Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy baseball players in the news

January 20, 2012 @ 08:41:14

First Baseman

1B | Carlos Pena | free agent | Free Agents
The Tampa Bay Rays are deep in talks with free-agent 1B Carlos Pena (Cubs).

1B | Prince Fielder | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
Updating a previous report, the Texas Rangers haven't ruled out signing free-agent 1B Prince Fielder (Brewers), according to two major league sources. However, they need super agent Scott Boras to yield some from high contract demands, and be willing to get creative in structuring a deal. The team believes Fielder wants to play for them, and hope his desire to play for a winner will lead him to sign for less money.

1B | Joel Guzman | Cincinnati Reds | Transaction, Free Agents
The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent 1B Joel Guzman (Japanese League) to a minor-league deal Thursday, Jan. 19. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

1B | Casey Kotchman | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The Cleveland Indians are interested in free-agent 1B Casey Kotchman (Rays). The Tampa Bay Rays were also reportedly interested in re-signing the veteran earlier in the offseason.

1B | Todd Helton | Colorado Rockies | Injury, Fantasy
Colorado Rockies 1B Todd Helton (back) has nearly mirrored last season's workout routine. His back still has good days and bad days, but he said he "will be ready in spring."

1B | Brett Wallace | Houston Astros | Injury, Fantasy
Houston Astros 1B Brett Wallace (back) will have to earn a spot on the major league roster out of spring training this year after slumping badly in 2011 and being sent to Class AAA. Wallace said he hurt his back while playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, and he was released from the team after hitting just .173 with two home runs and nine RBIs in 20 games. 1B Carlos Lee is penciled in as the team's starting first baseman this season.

1B | Mitch Moreland | Texas Rangers | Fantasy
Texas Rangers 1B Michael Young voiced his support for 1B Mitch Moreland as the team's starting first baseman this year with rumors swirling that the team may pursue free-agent 1B Prince Fielder (Brewers). "To be honest with you I have a ton of respect for Prince Fielder," Young said. "He's a great player and he's had an incredible career, at this point, Mitch Moreland is our first baseman and we stand behind Mitch. He's a great young player, a great teammate and he hasn't scratched the surface of what he's capable of doing."

Second Baseman

2B | Will Rhymes | Tampa Bay Rays | Transaction,
The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent 2B Will Rhymes (Tigers), OF Jesus Feliciano (Mets) and P Romulo Sanchez (Japanese League) to minor league deals Thursday, Jan. 19.

2B | Darwin Barney | Chicago Cubs | Fantasy
Chicago Cubs OF Tony Campana has added some weight while working out in Arizona this offseason, and 2B Darwin Barney has put on 18 pounds of muscle.

Third Baseman

3B | Alex Rodriguez | New York Yankees | Injury, Fantasy
New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez (knee) is preparing and excited to play third base this season. "I think the vision for us as a team is now... you want the DH spot to be one that's kind of a revolving door," Rodriguez said. "I think a lot of us at some point or another, in such a long season, are going occupy that spot."

3B | Terry Tiffee | Miami Marlins | Transaction, Free Agents
The Miami Marlins signed free-agent INF Terry Tiffee (Yankees) to a minor-league contract Thursday, Jan. 19.

Catcher

C | Mike Napoli | Texas Rangers | Injury, Fantasy
Texas Rangers C Mike Napoli (ankle) did straight-line running recently after suffering a sprained left ankle and stretched ligaments in the World Series. "The ankle felt pretty good," Napoli said. "I ran with a sled to put a little weight behind it and it came out pretty good. I think it's just me trusting it again. I'm going to have to work through some pain and feel some things, but it's feeling good. I still have to get some more strength in it, but it's definitely on its way."

C | Wilin Rosario | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy
Colorado Rockies C Wilin Rosario worked with former Major League catcher and New York Yankees C Tony F. Pena in the Dominican Republic for a couple of days during the offseason. "He helped me with my target and where to set up my glove," Rosario said. "I always like talking to people who have played the game for a long time. You can learn and get better."

C | Ryan Lavarnway | Boston Red Sox | Fantasy
Boston Red Sox C Ryan Lavarnway (illness) contracted a virus while playing winter ball in Venezuela and has lost 20 pounds as a result. However, he has since put the weight back on, and he will report to spring training on time.

C | Jordan Pacheco | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy
Colorado Rockies C Jordan Pacheco has dropped from 205 to 195 pounds since he will no longer be catching on an everyday basis.

