All Player Alarms Select Players U/O Their Projection

M. Smith - RF

SEA

Manager Scott Servais said Saturday that he expects Smith (elbow) will need another week off before he resumes swinging a bat, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Smith will be able to continue performing defensive drills while he tends to the strained right elbow, but he'll require clearance from doctors for both hitting and throwing drills. If Smith gets the green light for both activities by next weekend like Servais anticipates, the 25-year-old should be able to get in enough at-bats during spring training to ensure his availability for Opening Day.

Added 2:12 pm (EST)

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H. Pence - RF

TEX

Pence (shoulder) was able to complete a round of batting practice Saturday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

The activity amounts to a step forward for Pence in his recovery from a sore right shoulder, but his ability to throw without any pain will be a real test of his health. Given his status as a non-roster invitee, Pence probably can't afford an extended absence from Cactus League play if he hopes to secure a reserve outfield role with the big club once Opening Day arrives.

Added 1:38 pm (EST)

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E. Santana - SP

CWS

Santana said Saturday that he's still working through the finger issue he battled in 2018 and acknowledged he might not be ready to pitch by Opening Day, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox officially announced Santana's signing after the right-hander had been on the open market for nearly four months. Though his contract is only a minor-league deal that won't immediately afford him on a spot on the 40-man roster, Santana's long track record of success prior to 2018 should make him a viable candidate for the major-league rotation if he proves healthy in camp. It doesn't sound like Santana is dealing with any physical complications with the finger on his pitching hand, but he's nonetheless easing into the upcoming season after completing his second bullpen session of the spring Saturday. Santana's velocity readings this spring will likely prove most telling about his health after his fastball averaged just 89.4 miles per hour over his five appearances with the Twins in 2018. That was a decline of four mph from his mark in 2017, a season in which he turned in a 3.28 ERA over 211.1 innings.

Added 1:24 pm (EST)

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C. Flexen - SP

NYM

Flexen (knee) is listed among the Mets' available bullpen arms for Saturday's Grapefruit League opener versus the Braves, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Flexen ended the 2018 campaign on the shelf after requiring surgery in early August to repair a torn meniscus. Based on his availability for the exhibition opener, Flexen didn't incur any major setbacks in his recovery over the winter and should get the opportunity to compete for a multi-inning relief gig in camp. It's more likely he opens the season in the Triple-A Syracuse rotation, however.

Added 1:03 pm (EST)

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J. Williams - RF

STL

Williams (hand) reported to the Cardinals' big-league spring training last weekend but is expected to only be an observational participant for most of the Grapefruit League schedule, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Williams had been on track to see plenty of action this spring before likely preparing for an assignment to Triple-A Memphis to begin 2019, but those plans were altered when he fractured and dislocated fingers on his right hand after punching a television in mid-December. The Cardinals haven't established a formal timeline for his return just yet, so there remains some hope that Williams might be able to play at some point before camp closes. The 23-year-old, who was acquired from the Rays last July, slashed .217/.276/.391 over 76 plate appearances with Memphis in 2018.

Added 12:45 pm (EST)

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$4500

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K. Davis - LF

OAK

Davis is dealing with a mild left calf strain and is listed as day-to-day, Jane Lee of MLB.com reports.

Per Julian McWilliams of The Athletic, the injury is something Davis has been nursing on and off since the beginning of camp, with the unusually cold weather in Arizona not helping matters. Davis is expected to be fine after receiving a few days off, so the injury shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day nor impact his stock in fantasy drafts and auctions.

Added 12:29 pm (EST)

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S. Choo - LF

TEX

Manager Chris Woodward said Saturday that Choo would likely serve as the Rangers' primary leadoff man this season, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

Even as he heads into his age-36 campaign, Choo remains one of baseball's top on-base threats, as his .377 mark in 2018 ranked 15th among all players with at least 500 plate appearances. His excellent plate discipline thus makes his well suited for the leadoff gig, an assignment that should also provide ample run-scoring opportunities. Choo should once again remain a solid, albeit unexciting, option in the majority of fantasy leagues that start five outfielders.

