MLB Player News

27-year-old reliever Michael Flynn is the reported return. Ryan Yarbrough will be DFA’d, according to MLB.com’s Juan Toribio. The Dodgers showed no interest in re-signing Rosario in the offseason, when they were planning on Mookie Betts at second and Gavin Lux at short, but he makes more sense now. Not only has he had a nice season offensively in hitting .307/.331/.417, but he’s added to his versatility in making 18 starts in right field and 10 at third base. The Dodgers figure to use him as a second baseman against lefties for now and also give occasional starts elsewhere against righties. It’d be nice if he was upgrade there from Enrique Hernández while Max Muncy is out. The Rays will likely give some of Rosario’s playing time to Curtis Mead.

FVV exited Saturday’s loss to the Nets early with the injury, and it’ll cost him at least one contest. Aaron Holiday should see increased run in VanVleet’s absence, but Amen Thompson and Jalen Green should be the biggest beneficiaries from a fantasy standpoint.

The 29-year-old infielder will make $1.5 million if he makes the team’s Opening Day roster. Lopez appeared in 124 games for the White Sox during the 2024 season, slashing a woeful .241/.312/.294 with one homer, 21 RBI, five stolen bases (in 12 attempts) and a 67/37 K/BB ratio in 445 plate appearances. He can be completely ignored for fantasy purposes.

Cronenworth, 31, split his time between first base (85 games) and second base (70 games) during the 2024 campaign, but it looks like he’ll be able to focus on playing second base regularly heading into 2025. The means that Luis Arraez should function as the club’s primary first baseman — barring any additional roster moves.

Aranda is probably going to have a chance to start against righties initially this year, but this does give the Rays some extra flexibility if Eloy Jiménez or someone else outperforms him this spring. Hopefully, it won’t end up mattering; Aranda’s strong exit velocity numbers suggest that he’ll be a nice middle-of-the-order bat, at least as a platoon guy.

Sheehan, 25, underwent Tommy John surgery in May. The right-hander is one of the more talented hurlers in the Los Angeles system, and even with a loaded rotation, he has a chance to make starts at some point in 2025 for the Dodgers. In terms of fantasy, he’s more of a 2026 play.

Freeman underwent the operation in early December. Gomes said that the first baseman won’t be in Cactus League games to begin the year, but he’s expected to be ready for the start of the year in Tokyo. Even with the operation, Freeman should be one of — if not the — first players at his position off the board.

More importantly — or at least equally as important — Gomes said that the team remains in contact about a possible reunion. Kershaw declined his $5 million player option at the end of the 2024 campaign, but the only question is whether he’ll retire or spend at least one more season as a member of the Dodgers. It’s hard to imagine he’ll help as a fantasy contributor even if the Hall of Famer returns in 2025.

It’s a little difficult to see a role for Hernandez on the current version of the Dodgers, but his ability to play everywhere and handle left-handed pitching — on top of the good vibes he provides the clubhouse — makes a reunion make sense. Wherever he lands, there won’t be a ton of fantasy value.

Rojas had his rehab delayed a couple of weeks, but it shouldn’t be something that lingers long into the spring it appears. The 35-year-old is expected to be a utility infielder for the Dodgers in 2025, and could see most of his appearances as a defensive replacement.

Santana submitted a $2.1 million figure. He was terrific for the Pirates last season, posting a 2.44 ERA in 44 1/3 innings, but he’s otherwise been a fringe guy over the course of his career. He has a 4.76 ERA in 221 1/3 lifetime innings.