In The Field
OF Starling Marte (neck) was not in the lineup on Friday night but returned on Saturday. SS Brandon Crawford is day-to-day with side discomfort. OF Randal Grichuk (groin) is slated to play in rehab games through the weekend and then be re-evaluated in Colorado. If everything checks out he could be activated and make his season debut after recovering from off-season sports hernia surgery. It will be interesting to see what the Rockies do with their outfield. They will have four guys for three spots (Kris Bryant, Jurickson Profar, Randal Grichuk, and Yonathan Daza). Unfortunately, Daza is the guy most likely to lose playing time and there isn't room at DH due to that being primarily occupied by OF Charlie Blackmon. The situation may have solved itself because OF Kris Bryant left Saturday's game with an ankle injury and is considered day-to-day until we know more. SS Joey Wendle (intercostal) was able to take grounders and hit in the cage on Friday. He will likely get a couple of rehab games in and then be activated. 3B Jon Berti has been the primary fill-in while he is out and will shift back into a utility role. OF Garrett Mitchell is looking at potential season-ending shoulder surgery after dislocating his shoulder on Tuesday night. This is a shame because Mitchell was getting regular playing time and had a decent start to the year (.259 AVG with 3 HR and 1 SB in 16 GP). SS Chris Taylor pinch hit and stayed in the game on Friday after sitting out most of the week with a side injury. He is still considered day-to-day but should be able to start now. OF Michael Harris Jr. (back) still has not been cleared to take batting practice. Once he is able to take live swings we should have a better understanding of when he will be back. In the meantime, the Braves will continue to use a combination of OF Eddie Rosario (.530 OPS), Marcell Ozuna (.429 OPS), Sam Hilliard (.929 OPS), and Kevin Pillar (.515 OPS). C Travis d'Arnaud (concussion) has been able to do baseball activities and was able to hit in the cage on Friday. He is expected back next week and will continue to be in the lineup on a consistent basis whether that is as C or DH. OF Bryce Harper (elbow) is now tracking toward an early May return which is sooner than expected. He is initially expected to return as a DH but has worked on first base since the injury to 1B Rhys Hoskins. It is unlikely that he plays outfield this year. His return will eventually hurt the playing time of 3B Edmundo Sosa and OF Jake Cave. OF Mitch Haniger (oblique) is "trending in the right direction" according to manager Gabe Kapler. The expectation is that Haniger will return to the Giants lineup next week sometime. C Will Smith (concussion) did not return over the weekend. He is not expected back until Friday of next week. OF Tyrone Taylor (elbow) is expected to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday.
On The Mound
Adam Wainwright (groin) will make his next rehab start at Double-A Wichita on Tuesday. The goal is to get to 75 pitches so that he can make his next start at the major league level. His fastball velocity was down again in Spring Training which makes it hard to own Wainwright for fantasy outside of NL-only leagues. Johnny Cueto is going to pitch in an extended Spring Training game on Tuesday. Cueto is working his way back from a biceps injury that he suffered at the beginning of the month. The Marlins currently have a spot in their rotation after Trevor Rogers was placed on the 15-day IL with a left bicep strain. So once Cueto is healthy, he will slide into the rotation without bumping someone out. Ryan Pepiot (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day IL in a procedural move. He isn't expected to be back until late May. Tony Gonsolin (ankle) is a candidate to take the Dodgers open rotation spot due to Michael Grove (groin) being placed on the 15-day IL. The Dodgers are debating between skipping Gonsolin's last rehab start or debuting Gavin Stone. Jameson Taillon was placed on the 15-day IL with a groin injury on Thursday. He is already playing catch which is a good sign and means that he should return when first eligible. Max Scherzer has been suspended 10 games for violation of the foreign substance policy. The Mets are going to turn to Joey Lucchesi as his replacement. Lucchesi is a viable pickup in leagues where you need a starting pitcher in the short term. Kyle Hendricks (shoulder) was able to complete a bullpen session this week and was scheduled for a three-inning appearance in extended spring training. Hendricks hasn't been fantasy viable since 2020. Alex Wood (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple weeks with his hamstring injury. The Giants are expected to put Ross Stripling back into the rotation after recently shifting him to the bullpen. Corbin Burnes (pectoral) was fine after a side throwing session this week and is going to start on Sunday. This is good news after it initially looked like he was going to hit the IL when he left his start with the pectoral injury. Carlos Carrasco is dealing with bone chips in his throwing elbow which is causing swelling and discomfort. He is on the 15-day IL and the hope is that after an injection he will be able to rejoin the rotation. Joe Musgrove made his season debut on Saturday. Ranger Suarez (forearm) is going to need three to four rehab starts before being activated off the injured list. Matt Strahm has been pitching well (3.00 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 28% K:BB) in his absence and will remain in the rotation for the near future. Sandy Alcantara was scratched from his start on Saturday with right bicep tendinitis. The good news is that he is not expected to hit the IL and as of now will start next week against the Atlanta Braves.
