MLB Player News

No real surprises here among the latest cuts for Detroit. Leonard is probably the closest to contributing at the highest level after batting .263/.326/.455 with 10 homers and seven steals across 282 plate appearances last year at Triple-A Toledo. Flores, no relation to the Giants first baseman, was limited to just 20 appearances last year in the minors due to injury, but was a highly-touted pitching prospect just two years ago.

Wetherholt made a strong impression this spring after being selected seventh overall in last year’s MLB Draft following a standout collegiate career at the University of West Virginia. The 22-year-old shortstop is one of the best pure hitters from the entire draft class and possesses 20-plus homer pop with above-average speed. He figures to move quickly through the Cardinals’ system and could be threatening to reach the majors by the end of the year. He’s a top-25 range prospect from a dynasty standpoint at the moment.

Woodford fortifies New York’s paper-thin starting pitching depth heading into the regular season. The 28-year-old righty struggled last year to a bloated 7.97 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 26/9 K/BB ratio across 35 innings (nine appearances, seven starts) between the White Sox and Pirates. He’s merely emergency depth at this stage of his career, but that’s exactly where the Yankees find themselves at the moment due to an avalanche of injuries.

MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy adds that Turang got at-bats on Monday in a minor-league spring training contest and should be a “full-go” for Opening Day. The 25-year-old speedster has been dealing with a lingering shoulder issues recently, but an MRI didn’t reveal any structural issues. Barring something unexpected, Turang should be at second base on Thursday afternoon at Yankee Stadium.

Hoerner made his spring debut last Friday after missing the season-opening Tokyo Series while continuing to recover from offseason flexor tendon surgery. The 27-year-old speedster enters the year as a top-12 range second baseman for fantasy purposes after eclipsing 30 steals in each of the last two seasons.

Rodriguez has gradually increased his flat-ground throwing distance over the past week since resuming throwing. The 25-year-old righty will open the season on the injured list as he continues to work his way back from elbow inflammation. Barring any setbacks, he should rejoin Baltimore’s rotation by the end of April.

Robles was back in Seattle’s lineup just a few days after being hit by a pitch on the right hand. X-rays came back negative for any fractures and the 27-year-old should be a full-go for Thursday’s season opener against the Athletics.

Brash struck out two and issued one walk in his first Cactus League appearance of the spring. The 26-year-old righty missed all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. He figures to be an option for Seattle’s high-leverage mix at some point in April.

The lack of elite options at the keystone has made Albies a top-five option at the position, but he hasn’t exactly torn the cover off the ball this spring, batting .214 (9-for-42). We’re not putting too much stock into spring statlines, but we’re hopeful the round-tripper helps him shake off the frosty start at the dish leading into Thursday’s season opener.

The Braves haven’t set their season-opening rotation yet, but Schwellenbach figures to take the ball at some point later this week during a four-game road series against the Padres. The 24-year-old righty has looked phenomenal this spring after exploding onto the fantasy scene last year with a dominant 21-start run. He’s a top 25-range starting pitcher for fantasy purposes at the outset of the year.

Frelick was back in right field on Monday against the Rockies after missing a handful of games earlier this week with left calf soreness. The 24-year-old former top prospect is expected to open the regular season as the club’s starting left fielder, which gives him some appeal in deeper mixed leagues.