MLB - Fantasy Baseball Player News & Updates 40% Off MLB Draft Guide w/ CODE: FEBRUARY

C. Martínez - SP

STL

Carlos Martinez allowed three runs on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk over six innings Saturday in his final start for Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League playoffs.

Martinez struggled early, allowing three runs -- including back-to-back homers -- in the opening frame, but wound up retiring 18 of the final 20 batters he faced to complete his last offseason outing before spring training. The 29-year-old righty compiled a disastrous 9.90 ERA, 2.10 WHIP and 17/10 K/BB ratio across 20 innings and was limited to only five starts during the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19 and an oblique injury. He’s slated to open the 2021 campaign in the Cardinals’ Opening Day rotation and offers some late-round appeal for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues given his extensive track record over the last decade.

Added Jan 16 8:00 pm (EST)

Aguilas Cibaenas on Twitter

N/A

B. Mata - SP

BOS

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that Bryan Mata has a slightly torn UCL.

Mata, the Red Sox' top pitching prospect, has been sidelined due to triceps soreness this spring. The 21-year-old righty has opted for treatment rather than undergoing season-ending surgery. There is no timetable for his return, but he'll likely be sidelined for at least a few months to open 2021 campaign.

Added 9:39 am (EST)

Pete Abraham on Twitter

N/A

J. Siri - CF

Jose Siri will start in center field and lead off for the Astros' on Saturday in their Grapefruit League matchup against the Mets.

Please excuse the obligatory: "Hey, Siri, show me the Astros' lineup," reference. With Myles Straw out of the lineup, Siri draws the start at the top of the Astros' order. He's gotten off to a blistering start at the plate, hitting .500 (3-for-6) with one round-tripper in three games, but it's difficult to imagine a more challenging assignment than facing Jacob deGrom in his spring training debut this afternoon. He's making a legitimate push for one of the final spots on the Astros' Opening Day roster, but will likely open the 2021 campaign in the upper minors as organizational depth.

Added 9:31 am (EST)

Chandler Rome on Twitter

N/A

D. Floro - RP

MIA

Dylan Floro is expected to throw another bullpen session before making his spring training debut.

Floro has been dealing with some arm soreness, which has delayed his throwing program this spring. The 30-year-old righty was acquired from the Dodgers last month and figures to occupy a prominent high-leverage role in the Marlins' bullpen this season.

Added 9:26 am (EST)

Christina De Nicola on Twitter

N/A

S. Sánchez - SP

MIA

Marlins manager Don Mattingly told reporters on Saturday that Sixto Sanchez had a false positive COVID-19 test result.

Sanchez' false positive COVID-19 test result occurred through the team's health and safety protocols, which kept him sidelined, and set his throwing program back from the rest of the pitching staff. Mattingly added that Sanchez will throw a bullpen and a live batting practice session before getting into spring training games. The high-octane, hard-throwing 22-year-old righty was an instant sensation during his phenomenal rookie campaign, compiling a sparkling 3.46 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 33/11 K/BB ratio across 39 innings (seven starts) last year. Despite the initial setback, he still has plenty of time to ramp up his throwing program for the impending regular season. However, his progress over the next week will be critical in determining whether he'll be ready for Opening Day.

Added 9:08 am (EST)

Jordan McPherson on Twitter

N/A

V. Guerrero Jr. - 1B

TOR

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will start at third base on Saturday in the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League exhibition contest against the Phillies.

This will be Guerrero Jr.'s first appearance at the hot corner this spring. The 21-year-old phenom slimmed down dramatically this offseason in an effort to remain at the position long-term, but the Blue Jays' numerous offseason acquisitions will likely limit him to first base this season. It's extremely early, but he's gotten off to a bit of a slow start offensively, hitting .200 (1-for-5) through three games.

Added 8:58 am (EST)

Shi Davidi on Twitter

N/A

F. Whitley - SP

HOU

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters on Saturday that right-hander Forrest Whitley experienced arm soreness during a recent simulated game.

"We're analyzing him now and trying to figure out how to get him back out there or if he needs to rest," Baker added. The Astros are already short-handed due to multiple COVID-19 exposures, so this is yet another hit to their spring training pitching depth. Whitley was a late arrival to Astros' camp already due to the COVID-19 intake process and could be shut down from throwing if the arm issue persists. The highly-touted 23-year-old righty was viewed as one of the top pitching prospects in the entire game a few years ago, but he's struggled with a plethora of injuries, and failed to reach the major-leagues. This latest injury could potentially close the door on his shot at making the team's Opening Day roster.

Added 8:52 am (EST)

Brian McTaggart on Twitter

N/A

D. Fowler - CF

PIT

Dustin Fowler will make his Pirates' debut on Saturday in a Grapefruit League contest against the Yankees.

