MLB Player News

Saggese has a big opportunity to win a starting spot in Cardinals camp with Nolan Arenado and Brandon Donovan gone, but he’ll take a little time away in the process. Italy is looking at a lefty-heavy lineup of something like this in the WBC: CF Jakob Marsee, C Kyle Teel, 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, LF Zach Dezenzo, DH Dominic Canzone, RF Jac Caglianone, 2B Saggese, 3B Miles Mastrobuoni and SS Jon Berti. Aaron Nola and Michael Lorenzen will lead the pitching staff, with former Team USA reliever Adam Ottavino coming out of the pen.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman adds that Pérez will earn $1.9 million with $700,000 in additional incentives if he makes Washington’s roster. The 29-year-old southpaw struggled this past season, spending most of it at the Triple-A level but was a mainstay in Baltimore’s relief mix during each of the previous three seasons dating back to 2022. He represents an interesting low-risk addition for the rebuilding Nationals as a middle relief option.

Kowar finds himself on the move for the third time since late January. The 29-year-old righty should be able to secure a spot in Baltimore’s bullpen as a low-leverage option after making 15 relief appearances for the Mariners this past season. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

Selby will open the season with an extended stint on the injured list after suffering a shoulder injury during his offseason throwing program. The 28-year-old righty made 11 appearances for the Orioles this past season.

Márquez augments San Diego’s rotation depth as a reliable back-end stabilizer and innings-eater after spending the first decade of his career with the division-rival Rockies. The 30-year-old workhorse struggled to an unsightly 6.70 ERA — 5.77 xERA — 1.71 WHIP and 83/48 K/BB ratio across 126 1/3 innings during his return from Tommy John surgery last season. Getting out of Coors Field’s high-octane offensive environment is undoubtedly a positive development, but his lackluster strikeout rate keeps him off fantasy managers’ radar screens until further notice.

Rice was shut down from hitting after sleeping on his neck wrong earlier this week. It sounds like a relatively minor physical issue but fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status. The soon-to-be 27-year-old slugger has emerged as one of the more polarizing hitters in the fantasy landscape as he’s gone off the board 54th overall, on average, in NFBC drafts since February 1.

Bubic is working his way back from last year’s rotator cuff strain that shortened his breakout campaign to just 20 starts, finishing with a pristine 2.55 ERA — 3.17 xERA — 1.18 WHIP and 116/39 K/BB ratio over 116 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old southpaw carries some durability question marks but will be a top-50 range starting pitcher in fantasy drafts this spring.

It’s a tad early for such declarations but fantasy managers will take it. Kelly ostensibly gets the nod for next month’s lid-lifter against the Dodgers over Zac Gallen, who agreed to return to the desert on a one-year pact earlier this weekend. The 37-year-old veteran posted a sparkling 3.52 ERA — 4.15 xERA — 1.11 WHIP and 167/48 K/BB ratio across 184 innings last year between the Diamondbacks and Rangers.

It’s a rare loss for a player in the salary arbitration process this offseason after Faucher filed at $2.05 million. The 30-year-old high-leverage arm lost any semblance of fantasy appeal when the Marlins signed veteran stopper Pete Fairbanks to a one-year pact earlier this offseason. He’ll operate in a setup role, which technically gives him some value in holds leagues.

Roupp appears on track for a normal spring training after suffering a season-ending bone bruise in his left knee last August. The 27-year-old righty is vying for one of the final spots in San Francisco’s rotation this spring after posting a serviceable 3.80 ERA — 4.25 xERA — 1.48 and 102/45 K/BB ratio across 106 2/3 innings over 22 starts last year. He’ll need to beat out prospects Carson Whisenhunt, Blade Tidwell and swingman Hayden Birdsong to lock up a rotation spot. There’s some appeal in deeper mixed leagues and NL-only formats.

The deal is now official. Sánchez returns to Milwaukee following a one-year detour in Baltimore where injuries limited him to just 30 games. The 33-year-old backstop’s time as a fantasy-relevant option are clearly over, but he provides the Brewers with a reliable veteran backup behind ironman starter William Contreras.