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Fantasy Week 1 | MLB Week 1
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  • Player Notes
    Nick Martini Fri Mar 29 1:30am ET

    Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Nick Martini was 2-for-5 with two home runs in Thursday's 8-2 Opening Day win over the Nationals. Hitting out of the eighth spot in the lineup, the lefty also had five RBI and 2 runs scored. The former seventh-round MLB draft pick is projected to be the Reds' DH against RHP, and has produced some nice power numbers in the past. Martini hit six long balls and had a 19.4% HR/FB% with a 10.5% Barrel% last season in limited action (72 AB). He also showed a high contact rate of 84.6% and a low K% of 19.0% in 2023, both better than league average. The 33-year-old blasted four home runs in just 36 spring at-bats as well. With injuries aplenty to the Reds lineup he could get regular playing time and is already in a position to exceed his five home run ATC projection for 2024. The power alone makes him worthy of a roster spot in deeper leagues, but the excitement and momentum may have to be put on hold until Sunday, as the Reds have a day off Friday and face lefty Patrick Corbin on Saturday.

    From RotoBaller

    Nick Senzel Fri Mar 29 1:00am ET

    Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (thumb) fractured his right thumb on a bad hop while taking ground balls before the Opening Day contest on Thursday against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, and could be out for three to four weeks, according to manager Dave Martinez. Senzel signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Nats in the offseason after playing parts of five seasons with the Reds. The former first-rounder has been a bust to this point in his career, mainly due to injuries. Ildemaro Vargas replaced Senzel at the hot corner in Thursday's 8-2 loss to Cincy, but prospect Trey Lipscomb is expected to be called up from the minors and could split playing time with Vargas at third base for Washington until Senzel is able to recover from his thumb injury.

    From RotoBaller

    Justin Steele Fri Mar 29 12:50am ET

    Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) will likely go on the injured list after suffering a left-hamstring strain in his Opening Day start on Thursday evening versus the Texas Rangers. Steele will undergo an MRI exam on Friday. Counsell didn't want to speculate on whether Steele will only need a minimum IL stint. The 28-year-old southpaw suffered the injury while fielding a bunt in the fifth inning and will now have to miss at least 10 days and maybe more. It's a tough blow for the Cubs and their ace, as Steele allowed only one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out six against the defending-champion Rangers in 4 2/3 innings of work before departing. With Steele likely heading to the IL, it's possible fellow lefty Drew Smyly will join Chicago's rotation in the near future.

    From RotoBaller

    Jon Gray Fri Mar 29 12:50am ET

    Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (neck) will make his first start of the season on Sunday versus the Chicago Cubs, with Cody Bradford getting the nod on Saturday. Gray was scratched from his scheduled exhibition start earlier this week due to a stiff neck, but the injury isn't serious and he will be able to take the ball for his first turn through the starting rotation. The last time the 32-year-old took the mound in spring training, he went five innings, so fantasy managers should expect Gray to be pretty limited from a pitch-count perspective on Sunday against Chicago. Gray got off to an amazing start for the Rangers in 2023 but struggled down the stretch. He pitches in a hitter-friendly home park, is injury-prone and has a hittable fastball, making him a backend fantasy starter in mixed leagues, at best.

    From RotoBaller

    Max Kepler Thu Mar 28 10:30pm ET

    Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Max Kepler (leg) had X-rays come back negative on his injured leg. Kepler left Thursday's Opening Day contest early against the Kansas City Royals after fouling a ball off his leg, but the team will see how he's moving around after an off day on Friday. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Saturday to see if the 31-year-old left-handed hitter will be available to face KC following the off day. If Kepler misses any time this weekend, Matt Wallner would likely get a start in right field. Before leaving the game early on Thursday, Kepler had a rough day at the plate to kick off the 2024 season, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

    From RotoBaller

    Justin Steele Thu Mar 28 10:20pm ET

    Updating a previous report, the Chicago Cubs are saying that left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) left his Opening Day start on Thursday night against the defending World Series-champion Texas Rangers with left-hamstring tightness. Steele was holding his left hamstring after fielding a bunt up the first baseline and falling in the fifth inning as he made a flip to first base. The good news is that before leaving early, Steele had held the Rangers to an earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out six in 4 2/3 innings. It doesn't sound like the 28-year-old southpaw's injury is all that serious, but fantasy managers will still have to check back in the next few days to see if Steele will be able to make his next scheduled start.

