MLB Player News

The 27-year-old allowed three runs on three hits in the first inning with all runs coming on back-to-back home runs by Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker. Martin also struck out three batters in that first inning, making it one of the wilder innings you’ll see. On the day, Martin induced 18 whiffs on 50 swings for a 36 percent whiff rate and 31 percent CSW. He was better than the final statline will make it seem, but he has to keep the longball in check. Martin will now take a 3.62 ERA into a tough start at Boston next week. He should not be streamed for that one.

Freeman will make his return to game action for the first time since undergoing offseason ankle surgery. He could potentially play first base over the weekend. Barring an unexpected development, the 35-year-old fantasy stalwart should be ready for Opening Day in a couple weeks when the Dodgers square off against the Cubs in the Tokyo Series.

Venable also added that Martín Pérez and Jonathan Cannon have locked up spots in the club’s season-opening rotation. No real surprises here. The decision leaves some combination of Sean Burke, Jairo Iriarte and Bryse Wilson in contention for the final two spots. Martin recorded a serviceable 4.32 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 47/23 K/BB ratio across 50 innings (11 appearances, 10 starts) last year after missing the previous season recovering from Tommy John surgery. He’s shown some increased strikeout upside after adding a kick-changeup last August to his repertoire. He’s an interesting late-round lottery ticket in deeper mixed leagues and AL-only formats.

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.