MLB News

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider touched 96.7 mph twice on the radar gun during his Grapefruit League outing on Thursday, and his four-seam fastball averaged 95 mph, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The late life on Strider's pitches was there, and he got a swhiff on five of the 12 sliders that he threw against the Toronto Blue Jays. Strider allowed two earned runs on two hits while walking one and striking out four in his 2 1/3 innings of work. It's good news after the 27-year-old averaged 93.1 mph with his fastball in his spring debut on Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles. Strider wasn't too worried about the radar gun, though, and it's encouraging that his velocity was back up this week. He averaged 98.2 mph in his first two MLB seasons before struggling in 2025 with a 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 9.4 K/9 in his return from elbow reconstruction last year. Strider may never recapture his pre-injury form, but a rebound in 2026 is possible while being another year removed from surgery. Expect to see his ADP rise this spring if his velocity slowly comes back. Right now, he's ranked as the No. 26 fantasy starting pitcher at RotoBaller.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) has been diagnosed with a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger, according to the team, and he'll be re-evaluated in two weeks, per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Pena and the Astros were downplaying the severity of the injury that occurred on Wednesday while playing for Team Dominican Republic, when a ground ball took a bad hop and hit him in the finger. The 28-year-old will now miss the World Baseball Classic, and there's a chance he'll be forced to miss the start of the 2026 regular season as well, depending on how he recovers in the next couple of weeks. If Pena is forced to the injured list, Carlos Correa would slide over to shortstop, and Isaac Paredes would fill in at third base in Houston. Fantasy managers might be a little more hesitant to take Pena as a low-end starting shortstop in fantasy drafts now.

Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith has emerged as an elite source of saves in 2026, now sitting as the fourth-highest ranked reliever for the upcoming 2026 fantasy season at RotoBaller, just ahead of Andres Munoz, who registered 38 saves for Seattle a season ago. The right-hander has had a phenomenal first two seasons in the big leagues, amassing 103 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings as a reliever in 2024 with a 1.91 ERA and 0.90 WHIP, then followed it up with 104 strikeouts in 73 2/3 innings with a 2.93 ERA (1.95 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP in 2025 while racking up 16 saves for the Guardians, 13 of which came after August 5 on the heels of the suspension of former closer Emmanuel Clase. Stepping in as the full-time closer in 2026, the 6-foot-5 Smith brings a 96.4 average fastball velocity with a 95th percentile whiff rate and 97th percentile strikeout rate to the role, on a team that won 88 games in '25 and should compete for a division crown once again. He won't be cheap on draft day, but with no indications of a slowdown on the horizon, the 26-year-old is rightfully not only one of the top relievers for fantasy, but he's also one of the top pitchers for fantasy regardless of role (starter or reliever).

Miami Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League game with left calf tightness. The diminutive infielder was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base before his removal in the fourth inning. The severity of the injury is not yet clear, but for a player whose speed could be his greatest fantasy asset, it is certainly a situation to monitor. The 26-year-old swiped 27 bags last season and 31 the year before, and had already recorded three steals through five spring games this year. The switch-hitter makes a ton of contact, registering an 89.2 percent contact rate last season with a low 14.2 percent strikeout rate, which should continue to help buoy his batting average, which came in at .283 in 2025, but there is little power to speak of, thus limiting his fantasy appeal. Still, he's fairly priced in drafts, going around pick 175, and he offers positional versatility with 2B and SS eligibility, so managers in need of steals should consider him there, so long as Thursday's injury proves to be minor.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jordan Lawlar started off Cactus League action with a bang, belting two home runs in his first two games and going 4-for-6 with a walk during that time. Since then, he's gone 0-for-6 over the next three games, but the former first-rounder has also drawn five walks over that stretch, so he's continued to get on base. Set to be the team's everyday center fielder, it should be exciting to see how the organization's former top prospect can perform in 2026 with regular playing time. The right-handed slugger got only sporadic starts during his two stints in the majors last season, but was phenomenal during his time at Triple-A, producing a .313/.403/.564 slash line with 11 home runs and 20 steals in 63 games. The drawback is that he was limited by injury yet again, missing nearly two months with a hamstring strain after playing just 14 games in 2024 between Double and Triple-A due to multiple injuries that included an injury to a hamstring and a reaggravation of it. Once he becomes OF eligible on Yahoo!, it will make him that much more versatile and appealing for fantasy. There is 15/15 likelihood here with 20/20 upside, and he'll cost next to nothing in drafts, if he even gets drafted at all. Remember, this is a player that Arizona thought enough of to allow him to debut in the majors at 20 years old back in 2023.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish had Tommy John surgery in June of 2024 and finally made his long-awaited return to the mound last August. The right-hander was superb in the six starts that he tallied, posting a 2.53 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and an elite 29.4 percent K-BB%. In 30 starts back in 2023, the former fourth-rounder pitched to a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 18.5 percent K-BB%, then logged a 2.75 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 23.3 percent K-BB% in his eight starts in 2024, so last year's success appeared to be a continuation of that stretch of dominance. Fantasy managers are hoping the 6-foot-3 hurler can replicate that success in 2026, and he's mostly looked the part through two spring starts. Although he's yielded four runs on seven hits, the New Mexico State product has walked just one while striking out seven in five innings of work. The hype has potentially driven his ADP of 81 into overvalued territory for someone who's made just 14 starts over the last two years and who could be on an innings limit in 2026, however, there is upside as well if he can make around 25 starts and log 150 innings, as fantasy managers would gladly roster a pitcher at that price who can provide 160 strikeouts while chipping in some wins, lowering ERA, and lowering WHIP along the way.