    From RotoBaller

    Frankie Montas Thu Mar 28 10:10pm ET

    Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas picked up the win in Thursday's 8-2 Opening Day victory over the visiting Washington Nationals, hurling six scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Montas allowed four harmless singles before his strong 2024 debut ended, and the Reds wouldn't look back after taking a commanding 7-0 lead during the third frame. After missing all but one appearance with the New York Yankees in 2023 following right shoulder surgery, the 31-year-old Dominican right-hander could be ready for a fresh start on a one-year prove-it deal in Cincy. So far, so good for Montas, but the former Oakland Athletics ace will face a much stiffer test in his next scheduled start next Wednesday on the road against Zack Wheeler and the Philadelphia Phillies. He'll be a complete fade for fantasy purposes in that one.

    From RotoBaller

    Griffin Jax Thu Mar 28 10:00pm ET

    Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Griffin Jax secured an Opening Day save in Thursday's 4-1 victory over the division-rival Kansas City Royals, firing a hitless ninth inning to close out the win. Filling in for the injured Jhoan Duran (oblique), Jax did make things somewhat interesting by walking Bobby Witt Jr. before facing the heart of KC's order, but he retired the next three hitters. Duran will be on the shelf for at least the first two weeks of the campaign, so Jax should stay atop the depth chart until at least mid-April. The 29-year-old right-hander was excellent as a setup man for the Twins in 2023, registering a 3.86 ERA (2.86 xERA), 1.17 WHIP, and 68:19 K:BB across 65 1/3 frames a season ago. Currently rostered in 57% of Yahoo leagues, Jax should not be floating around any fantasy waiver wires as the clear-cut favorite for saves out of Minnesota's bullpen in the interim.

    From RotoBaller

    Jose Hernandez Thu Mar 28 10:00pm ET

    Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Jose Hernandez collected a surprising Opening Day save in Thursday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Miami Marlins, throwing a clean 12th inning to slam the door in extras. Just recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier in the day, Hernandez tallied his first career save in this one. With David Bednar (lat) unavailable out of Pittsburgh's bullpen, the Pirates used Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning, Luis L. Ortiz in the tenth and 11th frames, and Hernandez in the 12th. With that said, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Hernandez to get much high-leverage work once Bednar is ready to pitch again, so the 26-year-old Dominican left-hander looks like a bit of a fool's gold pickup on waiver wires. Chapman would be the favorite for saves if Bednar misses time beyond Opening Day. Hernandez managed a pedestrian 4.97 ERA (4.48 FIP), 1.36 WHIP, and 62:22 K:BB through 50 2/3 frames last year.

    From RotoBaller

    Clay Holmes Thu Mar 28 9:50pm ET

    New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes hung on for an Opening Day save in Thursday's 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Houston Astros, allowing three hits in the ninth inning. It certainly wasn't easy, as Holmes gave up a leadoff knock to Mauricio Dubon before Yordan Alvarez reached on an infield single. Kyle Tucker then lined one to right field, but Dubon was just gunned down by Juan Soto while trying to score the tying run on a close play that required a review. Holmes got Alex Bregman to ground out to end the game, and fantasy managers we're able to breathe a sigh of relief. The 31-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2023 during his first year as a full-time closer in the Bronx, and he's set to rack up plenty of save opportunities on the contending Pinstripes once again. Without much competition for ninth-inning work at the moment, Holmes is a good bet to post north of 20 saves in 2024.

