EAST
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Raul Ibanez was not in the lineup on Sunday after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow on Friday. This should not affect his ability to start on Opening Day.
Source: Philly.com
 |
| Jason Heyward is having a solid Spring … will his good fortune carry over into the regular season? Photo Credit: dizbuster319 |
FLORIDA MARLINS
The Marlins acquired Nate Robertson from the Tigers on Tuesday. Robertson is a lock for the fifth spot in the rotation, and has gone from being an undraftable reliever, to an NL-only option starter … if he can remain healthy.
Source: MLB
Josh Johnson, who has been recovering from flu-like symptoms, returned to the Marlins camp on Sunday. This should not have any effects on his Opening Day start.
Source: MLB
ATLANTA BRAVES
Jason Heyward was scratched from Sunday’s game due to shin splints. Heyward is batting a solid .347 with a .467 On-Base Percentage this spring. Based on his potential, he will be a solid addition in any league format.
Source: MLB
Yunel Escobar missed games on Saturday and Sunday with back soreness. After the game on Sunday, Escobar said that he was feeling much better. Escobar is a solid mid-round option at a scarce position.
Source: MLB
NEW YORK METS
The CF battle between Angel Pagan and Gary Matthews Jr. has ended. Pagan will start in CF until Carlos Beltran is able to return, and this will send Matthews to the bench. Pagan is a deep NL-only option due to his SB potential, but he will be useless when Beltran returns.
Source: NY Daily News
Nelson Figueroa looks to be headed to the bullpen after his last outing against the Marlins. Figueroa was fighting to make the rotation and had put up good spring numbers. While he may get a few spot starts, he still would not be a viable fantasy option.
Source: NY Daily News
WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Ian Desmond has won the starting job over Christian Guzman. Guzman will serve as the utility man, thus diminishing his fantasy value greatly. Desmond is entering his first full season and should, if nothing else, provide cheap steals and a nice average.
Source: MLB
CENTRAL
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Yadier Molina is still recovering from an oblique injury and will miss the rest of Spring Training. Molina will be replaced by Jason LaRue if he is not ready for Opening Day. However, this injury should not deter you from drafting him in all league formats.
Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch
After missing three days with right knee soreness, Colby Rasmus returned on Sunday, going 2-for-3 with a two run HR. Rasmus is fine and will be ready for Opening Day.
Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch
Ryan Ludwick, who suffered a bruised shin on Sunday, went 3-for-3 with a HR. It is obvious that his shin will not be an issue and he will be ready for Opening Day.
Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch
CHICAGO CUBS
Ted Lilly threw 31 pitches in a minor league game on Sunday and said that he felt fine. Don’t get too excited, he is still out until mid-to-late April.
Source: MLB
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Ryan Braun has tightness in his lower back. At this point, it should not affect his status for Opening Day and he should still be the first OF taken in drafts.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
CINCINNATI REDS
The Reds fifth starting spot is still up for grabs, but it does not look to include fireballer Aroldis Chapman. His muscle spasms and control issues look to be the reasons he may see some time in the minors. If you drafted Chapman, hold on to him, as he will make it back sooner rather than later.
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
HOUSTON ASTROS
Roy Oswalt has been dealing with hamstring tightness and back pain. He received a shot in his lower back to relieve some of the pain. While the hamstring issue could be a result of his back issue, owners need to pay close attention to Oswalt as the season draws near.
Source: MLB
The closer position still seems to be up for grabs. While Matt Lindstrom has been lights out this spring, Brandon Lyon has struggled. At this point, it seems as though Lindstrom will start the season as the closer, while Lyon will be his setup man.
Source: The Cypress Times
WEST
LOS ANGELES DODGERS
After catching several innings in a minor league game over the weekend, Russell Martin appears to be ahead of schedule and his availability for Opening Day is becoming clearer. Martin was feared to be out until mid-April, but an early return should help those fantasy owners who took a chance on the veteran catcher.
Source: MLB
Blake DeWitt has beaten out Ronnie Belliard for the starting second base job. DeWitt leads the Dodgers this spring in slugging and OBP. DeWitt should be a solid option in NL-only leagues and as a late round flier in deeper mixed leagues.
Source: LA Times
COLORADO ROCKIES
Huston Street is still experiencing discomfort in his shoulder, but is planning on trying to throw through the problems in hopes of being back at the end of April. Street is still being drafted as a mid-tier closer, but smart owners might pass on Street and let him be another owner’s problem.
Source: NBC Sports
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Tim Lincecum suffered a cut on his right middle finger on Friday, but it is not considered serious and it should not affect his status for Opening Day.
Source: SF Chronicle
SAN DIEGO PADRES
The Padres are going with Jon Garland as their Opening Day starter. Garland is a late round option due to pitching at Petco.
Source: MLB
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Brandon Webb still hasn’t pitched in a game this spring and will begin the season on the DL. At this point, he’s not expected to be ready until May, at the earliest. Webb’s draft stock continues to slide and he’s reaching the point where his risk is outweighing the potential reward.
Source: AZ Central
Edwin Jackson had a breakout season last year, but a slow start this spring has raised questions about him repeating that success. Last season was a surprise so a step back is possible, but returning to the NL should ease those worries and make him a quality fourth starter on most fantasy teams.
Source: AZ Central
Want to be the next Fantasy Baseball Writer to have work published on RotoExperts? Enter the Fight for Your Write contest!
Be sure to check out FANTASY SCORECARD, the preseason fantasy baseball special brought to you by RotoExperts and Free the Fan.
The scouting team will be providing MLB player updates with a fantasy spin throughout the MLB season. E-mail rdaniel@rotoexperts.com if you have any questions or comments.
 |
