Fantasy Baseball and MLB News, Rumors and Injury Updates

Fantasy baseball players in the news

January 30, 2012 @ 08:46:12

First Baseman

1B | Daric Barton | Oakland Athletics | Injury, Fantasy
Oakland Athletics 1B Daric Barton (shoulder) said Sunday, Jan. 29, that he will be limited to serving as the designated hitter until mid-March, as he continues to recover from offseason shoulder surgery. It is unlikely to impact his ability to win the first base job. The team already knows what he can do defensively, but he must prove himself at the plate to win more playing time.

1B | Carlos Pena | Tampa Bay Rays | Fantasy
The Cleveland Indians reportedly offered 1B Carlos Pena a one-year deal worth $8 million during free agency but Pena opted to sign a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays worth $7.25 million.

1B | Casey Kotchman | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The Baltimore Orioles have reportedly expressed interest in free-agent 1B Casey Kotchman (Rays). If Kotchman is signed, 1B Chris Davis could become the primary designated hitter and IF Wilson Betemit would become more of a utility player and part-time DH.

1B | Adam Dunn | Chicago White Sox | Fantasy
Chicago White Sox 1B Adam Dunn said Saturday, Jan. 28, that he has been hitting in an indoor batting cage, and he continues to avoid making excuses after an awful 2011 season. He is looking to rebound in 2012. "I'm oing into this year feeling as good as I've felt in a long time and just ready to get started and quit talking about (2011)," Dunn said. "Doesn't matter where you go, everyone is talking about it. I realize that comes with (the territory), but I really can't wait for Opening Day."

1B | Ryan Howard | Philadelphia Phillies | Injury, Fantasy
Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel visited 1B Ryan Howard (Achilles') last week at the team's spring training complex in Clearwater, as the All-Star rehabs. Manuel said team doctors have termed Howard "ahead of schedule." The team still projects Howard to return some time in May.

1B | Justin Morneau | Minnesota Twins | Injury, Fantasy
Minnesota Twins 1B Justin Morneau (wrist, finger) found out during the offseason that he is allergic to gluten. He also said Friday, Jan. 27, that he still cannot feel his left index finger, and it might take two years. He said he should be able to take live batting practice at the start of spring training, however.

Second Baseman

2B | Mike Aviles | Boston Red Sox | Fantasy
The Boston Red Sox might have a platoon situation at shortstop with INFs Mike Aviles and Nick Punto sharing the position.

2B | Rickie Weeks | Milwaukee Brewers | Injury, Fantasy
Milwaukee Brewers 2B Rickie Weeks (ankle) said Sunday, Jan. 29, that he is not quite 100 percent recovered from an ankle injury suffered last season. "I wouldn't say it's 100 percent, but it's very close," Weeks said. "I'm still doing rehab back home."

2B | Mike Fontenot | San Francisco Giants | Fantasy
San Francisco Giants 2B Emmanuel Burriss, 2B Mike Fontenot and SS Ryan Theriot head into spring training battling for backup jobs.

2B | Jeff Keppinger | Tampa Bay Rays | Fantasy
Tampa Bay Rays 2B Jeff Keppinger will make $1.525 million as part of his one-year deal with the club.

Shortstop

SS | Julio Lugo | free agent | Free Agents
Talks between the Cleveland Indians and free-agent IF Julio Lugo (Braves) have fallen apart, and a deal isn't expected now.

SS | Alexi Casilla | Minnesota Twins | Injury, Fantasy
Minnesota Twins 2B Alexi Casilla (hamstring) was impressive in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, batting .336 with an .831 OPS in 31 regular season games for Gigantes del Cibao, and he batted .397 in 17 playoff games. He missed 57 of the Twins' final 58 regular season games due to a strained right hamstring, but he was healthy enough for winter ball and feels that the strong performance will get him back on track.

SS | Brandon Crawford | San Francisco Giants | Fantasy
The San Francisco Giants still view SS Brandon Crawford as their starting shortstop going into spring training despite the recent addition of veteran INF Ryan Theriot.

Third Baseman

3B | Russ Canzler | Tampa Bay Rays | Transaction
The Tampa Bay Rays designated 3B Russ Canzler for assignment Friday, Jan. 27.

3B | Jose Bautista | Toronto Blue Jays | Fantasy
Toronto Blue Jays OF Jose Bautista has reportedly been drug tested 16 times in the last two seasons. He said he was tested nine times in 2010, the year he led the league with 54 home runs, and was then tested another seven times last year when he slugged 43 balls over the wall. In Bautista's previous seasons in the majors, he had only been tested three total times. He has never tested positive.