    From RotoBaller

    Garrett Crochet Thu Mar 28 9:40pm ET

    Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet fared well in his first major-league start on Thursday, launching six innings of one-run ball on six hits with eight strikeouts, but he took a tough-luck loss in the 1-0 Opening Day defeat to the Detroit Tigers. Crochet didn't allow a single walk, but Andy Ibanez delivered the deciding run of the game on a sacrifice fly to score Javier Baez during the third frame. Once a top prospect in the ChiSox farm system, the hard-throwing 24-year-old lefty was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft and entered the 2024 season with a career 2.71 ERA (3.16 FIP), 1.32 WHIP, and 85:40 K:BB over 73 big-league innings. Crochet's fastball and slider combination clearly poses plenty of swing-and-miss stuff, and he will have streaming appeal in the proper matchup. He's lined up to take the ball next on Wednesday against the visiting Atlanta Braves, however, where Crochet won't be a recommended fantasy option in such a scary matchup.

    From RotoBaller

    Justin Steele Thu Mar 28 9:30pm ET

    Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (hamstring) exited during the fifth inning of Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers with an apparent left-hamstring injury. Steele went down after fielding a bunted ball and flipping it to first base, favoring what appeared to be his left hamstring. The 28-year-old southpaw was throwing well against an explosive Rangers lineup, giving up a lone run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts before departing, and the severity of the injury remains unknown. It would be a big blow to Chicago's rotation if their ace and 2023 All-Star needs to miss time beyond Opening Day, and fantasy managers will have to hold their breath until the Cubs update Steele's status. The flame-throwing Julian Merryweather took over after Steele's exit.

    From RotoBaller

    David Bednar Thu Mar 28 9:20pm ET

    Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said closer David Bednar (lat) was unavailable in Thursday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Miami Marlins as part of his rehab from the lat issue he dealt with during spring training. Fantasy managers may have thought Bednar was over the injury after the 29-year-old right-hander was able to make two Grapefruit League appearances to close out the spring, but Bednar is still nursing the problem. It puts his availability into question for Friday's game against Miami as well, but it sounds like the All-Star stopper is just day-to-day. While Jose Hernandez ended up nabbing an Opening Day save on Thursday, it needs to be noted that Aroldis Chapman was summoned for the ninth inning and retired to top of the Marlins' batting order. Chapman is worth a speculative add on waiver wires until Bednar is out of the woods health-wise.

    From RotoBaller

    Eduardo Rodriguez Thu Mar 28 7:50pm ET

    Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) could throw off a mound within the next five to seven days. Lovullo called Rodriguez's progress so far "very encouraging." A strained left shoulder landed E-Rod on the injured list to begin the year in his first season with Arizona, but it's looking like he may not be out for long. Still, there's a good chance that the 30-year-old veteran southpaw will miss most, if not all, of April. His injury allowed both Tommy Henry and Ryne Nelson to make the club's Opening Day roster, although the Snakes also recently added lefty Jordan Montgomery in free agency. After fortunately posting career-bests in ERA (3.30) and WHIP (1.15) in 2023 with the Detroit Tigers, fantasy managers should be expecting some regression from the oft-injured Rodriguez.

    From RotoBaller

    Randal Grichuk Thu Mar 28 7:50pm ET

    The Arizona Diamondbacks officially placed outfielder Randal Grichuk (ankle) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to March 25) on Thursday. Grichuk is recovering from right-ankle surgery to remove bone spurs in January, but he is with Triple-A Reno and will play center field for the first time in his recovery process at some point this weekend. It sounds like he won't need much time before being ready to go. The 32-year-old didn't take part at all in any spring training games but will get some work in the minors before eventually being activated from the IL and brought to Arizona as outfield depth. Grichuk is first eligible to come off the IL on April 5. Because the veteran outfielder won't see much playing time, he's only a bench asset in NL-only fantasy leagues.

