MLB Player News

We made the mistake of assuming he was done after four, but he had one batter left in him. Ohtani had an easy time today, especially during a five-pitch first inning. He hit 99.9 mph on the gun and averaged 97.6 mph with his 19 fastballs. In all, he threw 61 pitches. One imagines he’ll throw around 65-70 in his final spring start, which will likely come Tuesday against the Angels, and then be ready for throw 75-80 pitches in his first regular-season start, which should come against the Guardians on Mar. 30 or 31.

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 contract with Atlanta so they’ve been informed that they’re on the club’s Opening Day roster already. Smith figures to get some opportunities at DH while Farmer will occupy a reserve role as a utility infielder. The Braves will officially add them to their active roster at some point prior to next week’s opener.

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.

Capra was in Red Sox camp as a non-roster invitee and failed to land a spot on the club’s season-opening roster in a bench role. Delay is merely emergency catching depth while Guerrero and Keller could be up as stopgap relief options at some point later this year.

Crawford will be officially added to Philadelphia’s active roster in advance of next week’s season-opener. The 22-year-old top prospect will open the season as the Phillies’ starting center fielder after batting .334/.411/.452 with seven homers and 46 steals in 112 games at the Triple-A level last year. His stolen base potential gives him immediate relevance in deeper fantasy formats, although he’s likely to bat near the bottom of the order at the outset of the season, which limits his realistic across-the-board ceiling. He’s a talent worth rostering in deeper leagues.

Rays manager Kevin Cash described Lux’s as a “cranky” while speaking to reporters on Saturday morning. It’ll be Ryan Vilade, who is a near-lock to make Tampa Bay’s season-opening roster, taking over at the keystone while he recovers. Lux will open the year as the club’s starting second baseman but also figures to spend some time in the outfield, if needed. There’s a chance he opens the season on the injured list if his shoulder isn’t feeling better in time for next week’s opener.

Cora made it official that Mayer will open the regular season as Boston’s starting option at the keystone. The 23-year-old top prospect is likely to cede some playing time to Andruw Monsterio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa against left-handed starters, but will get the bulk of the playing time at the keystone. Cora went out of his way to tell reporters on several occasions that Mayer would have to earn the starting job this spring, so this certainly qualifies as a vote of confidence in the former fourth-overall selection from the 2021 MLB Draft. His immediate fantasy appeal is limited to deeper mixed leagues and AL-only formats. If he can stay healthy, he’s one of the more intriguing young talents in the game capable of hitting double-digit homers with a respectable batting average and a handful of stolen bases.

It’s an encouraging sign to see Alvarez back in action after Mets manager Carlos Mendoza downplayed concern following his starting catcher’s early exit from Thursday’s spring contest due to back tightness. The 24-year-old slugging backstop should be a full-go for next week’s season opener.