

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Wade Miley (groin, shoulder) will throw a simulated game on Wednesday in New York with three up-downs. If all goes well with that session, he will most likely move his rehab to Triple-A Nashville for a couple of minor-league rehab starts. Groin and shoulder injuries have limited the 37-year-old veteran southpaw during spring training, which will force him to open the year on the injured list. Miley might not be sidelined for long if he looks good in his minor-league rehab starts, but fantasy managers in mixed leagues should be looking for better upside arms for rotation depth. He has found a way to induce soft contact in his career, but with a career 7.0 K/9 mark in 13 big-league seasons, he's just not going to miss enough bats.


Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz has been informed that he's made the team's Opening Day roster out of spring training. It's the first time that Ortiz has made an Opening Day roster in the big leagues. The 25-year-old will most likely operate as a utility infielder for the Brew Crew early on, with most of his playing time coming at third and second base. The former fourth-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of New Mexico State made his big-league debut in 2023 and played in only 15 games, going 7-for-33 (.212) with no home runs and four RBI. Ortiz's glove is more impressive than his bat, but he will have more opportunities for plate appearances in Milwaukee's infield than he did in Baltimore.


Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (hand) is scheduled for an X-rays on Monday on his hand after it swelled up a bit on Sunday after being jammed on a swing. Although the results of his X-rays aren't back yet, Mitchell said he feels fine and played catch with no issues on Monday. We'll have more information on the 25-year-old's X-rays, but for now, it looks like he avoided a serious injury and shouldn't have to start the 2024 regular season on the injured list. The former 20th overall pick in 2020 out of UCLA only played in 19 games in 2023 after needing surgery on his shoulder. There's a lot to like about Mitchell's plate discipline and his speed, but it could be hard for him to carve out regular playing time in Milwaukee's crowded outfield in what will be his first full MLB season if he can stay healthy.


MLB.com's Martin Gallegos doesn't have outfielder Esteury Ruiz included in his projected Opening Day lineup, although he writes that the speedy outfielder should get plenty of at-bats this year. Instead, Gallegos has Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday and Seth Brown starting from left to right across the outfield. Bleday figures to start the year as the starter in center field for the A's, at least against right-handed pitching, which is a major knock to Ruiz's fantasy value for those seeking stolen bases. As a result, fantasy managers should expect fewer counting stats for the 25-year-old Dominican outfielder, but his elite speed is still worth chasing in mixed leagues. In his first year in Oakland in 2023, Ruiz hit .254 (114-for-449) with a league-leading 67 swipes in 132 games played.


The Chicago Cubs are sending outfield prospect Alexander Canario down to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2024 season. Canario, the team's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won't open the season in the big leagues for the first time in his career, but we expect to see the 23-year-old make at the major-league level at some point in 2024. He missed most of last season after having multiple surgeries but was called up to the big leagues in Chicago, going 5-for-17 with a homer and six RBI in six games played. Canario should eventually gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers in NL-only and dynasty/keeper leagues, but it's hard to envision him finding much playing time in Chicago unless an injury or two strikes. He can be avoided in mixed leagues for now.
