Player Notes

  • IL move official
    The Twins placed Weiss (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

    Advice: As expected, Weiss won't be part of the Twins' season-opening bullpen while he recovers from a right shoulder strain. Once activated, Weiss will likely be in line for low-leverage relief work. Rotowire.com 5 minutes ago
  • Down in six spot for opener
    De La Cruz is starting at shortstop and hitting sixth for the Reds in Thursday's 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 down lower in the batting order. It's not great news for De La Cruz's immediate fantasy prospects, but he is certainly capable of hitting his way up higher in the lineup. Rotowire.com 6 minutes ago
  • Lands on IL
    Minnesota placed Topa on the 15-day injured list Thursday with left patellar tendinitis.

    Advice: With closer Jhoan Duran also opening the season on the IL with an oblique strain that will likely keep him sidelined for most of April, Topa might have been in position to cover some high-leverage innings out of the bullpen early in the season, but his own knee issue will foil those plans. Topa and Duran are joined on the shelf by four other relievers, leaving Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart as the most likely options to factor into the mix for saves in the first few weeks of the season. Rotowire.com 6 minutes ago
  • 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 8 minutes ago
  • Goes on IL
    The Twins placed Thielbar (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

    Advice: Thielbar is one of six Twins relievers will begin the season on the injured list. He's eligible for activation April 9, but since he didn't pitch in any Grapefruit League games while recovering from the left hamstring strain, Thielbar may need more than the minimum 15 days to complete his recovery from the injury before being ready to join Minnesota. Rotowire.com 9 minutes ago
  • Hits IL with calf strain
    The Twins placed Staumont on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a left calf strain.

    Advice: Staumont was on track to make the Twins' Opening Day roster, but his bid was derailed when he slipped in the bullpen earlier this week and apparently suffered the calf strain in the process. The transaction is retroactive to Monday, so Staumont will be eligible to return from the IL as soon as April 9. Rotowire.com 12 minutes ago
  • Batting second on Opening Day
    Benson is starting in center field and batting second for the Reds in Thursday's opener against the Nationals.

    Advice: Manager David Bell had indicated previously that Elly De La Cruz could be in the two hole at the beginning of the season, but it will be Benson there while De La Cruz is down in the six spot. Bell's lineups could be fluid, but if Benson sticks in the second spot against righties it would be a nice boost to his fantasy outlook. Rotowire.com 12 minutes ago
  • Starting in season opener
    Martini will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and No. 8 batter in Thursday's season opener versus the Nationals.

    Advice: At least against right-handed pitching, Martini looks like he'll get the first opportunity to fill the lineup spot that was opened up by Tj Friedl (wrist) and Matt McLain (shoulder) beginning the season the injured list and by Noelvi Martin serving an 80-game suspension to begin the season. Though the Reds' logjam in the infield and outfield is alleviated to some degree by those absent players, the lefty-hitting Martini will still likely need to find some early success against right-handed pitching to ensure he sticks in a strong-side platoon role. Over 361 career plate appearances versus righties, Martini has slashed .288/.380/.449 with eight home runs. Rotowire.com 16 minutes ago
  • Placed on administrative leave
    Franco was placed on administrative leave Thursday by Major League Baseball under the Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Advice: The placement removes him 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 18 minutes ago