MLB News

Beau Brieske • RP • Tigers

Beau Brieske Lands on Injured List with a Groin Strain

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Beau Brieske (groin) has been diagnosed with a groin strain and will open the regular season on the injured list, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Brieske hasn't pitched since Friday, when he tossed one scoreless inning in a spring training contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, he'll be sidelined through at least the first week of April as he recovers from a groin strain. It's an unfortunate but perhaps minor setback for Brieske, who is looking to bounce back from a career-worst campaign in 2025. Across 22 innings last year, he posted a 6.27 FIP with 6.55 K/9 and 4.91 BB/9. With his injury, Detroit's projected Opening Day bullpen is now down to five righties.

3 days ago

Iván Herrera • C • Cardinals

Ivan Herrera Expected to Play Three Innings on Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (knee) will catch a bullpen session on Tuesday and is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Houston Astros, according to Lynn Worthy of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He's expected to get three innings behind the plate in his return to game action. Herrera hasn't played since March 6, when he injured his knee. He previously noted that he's not sure how the injury occurred. Fortunately, the issue wasn't too severe, and Herrera will now get back into the lineup less than two weeks later. He is looking to build off a breakout 2025 campaign in which he slashed .284/.373/.464 with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, a 9.5% walk rate, an 18.6% strikeout rate, and 137 wRC+. As it stands, Herrera ranks as the #10 catcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

3 days ago

Gerrit Cole • SP • Yankees

Gerrit Cole to Throw an Inning on Wednesday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) will throw an inning during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post. Cole is expected to start the contest, marking his first taste of in-game action in more than a year. The ace underwent Tommy John surgery last year and will look to get back to his pre-injury form. Across 17 starts in 2024, he went 8-5 with a 3.69 FIP, 9.38 K/9, 2.75 BB/9, and 38.7% ground ball rate. The Yankees have previously said that Cole will return in late May or early June, but this latest development could imply that he's slightly ahead of schedule. With that said, the organization certainly won't rush him back, especially this early in the season. Cole is joined on the injured list by Carlos Rodon (elbow), leaving Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers as mid-rotation options behind ace Max Fried to open the year.

3 days ago

Kris Bubic • SP • Royals

Kris Bubic Brings Solid Value

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic is back at full strength after having his potential breakout season cut short last year, and he can be a solid mid-round value to add depth to your pitching staff. Last year, the 28-year-old lefty posted a 2.55 ERA, 2.89 FIP, and 2.97 K/BB ratio in 116.1 innings but was shut down in July with a shoulder injury. Bubic wasn't a hard thrower before the injury, but his velocity has returned to around 92 mph with his fastball, which is more effective due to movement than raw speed. Even though he doesn't normally overpower hitters, he did have a strong strikeout rate last season, giving him a nice ceiling in his return this year. He has allowed just one run with 10 strikeouts in his eight spring training innings, and if you can grab him to add depth to your rotation, he is set up to be a solid contributor again this season. He's RotoBaller's No. 57 SP coming into the season, so don't reach for him as an elite arm, but he can be a solid mid-rotation addition with good returns after seemingly making a full recovery.

3 days ago

Jonathan Aranda • 1B • Rays

Is Jonathan Aranda a Top Sleeper Pick at First Base?

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda got plenty of hype as a top prospect, and although it took longer than some people expected, he put together a breakout season last year. The 27-year-old hit an impressive .316 with 14 homers and a .381 wOBA in 106 games last year. He missed time with a fractured wrist, but returned before the end of the season and looked strong in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico. After an All-Star season last year, Aranda is still flying a little under the radar as the No. 21 first baseman in RotoBaller's rankings, but he brings excellent upside as the Rays' top left-handed power option after the departure of Brandon Lowe this offseason. Aranda should hit in the heart of the order, and if he stays healthy, could emerge as a top value play at the position after the elite options are off the board. His power production may not match the elite options, but he is definitely someone to target in the middle rounds if you need depth at the position or missed out on the big boppers at first base.

3 days ago

Luis Robert Jr. • CF • Mets

Will Luis Robert Jr. Bounce Back in the Big Apple?

