Week 1: Monday's Roundup

Opening Day was good for the owners of Cody Asche,
Jimmy Rollins (grand slam) and Ben Revere.

Studs: Jose Fernandez (Zaun) struck out 9 and allowed 1 run in a 6-inning win. Ben Revere (AL) had 3 singles, 3 RBIs, 2 runs and a steal. Francisco Liriano (Misfits) struck out 10 in 6 shutout innings. Cody Asche (Rookies) was a triple short of the cycle, scored 4 runs and drove in 2. Anthony Rendon (Rangers) had a 3-run homer and an RBI double. Yovani Gallardo (Fish) struck out 4 and got the win in 6 shutout innings. Adam Wainwright (Tanana) struck out 9 and got the win in 7 shutout innings. David Wright (E-3) singled 3 times, scored 2 runs and drove in 2. 

Duds: Billy Hamilton (Zaun) went 0 for 4 with 4 Ks. Addison Reed (Rookies) served up a 700-foot, 2-run homer to Buster Posey and took the loss. 

Scores

Fresh Fish 56, E-3 39

Rookies 14, Rocky Mountain High 9

Tanana in the Tailpipe 57, Pitch You Blockhead 30

Misfits 33, Ryan's Rangers 27

Danger Zaun 57, Arbitration Losers 20

Preseason moves

Fresh Fish: Place 2B Marco Scutaro on DL, sign and activate 2B Dan Uggla (April move #1).

Rocky Mountain High: Place SP Mat Latos on DL; activate SP Dan Haren.

Tanana in the Tailpipe: Place SP Cole Hamels on DL, sign and activate SP Brandon McCarthy (April move #1).

Danger Zaun: Place RP Aroldis Chapman on DL, activate RP Jim Henderson.

Week 1: Sunday's Roundup

Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal is tied for the NL lead in
stolen bases — with Adrian Gonzalez.

* Note: Sunday's Padres-Dodgers game is listed under Monday on this week's scoring document.

Welcome back to another season of Studs and Duds! Only one game Sunday, but there were a couple of notable performances.

Studs: Hyun-jin Ryu (Fish) struck out 7 in 7 shutout innings and has racked up 31 points already this season. Andrew Cashner (Zaun) and his curly mullet allowed 1 run in 6 shutout innings while striking out 5.

Duds: Adrian Gonzalez (Zaun) committed an error and went 0 for 4. Hanley Ramirez (PYB) went 0 for 4 with 3 left on base.

Scores

Fresh Fish 14, E-3 0
Rocky Mountain High 2, Rookies 0
Pitch You Blockhead 1, Tanana in the Tailpipe 0
Misfits 1, Ryan's Rangers 0
Danger Zaun 8, Arbitration Losers 0

Pre-draft rule reminders

Just wanted to clarify a few rules before the draft:

• Every player on a team's 40-man roster is eligible to be drafted. After the draft, only players on the 25-man roster are eligible to be added. 
• A reminder that players are eligible to be stolen off your bench if they are not activated for a month. This includes any players on your bench, even if you draft a minor leaguer.
• Moves will be free until first pitch tomorrow night. If you draft a player on the disabled list, you have until then to sign his roster replacement.
• Players added to the eligibility pool midweek are not eligible to be added until the following Monday. This includes players traded into the NL, signed as free agents or brought up from the minors. These players will NOT be eligible to be injury replacements until they go through waivers.
• Check the FBLG rulebook or ask the Commishes for any other rule clarifications.

Spring Training Injury Rundown 4

This week, we're breaking it down by position to make it easy for you, the team owner:

Catcher: Evan Gattis (quad), status unknown. Devin Mesoraco (oblique), status unknown. Yasmani Grandal (knee), might avoid the DL.

First base: None.

Second base: Rafael Furcal (hamstring), expected to return the second week of April. Marco Scutaro (back), status unknown.

One for each Dodgers starting pitcher.

Shortstop: Jean Segura (shoulder), questionable for opening day but not expected to need a DL stint. Freddy Galvis (staph infection), might be back by late April.

Third base: Ed Lucas (broken hand), on the DL for an unknown period. Chase Headley (calf), on track for opening day.

Outfield: Cody Ross (hip), expected back in mid-April. Justin Ruggiano (ankle), expected to be ready for opening day. Matt Kemp (ankle), could be activated next week. Darin Ruf (oblique), expected to miss the first month. Cameron Maybin (biceps), could be back in a month. Chris Denorfia (shoulder), might be ready for opening day. Carlos Quentin (knee), could start the year on the DL.

