Fantasy Baseball Info

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Dellucci has four homers in spring
2007-03-26 16:16:00
Indians OF David Dell ucci is hitting .306 with six runs, one double, four homers and seven RBI in 13 spring games. Dellucci is sure to start in left, especially against all right-hand pitching, making him a sleeper in deeper leagues. He hit .292 with 13 homers last season in Philadelphia but has shown great potential in the past. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
More About: Home , Spring , Ring , Four

Ichiro: No stolen bases this spring
2007-03-26 16:13:00
Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki has yet to record a stolen base in 16 spring games. He was caught stealing in his lone attempt. He is, however, hitting .321 with eight runs, three doubles and six RBI. Don't worry about Ichiro's lack of steals this spring. The team just probably wants to save his legs for the season. It looks as though he will enter the season in the last year of his contract and that could be big for his performance as he will be playing for a new contract. Consider the Fantasy stud one of the top 15 outfielders to go off the board in the first four rounds in all leagues on Draft Day. It certainly helps he's motivated by being in a contract year. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
More About: Spring , Stolen , This , Ring

Chico, Williams make Nationals rotation
2007-03-26 16:06:00
Right-hander Joel Hanrahan was optioned to Columbus, a demotion that ties in with Jerome Will iams' earning a rotation spot, alongside John Patterson, Shawn Hill and Matt Chico (who allowed five earned runs on 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Braves on Sunday). "I think it's safe to say that Jerome Williams is in the rotation right now," Acta said. The other member probably would be Jason Simontacchi, but he's sidelined by a groin injury. The right-hander, who last pitched in the majors in 2004, was originally slated to start Sunday against Atlanta. "He's not going to start the season with us. He's not going to be able to do it," Acta said. Chico is an emerging prospect, while Williams is a former elite one who has struggled the past two seasons. Williams is still young, but he's more of a low-end NL-only Fantasy option at this point. Chico is an intriguing flier in deeper leagues and a potential sleeper for NL Rookie of the Year honors. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
More About: National , Nation , Make

Buehrle having rough spring
2007-03-26 16:00:00
Mark Buehrle's final spring training start in Arizona was a little rough. "Today obviously wasn't one of my better ones," Buehrle said after his first start in a regular spring training game in 15 days. "I'm healthy and the pitch count got up and the innings got up. The results aren't ... what I wanted there, especially that last inning, but I felt pretty good." Buehrle, who had pitched in two intrasquad games since being raked for six hits and six runs in a four-inning outing March 10 against the Rockies, gave up 12 hits and four runs over six innings. "Buehrle threw the ball better. Always his hits are going to be high," manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He's got another outing and he should be ready for the season." Buehrle went 12-13 last season, his first losing record in six full major league seasons. He really struggled in the second half after making the All-Star team, going 3-7. The one-time White Sox ace is now the No. 3 starter. His contract expires after the season, so h...
More About: Spring , Ring , Ving

Tomko named Dodgers fifth starter
2007-03-26 15:57:00
According to MLB.com, the Dodge rs have named Brett Tomko as the team's fifth starting pitcher. Tomko won the job over Mark Hendrickson, who will pitch long relief, and Hong-Chih Kuo, who pulled a muscle in his shoulder last week and will open the season on the disabled list. "This is not the finish line," said Tomko. "I just got the nod to get in the starting gate." Tomko will open the season in the bullpen, but will make his first start on April 10 against the Rockies. He will not be needed again until April 17 at Arizona.Tomko has a 5.14 spring ERA, a number inflated by his most recent start on Thursday, when he allowed six runs in four innings against Baltimore. Tomko started in the rotation last season before an oblique injury kept him out for five weeks. He then opted to help the team out of the bullpen before getting some starts at the end of last season. As a starter last year, he was 6-6 with a 5.12 ERA. Consider him in NL-only play to open the season. Source: CBS SportsLin...
More About: Arte , Start , Star , Name

