MLB Player News

Caissie was reassigned to minor-league camp by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Caissie received an invitation to big-league camp, but this was always the expected outcome, as the 21-year-old has yet to appear above Double-A. He was great at that level last season, recording 22 home runs and a .917 OPS across 120 games. If Caissie continues to make noise in the minors this year, his MLB debut might not be that far away.

India started at first base and went 0-for-2 with a walk before rain canceled Friday's spring game against the Dodgers. He flawlessly handled all chances in the field.

India's spring was delayed by a foot injury that plagued him in 2023. He's shifting from second base to a utility role this season, which will impact his fantasy value. The position versatility is helpful, but a consistent path to at-bats is not guaranteed. The latter changed Friday when MLB suspended Noelvi Marte, who was the projected starter at third base, 80 games for violating the drug prevention and treatment program. That paves the way for India, Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario to get regular opportunities between first base, third base and designated hitter.

Martinez threw four perfect innings and struck out six before rain forced the cancellation of Friday's spring start against the Dodgers.

Martinez faced the best the Dodgers had, including Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in what was easily his most impressive Cactus League outing. He struck out Freeman twice. The right-hander entered the game having allowed one unearned run while striking out seven over five spring innings. At the start of camp, it was unclear of which role Martinez would fill -- he has experience both a starter and multi-inning reliever -- but it looks like there's a place for him in Cincinnati's rotation.

Aguiar impressed Cincinnati president of baseball operations Nick Krall during the pitcher's first big-league camp, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports. "He showed excellent poise in his first big-league camp and competes well," Krall said. "His stuff continues to improve and he has a chance to be a quality big-league pitcher in the near future."

Bowden asked each team's decision-makers for one prospect that made an impression this spring, and Krall lauded Aguiar, a 12-round pick in 2021. The right-hander's spring results in two games don't jump off the page, but he's coming off a breakout season in stops at High-A Dayton and Double-A Chattanooga in 2023 and was named the organization's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Aguiar was particularly dominant for Dayton, where he used a mid-90s fastball, plus slider and high groundball rate to post a 1.92 ERA and .173 batting average against. He was less successful in Double-A but pitched better than his 4.28 ERA suggests (.340 BABIP, 3.53 xFIP). He'll likely open 2024 at Double-A with a chance to reach Triple-A Louisville.

Falter is in competition for the final spot in the Pirates' rotation to begin the season, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Falter is among several candidates vying for the role. He's allowed 12 baserunners across six innings of work in Grapefruit League action, though his 6:1 K:BB suggests perhaps he's gotten unlucky. The Pirates would likely prefer that Luis Ortiz or Jared Jones force their way into the rotation, and both have had impressive spring performances to this point. That could push Falter into a long relief role, as he has no minor-league options remaining.

Davis has gone 6-for-19 with three home runs, two walks and five strikeouts in Grapefruit League action.

The 2021 first-round pick's spot on the Pirates' roster became uncertain after the team signed Yasmani Grandal, but Davis has responded with an impressive 1.214 OPS across 20 plate appearances this spring. While that won't carry over to the regular season, it could help Davis stick on the Opening Day roster.

Doyle has struck out only four times across 24 plate appearances this spring.

Doyle is the presumptive starting center fielder for the Rockies due primarily to his excellent defense. He also has an intriguing blend of power and speed, though he has regularly had an inflated strikeout rate that threatens to mute that upside. Notably, he hit just .203 while reaching base at a .250 clip in 431 plate appearances in the majors last season, so any ability to lower his strikeout rate could be a significant boost to his fantasy value.

Carroll went 0-for-4 with a run scored in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Carroll batted leadoff and scored his third run in the last four games. The outfielder is expected to be Arizona's primary leadoff batter, and among the many assets he offers to fantasy lineups is runs. Carroll finished seventh in MLB in that category last season, crossing the plate 116 times.

Pederson started at designated hitter and went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Pederson swatted his first spring home run and is 4-for-13 with three walks through six games. He's started four of those games in the outfield, but Pederson is expected to serve as the primary DH against right-handers in 2024.

Kelly struck out three over two scoreless, no-hit innings in Friday's start against the Cubs.

Kelly was making his first Cactus League appearance this spring. He's coming off a career-high 201.1 innings in 2023, including the postseason, so the Diamondbacks held him back for a bit to begin camp. The right-hander will get in at least another three spring outings, before he's expected to start the second game of the regular season, Mar. 29, at home against Colorado.