The Los Angeles Dodgers are trading for Jack Flaherty. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This is a trade right at the buzzer. Flaherty was expected to be moved after he was scratched from his scheduled start on Monday. He should find himself towards the top of a Dodgers starting rotation dealing with a plethora of injuries.
The Miami Marlins are trading Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the New York Yankees for three prospects according to Jeff Passan. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Chisholm Jr. joins a lineup that is desperate for more impactful bats around superstars Juan Soto and Aaron Judge as the club fights for a spot in the postseason. The outfielder carries a .730 OPS to go along with 13 home runs, 50 RBI, and 22 stolen bases so far this season.
The Tampa Bay Rays are trading Randy Arozarena to the Mariners. (Source: Francys Romero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Arozarena should be an immediate boost for a Mariners lineup that ranks dead last in team batting average. He could play center field while Julio Rodriguez is injured, and will likely move to left field for Seattle when Rodriguez is healthy. He'll likely slot in right in the middle of the Mariners lineup.
Devin Williams (back) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at High-A Wisconsin on Saturday. (Source: Adam McCalvy on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Williams has been out all season due to a back injury, but this will be a big step for the All-Star closer after he faced hitters in live batting practice earlier this week. Williams and the club do not know how many rehab appearances will be needed before the righty is ready to return to the Milwaukee bullpen, but the reported goal for the Brewers is to have Williams back by the end of July.
Kodai Senga (shoulder, tricep) will not return during the first-half according to manager Carlos Mendoza. (Source: Anthony DiComo on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The injury issues have turned into a major frustration for Senga, the Mets, and fantasy managers this season. At the outset, Senga was expected to be out until sometime in May. That month came and went with the righty still not anywhere close. The hope is that Senga will be able to throw some bullpen sessions soon. If he can, further updates from the club should soon follow.
Sun, May 26th 10:21pm EDT
By Jesse Garcia
Ronald Acuna Jr. underwent an MRI that revealed a torn ACL in his left knee. He will miss the remainder of the season. (Source: Braves on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Acuna has now suffered two season ending ACL injuries in his career, one to each knee. He will undergo surgery at a later date and will focus on rehabbing for the 2025 season.
The San Diego Padres are nearing a deal to acquire second baseman Luis Arraez from the Miami Marlins. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: According to Passan, Miami is expected to acquire a package of three prospects and a relief pitcher. The trade is in medical review but is expected to be finalized soon.
Mike Trout will undergo surgery on his knee to repair a torn meniscus. (Source: Alden Gonzalez on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The news of Trout’s injury is still developing and is surprising considering his start to the season. There is no timetable as of now for his return, per Angels’ GM Perry Minasian.
J.D. Martinez is expected to be activated by the Mets ahead of Friday's game against the Cardinals. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Martinez appears to be on the cusp of making his season and Mets debut. The veteran slugger signed a free-agent deal late during Spring Training, and he has been dealing with a back issue while trying to gear up for the season. Martinez has played in four minor-league games and now appears ready to contribute. The six-time All-Star posted an .893 OPS with 33 homers and 103 RBI for the Dodgers last year.
Justin Verlander (shoulder) will be activated from the IL and take the mound for Friday's game against the Nationals. (Source: Brian McTaggert on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: It was expected that Verlander would make his season debut during this weekend's series in Washington D.C. Now, it has been confirmed that will happen Friday. Verlander, who has been dealing with shoulder inflammation, threw 77 pitches over four innings in a rehab outing this past Saturday. This news is obviously very welcome by the struggling Astros and their beat-up pitching staff.
Sat, Apr 13th 9:48am EDT
By Jesse Garcia
Spencer Strider will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery to repair his UCL in his right elbow with internal brace. (Source: Braves on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: This is a massive blow for the Braves and fantasy managers. The good news for Strider is he avoided another Tommy John surgery, but will still miss the remainder of the season. Strider will now turn his focus towards rehab and being ready for the 2025 season.
