Player Notes

  • Works one inning
    Brebbia (calf) threw one inning in a minor-league game Monday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

    Advice: Brebbia is working his way back from a calf injury and had a successful return to game action. He remained non-committal about his status for Opening Day, noting that he typically needs eight-to-10 innings in the exhibition season to get properly stretched out. Monday's outing marked his first game action of the spring, meaning he may need to start the regular season on the injured list. Rotowire.com Today, 9:44 pm
  • Locked into rotation spot
    Perez has allowed one earned run across 12 innings with a 13:4 K:BB in Grapefruit League action.

    Advice: There are a couple of vacancies in the back of the Pirates' rotation, but Perez will be locked in as a starter to begin the regular season. He built up to five innings in an outing against the Philies on Monday, racking up eight strikeouts against two walks without allowing a run. Despite the strong form, there should be some skepticism about Perez's performance, as he's posted an ERA above 4.40 in six of his last seven campaigns. Rotowire.com Today, 9:25 pm
  • Likely to make big-league club
    Bielak is likely to make the big-league roster out of spring training due to a combination of injuries to the Astros pitching staff, and because he is out of minor-league options, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Bielak hasn't pitched well this spring, allowing six earned runs across 7.1 innings while maintaining just a 5:4 K:BB. However, with both Justin Verlander (shoulder) and Jose Urquidy (forearm) destined for the injured list to begin the campaign, the Astros are in need of pitching depth. As things currently stand, Bielak is expected to serve in a relief role, with Ronel Blanco serving as the fifth starter. Rotowire.com Today, 9:04 pm
  • Kyle Harrison strikes out five in win against Reds
    Kyle Harrison recorded five strikeouts over five shutout innings in Monday’s 4-2 win against the Reds.

    Advice: The biggest story of the evening may be Blake Snell reportedly signing with the Giants, but San Francisco may have a rising star on the back end of its rotation this season. The 22-year-old southpaw put together another impressive spring outing and the new addition of his cutter could be the difference throughout the regular season. In seven starts with the Giants last season, Harrison posted a 4.15 ERA with a 35/11 K/BB ratio across 34 2/3 innings. Rotoworld Today, 8:42 pm
  • Report: Snell, Giants agree to two-year, $62M deal
    Blake Snell has agreed to a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to New York Post’s Jon Heyman.

    Advice: A deal has finally happened for the reigning NL Cy Young with just nine days left until Opening Day. According to Heyman, there is an opt out following the 2024 season, which is something the 31-year-old has been seeking since entering free agency. The Giants were decimated with injuries to its pitching depth during spring and will be without Alex Cobb, Robbie Ray and Tristan Beck to start the season, so adding Snell to their rotation hopefully lessens the blow. Snell is coming off his best season since 2018 and posted a 2.25 ERA, 1.19 WHIP with an insane 234/99 K/BB ratio across 180 innings. Rotoworld Today, 6:31 pm
  • Josiah Gray spins six strikeouts against Astros
    Josiah Gray struck out six batters and allowed just one earned run on three hits across five innings against the Astros on Monday.

    Advice: One day after being named the Nationals’ Opening Day starter, Gray put together his best outing of Spring Training. The 26-year-old has at least five strikeouts in two of his past three starts and has just one outing where he allowed more than one run. If Gray can continue to get a high number of strikeouts, he can definitely be an intriguing fantasy starting pitcher this season. Rotoworld Today, 6:04 pm
  • Christian Javier allows five runs against Nationals
    Christian Javier went 4 2/3 innings and allowed five earned runs on three hits against the Nationals on Monday.

    Advice: This was Javier’s worst spring outing after he looked stellar in his first three starts during camp. Prior to Monday’s start, the 26-year-old had a 1.80 ERA but that has blown up to 4.30. Fantasy managers shouldn’t put much into one outing as Javier has looked comfortable this spring posting 14 strikeouts over 14 2/3 innings of work in his four starts. Rotoworld Today, 6:04 pm
  • To start home opener?
    Imanaga appears on track to start the Cubs' fourth game of the season April 1, which is the home opener, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Justin Steele will get the ball on Opening Day in Texas, potentially followed by Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks. Imanaga would then be in line to make his MLB debut when the Cubs return home for a series against the Rockies. The Japanese lefty has just a 4.66 ERA in three spring starts, though he's also struck out 19 batters in just 9.2 innings, which showcases the type of potential he possesses in his first season. Rotowire.com Today, 5:35 pm
  • Could serve as spot starter
    Smyly could start the regular season in the rotation with Jameson Taillon (back) set to miss some time into April, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Taillon could return as soon as April 8 in San Diego, but the Cubs will have to fill his rotation spot until then. Justin Steele is set to start Opening Day on March 28, and Chicago gets an off day after that. However, the Cubs then have games on five straight days, so a full rotation will likely be needed. Beyond Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Shota Imanaga should be locked into starting spots, and Jordan Wicks is making a strong case in camp. That could leave Smyly, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski to compete for the No. 5 spot, at least until Taillon returns. Rotowire.com Today, 5:30 pm