MLB Player News

Fitzgerald went back-to-back with teammate Drew Gilbert off of Mason Englert to open the seventh inning, with his 398-foot (101.8 mph EV) blast extending the Giants’ lead to 6-0. The 27-year-old infielder has had a rough season overall with the Giants, slashing just .220/.278/.335 with four homers, 14 RBI and nine stolen bases in 233 plate appearances.

It’s another positive step for Schlittler as he ramps up his throwing program after missing time earlier in camp with back inflammation. The Yankees are justifiably proceeding with an abundance of caution as the 25-year-old kicks things into high gear, but he hasn’t experienced any setbacks. He should progress to facing hitters at some point in the near future. He’s one of the most intriguing young pitchers in the game with his fantasy arrow pointing skyward on the heels of last year’s impressive debut.

McClanahan is the ultimate wild card in this year’s starting pitcher pool, having not thrown a pitch in a major-league game since 2023. The 28-year-old former fantasy ace appeared close to completing his return from Tommy John surgery last spring before a triceps injury derailed that timeline and ultimately led to season-ending forearm surgery in August. All eyes will be on McClanahan this spring to evaluate how his velocity and command respond after the extended layoff. The bigger question isn’t what he looks like in March — it’s whether his body will cooperate over the long haul and withstand the grind of a full-season workload.

Eldridge, who underwent offseason wrist surgery to remove a bone spur, can cement his spot on San Francisco’s season-opening roster, floating between first base and DH, with a strong performance this spring. The 21-year-old power-hitting prospect struggled last year in his first exposure to big-league pitching but he’s still only 21 years old and possesses respectable plate skills for a masher with his towering frame. Eldridge offers sky-high over-the-fence power potential but there’s enough risk present that his immediate fantasy appeal is strictly limited to deeper mixed leagues as a late-round flyer.

Rosenthal’s report with the exact financial terms comes after Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reported on Friday that the two sides were working on a deal. He adds that the deal includes a mutual option for 2027 and an additional $2 million in playing time incentives. The 31-year-old southpaw-masher provides the Cardinals with a short-term stopgap at the hot corner to pair with lefty slugger Nolan Gorman. His arrival further clarifies that the club envisions top prospect JJ Wetherholt at second base, if he’s going to make the Opening Day roster.

Crews has unexpectedly become an afterthought for fantasy purposes after missing most of last season with an oblique injury. The 23-year-old was universally-regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball entering last year before struggling to a .208/.280/.352 slash line with 10 homers and 17 steals in just 85 games. He’s far too talented from an all-around ability standpoint to write off entirely and is worthy of a mid-round pick in all fantasy drafts this spring. He’s currently being selected 164th overall, on average, in NFBC drafts since the start of February.

Crawford is the favorite to start in center field for the Phillies on Opening Day. He’ll need a strong performance in Grapefruit League action to lock up the spot but he doesn’t have a ton of competition. The 22-year-old former first-round pick batted .334/.411/.452 with seven homers and 46 steals in 112 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this past season. He’ll make a fantasy impact in the stolen base department, but counting on anything beyond that in his first taste of the majors might be too optimistic, especially since he’s likely to bat at the bottom of the order. Here is the full lineup: Crawford (CF), Adolis García (RF), Edmundo Sosa (SS), Otto Kemp (LF), Bryan De La Cruz (DH), Rafael Marchán (C), Dylan Moore (2B), Christian Cairo (3B) and Keaton Anthony (1B).

Marsee hasn’t generated a ton of fantasy hype this offseason despite hitting .292/.363/.478 with five homers and 14 steals in a 55-game big-league debut late last year. The 24-year-old speedster doesn’t strike out a ton and boasts the on-base ability required to occupy the leadoff spot long-term. He’s come off the board right around 150th overall in NFBC drafts since the start of February, which makes him a top-30 range fantasy outfielder with 15-homer, 30-steal upside. Here is the full lineup: Marsee (CF), Agustín Ramírez (C), Christopher Morel (1B), Griffin Conine (RF), Connor Norby (3B), Heriberto Hernández (LF), Javier Sanoja (2B), Maximo Acosta (SS) and Ryan Ignoffo (DH).

Uceta will be cutting close, barring any additional setbacks, from a ramp-up standpoint to be ready for next month’s Opening Day contest. However, this latest update qualifies as an extremely encouraging one for the high-leverage specialist. He received a cortisone injection to address the swelling in his ailing right shoulder but doesn’t appear to be dealing with any structural damage that likely would’ve required surgery. The 28-year-old will be in the mix for save opportunities alongside Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger in Tampa Bay this season.

Domínguez enters a pivotal spring training without a clear avenue to regular playing time after New York re-signed veterans Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham earlier this offseason. The 23-year-old former top prospect could potentially wind up back at Triple-A to continue his development by playing everyday. These situations have a way of sorting themselves out but it’s clear that Domínguez will offer minimal fantasy appeal in a reduced role at the highest level. Here is the full lineup: Domínguez (LF), Aaron Judge (RF), Ryan McMahon (3B), Paul Goldschmidt (DH), Seth Brown (1B), Paul DeJong (SS), Spencer Jones (CF), Max Schuemann (2B) and Ali Sánchez (C).

McGonigle’s ability to generate consistent hard contact in tandem with elite contact skills at such a young age makes it strangely difficult to imagine a future where he isn’t an impactful fantasy contributor. That future might become reality in a few weeks on Opening Day. The 21-year-old prodigy’s path to a spot on Detroit’s season-opening roster got easier with Trey Sweeney sidelined with a shoulder injury and leaves super utility specialist Zach McKinstry as the lone obstacle in his way. A strong performance in Grapefruit League exhibition contests would make it extremely challenging for the Tigers to ship him back to the minors. He’ll be a popular sleeper candidate in all fantasy drafts this spring, especially if he starts making some noise at the dish. Here is the full lineup: Jahmai Jones (RF), McGonigle (SS), Gleyber Torres (2B), Colt Keith (3B), Jake Rogers (DH), Jace Jung (1B), Trei Cruz (CF), Eduardo Valencia (C) and Corey Julks (LF).