Fernando Tatis Jr., SS (SD)
Tatis made his spring training debut on Tuesday. In fact, it was his first appearance in a game since the 2021 season. He missed all of last year following a motorcycle accident that led to wrist surgery as well as a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. That suspension will linger until April 20, but then he will be unleashed at some position in the field and some spot in the stacked Padres lineup. As for his performance in Tuesday's Cactus League game, the uber-talented 24-year-old reached base one time in three plate appearances, and he stole a base. He is expected to play most of the time in right field and hit at or near the top of the lineup, but that could change throughout the season. The Fantistics Draft Advisory Software projects Tatis for 35 home runs and 23 stolen bases. That would justify first-round value, but the risk is obvious.
Gavin Lux, SS (LAD)
Concerns over Lux's knee following his collapse on Monday were validated when an MRI revealed a torn ACL. The 25-year-old will miss the entire 2023 season. Trea Turner is gone and Lux was expected to man the shortstop position so suddenly the Dodgers' middle infield is thin and uncertain. Miguel Rojas is likely going to see the most increased playing time due to Lux's injury, but Chris Taylor and Miguel Vargas will also get opportunities in the infield. Luke WIlliams and Jahmai Jones could play as well. This is a crushing blow for Los Angeles, and the Dodgers could look elsewhere for help. As for Lux, he should be cleared for spring training in 2024.
Tyler Glasnow, SP (TB)
Glasnow will miss 6-8 weeks with a left oblique strain. The talented but oft-injured hurler only pitched 6.2 innings in 2022, and his 2023 season is already off to an ominous start. He suffered the injury while throwing batting practice on Monday. Now he is due to return to the Rays' rotation in mid-to-late April, leaving an opening for Yonny Chirinos, Luis Patino, Josh Fleming or Taj Bradley. Bradley and Patino are the most interesting options, but none of the pitchers are likely to see an extended run because Glasnow should only miss a few starts.
Joe Musgrove, SP (SD)
Musgrove is out indefinitely after fracturing his big toe in a weight room incident. Padres manager Bob Melvin said he will miss a "minimum of a couple weeks before he starts throwing again." That means he could miss his first start of the season. The Padres were already planning on a six-man rotation so the likelihood is that no one moves into the rotation due to Musgrove's injury, but it gives Michael Wacha, Nick Martinez and Seth Lugo a little more early-season security. As for Musgrove, it's a tough blow for fantasy owners who have already drafted him, but he probably only misses one or two starts so his value isn't drastically changed.
Kyle Bradish, SP (BAL)
Bradish was sharp in his spring training debut as he looks to lock down a role in the Orioles' uncertain starting rotation. Bradish turned in two perfect innings, throwing 18 strikes out of 26 pitches. Bradish is competing with Tyler Wells, Dean Kremer, Austin Voth and Grayson Rodriguez for three spots in the Baltimore rotation. Wells and Voth are likely the odd men out, but Bradish's leash is not going to be particularly long so he will need to improve on his 4.90 ERA from 2022. That will be possible if he commits to diversifying his pitch mix. Last season he threw his 95-mph 4-seam fastball 44.5% of the time. It was a bad pitch that allowed a .412 wOBA. His slider, curveball and changeup are all effective complements so he would be wise to increase their usage, particularly his curveball. There's enough meat on the bone to target Bradish in later rounds of deeper drafts.
Luis Ortiz, SP (PIT)
Ortiz allowed a pair of singles while striking out one batter in two scoreless innings on Tuesday. The young fireballer doesn't necessarily have a direct path to the starting rotation, but he will likely get an opportunity at some point this season seeing as the backend of the Pirates' rotation includes Rich Hill, JT Brubaker and Vince Velasquez. Right now the 24-year-old Ortiz is really only a two-pitch pitcher, but those two pitches are electric: a 98-mph fastball and a devastating slider with a 11-mph delta from his 4-seamer. He allowed two earned runs in his first three games in September last season, although he was demolished by the Cardinals for six runs in less than an inning in the season finale. Innings will be severely limited, but the strikeout upside is phenomenal.
Ian Anderson, SP (ATL)
Apparently Anderson doesn't want to be in the Braves' starting rotation. Despite backing into the 5th spot in the rotation with news of Michael Soroka's ongoing hamstring discomfort, Anderson did not look capable of handling the role in his spring training debut. The 24-year-old allowed four runs in 1.1 innings. He gave up three hits, including two home runs, and three walks while striking out two. Anderson lost his job last season, and even with Soroka's absence, it isn't a guarantee he can hold onto the role. Bryce Elder is a capable arm in the minor leagues who has minimal big league experience.
