• Batting leadoff on Opening Day
    Garcia is starting at third base and batting leadoff for the Royals in Thursday's opener against the Twins.

    Advice: Garcia had a great spring in posting a .984 OPS and opens the years as the Royals' leadoff man, as expected. The young infielder has some breakout potential this season from the top of the batting order, boasting good wheels and some sneaky pop. Rotowire.com 20 minutes ago
  • Getting start against southpaw
    Farmer is starting at second base and batting seventh for the Twins in Thursday's opener versus the Royals.

    Advice: Farmer gets the nod at the keystone with the Royals starting southpaw Cole Ragans. The 33-year-old had a .781 OPS against left-handed pitching last season for Minnesota. Rotowire.com 39 minutes ago
    Kyle FarmerMIN - 2B,3B,SS
    1:10 pm @KC
  • De La Cruz batting sixth in Opening Day lineup
    Elly De La Cruz is at shortstop and batting sixth in Thursday’s Opening Day matchup against the Nationals.

    Advice: This will be new territory for the 22-year-old phenom as he did not bat in the six-hole once during the 2023 season. Fantasy managers should expect another solid season from De La Cruz as he’ll showcase his power and speed in a full 162-game season. Here’s the full Opening Day lineup for the Reds: Jonathan India 2B, Will Benson CF, Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B, Jeimer Candelario 3B, Jake Fraley RF, Elly De La Cruz SS, Spencer Steer LF, Nick Martini, DH, Tyler Stephenson C, Frankie Montas SP. Rotoworld 44 minutes ago
  • Optioned to Triple-A
    The Giants optioned Luciano to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday, Melissa Lockard of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Luciano came into spring training as the favorite to win the Giants' shortstop job, but he missed some time with injury and the club eventually signed Nick Ahmed. The 22-year-old could still eventually push to take over at shortstop with the big club this season, but for now he'll go to Sacramento. Rotowire.com 52 minutes ago
  • Report: Wander Franco put on administrative leave
    According to Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin, the Rays placed Wander Franco on administrative leave through June 1.

    Advice: Though Franco has not been formally charged, he remains under investigation in his native Dominican Republic, accused of sexual and psychological abuse, and abduction. He is required to make monthly check-ins with court officials through June 30 unless his case is resolved prior. The administrative leave stay could end earlier if there is a significant change in Franco’s circumstances, such as resolution of the case in the Dominican. The 23-year-old All-Star shortstop has been away from the team since mid-August, when allegations first surfaced of an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Rotoworld 55 minutes ago
  • Batting sixth in opener
    De La Cruz will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Thursday's season opener against the Nationals.

    Advice: De La Cruz hit second often for the Reds this spring and manager David Bell had indicated that's where he was leaning toward putting the youngster. However, the skipper ultimately settled on Will Benson in the two hole and De La Cruz lower in the batting order. It's not great news for De La Cruz's immediate fantasy prospects, but he's certainly capable of hitting his way up higher in the lineup. Rotowire.com Today, 7:39 am
  • Will start occasionally vs. lefties
    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Rojas will get some starts at shortstop against left-handed starters, but he won't be part of a strict platoon, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Advice: Rojas got the bulk of playing time at shortstop last year after Gavin Lux tore his ACL in spring training and was lost for the season, and he finished the campaign with a .236/.290/.322 slash line along with five homers, 31 RBI, 49 runs and eight steals. With Lux back in the fold for 2024, Rojas is slated to work in a reserve role, with Lux starting at second base and Mookie Betts taking over at shortstop. When the Dodgers go up against southpaws, Betts will sometimes slide over to second while Rojas gets an opportunity at shortstop, but Roberts' comments make it clear that this won't be more than an occasional lineup change. Rotowire.com Today, 7:37 am
  • Placed on administrative leave
    Franco was placed on administrative leave Thursday through an agreement between MLB and the MLB Players Association under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Advice: The transaction removes Franco from the Rays' 40-man roster and is effective through June 1. The stay could end sooner than that if there are any developments in Franco's investigation or could be extended if there are none. Because he is on administrative leave and not the restricted list, Franco will be paid his $2 million salary. Rotowire.com Today, 7:28 am
  • Giants option Marco Luciano to Triple-A
    Giants optioned SS Marco Luciano to Triple-A Sacramento.

    Advice: It’s not a totally unexpected development, but it’s a bit surprising the Giants are going to roll with veteran defensive specialist Nick Ahmed at shortstop to open the season instead of rolling the dice on Luciano, who possesses a much higher offensive ceiling. The 22-year-old former top prospect will head back to the minors to open the year, but figures to get his extended opportunity at some point in the near future given Ahmed’s health issues over the last few seasons. Rotoworld Today, 3:27 am