Yankees INF DJ LeMahieu is dealing with a ‘significant’ bone bruise and may not be ready for opening day, per manager Aaron Boone. (Source: Bryan Hoch on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: LeMahieu underwent X-rays on his foot after fouling a ball off his foot on Saturday. The X-rays were negative, but the veteran’s status for Opening Day is up in the air. Fantasy managers should expect Oswaldo Cabrera to man third base if LeMahieu lands on the injured list.
Category: Injury Updates
Red Sox CP Kenley Jansen (back) will pitch Tuesday, per Red Sox manager Alex Cora. (Source: Christopher Smith on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Jansen was scratched from his scheduled session Monday with lower-back tightness. Cora stated that Jansen is “running out of time” in order to be ready for Opening Day.
Category: Injury Updates
Astros OF Yordan Alvarez left Monday’s game early. (Source: Chandler Rome on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: There is no word yet on if Alvarez has suffered an injury, but the team should provide an update after the game. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.
Category: Injury Updates
The White Sox have named Garrett Crochet as their Opening Day starter. (Source: Chuck Garfien on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Crochet is a converted reliever and will make his first major league start on Opening Day. The 24-year-old has allowed seven hits and recorded 12 strikeouts across nine innings this spring.
The Red Sox have Ceddanne Rafaela in Monday’s game playing at second base. (Source: Alex Speier on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: This would mark Rafaela’s first playing time in the infield this spring. The 23-year-old prospect is currently slashing .273/.333/.901 with three home runs, eight RBI, and two steals so far in Spring Training. Rafaela is making a strong case to make the Opening Day roster.
Twins CP Jhoan Duran (oblique) will begin the season on the 15-day IL. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The team stated that his oblique injury is considered a moderate strain, which may require Duran to miss more than the minimum 15 days. The team will likely turn to Griffin Jax as the closer to open the season.
Category: Injury Updates
Twins SP Anthony DeSclafani will start the regular season on the injured list with a right forearm strain. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: DeSclafani is scheduled to have his injury assessed soon and the team will build a treatment plan for the veteran. Fantasy managers should consider that DeSclafani could face a longer absence considering his history of injuries with his right arm.
Category: Injury Updates
The Mariners have officially named Luis Castillo their Opening Day starter. (Source: Ryan Divish on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Castillo was likely always going to get the nod for Opening Day, but it is now official. The 31-year-old turned in a 3.34 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 33 starts last season.
Rangers 3B Josh Jung is set to take live batting practice Monday. (Source: Jeff Wilson on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Jung is dealing with a strained left calf. The team hopes that if Monday’s workout goes well, that he could serve as the designated hitter later this weekend. The 26-year-old should be available for the Rangers’ on Opening Day, barring any setbacks.
Category: Injury Updates
Yankees OF Aaron Judge (abdomen) did not take part in on-field batting practice Monday. (Source: Bryan Hoch on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Judge was on the original schedule to take batting practice Monday, but only participate in outfield drills. The team has not announced if the slugger has had a setback or if they are being cautious.
Category: Injury Updates
Rangers SS Corey Seager is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday (Source: Kennedi Landry on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Seager continues to ramp up his rehab from a sports hernia operation he underwent in January. The veteran has yet to play in a Spring Training game and would likely need to log a few in game at-bats in order to be on the Opening Day roster.
Category: Injury Updates
Astros SP Jose Urquidy has been diagnosed with a forearm strain and will not be available for the start of the season. (Source: Matt Kawahara on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Urquidy will be shut down from throwing and will not be in the Opening Day rotation. The Astros have multiple injuries to their starting rotation and are expected to continue to look outside of the organization for depth.
Category: Injury Updates
The Twins scratched Byron Buxton from their lineup Monday with lower back tightness. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Buxton has remained healthy this spring, but his back tightness is a bit concerning considering his injury history. The team should release more information on the severity of the injury soon.
Category: Injury Updates
The Royals have announced that SP Cole Ragans will serve as the team’s Opening Day starter. (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Ragans turned in a solid 2023 season, posting a 3.47 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 96 innings pitched. Despite posting a 5.40 ERA in four spring outings, the 26-year-old will take the mound to open the season for the rebuilding Royals.
The Braves have named Reynaldo Lopez as the team’s fifth starter. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Lopez has officially won the job after the team optioned Bryce Elder. The veteran allowed just two runs over 11 2/3 innings pitched this spring.
The Dodgers have named SP Gavin Stone as the team’s fifth starter. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Stone turned in a solid Spring Training, allowing just one run over 9 2/3 innings pitched. The 25-year-old struggled last season and will need to find success early to remain in the rotation in 2024.
Reds OF TJ Friedl has a fractured wrist and will miss Opening Day. (Source: Trent Rosecrans on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Friedl is expected to miss an extended period of time as he will have to wait for the injury to fully heal before he can resume baseball activities. The team will likely to Will Benson or Stuart Fairchild to man center field to begin the season.
Category: Injury Updates
The Padres will start Jackson Merrill in centerfield on Opening Day. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The 20-year-old prospect has officially won the centerfield job. The rookie is in Korea for the team’s two-game series with the Dodgers. Fantasy managers should expect his draft stock to rise with the announcement from Padres’ manager Mike Shildt.
Cubs SP Jameson Taillon (back) is planning on throwing from a mound Tuesday or Wednesday. (Source: Bruce Levine on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Tallion stated that his back has responded well to rest and treatment. The veteran was scratched from a start on March 9th, so he will need some time to ramp up and may not be ready to join the rotation for the start of the regular season.
Category: Injury Updates
The Cubs optioned Matt Mervis to Triple-A Iowa Sunday. (Source: Cubs on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Mervis posted strong numbers over 19 games in Spring Training, but will not make the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old struggled in 2023 with the Cubs and will need to show he can improve in Triple-A to start the season.
Category: Transactions