Starting pitcher: Patrick Corbin, Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy, Cory Luebke (TJ surgery), out for the year. Bronson Arroyo (back), should avoid a DL stint. Mike Minor (shoulder), out until late April. Gavin Floyd (TJ surgery), out until May. Jake Arrieta (shoulder), out until late April. James McDonald (shoulder tendinitis), status unknown. Mat Latos (knee), out until mid-April. Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder), out until early May. Clayton Kershaw (back), expected to miss a start. Hyun-jin Ryu (toenail), might start Sunday. Josh Beckett (thumb), expected back by mid-April. Chad Billingsley (TJ surgery), out until early May. Jon Niese (elbow), expected to pitch during the first week. Matt Harvey (TJ surgery), expected to miss the season. Cole Hamels (biceps tendinitis), expected back in early May. Miguel Gonzalez (shoulder), status unknown. Jaime Garcia (shoulder), status unknown. Doug Fister (lat), will open the year on the DL. Tyler Chatwood (hamstring), is being evaluated. Tim Lincecum (knee contusion), status unknown.

Relief pitcher: Aroldis Chapman (facial fractures), out at least a month. Jonathan Broxton (forearm), likely to open the year on the DL. Sean Marshall (shoulder), likely to open the year on the DL. Jason Motte (elbow), could return in mid-April.

Scoring Odds and Ends

Couple notes about some scoring odds and ends

• Points from the Dodgers-Dbacks games this weekend will be counted toward individual and team totals, but not toward first week head-to-head totals. Once the draft is over, we'll assign those points to the players as "Entering Week" points.
• The Dodgers and Padres play next Sunday night to "open" the season, but don't play Monday. The Sunday game will go in the Monday column of the opening week scoresheet and will count toward the opening week head-to-head game.
• We never followed up about the potential change to scoring for blown saves. We've decided not to change the rule.... blown saves will not be penalized beyond the runs allowed/loss that may occur.

Please let us know if there are questions.

Spring Training Injury Rundown 3

Arizona: Patrick Corbin (likely Tommy John surgery) is out. OF Cody Ross (hip) should be back in April. SP Bronson Arroyo (back) might not miss a start.

Atlanta: SPs Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen (Tommy John surgery) are out. SP Mike Minor (shoulder) might miss half of April. OF/C Evan Gattis should be ready for opening day. SP Gavin Floyd (elbow) might be back in May.

This might be Mat Latos. He probably tripped
over the missing "t" in his name.

Chicago: SS Starlin Castro (hamstring) should be ready for opening day. SP Jake Arrieta (shoulder) is expected to start the season on the DL. SP James McDonald (shoulder) is a mystery.

Cincinnati: RP Aroldis Chapman will miss at least a month after being hit in the face with a line drive. SP Mat Latos (knee) is likely to start the season on the DL. C Devin Mesoraco (oblique) has been shut down and could start the year on the DL. SPs Johnny Cueto (scapula inflammation) and Homer Bailey (groin) are on track for opening day.

Colorado: SP Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder) is expected to be out until early May.

Los Angeles: OF Matt Kemp (ankle) will start the season on the DL. SP Josh Beckett (thumb) is on the DL for now. SP Chad Billingsley (elbow) is out until May. SP Paul Maholm (elbow) is a mystery.

Miami: None

Milwaukee: None

New York: SP Jon Niese (elbow) will start the season on the DL. SP Matt Harvey (Tommy John surgery) is expected to miss the season.

Philadelphia: SP Cole Hamels (shoulder) is expected to miss most of April at least. SP Jonathan Pettibone (shoulder) is recovering and competing for a rotation spot. OF Darin Ruf is out 4 to 6 weeks with an oblique strain. SP Miguel Gonzalez (shoulder) isn't even throwing.

Pittsburgh: SP Francisco Liriano (groin) left a start early with groin tightness.

San Diego: 3B Chase Headley (calf) might be ready by opening day. OF Cameron Maybin (biceps) will miss at least a month. SP Cory Luebke (Tommy John surgery) is out for the year. RP Huston Street (groin) is expected to be ready to start the season.

San Francisco: 2B Marco Scutaro (back) is 50/50 to start the season on the DL.

St. Louis: SP Jaime Garcia (shoulder) could be throwing off a mound by the end of the month.