Mike Pelfrey wins Mets rotation spot
2007-03-26 15:53:00
Mets SP Mike Pelfrey was told Sunday that he'd won a spot in the rotation after his outing against Houston. "It's always good to hear, 'Hey, you made the team,"' said Pelfrey, unable to conceal his smile. "I've still got a lot of work to do and I've got to continue to get better." Pelfrey, the ninth overall pick in the 2005 draft out of Wichita State, allowed four runs and six hits in five innings of an 11-3 loss to the Houston Astros. But he pitched well throughout spring training, and that was enough to win a job in New York's suspect rotation. "He's matured," Randolph said. "You can see where he's learned a lot from last spring. Obviously, he has good stuff, but he's worked hard to execute, for the most part, what we wanted him to do this spring." Pelfrey is now worth drafting in mixed leagues due to the fact he'll be a live young arm pitching in front of a contender. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
More About: Spot , Mets , Wins , Rotation

Sanchez likely to begin season on DL
2007-03-26 15:50:00
Second baseman Freddy Sanchez (right knee) will likely begin the season on the 15-day disabled list. If Sanchez isn't ready by Opening Day, the team is expected to go with Jose Castillo at second. Castillo was recently beaten out by Jose Bautista for the everyday spot at third base, where he's spent much of his time this spring. Source: MLB.com
More About: Season , Like , Seas

Orlando Hudson to bat second in D-backs lineup
2007-03-25 06:13:00
By and large, D-backs manager Bob Melvin will bat Orlando Hudson second in the lineup this season. While Hudson's known more for his defensive attributes, having won two straight Gold Glove awards, he's made quiet strides at the plate, posting career highs in at-bats, runs, batting average, homers, RBIs, steals, on-base percentage and slugging percentage last year. Topping it off with improved strike-zone judgment (0.78 BB/K ratio in 2006), the 29-year-old second baseman could be on the verge of an even stronger 2007 season. Source: MLB.com
More About: Back , Second , Land , Line

Fogg named Rockies fifth starter
2007-03-25 06:09:00
The Rock ies named Josh Fogg their fifth starter and moved Byung-Hyun Kim to the bullpen on Friday. This move helps solidify Fogg?s value in NL-only formats, though owners shouldn?t expect much from a pitcher who rung up a 5.49 ERA and just 93 strikeouts in 172 innings last year. Kim?s value -- that is, what remains of it -- takes a hit with the move to middle relief, though he could wind up with another chance to start as the Rockies are rumored to be shopping him around. Source: MLB.com
More About: Arte , Start , Star , Name

Bautista named Pirates starting third baseman
2007-03-24 18:15:00
Manager Jim Tracy announced Friday that Jose Bautista will be the Pirate s ' starting third baseman, with Jose Castillo beginning the 2007 season on the bench. Bautista, who's played five positions with four different teams over the past three seasons, may have finally found himself a home at the hot corner, but he's not a recommended fantasy option. His surprisingly effective first half last year (.268/.360/.503) was followed by a disappearing act after the All-Star break (.207/.313/.350) -- a discrepancy so vast that it's difficult to envision the 26-year-old journeyman matching his 2006 production in 2007, let alone building upon it. Avoid. Source: MLB.com
More About: Start , Name

Felix named Mariners Opening Day starter
2007-03-24 18:07:00
When right-hander Felix Hernandez walked off the mound on Friday afternoon, he became the answer to a future Mariners trivia question. On April 2 at Safeco Field, the 20-year-old star in the making will become the youngest Open ing Day starting pitcher in franchise history -- five years younger than Mike Moore was in 1985, when he made the first of his three Opening Day starts. Manager Mike Hargrove made it official halfway through the sixth inning on Friday when he told Hernandez that he would be the Mariners' Opening Day starter against the Athletics. "He told me, 'Good outing,' and I said, 'Thank you,'" Hernandez said. "Then he told me, 'Do that on Opening Day.'" Hernandez, who posted a 12-14 record and 4.52 ERA a year ago in his first big-league season, shed more than 20 pounds during the offseason and reported to camp in terrific shape. He has been dominant at times -- like the first two innings he pitched on Friday, when none of the first six batters got the ball out...
More About: Arte , Start , Star

Sheffield's wrist is fine, swing is back
2007-03-24 17:59:00
Gary Sheffield has always had one of the more violent swings in baseball, at least when he was healthy. As powerful as that swing is, it has also been one of the more successful -- when Sheffield is healthy. After taking his textbook cuts in a game against Cleveland Thursday night, it looks like Sheffield's swing is back. "You know how I know I'm fine?" Sheffield said. "I don't even think about the wrist. I haven't been thinking about it unless somebody asks me about it. That tells me I'm good to go."A torn ligament and dislocated tendon in his left wrist limited Sheffield to 39 games for the Yankees last year after he played in at least 130 games each of the previous 10 seasons and had driven in 100 or more runs in six of the previous seven seasons. The Tigers picked up the 38-year-old slugger in an attempt to add more power to their lineup. Some viewed the transaction as a gamble, but so far this spring Sheffield looks like he's back, and he should give the Tigers one of ...
More About: Back , Wing , Swing , Fine , Field