3B | Kevin Youkilis | Boston Red Sox | Injury, Fantasy
Boston Red Sox 3B Kevin Youkilis (hernia) looks to be in good shape and has even lost some weight this offseason after undergoing hernia surgery in October. He has already been cleared for baseball activities. "I'm doing great, feeling good," Youkilis said. "I've started to ramp it up as much as I can. I feel great, healthy and I've been lifting with no restrictions."

Catcher

C | Jose Lobaton | Tampa Bay Rays | Injury, Fantasy
Tampa Bay Rays C Jose Lobaton (shoulder) sidelined in Venezuela since November with shoulder issues, said on his official Twitter account that he is healthy and ready for spring training.

C | Miguel Montero | Arizona Diamondbacks | Fantasy
According to multiple major league sources, the Arizona Diamondbacks and C Miguel Montero appear headed to arbitration Tuesday, Jan. 31. Montero, who made $3.2 million last season, is asking for $6.8 million this year; the Diamondbacks have countered with a $5.4 million offer. If no long term deal is reached, Montero would be eligible to become a free agent next offseason.

C | Joe Mauer | Minnesota Twins | Injury, Fantasy
Minnesota Twins C Joe Mauer (leg, pneumonia) has been throwing and hitting off of a tee for the last few weeks. He said it has been "night and day" compared to how he felt at this time last year.

C | Victor Martinez | Detroit Tigers | Injury, Fantasy
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Friday, Jan. 27, that C Victor Martinez (knee) will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat fifth behind 3B Miguel Cabrera and 1B Prince Fielder when he returns in 2013.

C | Orlando Mercado | Miami Marlins | Transaction
The Miami Marlins signed free-agent C Orlando Mercado (Dodgers) to a minor league deal Friday, Jan. 27.

C | Mitch Canham | Colorado Rockies | Transaction
The Colorado Rockies signed free-agent C Mitch Canham (Padres) to a minor league deal Friday, Jan. 27.

C | Kyle Phillips | Toronto Blue Jays | Transaction
The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent C Kyle Phillips (Padres) to a minor league deal Friday, Jan. 27.

Outfielder

OF | Nelson Cruz | Texas Rangers | Free Agents
The Texas Rangers still have potential arbitration cases with C Mike Napoli, SS Elvis Andrus and OF Nelson Cruz. However, they haven't been to an arbitration hearing since GM Jon Daniels was hired. The potential $6.15 million swing could hinder their efforts to sign free-agent SP Roy Oswalt (Phillies).

OF | Carl Crawford | Boston Red Sox | Injury, Fantasy
Boston Red Sox OF Carl Crawford (wrist) is expected to begin the regular season on the 15-day disabled list as he recovers from offseason wrist surgery.

OF | Josh Reddick | Oakland Athletics | Injury, Fantasy
Oakland Athletics OF Josh Reddick (wrist) said Sunday, Jan. 29, that his left wrist surgery after the 2011 season will not hamper him in any way during the spring. Reddick has resumed swinging a bat already after having a cartilage tear fixed and a cyst removed.

OF | Manny Ramirez | free agent | Free Agents
Oakland Athletics assistant general manager David Forst said the team is open to the possibility of signing free-agent OF Manny Ramirez (Rays) but they are not actively pursuing him.

OF | Josh Willingham | Minnesota Twins | Fantasy
Minnesota Twins OF Josh Willingham said Saturday, Jan. 28, that he is looking forward to the challenge of playing right field, despite the fact he has primarily played left field in his career. "Hopefully this spring I'll just get a lot of reps out there and get comfortable," Willingham said. "That's the goal. Playing on the opposite end of the field, it's different, the way the balls come off the bat, so it'll just take a little bit of time to get used to."

OF | Kyle Hudson | Texas Rangers | Transaction, Free Agents
The Texas Rangers signed free-agent OF Kyle Hudson (Orioles) to a minor-league deal Saturday, Jan. 28.

OF | Jason Heyward | Atlanta Braves | Injury, Fantasy
Atlanta Braves OF Jason Heyward (shoulder) struggled in 2011, attributed mostly to a right shoulder injury suffered in spring training. The shoulder injury restricted Heyward's swing, and he couldn't extend properly. He is looking forward to rebounding in 2012.

OF | Cory Aldridge | Baltimore Orioles | Transaction, Free Agents, Fantasy
The Baltimore Orioles have signed free-agent OF Cory Aldridge to a minor league contract.

OF | Wil Myers | Kansas City Royals | Fantasy
Kansas City Royals P Francisley Bueno, Jake Odorizzi and OF Wil Myers will be invited to major league spring training camp.