Added 12:25 pm (EST)

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S. Pérez - C

Manager Ned Yost said Saturday that Perez will be eased into spring action and may be used primarily as a designated hitter for the first couple of weeks before receiving starts at catcher, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Since hitting the majors in 2011, Perez has consistently shouldered one of the heavier workloads among all catchers, so it makes sense for the Royals to limit his reps behind the dish in mostly meaningless exhibition contests. Perez will still be able to get plenty of at-bats during Cactus League play as a DH and shouldn't have trouble settling into a rhythm at the plate once Opening Day arrives.

Added 11:37 am (EST)

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M. Mikolas - SP

STL

Manager Mike Shildt said Saturday that Mikolas would serve as the Cardinals' starter for the team's regular-season opener March 28 versus the Brewers, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Shildt made the announcement just hours before Mikolas was scheduled to take the hill for the Cardinals' Grapefruit League opener in Miami. The selection of Mikolas doesn't come as much of a surprise after the right-hander performed brilliantly in his return to North America in 2018 after a detour in Japan, compiling a 2.83 ERA across 200.2 innings. Per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, general manager Mike Girsch also noted that it's a possibility the Cardinals will reach an extension with Mikolas prior to the regular season. Mikolas will be headed for free agency next winter while he finishes out the final season of his two-year, $15.5 million contract.

Added 11:18 am (EST)

N/A

$4500

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J. Martinez - RF

STL

Martinez signed a two-year contract extension with the Cardinals on Saturday. He'll earn a total of $3.25 million plus incentives over the next two seasons, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

After the Cardinals acquired Paul Goldschmidt over the winter, Martinez found himself without a clear path to a starting gig, prompting some to wonder if St. Louis might trade the 30-year-old elsewhere rather than keep him around as an overqualified bench bat. The Cardinals' decision to extend Martinez doesn't necessarily take a trade off the table, as he'll still be under club control through 2022 at what's still a team-friendly price with two years of arbitration remaining after the extension ends following the 2020 season. Instead, the deal merely gives some extra financial security to a late bloomer who could still pick up meaningful work this season, even if he doesn't currently top the depth chart at any position. An injury to Goldschmidt or a starting job in the outfield would certainly improve his fantasy outlook, but Martinez's stellar numbers -- he's slashed .309/.372/.478 across 915 career plate appearances -- are enough to make him a worthy target in drafts while his price remains depressed.

Added 9:58 am (EST)

N/A

$4500

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J. Musgrove - SP

PIT

Musgrove (abdomen) completed a bullpen session Wednesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Musgrove is only slightly behind schedule compared to the rest of his projected rotation mates, who all tossed live batting practice this week. The right-hander, who underwent surgery in October to repair his right abdominal wall, could have his innings monitored carefully during the spring but looks well on his way to being ready for Opening Day. The Pirates are tentatively lining Musgrove up to start their third game of the season March 31 in Cincinnati.

Added Yesterday 7:23 pm (EST)

N/A

$4500

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C. Archer - SP

PIT

Archer (sports hernia) tossed a round of live batting practice Wednesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Archer's ability to face hitters in the second week of camp along with the rest of his fellow healthy pitchers supports the notion that the sports hernia surgery he required in November won't impact his preparation for the upcoming season. Due to his status as a veteran who's locked into a rotation spot, Archer's Grapefruit League debut could be somewhat delayed, but it shouldn't be viewed as a sign that he's experienced any sort of setback in his recovery unless the Pirates suggest otherwise. Pittsburgh is tentatively planning to have Archer start its home opener April 1 versus the Cardinals.

Added Yesterday 7:15 pm (EST)

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$4500

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NHL Brayden Schenn out again Saturday

NHL Antoine Roussel illness may keep him out Saturday

NHL Jeff Skinner helped off Saturday

NHL Jimmy Howard still under the weather

NBA Karl-Anthony Towns deemed questionable

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Player Alarms

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B. Schenn - LW

STL

Schenn (upper body) will miss a second consecutive game Saturday, when the Blues play host to the Bruins, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

Schenn reportedly remains day-to-day with his injury. The Blues saw their 11-game winning streak come to an end with the gritty two-way performer out of pocket against the Stars on Thursday, but this doesn't seem like an injury that will keep Schenn out for long.