The Orioles are calling up top prospect Jackson Holliday from Triple-A Norfolk. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: It came as a surprise when the Orioles reassigned Holliday to minor-league camp at the end of spring training, but he showed his talent early with the Tides. The 20-year-old slashed .333/.482/.595 with two home runs, nine RBI, and one stolen base in 10 Triple-A. Holliday should see plenty of playing time at second base. If he is not already rostered in your league, he's a must-add.
Sat, Apr 6th 11:26am EDT
By Mike Maher
Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, the team announced Saturday. Cleveland is working with Dr. Meister in Dallas to figure out a date for the surgery. All other details are unknown at this point, per Guardians beat writer Mandy Bell. (Source: Mandy Bell on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bieber apparently had pain after his Opening Day start that continued through his outing in Seattle. He was off to a fantastic start to the season. Through two starts, he had allowed zero earned runs on 10 hits and one walk with 20 strikeouts across 12 innings. He'll now miss the rest of the 2024 season and at least the beginning of the 2025 season. For the Guardians, their staff will now be anchored by Logan Allen, Tanner Bibee, Carlos Carrasco, and Triston McKenzie. It isn't immediately known who will fill Bieber's spot in the rotation. In the interim, Tyler Beede could move from long relief to the rotation.
Trevor Story appeared to hurt his shoulder while diving for a ground ball in the fourth inning of Friday's game versus the Los Angeles Angels. He was replaced by Pablo Reyes. (Source: FOX Sports on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This is a tough blow for Story whose Red Sox tenure has been plagued by injuries. He was immediately in pain after hitting the ground and is likely going for testing. If he is to miss significant time, Pablo Reyes could see regular starts at shortstop. Other options for shortstop are Vaughn Grissom (currently on the IL with a hamstring injury) and Ceddanne Rafaela, though the Red Sox would likely prefer to keep Rafaela patrolling CF as often as possible.
The Marlins have announced that right-handed pitcher Eury Perez will undergo Tommy John surgery. (Source: Christina De Nicola)
Fantasy Impact: Perez will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. He is only worth holding onto in dynasty formats.
Jordan Montgomery and Arizona have agreed to a 1-year, $25 million deal with a $25 million option for a second year. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Montgomery is finally off the board after a long offseason of uncertainty. He will likely need some time to get built up with his new team after missing all of spring training, but he shouldn't miss too much time. The Diamondbacks will feature a revamped rotation this season, adding Montgomery and Eduardo Rodriguez to go along with Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Pfaadt.
Blake Snell has agreed to a two-year, $62 million deal with the San Francisco Giants. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Snell has finally found his new team. He landed what he was looking for with a short-term deal that includes an opt out. He joins a Giants starting rotation that is banged up. It is unclear if Snell will be fully ready to go for the start of the season.
The Chicago White Sox have traded pitcher Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Cease has had his name in the rumor mill for much of the offseason with several teams connected to the right-hander. Ultimately, it's the pitching-needy Padres who have traded for the White Sox ace. Cease finished second in AL Cy Young voting in the 2022 season when he posted a 2.20 ERA but he regressed to a 4.58 ERA across 33 starts in the 2023 campaign.
Gerrit Cole is getting an MRI done on his pitching elbow. (Source: Bryan Hoch on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Ouch. This is not the news fantasy managers wanted to hear just weeks before Opening Day. Cole is coming off his first Cy Young award last year and back-to-back years of 200+ innings pitched. He's been the most consistent pitcher in fantasy over the past five seasons, and fantasy managers will be holding their breath waiting for the results.
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte has been issued an 80-game suspension for a performance-enhancing drug violation. (Source: Jeff Passan on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Marte will now first the first half of the season after he was expected to handle the primary duties at third base in 2024. The 22-year-old impressed with a .316 average with three homers and six stolen bases with the Reds in his 35-game debut last season.
