News for Free Agent Players - 2023 Ezra Stiles Rotisserie Association

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Tue Mar 1900:19Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild Could See Time In Center FieldWill BensonLF/RFRedsBuchanalia
Stuart FairchildCF/LF/RFRedsFree 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
Mon Mar 1820:35Orion Kerkering Might Not Be Ready For Opening DayOrion KerkeringRP/SPPhilliesFree Agent
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering (illness) might not be ready for Opening Day on March 28, according to manager Rob Thomson. Kerkering hasn't pitched in the Grapefruit League since March 1 because of the flu, although he's scheduled to throw at the team's spring complex sometime this week. "He's 22 years old," Thomson said. "We're not going to push this thing." Kerkering has appeared in only two spring games and might need to open the year on the injured list in order to rebuild his strength. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 out of South Florida went from playing in Single-A in 2023 to pitching high-leverage innings in the majors in the postseason last fall. Kerkering has a nasty sinker/slider mix that can make him almost unhittable as a future closer candidate for the Phillies.
Source: MLB.com - Todd ZoleckiRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1814:56Anthony DeSclafani To Begin Season On Injured ListAnthony DeSclafaniRP/SPGiantsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (elbow/forearm) will begin the season on the injured list. He will visit Dr. Keith Meister to evaluate the next steps on his ailing right elbow. The right-hander was shut down by the team early in the spring but has recently thrown bullpen sessions. He has yet to appear in a Cactus League game to this point, however. The veteran was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason after tossing a 4.88 ERA across 19 outings (18 starts) with the Giants in the 2023 season. He was involved in a deal for Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray before being dealt to Minnesota in a trade that saw Jorge Polanco head to the Mariners.
Source: Bobby NightengaleRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1810:30Huascar Ynoa Optioned To Triple-AHuascar YnoaSPBravesFree Agent
The Atlanta Braves have demoted starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa to Triple-A Gwinnett. Ynoa, 25, is returning from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in 2022. He tossed a scoreless inning this spring with one strikeout. The Braves are likely to have a workload limit on the right-hander, no matter which level he is at this season. He can safely remain on the waiver wire in all formats.
Source: Atlanta BravesRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1810:09Gavin Stone Named Fifth StarterGavin StoneRP/SPDodgersFree Agent
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has named starting pitcher Gavin Stone the teams No. 5 starter to enter the 2024 season. Stone, 25, has been a top pitching prospect for the Dodgers over the past few seasons and had a dominate Cactus League to secure the fifth spot in the Dodgers rotation. Over 9 2/3 innings, Stone struck out nine with one walk and one run allowed. Stone made his big-league debut this past season and struggled with a 9.00 ERA, 22 strikeouts and 13 walks in 31 innings over eight outings (four starts). Despite his rough debut in 2023, Stone worked hard this offseason to improve his pitch mix and even gained around 10-15 pounds. The sample size is small, but his spring results are eye popping. On one of the best teams in the league, Stone should be able to provide managers with plenty of victories to go along with strikeouts. With an ADP of 367, Stone should be around for managers in the deepest of leagues and is well worth the gamble with his big upside at a low cost.
Source: Doug McKainRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 1715:10Braden Shewmake Out For Multiple WeeksBraden ShewmakeSSBravesFree Agent
Chicago White Sox infielder Braden Shewmake (ankle) doesn't look like he's going to be ready in time for Opening Day. The 26-year-old has suffered a left ankle sprain that is going to sideline him for 2-4 weeks of action. That's a shame considering Shewmake was looking like a lock to make the Opening Day roster. Now, the White Sox will likely have to go with another veteran option while top prospect Colson Montgomery continues developing in the minors. The good news is that Shewmake should be back on the field in a few weeks.
Source: Daryl Van SchouwenRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 1712:51Max Meyer An Option For Opening Day RotationMax MeyerSPMarlinsFree Agent
Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said that he isn't ruling out right-hander Max Meyer for the team's Opening Day starting rotation given all the starting pitcher injuries in spring training. "I think everyone's on the table," Schumaker said. Bryan Hoeing, who was projected to be a multi-inning arm out of the bullpen, is also a candidate for the season-opening rotation. The 25-year-old Meyer was sent to minor-league camp earlier this week, but the Fish could call him back with Eury Perez (elbow), Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) all ailing with Opening Day coming up quickly in the rearview mirror. Meyer is the team's top pitching prospect and has thrown seven scoreless innings in Grapefruit League action, making him an intriguing stash candidate in deep-mixed leagues. However, his 2024 upside will be limited after he missed all of last year due to Tommy John surgery.
