MLB Player News

Kittredge will be sidelined for at least the first two month of the season as the hope is the operation will allow the inflammation and soreness to subside in the right-hander’s knee. He should be a high-leverage option for Baltimore in the summer months if there are no setbacks in recovery.

With the Astros throwing left-hander Framber Valdez, the Mets will turn to Acuña at second base instead of the left-handed-hitter Baty. Acuña didn’t have as impressive a spring, and Baty will likely be on the strong side of the platoon and starting against right-handed pitchers, but it’s worth noting that the Mets are going to give both young players at-bats early in the season. The Mets’ full lineup is: Francisco Lindor SS, Juan Soto RF, Pete Alonso 1B, Mark Vientos 3B, Brandon Nimmo LF, Starling Marte DH, Tyrone Taylor CF, Luisangel Acuna 2B, Luis Torrens C.

Reyes won a bench spot by hitting .311/.418/.467 this spring. Now it just remains to be seen whether he’ll keep his place over Oswald Peraza after DJ LeMahieu returns next month.

This is a bit of a surprise. Perhaps this is connected to Vinnie Pasquantino’s hamstring injury, but with Pasquantino starting at DH, Cavan Biggio will be in the lineup at first base, with Jonathan India at third base, and Michael Massey at second base. We don’t want to overreact on day one with Pasquantino banged up, but this does suggest that Garcia’s status on the Royals may not be as secure as we had initially believed.

Cousins, a key reliever for the club in the second half of last season, is back throwing and probably would have been a candidate for the bullpen before the end of May, but the Yankees are opening up his spot on the 40-man for Pablo Reyes.

The 25-year-old Vargas was a top prospect for the Dodgers but struggled after he was traded to the White Sox last season. He began to recoup some of his past prospect value after hitting .341/.423/.523 in 52 plate appearances this spring with two home runs, five strikeouts, and seven walks. There won’t be a ton of value in the White Sox lineup this season, but if Vargas is going to be the primary leadoff hitter, then he could carve out some fantasy value hitting in front of Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Vaughn. The White Sox’s full lineup is: Miguel Vargas 3B, Luis Robert CF, Andrew Benintendi DH, Andrew Vaughn 1B, Austin Slater RF, Lenyn Sosa 2B, Korey Lee C, Jacob Amaya SS, Michael A Taylor LF.

At least it’s not an arm problem for once. Stewart should rejoin the Twins pen before the end of April.

Anderson won a spot on the Opening Day roster after hitting .250/.297/.317 with one home run and three steals. With Zach Neto (shoulder) starting the year on the IL, Kevin Newman will be the starting shortstop with Anderson filling in at second base. The Angels’ full lineup is: Taylor Ward, LF, Nolan Schanuel 1B, Mike Trout RF, Jorge Soler DH, Tim Anderson 2B, Luis Rengifo 3B, Logan O’Hoppe C, Jo Adell CF, Kevin Newman SS.

The Rays don’t want Montes on the major league roster right now, but they also didn’t want another team poaching him. The former Rockies prospect, who finished last season in Japan, had a nice spring, hitting .297/.395/.405 in 43 plate appearances.

Faedo gave up six runs and had a 1/5 K/BB in 3 2/3 innings this spring before being shut down. He’ll probably get a look once healthy, but it’s possible he’ll be DFA’d if the Rays determine their pen is fine without him.

The Phillies are throwing right-hander Zack Wheeler, so this figures to be the Nationals’ main lineup to start the season. We’re still optimistic that Crews will be in for a breakout season, but hitting eighth will certainly cap his upside in runs and RBI. Hopefully, a strong start to the season will help push Crews up the batting order.