News for Free Agent Players - 2022 5x5 Mixed League - $260 cap

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Tue Mar 1900:59Adolis Garcia Hits Solo Homer MondayAdolis GarcíaCF/DH/RFRangersFree Agent
Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run, and a strikeout in Monday's 9-5 Cactus League loss to the Mariners. The 31-year-old got a late start to spring after suffering a moderate left oblique strain in the World Series, so seeing him flash his power is good. However, he is batting just .167 in 24 at-bats this spring. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried, as Garcia has been a higher-end fantasy option each of the last three seasons. If healthy, he should provide a middling batting average with high power upside and moderate speed upside.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:52Cristian Javier Turns In Rough Start MondayCristian JavierRP/SPAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier yielded his worst start of the spring in Monday's 10-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Nationals. Javier pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on three hits (including a solo home run) and four walks with one strikeout. The 26-year-old is coming off of a surprisingly poor 2023 season and now has a 4.30 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 14 2/3 IP this spring. He is still a bounce-back fantasy candidate given his career track record, but hopefully, he can turn in a few more positive outings heading into the regular season.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:43Hunter Brown Having Strong SpringHunter BrownSPAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown has put together a strong spring to this point, compiling a 2.84 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings pitched. This is a good sign for the Astros and fantasy managers, as the team has expressed that the 25-year-old will need "to take a step forward" given their lack of rotation depth and injuries, per the Athletic's Chandler Rome. Brown showed some positive signs in 2023 but ultimately finished at 11-13 with a 5.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 26.8% strikeout rate in 31 appearances (29 starts) and 155 2/3 IP. His pedigree and strong team give him some fantasy upside, but fantasy managers may want to wait to see consistency from him before trusting him.
Source: Chandler Rome - The AthleticRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:27Caleb Thielbar To Start Season On Injured ListCaleb ThielbarRPTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) will be one of several of the team's pitching staff to start the 2024 season on the injured list, per the Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. Thielbar suffered a strained left hamstring early in camp and, while he progressed to throwing live batting practice last week, it was determined that the 37-year-old won't be ready in time to start the season. Thielbar had a successful 2023 season, earning 14 holds with a 3.23 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 30.0% strikeout rate in 30 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in saves-plus-holds leagues should look for additional information on a timetable for his return.
Source: Aaron Gleeman - The AthleticRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:19Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild Could See Time In Center FieldWill BensonRFGuardiansFree Agent
Stuart FairchildCF/LFGiantsFree Agent
With Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. I'm focused on the guys we have here." The 25-year-old Benson had a successful 2023 season in limited playing time but is batting just .200 in 25 spring at-bats. Fairchild has yet to stick in a big-league role but is hitting .360 with three home runs in 25 spring at-bats. From a fantasy perspective, Benson's potential to provide power and speed seems to give him the edge over Fairchild in deeper leagues. However, fantasy managers should watch for further news as the regular season approaches.
Source: Mark Sheldon - MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:08Zac Gallen Gets Opening Day NodZac GallenSPDiamondbacksFree Agent
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Monday that starting pitcher Zac Gallen will be the team's Opening Day starter. This will be the second consecutive season that the 28-year-old has earned the honor. Gallen will get a favorable matchup against the Rockies at home. He put forth another strong season in 2023, going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 26.0% strikeout rate in 34 starts and 210 innings pitched. He finished third in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award and will be looking to build off that, making him a high-end fantasy option in all formats.