Source: Miami Herald - Jordan McPhersonRotoBaller.com
Sun Mar 1712:21Vaughn Grissom Not Expected Back Until Mid-AprilVaughn GrissomSSBravesFree Agent
Boston Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom (groin) will not be ready for Opening Day and the target date is now "mid-April, probably late April," according to manager Alex Cora. While Grissom's groin injury this spring hasn't been considered serious, the 23-year-old's timeline continues to be pushed back as the Red Sox play it safe. Grissom is expected to be the team's primary starter at the keystone when he's healthy so the Red Sox would rather have him start the season late than risk a more serious injury. Fantasy managers should now expect him to miss most of the first month of the 2024 season, if not all of it. Grissom will finally have a shot at regular playing time in Beantown after being traded from the Braves, but his groin injury puts a damper on his fantasy upside as a middle-infield option in deep-mixed leagues to begin the year.
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete AbrahamRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1620:22Miguel Vargas Optioned To Triple-AMiguel Vargas2BDodgersFree Agent
The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned second baseman/outfielderMiguel Vargasto Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. Vargas is currently in South Korea with the team but won't be active in the Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres. Vargas was not likely to claim a starting position with Los Angeles this season after being moved from second base into the outfield, pitting him up against the newly acquiredTeoscar Hernandezin left field. The 24-year-old had not been performing well in spring training, hitting for just a .192 batting average and a .661 OPS in 26 at-bats. Vargas' impact was expected to be minimal for fantasy managers, and he'll need a lot to go right to make an impact on a major league roster this season.
Source: Fabian ArdayaRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1612:13Dylan Carlson, Victor Scott II, Michael Siani Competing For CF JobDylan CarlsonCF/RFCardinalsFree Agent
Michael SianiCFCardinalsFree Agent
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that the Opening Day center field job is still open and he is not ready to name a starter in that spot yet. With Tommy Edman (wrist) set to open the season on the injured list after having surgery on his right wrist in the offseason, Dylan Carlson, Victor Scott II and Michael Siani are competing for the job. Carlson is getting the start in center field in the team's Grapefruit League game on Saturday and is the most likely candidate to see most of the playing time in center until Edman returns. The 25-year-old year-old Carlson also had offseason surgery on his ankle in September, but he's good to go and is gaining steam in deep-mixed leagues with Edman injured. Scott, 23, has plenty of speed to spare and has really impressed in spring training. Siani, 24, would be the long shot, but he could make the Opening Day roster out of camp as a fourth or fifth outfielder.
Source: MLB.com - John DentonRotoBaller.com
Sat Mar 1610:06Abraham Toro Playing His Way Onto RosterAbraham Toro2B/3BBrewersFree Agent
Oakland Athletics infielder Abraham Toro continued his strong spring on Thursday in a 3-1 Cactus League loss to the Cubs. The switch hitter went 1-for-2 in the game and is now 11-for-30 (.367) in the spring with a home run, seven RBI, four runs scored, and a 4:5 BB:K. Right now he's projected to make the roster, however, with the A's signing veteran third baseman J.D. Davis, Toro's playing time could be impacted. What Toro has going for him though is his positional flexibility, as he can play first base and second base as well. The 27-year-old isn't on the radar for standard roto or points leagues, but makes for an intriguing option in AL-only leagues.
Source: ESPNRotoBaller.com
Fri Mar 1519:27Paul DeJong Plays Long Ball FridayPaul DeJongSSGiantsFree Agent
Chicago White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong slugged his third homer of the spring as part of a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs in Cactus League action on Friday. Signed to a one-year deal by the White Sox this offseason, DeJong is up to a .297 average with 13 RBI and a stolen base to go along with his three homers, producing a .928 OPS in the process. While the strong spring numbers are encouraging, DeJong has fallen off a cliff at the plate in recent seasons. Last season, he hit just .207 with 14 home runs and four stolen bases across 112 games between the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Giants a season ago. He should begin the season as the club's everyday shortstop but prospect Colson Montgomery should take over at some point this season.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 1416:09Michael Toglia Being More Aggressive At The PlateMichael Toglia1B/RFRockiesFree Agent
Colorado Rockies outfielder Michael Toglia (neck), who returned to the Cactus League lineup on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians after being scratched on Wednesday versus the Arizona Diamondbacks due to neck stiffness, is looking to be more aggressive while hitting for more power in 2024. Toglia, who stands at 6-foot-5, hit .163 in 45 games last year and has hit just .187 with six home runs in 76 games in two seasons in the majors. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2019 is fighting for a roster spot out of camp this year, but he also has minor-league options remaining. More aggressiveness early in counts has benefitted Toglia this spring, but he's still striking out at a high rate. So far in Cactus League action, he's hitting .333/.429/.700 in 14 contests. Toglia won't be on the mixed-league radar if he's in the majors with inconsistent playing time.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas HardingRotoBaller.com
Thu Mar 1412:23Craig Counsell Likes What He's Seen From Michael BuschMichael Busch2BDodgersFree Agent
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has liked what he's seen from infielder Michael Busch as he tries to get more comfortable with the move to first base with his new team after primarily playing second and third base the previous three years. "I've seen the same thing with Michael at first base as in the box," Counsell said. "He's just steady and consistent. That's what it's felt like. Probably the thing you notice is there is athleticism." The 26-year-old left-handed slugger and former first-round pick in 2019 put up impressive numbers in the minors in the Dodgers organization, but he looked overmatched in 27 games in his MLB debut last year. The good news is that Busch is expected to see most of the playing time at first base in Chicago, which will at least make him worthy of fantasy consideration in NL-only leagues in 2024.
