

Athletics third baseman Brett Harris (oblique) is dealing with a left-oblique strain at camp, according to MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. It's why Harris hasn't played in a Cactus League game since last Wednesday. Although this injury won't necessarily prevent the 26-year-old from being ready on Opening Day later this month, it could hamper his chances of winning an Opening Day roster spot with the A's. If Harris were to start the 2025 regular season in the big leagues, he'd almost certainly be a reserve infielder, making him a player to avoid in most fantasy leagues. The former seventh-round selection in 2021 out of Gonzaga University made his major-league debut in Oakland last year and slashed just .146/.276/.262 with three home runs, 12 RBI and 25 strikeouts in 123 plate appearances over 36 games played.

MLB.com's Martin Gallegos reports that Athletics left-handed reliever Ken Waldichuk (elbow) has been cleared to start a bullpen progression in camp. Waldichuk is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure that he had in May of last year. If the 27-year-old southpaw can avoid any setbacks in his recovery from elbow reconstruction, there's a chance he could be available to rejoin the A's bullpen t the tail end of the first half of the 2025 season. The plan for the time being is to have Waldichuk stretched out as a starter, but the most likely scenario is that he'll make his debut this year as a reliever. A pitcher that already had questionable command and control could struggle in his return such a serious arm surgery, making him one to avoid in fantasy once he's back. Waldichuk has a 5.28 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, one save and a 165:81 K:BB in 175 2/3 innings in his two seasons in the majors.

Athletics left-hander Brady Basso (shoulder) has been shut down in camp due to a left-shoulder strain, and there's no timetable for his return at this time. Basso was most likely ticketed to start the 2025 season at Triple-A Las Vegas this year anyway, but now it looks like he'll be opening the year on the minor-league injured list due to his shoulder ailment. The 27-year-old southpaw had tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings in Cactus League play before getting hurt. The former 16th-round pick in 2019 out of Oklahoma State University had Tommy John surgery in 2021 but was able to make his big-league debut in 2024, going 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA (3.88 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and five walks in 22 1/3 innings over seven outings (four starts) last year. Basso isn't a big strikeout guy, so for now, we'd only recommend stashing him in deeper dynasty leagues.


The New York Post's Joel Sherman writes that the Kansas City Royals made a push to acquire outfielder Starling Marte from the New York Mets in the winter, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement after the Mets asked for a reliever such as Hunter Harvey or Angel Zerpa. While Marte remains with the Mets, Sherman says that the Royals haven't completely given up on the possibility of trading for Marte. The 36-year-old is near the end of his career and has battled injuries in recent seasons, including right-knee soreness this spring, but he'd be a nice veteran presence for a young Royals club that surprisingly made the playoffs last fall. At this point, regardless of where he's playing, Marte probably won't be an everyday player after suiting up for a combined 180 games the last two years for the Mets. Both his power and speed numbers are dwindling in the twilight of his career.


Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow), who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, threw his fifth bullpen session of camp on Tuesday and has progressed to throwing five days a week in addition to extending his throwing distance out to 135 feet. Bieber is making good progress and is on schedule in his recovery from TJ surgery, but he's still not expected to return to Cleveland's starting rotation until around midseason, barring any setbacks. Because the 29-year-old could miss half of the season, he'll be a complete wild card in fantasy and could struggle to regain his pinpoint control and command upon his return. Bieber looked good in two starts last year before being shut down, but before that, his velocity and strikeouts were trending in the wrong direction for fantasy managers. He's not in RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitcher rankings in 2025.
