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Jacob deGrom answered any lingering questions from fantasy managers surrounding the health of his right elbow on Sunday afternoon against the Cardinals, recording five strikeouts over four innings of one-run ball in his second Grapefruit League outing of spring training. The dynamic 33-year-old righty averaged a blistering 97.2 mph and also maxed out at 98.9 mph in the brief outing. He surrendered only four baserunners and needed just 52 pitches to navigate four frames before handing the ball over to his new co-ace Max Scherzer for the six-inning save. Yes, you read that previous sentence correctly. The 37-year-old throwback workhorse appeared to be in midseason form as he racked up seven strikeouts, allowed two runs on three hits, and needed just 89 pitches to complete the final six innings. Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hernder described watching the formidable deGrom and Scherzer tandem working back-to-back and flummoxing the Cardinals’ lineup as “super cool.” It’s impossible to disagree with that assessment.
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D-backs, Ketel Marte Agree To Extension
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Diamondbacks and Ketel Marte have agreed to a five-year, $76 million contract extension. The club deal isn’t official yet, but appears to be close to the finish line and will keep the 28-year-old franchise cornerstone in Arizona for the next half-decade. The long-term deal, which is pending a physical, includes $51 million in additional guaranteed money and also contains a team option for the 2028 season. It eliminates Marte’s remaining two option years and covers at least three future free agent years. He’s recorded a sublime .295/.358/.495 triple-slash line with 67 homers and 22 steals in 2,032 plate appearances over the last five seasons since being acquired from the Mariners. If he can stay healthy, Marte will remain a certifiable upper-echelon four-category fantasy contributor for years to come.
Ohtani Hitting Leadoff For Angels This Season
Angels manager Joe Maddon said Sunday that Shohei Ohtani will be the team’s leadoff hitter to start the 2022 campaign. The fantasy ramifications of this decision are massive. Ohtani, who hit second for the Angels the vast majority of last year, will receive even more plate appearances this upcoming season, and should also be in line for an uptick in stolen base opportunities and runs scored batting ahead of formidable sluggers Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Thanks to the newly-implemented “Ohtani rule” he’ll also be able to remain in contests even after he’s done pitching. The confluence of factors has the 27-year-old two-way superstar poised to repeat as one of the most valuable five-category contributors in the fantasy landscape this season.
American League Quick Hits: Andrew Vaughn will undergo further evaluation after exiting Sunday’s Cactus League contest against the Dodgers with right hip discomfort. … Pete Fairbanks exited Sunday’s Grapefruit League contest against the Braves with right lat tightness. … Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Sunday that Trevor Story will return Monday to the team’s spring training facility. … Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sunday that Josh Donaldson will be in the mix to lead off on occasion this season. … Yordan Alvarez was a late scratch from the Astros’ lineup for Sunday’s Grapefruit League matchup against the Marlins due to a personal matter. … Teoscar Hernandez (wrist) went 1-for-4 with an RBI in his return to the Blue Jays’ lineup Sunday against the Phillies after missing time this spring due to a mild left wrist sprain. … Aaron Judge clobbered a pair of home runs in the Yankees’ victory over the Pirates. … Luis Robert homered twice and collected four RBI in the White Sox’ blowout win over the Dodgers. … Yuli Gurriel drilled a three-run homer in the Astros’ victory over the Marlins. … Ryan O’Hearn went 3-for-3 with two solo homers in the Royals’ loss to the Cubs. … Eugenio Suarez drilled a two-run homer in the Mariners’ blowout win over the Athletics. … Gerrit Cole was charged with four runs (three earned) over two innings against the Pirates … Matt Brash fired three hitless innings with six strikeouts against the Athletics. … Patrick Sandoval registered four strikeouts and yielded three runs over three innings against the Giants. … John Means struck out four batters over three innings against the Tigers. … Joe Ryan whiffed five batters over three perfect frames against the Red Sox. … Garrett Whitlock and Rich Hill each tossed three scoreless frames against the Twins. … Ryan Yarbrough spun 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Braves … Luis Garcia whiffed three batters over two scoreless innings against the Marlins. … Dallas Keuchel hurled 4 1/3 scoreless innings against the Dodgers. … Frankie Montas surrendered four runs over three innings against the Mariners. … Yusei Kikuchi was shelled for five runs over 2 2/3 innings against the Phillies. … A.J. Alexy spun three perfect frames against the Diamondbacks. … Zach Plesac was charged with five runs (three earned) over 3 2/3 innings against the Padres. … Ben Rortvedt (oblique) took dry swings Sunday and also caught a bullpen session .… Darwinzon Hernandez is being stretched out as a multi-inning bulk reliever. … Josh Naylor could make his Cactus League debut Wednesday against the Dodgers. … Kyle Funkhouser (lat) has yet to resume a throwing program. … Yankees signed Shelby Miller to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. … Red Sox optioned Jarren Duran to Triple-A Worcester.
