Yasmani Grandal: Opening Night Availability Unknown

NEWS UPDATE
The Padres are unsure if Grandal (knee) will be available for Opening Day on March 30 against the Dodgers, MLB.com reports. "If I'm not ready by the beginning of the season I'll go on the [disabled list] and we'll go from there," the backstop told the Associated Press. "Carrying three catchers, I don't think that's something smart. So if I'm not 100 percent it's totally going to hurt the team."

ROTOWIRE FANTASY ANALYSIS
Since making his spring debut March 10, Grandal has fared well in his limited at-bats, batting 2-for-5 with one run scored. He has yet to display an ability to catch everyday, though, which increases the likelihood that he'll land on the DL to begin the season, honing his game at extended spring training. If the preceding comes to pass, Nick Hundley will act as the primary catcher for the Padres off the bat, and his strong spring at the plate -- .310/.333/.586 line with two homers in 29 at-bats -- could keep him there, even when Grandal achieves the requisite level of health to get in the crouch daily.


(rotowire.com)