MLB Player News

Kelly will progress to facing hitters for the first time since being shut down with a back issue last month. The 37-year-old veteran won’t take the ball for Arizona on Opening Day but there’s a chance he’ll be ready to pitch at the back-end of the rotation to open the regular season. He’s a worthwhile late-round rotation stabilizer for fantasy purposes.

Grissom struck out in his lone at-bat prior to exiting the contest. The 25-year-old infielder has gotten off to a frigid start at the plate this spring, batting .185 over 11 Cactus League contests.

Olson, who definitely had an argument for being Team USA’s best choice at first base in the WBC, is 7-for-24 with five strikeouts and three walks in 27 plate appearances this spring.

Strider was sharp today, but he didn’t build on his velocity gains from his second time out; he averaged 94.8 mph with his fastball, which is a tad down from 95.0 mph on Thursday and his 95.5 mph last season. There’s plenty of reason to hope that 2026 Strider will be a fair amount better than 2025 Strider, but he’s yet to give much reason to think that 2022/23 Strider will be walking through that door.

Pérez gave up a three-run homer to Ben Williamson in the sixth before the Rays took out their starters. After that, he had an easy time and wound up striking out six. Pérez probably has the best chance of the Braves’ fringy rotation candidates to beat out Bryce Elder for the fifth spot.

Matt Olson crushed a homer off him, but Martinez allowed no other hits today. He’s in line to open up as the Rays’ fifth starter, and he offers some fantasy potential with Tropicana Field and the strong Rays defense both working in his favor.

Bradley was roughed up by the Red Sox in his second spring outing, but he’s been excellent in the last two to drag his ERA down to 4.50. He’s struck out 19 and walked five in 14 innings. Bradley became the clear favorite to serve as the Twins’ fourth starter after Pablo López went down, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to throw it away. That would leave one rotation spot for Mick Abel and Zebby Matthews.

Anderson struck out four and gave up no hard-hit balls to the nine batters he faced. He’s pitched 11 scoreless frames with a 14/2 K/BB in four appearances this spring. It’s not going to get him a rotation spot unless something gets hurt, but he will make the Tigers as a middle reliever and he’s an AL-only sleeper.

Culpepper’s hits today left the bat at 109 and 104 mph. The 2024 first-round pick is slated to open 2026 back in Double-A, but he might finish it as the Twins’ shortstop unless Brooks Lee takes a clear step forward.

Parker Meadows went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts, and now both Tigers outfielders are sporting sub-.400 OPS this spring. If the Tigers opt to carry Kevin McGonigle, there’s probably going to be room for only one of Meadows and Pérez. Meadows has the clear edge defensively, which could be a difference-maker. Pérez hit a respectable .244/.308/.430 last year, but he fits a lot better in right field than in center.

Gallen will make his fourth consecutive Opening Day start when he takes the ball against the defending World Series champion Dodgers on March 26. He gets the nod with Merrill Kelly (back) unable to ramp up in time for the assignment. The 30-year-old’s underlying metrics have been trending in the wrong direction for a couple years and he languished on the open market for most of the offseason before ultimately returning to Arizona on a one-year deal. He’s a top-75 range starter for fantasy purposes entering the regular season.