ImpactGarcia is battling Andrew Knapp for the backup job. Whoever wins the role will be treated strictly as a backup to Tyler Stephenson.
APRIL 2, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Aramis Garcia - Flashing spring powerGarcia hit his fifth homer in 15 spring training at-bats Friday to aid in his battle for the backup catcher job, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Brandon Drury - Competing for last roster spotDrury homered on Friday and has a chance to win the Reds' last offensive roster spot, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
ImpactThe Reds don't have an obvious candidate to begin the season as their right-handed DH, which is where Drury fits in. He has some power upside, which obviously would play well in Cincy, but he'll struggle to hit for average, if he makes the team.
APRIL 2, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Mike Minor - Mid-to-late April returnReds manager David Bell said that Minor (shoulder) is tentatively slated to return in mid-to-late April, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
ImpactOnce Minor returns, he'll likely be limited to 3-to-4 innings in his first outing or two. This probably gives the back end of the Reds rotation (Vladimir Gutierrez, Nick Lodolo, Reiver Sanmartin and Hunter Greene) at least two and maybe three starts to sort out who remains in the rotation once Minor and Luis Castillo come back.
APRIL 2, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Luis Castillo - Mid-to-late April returnReds manager David Bell said that Castillo (shoulder) will be aiming to return by mid-to-late April, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
ImpactBell further said that Castillo will probably be limited to 3-to-4 innings when he ultimately returns. The same holds true for teammate Mike Minor. That means that for our purposes, Castillo will be difficult to activate until May.
APRIL 2, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Cubs 5, Angels 4
APRIL 2, 2022•ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mike Trout - Could hit leadoff at timesAngels manager Joe Maddon indicated Friday that he may experiment with Trout as the team's leadoff hitter on occasion this season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register repor...
ImpactTrout hit atop the order for Friday's Cactus League contest, with Shohei Ohtani batting behind him. That isn't likely to be the Angels' most common lineup construction this season, however, since Maddon indicated earlier in the spring that he wants Ohtani to be the team's primary leadoff man. Still, Maddon appears to be thinking of experimenting with Trout atop the order at times during the regular season. Such a scenario won't do much to change the superstar's fantasy projection unless it were to become a frequent occurrence.
APRIL 2, 2022•ROTOWIRE
Cutting ties with Justin Upton may have been the right decision, but the Angels must answer for another failed contractThis is the second consecutive season the Angels will be paying an aging superstar millions of dollars to play elsewhere.
APRIL 2, 2022•THEATHLETIC.COM
