MLB Player News

With Alex Jackson designated for assignment, the Rays are calling up an infielder for a final bench spot and not a third catcher. The 26-year-old is hitting .189/.318/.378 in 26 games for Tampa Bay this year and should not be on fantasy radars.

Roupp has been up about one mph from last year this spring, though that could be a little deceptive; he was also up in this territory at the beginning of last year before fading in May and June. Still, it’s been a rather encouraging spring with his 4.15 ERA and 15/7 K/BB in 13 innings. He could be at least a streaming option in mixed leagues next month.

Encarnacion really messed up on the double play. He hit a grounder down the first base line that he thought was going to go foul, but Freddie Freeman got to it before it could and threw to second base for the first out. Encarnacion never even left the batter’s box on the play and was retired on a lob back to first. It was the kind of thing that could lead to a fringy player getting bumped off the roster. Plus, Victor Bericoto, a natural replacement for Encarnacion, went on to homer later on for the Giants’ only run of the game.

Valenzuela was added to Toronto’s 40-man roster in the offseason after coming over from San Diego in the Will Wagner trade last July. The 25-year-old backstop figures to take over as Alejandro Kirk’s primary caddy at some point in the near future.

Zack Littell was scheduled to take the hill opposite Braxton Garrett, who is vying for the final spot in Miami’s rotation along with Janson Junk. Littell worked three innings last Friday in his spring debut. He’ll presumably get his work in during a bullpen session to stay on schedule for the start of the year.

Espinal has officially made Los Angeles’ season-opening roster as a reserve infielder. The 31-year-old journeyman has looked rejuvenated this spring, hitting .389 (14-for-36) with two homers, 13 RBI and one steal in 15 Cactus League contests. He’ll help solidify second base along with speedster Hyseseong Kim while Tommy Edman (ankle) is on the injured list to open the season. He can be safely ignored for fantasy purposes.

No real surprise here. Durbin came over from the Brewers as part of the Kyle Harrison trade last month and will fill the spot previously held by Alex Bregman and Rafael Devers. The 26-year-old speedster has enough stolen base upside to matter in deeper mixed leagues. The big question for the Red Sox is whether Marcelo Mayer will open the year as their starting second baseman.

Not great. Harrison departed after 59 pitches (36 strikes) and was charged with four runs (one earned) over 2 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old former top prospect was putting together a magnificent spring and looked like a virtual lock for Milwaukee’s season-opening rotation. Blister issues can be complicated matters so fantasy managers should make sure to check back for additional updates on his status in the coming days.

We made the mistake of assuming he was done after four, but he had one batter left in him. Ohtani had an easy time today, especially during a five-pitch first inning. He hit 99.9 mph on the gun and averaged 97.6 mph with his 19 fastballs. In all, he threw 61 pitches. One imagines he’ll throw around 65-70 in his final spring start, which will likely come Tuesday against the Angels, and then be ready for throw 75-80 pitches in his first regular-season start, which should come against the Guardians on Mar. 30 or 31.

Nothing additional from the club, but it sounds like Singer’s removal was precautionary. However, blister issues can be tricky matters. The 29-year-old righty struck out three over 3 2/3 scoreless frames before exiting. He’s one of the few veterans in Cincinnati’s rotation, which will feature a trio of youngsters in Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson occupying two spots. There should be an additional update on his status shortly.

All five were in camp as non-roster invitees with Effross and Rainey the ones with the most big-league experience. They’ll presumably head down to Triple-A Toledo to wait for injury or ineffectiveness to create an opportunity.