The Texas Rangers have placed starting pitching prospect Jack Leiter (finger) on the 15-day injured list due to a blister. In a corresponding move, the Rangers promoted veteran left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin from Triple-A Round Rock. Leiter was able to earn a spot in the starting rotation out of camp. After struggling during his first taste of the big leagues last summer, Leiter was able to start turning the corner in 2025. Across his first two outings, the former second overall pick logged 10 innings of one-run ball. He allowed six hits and held a stellar 1:10 BB:K. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Leiter on an injured reserve spot on their roster as Leiter should rejoin the rotation once cleared to return. Corbin will likely earn a temporary spot in the rotation but should not be targeted in any formats as he held a high 5.62 ERA across 174 2/3 innings last season.

From RotoBaller

The Washington Nationals are waiting to decide on who their starter will be on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but MASN's Mark Zuckerman reports that if rookie right-hander Brad Lord isn't needed out of the bullpen before then, he could make his first career start. Lord, who is considered the team's No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, made the Opening Day roster for the first time and has allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out none in two innings in his first three major-league appearances. The reason the Nats need a starter for Sunday's series finale against Arizona is because right-hander Michael Soroka (biceps) landed on the injured list on Friday. If Lord makes the start this weekend, fantasy managers will want to stay away since he won't be efficiently stretched out to go very deep in that contest.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Ryan Burr (shoulder) is working towards potentially throwing his first bullpen session next week, according to manager John Schneider. Right-shoulder inflammation kept Burr out for all of spring training, and he's still trying to work his way back to eventually begin facing live hitters. Because of how long he's gone without facing hitters, it wouldn't be a surprise if the 30-year-old veteran wasn't able to make his season debut until sometime in May. The former fifth-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 out of Arizona State University made 34 appearances (four starts) in his first season with Toronto last year and had a 4.13 ERA (3.07 FIP) and a 1.255 WHIP with a career-high 47 strikeouts and 12 walks in 32 2/3 innings pitched. Burr is off the fantasy radar.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Friday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) was scheduled to throw two innings in an extended spring training game in Arizona and will likely need a couple more outings there before he's cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Once Assad starts a minor-league rehab assignment, he'll only be a few outings away from potentially being cleared to return from the injured list. However, there's no guarantee that the 27-year-old will be given a starting-rotation spot once he's back. Assad was serviceable in his transition from a bullpen role to a starting role for the Cubbies in 2024, but his lack of strikeout ability caps his fantasy upside as a starter. He went 7-6 a year ago with a career-high 3.73 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 124 punchouts and 63 walks in 147 innings over 29 starts.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Friday that infielder Vidal Brujan (elbow) has stalled in his rehab and has had continued symptoms, especially with his throwing. Brujan landed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right elbow that he suffered after just one game played, and now he'll miss even more time. It's a good bet that he won't be back until at least May given this latest news. When healthy, the 27-year-old won't have much fantasy value anyway as a backup infielder for the Cubs. The Dominican infielder also has some experience in the outfield and will primarily be useful to Chicago for his defensive versatility when healthy. Brujan has been overmatched at the plate in his five big-league seasons, slashing just .189/.261/.270 with a .531 OPS, five home runs, 40 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 202 games played.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox right-hander reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday or Saturday, according to manager Alex Cora. This will be Hendriks' first bullpen session since being placed on the 15-day injured list to start the 2025 season. Hendrik's battled control problems and an elbow injury in spring training, which caused him to lose out on potentially opening the year as Boston's preferred closer. The 36-year-old veteran is unlikely to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on Tuesday, April 8, but it might not be much longer after that in which he's able to make his season debut in Beantown. The Australian native and three-time All-Star didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024 and made just five appearances in 2023 in his final season with the White Sox due to injury, so he's far from a sure thing to stay healthy at this point of his career as a high-leverage reliever.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Michael McGreevy tossed five shutout innings during his second start of the Triple-A regular season on Friday afternoon. In this outing, McGreevy allowed just three hits, one walk, and struck out five en route to earning the victory over the Buffalo Bisons. In his first start of the season, McGreevy had a modest showing, allowing six hits and four earned runs across four innings of work. McGreevy was competing for a spot in camp but ultimately fell short in the competition. However, the 24-year-old could be in the mix to return to the majors if he continues to perform well at Triple-A. Last season, McGreevy made his MLB debut and held an impressive 1.96 ERA with a 0.78 WHIP across 23 innings of work. He is worth closely monitoring in deeper formats as he will be worth picking up when he is given the call.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford (knee) still has not been cleared to face live hitters, according to manager Alex Cora. It's what the Red Sox expected as Crawford continues to recover from right patellar tendinopathy that he started dealing with in spring training. Crawford has thrown off a mound, but without facing live hitters yet, it's clear the 29-year-old hurler won't be making his 2025 season debut in the starting rotation in the month of April. He will most likely need to go on a minor-league rehab outing and make at least three starts before being cleared to come off the injured list. Rehabbing pitchers Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) are much closer to making their season debuts than Crawford at this point. Crawford's career-high workload of 183 2/3 innings over 33 starts in 2024 appears to have taken its toll on his body.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (leg) pulled up lame at second base in the first inning on Friday against the Washington Nationals after what would have been an easy triple against right-hander Jake Irvin. Marte walked off the field and exited the game with a limp due to an undisclosed leg injury. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on this one, as the 31-year-old All-Star is one of the best overall second baseman in the game. The injury comes after he just signed a six-year, $116 million contract extension this week. Marte was clearly in pain and could be headed for the injured list, but we'll have to wait for more word on the specific nature of his injury. Garrett Hampson replaced Marte at the keystone and would be in line for regular work at second base if Marte requires an extended absence.