In The Bullpen
Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Thursday. Everything went well and the next step is to face live batters which gives him a chance to return before the end of April if not early May. Evan Phillips was placed on the paternity list from Thursday until Sunday. At that point, he is expected to return as the Dodgers closer. A.J. Puk picked up two saves for the Marlins and looks to be the primary option. He has looked good to start the year (1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 22% K:BB). Adam Ottavino got both the Mets save opportunities and was able to convert both. For now, it appears that David Robertson and Ottavino will split the role. Jose Alvarado picked up three saves for the Phillies and appears to be the primary option with Craig Kimbrel getting the occasional chance as he did on Saturday. Michael Fulmer has appeared to lose the job in Chicago which puts Brad Boxberger, Adbert Alzolay, and Brandon Hughes as spec bids. The Pirates are playing well to start the year which led to three saves this past week for David Bednar. The Diamondbacks continue to operate without a set closer with Andrew Chafin being the top option but Miguel Castro also picked up a save this week.
Players to add this week:
3B J.D. Davis (SFG)- J.D. Davis is hitting .306 with 4 HR, 7 R, 13 RBI, and 0 SB. The key is that he is playing every day for the Giants which is uncommon. He hits the ball hard (9% Barrels and 50% Hardhit) and makes enough contact (25% K) to continue being successful. He is worth adding in mixed leagues.
OF Pavin Smith (ARI)- Pavin Smith is off to a hot start for the Diamondbacks. He is hitting .333 with 2 HR, 7 R, 10 RBI, and 0 SB. Smith is coming off a dismal 2022 in which he hit .220 with 9 HR and 1 SB in 75 GP. However, in 2021 he showed promise with a .267 AVG with 11 HR in 145 GP. He isn't playing every day so he is only worth adding in deeper formats but is someone to keep an eye on if he were to get regular playing time.
SP Brandon Pfaadt (ARI)-The Diamondbacks designated Madison Bumgarner for assignment this week which opened up a rotation spot. The prevailing thought was that it would go to Brandon Pfaadt but they called up Tommy Henry instead. Now is the time to pick up Pfaadt as he has the highest ceiling for the rest of the season. He isn't going to have an innings limit after throwing 167 IP last year between Double-A and Triple-A. He also misses bats with 30%+ strikeout rates in the minors. It'll be worth being early on him.
SP Johan Oviedo (SP)-Johan Oviedo has a 2.22 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 24.1 IP. He is having success by getting groundballs (55% GB) and just enough strikeouts (24% K). He has also made a change to his pitch mix (fewer fastballs and more curves) that has been very beneficial to him. Oviedo has a great home park for pitchers as well which is more than enough to add him at this point.
RP Jose Alvarado (PHI)-Jose Alvarado picked up three saves this week for the Phillies. He has also been their best reliever to start the year. He has a 0.96 ERA, 0.43 WHIP, and 56% K:BB through 9.1 IP. He needs to be rostered everywhere.
RP Adam Ottavino (NYM)-Adam Ottavino was able to convert both the Mets save chances this week. The job isn't completely his as David Robertson is still in the mix but if he is going to share the gig then he needs to be rostered.
RP A.J. Puk (MIA)-A.J. Puk has seemingly taken over the Marlins closer role. He picked up two saves for the Marlins this week. He has looked good to start the year (1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 22% K:BB).
OF Andrew McCutchen (PIT)-Andrew McCutchen has played very well in his return to Pittsburgh. He is hitting .277 with 4 HR, 11 R, 9 RBI, and 3 SB. He is playing regularly and hitting in the middle of the Pirates order. His core skills look good (15% BB, 15% K, 7% Barrels, and 43% Hardhit).
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