MARCH 12, 2023•MLB.COM
Calculating a crowded Cards outfieldThis story was excerpted from John Denton’s Cardinals Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regu...
Packy Naughton - Mixed results in springNaughton has allowed three earned runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings through five Grapefruit League appearances.
ImpactNaughton was on and off the Cardinals' major-league roster for much of 2022, posting a 4.78 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 31:7 K:BB across 32 innings. He started three of his six appearances, but his path to staying in the majors this season is in the bullpen since the Cardinals have a surplus of potential starters. Naughton remains unlikely to challenge for a high-leverage role, so he won't be a factor in most fantasy formats.
MARCH 12, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Shawn Dubin - Moves to minor-league campDubin was optioned to Houston's minor-league camp Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactDubin has been with the big-league club to start spring training but will now shift over to the minor-league side. The right-hander posted a 4.78 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 80:32 K:BB over 58.1 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land last season, and he'll likely need improved results in 2023 if he's going to make his MLB debut.
MARCH 12, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Jordan Walker - Planning to hit SundayWalker said his strained right shoulder is "no big deal" and plans to take batting practice in the cage Sunday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
ImpactThe 20-year-old suffered the injury on a head-first slide into second base Saturday, but he won't require an MRI and appears to have avoided a serious injury. Walker won't play Sunday but is expected to be back in the lineup for St. Louis on Tuesday after the club's scheduled day off Monday, per Denton.
MARCH 12, 2023•ROTOWIRE
J.P. France - Sent to minor-league campFrance was optioned to the Astros' minor-league camp Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactFrance was added to Houston's 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, but he won't open 2023 in the majors. The 27-year-old had a 3.90 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 136:51 K:BB over 110.2 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land last year and could make his MLB debut this season.
MARCH 12, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Yordan Alvarez - Feels good after hitting in cageAlvarez (hand) was able to hit soft toss in the batting cage Sunday and felt good, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
ImpactAlvarez has taken swings in the cage two of the last three days, and both times the slugger has felt fine after the session. He's recovering from soreness in his left hand, and while the team has framed his absence from Grapefruit League precautionary, it's late enough in the spring season to grow concerned that he may not be ready to play on Opening Day. Astros manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that it's "still the plan" for Alvarez to be ready for the start of the season, however, and it's encouraging that he's feeling better swinging the bat at this stage.
MARCH 12, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Forrest Whitley - Sent to minor-league campThe Astros optioned Whitley to minor-league camp Sunday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
ImpactWhitley has made a pair of appearances in Grapefruit League games, throwing four innings and allowing two runs with a 3:1 K:BB ratio. Once ranked as the top pitching prospect in all of baseball, Whitley has struggled with injuries and command and also dealt with a PED suspension, but the 25-year-old has a good chance to make his MLB debut at some point this summer with Houston.
MARCH 12, 2023•ROTOWIRE