Hermida out indefinitely with bone bruise
2007-03-24 17:53:00
For Jeremy Herm ida, a freakish foul ball has turned into a prolonged problem. An MRI taken Friday on the 23-year-old's right kneecap revealed a deep bone bruise. The remedy for now is indefinite rest, putting Opening Day in jeopardy for the projected Marlins' starting right fielder. The injury occurred on on March 17, when a seemingly routine foul ball deflected off his right kneecap in his third at-bat against the Orioles. He left the game shortly after, he and hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game since. Now, Hermida is preparing to rest however long it takes to get better. The Marlins open on April 2 at Washington, and Hermida could begin the season on the disabled list. The club's first-round pick in 2002, Hermida has being going through a rough spring. The lefty-hitting outfielder is 2-for-35 (.057) in 12 Grapefruit League games. With Hermida out, the right-field options are Joe Borchard, John Gall, Cody Ross and Alejandro De Aza, who also is in the mix to play cen...
More About: Bone , Indefinite

Figgins out for five to six weeks
2007-03-24 17:47:00
The Angels will be without third baseman Chone Figgins for five to six weeks after fractures were found in his right middle finger and right index finger on Friday. He was examined at Anaheim's Kerlan-Jobe Clinic by Dr. Steve Shin, an orthopedic hand specialist, after sustaining the injury on Wednesday in a game against Arizona in Tempe. Figgins, 29, will have a splint on both fingers and will be reexamined in three weeks. "Evidently, it's a tough break for Chone and a tough break for us," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. In Figgins' absence, Maicer Izturis and Robb Quinlan are expected to share time at third base. Figgins was expected to help fuel the offense with his speed and aggression while playing third on a regular basis after shuffling back and forth from the infield to the outfield in recent seasons. Figgins is a .285 career hitter in 547 Major League games. He led the American League in steals with 62 in 2005 and stole 52 last season. Source: MLB.com
More About: Week , Five , Weeks

Wang to start season on disabled list
2007-03-24 17:14:00
The Yankees will begin the season without the services of ace right-hander Chien-Ming Wang, who suffered a Grade 1 strain of his right hamstring while performing conditioning exercises on Friday. Wang, who turns 27 on March 31, is expected to miss at least the first three weeks of the season. Wang said he hopes to be able to return to a mound in "hopefully 10 days," which may be optimistic thinking. The Yankees plan to place Wang -- who said he was "very, very sad" -- on the disabled list retroactively at the conclusion of Spring Training. A candidate to pitch on Opening Day on April 2 in the Bronx, Wang was the runner-up in last season's American League Cy Young Award voting. The hurler tied Minnesota's Johan Santana for the league lead in victories, finishing 19-6 with a 3.63 ERA in 34 games. In four starts this spring, Wang was 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA. Cashman said that Wang's injury will open up a roster spot for another pitcher currently in Major League camp. The team still i...
More About: Season , Start , List , Star , Disabled

Smoltz ready for Opening Day start
2007-03-23 19:52:00
Braves ace John Smoltz pitched a day early on Thursday against the Mets, going six innings and allowing one run on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. Smoltz was initially scheduled to face the Phillies on Friday, but with the Braves playing Philadelphia on Open ing Day and Smoltz being their Opening Day starter, Smoltz called an audible. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that Smoltz used his changeup more often in the game and expects to use it more during the season. "I feel like I have five pitches I can throw any time," said Smoltz. "I don't want to get carried away, but I've accomplished a lot of what I wanted to do this spring." In 20 innings this spring, Smoltz is sporting a 1.80 ERA with 17 strikeouts and three walks. He is scheduled to pitch again Tuesday before going on Opening Day. He remains intriguing among the top 25 starters to target on Draft Day. His age should be a concern, but that is what will allow him to be picked up affordably. It is also goo...
More About: Read , Start , Star

