MLB Player News

An agreement between the two sides was reached a month ago but was under review by the league due to Heimlich’s troubling legal past. Ultimately, they decided to approve the deal, so Heimlich has been assigned to the team’s active roster. There’s no doubt that Heimlich is talented enough to be in a minor league system right now, but it remains to be seen whether a club will take a chance on a guy who pleaded guilty to molesting a family member as a teenager.

The lone run came on catcher Tyler Tolve’s homer in the ninth. Suárez was facing five regulars today, and of that group, only Bryson Stott managed a hit against him. He has a 4.22 ERA in 10 2/3 innings as he tries to make the Braves as a fifth starter or as a middle reliever. That he’s out of options increases the chances that he’ll have a spot.

The only batter to reach against him was Adolis García on a HBP. If it came down to talent, the Braves’ fifth starter to begin the year would certainly be either Ritchie or Didier Fuentes. Nevertheless, it’d be a surprise if the choice isn’t either Bryce Elder or Martín Pérez. The 22-year-old Ritchie still needs to get a little better at avoiding walks before he’ll truly be ready.

It was a lineup full of bench guys, with Dominic Smith and Ben Gamel being the best hitters the Braves brought. Between this and facing Brazil for Team Mexico last time out, Walker hasn’t really been tested of late. He’ll open up in the Phillies’ rotation, but he’s not at all recommended for fantasy purposes.

Jung is likely to return to Cactus League action in a couple days, if not sooner, as he continues to work his way back from an adductor strain that put him on the shelf earlier in camp. The 28-year-old third baseman will go undrafted in most fantasy leagues but is a name to watch on waiver wires based on his talent.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora has told reporters on several occasions this spring that Mayer will have to earn the starting role at second base in camp, which means any sort of extended absence would diminish his chances with just under two weeks left until Opening Day. The 23-year-old top prospect figures to continue sitting against left-handed starters with Andruw Monasterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting some opportunities in a short-side platoon role. It doesn’t sound like he’s going to miss too much time here with Cora adding that Mayer should be back in the lineup on Tuesday.

Duran’s single was the game’s hardest-hit ball at 109.6 mph. He also had the game’s farthest-hit ball, but it turned into a 401-foot flyout to center. Statcast had it as a homer in 16 MLB ballparks. Duran was leading off today with Roman Anthony still playing for Team USA, but he’s likely to hit third to begin the regular season.

Matthews’ velocity declined last time out in a rough start against the Braves and was down a little further today; his fastball was off by 1.5 mph from last year and his slider was down by 2.5 mph. It still might be a temporary dip, but between that and the possibility that he opens up in Triple-A, there’s no recommending him in mixed leagues right now.

Lewis went 2-for-2 with a homer in his first game this spring, but he has just one hit in 25 at-bats since. At least that one hit was also a homer. Lewis is certainly going to open up as an everyday player for the Twins, but his chances of returning to the top half of the lineup prior to Opening Day would seem to be about gone.

The Dominican Republic will need to make it past Team USA on Sunday night at loanDepot park in Miami in order to hand the ball to Alcantara in the tournament’s deciding contest on Wednesday evening. The 30-year-old righty allowed three runs over three innings earlier this week against Venezuela. The fact that he would be taking the mound in his home ballpark with the backing of one of the most powerful lineups in recent memory would make it appointment viewing.

Stone is aiming to progress to throwing off a bullpen mound at some point within the next month. The 27-year-old will open the regular season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation but the positive news here is that additional testing didn’t reveal any structural damage and he’ll begin ramping up his throwing program in the coming weeks. It seems like he’s going to miss at least a few months, if not longer, to open the year.