New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. will be in a very different environment this year as he adjusts to playing for the Mets instead of the White Sox. Robert has flashed a very high ceiling and has elite raw talent, but has struggled with injuries and consistency throughout the last few seasons. 2025 was a down year for the 28-year-old, who hit .223 with 14 homers and 33 stolen bases in 110 games. His totals were very similar to his 2024 numbers but a big dropoff from his 2023 stats, when he hit .264 with 38 homers and a .358 wOBA in a career-high 145 games. He has elite power and speed upside as he joins the Mets, but he needs to cut down on his strikeouts and improve his average to be a top outfield option. The Mets have brought him along very slowly this spring, and he is 3-for-7 (.429) in his very limited playing time. If he slots into a good spot in the order on a regular basis, he will have a very high ceiling, but he'll need to improve against righties, or he could slip into a platoon. He's a boom-or-bust play with lots of upside, and he makes sense as a middle-round outfielder. He's currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 26 outfielder, making him a nice third outfielder in most standard-sized mixed leagues.

3 days ago

Cody Ponce • SP • Blue Jays

Cody Ponce Is Putting Together a Solid Spring

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Cody Ponce has worked eight innings in four spring training games for the Blue Jays, allowing just one run on six hits with four strikeouts. With Jose Berrios (elbow) dealing with an injury issue, Ponce's spot in the Blue Jays rotation is even more secure heading into the season. The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $30 million contract with Toronto in December after earning MVP honors in the KBO in Korea last year while pitching for the Hanwha Eagles. Ponce put together an impressive 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 252 strikeouts in 180 2/3 innings pitched. Before heading overseas, the righty had just a 5.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 5.47 FIP in 20 appearances with the Pirates. He seems to be ready to readjust to the MLB, and even though his strikeout numbers may not translate, he has been effective in his spring training innings so far. He's a very intriguing option with good upside in mixed leagues, and he is currently the No. 72 SP in Rotoballer's rankings.

3 days ago

Victor Vodnik • RP • Rockies

Can Victor Vodnik Be a Late-Round Saves Source?

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik finished 2025 with 10 saves in his 52 appearances last season and is expected to start the year as the team's primary closer. He earned eight of those saves over his last 17 games, stretching from Aug. 12 through the end of the year. During that run, he had a 1.06 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 2.37 FIP with 14 strikeouts in 17 innings. Despite that promising finish, Vodnik has had a rough spring so far and has an ugly 27.00 ERA in his three games. He showed the potential to be a solid source of cheap saves, but he could be on a short leash if his struggles continue into the season. The Rockies also may not give him a ton of save opportunities after losing 119 games last season. If you're desperate for saves late in your draft, he is a viable option, but he is a high-risk pick as the No. 89 relief pitcher in RotoBaller's rankings.

3 days ago

Walker Buehler • SP • Padres

Walker Buehler Looks Likely to Make Padres Opening Day Rotation

MLB.com's Manny Randhawa writes that at this point, "it stands to reason" that right-hander Walker Buehler "will be part" of the San Diego Padres' Opening Day starting rotation now that right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) will start the year on the injured list. As camp progressed, Buehler and German Marquez emerged as the favorites for the final rotation spot. Buehler entered his start against the Giants on Monday with a 5.40 ERA over two spring outings, and Marquez was hit hard his last time out against the Royals to push his spring ERA to 12.15. Buehler tossed five scoreless innings against the Giants on Monday with seven strikeouts to drop his Cactus League ERA to 3.09. The 31-year-old is no longer the same pitcher who throws in the high-90s after missing all of the 2023 season due to arm issues. He had an ERA over 5.00 in his final season in L.A. in 2024 and had a 5.38 ERA and 1.52 WHIP in 126 innings with Boston and Philadelphia last year. The fantasy upside is now limited with a lowered strikeout rate, but Buehler could bounce back in San Diego in a pitcher-friendly home environment. Buehler's fantasy stock in NL-only leagues is on the rise.

4 days ago

James Wood • LF • Nationals

James Wood Struggling at the Plate This Spring

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood entered Monday's Grapefruit League action in spring training hitting just .074 (2-for-27) in 11 games played. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger has not hit a home run, has driven in three, scored two runs, walked five times, and struck out 10 times in 32 plate appearances. It's worth noting, but fantasy managers shouldn't put too much stock into Wood's small spring training sample size. Remember, he was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his first full season in the majors, slashing .256/.350/.475 with an .825 OPS, 31 home runs, 94 RBI, 87 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 689 plate appearances over 157 games played. However, Wood did also lead the league with 221 strikeouts. The young outfielder has elite raw power and uses the entire field, making him one of the higher-upside fantasy outfielders going into just his second full MLB season. RotoBaller has Wood ranked as its No. 12 outfielder. Don't let his slow spring cause you to devalue him in upcoming drafts.