Washington: SP Doug Fister (elbow inflammation) is expected to be ready for opening day.

Spring Training Injury Rundown 2

Based on how his season went last year, is it possible for Rick to draft every player on this injury list? Is this the first injury list in MLB history that didn't include Carlos Quentin's name? With all the Tommy John surgeries going around, is it possible to buy stock in Dr. James Andrews? These questions and more probably won't be answered below:

Arizona: Poor Patrick Corbin. The SP appears headed to the operating table for Tommy John surgery. OF Cody Ross (hip) should be back in April. SP Bronson Arroyo (back) still hasn't appeared in a game.

Atlanta: SPs Brandon Beachy and Kris Medlen seem likely to need Tommy John surgery. SP Mike Minor (shoulder) might not start until the Braves need a fifth starter. OF/C Ryan Doumit has a finger contusion and is getting X-rays. 1B Freddie Freeman has a thumb contusion, and it might be the same thumb that caused him problems last year. Stay tuned.

Don't burn your foot on a Foreman grill.

Chicago: SS Starlin Castro (hamstring) is expected to be out another week at least. SP Jake Arrieta (shoulder) is expected to start the season on the DL.

Cincinnati: SP Mat Latos (knee) might be ready to pitch by April 6.

Colorado: SP Jhoulys Chacin (shoulder) is expected to start the season on the DL.

Los Angeles: OF Carl Crawford (baby daddy) will miss the Dodgers' games against the Diamondbacks in Australia. OF Matt Kemp (broken-down shell) will miss at least the Australia series as he recovers from his ankle injury. SP Josh Beckett's status is unknown with a thumb problem. SP Chad Billingsley (elbow) is out until May.

Miami: None

Milwaukee: RP Francisco Rodriguez (bonehead) stepped on a cactus. No joke.

LOLMets: 1B Ike Davis (calf) isn't even running. SP Jon Niese (elbow) might miss opening day. SP Matt Harvey (TJ surgery) is expected to miss the season.

Philadelphia: SP Cole Hamels (shoulder) is expected to miss most of April at least. SP Jonathan Pettibone (shoulder) is recovering and competing for a rotation spot.

Pittsburgh: None

San Diego: 3B Chase Headley (calf) is still a week away from game action and might start the season on the DL. OF Cameron Maybin (biceps) will miss at least a month. SP Cory Luebke (TJ surgery) is out for the year. RP Huston Street (groin) is expected to be ready to start the season.

San Francisco: 2B Marco Scutaro (back, finger) could be ready to start the season. OF Michael Morse (calf) should be ready to start the season barring a setback.

St. Louis: SP Jaime Garcia (shoulder) could be throwing off a mound by the end of the month.

Washington: SP Doug Fister (elbow inflammation) is expected to be fine for opening day.

More NL Position Battles

With the season starting shortly, we're looking at some of the key position battles.

Part 2

Milwaukee first base: This is looking like a platoon of Mark Reynolds and Lyle Overbay, with Juan Franscisco still making a push. Reynolds has the highest offensive ceiling, and the Brewers like Overbay's defense. And, hey, anything's better than starting Alex Gonzalez and Yuni Betancourt! Francisco is likely to be traded if he doesn't top the depth chart. And there's always the chance the Brewers will pursue an outside option, like Kendrys Morales or Mike Carp.

Pushed to the brink of irrelevance, Rickie Weeks is having a big spring.

Milwaukee second base: More Brewers intrigue! This one is more clearcut: old/expensive Rickie Weeks vs. young/cheap Scooter Gennett. Weeks has played well this spring and Gennett has struggled, leading to the strong possibility that Weeks will win the job, at least to start the year. But Weeks has been slumping for two years now, and the Crew are unlikely to have much patience if he struggles out of the gate. If that happens, he'll be fitted for pinstripes before you know it.

New York first base: Two flawed candidates, two leg injuries. Ike Davis, who admitted to keeping his injury from the Mets, is the likely favorite to start the season with the job if he's healthy. Or he could be traded to some team infatuated with underachievers. Lucas Duda is healthier right now and just might win the job by default. Because... well, it's the Mets.

Bud Harrelson, baseball enforcer.

