Fantasy Baseball News

Brendan Rodgers has benefitted from the downtime of the delayed 2020 season, and has healed from his labrum surgery last year. He should be ready to go without limitations when spring training resumes. (Source: Kevin Henry of Fansided)

Fantasy Impact: With Rodgers able to play a variety of positions, he should see a decent amount of at-bats once the 2020 season begins. With the uncertainty surrounding how the Rockies handle their young players driving down his draft day price, the former top-ten prospect has a chance of exceeding his current ADP of 459.

James Paxton told Meredith Marakovits of YES Network that he is working to increase the spin rate of his pitches. (Source: New York Post)

Fantasy Impact: Paxton, who underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy back in February, has been throwing simulated innings and should be ready to pitch whenever the season begins. The lefty has also been throwing with a ball that tracks spin rate, and Paxton noticed he generates more spin on his fastball when using a different grip. It wouldn't be wise to vault Paxton up your draft board solely because of this news, but it is definitely a positive development to hear.

Scooter Gennett told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that he is "fine" with not playing if the right offer doesn't come along. (Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Fantasy Impact: ″(Teams) didn’t come anywhere near what I thought was respectful and what I thought is right," Gennett said. The veteran infielder was seeking a $5 million deal but the best he got was an offer for $1.5 million plus incentives, though that team also had an everyday second baseman. Gennett posted an .847 OPS as recently as 2018 but struggled mightily with injuries and ineffectiveness last year.

Aaron Judge Judge (rib) "has yet to resume swinging a bat," said Yankees' hitting coach Marcus Thames. (Source: Bryan Hoch on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: “When the doctors turn him loose, he’ll be ready. He’s chomping at the bit to get out there," Thames added. This is encouraging news in regards to Judge's recovery from a fracture right rib. Yankees GM Brian Cashman recently said he doesn’t think Judge would be fully healthy and back on the field until “summertime.” There is still no clear timetable when Judge will return, but it's possible he could be ready for Opening Day. The 28-year-old is currently the 17th ranked outfielder in the latest expert consensus rankings,

Brett Honeywell Jr. underwent a decompression procedure on his right ulnar nerve on Wednesday. (Source: Josh Tolentino on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Honeywell underwent surgery to remove scar tissue from the area of the nerve. He will begin strength and mobility exercises on Monday in Port Charlotte. Honeywell missed all of 2018 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and 2019 due to a fractured elbow. It is unclear at this time when Honeywell will return, but there’s a good chance the 25-year-old could miss the 2020 season.

Manny Ramirez is still without a contract in Taiwan and a deal "hasn’t materialized to this point," per Jon Heyman of the MLB Network. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Ramirez is hoping to sign a deal for the second half of the season, Heyman added. It was reported that Rameriz would resume his playing career in the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan. "My goal for 2020, is to find a roster spot in the CPBL," Ramirez says. "I have been itching to get back in the batter's box and be able to compete again." The 47-year-old has yet to sign a deal and will try to latch onto a team before the second half of the season starts. Manny hasn't played in the majors since 2011 or any type of professional ball since 2017.

Kevin Kramer underwent surgery to repair the labrum of his right hip. He is expected to be out four-to-six months. (Source: Stephen J. Nesbitt on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: If the MLB season resumes, Kramer's recovery timeline from surgery would put him out for the entire 2020 campaign. He was expected to start the season in Triple-A. Kramer slashed .167/.260/.190 with five RBI and five runs scored across 50 plate appearances for the Pirates i 2019. The former second-round pick is a stash in dynasty leagues only.

Alex Bregman parted ways with his agent Brodie Scoffield of Klutch Sports. He is in the process of looking for a new agent. (Source: Mark Feinsand on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Bregman is currently in the process of searching for a new agent. He signed a six-year, $100 million extension with the Astros last year. This doesn’t affect his fantasy value, and he is 16th overall in the latest expert consensus rankings. Bregman slashed .296/.423/.592 with 41 homers, 112 RBI, five stolen bases and 122 runs scored across 690 plate appearances in 2019.

Bartolo Colon told Marly Rivera of ESPN he is hoping to pitch one more season in the majors. (Source: ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Colon, 46, hasn't pitched in the majors since September of 2018. "I thought that last year maybe I would have the opportunity," Colon said on a video call with ESPN. "I know that if it didn't happen last year, this year would be less likely. I'm getting older and the game is all about the young pitchers coming up. When you get older, teams no longer need your services." The veteran righty added that if it was up to him he would pitch for the Mets. Colon spent three years in Queens, logging at least 190 innings in every season from 2014-16.

The Rockies released right-hander Tim Melville. (Source: Thomas Harding on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The 30-year-old pitched in seven games for the Rockies last year, posting a 4.86 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. He cracked a rib back in February and wasn't able to pitch in the Cactus League this spring.

