MLB Player News

One of the more promising hitters in the minors, Cecchini batted .332/.443/.471 with seven home runs, 61 RBI, and 23 stolen bases over 129 games this past season between High-A Salem and Double-A Portland. We’re still waiting on his power, but his ability to hit for average and get on base should carry him to the majors before long.

No word yet on the reason for the move. Rosario is slated to open the season in a multi-faceted reserve role on New York’s bench. There should be an update on his status after the contest.

DeLauter was scratched from a Cactus League contest earlier this week with lower body soreness. The 24-year-old top prospect doesn’t appear to be dealing with anything serious that would jeopardize his chances of making Cleveland’s season-opening roster.

It qualifies as an encouraging update after Devers was scratched from Friday’s lineup for precautionary reasons with hamstring tightness. It doesn’t sound like there are any plans to undergo imaging. The 29-year-old slugger should be ready to resume hitting in a couple days and has several weeks to ramp up in advance of Opening Day.

Bader will get some extra rest after exiting Friday’s spring training contest with a right thumb contusion. The issue has apparently been bothering him for a little bit so the Giants aren’t going to take any chances with a couple weeks left until Opening Day.

Gilbert will be shut down from throwing for at least one week to address the issue, which isn’t viewed as a long-term concern. It doesn’t sound like he’s at risk of opening the season with a trip to the injured list.

Hoglund will resume a throwing program after doctors recommended rest and rehabilitation instead of a surgical procedure. The 26-year-old missed the final couple months of last season after undergoing hip surgery.

Angels manager Kurt Suzuki told reporters Lowe, who has been plagued by right oblique issues the past two seasons with the Rays, is being given a few additional days off from Cactus League action out of an abundance of caution due to side discomfort. The fact that these have been recurring problems for Lowe in the past makes it a situation fantasy managers should be monitoring closely in the run up to next month’s season opener. The 28-year-old downplayed concern while speaking with reporters citing that his previous oblique issues are unrelated to this instance. There should be some additional clarity on his status if he’s unable to return to spring contests in the near future.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters Saturday that there are no immediate plans for Bieber to progress to throwing off a mound. The 30-year-old starter appears poised to open the regular season on the injured list and remains without a definitive timetable to make his season debut. It’s challenging to take Bieber with anything more than a speculative late-round selection in fantasy drafts this spring given the massive concerns regarding his workload.

Schneider added that Yesavage could be limited to three or four innings per-start at the outset of the regular season as part of a deliberate ramp-up process. The 22-year-old top pitching prospect accumulated 139 2/3 innings last year in his professional debut across five levels, including the postseason, after topping out at just 93 1/3 in his final collegiate campaign. The Blue Jays are clearly prioritizing his late-season availability, which means fantasy managers should expect some abbreviated April outings. It seems highly unlikely he’ll eclipse the 150-inning mark, which relatively few starters are anyways these days.

Hader remains without a definitive timetable to return as Houston’s closer, which opens the door for elite high-leverage specialist Bryan Abreu to open the season in the ninth-inning role. The 31-year-old southpaw has been working his way back from biceps inflammation that cropped up earlier this month and should progress to throwing a bullpen session in the near future. He’s a virtual lock to open the year on the injured list, which has caused his fantasy stock to crater in re-draft formats.