MLB Player News

Morales rocketed to the big leagues last year after just 23 career appearances in the upper minors and posted a respectable 3.14 ERA (4.42 xERA), 1.15 WHIP and 43/18 K/BB ratio across 48 2/3 innings over 10 appearances (nine starts). The hard-throwing 23-year-old has been an afterthought in shallow fantasy leagues this spring, mostly because of Sutter Health Park’s hitter-friendly tendencies. He’s talented enough to be a viable streaming option in favorable road matchups.

Wetherholt will make his major-league debut against the Rays at Busch Stadium on Thursday. The 23-year-old top prospect profiles as an instant five-category fantasy contributor after hitting .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers and 23 steals in 109 games in the upper minors last season. The seventh-overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft will open the year as St. Louis’ starting second baseman and also serve as their top-of-the-order table-setter. He has a chance to be one of the most impactful second baseman in the entire fantasy landscape.

Even though he was a late returnee last month, Garver was able to beat out Andrew Knizner and retain his job as Cal Raleigh’s backup. He isn’t currently in line to see much time as a DH against left-handers, but that could change if more injuries strike.

Miller said he threw a bullpen at 100 percent on Monday. He needs to build up stamina after being limited to one start this spring, but he could rejoin the Mariners’ rotation in a few weeks. Emerson Hancock figures to get the nod to fill in for him, though that’s still not official. Cooper Criswell would be the alternative.

Crawford could return as soon as his 10 days are up. In the meantime, the Mariners will primarily use Leo Rivas at shortstop, though they do also have the option of sliding Cole Young over and playing Ryan Bliss at second base. Bliss figures to be sent down once Crawford is activated.

Mastrobuoni wasn’t originally in line to make the Mariners, though he might have gotten a spot with J.P. Crawford down. Instead, he’ll join Crawford on the IL. Mastrobuoni hit .250/.324/.298 in 175 plate appearances over 76 games last season.

As expected, Hader will open the regular season with a trip to the injured list. It’ll be Bryan Abreu handling the ninth-inning role in his absence, which gives him immediate relevance in all fantasy formats. Hader remains without a definitive return timetable and has yet to progress to facing hitters. At this juncture, it seems unlikely he’ll return to Houston’s bullpen before the end of April.

Vázquez officially makes Houston’s season-opening roster as a backup to starting catcher Yainer Diaz. He can be safely ignored in all fantasy formats.

It’s a procedural move as Walter is expected to miss the entire season recovering from last year’s Tommy John surgery.

It’s merely a procedural move as Blanco is still working his way back from Tommy John surgery last June. The 32-year-old righty could potentially make it back to Houston’s rotation before the regular season wraps up.