    From RotoBaller

    Max Kepler Thu Mar 28 7:40pm ET

    Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (leg) left Thursday's Opening Day contest early against the Kansas City Royals after fouling a ball off his right leg. Matt Wallner entered the game to replace Kepler in right field. Before leaving the game, Kepler went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger was at least able to finish out his at-bat after fouling the ball off his leg, but fantasy managers will have to check back for more information on Kepler's injury. It's not the start that he was looking for after a strong season in 2023 in which he hit .260/.332/.484 with an .816 OPS, 24 home runs and 66 RBI in 130 games. Injuries have been an issue for Kepler before, but hopefully this one doesn't keep him out for long, if at all. If Kepler misses extended time, Wallner would be in line for more playing time in right field.

    From RotoBaller

    Nick Senzel Thu Mar 28 7:30pm ET

    Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (thumb) suffered a broken thumb while fielding a ground ball before Thursday's Opening Day contest against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, according to a source familiar with the injury. The 28-year-old former first-rounder has not lived up to his draft stock in his first five years in the big leagues, mainly due to injuries, and he's now looking at an extended absence in 2024 in his first year in D.C. Ildemaro Vargas got the start at the hot corner for Washington in the Opening Day loss to Cincy and will see more playing time now to open the season, making him worth picking up in NL-only leagues. Trey Lipscomb, the club's No. 16 prospect per MLB Pipeline, could get called up from the minors earlier than expected as well.

    From RotoBaller

    Jason Foley Thu Mar 28 7:20pm ET

    Detroit Tigers reliever Jason Foley picked up the save in a 1-0 win over the White Sox on Thursday. It was Foley who entered the game with one out in the bottom of the ninth, not the team's projected closer Alex Lange, with Foley striking out the only two batters he faced. Lange had his share of struggles last season and his grip on the closer role was tenuous, but neither pitcher had much success this spring. It's unclear at this point why Lange didn't pitch, as offseason additions Shelby Miller and Andrew Chafin also got work in Thursday's game. Regardless, it seems Jason Foley could be in line for additional save opportunities after Thursday's performance and will be a popular waiver wire add.

    From RotoBaller

    Tarik Skubal Thu Mar 28 6:40pm ET

    Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal earned the win in Thursday's 1-0 Opening Day victory over the White Sox. Skubal allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six batters in six innings of work. After a dominant 2023, expectations for the 27-year-old were sky-high, and the lefty delivered in his first outing of the 2024 season. His next turn could come next Wednesday against the Mets in New York as he looks to make good on his NFBC ADP of 50th overall.

    From RotoBaller

    Corbin Burnes Thu Mar 28 6:20pm ET

    The Baltimore Orioles' prized offseason acquisition and Opening Day starter Corbin Burnes tossed six innings of scoreless ball on Thursday, securing the W in an 11-3 win over the Angels. The 3x All-Star struck out 11 batters and didn't allow a walk. The only blemish was a solo homer given up in the first inning to future Hall of Famer Mike Trout. Sometimes it plays out just the way you drew it up -- the O's get off on the right foot in their defense of last year's AL East division title and Burnes rewards managers who spent a second round pick on the 29-year-old with a masterful start to the season. Burnes' next start could come at home next Wednesday against the Royals.

    From RotoBaller

  • MLB SCOREBOARD - Thu Mar 28FULL
    Postponed
    MILPeralta R (0-0)
    NYMQuintana L (0-0)
    FinalRHE
    LAA321
    BAL11101
    Postponed
    ATLStrider R (0-0)
    PHIWheeler R (0-0)
    FinalRHE
    SF491
    SD690
    FinalRHE
    DET160
    CWS030
    FinalRHE
    NYY580
    HOU4130
    FinalRHE
    WSH260
    CIN8101
    FinalRHE
    TOR870
    TB280
    Final/12RHE
    PIT691
    MIA581
    FinalRHE
    STL130
    LAD7101
    FinalRHE
    MIN4100
    KC151
    Final/10RHE
    CHC361
    TEX481
    FinalRHE
    CLE8111
    OAK041
    FinalRHE
    BOS6110
    SEA481
    FinalRHE
    COL140
    ARI16180
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