Source: Michael McDermott - SI.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1823:33Jake Fraley Leaves Monday's Game EarlyJake FraleyLFRedsFree Agent
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was removed from Monday night's Cactus League game early against the San Francisco Giants after fouling a ball off what appeared to be a part of his body that is very sensitive. Fraley was probably pretty uncomfortable, but he was able to leave the field under his own power and should be fine for Opening Day on March 28. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will continue in the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitchers in 2024 in his third year in Cincinnati and deserves attention for outfield depth in deep-mixed fantasy leagues after he hit .256/.339/.443 with career-highs in homers (15), RBI (65) and stolen bases (21) in 111 games last year. RotoBaller has Fraley ranked as the No. 50 fantasy outfielder.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon WittenmyerRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1822:01Jackson Chourio Makes Opening Day RosterJackson ChourioCFBrewersFree Agent
In a move that many expected when the Milwaukee Brewers signed outfield prospect Jackson Chourio to an eight-year, $82 million contract extension, he will officially be part of the team's Opening Day roster, according to sources. Chourio, 20, will be the youngest player in team history since Robin Yount to make his MLB debut on Opening Day. He's the second-ranked prospect in all of baseball wasn't a sure thing to start the year in the majors given the team's crowded outfield picture, and despite some defensive troubles this spring, he's impressed the Brewers with his ability to hold his own at the plate against big-league pitching this spring. Chourio has hit .286 with a .347 on-base percentage and .490 slugging percentage through 272 minor-league games since 2021, clubbing 47 homers and stealing 68 bases. He'll likely start in center field and should be considered a No. 3 fantasy outfielder despite never appearing in a major-league game.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt HoggRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1821:40Blake Snell Heading To The GiantsBlake SnellSPPadresFree Agent
Free-agent left-hander Blake Snell is signing a two-year deal worth $62 million with the San Francisco Giants on Monday. The deal includes an opt-out clause for the reigning National League Cy Young winner. The 31-year-old southpaw was asking for a lot on the open market coming off his second Cy Young in eight big-league seasons. He went 14-9 with a league-best 2.25 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with a career-high 234 strikeouts in 180 innings over 32 starts for the San Diego Padres, but Snell also led the league with 99 walks and 5.8 hits per nine innings allowed, which means he was pretty fortunate to lead the league in ERA in 2023. He will stay in the NL West and move to an even more pitcher-friendly ballpark, but his lack of control and durability issues point to regression in 2024 as a No. 2 fantasy starter. Snell also has a history of starting slow, which could be exacerbated this year due to his late signing with only 10 days until Opening Day.
Source: New York Post - Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1820:28Nick Lodolo To Be Ready By April 10Nick LodoloSPRedsFree Agent
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (leg) will not be a part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, but he's expected to be ready to go by April 10. The Reds will open the year with a rotation consisting of Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft and Nick Martinez (ribs), with Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder) vying for the No. 5 spot. When healthy, though, the 26-year-old Lodolo will have a rotation spot waiting for him after a lost season in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his tibia. While Lodolo has lots of strikeout upside for fantasy managers, he's also a big injury risk. The good news is that he's feeling better and has allowed only one run in two Cactus League starts this spring. In deep-mixed fantasy leagues, Lodolo is still worth taking a late-round flier on.
Source: MLB.com - Mark SheldonRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1820:24Nick Martinez To Open The Year In The RotationNick MartinezRPPadresFree Agent
Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that right-hander Nick Martinez (ribs) is locked into a starting rotation spot to begin the year, along with Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft. The fifth spot is down to Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder). Martinez has been dealing with a rib issue in camp, but he was able to throw a simulated game over the weekend and should be ready for Opening Day on March 28. The 33-year-old has started 87 of the 198 games that he's appeared in in the big leagues in six seasons, and he's been more effective in his career in a relief role. Moving back to the bullpen is still an option once lefty Nick Lodolo (leg) makes his 2024 debut, which makes Martinez more of an NL-only asset in his first year with the Reds.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent RosecransRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1820:15Matt McLain Scratched With Shoulder SorenessMatt McLainSSRedsFree Agent
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) was scratched from Monday night's Cactus League game versus the San Francisco Giants for precautionary reasons with left-shoulder soreness. It doesn't sound like a serious injury, but it's something to watch after McLain also missed time earlier this spring due to an oblique injury that cut his rookie season short in 2023. Health issues aside, the 24-year-old earned the right to open the 2024 campaign as Cincy's starting second baseman after hitting .290/.357/.507 with an .864 OPS, 16 home runs, 50 RBI and 14 stolen bases in his first 89 major-league games a season ago. The former first-round pick in 2021 out of UCLA is RotoBaller's No. 7 ranked fantasy second baseman, but injuries are becoming a concern. If McLain is forced to open the year on the injured list, Jonathan India could fill in at the keystone.