New York shortstop: The Mets desperately wanted Ruben Tejada to take this job. They did nothing to shore up the position, brought in no competition, treated the whole thing in a very Mets fashion, in fact. Tejada, um, didn't exactly grab the job. So now the Mets are looking at trade targets like Nick Franklin and still considering signing Stephen Drew. And they're trying top prospect Wilmer Flores at shortstop, which would be a great idea if he'd played the position in the last three years. Still, he's a possibility to start at shortstop, as are Omar Qunintanilla, Kevin Elster, Rey Ordonez, Jose Vizcaino, Jose Oquendo and Bud Harrelson (OK, really only Quintanilla, but you believed it for a second, didn't you?)

Pittsburgh first base: Gaby Sanchez is the only proven guy on the roster and is being given every chance to win the job. Andrew Lambo, a powerful left-handed hitter, could be part of a platoon here, but he's just 2 for 23 this spring. Unless the Pirates make a move like signing Brett Wallace or Morales (or, dear God, trading for Ike Davis), look for Sanchez to tepidly be the man here.

Pittsburgh right field: Until top prospect Gregory Polanco is ready, the sampler plate of Jose Tabata, Travis Snider, Jaff Decker and Chris Dickerson are battling for the job, with a Tabata/Snider platoon seeming the most likely outcome. At least until June.

St. Louis center field: Now healthy, Peter Bourjos looks to be the main guy in center field, but Jon Jay lurks to steal some starts.

Washington second base: This was an open competition between Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa to start the spring, and both seem likely to make the team. But Espinosa's sluggish spring makes Rendon the favorite to start.

NL Position Battles

With the season starting shortly, we're looking at some of the key position battles.

Part 1

Arizona shortstop: Youngsters Didi Gregorius and Chris Owings are battling for the starting job, with Gregorius emerging as the better defender and Owings as the superior hitter. Old guy Cliff Pennington is also a possibility here, though a distant one. All signs point to this battle going down to the last minute, as Kirk Gibson has said that both youngsters will play in the opening series against the Dodgers next weekend in Australia.

A fairly typical Darwin Barney swing.
Good thing he's a Gold Glover!

Chicago second base: Oregon State product Darwin Barney is the incumbent here, but his lack of offense has opened him up to a challenge from Emilio Bonifacio. It looks like both will make the team and that Barney will be the regular second baseman while Bonifacio plays all over the field, but Barney has also played some shortstop this spring. Making things more muddled has been the stellar play of top prospect Javier Baez, a shortstop who looks like the potential long-term answer at second base as the Cubs remain firmly attached to Starlin Castro.

Chicago third base: Though he's starting the season in Triple-A, Baez is a possibility here, too. Luis Valbuena is the incumbent at third, but former top prospect Mike Olt, coming off eye surgery, could be a factor once his shoulder his healthy. Current top prospect Kris Bryant has made a charge this spring and is a dark horse candidate. Donnie Murphy, who was probably the best player at the hot corner for the Northsiders last year, could also be a factor. Honestly, there are more candidates to start in the Cubs infield this year than there are for the 2016 election.

Colorado second base: Josh Rutledge came into last season appearing to be the second baseman of the future... until struggles and injuries opened things up for D.J. Lemahieu, who had a solid season. Both will likely make the team, but LeMahieu is the favorite to be the everyday starter, especially given his strong defense. Rutledge, as the likely utility infielder, will have every chance to hit his way into the starting job.

Colorado center field: And you thought the Cubs infield was a mess. Once the Rockies gave up the pipe dream of "Carlos Gonzalez, center fielder," this job became wide open. Drew Stubbs, Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson and Brandon Barnes are battling to start, with Dickerson probably being the most attractive candidate from a fantasy perspective. Unless you get points for strikeouts, in which case Stubbs is your man. Also, the dreaded platoon is a very realistic possibility.

No, not THAT kind of expensive Cuban import.

Los Angeles second base: Hey look, another second base job up for grabs! Former shortstop prospect Dee Gordon looks like he'll start the season as the starter, but expensive Cuban import Alexander Guerrero seems likely to take the job at some point, once his defense catches up a bit. Gordon leads the Cactus League with nine steals, but his hitting and defense have always been shaky. Former Met/current ginger Justin Turner could also get some time in a platoon if Gordon struggles at the plate.

Miami first base: Garrett Jones and Jeff Baker look likely to platoon.

Miami center field: Hotshot youngsters Marcell Ozuna and Jake Marisinick are dueling here, with Ozuna displaying the raw power and lack of plate discipline that he showed last year and Marisinick featuring speed and defense. Ozuna seems to be the favorite, but this is another platoon possibility.