MLB Player News

Thomas was designated for assignment by Boston on Thursday to make room for Daniel Nava. He had a 7.71 ERA and 2.57 WHIP in seven games with the Red Sox.

Wheeler threw two innings on a back field on Monday “against low-level farmhands with no outfielders and the catcher calling balls and strikes.” However, the most important part of the day was simply that the right-hander came away happy and was able to go full speed against hitters. As of now, Wheeler remains on track to return in late April, but we have yet to see him pitch, so it’s hard to know for sure what version of the 35-year-old we’re going to get coming off such a big surgery. He remains one of the bigger risk/reward picks in fantasy drafts right now.

The 27-year-old left-hander came over from the Pirates in a trade this offseason along with Johan Oviedo. Samaniego had a good spring, throwing 5 1/3 shutout innings while allowing just one hit and striking out six. However, he has minor league options left, and the Red Sox have three other left-handed relievers in their bullpen, so they opted to send Samaniego to the minors and kept Ryan Watson on the team. Watson is a Rule 5 pick, so he would have needed to be sent back to the Athletics if he didn’t make the Opening Day roster.

Kreidler is a career .138/.208/.176 MLB hitter in 211 plate appearances, so he was always a long shot to make the Opening Day roster. His defensive versatility will likely give him a chance at some MLB at-bats this season.

With Austin Martin (concussion) back on track to begin the season with the Twins, Wagaman will head to the minors. That means Kody Clemens will operate as the primary backup first baseman behind Josh Bell. Wagaman had some intriguing batted ball data during his MLB debut last season, and he can play the outfield as well, so he figures to get a chance sometime this season.

Lux had missed time this spring with a “cranky” shoulder but returned to the lineup on Sunday. Apparently, he didn’t recover from that game as well as the Rays would have hoped. While his injury means that Richie Palacios will make the Opening Day roster, it’s unclear if Palacios or Ben Williamson will start at second base with Lux out. Palacios is a left-handed hitter, which would favor him, but neither player needs to be added in fantasy leagues right now.

The good news is that the injury is not related to his arm. The bad news is that, because of pitching mechanics, oblique strains can sideline pitchers for four to six weeks. Strider will not be able to throw while he manages the pain and inflammation. He will then begin some strengthening exercises and work his way back onto the mound and have to ramp up his pitch count again. Fantasy managers should expect Strider back in the rotation sometime in early May. Until then, the Braves will likely turn to either Jose Suarez or Didier Fuentes in their starting rotation; however, they could also decide to add any of Martin Perez, Carlos Carrasco, or JR Ritchie to their 40-man roster as well.

This means Connor Wong has won the job as Boston’s backup catcher. Thaiss put pressure on Wong this spring when he got off to a strong start as a hitter and also showcased his plus defensive skills and ability to manage a pitching staff. However, Thaiss wound up going just 4-for-21 this spring, and the Red Sox will see if they can keep him in the organization as catching depth. Gasper is on the 40-man roster, so he will likely head to Triple-A Worcester.

Eaton had a solid spring, going 9-for-32 with four RBI and two steals. However, he only played the outfield in the spring, so it seems like both Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa have surpassed him as true utility players.

With Carmen Mlodsinski being named the fifth starter and both Jose Urquidy and Hunter Barco making the Opening Day roster, it seems like Clevinger may be the Pirates’ seventh or eighth starter right now. This spring, he allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings while striking out 15 and walking 10. He has pitched only 21 2/3 MLB innings since 2023.

Barco, MLB’s 95th-ranked prospect, made his MLB debut last season with just three innings out of the bullpen. He will presumably start this season in the bullpen as well, with Carmen Mlodzinski already named the team’s fifth starter. That means Barco will be the presumed sixth starter and long reliever and should get a chance to start if Mlodzinski falters. Barco looked good this spring, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in 9 1/3 innings while striking out 12 and walking six. He might not be worth adding right now in his current role, but fantasy managers should watch Mlodzinski’s early starts closely to see if Barco will get a shot.