C | Jesus Montero | Seattle Mariners | Fantasy,
Seattle Mariners C Jesus Montero, who was acquired from the New York Yankees last week in exchange for Ps Michael Pineda and Jose Campos, is having trouble leaving Venezuela in order to undergo a physical exam. The trade that also involved SP Hector Noesi is being held up because of this issue. Montero is waiting for a passport and Visa to be issued.

C | Max St. Pierre | Boston Red Sox | Transaction
The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent C Max St. Pierre (Tigers) to a minor league deal Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Outfielder

OF | Ryan Spilborghs | Cleveland Indians | Transaction, Free Agents
Updating earlier reports, the Cleveland Indians agreed with free-agent OF Ryan Spilborghs (Rockies) on an undisclosed deal.

OF | Austin Jackson | Detroit Tigers | Fantasy
Detroit Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon is excited about OF Austin Jackson's tweaks to his swing, as he has reduced his leg kick. "I'm extremely pleased by how quickly he adjusted and adapted," McClendon said. "And really the credit goes to him because he wanted to do it and he was willing to do it. My hope is that we're going to see some drastic differences."

OF | Ryan Braun | Milwaukee Brewers | Fantasy
Milwaukee Brewers OF Ryan Braun appeared before a special panel Thursday, Jan. 19, attempting to avoid a 50-game suspension after a failed drug test with elevated testosterone level. Braun appeared in front of a three-member panel, and they will decide whether he'll be suspended for 50 games by Major League Baseball. The decision is not expected to come before Braun accepts his MVP award at the New York Chapter of Baseball Writers' Association of America's dinner Saturday, Jan. 21, according to a source.

OF | Carl Crawford | Boston Red Sox | Injury, Fantasy
Oakland Athletics OF Josh Reddick (wrist) said he had the same wrist surgery that Boston Red Sox OF Carl Crawford (wrist) underwent this week, and Reddick thinks Crawford will be fine. "I think it was the exact same surgery (cartilage). It's not that tough of a rehab process as long as you're there working out - and we know Carl always works out - he'll be just fine," Reddick said. Reddick had the surgery about eight weeks ago and is expected to be the starting right fielder in Oakland on opening day.

OF | Carlos Gonzalez | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy
Colorado Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez is lighter and stronger after working out hard this offseason. "There's no comparison. I feel like I did going into the 2010 season. I am hungry." Gonzalez addressed his move back to left field. "The best thing that can happen to me is Dexter (Fowler) playing 162 games. I will be prepared to play all three positions, but it's better if I stay in one spot."

OF | Jonny Gomes | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The Oakland Athletics are close to signing free-agent OF Jonny Gomes (Nationals) to an undisclosed deal. Gomes will compete for a spot in the outfield, and he'll likely mostly face left-handed pitchers.

OF | Norichika Aoki | Milwaukee Brewers | Fantasy
Milwaukee Brewers OF Norichika Aoki will make $1 million guaranteed this year and $1.25 million in 2013 as part of his two-year contract. The deal includes plenty of performance bonuses and a 2014 option.

OF | Magglio Ordonez | free agent | Injury, Free Agents, Fantasy
Detroit Tigers 1B Miguel Cabrera said free-agent OF Magglio Ordonez (ankle) is 70 percent healthy and has resumed running. Ordonez is hoping to be ready to participate in spring training next month.

OF | Fred Lewis | Cleveland Indians | Transaction
The Cleveland Indians signed free-agent OF Fred Lewis (Reds) to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training Thursday, Jan. 19.

OF | Marlon Byrd | Chicago Cubs | Fantasy
Chicago Cubs OF Marlon Byrd has added Muay Thai, a martial arts workout, to his offseason training, which he participates in three to four times a week. He has also drastically changed his diet, resulting in a drop from 255 pounds to 215 pounds. Byrd recently discovered that he was allergic to milk and wheat, and he saw immediate results when he changed his diet. "If you look at throwing a punch or a kick, it's the same (as baseball)," sparring partner Cole Swenson said. "You have to turn your whole body. When you're hitting, you have to go through the ball with your body. It's the same kind of physics."

OF | John Mayberry Jr. | Philadelphia Phillies | Fantasy
Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said OFs Laynce Nix and John Mayberry Jr. will platoon in left field. OF Domonic Brown has to really wow the team in spring training or else he begins the season at Triple-A.

