MLB Player News

Fraley left Monday's Cactus League game against the Giants after fouling a ball off his lower body, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Fraley was able to walk off the field under his own power, and he was spotted back in the dugout shortly after exiting, per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Manager David Bell noted after the game that Fraley got hit "below the belt" and that he's feeling better, per Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

The Brewers confirmed Monday that Chourio will make the Opening Day roster, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It was reported earlier Monday by skipper Pat Murphy that Chourio was "in the mix" to make the club's Opening Day roster, but Hogg established Monday evening that Chourio will be a member of the big-league squad to kick off the 2024 campaign. Expectations for the 20-year-old outfielder are high, especially following a massive eight-year, $82 million contract signed earlier this spring, and considering he's fared well against major-league arms in Cactus League play (14-for-49 with three RBI and eight runs scored over 14 games). Chourio is expected to see the majority of his playing time in center field, where he won a minor-league Gold Glove during the 2022 season.

Snell agreed to a two-year, $62 million contract with San Francisco on Monday, which includes an opt-out after the 2024 season, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Snell finally has a landing spot after several teams balked at his asking price over the offseason and into spring training. He'll benefit from one of the more pitcher-friendly home ballparks in Oracle Park and join 2023 National League Cy Young finalist Logan Webb at the top of the Giants' rotation to form one of the deadliest one-two punches in all of baseball. It remains to be seen how soon Snell will be able to ramp up for the 2024 season with only 10 days remaining before Opening Day, but he just tossed four simulated innings Friday and could make an appearance in a game situation later this week, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Imanaga appears on track to start the Cubs' home opener April 1 versus the Rockies, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Justin Steele will get the ball on Opening Day in Texas on March 28, potentially followed by Kyle Hendricks and Jordan Wicks. Imanaga would then be in line to make his MLB debut when the Cubs kick off a six-game homestand to begin April. The Japanese lefty has posted a 4.66 ERA in three spring starts, but his 19 strikeouts over 9.2 innings showcase the type of potential he possesses in his first season in North America.

Smyly could start the regular season in the rotation with Jameson Taillon (back) set to miss some time into April, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Taillon could return as soon as April 8 in San Diego, but the Cubs will have to fill his rotation spot until then. Justin Steele is set to start Opening Day on March 28, and Chicago gets an off day after that. However, the Cubs then have games on five straight days, so a full rotation will likely be needed. Beyond Steele, Kyle Hendricks and Shota Imanaga should be locked into starting spots, and Jordan Wicks is making a strong case in camp. That could leave Smyly, Javier Assad and Hayden Wesneski to compete for the No. 5 spot, at least until Taillon returns.

Hendricks appears to be lined up to start Chicago's second game of the regular season, behind Opening Day starter Justin Steele, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

The southpaw Steele has emerged as the team's definitive ace, but the rotation gets a little more jumbled after that. Hendricks makes sense in the No. 2 spot, particularly as a veteran righty with Shota Imanaga, Jordan Wicks and possibly Drew Smyly joining Steele as left-handed starting options. Hendricks won't wow with strikeouts, though he's a steady pitcher who recorded a solid 3.74 ERA across 24 starts last season, giving him some fantasy appeal in the right matchups.

Smith seems likely to make the Cubs' Opening Day roster, per Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, and he now has less competition with Matt Mervis getting optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Smith would give Chicago a left-handed power bat off the bench as well as a veteran option should Michael Busch falter at first base. It may not be a fantasy-friendly role right away, but Smith could have more value down the road if his playing time increases. The 28-year-old hit 12 home runs across 153 games with Washington last season to go along with a .254 batting average.

McLain was scratched from Monday's exhibition against the Giants due to left shoulder soreness.

The team notes that this move was merely precautionary, but McLain's status will be worth keeping an eye on over the next few days as the 2024 campaign nears. Yan Contreras will start at shortstop Monday evening in McLain's place.

Lodolo (tibia) is expected to be ready to make his season debut April 10 against the Brewers, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Lodolo is behind schedule after he reported that his leg still didn't feel 100 percent entering spring training, which led to the team ordering another round of scans. Nothing new turned up, and despite still not feeling at full strength, the left-hander has cruised through his two Cactus League starts (one run, five strikeouts in 4.2 innings). The tibia will remain a lingering concern given a recurrence of the injury ended his 2023 season, but Lodolo looks on track to be ready relatively early on in 2024, barring a setback. Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder) are competing to fill Lodolo's rotation spot to begin the campaign.

Moll (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut Monday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Moll came into camp behind schedule after feeling some left shoulder soreness during his offseason throwing program. He's been cleared for game action, though, and the Reds believe he can ramp up in time for Opening Day. Assuming health, Moll should be one of the team's key left-handed relievers.