Fowler will lead-off and serve as the Pirates' designated hitter in his spring training debut, facing the organization that drafted him as an 18th-round selection back in 2013. The 26-year-old former top prospect was acquired from the Athletics for cash considerations, after being designated for assignment last month. He's competing for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster as a reserve outfielder and could have some fantasy relevance in NL-only formats this season.

Added 8:46 am (EST)

Jason Mackey on Twitter

N/A

C. Archer - SP

Chris Archer (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch during an intra-squad simulated game on Saturday at the Rays' spring training facility.

Archer threw another bullpen session earlier this week and has been progressing towards his Grapefruit League exhibition debut. The 32-year-old veteran righty missed the entire pandemic-shorted 2020 season due to neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome, which he underwent surgery for last June. He's aiming to be in the Rays' Opening Day rotation after inking a one-year, $6.5 million deal this offseason. Given his track record, he's worth monitoring closely in deeper mixed leagues and AL-only formats this spring.

Added 8:21 am (EST)

Marc Topkin on Twitter

N/A

O. Herrera - CF

PHI

Odubel Herrera will start in center field against the Blue Jays on Saturday.

There's a chance that this game is postponed due to inclement weather, but Herrera is slated to start in center field for the first time this spring, with versatile Scott Kingery shifting over to left field. With Adam Haseley sidelined due to a groin strain, the 29-year-old outfielder appears to have a realistic shot at making the Phillies' Opening Day roster. He's gotten off to a hot start this spring, hitting .500 (3-for-6) with a home run and a stolen base.

Added 8:02 am (EST)

Matt Gelb on Twitter

N/A

G. Cole - SP

NYY

Gerrit Cole has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Pirates on Saturday due to inclement weather.

Cole will throw live batting practice at the Yankees spring training facility on Saturday morning. Another former Pirates' right-hander, Jameson Taillon, will toe the rubber against their former organization. With rain in the forecast, it's unclear how for he'll go in this one, but he's still scheduled to start the exhibition contest, with Jhoulys Chacin, Luis Cessa, Brooks Kriske and Adam Warren also scheduled to pitch this afternoon.

Added 7:54 am (EST)

Bryan Hoch on Twitter

N/A

M. Keller - SP

PIT

Mitch Keller has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Yankees on Saturday due to likelihood of rain.

Keller will throw a live batting practice session on Saturday instead as the Pirates have elected not to take a risk with the health of their high-octane, hard-throwing righty, especially with rain in the forecast. Right-hander Cody Ponce will start in his place against former Pirates' stalwart Jameson Taillon, who is still scheduled to take the mound for the Yankees.

Added 7:48 am (EST)

Rob Biertempfel on Twitter

N/A

A. Nola - SP

PHI

Aaron Nola has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Blue Jays on Saturday due to inclement weather and is scheduled to throw a simulated game instead.

With rain in the forecast, the Phillies have elected to play it safe with their staff ace, who threw 29 pitches over two innings in his spring training debut on Monday. Right-hander Adonis Medina will start against the Blue Jays in Dunedin this afternoon.

Added 7:42 am (EST)

MLB.com

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B. Mata - SP

BOS

Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that Bryan Mata has a slightly torn UCL.

Added 9:39 am (EST)

Pete Abraham on Twitter

N/A

J. Siri - CF

Jose Siri will start in center field and lead off for the Astros' on Saturday in their Grapefruit League matchup against the Mets.

Added 9:31 am (EST)

Chandler Rome on Twitter

N/A

D. Floro - RP

MIA

Dylan Floro is expected to throw another bullpen session before making his spring training debut.

Added 9:26 am (EST)

Christina De Nicola on Twitter

N/A

S. Sánchez - SP

MIA

Marlins manager Don Mattingly told reporters on Saturday that Sixto Sanchez had a false positive COVID-19 test result.

Added 9:08 am (EST)

Jordan McPherson on Twitter

N/A

V. Guerrero Jr. - 1B

TOR

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will start at third base on Saturday in the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League exhibition contest against the Phillies.

Added 8:58 am (EST)

Shi Davidi on Twitter

N/A

F. Whitley - SP

HOU

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters on Saturday that right-hander Forrest Whitley experienced arm soreness during a recent simulated game.

Added 8:52 am (EST)

Brian McTaggart on Twitter

N/A

D. Fowler - CF

PIT

Dustin Fowler will make his Pirates' debut on Saturday in a Grapefruit League contest against the Yankees.

Added 8:46 am (EST)

Jason Mackey on Twitter

N/A

C. Archer - SP

Chris Archer (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch during an intra-squad simulated game on Saturday at the Rays' spring training facility.

Added 8:21 am (EST)

Marc Topkin on Twitter

N/A

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