From RotoBaller

Houston Astros outfield prospect Jacob Melton (back) was placed on the Triple-A injured list due to a back injury. Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that Melton battled numerous back injuries during camp and aggravated this injury during one of his final Grapefruit League contests. Melton did not appear in a Triple-A contest before hitting the injured list. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status as he will contend for an early 2025 MLB debut once he is cleared for action. Last season, the former second-round selection began his campaign at Double-A and held a .248/.306/.442 line with 10 home runs across 58 games. He then moved up to Triple-A, where he posted a solid .260/.314/.405 line across his first 47 games. The Oregon State product may not need much time before earning the call to Houston once cleared for action.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Angels are promoting pitching prospect Caden Dana to the major leagues. In a corresponding move, the team is placing right-handed pitcher Ryan Johnson on the paternity list. Dana received a brief taste of the major leagues last season but struggled as he allowed 11 earned runs across 10 1/3 innings of work. However, Dana has enjoyed success in the minor leagues and could be poised to bounce back in his second stint in the big leagues. Last summer, Dana spent all of his time at Double-A before reaching the majors and held a strong 2.52 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP across 135 2/3 innings of work. He tallied 147 punchouts. This season, he made one start at Triple-A, his debut at that level, and logged four innings of one-run ball. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should consider adding Dana as an upside option, as he has performed very well in the upper levels of the minor leagues. However, Dana may only see a limited taste of the big leagues before Johnson returns.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (hamstring) has been scratched from the lineup on Friday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field with a tight left hamstring, which happened a few days ago, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. McLain was out on the field to start pre-game warmups but then met with trainers before heading to the clubhouse. With McLain now out of the lineup, Santiago Espinal will start at second base and will hit eighth against Brewers left-hander Tyler Alexander. Spencer Steer, who was originally scheduled for a day off, will now serve as the designated hitter and bat second. Jeimer Candelario is at third and hitting fifth. For now, fantasy managers should remove McLain from their starting lineups and consider him day-to-day. The 25-year-old former first-rounder has six hits in his first 27 at-bats this year, but with three homers, five RBI and one steal.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that infielder Jeff McNeil (oblique) has been hitting off a pitching machine in the batting cages. McNeil was forced to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list due to a right-oblique strain that he suffered in spring training. The 32-year-old veteran and former batting champion is working his way back, though, and may be able to make his season debut before the end of April, barring a setback once he begins a minor-league rehab assignment. In the meantime, Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna will continue their platoon at the keystone, with Baty facing right-handers and Acuna in there against lefties. McNeil has middling power and speed and didn't look anything like a former batting champion the last couple of years. At best, he's a middle-infield option without much upside in deep-mixed leagues when he's healthy.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea (oblique) said that he's feeling good after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his strained right oblique on Tuesday. Manaea still has a ways to go, but the fact that he's feeling better is certainly good news. Still, the 33-year-old needs to be fully built up again after dealing with his oblique injury for most of spring training. It means that fantasy managers won't be able to rely on the veteran southpaw until May, at the earliest. It's also probably fooling to expect the former first-rounder to be as good as he was in his first year with the Mets in 2024 when he went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA (3.83 ERA) and 1.08 WHIP with 184 strikeouts and 63 walks in 32 innings covering a career-high 181 2/3 innings pitched in the regular season. A lower arm slot led to his sinker being more effective late in the season, but can he maintain that good form after this injury?

