News for Free Agent Players - 2015 5x5 Mixed League - $260 cap

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Thu Mar 2816:53Taijuan Walker Opening On Injured ListTaijuan WalkerSPMarinersFree Agent
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is opening the season on the 15-day injured list with an impingement in his right shoulder. Walker doesn't need an injection or an MRI exam, though, and is hoping he doesn't have to miss much time. The 31-year-old felt discomfort while throwing a bullpen session last weekend and has been shut down since. With Walker starting the year on the shelf, it has opened up a starting rotation spot for Spencer Turnbull in Philly. Walker, the former 43rd overall pick in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners, went 15-6 last year in his first season with the Phils and had a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 71 walks and 138 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He was fortunate to have those numbers, though, with below-average walk and strikeout rates.
Source: MLB.com - Todd ZoleckiRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2816:34Max Scherzer Throws Bullpen SessionMax ScherzerSPNationalsFree Agent
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. He said his arm is feeling good and described this period as "early February" for him if he didn't have the rehab for his back injury. Scherzer said there are still hurdles to jump through, but he said he respects the process of the rehab he's currently going through. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer underwent back surgery in December to fix a herniated disc in his back, which is why he's not ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. The Rangers don't have plans to put Scherzer on the 60-day injured list, which means that he could make his return to Texas' rotation before the end of May. That would be a best-case scenario. While Scherzer can still be an asset in fantasy, his days of being an ace are likely behind him at this point, especially coming off injury.
Source: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarlandRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2816:29Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen "A Ways Away" From ReturningBlake TreinenRPNationalsFree Agent
Brusdar GraterolFree Agent
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitchers Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (lung) are "a ways away" from returning from the injured list. Both players are playing catch but have yet to start throwing bullpen sessions. Graterol is dealing with right-shoulder inflammation, while Treinen suffered a bruised lung when he was hit by a comebacker in the chest in spring training in early March. Both relievers are unlikely to be available for the Dodgers' bullpen until probably late April. Until they are able to return, Joe Kelly and Ryan Brasier will be counted on more in late-inning setup roles ahead of closer Evan Phillips.
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Jack HarrisRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2816:22Clayton Kershaw "Ahead Of Things" Timetable-WiseClayton KershawSPDodgersFree Agent
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) said he is feeling good about his recovery and is out to 120 feet in long toss. Manager Dave Roberts thinks that Kershaw is also "ahead of things" timetable-wise. His next step will be throwing bullpen sessions, but it's to be determined when that will take place. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had left-shoulder surgery in the offseason and is starting the year on the 60-day injured list. As he nears the end of his illustrious career with the Dodgers, injuries are beginning to take their toll on Kershaw. However, the three-time Cy Young winner was effective in his 24 starts in 2023, posting a 2.46 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 40 walks and 137 strikeouts. Kershaw isn't going to be ready until sometime this summer, but if he's right, he can still be valuable in fantasy.
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Jack HarrisRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2816:11Corey Seager Active On Opening DayCorey SeagerSSDodgersFree Agent
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hernia) is starting at shortstop and batting second on Opening Day on Thursday versus left-hander Justin Steele and the visiting Chicago Cubs. It was uncertain earlier this spring if the two-time World Series MVP would be ready for Opening Day, but those concerns were mostly put to rest when he started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Monday's exhibition game at Globe Life Field against the Boston Red Sox. The 29-year-old missed most of spring training after having sports-hernia surgery in the offseason, but all that matters now is that he's available for fantasy managers in Game 1 of the 2024 season. Seager is a must-start on a daily basis in single-year fantasy leagues, but don't be surprised if he gets off to a slow start given his lack of spring training activity.
Source: Texas RangersRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2812:52Kyle Farmer Starting At Second On Opening DayKyle FarmerDHDodgersFree Agent
Minnesota Twins infielder Kyle Farmer, not Edouard Julien, is starting at second base and batting seventh on Opening Day on Thursday with the team facing left-hander Cole Ragans and the Kansas City Royals. In addition to Julien starting on the bench, which was common last year against lefties, too, Alex Kirilloff and Matt Waller will also grab pine on Opening Day. Farmer hit .290/.352/.430 against left-handers last year in 128 plate appearances, but it came with only two home runs and 16 RBI. In total in 120 games in his first year in Minnesota last year, Farmer slashed .256/.317/.408 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI in 369 trips to the plate. He'll be a low-upside DFS sleeper in fantasy lineups to kick the 2024 season off.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2812:27Yankees Put Gerrit Cole On 60-Day Injured ListGerrit ColeSPPiratesFree Agent
The New York Yankees officially placed right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday with right-elbow inflammation. Cole has avoided structural damage in his right elbow, but he's still expected to miss at least one to two months. It remains to be seen if last year's American League Cy Young winner will be able to start a throwing program in a couple of weeks as he slowly begins to build his arm back up. The 33-year-old needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues because he's one of the very best arms in all of baseball when he's healthy, but there's really no telling how much he'll pitch in 2024 or how effective he'll be if he does. And of course the Yankees aren't going to rush their ace back too soon.
Source: Yankees PR DepartmentRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2812:10Anthony DeSclafani Goes On 60-Day Injured ListAnthony DeSclafaniSPRedsFree Agent
The Minnesota Twins placed right-handers Anthony DeSclafani (elbow) and Josh Winder (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday. The Twins also put right-handers Jhoan Duran (oblique), Josh Staumont (calf), Justin Topa (knee) and Zack Weiss (shoulder) and left-hander Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) on the 15-day IL to open the year. DeSclafani is dealing with a right-elbow strain and won't be an option for the back end of Minnesota's starting rotation for at least the first two months of the 2024 season. The 33-year-old was acquired in an offseason trade from the Seattle Mariners in January. He went 4-8 with a 4.88 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 20 walks and 79 strikeouts in 99 2/3 innings for the San Francisco Giants in 2023. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can leave him to the waiver wire.
