LaRoche not yet 100 percent: MASNsports.com reports Nationals 1B Adam LaRoche is hoping he can cut loose throwing in the coming days without worrying about lingering soreness in his surgically-repaired left shoulder. LaRoche began taking swings in December and already sees progress. "I wouldn't even say it's there yet, as far as 100 percent," he said. "But it was the first couple of weeks of hitting when I started getting excited (and feeling like) this is turning out to be really good, it feels really good. I have every hope that by the end of camp it's going to be really good swinging and I think throwing will eventually come." (Updated 02/21/2012)
Injury Report
Shoulder - Probable for start of spring training (Updated - 1/5/12)
Fantasy Analysis
Outside of his shoulder progressing, the best news LaRoche heard this offseason was Prince Fielder signing with the Tigers. The Nationals were courting Fielder to play first base, but now that he is in Detroit, LaRoche remains the team's starting first baseman. LaRoche's numbers were miserable before he succumbed to surgery last year, but you have to remember he was playing with a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his shoulder. He has a good chance of rebounding to his usual 25-homer standard. He's a solid low-end contributor at the deep first base position. (Updated 02/21/2012).
12/15/2011 09:31 Notebook: Rangers might grab Fielder with kick at the finish
They haven't even reached the starting gate, but don't count the Rangers out of the Prince Fielder Derby. In fact, oddsmaker Jon Heyman lists them as the morning-line favorite to add the free-agent slugger to their already potent lineup.
Adam LaRoche hit .172 in 151 at-bats last year, which will immediately turn some Fantasy owners off to him. But the reason he hit only .172 is likely the same reason he had only 151 at-bats. His season ended in late May due to a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery. And it's not like he just injured the shoulder the day before. He knew before the season that he had a torn rotator cuff and labrum, but he opted to play through it. Clearly, that didn't go so well, which was why he decided to pull the plug on his season, but for Fantasy purposes, the damage was done. He didn't live up to the investment that his owners had made in him, and now he's not a player they want. But keep in mind he had seven straight seasons of 20-plus homers prior to last year. That may not be a notable achievement among first basemen, but in leagues that use corner infield and utility spots, it's reason to keep LaRoche on your radar. Granted, he's no guarantee to return to that standard after shoulder surgery, but early reports are good. You can probably pass him over in standard leagues, but you wouldn't want to dismiss his power potential in deeper formats. (Updated 1/27/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
