MLB Player News

Contreras will open the year in the rotation at Low-A Charleston, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

He joins one of the more electric rotations in the lower levels of the minors, as Luis Medina, Luis Gil, Tanner Myatt and Matt Sauer will also be pitching for the RiverDogs. Contreras is well-known in dynasty-league circles, drawing Luis Severino comps, and this season has a chance to be his breakout year.

Medina will open the year in the rotation at Low-A Charleston, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

Medina's insane arsenal was on display last season in the Appalachian League (47 strikeouts in 36 innings), but his control issues were also very apparent (46 walks). It doesn't really matter where the Yankees would have assigned Medina -- when he is on, he's close to unhittable, and when he can't locate his pitches, most minor-league hitters can draw walks against him. If Medina's control were to jump a grade this season, his stock would explode.

Schmidt will open the year with High-A Tampa, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

This is quite a bump up for Schmidt, who made eight total appearances last year in his first year back from Tommy John surgery, and has never pitched in a full-season league. To jump Schmidt over Low-A completely speaks to how advanced the Yankees think their first-round pick from 2017 is. Assuming he stays healthy, Schmidt will likely split the season between High-A and Double-A.

Kremer (oblique) will open the year rehabbing in extended spring training, MLB.com reports.

He suffered the injury in mid-February, so he's been rehabbing the injury for six weeks already. Unless he has suffered a setback, Kremer should be ready for an assignment to Double-A or Triple-A at some point in the coming weeks.

Civale is in extended spring training rehabbing a lat injury, MLB.com reports.

He originally suffered the injury in late August of last year and is still dealing with the issue. Once healthy, he could return to Double-A or get his first taste of Triple-A

Hankins is opening the year in extended spring training before being assigned to a short-season affiliate in June, MLB.com reports.

The good news is that Hankins is healthy, but we will have to wait a couple months to see him in game action this year. He will need to work on repeating his delivery and controlling his electric arsenal, but he has top-of-the-rotation upside if it all comes together. Look for him to begin the year in either the AZL or the New York-Penn League.

Lara is rehabbing an undisclosed injury in extended spring training, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Also of note is the fact that the Royals have decided to officially develop Lara as a reliever moving forward. He can touch triple digits with his fastball and has a power breaking ball, so he has some long-term fantasy upside in that role. Lara had a 1.98 ERA, .174 batting average against and an 11.9 K/9 in 15 relief innings last year at Low-A. He should head to High-A once he is healthy.

Whitley is opening the year with Triple-A Round Rock, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

He will be pitching in games right away this season, which is noteworthy, as the Astros could have opted to hold him back in extended spring training in an effort to make sure he still had plenty in the tank for a postseason run. They can still manage his innings and make that happen going this route, of course, and he should quickly show that he has little left to prove against minor-league hitters. He could be promoted to the majors at any moment this season.

Ragans (elbow) will open the year in extended spring training, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

He underwent Tommy John surgery in late March of 2018 and began a throwing program last fall. Ragans may need a couple months to build up to the point that he can be sent out to an affiliate.

Cobb (groin) was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Yankees.

He'll toe the rubber for Baltimore's home opener after missing the Orioles' first six games of the season while recovering from a mild groin strain suffered in spring training. Due to multiple off days in the schedule thus far, the Orioles have been able to get by with a three traditional starters while using Nate Karns as an opener on two occasions, so Cobb's addition won't result in any pitchers moving out of the rotation.