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MLB Player News

Rotoworld

  • SF Right Fielder #5
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    Giants and OF Mike Yastrzemski avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $9.25 million contract.
    With Buster Posey seemingly focused on runs batted in (Yaz’s career high is 71) and getting more athletic, it seemed like Yastrzemski might not be a fit for these Giants. However, since he settled for a $1.35 million raise in his final year before free agency, a deal got done. Yastrzemski’s .302 OBP last season was the worst in his six seasons, but he still managed to put up a 110 OPS+ while playing steady defense in right field.
  • HOU Center Fielder #76
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    Astros prospect Jacob Melton is dealing with mild back soreness, manager Joe Espada said.
    This will probably slow him down for a few days. Melton is supposed to be in the running to make the Astros, though his performance after moving up to Triple-A last year (.260/.314/.405 with 48 strikeouts in 192 plate appearances) suggests a more relaxed timetable is warranted.
  • HOU Second Baseman #7
    Astros signed 2B Brendan Rodgers to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
    Universally regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball last decade when he was selected third overall in the 2015 MLB Draft, Rogers never quite put it all together with the Rockies, posting a pedestrian .726 OPS over six seasons dating back to 2019. The 28-year-old provides the Astros with a reliable second base option with Jose Altuve heading to left field and Yordan Alvarez transitioning to a full-time DH role. It’s a strong landing spot for Rodgers considering he was non-tendered a couple months ago by Colorado as he figures to play on a regular basis for Houston in another hitter-friendly ballpark. He’s at least worth monitoring in deeper mixed leagues and AL-only formats.
  • KC Left Fielder #1
    MJ Melendez overhauled his swing during the offseason.
    MLB.com’s Anne Rogers notes that Melendez has modified his leg kick and hand positioning to improve his stance and power. The 26-year-old figures to occupy a strong-side platoon corner outfielder role this season for Kansas City alongside Nelson Velázquez. He’s still going to strike out a ton, but projects as a realistic 20-homer threat, even in a part-time role. There’s a ton of over-the-fence power upside lurking here if the revamped swing enables him to unlock his offensive potential.
  • TEX Relief Pitcher #61
    Robert Garcia (forearm) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
    It’s an encouraging development that Garcia was able to get through the side session without any issue after dealing with nerve irritation in his forearm earlier in camp. The 28-year-old should progress to facing hitters in the coming days, barring an unexpected setback.
  • MLB Commissioner
    ESPN’s Jesse Rogers reports 13 spring training stadiums will feature an automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system.
    The robot umpires are finally here. Rogers adds that the league is testing out the system this spring in roughly 60 percent of Grapefruit and Cactus League contests for the first time after years of experimenting with ABS in the minor leagues. MLB isn’t expected to implement ABS in regular season contests until at least 2026. Each team will be given two challenges per game, and will retain successful challenges, while only the batter, catcher or pitcher can initiate a challenge. It’s an interesting wrinkle to monitor during spring training contests, but won’t have a tangible fantasy baseball impact for at least another year.
  • LAD Starting Pitcher #11
    Roki Sasaki will face hitters on Wednesday in a live batting practice session.
    Sasaki figures to be the talk of the Cactus League this spring as he kicks off his stateside debut in a handful of exhibition outings before taking the ball for Los Angeles’ second regular season contest on March 19 against the Cubs in Japan. The 23-year-old figures to be a bit of a work in progress as the Dodgers tinker with his mechanics and arsenal, but his top-of-the-rotation talent is undeniable.
  • MLB Commissioner
    Rob Manfred told reporters the Athletics are in line to play in Las Vegas starting in 2028.
    The Athletics will play at Triple-A Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for the next three seasons while their new home in Las Vegas is under construction. It’s a definite upgrade from a park factors standpoint for the club’s sluggers as their temporary minor-league home is a much friendlier offensive environment than Oakland Coliseum.
  • MIL Shortstop #3
    Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said Tuesday that Joey Ortiz will play shortstop this season.
    Attanasio added that the club wants to give prospect Tyler Black a shot at third base along with incumbent Oliver Dunn. His remarks come on the heels of offseason comments from manager Pat Murphy that highlighted Ortiz as the most logical choice to replace Willy Adames. The 26-year-old is a gifted defender and also boasts double-digit homer and steal potential for fantasy purposes. The interesting wrinkle here is Black, who has put up phenomenal numbers at the Triple-A level, but has yet to carve out a permanent role in the big leagues.
  • CHC Starting Pitcher #18
    Shota Imanaga will start on Opening Day against the Dodgers.
    As expected, Imanaga draws the starting assignment for Chicago’s season-opener on March 18 against the defending World Series champions overseas in his native Japan. He’ll square off against his fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the highly-anticipated Tokyo Series opener. The 31-year-old southpaw was a revelation last year in his stateside debut, finishing fourth in NL Rookie of the Year balloting after posting a sparkling 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 174/28 K/BB ratio across 173 1/3 innings (29 starts). He’s a top 20 starting pitcher for fantasy purposes entering 2025.
  • BOS Starting Pitcher #66
    Brayan Bello (shoulder) played catch on Monday.
    Bello dealt with some shoulder soreness last week at the outset of spring training, but it doesn’t sound like a serious concern. The 25-year-old righty should begin ramping up his throwing program in the next few days, barring any additional setbacks.