From RotoBaller

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (hand) was scheduled to catch right-hander Kodai Senga's bullpen session on Friday and take batting practice in the cages, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Alvarez is recovering after needing surgery to fix a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, but it's unclear when he might be able to return to make his 2025 season debut. Until the 23-year-old is able to return, Luis Torrens will continue to serve as the Mets' starting catcher, with Hayden Senger serving as the backup. When healthy, Alvarez is the Mets' primary backstop, and the Venezuelan catcher showed plenty of promise by hitting 25 home runs and driving in 63 back in 2023. A torn UCL in his left hand set him back a year ago, though, and he was able to hit only 11 homers in 100 games played. He's a top-12 fantasy catcher when healthy.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Scott Effross (hamstring) suffered a setback with his hamstring injury, according to manager Aaron Boone. Effross is now in a holding pattern instead of advancing to face live hitters. Effross suffered a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain in his first outing of spring training back on Feb. 25 and will now miss even more time. The fact that the 31-year-old hasn't even progressed to facing live hitters means we most likely won't see him make his 2025 season debut until sometime in May. Injuries have become a big problem for Effross, as he didn't pitch at all in 2023 and made just three relief appearances for the Yankees in 2024, allowing two earned runs on three hits while walking two and striking out two in 3 1/3 frames. New York probably isn't holding their breathe for him to contribute much in their bullpen.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (lat) is seven to 10 days away from playing catch, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. It's good news that Gil is getting close to throwing the baseball again, but he has a long ways to go and is expected to be out at least until June due to a high-grade right-lat strain that he suffered in spring training. The 26-year-old is currently on the 60-day injured list. It's possible that Gil won't pitch at all in the first half of the season, so fantasy managers must decide if he's worth stashing in an IL spot given other needs on their rosters. The Dominican pitcher had a strong season for the Yankees in 2024 in his first action since 2022, going 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. However, a career-high 151 2/3 innings might have taken its toll.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Jake Cousins (elbow) is under a week away from getting back on the mound, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Meanwhile, right-handed reliever Ian Hamilton (illness) is scheduled to rejoin the Yankees' bullpen for their series in Detroit that starts on Monday, April 7. Cousins was unable to pitch at all in spring training due to a right-elbow flexor strain and began the regular season on the 60-day injured list as a result. The 30-year-old pitched well for the Yanks down the stretch and could be back in a high-leverage role eventually in 2025, but he won't be eligible to return until at least late May. Hamilton dealt with an undisclosed illness in spring training but is now feeling better after going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He's been solid for the Yankees since 2023 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, but he's unlikely to have much fantasy appeal in a middle-relief role.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will play shortstop for the first time on Friday night in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Salt Lake, according to play-by-play announcer Tony Parks. Neto looked great during workouts during the week and has been cleared to play defense as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. The 24-year-old middle infielder has already played in three games with the Bees as the designated hitter and has gone 3-for-13 with a home run, double and two RBI. As long as Neto doesn't suffer a setback with his surgically-repaired shoulder as he returns to action on defense, he should be ready to come off the 10-day injured list at some point next week to make his 2025 season debut with the Halos. The former first-rounder hit 23 homers and stole 30 bases in 155 games in his first full MLB season in 2024 and should be stashed in all fantasy formats as he nears his return.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds outfielder/corner infielder Spencer Steer is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Jeimer Candelario is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth, while Santiago Espinal is playing third base and batting eighth against Brewers left-hander Tyler Alexander. Candelario has never faced Alexander in his career, while Espinal is hitless in just three at-bats. When considering that Steer only played in three spring training games due to a minor shoulder injury, it isn't all that surprising that he's off to just a 1-for-18 start to the 2025 regular season at the plate. The 27-year-old right-handed hitter has yet to play on defense because of his shoulder, either, being limited to DH duties. Candelario hasn't been much better, going 5-for-25 with three RBI, two walks and eight strikeouts in seven games played.

From RotoBaller