Source: The Athletic - Sahadev SharmaRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1323:45Steven Wilson Heading To White SoxSteven WilsonRPPadresFree Agent
San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Steven Wilson is expected to go to the Chicago White Sox in the trade that sent starter Dylan Cease to the Padres on Wednesday, according to sources. In addition to Wilson, the Padres also sent pitching prospects Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte and outfielder Samuel Zavala. Wilson, 29, has posted a decent 3.48 ERA (4.33 FIP), a 1.11 WHIP, one save, 47 walks and 110 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched in San Diego the last two years. Given the sad state of the White Sox's bullpen as they rebuild, Wilson should immediately enter the closing mix in the Windy City alongside names like John Brebbia, Deivi Garcia and Jordan Leasure. It will give him a little more fantasy appeal for those desperate for saves in deeper leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Dennis LinRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1317:37Jurickson Profar Exits Early During Wednesday's GameJurickson ProfarDH/LFPadresFree Agent
San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar (leg) was forced to exit early during Wednesday's Cactus League matchup against the Oakland Athletics. The veteran slugger came up limping after rounding first base in the fourth inning. He was able to walk off the field under his own power. The expectation is that Profar will undergo further testing and an update will be given following the contest. The 31-year-old was 3-for-3 with a one home run and 4 RBI before exiting the game. The expectation is that Profar is going to be the Opening Day left fielder in San Diego.
Source: Sammy LevittRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1313:38John Brebbia Throwing Live BP WednesdayJohn BrebbiaRP/SPGiantsFree Agent
Chicago White Sox right-handed reliever John Brebbia (calf) is throwing live batting practice in camp on Wednesday. Brebbia suffered a right-calf strain early in camp and has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet because of it. However, the 33-year-old veteran is working his way back and could still be ready for Opening Day on March 28. When healthy, Brebbia has a chance to close out games for the White Sox this year, although he could have to share ninth-inning duties with the likes of Deivi Garcia, Jordan Leasure and Dominic Leone in a not-so-pretty closer-by-committee approach. Brebbia only has two career saves (back in 2018), although he pitched well out of the San Francisco Giants' bullpen the last two years, posting a 3.47 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 32 walks and 101 K's in 106 1/3 innings.
Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Daryl Van SchouwenRotoBaller.com
Wed Mar 1300:45Colin Rea To Start Season In Brewers RotationColin ReaRP/SPBrewersFree Agent
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday that starting pitcher Colin Rea will start the season in the team's rotation. The 33-year-old made 26 appearances (22 starts) for the Brewers in 2023, going 6-6 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 21.3% strikeout rate. Rea has looked sharp in his eight innings of work this spring and the Brewers currently do not have much pitching depth. While he may not hold much fantasy value in roto leagues, he could be a deep points-league consideration in favorable matchups.
Source: Curt Hogg - Twitter.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1216:26Marlins Option Max Meyer To Triple-AMax MeyerSPMarlinsFree Agent
The Miami Marlins optioned right-hander Max Meyer to Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday. It's not what Meyers had hoped for, but the 25-year-old figures to be in the big-league starting rotation at some point in 2024. He looked good in spring training, throwing seven shutout innings, and the Fish could need him in April with both Braxton Garrett (shoulder) and Edward Cabrera (shoulder) dealing with arm injuries this spring. Meyer had Tommy John surgery early in 2022 after making his MLB debut, which forced him to miss all of last season. There's plenty of fantasy intrigue here if Meyer is healthy, including a potential relief role down the road if starting doesn't work out, but his fantasy ceiling will be limited in 2024 while he's on an innings limit.
Source: Miami Herald - Jordan McPhersonRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1216:19Max Muncy, Gavin Lux Out Sick TuesdayMax Muncy3BDodgersTeam Jim
Gavin Lux2B/SSDodgersFree Agent
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy and shortstop Gavin Lux are both out of camp on Tuesday due to illnesses. Muncy has been out of Cactus League action for a few days and could miss another day or two while resting up. Both infielders should be feeling just fine for their two-game series in Korea against the division-rival San Diego Padres on March 20-21, though. The 33-year-old Muncy has become injury-prone in recent seasons and won't help fantasy managers with his average, but he can still produce plenty of home runs and RBI in a stacked Dodgers lineup. Lux suffered a season-ending knee injury last spring and missed all of 2023. But he's healthy now and will serve as LA's starting shortstop to open the year. The 26-year-old former first-rounder hasn't seen much success at the big-league level, but he has an opportunity to break out in 2024 if he can stay healthy.
Source: Orange County Register - Bill PlunkettRotoBaller.com
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