Even when you’re a fan of one specific major league baseball team, it can be difficult to keep track of all of the news that surrounds your favorite club on a daily basis.
However, when you’re a fantasy baseball owner and you now have to multiply that effort by 30 in order to be as up to date as possible with each and every club? It’s a fool’s errand that borders on the impossible.
Fear not! We’ll be here each and every Monday to give you a snapshot of what’s going on in the world of baseball, with one fantasy takeaway from each of the league’s 30 teams. Think of it as your one-stop shop for the week ahead.
Here are the takeaways for this week, with another batch of spring training games in the books:
Arizona Diamondbacks: Peter O’Brien is leading the team with 10 RBIs this spring, but he remains a man without a position. The former catcher has been playing a bit at first base — which is obviously not going to provide much opportunity for at-bats, given Paul Goldschmidt‘s presence on the roster — as well as getting in some left field action. Manager Chip Hale says that because O’Brien could catch in a pinch, he may still have a chance to make the team.
Atlanta Braves: On Friday, Freddie Freeman left the game early, prompting speculation that the wrist injury that bothered him in 2015 was once again wreaking havoc with the first baseman. However, Freeman was back in action Sunday, and was only dealing with some discomfort in his hand that is believed to be a residual reaction to past cortisone shots — something that will pass quickly and not return.
Baltimore Orioles: It’s too early to know for sure when Matt Wieters will be back in action for Baltimore. The catcher felt some discomfort in his elbow during the weekend while throwing down to second base on a steal attempt. X-rays were clean, but Wieters says that he’s still “a little stiff, a little sore.” Manager Buck Showalter pledges to be extremely cautious here and will “wait a few days to see if the pain subsides” before allowing his All-Star backstop back behind the plate.
Boston Red Sox: Fans can breathe easy after catcher Blake Swihart had to leave Sunday’s game with only a bruised jaw after a foul tip careened off his mask. A check for a concussion happily came up empty, and there doesn’t seem to be any lasting injury to see here. Although Swihart will be closely monitored, just in case, he may be back in action as early as Tuesday.
Chicago Cubs: After having to leave a game due to knee soreness earlier in the week, the Cubs were happy to see Kyle Schwarber once again patrolling left field Sunday. In a very good sign of his fitness, Schwarber made a running catch at the wall in the third inning that had reporters wondering if the wall was OK. At the plate, the team is still waiting for its young slugger’s first extra-base hit of the spring.
Chicago White Sox: Austin Jackson debuted in center field for the White Sox, going 1-for-2 with a walk Sunday. Manager Robin Ventura said the addition of Jackson, who inked a one-year, $5 million deal with the club on March 6, gives him a lot more flexibility in terms of lineup construction. Adam Eaton can fill any of the three outfield slots, and Ventura plans to move him around liberally as the season rolls along. That’s good news for owners that play in leagues with specific outfield positions.
Cincinnati Reds: Cody Reed is tied for the team lead in strikeouts this spring, and the 22-year-old southpaw has certainly made an impact on manager Bryan Price. While he would not yet rule out the possibility that Reed could make the starting rotation out of camp, the more likely scenario is that the pitcher gets sent down to the minors for a spell. However, Price said that you could bank on seeing Reed “at some point in time in 2016. … I think he’s going to be an impact pitcher for us, I really do.”
Cleveland Indians: It doesn’t seem like there’s any chance Giovanny Urshela will be anywhere other than Triple-A Columbus to start the 2016 season, but the third baseman isn’t going to go quietly. Urshela hit his third home run of the spring Sunday, increasing his batting average to .348. Meanwhile, expected Opening Day starter Juan Uribe left the team to return to the Dominican Republic to clear up some visa problems. If all goes according to plan, Uribe should be able to return later this week. If not, Urshela would be happy to unpack his bags.
Colorado Rockies: Although Trevor Story has hit three home runs in just 17 spring at-bats, there’s still a chance he might not end up as the team’s starting shortstop. Cristhian Adames is also in the mix, and because he can play multiple positions and is out of minor-league options, his chances of sticking with the Rockies are actually greater than Story’s now. Still, with Jose Reyes out until at least April 4 — if not longer — the door is open for both to be in the Rockies’ dugout come Opening Day.
