MLB Player News

It was actually Taillon’s best performance among his five spring starts, as he lowered his ERA from 22.18 to 17.55. He also struck out six, doubling his spring total. Taillon’s velocity is down only about 0.5-1 mph from last year, and in a really good situation on the Cubs, he remains a candidate to offer some mixed-league value this year. It’s just going to be difficult to trust him initially.

Bastardo was taken by the Blue Jays in the Rule 5 draft, but he did not make the Opening Day roster, so he will be returned to the Red Sox. The 23-year-old pitched to a 5.36 ERA in 10 starts (45.1 innings) in Double-A last season.

Casas is already on the IL while recovering from left patellar tendon surgery, so this just adds another injury to the list. The intercostal muscle is a muscle near the oblique/ribs, but the indication right now is that this is not connected to Casas’ fractured rib and rib cartilage injury two years ago. For now, he “is shut down from hitting until symptoms subside, but hasn’t gotten an MRI. The Red Sox will see how he progresses in the coming days.” It’s looking like a May return to Boston is no longer in the cards for Casas.

Anthony is just one of many members of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic to get off to a slow start to the season. The talented 21-year-old is just 4-for-21 to begin the season with a whopping 11 strikeouts and three walks. Perhaps a reset will help, but Anthony is being far too passive at the start of this season and getting himself into too many bad counts. Jarren Duran will play left field with Masataka Yoshida entering the lineup at designated hitter and batting third.

As of now, we have no idea what the issue is, but Narváez said the decision to scratch him was “nothing physical,” and Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, “This is something that happens in every club. Or just happens to be early in the season. It’s the right thing to do.” Hopefully this is just one game absence. Connor Wong will start in his place.

The rookie has struggled to start the season, going 3-for-19 with six strikeouts and one walk. The Rays had also demoted him to Triple-A before Taylor Walls (oblique) got injured, so Williams’ hold on the job may not be overly strong. Ben Williamson will shift to shortstop with Richie Palacios entering the starting lineup at second base and batting ninth.

This is the first time that the Angels have faced a left-handed starter this season, and both Nolan Schanuel and Josh Lowe are on the bench. That will be something to monitor as the season goes on. Jeimer Candelario will start at first base and bat seventh, while Bryce Teodosio will play left field and bat ninth.

Hamilton is on the strong side of a platoon at third base, so he will continue to sit whenever a lefty is on the mound. However, he could be used as a pinch runner in those games, which gives him a bit more value in leagues with weekly lineup locks. Luis Rengifo will shift to the bench on Wednesday.

It’s a routine day off for a catcher with a day game after a night game, but since Yordan Alvarez is entrenched at the designated hitter, there is nowhere else for Diaz to play. That’s an ongoing battle that he will face all season. Christian Vázquez will start behind the dish and bat ninth.

So far this season, Peña has yet to start back-to-back games. The Astros are likely just being cautious with his fractured finger, but it remains to be seen when they will view him as a full-time player. Carlos Correa will shift to shortstop on Wednesday, which will allow Isaac Paredes to play third base and bat third against Garrett Crochet.

O’Neill is making over $16 million this season, so the Orioles will certainly want to give him a chance to earn that contract, but he’s also 2-for-14 to start the season with four strikeouts and two walks. He’ll continue to get some chances, but he’ll need to start producing to hold off Dylan Beavers, who is starting in left field and batting sixth today.