Schilling named Opening Day starter
2007-03-23 19:47:00
Red Sox manager Terry Francona named SP Curt Schilling the Open ing Day starter for the team's April 2 season opener at Kansas City Thursday, according to MLB.com. This will be the second season in a row that Schilling will be the Opening Day hurler for the BoSox. Schilling is in a contract year and will be motivated to have a good season. He remains a top 25 Fantasy ace, even at his age, because of all that anticipated run support. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
More About: Chilli , Arte , Start

Prior has best spring outing
2007-03-23 19:44:00
Mark Prior had his best outing of spring on Thursday, holding the Padres to one earned run on four hits and two walks over four innings. Even more encouraging, at one point Prior reached 93 mph on the radar gun, according to the Cubs television broadcast, up from previous reports of an 89 mph max-out. "Prior threw much better," manager Lou Piniella said. "It was a big improvement over his last start here in Peoria [March 5]. He got his breaking ball over today, and he looked a lot more comfortable on the mound and he popped a few fastballs." Source: MLB.com
More About: Spring , Outing , Best , Ring

Webb: No problems with neck
2007-03-23 19:40:00
Brandon Webb (stiff neck) showed no ill effects of missing his last start as he pitched six shutout innings Thursday against the Giants. The 2006 NL Cy Young winner threw 69 pitches, 43 for strikes, and recorded 14 of his 18 outs either on the ground or via the strikeout. "I located my fastball pretty well, and my changeup and curve were pretty good whenever I threw them," Webb said. "Overall, it went pretty well. No problems with the neck -- I think we're good to go with that." Source: MLB.com
More About: With , Problems , Problem , Neck

Hardy will bat second for Brewers
2007-03-23 19:38:00
J.J. Hard y will bat second in the Brewers lineup this season. Hardy will certainly see pitches to hit batting between leadoff man Rickie Weeks and slugger Prince Fielder, giving the 24-year-old shortstop a good opportunity to put his injury-shortened 2006 season firmly behind him. More of an all-around fundamentals guy than someone with one overriding strength, Hardy's a decent middle-infield option in NL-only play who -- if healthy -- can provide a respectable batting average, eight to 12 homers and a fair amount of runs. Source: MLB.com
More About: Second , Will

2007 Third Base Cheat Sheet
2007-03-21 20:53:00
2007 Third Base men Rankings 1. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees 21. Freddy Sanchez, Pirates 2. Miguel Cabrera, Marlins 22. Brandon Inge, Tigers 3. David Wright, Mets 23. Mike Lowell, Red Sox 4. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs 24. Shea Hillenbrand, Angels 5. Garrett Atkins, Rockies 25. Alex Gordon, Royals ...
More About: Cheat , Sheet , Heat , Cheat Sheet

2007 Third Base Rankings
2007-03-21 20:50:00
2007 Top 15 Third Base Rank ingsA Rod1. Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees2006 stats: .290 average, 572 at-bats, 113 runs, 35 home runs, 121 RBI, 26 doubles, 1 triple, 15 stolen bases, 90 walks, 139 strikeouts, 154 games 2007 outlook: Most major league players would consider Rodriguez's "down" year as a monumental individual effort. He contributed his ninth consecutive season with at least 35 home runs, 106 RBI, 100 runs, nine stolen bases and a .285 batting average. A three-year average of 41 home runs and 119 RBI keeps him at the top of the 3B rankings. The Yankees are loaded throughout the batting order, and that means another monster year for A Rod. Expect a season in line with his 2005 stats (48 home runs, 130 RBI, .321 batting average). 2. Miguel Cabrera, Florida Marlins2006 stats: .339 average, 576 at-bats, 112 runs, 26 home runs, 114 RBI, 50 doubles, 2 triples, 9 stolen bases, 86 walks, 108 strikeouts, 158 games2007 outlook: Cabrera posted his third consecutive season toppin...
More About: King , Kings , Ranking

Quentin: MRI reveals small tear in shoulder
2007-03-21 16:32:00
An MRI revealed a small tear in the labrum of Carlos Quentin?s left (non-throwing) shoulder. Quentin, who first felt discomfort after taking an awkward swing on March 16, will not be allowed to swing a bat again until March 26. He will continue to take part in all other baseball-related activities, and the D-backs are hopeful he?ll be ready by Opening Day. If not, the contingency plan would be to slide Eric Byrnes over to right field and start Scott Hairston in left. Source: MLB.com
More About: Tear , Small , Should , Mall