OF | Delmon Young | Detroit Tigers | Fantasy
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland reiterated Friday, Jan. 27, that OF Delmon Young will bat fifth in his lineup in 2012.

OF | Brent Clevlen | Philadelphia Phillies | Transaction, Free Agents
The Philadelphia Phillies re-signed free-agent OF Brent Clevlen (Phillies) Friday, Jan. 27.

OF | Xavier Nady | free agent | Free Agents
The San Francisco Giants and free-agent OF Xavier Nady (Giants) have some mutual interest, but if a deal is done, it would most likely be a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

OF | Conor Jackson | free agent | Free Agents
The Oakland Athletics still have some interest in free-agent OF Conor Jackson (Red Sox), even after signing OF Jonny Gomes earlier this week.

OF | Denard Span | Minnesota Twins | Injury, Fantasy
Minnesota Twins OF Denard Span (concussion) said he still had rough days in terms of his head during the offseason, but he adjusted his diet and has stopped drinking caffeine to help get him past his migraines and fogginess from his concussion. Span has been doing eye therapy three to four times a week. Span is expected to play center field with OF Ben Revere in left and OF Josh Willingham in right. SS Trevor Plouffe is expected to be the fourth outfielder.

OF | Hunter Pence | Philadelphia Phillies | Fantasy
The Philadelphia Phillies avoided arbitration with OF Hunter Pence by agreeing to a one-year, $10.4 million deal Friday, Jan. 27.

OF | Andres Aguilar | Baltimore Orioles | Transaction
The Baltimore Orioles signed Guatemalan OF Andres Aguilar Friday, Jan. 27. The 18-year-old will be assigned to the GCL or the Dominican Summer team.

OF | Josh Hamilton | Texas Rangers | Fantasy
Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he plans to sit down with the representatives of OF Josh Hamilton and discuss a contract extension before full-squad workouts begin next month. Hamilton has made it clear he doesn't want to talk a deal once spring straining starts.

OF | Corey Hart | Milwaukee Brewers | Fantasy
Milwaukee Brewers OF Corey Hart started fielding throws and taking grounders at first base as early as last September. The team is expected to ask him to share some time at first base with 3B Mat Gamel this year in the absence of Detroit Tigers 1B Prince Fielder. The team could use Hart at first for a total of 20 or 30 games in 2012. Hart is open to the idea and wants to use spring training as a way to become more comfortable in the spot.

OF | Smaily Borques | Chicago Cubs | Transaction
Chicago Cubs OF Smaily Borques was suspended 50 games Thursday, Jan. 26, for testing positive under baseball's drug program.

OF | Juan Pierre | Philadelphia Phillies | Transaction, Free Agents
The Philadelphia Phillies agreed with free-agent OF Juan Pierre (White Sox) on a minor league deal.

Starting Pitcher

SP | Phil Hughes | New York Yankees | Fantasy
New York Yankees SP Phil Hughes is in good shape for camp this year. He showed up to camp last year a few pounds overweight. However, the team doesn't feel that's why he had a bad year.

SP | Jeremy Hellickson | Tampa Bay Rays | Fantasy,
Tampa Bay Rays SP Jeremy Hellickson said during a web chat over the weekend that he is ready to utilize his cutter more this season.

SP | Shaun Marcum | Milwaukee Brewers | Fantasy,
Milwaukee Brewers SP Shaun Marcum said Sunday, Jan. 29, that he has spent the past few months concentrating on strengthening his core and his legs in an attempt to work both into his pitching motion more. "It's a weird story," Marcum said. "My wife was at my parents' house helping clean up some stuff, and found a picture from when I was in college. I saw it and was like, 'Wow, I didn't realize I used my legs, my backside, that much.' So I've just been kind of trying to do that - use my backside more."

SP | Kyle Lohse | St. Louis Cardinals | Free Agents
The St. Louis Cardinals could move SP Kyle Lohse or SP Jake Westbrook to the bullpen if they signed free-agent SP Roy Oswalt (Phillies).

SP | Brandon McCarthy | Oakland Athletics | Fantasy,
Updating previous reports, Oakland Athletics SP Brandon McCarthy and Bartolo Colon are expected to start the team's first two regular-season games in Japan this season.

SP | Tim Wakefield | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
Free-agent SP Tim Wakefield (Red Sox) has received interest from multiple teams but is also contemplating retirement. His preference would be to return to the Boston Red Sox for one more season but they have not offered him a contract. Wakefield didn't say he would sign with another team but he also didn't rule it out.