Detroit Tigers: Manager Brad Ausmus is so intent on getting Anthony Gose to learn how to bunt for a base hit that he is requiring the outfielder to attempt to do so at least once per game this spring. With Gose projected to bat No. 9 in the Detroit order for the majority of the time to start the season, given Cameron Maybin‘s injury, his ability to get on base for the top of the order could provide a boost to the team’s overall offensive production in a big way.
Houston Astros: Wandy Rodriguez continues to impress manager A.J. Hinch in his effort to earn a spot on the Astros staff as a non-roster invitee. He has allowed just two runs through eight innings of spring work thus far, and should either Scott Feldman or Lance McCullers — who is currently sidelined following an MRI on his right shoulder — be unable to start the season on time, the former Astro could potentially find his way into the rotation.
Kansas City Royals: Whit Merrifield was one of the final cuts in 2015, but after a season in the minors where he ended up playing at seven defensive positions at some point of the season, the super utility player is now in line to make the Royals’ roster. From a fantasy standpoint, there’s clearly not a ton of value here if he does make the roster, but for deeper leagues, he might be worth a dart throw if he sticks.
Los Angeles Angels: When the Angels are facing right-handed pitching this season, don’t be surprised to see Kole Calhoun slotted into the No. 5 spot in the batting order, despite him having hit there only three times in the past two seasons. That’s where manager Mike Scioscia had the left-handed hitter in each of the past four games that the Angels faced RHPs. “Kole really fits in nicely behind Albert Pujols [in those games],” Scioscia said.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Expect Enrique Hernandez to get the majority of reps at shortstop, and the Opening Day start, should Corey Seager not be ready to take the field come April. Seager thought he might have torn his meniscus Friday, but thankfully, the MRI revealed the injury to be only a sprain. The rookie is expected to sit out for around two weeks, meaning that there’s still a chance he could be ready to go when the 2016 season starts. Manager Dave Roberts said that it would be “pushing it, [but] I’m still optimistic.”
Miami Marlins: Giancarlo Stanton was scheduled to DH on Sunday, but the outfielder convinced manager Don Mattingly to let him test his injured right knee by playing in right field. Five innings later, including a stolen base attempt, Stanton feels he passed with flying colors. However, Tuesday will provide a clearer picture of how well the team feels Stanton is progressing. If he’s back in the Miami lineup after an off day, then the slugger should be on course for Opening Day.
Milwaukee Brewers: Ryan Braun is getting ready for his first action of the spring this week, though he would not reveal exactly which day he would see his first at-bats since surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. However, Braun says he has more than enough time to get the required work in to be ready to go on Opening Day. “I could have played the first day [of exhibition season] but I think we’re just being safe. I’m well ahead of the schedule I was supposed to be on, so it’s just a matter of making sure I’m close to 100 percent,” Braun said.
Minnesota Twins: Phil Hughes is in line to start one of the games in the first series of the regular season against the Orioles. Because he already had faced the team twice this spring, when his turn to pitch came around again this weekend versus Baltimore, manager Paul Molitor left him at home to pitch a simulated game instead. Molitor says he will decide soon between Hughes and Ervin Santana as his Opening Day pitcher.
New York Mets: Fear not the news that Jacob deGrom was scratched from his Monday start with a stiff back. Apparently a soft mattress was to blame, and the pitcher already has rectified the situation to prevent a recurrence. In any event, while deGrom didn’t take the bus ride to face the Tigers, he did throw an extended bullpen session instead, without incident. Nothing to see. Move it along.
New York Yankees: CC Sabathia may be losing his battle with Ivan Nova to be the No. 5 starter for the Yankees. On Sunday, after a difficult outing where he allowed three runs and five hits while failing to get out of the second inning, positivity was hard to come by. Manager Joe Girardi said that if outings like this “[become] a pattern, you worry about it.” Still, Sabathia’s contract gives the team 25 million reasons to stick with the veteran for as long as they possibly can.
Oakland Athletics: Jarrod Parker‘s career may be over, as the pitcher re-fractured his right elbow during a simulated game Thursday. “You just feel awful for him,” catcher Stephen Vogt said. “This game can be so cruel.” The latest injury may have had an emotional impact on A’s camp — the team committed five errors and three wild pitches in a 14-5 loss on Saturday after learning the news.
