MLB Player News

The 27-year-old right-hander was slowed early in camp due to a mild oblique strain, but it sounds like he’s ready to start building back up. There’s still plenty of time for him to get ready in time for Opening Day, but fantasy managers should pay close attention to how quickly he is built up. Any further setbacks would likely result in Assad opening the season on the injured list.

Rodgers will serve as the primary second baseman while Jose Altuve is out in left field; however, Maurico Dubon will mix in as well. All of Montero, Okert, and Gusto will begin the year in the bullpen.

The 29-year-old Hicklen is a fine Triple-A outfielder, but he’s never convinced a major league team to give him a chance. He was 4-for-21 this spring.

This move is procedural. Javier is aiming for a July return after off-season Tommy John surgery.

A May return appears most likely for Perkins, though it’s possible he could beat that timetable. He’ll start in the outfield against lefties once he returns. Until then, Garrett Mitchell should get a chance to show he can be a full-time player.

Ashby hasn’t pitched since March 3, so even though he should be about recovered from the oblique strain by now, it’s going to be a while before he contributes, particularly if the Brewers intend to bring him back as a starter.

Woodruff pitched an inning in a spring game on March 16 and then two innings in a minor league game five days later, so he’s coming along. Since the Brewers are intentionally going slowly with him, it’s possible he’ll spend the entire month of April building up before getting into major league games.

Holliday will slide to shortstop while Gunnar Henderson is out, but hitting ninth is not a great spot for his counting stats. The 21-year-old did hit .333/.407/.458 in 54 plate appearances this spring, so he’ll look to carry that over against full MLB pitching staffs. The Orioles complete lineup is: Colton Cowser LF, Adley Rutschman C, Jordan Westburg 2B, Ryan O’Hearn DH, Tyler O’Neill RF, Ryan Mountcastle 1B, Cedric Mullins CF, Ramon Urias 3B, Jackson Holliday SS.

We don’t think Rafaela is getting enough love as an everyday player in Boston this season. He was a consensus top-40 prospect last season who hit 15 home runs and stole 19 bases in his debut season. He spent this offseason working on his plate discipline and then hit .316/.409/.526 in 44 plate appearances this spring with two home runs, six walks, and just four strikeouts. He could be in for a breakout season.

Mears is better now, but since he lost a fair amount of weight and pitched only three innings this spring, he’ll start the year on a rehab assignment before joining the Brewers pen.

Well, now it’s official. Everything had been tracking towards Campbell opening the season as Boston’s second baseman, and has he has gotten hot at the plate over the last week, that seemed like a foregone conclusion. The 22-year-old shot through the minor leagues last year and is one of the top prospects in all of baseball. Boston’s full lineup is: Jarren Duran LF, Rafael Devers DH, Alex Bregman 3B, Triston Casas 1B, Trevor Story SS, Kristian Campbell 2B, Wilyer Abreu RF, Connor Wong C, Ceddanne Rafaela CF.