4 days ago

Raisel Iglesias • RP • Braves

Raisel Iglesias a Risky Fantasy Closer After Inconsistent Season?

Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Raisel Iglesias should be considered a shaky low-end No. 1 fantasy closer going into the 2026 season after a notable bullpen addition for Atlanta this offseason and following an inconsistent 2025 campaign. Iglesias had a strong 85.3% save share for the Braves last year and racked up 29 saves in 67 1/3 innings pitched in his 11th year in the big leagues. The 36-year-old veteran converted on 21 of his 22 save chances and had a stingy 1.34 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 10 walks in his last 40 1/3 innings, but he really struggled early on and held a 6.00 ERA into June. With the addition of All-Star closer Robert Suarez in free agency, the Braves surely won't hesitate to give Suarez the ninth-inning role in 2026 if Iglesias falters again like he did in the first half of last season. RotoBaller has Iglesias ranked as the No. 10 fantasy closer. If you take him, landing Suarez later in your draft would be ideal.

4 days ago

Wyatt Langford • LF • Rangers

Wyatt Langford Tearing the Cover Off the Ball in Cactus League

Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford might be primed for a breakout season in 2026 in his third year in the league. Going into Monday's Cactus League action, the 24-year-old was hitting .481/.548/.1.000 with a ridiculous 1.548 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, nine runs scored, four walks, and four strikeouts in 31 plate appearances over 11 games played. The former fourth overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida has played in exactly 134 games in both of his two MLB seasons so far. In 268 total games, he's hit .247/.335/.423 with a .758 OPS, 38 home runs, 136 RBI, 147 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases in 1,130 plate appearances. Langford had his first 20-20 campaign last year despite three separate trips to the injured list due to oblique injuries. Durability is certainly a question, but when healthy, there's no debating that Langford's high-end power/speed upside makes him a top-15 fantasy outfielder. Fantasy managers will be hoping that he can carry over his hot hitting this spring into the regular season.

4 days ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli on the Rise After Strong Spring Showing

Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli, who will start on Opening Day on March 26 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, continues to boost his fantasy baseball stock going into the 2026 season with a strong spring performance. Cavalli, 27, has allowed just an unearned run on one hit while walking two and striking out nine in nine innings over his three Grapefruit League starts. The former first-round pick in 2020 out of the University of Oklahoma made his major-league debut in 2022 (one start), but he didn't return to the majors until 2025 after multiple setbacks following Tommy John surgery in 2023. In his 10 starts last year, he went 3-1 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 15 walks in 48 2/3 innings. Not only did Cavalli look solid in his return in the second half of 2025, but he also displayed better velocity than before his right-elbow surgery. With strong results this spring, Cavalli's fantasy ADP is on the rise as an intriguing late-round flier for starting pitching depth in mixed leagues.

4 days ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Homers, Drives in Four on Monday

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle continues to impress in spring training as he looks to break camp with the major-league team on Opening Day in less than two weeks. McGonigle went 1-for-3 with a home run, four RBI, and two walks in Monday's 13-6 Grapefruit League win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The 21-year-old former first-round pick in 2023 has looked mature beyond his years at the plate and on defense this spring for Detroit. Offensively, McGonigle is sporting a strong 1.063 OPS with two home runs, 10 walks, and six strikeouts in 16 Grapefruit League games. It's unclear whether he'll actually make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, but even if he doesn't, McGonigle will push to make his major-league debut sooner rather than later. He proved last year that he's one of the best hitting prospects in baseball, and MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect, behind only the Pirates' Konnor Griffin. McGonigle's stock continues to rise, and he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 fantasy shortstop for 2026.

4 days ago

Zyhir Hope • OF • Dodgers

Zyhir Hope Reassigned to Minor-League Camp on Monday

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Monday that they reassigned outfield prospect Zyhir Hope to minor-league camp, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Hope was always a long shot to break camp with the big-league squad out of spring training, especially after hitting just .167 (6-for-36) with no homers, two doubles, five RBI, seven runs scored, three walks, and 12 strikeouts in 39 plate appearances over 20 Cactus League games in spring training. The 21-year-old is expected to begin the 2026 campaign at Double-A Tulsa after hitting .266/.376/.428 with an .804 OPS, 13 home runs, 80 RBI, 69 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases in 127 games with High-A Great Lakes and Tulsa in 2025. Hope played in only six games for Tulsa. Despite standing at only 5-foot-10, 193 pounds, he has impressive raw power from the left side. The Dodgers' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is likely to spend all of 2026 in the minors before potentially debuting in the Show in 2027. For now, he's strictly a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues for his power/speed upside.