National League Quick Hits: Katie Woo of The Athletic reported Sunday that the Cardinals have had “increased conversations” with Albert Pujols. … Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that he projects Tony Gonsolin will open the regular season in the team’s starting rotation. … C.J. Cron (head) cleared concussion protocols Sunday after exiting a Cactus League contest against the Diamondbacks. … Nick Ahmed underwent an MRI Sunday after experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder. … Braves manager Brian Snitker said Sunday that Kyle Wright and Huascar Ynoa are the frontrunners for the two open spots in the team’s starting rotation. … Hunter Greene will start again for the Reds on Thursday in a Cactus League contest against the White Sox. … Manny Machado (back) remained out of the Padres’ starting lineup for Sunday’s Cactus League game against the Guardians. … Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters that he’s confident Brandon Belt (knee) will be ready for the start of the regular season. … Starling Marte doubled and also scored a run in his Grapefruit League debut for the Mets after being sidelined this spring due to lingering left oblique soreness. … Frank Schwindel went 0-for-2 with a strikeout Sunday in his return to the Cubs’ lineup after missing a week due to back tightness. … Francisco Lindor went 3-for-4 with two homers and three RBI in the Mets’ lopsided win over the Cardinals. … Bryce Harper went 3-for-4 with two homers and three RBI in the Phillies’ win over the Blue Jays. … Patrick Wisdom crushed two homers and plated four in the Cubs’ win over the Royals. … Joey Wendle went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base in the Marlins’ loss to the Astros. … Christian Walker went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in the Diamondbacks’ win over the Rockies. … Jake Cronenworth and Wil Myers homered in the Padres’ win over the Guardians. … Mauricio Dubon hit a two-run homer in the Giants’ win over the Angels. … Charlie Morton recorded five strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings in his Grapefruit League debut against the Rays. … Yu Darvish registered four strikeouts and allowed one run over four innings against the Guardians. … Jesus Luzardo posted five strikeouts over four innings versus the Astros. … Alex Cobb fired 3 1/3 scoreless innings against the Angels. … Kyle Hendricks struck out five and allowed four runs over three frames against the Royals. … Andrew Heaney was lit up for five runs over three innings against the White Sox. … Madison Bumgarner allowed two runs over 3 2/3 innings against the Rockies. … Kyle Freeland allowed four runs over 3 2/3 frames against the Reds. … Tyler Gilbert gave up one run over 2 1/3 innings against the Rangers. … Ian Happ (elbow) started in left field Sunday for the first time this spring. … Donovan Solano (arm) and Mike Moustakas (shoulder) returned to the Reds’ starting lineup Sunday for a Cactus League contest against the Rockies. … Brandon Nimmo received the day off Sunday due to left thumb soreness. He’s expected to return to the Mets’ lineup on Tuesday. … Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is expected to resume throwing this week. … Wade Miley (neck) threw a live batting practice session Sunday … Diamondbacks acquired Sergio Alcantara from the Cubs for cash considerations. … Giants acquired Luke Williams from the Phillies for INF Will Toffey and cash considerations and also placed Matthew Boyd on the 60-day injured list. … Marlins reassigned Max Meyer to minor league camp and also claimed Tommy Nance off waivers from the Cubs.
