MLB Player News

This seems very oddly timed, but perhaps it was in Cousin’s contract that the White Sox needed to add the Cuban defector to the 40-man this winter after he signed in May. Cousin, 25, had a 5.56 ERA in 55 innings over 15 starts in his pro debut. The majority of those starts came in high-A ball. He also had an 8.62 ERA in 15 2/3 innings during the Arizona Fall League. It’s unlikely that he’ll be of much help to the major league club in 2024.

McLain in center and Gavin Lux at second might be the Reds’ best arrangement, but they’re committed to keeping McLain at second for now. McLain is a bit of a roll of the dice after his shoulder surgery and the missed season, but he certainly would seem to have the potential to be a top-five fantasy second baseman.

He struck out two. With Rhett Lowder and Andrew Abbott both being brought along slowly this spring, the slim chance of Lodolo getting left out of the Reds rotation appears gone. He’ll probably offer some mixed-league value while healthy.

That’s three homes in three games. De La Cruz has a 2.500 OPS, which might just be sustainable for him. However, he’s yet to steal a base this spring, so his fantasy stock is surely about to crash.

Trout served as the Angels’ leadoff man today, but that was probably just to get him an extra at-bat before his departure. He’ll play right field for the second time this spring on Friday.

Gelof entered last year as Oakland’s No. 2 hitter. Now he’s batting eighth behind CJ Alexander in spring training lineups. That’s how disappointing he was in hitting .211/.270/.362 with an AL-high 188 strikeouts last season. However, Gelof still has power (17 homers) and speed (25 steals), and now he’s in a better offensive ballpark in Sacramento. He’s probably not going to be the major leaguer the A’s were hoping for, but he could yet prove to be a nice fantasy pick this year.

Spence held his own last year despite averaging 91.9 mph with his sinking fastball. Today, he averaged 94.6 mph on the nine he threw, topping out at 95.8 mph. The former Rule 5 pick might be more than a fringe No. 4 or 5 starter if he can hold on to hose gains.

Kirby turned in a perfect eight-pitch first, but he then walked the first two hitters in the second before coming out. Those two walks would have matched his season high from his 33 starts last year. Kirby is again toying with a cutter this spring, though he threw it just twice today. He’s a top-10 fantasy SP, even if he really ought to be better than he is.

Feliz, who saved 40 games and won AL Rookie of the Year honors for the Rangers in 2010, last pitched in the majors with the Dodgers in 2021. He was only throwing 91-92 mph today, so that doesn’t bode well for a comeback at age 36.

Daniel was acquired from the Angels back in December after making nine appearances (six starts) over the last two years, compiling a serviceable 5.06 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 37/15 K/BB ratio across 42 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old righty figures to operate in low-leverage spots for the Braves at some point this season.

Willingham was a long shot to make Atlanta’s season-opening bullpen after being claimed off waivers last month from the rebuilding Nationals. The 26-year-old righty made 19 appearances over the last two years for Washington, finishing with an underwhelming 7.11 ERA, 1.82 WHIP and 16/9 K/BB ratio across 25 1/3 innings of work.