4 days ago

Hagen Smith • SP • White Sox

White Sox Reassign Hagen Smith to Minor-League Camp

The Chicago White Sox announced on Monday that they reassigned left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith to minor-league camp. Smith will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Charlotte, but he figures to make his major-league debut with the Pale Hose at some point this year. The 22-year-old southpaw spent all of last year working at Double-A Birmingham, going 3-3 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 108:56 K:BB in 75 2/3 innings pitched over his 20 starts. The former fifth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Arkansas was considered one of the highest-floor starting pitchers of his draft class, but his inability to throw strikes so far in the minors has been worrisome. Elbow soreness early last year also caused Smith to miss six weeks. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder still has a dominant fastball/slider combination, but he's going to need to throw more strikes if he's going to be successful at the major-league level. Smith is strictly a dynasty/keeper-league stash for now.

4 days ago

Orion Kerkering • RP • Phillies

Orion Kerkering to Pitch in Minor-League Game on Tuesday

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed reliever Orion Kerkering (hamstring) will pitch in a minor-league game on Tuesday, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Kerkering is ready to make his first appearance in a game this spring after throwing a successful live batting practice session in camp over the weekend. The 24-year-old is recovering from a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain, but barring a setback, he has time to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season at the end of this month. The hard-throwing former fifth-rounder in 2022 out of the University of South Florida struggled with command in 2025, walking 27 batters in 60 relief innings during the regular season. He also went 8-4 with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and the first four saves of his big-league career. Kerking also had 19 holds for the Phillies. He'll only be appealing in fantasy in leagues that count holds in 2026.

4 days ago

Gabriel Moreno • C • Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Expect Gabriel Moreno to be Ready for Opening Day

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (forearm) will start throwing next week, and manager Torey Lovullo feels strongly that Moreno will be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic. Moreno has been dealing with right-forearm inflammation, but an MRI exam over the weekend ruled out any structural damage. The 26-year-old's arm injury affects him more when he throws than when he hits, too, so fantasy managers shouldn't have to be too worried about his status for the start of the 2026 regular season. Still, it's a reminder that the Venezuelan backstop is more of a No. 2 catcher in fantasy leagues than a starter, as he's played in over 100 games just once in his four MLB seasons. Despite hitting a career-high .285 (79-for-277) in 83 games in 2025, Moreno still didn't reach double-digit home runs and only drove in 40. He missed two months due to a fractured right index finger. The good news is he was hitting well to close out the year.

4 days ago

Jett Williams • SS • Brewers

Brewers Reassign Jett Williams to Minor-League Camp

The Milwaukee Brewers reassigned infield prospect Jett Williams to minor-league camp on Monday, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. We recently posted that Williams has been putting up video-game numbers in Cactus League play this spring with a .364 batting average, .500 on-base percentage, .636 slugging percentage, and a 1.136 OPS, but apparently it wasn't enough to convince the team's brass that he should start on the big-league roster for Opening Day. It was pretty much a done deal that the 22-year-old would begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Nashville when he missed over two weeks this spring with a left-quadriceps injury. Still, Williams turned heads at the plate during the Cactus League and could make his big-league debut sooner rather than later this year if he continues to swing the bat this well in the minors. The former 14th overall pick in 2022 has intriguing power/speed potential at a premium position after hitting .261/.363/.465 with 17 homers, 52 RBI, and 34 stolen bases in 130 minor-league games in 2025. Williams is Milwaukee's No. 3-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline.

4 days ago

Kyle Higashioka • C • Rangers

Kyle Higashioka Back in Action on Monday

Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (back) returned to the Cactus League lineup on Monday against the Chicago White Sox, doing the catching while hitting seventh in the batting order. Higashioka had not played since suffering a back injury in spring training on March 5. Now that the 35-year-old veteran backstop is back in action, he should have no problems being ready for Opening Day later this month, barring a setback with his back. Higgy split catching duties in 2025 with Jonah Heim in his first year in Texas and finished with a .241/.291/.403 slash line, .693 OPS, 11 home runs, 47 RBI, 33 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 94 games and 327 plate appearances. In 2026, he'll be splitting catching duties with Danny Jansen in Texas. Unless Jansen misses time with injury, Higashioka will likely be the team's No. 2 catcher, leaving his upside limited in fantasy. His 17-homer season in 2024 with the Padres will most likely end up being his best MLB season.

4 days ago

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