Fantasy Baseball News

James Paxton (back) says he can resume throwing in 4-6 weeks. (Source: Bryan Hoch on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Paxton had a cyst removed from his spine earlier this month and will get a delayed start to the 2020 season. Currently the Yankees believe he can return to the team in May or June. For what it's worth Paxton himself believes May is possible.

Rich hill (elbow) has begun a throwing program and hopes to make his Twins debut in early-June. (Source: Do-Hyoung Park on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hill is on his second week of throwing and hopes to ramp up to long toss in a few weeks. The lefty underwent "primary and revision" surgery on his elbow in October before signing a one-year, $3 million contract with Minnesota. If all goes well he could start a rehab assignment in late-May.

The Cardinals are planning on using Tommy Edman as a super-utility player to begin the 2020 season. (Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch)

Fantasy Impact: We still expect Edman to play most every day, primarily in the outfield. However, he is also plenty capable of filling in at second base and third base if an opportunity arises. The 24-year-old hit 11 homers and stole 15 bases in just 92 games last season.

Padres GM A.J. Preller says the team has no plans to move Fernando Tatis Jr. to center field. (Source: AJ Cassavell on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Tatis made a ton of flashy highlights at shortstop last season but also struggled with some routine plays. It would be silly to give up on him as a shortstop this early in his career, however. The 21-year-old hit 22 homers and stole 16 bases in just 84 games as a rookie last season. He's often going in the second round of fantasy drafts this spring.

A's manager Bob Melvin says there is no plan for a specific innings limit on Jesus Luzardo or A.J. Puk at this point. (Source: Martin Gallegos on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Both youngsters figure to begin the season in the Oakland rotation and will have plenty of fantasy buzz. While it's nice to hear there is no innings limit at the moment, that likely won't be the case all season. A conservative estimate would be to expect 140 innings from each southpaw.

Domingo Santana agreed to a major-league contract with the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday. (Source: Paul Hoynes on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: After being non-tendered by the Mariners in December, Santana looks set to join the Indians, pending a physical. In 121 games in 2019, Santana slashed .253/.329/.441 with 21 homers and 69 RBI. Cleveland's outfield is pretty sparse with talent, so Santana could carve out a role for himself if all goes well this Spring.

Yasmani Grandal has a minor calf injury but the team has no doubts that he will be ready for Opening Day. (Source: Scott Merkin on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Grandal joked that he doesn't like to run and planned this injury, making it appear that it isn't anything significant. The newly-acquired catcher for the White Sox is coming off a great season in Milwaukee where he posted a .246 BA, 28 HR, 77 RBI, and .848 OPS over 153 games. He will figure to be the White Sox's starting catcher and will be a solid fantasy asset.

Red Sox interim manager Ron Roenicke says Brandon Workman will be the team's closer to begin the 2020 season. (Source: MassLive.com)

Fantasy Impact: "I think with what he did last year, he deserves that shot to be the closer," were his exact words. The 31-year-old pitched great last year, posting a 1.88 ERA with 104 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings. He isn't considered an elite fantasy option due to his limited track record but Workman could easily wind up with 30+ saves this year.

Lucas Giolito is dealing with a strained muscle in his rib-cage area, and is expected to miss the first week of Cactus League play. (Source: James Fegan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Giolito dealt with a couple minor injuries in 2019, but those seem to have subsided heading into 2020. This injury is not expected to impact his readiness for Opening Day, but it's relevant enough to keep an eye on.

Cameron Maybin has agreed to a 1-year, $1.5M deal with the Tigers. Including bonuses, that salary can increase up to $2.8M. (Source: Detroit Tigers Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: There is little chance that Maybin comes into Detroit and immediately re-assumes his starting role as an outfielder and lead-off hitter even though the Tigers are in the midst of a rebuild and have little talent in their outfield platoon. He will most likely serve as a backup outfielder while the team focuses on developing their younger talent. This is his third stint with Detroit, getting drafted by them in 2007 and signing with them briefly in 2016. In 82 games with the Yankees last year Maybin had a .285 BA, 11 HR, 17 2B, and nine SB and proved that he still has wheels even in his 13th year.

Taijuan Walker and the Mariners have come to terms on a one-year, $2 million contract. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Walker saw only one inning of work in 2019 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. Walker was previously a Mariner from 2013-2016, where he showed some real promise. He has some sleeper upside, depending on his Spring performance.

As expected, the 14-year third baseman is retiring from baseball. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Prado's age has started to show over the last few years as he has struggled to crack a .250 BA since 2016. He will retire with a career BA of .287, 100 HR, 609 RBI, and .747 OPS after spending his career with the Braves, Diamondbacks, Yankees, and Marlins.

Brandon Kintzler will serve as the Marlins' primary closer, as indicated by manager Don Mattingly on Wednesday. (Source: Craig Mish on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Mattingly did not explicitly confirm Kintzler as the team's closer, but his comments made clear that this is the direction the team plans to go. Kintzler has 49 career saves. Ryne Stanek and Drew Steckenrider may be in line for save chances behind Kintzler.

Keone Kela was confirmed as the Pirates' closer entering opening day by the team's manager Derek Shelton. (Source: Adam Berry on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Pirates' bullpen is not exactly bursting with talent, so Kela's designation does not come as a surprise. He was limited by a shoulder injury in 2019, tossing 29.2 innings while posting a 2.12 ERA. Kela's career has been defined by injuries and off-the-field issues, though he has sleeper potential given the solidity of his role. However, the Pirates' poor projected record could certainly limit his save opportunities.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports the Red Sox have come to terms with Kevin Pillar on a one-year contract. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported yesterday that the two sides were close. Pillar will help replace Mookie Betts in the Boston outfield, particularly defensively. However, he also has some value with his bat as well. In 2019 Pillar hit 21 homers and stole 14 bases. He'll likely be a useful part-time player with the Red Sox.

Updating a previous report, Tim Beckham will not be heading to the San Diego Padres. He remains a free agent. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman mistakenly tweeted that Tim Beckham had signed a minor-league deal with the Padres earlier this morning. In actuality, it is Gordon Beckham who signed the deal. Tim Beckham remains a free agent, and continues to discuss terms with several teams.

Jarrod Dyson agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates on Wednesday, pending a physical. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Dyson will likely serve as Starling Marte's replacement in Pittsburgh's outfield. With Arizona in 2019, Dyson slashed .230/.313/.320 in 452 plate appearances, and went 30-for-34 in steal attempts.

Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) isn't expected to be a major-league option for the Rockies until mid-May. (Source: Thomas Harding on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Rodgers suffered a labrum tear last July and will be brought along slowly throughout the spring. The former elite prospect struggled during his brief time in the majors last season. However, he could be a very interesting "post-hype sleeper" if he gets healthy by the summer.

Rockies manager Bud Black says Scott Oberg will open the 2020 season as a setup man. (Source: Nick Groke on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Wade Davis, despite posting an 8.65 ERA last year, will open as the team's closer. Oberg was great in 2019, delivering a 2.25 ERA in 49 appearances. He was signed to a three-year extension over the off-season and will see save chances if Davis struggles early on.

Rockies manager Bud Black announced Tuesday that Wade Davis would open the season as the team's ninth-inning man. (Source: Nick Groke on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Scott Oberg, who pitched far better in 2019, will work in a set up role. Davis struggled mightily last year, posting a horrid 8.65 ERA spanning 50 appearances. Still, he's the more experienced reliever so will be given the job to start out.