MLB Player News

Shaw made his long-awaited spring debut earlier this week after missing time at the outset of camp with a left oblique strain. The 23-year-old top prospect, who was the 12th-ranked prospect (74th overall) in Rotoworld’s latest dynasty rankings update, has the inside track to opening the season as Chicago’s starting third baseman. He projects as an immediate five-category fantasy contributor with 20-homer, 30-steal upside.

He also singled. When we checked in on Canario a week ago, he was just 3-for-25 with a .621 OPS this spring. Now he’s 11-for-35 with a 1.058 OPS. He still doesn’t make sense for the Mets roster, but it seems far more likely now that he’ll be claimed by some team (Colorado?) if he goes on waivers.

Canning was officially named to the Mets rotation today, and he’ll start game three against the Astros on Sunday. He’s probably not an option in shallow mixed leagues, but those in deeper formats could take a chance. He wound up with a 1.88 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings this spring.

It doesn’t matter much now; Gillispie is a lock for a Marlins rotation that’s lost two starters this spring (and Braxton Garrett over the winter). He’s probably going to wind up in middle relief at some point, but he probably is one of the five best options right now.

Moncada isn’t currently throwing or hitting. He’s also just 4-for-28 overall this spring, so it seems like an IL stint might be for the best even if he’s physically capable of playing Thursday. If Moncada does miss some time, Luis Rengifo will slide to third base, probably opening up second for, gulp, Tim Anderson.

Bassitt’s velocity started down about three mph at the beginning of the spring, but he’s back to within one mph of 2024 now. His regular-season debut will come Sunday in the series finale against the Orioles. He’s a reliable presence for the Blue Jays and at the back of mixed-league rotations.

Falter dealt with a little fatigue earlier this month, but things seem back to normal now. He ends the spring with a 5.25 ERA in four starts. If all goes well, he’ll be something close to a league-average starter for the Pirates.

Pham probably won’t be very happy if the Pirates stick him into a platoon role at the beginning of the season, but based on Jack Suwinski’s performance this spring, it’d likely be the right play for the team. Even if Suwinski, who had a 110.6-mph double today, weren’t out-OPSing Pham by 400 points at the moment (1.022 to .624), he’d still project as the better hitter against righties. He’s the better defender, too.

Lee missed eight days with a back problem. Barring a setback, he figures to hit third for the Giants on Opening Day.

No Statcast today or radar gun readings on TV, so we’re not sure if Ryan’s velocity bounced back from last time out, when he was down 2.5-3 mph form 2024. He was effective in allowing just three singles and striking out four. If his arm is sound, he could be one of the AL’s best pitchers this season.

It seems like only a couple of weeks ago we were wondering how the Twins would find at-bats for Julien and Jose Miranda. Now they’ll get all of the playing time they can handle with Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee on the IL. Julien still should take a seat versus lefties, but he’ll be at second base or DH the rest of the time.