MLB Player News

Even though a velocity increase has seemingly added to his potential, Elder has gotten no love as a rotation candidate for the Braves this spring. He’d probably be an adequate fifth starter for some team, even if he doesn’t have a lot of upside beyond that. He’s destined to open this season back in Triple-A, though.

Elder has been summoned to replace Reynaldo López (shoulder) in Atlanta’s starting rotation mix. The 25-year-old righty struggled to a bloated 6.52 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 46/17 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 innings (10 starts) last year at the big-league level. He’s not a recommended fantasy option, even in deeper mixed leagues.

Ugh. The hits keep on coming for the Braves. López allowed three runs over five innings and recorded only one strikeout on Friday in his season debut against the Padres. Shoulder injuries can be extremely complex matters and typically result in extended absences. There should be some clarity on his status in the near future, but fantasy managers should anticipate López missing at least a couple weeks, even in a best-case scenario. It’ll be Bryce Elder taking his spot in Atlanta’s rotation, at least temporarily.

Hilliard passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment last week following the Rockies decision to sign Mickey Moniak. The 31-year-old lefty-masher is merely organizational fodder at this stage of his career.

Jurickson Profar’s 80-game PED suspension is a tough development for the Braves from a roster construction perspective, but it’s a significant break for fantasy managers as it bumps Harris into the leadoff spot at least until Ronald Acuña Jr. is ready to make his season debut at some point in early May. Atlanta has resisted thrusting the 24-year-old franchise cornerstone into the leadoff role, even though his skills seem to be a perfect match. The move should lead to an uptick in runs scored for at least a couple weeks.

Ramírez is back at the hot corner and batting second on Monday night at Petco Park following a brief one-game absence due to a right wrist sprain. The 32-year-old fantasy superstar appears to have avoided serious injury, which is a massive relief for the Guardians and fantasy managers alike.

Canario represents an intriguing addition for the Pirates since he’ll have a much clearer path to at-bats than he had previously with the Mets. The 24-year-old former top prospect was jettisoned from New York’s 40-man roster last week and should get a chance to contribute in Pittsburgh. We’d recommend a wait-and-see approach for fantasy purposes, but he’s a name to watch in deeper mixed leagues to see if it ever comes together.

It’s merely a procedural move to free up a spot on Pittsburgh’s 40-man roster since Jones was expected to be sidelined until at least early June as he recovers from a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Nothing has changed from a return timetable standpoint as Jones isn’t expected to resume throwing until at least early May, and won’t be ready to return until sometime in June, barring any setbacks.

Coming off a successful year in Boston, O’Neill shouldn’t have much animosity towards the Red Sox, who did him a favor by not tendering him a qualifying offer over the winter. He wound up getting a three-year, $49.5 million contract from an Orioles team that is definitely happy to have him. He’s 8-for-14 with a homer, five RBI and five runs scored in four games.

Povich fanned eight, but he gave up five hits and two walks to the remaining 12 batters he faced. His sweeper was the problem today; the 15 times he threw it produced no whiffs, just one called strike and two well-hit balls in play, including Jarren Duran’s two-run triple in the second. He was throwing the pitch a bit softer than last year, so he might need to tighten it up some. Povich will face the Royals next.

Bautista gave up two hits and two walks, the last to the struggling Rafael Devers, to bring out the pitching coach after 24 pitches. He then got Alex Bregman to pop up a 97-mph fastball to end the game. Bautista topped out at 98.2 mph today. He’s not his old self yet, but there doesn’t seem like much reason to worry. He should be available Wednesday after tomorrow’s off day.