week. With LeMahieu on the shelf to begin the season, Oswaldo Cabrera should operate as the Yankees' primary third baseman.
Source: The Bergen Record - Pete CalderaRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2512:08Anthony Rizzo Back In Action MondayAnthony Rizzo1BCubsDoppelganger
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (lat) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Monday against the New York Mets, serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup. Lat tightness caused the Yankees to scratch Rizzo as a precaution from Friday's spring training game, but he's back in there on Monday after taking the weekend off. Barring a setback, the 34-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran should be New York's starting first baseman on Opening Day on Thursday, March 28, on the road versus the Houston Astros. Fantasy managers that took Rizzo as a corner infielder in mixed leagues are hoping he can stay healthy in 2024 and carry his strong spring results into the regular season. Rizzo currently has a 1.189 OPS and two home runs in the Grapefruit League.
Source: Yes Network - Meredith MarakovitsRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2512:05Yasmani Grandal To Open The Year On The Injured ListYasmani GrandalCDodgersTeam Lorin
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal (foot) and outfielder Ji Hwan Bae (hip) will open the 2024 regular season on the 10-day injured list. Grandal is dealing with plantar fasciitis and has yet to resume running in spring training, so he won't be ready for Opening Day. The good news is that the 35-year-old veteran backstop hasn't been completely shut down from baseball activities, so he could be ready to make his 2024 debut when he's eligible to return next month. With Grandal sidelined, it opens the door for Henry Davis to see full-time duties as Pittsburgh's starting catcher to begin the year. When Grandal is healthy, the Bucs plan to rotate the two behind the dish in 2024. While Grandal still has some pop from the left side, he's not much of an option in single-catcher fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Alex StumpfRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 2501:21Davis Schneider, Daniel Vogelbach, Ernie Clement Make Blue Jays RosterDaniel Vogelbach1BCubsFree Agent
Ernie ClementFree Agent
Davis SchneiderFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Davis Schneider, utility bat Daniel Vogelbach, and infielder Ernie Clement have all made the opening day roster. Schneider should see a decent amount of playing time at second base, either as a platoon with Cavan Biggio or as the outright second baseman with Biggio shifting around the diamond. Vogelbach will likely be a bench bat and could fill in at DH when Justin Turner is playing in the field or taking a day off. Clement will be a bench infielder for the club. Schneider has the most appeal in fantasy and could be worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Source: Rob LongleyRotoBaller.com
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