SP | Brett Anderson | Oakland Athletics | Injury, Fantasy
Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin said SP Brett Anderson (elbow) appears to be on target to return to action in August.

SP | Clayton Kershaw | Los Angeles Dodgers | Fantasy
Los Angeles Dodgers SP Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to have his arbitration meeting Feb. 14, according to a source.

SP | Dallas Braden | Oakland Athletics | Injury, Fantasy
Oakland Athletics SP Dallas Braden (shoulder) is scheduled to throw off a mound for the first time since undergoing surgery Monday, Jan. 30. He is hopeful of being ready by Opening Day but pitching coach Curt Young said he is more likely to return by mid-April.

SP | Jake Peavy | Chicago White Sox | Injury, Fantasy,
Chicago White Sox SP Jake Peavy (lat) is ready to test what he has left in his right arm, nearly 19 months after surgery to re-attach his lat muscle. "We are going to find out, that's the bottom line," Peavy said Friday, Jan. 27. "There's no doubt that they told me 12 to 18 months out of surgery you are as good as you are going to get. I've done all the rehab. We've done all the work. You know, who I am is who I am, and hopefully it's a tick better and it's that guy we saw flashes of at times last year."

SP | Chris Sale | Chicago White Sox | Fantasy,
Chicago White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said Saturday, Jan. 28, that SP Chris Sale will be closely watched as he makes the transition from reliever to starter. "We're not going to handcuff this kid (Sale)," Cooper said. "We'll give this kid just enough experience and let him go."

SP | Edwin Jackson | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
Free-agent SP Edwin Jackson (Cardinals) has reportedly received multiple three-year contract offers but could decide to sign a one-year deal and become a free agent again next offseason.

SP | Scott Baker | Minnesota Twins | Injury, Fantasy,
Minnesota Twins SP Scott Baker (elbow) said Friday, Jan. 27, that his elbow is feeling good. "Everything feels good. The elbow feels great," Baker said. The pitcher said he plans to throw off a mound six to eight times before pitchers and catchers report for spring training.

SP | Nick Blackburn | Minnesota Twins | Injury, Fantasy,
Minnesota Twins SP Nick Blackburn (forearm) said his surgery to fix his forearm went as expected and he is on track to be ready for spring training.

SP | Brad Penny | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy,
Free-agent SP Brad Penny (Tigers) is receiving interest from teams in Japan, according to a baseball source.

SP | John Maine | Boston Red Sox | Transaction,
The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent SP John Maine (Rockies) to an undisclosed deal Friday, Jan. 27.

SP | Tyler Chatwood | Colorado Rockies | Fantasy,
Colorado Rockies SP Tyler Chatwood will compete for a starting spot in the rotation in spring training, and he is definitely a candidate to work out of the bullpen.

SP | Daniel Cabrera | Pittsburgh Pirates | Transaction,
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent SP Daniel Cabrera (Angels) to a minor league deal Friday, Jan. 27.

SP | Hiroki Kuroda | New York Yankees | Fantasy,
New York Yankees SP Hiroki Kuroda has a full no-trade clause as part of his one-year, $10 million deal.

SP | Neftali Feliz | Texas Rangers | Fantasy,
Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the team is committed to using SP Neftali Feliz in the starting rotation this year. As a result, RP Joe Nathan will serve as the club's closer. "I think it all depends on what kind of struggle. If it's a struggle to make a transition, but he's putting the work in and you see it needs more polish and more time then we're going to stick with him," Daniels said. "If it's a struggle and it's absolutely not happening for one reason or another then we'll have to talk about it. But we're committed to starting Neftali." Even if Feliz is moved back to the bullpen, returning to the closer role isn't likely.

SP | Zach Duke | Houston Astros | Transaction,
The Houston Astros signed free-agent SP Zach Duke (Diamondbacks) to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training Friday, Jan. 27.

Relief Pitcher

RP | Kyle McClellan | St. Louis Cardinals | Free Agents,
The Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals are working on a deal which would send Cardinals P Kyle McClellan to the Orioles, as St. Louis tries to free up enough payroll flexibility to add free-agent SP Roy Oswalt (Phillies).

RP | Matt Thornton | Chicago White Sox | Fantasy,
Chicago White Sox RPs Jesse Crain, Will Ohman, Addison Reed and Matt Thornton are assured of bullpen jobs, with all the other spots up for grabs.

RP | Jose Contreras | Philadelphia Phillies | Injury, Fantasy,
Philadelphia Phillies RP Jose Contreras (elbow) only recently began throwing, as he recovers from elbow surgery in September. He will be limited in spring training.