Welcome to another edition of the Grapefruit League Report, where we break down all the latest news from Florida and what it means for fantasy baseball. Injuries and roster cuts continue to dominate the headlines as Spring Training winds down, but we have you covered. There’s a lot to unpack in this week’s news and notes, so let’s go!
Grapefruit League News and Notes
Atlanta Braves
Reynaldo Lopez (SP)
Reynaldo Lopez is locked into the rotation after the Braves optioned Bryce Elder to Triple-A. Lopez is a sneaky add at the end of drafts, as he’s scheduled to face the White Sox to start the season. Nice.
Baltimore Orioles
Kyle Bradish (SP)
Kyle Bradish is progressing through his throwing program without issues. He still has a ways to go after partially tearing his UCL this spring, but Bradish could end up being a worthy stash in leagues with IL spots.
Boston Red Sox
Kenley Jansen (RP), Chris Martin (RP), Tyler O’Neill (OF)
Kenley Jansen missed two consecutive appearances this week with back tightness. Jansen is scheduled to pitch on Thursday but is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day, especially since he’s made only one spring appearance. At this rate, Chris Martin is likelier to open the season as the Red Sox’s closer. But keep an eye on both pitchers this week, as Martin is dealing with groin tightness.
Tyler O’Neill continues to deal with left calf tightness. He was scratched from Friday’s lineup but returned on Tuesday. Hopefully, this is a minor issue. But calf injuries tend to linger, and O’Neill is no stranger to the injury bug. Keep tabs on his progress this week.
Houston Astros
Justin Verlander (SP), Jose Urquidy (SP)
Justin Verlander should face hitters sometime this week. The veteran has been sidelined after developing a shoulder issue this spring and has been slowly working his way back to health. There’s still no official timeline for Verlander’s return, but late April or early May is possible, barring a setback.
Jose Urquidy was diagnosed with a strained forearm and will be shut down from throwing for a couple of weeks. An MRI showed no structural issues with his UCL, so Urquidy will take the rest and relaxation route. Ronel Blanco and J.P. France will round out Houston’s rotation until Justin Verlander returns.
Miami Marlins
Eury Perez (SP), Max Meyer (SP), Braxton Garrett (SP)
Eury Perez had been dealing with fingernail issues this spring but now has elbow soreness, which isn’t good. Perez will undergo further testing and consult doctors to determine the next steps. Perez was a popular upside pick in drafts, but we should hit the pause button until we have further information. Injuries have taken a toll on Miami’s rotation this spring, with Braxton Garrett and Edward Cabrera starting the season on the shelf. Perez’s absence could allow Max Meyer to return to the rotation after he was optioned to Triple-A last week.
Braxton Garrett looked good in Sunday’s live batting practice. He’ll miss the first few weeks of the season after developing shoulder soreness this spring. But barring a setback, Garrett shouldn’t be out long. Miami’s rotation needs him.
Minnesota Twins
Jhoan Duran (RP), Anthony DeSclafani (SP)
The brutal pitching news continues as Jhoan Duran will start the season on the IL with an oblique strain. Griffin Jax has looked excellent this spring and should be the favorite to take over closer duties to begin the season. But keep tabs on Brock Stewart, who could also be in play for save opportunities. Both are worth speculating on until we get the final word from Rocco Baldelli.
Anthony DeSclafani has with a forearm strain and will start the season on the IL. The move all but assures a rotation spot for Louie Varland. Varland is a solid pickup late in drafts.
New York Yankees
Aaron Judge (OF), Gerrit Cole (SP), DJ LeMahieu (1B/3B)
Abdominal issues continue to sideline Aaron Judge. He didn’t see any Grapefruit League action over the weekend and instead participated in some batting practice. Judge is slated to play Wednesday, but stay tuned.
Gerrit Cole is dealing with nerve inflammation in his right elbow and will be shut down for three to four weeks. There’s still no timetable for his return, so if you want to take a shot on Cole, do it in leagues with an IL spot. Luis Gil, Will Warren, or Clayton Beeter will likely take Cole’s spot.
DJ LeMahieu is dealing with a significant bone bruise after fouling a ball off his foot on Saturday, jeopardizing his Opening Day availability. If LeMahieu misses time, Oswaldo Cabrera would likely fill in at the hot corner. Additionally, Alex Verdugo could take over leadoff duties against righties, with Anthony Volpe hitting atop the lineup against lefties.
Philadelphia Phillies
Bryce Harper (OF)
Bryce Harper has been out for a few days with back soreness but hopes to return to Grapefruit League action on Friday. Hopefully, there’s nothing to see here. But keep tabs later in the week, with Opening Day around the corner.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Michael A. Taylor (OF), Paul Skenes (SP)
Michael A. Taylor signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Pirates. He has double-digit pop and speed and will likely be a short-side platoon bat. However, if Taylor can land more playing time, he could make some noise in deeper formats. He hit a career-high 21 homers to go with 13 stolen bases in 388 plate appearances last season.
Paul Skenes will start the season in the minors. The move isn’t surprising, but last year’s top draft pick is still worth a stash in FAAB leagues. The Pirates’ rotation is crackable, and Skenes could easily play his way into a job sometime this summer.
St. Louis Cardinals
Sonny Gray (SP)
Sonny Gray may not end up on the IL after all. He’s progressed well since suffering a minor hamstring strain in early March and faced hitters in a simulated session on Sunday without incident. Barring any setbacks, Gray could be available to pitch the first week of the season. Buy the dip in his draft cost.
Tampa Bay Rays
Josh Lowe (OF)
Josh Lowe will begin the season on the IL after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain. Lowe had been dealing with hip inflammation for most of spring training, so this new development isn’t what fantasy managers want to hear. There’s no timetable for his return, but Lowe may need more time to ramp up since he’s only logged two games this spring. While Lowe is out, Richie Palacios should secure playing time in a strong-side platoon role.
Toronto Blue Jays
Jordan Romano (RP), Kevin Gausman (SP)
Jordan Romano will be shut down for three days while dealing with right elbow inflammation. An MRI revealed no structural damage, and Romano received an anti-inflammatory injection on Tuesday. This is obviously a concerning development and something to monitor as the week progresses. Erik Swanson is next in line, but he’s dealing with forearm soreness. Yimi Garcia and Chad Green are also names to pay attention to as more information comes to light, with Garcia being the more interesting speculation add.
Kevin Gausman is expected to throw a two-inning simulated game on Wednesday. Toronto’s frontline starter won’t be ready for Opening Day as he is recovering from shoulder fatigue. However, Gausman could be ready to go in mid-April if all goes smoothly.
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