Hanley has tightness in groin
2007-03-21 16:30:00
Hanley Ramirez exited Tuesday?s game after just one at-bat with tightness in his right groin. Ramirez would like to return to the lineup Thursday, following the Marlins? off-day, but manager Fredi Gonzalez likely isn?t going to take any chances with the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year winner. ?We'll see,? said Gonzalez. ?We'll let our medical people examine him. If it's not Thursday, it's Friday." Ramirez initially tweaked his groin area a few days before while sprinting to first base. Source: MLB.com
More About: Ness

Hermida: Struggling in spring play
2007-03-21 16:27:00
Jeremy Herm ida, who exited Saturday?s game early after fouling a ball off his right kneecap, missed his third straight game on Tuesday. Hermida took batting practice, but the Marlins appear to be playing it safe with an off-day scheduled for Wednesday. The 23-year-old was struggling even before getting hurt, collecting just two hits in 35 at-bats for a measly .057 batting average. Source: MLB.com
More About: Play , Spring , Ring

Tavarez has inside track on Sox's closer role
2007-03-21 16:23:00
Sidelined since Feb. 25 because of a strained left oblique injury, veteran Mike Timlin will start the regular season on the disabled list. The most likely scenario is that the Red Sox will place Timlin on the disabled list for the first six games and retroactive the date so that he'll be ready for the home opener. Timlin, along with Joel Pineiro, Brendan Donnelly had been in competition to win the closer's job with Julian Tavarez, who appears to have the latest inside track on the spot. Source: MLB.com
More About: Close , Inside , Track , Role , Rack

Gagne: Rangers hope he will be ready for Opening Day
2007-03-21 16:19:00
Appearing in his first A game in spring, Eric Gagne allowed a solo homer and struck out one in an inning of work on Tuesday. Despite the long ball, this was another positive step for the Rangers closer, who the team hopes will be ready in time for Open ing Day. Even so, considering Gagne's shaky health record over the past two seasons, not to mention multiple surgical procedures, owners gambling on him are almost obliged to select teammate Akinori Otuska, last year's fireman, as a precaution. Source: MLB.com
More About: Read , Opening , Hope

Verlander: Struggling with mechanics
2007-03-21 16:15:00
Justin Verlander allowed three earned runs on five hits, walked two and fanned four over four innings in yesterday?s loss to the Pirates. The Tigers wanted their prized young fireballer to rest this offseason after throwing 207 1/3 innings (including the playoffs) in 2006, and Verlander has subsequently struggled with his mechanics and control this spring. The good news is that his velocity is fine, and there?s still time for him to find his form in his two remaining Grapefruit League starts. Source: MLB.com
More About: With , Mechanics , Land , Lander , Mecha

Tulowitzki wins Rockies shortstop battle
2007-03-21 01:02:00
Troy Tulowitzki, the 2005 first-round draft choice out of Long Beach State, has won the battle, unseating incumbent Clint Barmes. Tulowitzki has continued to show impressive defensive skills and a run-producing bat, while Barmes has been unable to shake the offensive inconsistency that haunted him last year. The versatility of Jamey Carroll and Jeff Baker - and the need to get them regular at-bats - means Barmes could be the starting shortstop for Triple-A Colorado Springs or could be traded. The Rangers and Cubs have interest in him as a super sub, but the Rock ies want more in return than what a utility player would bring. Source: Rocky Mountain NewsTulowitzki spring stats (through March 20): BA AB R H2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB .34432 4 11 4 0 0 5 2 8 1
More About: Stop , Shorts , Battle , Short

Pavano has strong side session
2007-03-21 00:45:00
Carl Pavano threw a side session that was "outstanding," according to the New York Post. "And to me, that's the best news of all, because the more you pitch without any setbacks physically, the closer you are to getting the guy you signed up," manager Joe Torre told the paper. Pavano, who is starting the third season of a $39.95 million, four-year contract, hasn't pitched in the major leagues since June 27, 2005, due to shoulder, back, buttocks, elbow and rib injuries. Consider the veteran an injury-risk sleeper in deeper leagues on Draft Day. Anyone who makes starts behind that potent Yankees offense will be intriguing. Source: CBS SportsLine.com
More About: Side , Sion , Tron , Strong