Francisco Rodriguez told Venezuelan journalist Guillermo Arcay that he is hoping to return to the major leagues. (Source: MLive.com)

Fantasy Impact: K-Rod hasn't pitched in the majors since June 28, 2017. Since being released by the Tigers in the summer of 2017, the 38-year-old pitched has pitched in the minors and independent teams for both the United States and in Mexico. When asked if his goal was to return to the majors, K-Rod said “That is the goal." "In spite of the fact that I’m seen as being advanced in age, that is the goal. The injuries and the ups and downs have slowed me down. But I have the conviction, the hunger and I am completely sure I can accomplish it." K-Rod currently ranks fourth on the all-time saves list with 437. Rodriguez will try to latch onto a team in the majors this off-season.

Aaron Hicks (elbow) posted a video of himself on Instagram swinging and working out on Monday. He continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. (Source: SNY Yankees on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hicks underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in October. As seen on the video, he is progressing well in his recovery. Yankees' GM Brian Cashman recently stated “Him playing centerfield for the Yankees this summer is a legit option." The 30-year-old slashed .235/.325./.443 with 12 homers, 36 RBI, 41 runs and one stolen bases across 255 plate appearances in 2019. Hicks is currently 128th among all outfielders in the latest expert consensus rankings.

Jordan Hicks (elbow) could return from Tommy John surgery shortly after the MLB season starts. He will play a key role out of the bullpen, per Cardinals' President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak. (Source: Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Fantasy Impact: "Given the circumstances of the season, the likelihood of his being able to contribute are a lot different than had it been a normal year," Mozeliak said. "There is some optimism that if we do have a season, he'll have some way of being a key member of it, said Mozeliak. It was reported that he was throwing 30-pitch bullpen sessions during off-season to ramp up his pitch count. Hicks is 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be a key member of the Cardinals' bullpen once the season starts. The Cardinals could be cautious with their reliever in the beginning, but there is a chance he could close games in the near future. Hicks is currently 260 among all pitchers in the latest expert consensus rankings.

Rich Hill (elbow) expects to be ready when spring training resumes. (Source: Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Fantasy Impact: Hill continues to rehab from off-season elbow surgery, but doesn't expect to miss time. Before the MLB season was delayed, it was reported that Hill would return in June. Hill has been able to throw during the off-season and should be all systems go by the time spring training resumes. “(I’ve) been able to make the most out of the situation so I’m right where I should be as far as rehab progression-wise, so if we do have a season, I should be ready to go when we kick off something of a spring training,” said Hill. The 40-year-old owned a (4-1) record with a 2.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 72:18 K:BB across 58 2/3 innings for the Dodgers in 2019. Hill is currently 126th among all pitchers in the latest expert consensus rankings.

Justin Anderson (oblique) has resumed throwing off a mound. (Source: Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register)

Fantasy Impact: Anderson sustained an oblique injury at the beginning of training camp and was expected to miss the start of the season. With the 2020 campaign expected to be delayed until July, Anderson should be all systems go for Opening Day. The 27-year-old reliever owned a (3-0) record with a 5.55 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 60:32 K:BB across 54 games in 2019. Anderson is a dart throw option in AL-Only league formats.

Matt Harvey told Dan Martin of The New York Post that he is hoping for another shot in the majors. (Source: New York Post)

Fantasy Impact: Harvey is staying in shape throughout the coronavirus pandemic in the hopes that he can latch on with a team once baseball starts back up again. The 31-year-old had a workout with the Blue Jays back in February but the club didn't offer him a contract. Harvey posted an ugly 7.09 ERA in 12 starts with the Angels last season and finished the year in Triple-A with the Athletics. His "Dark Knight" days feel like a very distant memory at this point.

Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports the World Baseball Classic will not be played in 2021. (Source: Enrique Rojas on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: This is certainly a bummer, though the news was to be expected. The tournament was supposed to run from March 9th through March 23rd of next year. It is currently unclear if the WBC will simply be pushed back until 2022 or if we will have to wait even longer for the next one. The United States are the reigning champs after taking home Gold in 2017. Other previous champions include Japan (2006, 2009) and the Dominican Republic (2013).

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports Major League Baseball could propose an 80-game season with expanded playoffs on Monday. (Source: The Athletic)

Fantasy Impact: MLB has a conference call with all 30 teams on Monday. If all goes well they will contact the MLBPA on Tuesday with the proposal. Rosenthal's report states that the season could begin in early July without fans present. Expect to hear more about this early this week.

Justin Turner told the Los Angeles Times that he has yet to talk about a possible contract extension with the Dodgers. (Source: Los Angeles Times)

Fantasy Impact: The 35-year-old is a free agent after the season but contract talks are currently on hold with the Coronavirus pandemic interfering with MLB's season. Turner hit .290 with 27 homers and an .881 OPS in 2019. He signed a four-year, $64 million contract with LA back in 2016.

Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle writes the Astros have "made it clear" to George Springer's representatives that the franchise wants to sign him to a long-term deal. (Source: Houston Chronicle)

Fantasy Impact: The 2017 World Series MVP was drafted and developed by the Astros so it makes sense why they would want to keep him around for years to come. Springer is a free agent after this season and will likely command one of the biggest contracts on the open market this winter. The 30-year-old was phenomenal in 2019, belting 39 homers with a .974 OPS in just 122 games played.