Player Notes

  • Could yield to Berti at third base
    Yankees manager Aaron Boone isn't yet certain whether Cabrera or newly acquired Jon Berti will start at third base on Opening Day, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

    Advice: With DJ LeMahieu (foot) beginning the season on the IL and Oswaldo Peraza set to miss several weeks due to a shoulder injury, Cabrera didn't appear to have much competition for the role of the Yankees' primary third baseman to begin the campaign. That changed Wednesday, however, when New York acquired Jon Berti in a three-team trade involving the Marlins and Rays. Though there's still a chance Cabrera could start on Opening Day, it's almost certain that he'll yield substantial time at the hot corner to the more-experienced Berti, who racked up a career-high 424 plate appearances last season and hit .294 while compiling 53 runs and 16 stolen bases. By contrast, Cabrera struggled over 330 plate appearances, slashing just .211/.275/.299 with five homers, 29 RBI, 35 runs and eight thefts. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:44 pm
    Oswaldo CabreraNYY - 2B,3B,SS,OF
  • Royals put Michael Massey (back) on 10-day IL
    Royals placed INF Michael Massey on the 10-day injured list with back tightness.

    Advice: Massey was placed on the injured list earlier this week as he works his way back from a lower back issue. Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:31 pm
  • Yankees announce trade for INF/OF Jon Berti
    Yankees acquired INF/OF Jon Berti from the Marlins as part of a three-team deal.

    Advice: The complex swap, which also includes catcher Ben Rortvedt going to the division-rival Rays and prospect John Cruz going to the Marlins, is now official. The versatile 34-year-old speedster provides New York with some quality extra bench depth and figures to serve as a decent stopgap option at the hot corner while DJ LeMahieu (foot) is sidelined. He offers enough stolen base upside to warrant a speculative roster spot in deeper mixed leagues, but he’s not exactly going to morph into a five-category impact contributor. Rotoworld Yesterday, 5:18 pm
    Jon BertiNYY - 2B,3B,SS,OF
  • Reds put Matt McLain (shoulder) on 10-day IL
    Reds placed 2B/SS Matt McLain on the 10-day injured list following left shoulder surgery.

    Advice: There isn’t a definitive timetable for McLain to return this season after undergoing surgery this week to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder. It’s a significant loss for the Reds, and fantasy managers, as the 24-year-old looked like a potential five-category stalwart last year in his first taste of the majors. There should be some clarity on his potential return at some point in the coming weeks, but he’s facing a lengthy absence. Rotoworld Yesterday, 2:27 pm
    Matt McLainCIN - 2B,SS
  • Recovering from orbital fracture
    Vivas was diagnosed with a left orbital fracture after suffering a facial injury Monday and is considered out indefinitely, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Vivas has since been discharged from the hospital, but he appears likely to open the 2024 campaign on Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's 7-day injured list. Acquired from the Dodgers in December, Vivas is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he slashed .269/.381/.407 with 13 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 135 games between stops at Triple-A Oklahoma City and Double-A Tulsa. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:21 pm
  • Will bat leadoff Opening Day
    Manager Aaron Boone said Torres will serve as the Yankees' leadoff hitter in Thursday's season opener against the Astros, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

    Advice: The Yankees are facing a southpaw (Framber Valdez) in the season opener, but Torres looks like he could be the team's top choice to set the table against both left- and right-handed pitching to begin the season while DJ LeMahieu (wrist) is on the shelf. The leadoff assignment is a nice little boost for Torres' fantasy prospects, even if it might be relatively run atop the lineup. He had a terrific spring, sporting a 1.078 OPS with three home runs and two stolen bases. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:09 pm
  • Placed on IL
    The Rays placed Walls (hip) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

    Advice: Walls is working his way back from last October's surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip. According to MLB.com, Walls has been hitting in the batting cage, fielding grounders and throwing during spring training, and he's set to meet with a doctor Monday to get a gauge of where he stands in his recovery from surgery. Since he'll need to go through a spring training-esque progression that likely includes a minor-league rehab assignment once he's cleared to intensify his baseball activities, Walls might not be ready to make his season debut until late April or early May. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 2:02 pm
    Taylor WallsTB - 2B,3B,SS
  • Optioned to Triple-A
    The Cardinals optioned Fermin to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Fermin was the team's final roster cut ahead of Opening Day. The 24-year-old should be used as a utility infielder at Memphis. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 1:31 pm
  • Cardinals put Tommy Edman (wrist) on 10-day IL
    Cardinals placed INF/OF Tommy Edman on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 25, with a right wrist sprain.

    Advice: Edman remains without a definitive timetable to return after suffering a setback in his recovery from offseason surgery on his right wrist. It’s notable that he hasn’t been placed on the 60-day IL at this juncture, but he could always wind up being transferred there eventually. Rotoworld Yesterday, 1:27 pm
    Tommy EdmanSTL - 2B,SS,OF