Source: Cincinnati RedsRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1820:08Kenley Jansen Scheduled To Make Four More Spring AppearancesKenley JansenRPBravesFree 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 1820:04Jackson Chourio "In The Mix" For Roster SpotJackson ChourioCFBrewersFree Agent
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that outfield prospect Jackson Chourio "is in the mix" to be on the team's Opening Day roster. Murphy also said that infielder Joey Ortiz "has a good shot to make the club." It would be a surprise if the 20-year-old Chourio wasn't on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster after they signed him to a huge extension this offseason. However, the Brew Crew do have a stacked outfield with Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick and Joey Wiemer in the fold. Chourio is hitting .283/.313/.348 in the Cactus League but with no home runs and no stolen bases. The Brewers clearly view him as a staple in their outfield for years to come, but perhaps they feel that he needs some more minor-league seasoning to begin the year. Either way, fantasy managers should still view Chourio as an enticing No. 3 outfielder with tons of upside.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt HoggRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1819:58Yordan Alvarez's Removal Monday Wasn't Due To InjuryYordan AlvarezDH/LFAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins early, but it wasn't due to injury, with manager Joe Espada saying it was planned all along for Alvarez to take only two at-bats. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger had an injury scare a few days ago in camp, too, but that turned out to be just an eye irritation. Alvarez has proven to be injury-prone so far in his career, but his offensive exploits in a stacked Astros lineup outweigh the potential health risks. The former American League Rookie of the Year in 2019 has made the All-Star team in each of the last two seasons and has exceeded 30 homers and 90 RBI in each of the last three seasons in Houston. He's ranked as the No. 15 overall fantasy player at RotoBaller and should be fine for Opening Day on March 28 against the New York Yankees.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler RomeRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1819:35Carlos Rodon Looks Excellent On MondayCarlos RodónSPGiantsFree Agent
New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon looked sharp throughout Monday's outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out five batters as well on Monday. He currently sits at a 2.93 ERA this spring with some better outings as of late. The biggest thing for Rodon is going to be staying healthy and getting on the mound every fifth day. There is certainly some risk with taking Rodon is fantasy drafts, but he could be worth it.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1819:11Martin Perez Strikes Out Eight BattersMartín PérezSPRangersFree Agent
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martin Perez continued his impressive spring during Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-hander struck out eight batters over five innings of work during Monday's victory. It's worth noting that Perez never struck out eight hitters during a single start last season. His velocity was down during this game and he was still extremely effective. Perez has allowed one earned run in 12 innings this season. Perez probably won't be a reliable 12-team fantasy option, but could still be worth a look in deep leagues.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1819:06Merrill Kelly Has Stellar OutingMerrill KellySPDiamondbacksFree Agent
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly continued his stellar spring during Monday's game against the Oakland Athletics. The right-hander threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out seven batters. The 35-year-old hasn't allowed a run in two of his first three outings this spring. The hope is that these outings carry over into the regular season. Kelly should continue to climb up draft boards if he keeps pitching like he has lately.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1818:57Oneil Cruz Blasts Two HomersOneil CruzSSPiratesFree Agent
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz continued his impressive power display during Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He went 3-for-6 with two home runs and six RBI during Monday's blowout victory. Cruz is now tied for the spring lead with seven home runs already. Fantasy managers who were lucky enough to draft him before the hype train should be excited. Now, fantasy managers will have to pay the price to get Cruz, but he looks like he's the real deal. It feels like a 30-HR and 30-SB season could be a real possibility for him.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1817:06Patrick Bailey To Return To Game Action SoonPatrick BaileyCGiantsFree Agent
The San Francisco Giants are saying that catcher Patrick Bailey (hand) will be back in a Cactus League game in the next day or two. Bailey hasn't played in a week at spring training since taking a foul tip off his hand, but he appears to be fine now and will return to game action before the end of spring games early next week. The 24-year-old switch-hitting backstop hit .233/.285/.359 with seven home runs, 48 RBI and 29 runs scored in 353 plate appearances over 97 games in his rookie season for the Gigantes in 2023. Bailey caught fire early on after his big-league promotion but struggled in the second half. While he should see most of the playing time behind the plate in San Fran because of his defensive prowess, he's not really relevant in single-catcher fantasy leagues.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan SlusserRotoBaller.com
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