Starting Pitcher

SP | Brad Thompson | Minnesota Twins | Transaction, Free Agents,
The Minnesota Twins signed free-agent RP Brad Thompson (Cardinals) to a minor-league contract Thursday, Jan. 19.

SP | Yusmeiro Petit | San Francisco Giants | Transaction, Free Agents,
The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent P Yusmeiro Petit (Venezuelan League) to a minor-league deal Wednesday, Jan. 18.

SP | Matt Garza | Chicago Cubs | Fantasy,
When the Chicago Cubs and SP Matt Garza exchanged arbitration figures earlier this week, the two sides were very far apart. Garza filed for $12.5 million, while the team countered with $7.95 million.

SP | Drew Pomeranz | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy,
Colorado Rockies SP Drew Pomeranz said Thursday, Jan. 19, that he believes his struggles last September will ultimately help him. He learned to pitch without his best stuff, working with a fastball which was clocked at 90 mph, rather than the 95 mph he showed in spring, and a sloppy curveball. "My fastball was cutting and moving. It's not about (velocity). I thought I did well under the circumstances and that only helps my confidence," Pomeranz said.

SP | Josh Beckett | Boston Red Sox | Injury, Fantasy,
Boston Red Sox SPs Josh Beckett (ankle) and Clay Buchholz (back) are expected to be ready to pitch in spring training. "They've both had really good offseasons," general manager Ben Cherington said of the two right-handers. "We don't expect any issues with either of them going into camp. I know they're both really motivated to have a good year."

SP | Rodrigo Lopez | Chicago Cubs | Transaction,
The Chicago Cubs re-signed SP Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training Thursday, Jan. 19.

SP | Esmil Rogers | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy,
Colorado Rockies SP Esmil Rogers has added a cut fastball to his repertoire to help him win a spot on the roster in spring training.

SP | Alex White | Colorado Rockies | Injury, Fantasy,
Colorado Rockies SP Alex White's (finger) right middle finger is fully healthy and the tendons are strong. White and pitching coach Bob Apodaca had philosophical differences in the way to attack hitters last year, but the two have ironed out their issues in the offseason.

SP | Jorge De La Rosa | Colorado Rockies | Injury, Fantasy,
Colorado Rockies SP Jorge De La Rosa (elbow) has resumed throwing off a mound. "They have told me to take my time, that they aren't going to rush me. But I believe I can be back in the big leagues in May," De La Rosa said.

SP | Juan Nicasio | Colorado Rockies | Injury, Fantasy,
Colorado Rockies SP Juan Nicasio (neck) is ready to compete for a rotation spot in spring training this year. He will soon throw to live hitters without use of an L screen protecting him.

SP | Fausto Carmona | Cleveland Indians | Fantasy,
Cleveland Indians SP Fausto Carmona, whose real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia, is actually 31 years of age, not 28 as he was listed with the Indians.

SP | Matt Torra | Tampa Bay Rays | Transaction,
The Tampa Bay Rays re-signed SP Matt Torra to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training Thursday, Jan. 19.

Relief Pitcher

RP | Nelson Figueroa | Toronto Blue Jays | Transaction, Free Agents,
The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent RP Nelson Figueroa (Pirates) to a minor-league contract Thursday, Jan. 19.

RP | Rafael Betancourt | Colorado Rockies | Transaction, Fantasy,
The Colorado Rockies and RP Rafael Betancourt agreed to a contract extension Thursday, Jan. 19. The team picked up a mutual $4.25 million option for 2013, and added a club option for 2014, according to multiple sources. The deal is pending a physical.

RP | Oscar Villarreal | Baltimore Orioles | Transaction,
The Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent RP Oscar Villarreal (Dodgers) to a minor league deal Thursday, Jan. 19.

RP | Joel Zumaya | Minnesota Twins | Fantasy,
Minnesota Twins RP Joel Zumaya could share the setup duties with RP Glen Perkins this year. RP Matt Capps will serve as the Twins' closer. "We think (Zumaya) and Perkins will be pretty good," general manager Terry Ryan said. "That's what we were looking for." Zumaya can earn up to $1.7 million this season if he pitches in 60 games.

RP | Jeremy Accardo | Cleveland Indians | Transaction, Free Agents
The Cleveland Indians signed free-agent RP Jeremy Accardo (Orioles) to a minor league deal.