MLB Player News

Cameron was one of the better prospects in Houston’s system last decade after being selected 37th overall in the 2015 MLB Draft. The 28-year-old was traded to Detroit in the Justin Verlander swap and never turned into an everyday option at the highest level before bouncing around the last couple years. He got into 21 games this past season for the Brewers, hitting .195 (8-for-41) with one homer and one steal. He’ll attempt to rebuild his value overseas in Korea next year.

Fuentes has been one of the biggest revelations in the Grapefruit League this spring, compiling a sublime 17/0 K/BB ratio across nine perfect innings over three appearances. The wrinkle fantasy-wise here is that the hard-throwing 20-year-old rookie has made Atlanta’s season-opening roster as a reliever, not a traditional starter. That means José Suarez is likely going to wind up with the fifth spot in the rotation. The stuff should play up in shorter bursts out of the bullpen, which makes Fuentes an intriguing addition for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues.

Senger will continue to function as emergency catching depth behind Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens. The 28-year-old backstop got into 33 contests for the Mets last year.

Kjerstad is heading to Baltimore to undergo further imaging to determine the severity after suffering the injury earlier this week. The latest development guarantees that he’ll open the season on the injured list and takes him out of the running for a bench role. There should be a clear return timeline at some point next week.

Nootbaar has yet to appear in a spring training contest for the Cardinals as he works his way back from offseason surgery on both heels. The 28-year-old corner outfielder’s absence creates a pathway for Nelson Velàzquez to open the year in the big leagues as a temporary stopgap.

This qualifies as a bit of a surprise since Garcia was off to a sizzling-hot start this spring, batting .405 (15-for-37) with two homers and three steals in 17 games. The calculus for the Pirates likely involves having the 23-year-old corner outfielder playing regularly on the doorstop of the majors as opposed to languishing in a part-time role at the highest level. His departure means that veteran offseason acquisition Ryan O’Hearn will open the year as Pittsburgh’s starting right fielder with Marcell Ozuna at DH.

Fuentes has been an unexpected revelation this spring, posting a stellar 17/0 K/BB ratio across nine perfect innings over three appearances in Grapefruit League action. The hard-throwing 20-year-old clearly wasn’t ready when he was lit up during a brief four-game run with Atlanta last summer as a teenager. He’s looked magnificent this spring and has a decent chance at breaking camp in Atlanta’s season-opening rotation as their fifth starter. He’ll need to beat out veteran José Suarez to make that a reality. It’s too small of a sample size for fantasy managers to overreact but Fuentes is a talented pitching prospect that could be making a leap this spring. He’s worth rostering in deeper mixed leagues based on that possibility alone.

Mendoza added that David Peterson will follow Opening Day starter Freddy Peralta before McLean gets the ball on Sunday against the Pirates at Citi Field. He’ll be followed by Clay Holmes and Kodai Senga with Sean Manaea being used in a piggyback role, as needed. The hard-throwing 24-year-old top pitching prospect will make his season debut with an extremely favorable matchup at home after a starring role in the World Baseball Classic earlier this month. He’s a top-25 range fantasy starter in remaining drafts.

Beavers was scratched from Friday’s lineup after experiencing tightness in his right quad that led to some knee soreness. The 24-year-old top prospect expressed optimism that he’s dealing with a short-term issue before adding that he believes he’ll be ready for next week’s season-opener. Beavers is projected to split time in right field with veteran Tyler O’Neill this season after slashing .227/.375/.400 with four homers and two steals during a 35-game cameo with the Orioles last year.

Both Smith and Farmer had opt-outs in their minor league contracts with Atlanta so they’ve been officially added to the club’s active roster. Smith figures to get some opportunities at DH while Farmer will occupy a reserve role as a utility infielder.

Kittredge will open the season on the injured list as he works his way back from shoulder inflammation. He’s expected to kick off a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk shortly after Opening Day. The 36-year-old veteran setup specialist will help bridge the gap to newly-minted Orioles closer Ryan Helsley this season.