Added 2:49 pm (EST)

$5700

$7100

N/A

A. Roussel - F

VAN

Roussel is questionable for Saturday's game against the Islanders due to an illness.

The agitating winger reportedly wasn't feeling well Saturday morning, but there's still hope from Canucks coach Travis Green that Roussel will be able to suit up. With the spotlight in Vancouver shining brightly on Calder Trophy favorite Elias Pettersson, third-line players like Roussel are being overlooked. However, with seven goals and 20 helpers through 56 games, he's actually well on his way to a career-best season offensively. Check back to see whether Roussel takes to the ice for pregame warmups. If he can't go, then perhaps Zach MacEwen will emerge from the press box.

Added 2:41 pm (EST)

$3700

$3200

N/A

C. Kimbrel - RP

BOS

Kimbrel's asking price has not come down, and the closer will consider sitting out the season if no team comes close to matching his demands, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.

Kimbrel declined the Red Sox's qualifying offer in November and had good reason to think he'd sign a big deal as the top reliever on the market, but the offseason hasn't gone according to his plans. The fact that he's unsigned as spring games begin already hurts his chances to be available on Opening Day, but if he's really willing to sit out for most or all of the season it would certainly be a large hit to his fantasy value. Of course, the report could easily be nothing more than an attempt to regain some leverage in a tough market, so he could still sign somewhere soon.

Added 2:36 pm (EST)

N/A

$8100

J. Bernier - G

DET

Bernier will start in goal Sunday against the visiting Sharks, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

Jimmy Howard ended up missing Saturday's practice with a lingering illness, so Bernier will be sent to the cage for a fifth straight game. When it comes to evaluating fantasy goalies, it's reasonable to expect your guy to at least have a .500 record and a save percentage north of .900 at this point in the season. Unfortunately, Bernier doesn't check those boxes, as he's 6-14-4 with an .898 save mark through 26 contests. The Quebec native will now have to tame a Sharks club that has maintained a 17-12-3 road record heading into its date with Columbus on Saturday.

Added 2:28 pm (EST)

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J. Skinner - F

BUF

Skinner couldn't put any weight on his left leg as he exited Saturday's game against the Capitals prematurely, Paul Hamilton of WGR Sports Radio 550 reports.

Skinner's left ankle appeared to turn awkwardly, so there's a good chance he's headed directly to the X-ray room to check for a fracture. Consider the star winger questionable, at best, to rejoin the action, though it would be pretty surprising to see him on the ice again Saturday.

Added 2:26 pm (EST)

$7400

$6800

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M. Scherzer - SP

WSH

Scherzer is scheduled to start Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Astros, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Washington's ace tossed two simulated innings versus live hitters Tuesday and will likely be capped at around 2-to-3 frames in his first dress rehearsal for Opening Day. Though he'll turn 35 years old in July, Scherzer displayed last season that he remains in peak form and is more than deserving of a first-round selection in most fantasy leagues.

Added 2:24 pm (EST)

N/A

J. Howard - G

DET

Howard (illness) didn't end up practicing Saturday, but Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill hopes the netminder will at least be able to serve as the backup Sunday against the Sharks, Dana Wakiji of the Red Wings' official site reports.

The Wings sent goalie Harri Sateri back to AHL Grand Rapids on Saturday, which led the team's official beat writers to believe that Howard would be able to suit up for practice and ultimately dress for Sunday's game. However, it now appears that Howard isn't quite over the flu. If Detroit's preferred puck plugger doesn't improve much by Sunday morning, then there's a good chance that Jonathan Bernier will make his fifth straight appearance between the pipes.

Added 2:17 pm (EST)

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M. Smith - RF

SEA

Manager Scott Servais said Saturday that he expects Smith (elbow) will need another week off before he resumes swinging a bat, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Added 2:12 pm (EST)

N/A

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