Philadelphia Phillies: Freddy Galvis might be looking over his shoulder all season long, just waiting for the Phillies to tell him that the starting shortstop job is going to prospect J.P. Crawford; but for now, he can relax a bit. Crawford was officially reassigned to minor league camp by the team Monday. He hit just .150 in 20 spring at-bats, and will likely not get the big league call until the Super Two deadline has passed — and perhaps not even immediately then.
Pittsburgh Pirates: With their starting rotation having been pretty much set for some time now, it was no surprise that the Pirates decided to option right-handers Jameson Taillon and Tyler Glasnow to Indianapolis to start the 2016 season. You should, however, expect to see both pitchers in Pittsburgh at some point. As general manager Neal Huntington said earlier in the spring, “If we have a need because of injury and/or someone struggles up here later in the season, they’re pretty good options to have.”
St. Louis Cardinals: Stephen Piscotty was hit by a pitch Saturday, just above his left elbow, and did not travel with the Cardinals on Sunday. While the outfielder has some lingering tenderness, manager Mike Matheny said there was no reason for concern: “If this was April, he’d have been playing.” Piscotty may start wearing a protective guard on his elbow going forward.
San Diego Padres: A trio of Rule 5 selections — Josh Martin, Blake Smith and Luis Perdomo — are all still in the bullpen mix for the Padres as they continue to figure out what their pitching staff will look like for 2016. They all might stick. Manager Andy Green was pragmatic about things: “You start looking at the three-year, $16, $17, $18 million contracts going to guys who are traditionally average relievers. You step out and say if you take three of these guys and one of them hits, you’ve paid $100,000 to a reliever we control effectively for six years.”
San Francisco Giants: Madison Bumgarner will be out of action for the immediate future because of both a foot injury and some sore ribs. However, the pitcher doesn’t think either ailment will have any impact on his ability to take the mound on Opening Day. Meanwhile, Matt Cain may miss the start of the season as he recovers from surgery to remove a cyst on his right arm. Chris Heston is the most likely candidate to take his rotation spot in the interim.
Seattle Mariners: And then there were three. The battle for backup first baseman behind Adam Lind got a little bit tighter after Seattle released Gaby Sanchez in order to allow the veteran a chance to land with another team. Still left in the running are Jesus Montero, Dae-Ho Lee and Stefen Romero. Lee appears to be slightly ahead in the competition as of now, and may only have to outperform Montero the rest of the way to make the roster, as Romero still has a remaining minor league option the team can use.
Tampa Bay Rays: Manager Kevin Cash is looking to construct a bullpen with multiple pitchers who are capable of getting four to six outs on any given night that he calls on them. He expressed confidence that Alex Colome can do the job, and will look carefully to see which pitchers from a group that includes Andrew Bellatti, Danny Farquhar, Matt Andriese and Enny Romero will be joining him in the bullpen. Cash did announce Monday that Chris Archer would be his Opening Day starter.
Texas Rangers: Delino DeShields currently checks in as the No. 46 outfielder in the ESPN Top 300 staff fantasy rankings, a projection driven in large part by the value of his expected 30-plus steals. However, the Rangers have been frustrated with his baserunning this spring. DeShields has just one successful steal, with four outs coming from caught stealings and pickoffs. Manager Jeff Banister says the outfielder has to add variety to when in the count he chooses to run, or else teams will continue to eliminate his speed as a weapon.
Toronto Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez‘s first spring start Sunday was strong, as the right-hander went four innings, striking out four and allowing only two baserunners. Manager John Gibbons still says there’s a competition going on for the last spot in his rotation between Sanchez, Drew Hutchison, Gavin Floyd and Jesse Chavez. That might just be motivational, though, as Sanchez’s performance would almost have to make him in the front-runner.
Washington Nationals: After missing the first dozen games of the spring with a left foot problem, Ryan Zimmerman went 1-for-3, hitting cleanup as the Washington DH on Sunday. He’s expected to DH again Monday before returning to first base. Manager Dusty Baker has yet to commit to a regular batting order for his team, saying that “there are a lot of guys that could hit anywhere from second to sixth. It depends on who’s hot, who’s healthy, who’s not. We have a lot of quality options.”