Source: Minnesota TwinsRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2812:05Anthony Rendon Hitting Leadoff On Opening DayAnthony Rendon2B/3BNationalsFree Agent
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is hitting leadoff for the Angels on Opening Day on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Corbin Burnes. Manager Ron Washington experimented with using Rendon in the top spot in the batting order in spring training, and now he'll be there for the first game that counts in 2024. The 33-year-old gets the nod to start for the Halos for lack of better options, really. Rendon doesn't have much speed but does possess good plate discipline with an 11 percent career walk rate, so the Angels will be hoping he can set the table for Mike Trout and company. Rendon could boost his counting stats if he sticks at leadoff all year, but he should really only be concerned about staying healthy, as he has played in a total of 148 games in the last three years.
Source: Los Angeles AngelsRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 2812:01Angels Officially Place Robert Stephenson On Injured ListRobert StephensonSPRedsFree Agent
The Los Angeles Angels officially placed right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) and infielder Michael Stefanic (quadriceps) on the injured list on Thursday. Stephenson isn't ready for Opening Day on March 28 in Baltimore against the Orioles due to right-shoulder inflammation he dealt with in spring training. While it's not a serious issue, the 31-year-old is going to miss a bit of time to open his first year in Anaheim. When healthy, Stephenson will be in play in fantasy leagues that count holds as the primary late-inning setup man to closer Carlos Estevez. And if Estevez struggles at all in 2024 and is removed from the ninth-inning job, Stephenson would be the first one in line to replace him for saves.
Source: Orange County Register - Jeff FletcherRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2722:00Kris Bryant In A "Great Place" PhysicallyKris Bryant3BCubsFree Agent
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 2720:02Jake Odorizzi Starting At Triple-AJake OdorizziSPRaysFree Agent
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Jake Odorizzi (shoulder) will make a start for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, April 2, and then the team will go "start-to-start" on deciding when/if they'll bring him to the major-league level. Not only did Odorizzi not sign with the Rays until March 15, but he didn't pitch at all in 2023 while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. The 34-year-old veteran should eventually become a rotation option for Tampa this year, but he'll certainly be on an innings limit and already didn't come with much fantasy upside. The former first-rounder (32nd overall) of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 went 6-6 with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves in his last season in 2022, sporting a 4.40 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 35 walks and 86 K's over 22 starts.
Source: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan BassRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2719:55Eduardo Rodriguez Starts Throwing ProgramEduardo RodriguezSPRed SoxFree Agent
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (late) started his throwing program on Tuesday and appears to be ahead of schedule. Rodriguez threw from 60 feet on Tuesday, which was the first time he had done any throwing since suffering a left-lat strain in spring training on March 19. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw is still going to start his first year in Arizona on the injured list, but his stay there may not end up being a lengthy one. In any event, the Snakes still felt the need to add lefty Jordan Montgomery to their rotation on Tuesday. E-Rod had career-highs in ERA (3.30) and WHIP (1.15) in his final year in Detroit in 2023, but fantasy managers should be expecting regression from an injury-prone pitcher that has exceeded 160 innings just once in his eight major-league seasons.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo MackieRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2719:21Kevin Gausman To Make Season Debut Sunday Or MondayKevin GausmanSPOriolesFree Agent
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the team still hasn't decided on when right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) will make his first start of the season, but it will be either Sunday in Tampa Bay against the Rays or on Monday in Houston versus the Astros. Gausman came out of his only Grapefruit League start on Monday fine and will not need to open the regular season on the injured list after dealing with shoulder fatigue in spring training. Neither matchup is ideal for the 33-year-old's first start after missing time in spring training, so he'll be more risky than normal in season-long fantasy leagues and in DFS in his first start of 2024. But fantasy managers should feel comfortable that the Blue Jays' ace can put his shoulder injury in the rearview and put forth another strong season as a No. 1 starter.
Source: TSN Sports - Scott MitchellRotoBaller.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 ScherzerSPNationalsFree Agent
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 SmithRPBrewersFree Agent
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 2713:08Marlins Acquire Burch Smith From RaysBurch SmithSPRaysFree Agent
The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander Burch Smith from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Smith had an assignment clause in his minor-league contract, and the Rays didn't have a spot for him on their major-league roster out of spring training. The Marlins selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville after the trade. The 33-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2021 with the Oakland Athletics, posting a 5.40 ERA (4.21 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP with 11 walks and 28 strikeouts in 43 1/3 relief innings. He'll be completely off the fantasy radar in what's expected to be a long-relief role for the Fish. In five big-league seasons, Smith has a poor 6.03 ERA, a 1.56 WHIP, one save, 87 walks and 184 strikeouts in 191 innings pitched.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc TopkinRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 2709:56Freddie Freeman Finishes Spring With Fourth HomerFreddie Freeman1BBravesFree Agent
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
Wed Mar 2700:36Pablo Sandoval States He Is Not RetiringPablo Sandoval3BRed SoxFree Agent
San Francisco Giants corner infielder Pablo Sandoval said after Tuesday's 3-1 exhibition loss to the Athletics that he is not retiring and will report to Triple-A Sacramento if he gets the chance, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. The 37-year-old veteran went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout, with his broken-bat hit coming in his final at-bat in the ninth inning. Sandoval batted .250 with no home runs in 28 spring at-bats and hasn't played in a big-league organization since 2021. However, he had a storied career during his time with the Giants, earning three World Series Championships, two All-Star appearances, and one World Series Most Value Player Award. Regardless of the outcome, the Panda made a lasting mark in the Giants' organization.
Source: Susan Slusser - Twitter.comRotoBaller.com
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