MARCH 18, 2023•NEWSOBSERVER.COM
Cody Bellinger News: Dave Roberts Wishes Dodgers Could Have Done More to Help OutfielderLA skipper wishes they could’ve done more for the former MVP.
Freddie Freeman - Reaches three times in returnFreeman went 2-for-2 with a walk in Saturday's spring game against the White Sox.
ImpactFreeman was removed after three plate appearances, but that was to be expected. It was the first game back for the first baseman after he left Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game for Team Canada with tightness in his hamstring. There's no reason to think that Freeman won't be ready for the regular season, and his next step should be playing in the field sometime soon.
MARCH 18, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Hayden Wesneski - Has first poor spring startWesneski allowed four runs on four hits across 3.1 innings in Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. He walked two and struck out six.
ImpactWesneski entered the game with a 0.00 ERA this spring but endured his first Cactus League rough patch. The six strikeouts are still promising, giving the righty 17 of them across 12 innings. Wesneski has emerged as the top candidate to be the Cubs' fifth starter, and he could be a sneaky fantasy option if he secures the job and continues to pitch well.
MARCH 18, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Dansby Swanson - Struggling this springSwanson is just 2-for-25 so far in Cactus League action with 11 strikeouts.
ImpactIt's been a rough spring for Swanson, who joined the Cubs in the offseason on a seven-year, $177 million deal. Swanson batted .277 for Atlanta last year with 25 home runs, so he should be fine in the long run, though these struggles could carry over into the early part of the regular season as the shortstop gets acclimated to his new surroundings.
MARCH 18, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Mike Tauchman - Could make rosterTauchman stands a decent chance of making the Cubs' roster out of spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
ImpactTauchman is a non-roster invitee but has impressed this spring, which leaves the veteran in a position to possibly earn a reserve outfield role. The 32-year-old spent 2022 in Korea, with his last MLB experience coming in 2021 with the Yankees and Giants. Tauchman did flash some upside back in 2019 with New York, hitting 13 home runs and posting an .865 OPS across 87 games, though he's unlikely to earn enough playing time this year to be a fantasy factor.
MARCH 18, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Jimmy Nelson - Not a lock for Opening Day rosterNelson is projected to make the Opening Day roster for the Dodgers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
ImpactNelson signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the Dodgers after missing all of the 2022 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he's struggled to throw strikes in the Cactus League with eight walks against zero strikeouts over four appearances and 2.1 innings. It's not surprising that there's some things to iron out considering how much time Nelson has missed, but the lack of strike-throwing at least puts him on the roster bubble.
MARCH 18, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Dodgers News: RHP Jimmy Nelson Leaving a Lot to Be Desired on the Mound Right NowThe once dominant reliever is struggling to find the strike zone this spring.
MARCH 18, 2023•STAR-TELEGRAM.COM
