MLB Player News

Dingler inflicted his damage against Pirates’ starter Andrew Heaney in the second inning — a 392-foot (102.4 mph EV) solo shot that got the Tigers on the board first. The 26-year-old backstop finished the night 1-for-3 and is now hitting .269 (7-for-28) with a pair of homers and six RBI on the spring. While his ceiling offensively is so much higher than Jake Rogers, the Tigers are committed to Rogers’ defense and leadership behind the plate so it’s going to be tough for Dingler to steal away the bulk of the at-bats there.

Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk confirmed Wednesday that Jones has received multiple opinions confirming a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Tomczyk added that imaging didn’t reveal any ligament damage and Jones will not require surgery. The dynamic 23-year-old righty is headed for the rest and rehabilitation route, which includes being shut down from throwing for the next six weeks. He’ll require several weeks to build up his arm strength and stamina once he resumes throwing in early May, which means fantasy managers shouldn’t expect to see him back in the big leagues until sometime in June, barring any setbacks.

It was pretty much a lock at this stage of the spring, but it’s nice to have official confirmation. Acuña’s fantasy appeal has taken a slight hit with former top prospect Brett Baty tearing the cover off the ball in Grapefruit League action to wrestle the starting second base job away. The 23-year-old speedster will open the year in a versatile multi-position role.

Lord winds up securing the final spot in Washington’s season-opening bullpen and will provide some lengthy as a long relief option. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Rutledge will open the regular season back in the upper minors as extra starting pitching depth. The 25-year-old former first-round pick has made a handful of appearances for the Nationals over the last two years, but hasn’t turned into the impact arm scouts envisioned when he was picked in the 2019 MLB Draft.

Yepez entered spring training with a decent shot at making Washington’s season-opening roster, but the final spot winds up going to José Tena instead. The 27-year-old will head back to the minors, but should be an option at some point in the near future.

Chaparro isn’t expected to miss a ton of time, but he’s not ready for the start of the regular season after suffering a left oblique strain earlier this month. The 25-year-old first baseman should be ready to return by mid-to-late April.

Cavalli entered spring training with a clean bill of health, but he’s going to require some additional time to continue ramping up in the minors before he ready to make his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery. He should get an opportunity to contribute at the highest level at some point in the first half of the season.

The positive news here is that Law doesn’t appear to be facing an extended absence based on his comments last weekend when he acknowledged that he would open the regular season on the shelf. The 34-year-old veteran reliever should be ready to return by mid-April, when first eligible to be activated.

Brzycky will open the regular season on the shelf, but should be an option for Washington’s relief mix by the end of April, barring an unexpected setback.

It’s merely a procedural move as Herz is facing an extended absence after being diagnosed earlier this week with a UCL sprain in his left elbow.