Jeffrey Springs, SP (TB)
Springs picked up where he left off last season, polishing off two perfect innings with three strikeouts in his spring training debut on Tuesday. The 30-year-old southpaw is carved into the Rays' rotation after signing a four-year extension in January. Springs started 25 games last year for Tampa Bay, finishing the season with nine wins and a 2.46 ERA. He struck out 144 batters in 135.1 innings, utilizing an effective fastball/changeup combo to righties while leaning on a serviceable slider against lefties. He benefited from moderate luck last season so although he is unlikely to repeat his 2.46 ERA, he should be in for another strong campaign in 2023.
Tyrone Taylor, OF (MIL)
Taylor's status for Opening Day is now in question as he still hasn't resumed baseball activities following an elbow strain that shut him down on Feb. 22. Milwaukee could provide at-bats for Taylor at the designated hitter position until his elbow is fully healed, but the Brewers have depth in the outfield and losing spring training at-bats hurts Taylor's opportunity to secure regular playing time. The 29-year-old hit 17 home runs in 373 at-bats last season, but his 2023 totals are at risk due to his questionable playing time.
Seiya Suzuki, OF (CHC)
Suzuki may miss Opening Day as he is dealing with a moderate oblique strain on his left side. Oblique strains are frustrating injuries for hitters that typically take more than a month to resolve. He has already withdrawn from the World Baseball Classic, and it's likely he will be slow to return for the start of the season. Christopher Morel could get some starts in Suzuki's absence, and it's a distant possibility top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong receives an opportunity. Suzuki is looking to build off an encouraging rookie season, albeit with a variety of injuries mixed in.
Luis Gonzalez, OF (SF)
Gonzalez will miss the start of the season with a bulging disc in his back. The 27-year-old outfielder was not a certainty to make the Giants' Opening Day roster, and now the club has the decision made for it because he is not healthy. Gonzalez is a weak-hitting lefty with limited power and average stolen base potential. A back injury certainly won't help his power, but he should see at-bats primarily against right-handed pitching. He hit .272 with three home runs in 213 at-bats against righties in 2022. San Francisco's outfield is set right now with new additions Mitch Haniger and Michael Conforto joining mainstays Mike Yastrzemski and Joc Pederson.
Aaron Bummer, RP (CHW)
Bummer has not yet thrown off a mound at spring training. According to reporters, he is dealing with soreness in his shoulder and lat area. That's concerning to me, although Bummer said he expects to be ready for Opening Day. If you check out Fangraphs' Roster Resource, you'll see five different players classified as "closer" for the White Sox. With Liam Hendriks out while undergoing treatment for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Kendall Graveman is the most likely 9th-inning pitcher, but Bummer, Joe Kelly, Reynaldo Lopez and Jake Diekman are in the mix. Bummer isn't a true closer candidate, but he could see save opportunities with lefties coming up to bat. In 2022, he allowed a .323 batting average to right-handed hitters and .231 to lefties.
Edouard Julien, 2B (MIN)
Julien is on a meteoric rise up prospect rankings, but he may not be a prospect much longer. The 18th-round pick in the 2019 draft hit a pair of home runs in Tuesday's spring training game. This comes after he slashed .400/.563/.686 at the Arizona Fall League. And THAT came after he hit .300 with 17 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 400 at-bats at AA-Wichita in 2022. Julien has a very good eye at the plate, and he has stabilized his swing path to become more aggressive at the plate. However, with Carlos Correa's return to Minnesota, Nick Gordon's emergence and Royce Lewis' eventual return, Julien doesn't have a spot in the Twins' lineup. If he continues to hit like he has lately, though, the team will find a way to get him at-bats.
Jose Quintana, SP (NYM)
Quintana was shelled in his Grapefruit League debut, allowing five runs in less than an inning. He allowed four hits, including a home run, and a walk while getting two outs. It's spring training and it's no time to panic, but the Mets took a chance that Quintana will look a lot more like his 2022 version than the previous five seasons, none of which he had an ERA under 4.00. His $26-million contract (AAV: $13M) implies his role in the rotation is secure, but the Mets do have Tylor Megill and David Peterson in the wings, and both have starting experience.
Brendan Rodgers, 2B (COL)
Rodgers injured his shoulder while trying to make a play in the field on Tuesday. He left the game, and afterwards Colorado manager Bud Black said trainers had to pop his shoulder back into place. The Rockies will check to see if there is any additional structural damage while the 26-year-old second baseman likely takes a few days off. Rodgers tallied a career-high 527 at-bats in 2022 but his home runs actually went down. However, he improved his plate discipline and showcased a hit tool that should sustain regular playing time in a lackluster offense.
George Valera, OF (CLE)
Valera left Tuesday's spring training game with right wrist discomfort. This is the wrist connected to the hand that had surgery in the offseason. One of Cleveland's best power prospects, Valera's fantasy value takes a hit with this news. Hamate bones and wrist injuries often lead to diminished power, and power is what makes Valera an intriguing prospect (he doesn't make good contact and has average speed). Keep an eye on his status in the days ahead. You may want to wait a year on Valera's emergence.
