MLB Player News

Yoshida has been hitting in spring training, going .286/.286/.400 and one home run in 35 plate appearances; however, he is still not able to throw from the outfield. With Rafael Devers set to be the everyday designated hitter for Boston this season, the team needs Yoshida to play the outfield in order to be in the lineup. If and when Yoshida can throw well enough to play the outfield, the Red Sox will then run into the problem of Yoshida not being as good as Wilyer Abreu and Roman Anthony. Yoshida will remain a likely trade candidate.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Ohtani is scheduled to throw a higher-intensity bullpen on Saturday before the club determines his next steps. The 30-year-old two-way superstar remains without a definitive timetable to return to the mound in game action, but he’s making incremental progress with his ramp-up process.

Quintana is scheduled for another simulated game later this week before being eligible to be summoned from the minors on April 11. The 36-year-old lefty will certainly provide a lift for Milwaukee’s battered rotation mix, but his days as a fantasy-relevant option are probably long gone.

It’ll likely be Myers final throwing session before heading out on a minor league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old righty opened the regular season on the shelf recovering from a left oblique strain. If all goes well, he should be back in Milwaukee’s rotation by mid-to-late April.

Civale underwent an MRI earlier this week that revealed only a mild hamstring strain and he’s already been cleared to resume a throwing program. The 29-year-old should be ready to return to Milwaukee’s rotation mix at some point in a few weeks, if not sooner.

Gelof underwent surgery last week to repair a hamate fracture in his right wrist and is aiming to beat his original 6-8 week recovery timeline. The 25-year-old told reporters Tuesday that he’s targeting more of a 4-6 week timetable from the date of the procedure, which would put him back in the A’s lineup by late April. It’s not out of the question, but there’s little incentive for the Athletics to rush him back too soon. The positive news here is that he figures to be back by late April or early May.

Wade has opted to remain with the Padres as extra depth in the minors rather than elect free agency. The 30-year-old failed to make San Diego’s season-opening roster, but could wind up getting the call on an emergency basis if the need arises.

Freeman told reporters prior to Tuesday’s game against the Braves that X-rays came back negative on his surgically-repaired right ankle after he slipped and fell on Sunday at home while getting into a shower. The 35-year-old first baseman isn’t facing an extended absence, but he’ll need a few additional days off to let the swelling subside. Barring an unexpected development, fantasy managers should anticipate him being ready for Friday’s series opener in Philadelphia.

Hassell has picked up right where he left off after an impressive spring, hitting .357 (5-for-14) with one steal through three games. The 23-year-old former top prospect is putting himself back on fantasy manager’s radar screens with his recent performance, but it’ll be challenging for his patience and speed profile to succeed at the highest level.

It was a strong season debut for Waldrep, who only handed out one free pass while generating 14 swinging strikes. The 23-year-old righty has battled control issues throughout his career and was hit hard last year in a handful of big-league outings. The ceiling is massive, if he ever puts it all together, which makes him one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in the fantasy landscape. He’ll continue to develop as a starter for now, but he’d make a lights-out reliever, if the Braves ever wanted to explore that possibility.

Murphy walloped a no-doubter to left-center field in his first at-bat of the contest and wound up playing seven innings behind the plate in his first rehab contest. The 30-year-old backstop figures to only need a handful of additional minor-league games to get back up to speed. There’s a chance he’s ready to rejoin Atlanta’s lineup in a couple days, if not sooner.