

Kansas City Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco (Achilles) will be back in action on Sunday. The speedy outfielder has been sidelined lately due to Achilles tightness. The team will ease him back into action by letting him play three innings. The expectation is that Blanco will slowly progress into playing full games again and should be fine in time for Opening Day. Blanco slashed .258/.308/.392 with four home runs and 13 RBI across 88 games with the Royals last season. His best asset is his speed considering Blanco has stolen 55 bases over the last two seasons with KC.


Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Michael Grove (elbow) is expected to miss the upcoming 2025 season. Grove underwent surgery on his right shoulder and won't be able to pitch this season. It appears to be the same shoulder that forced him off the roster during the playoffs last season. The organization was hopeful that Grove would be able to pitch this season, but unfortunately his shoulder isn't responding the way he would've hoped. The absence of Grove isn't a huge hit to the bullpen considering he posted a 5.12 ERA across 39 appearances with the Dodgers last season. The organization hasn't given much of a timetable outside of the fact he won't pitch this season.


Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Erasmo Ramirez has a "significant tear" in his right shoulder and is expected to miss an extended period. The 34-year-old signed a minor league deal in February with an invite to camp and, at the very least, would have provided some veteran depth in the minors if he did not make the roster. Instead, the righty will wait to be re-examined in the coming weeks to see how he's progressing and what the next steps will be. Ramirez made 13 appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays last season, pitching to a 4.35 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 10:15 BB:K in 20 2/3 innings pitched, but is off the fantasy radar until he returns from the injury and makes it back to the major league roster.


The ominous "concern" surrounding New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole's throwing elbow received some devastating clarity on Sunday when it was reported that the veteran has been recommended to undergo Tommy John surgery. The six-time All-Star is still awaiting a second opinion, but GM Brian Cashman had already stated they were preparing for the worst. It would be a big blow to the Yankees' hopes of making another World Series run and for any fantasy managers who already drafted the former Cy Young winner. When one door closes, another one opens, though, and New York's fifth-overall prospect Will Warren could nab a rotation spot in the absence of Cole. Warren has been impressive this spring, allowing just one earned run on two hits and two walks while striking out 11 in eight innings of work. Keep an eye out for the results of Cole's second opinion, but for now, it looks like he should be avoided in drafts, while Warren could be a worthwhile flier in later rounds.


Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker finally collected his first hit of the spring season on Sunday, a solo home run in the third inning of an 8-6 Cactus League loss to the Giants. The left-handed hitter flied out in his only other at-bat during the contest. That brings his spring batting average to .048, now 1-for-21 with five walks and seven strikeouts. No need to panic, and it should not depress his outlook for the season, but managers who already drafted or were considering drafting the 3x All-Star would love to see him get on a roll as we head towards Opening Day. ATC projections foresee a 30/20 season for the 28-year-old, and he's worthy of a top 10 fantasy draft pick.