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (shoulder) will face live hitters in camp for the first time this spring on Friday, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. It's a big step for Stephenson, who still believes that he'll be ready for Opening Day later this month. The 33-year-old veteran missed all of the 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery and made only 12 appearances for the Halos last year due to thoracic outlet syndrome and nerve issues in his shoulder. Stephenson had a 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 10:3 K:BB in his 10 innings a year ago. The Angels don't have a set closer going into the 2026 regular season, so there's a chance Stephenson could rack up some save opportunities if he's healthy. However, he has only three career saves, making Kirby Yates and Ben Joyce (shoulder) more likely candidates for ninth-inning work.

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) continued his hitting progression in camp on Wednesday and took swings for the first time since his hamate bone surgery three weeks ago, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. There's still time for Lindor to be ready for Opening Day later this month, but nothing is guaranteed. The good news is that if Lindor isn't ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, he shouldn't be too far behind in making his season debut. If the 32-year-old five-time All-Star starts on the injured list, Vidal Brujan might be the favorite to make starts at the 6 in Queens in Lindor's absence for a bit. Lindor had his third straight season of 30-plus home runs in 2025 and also reached the 30-steal mark for the second time in the last three seasons. Despite potentially not being ready for Opening Day this year, fantasy managers should still treat him as a top-five shortstop.

Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) will throw off a mound early next week, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It will be the first time that Hader has thrown off a mound in camp after reporting to spring training this year with left-biceps inflammation. The 31-year-old veteran has only been throwing off flat ground so far. Fantasy managers must remember that Hader also missed the last seven weeks of the 2025 season due to a left-shoulder strain, so the hard-throwing six-time All-Star is entering the 2026 season as a risk/reward fantasy closer. Even if he doesn't suffer any setbacks going forward, there's a good chance Hader won't be ready for Opening Day, which would open the door for Bryan Abreu to serve as Houston's closer early on. When healthy last year, Hader was still his dominant self, posting a 2.05 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 28 saves for the Astros.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hand) will visit with a hand specialist on Thursday to determine the extent of his finger injury, manager Joe Espada told Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. A ground ball hit Pena on the ring finger of his right hand and damaged the nail area while playing for Team Dominican Republic on Wednesday. It was also reported that the 28-year-old suffered a small fracture in his finger, but he was sent for X-rays for further information. Pena wanted to remain in the game after the injury. It doesn't appear to be a very serious injury, but we'll know more about his status after he visits with the hand specialist. At the very least, Pena might be shut down from some World Baseball Classic games while his finger heals, but it sounds like he could still be in play for Opening Day in late March. If Pena misses time to begin the 2026 regular season, Carlos Correa would most likely shift over to shortstop, opening up playing time at third for Isaac Paredes.

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge (shoulder) said his right shoulder is "just a little cranky," and he doesn't expect it to be a serious issue, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Kittredge still expects to get back into Grapefruit League games before the end of camp. Manager Craig Albernaz said on Wednesday that the 35-year-old veteran probably wouldn't be ready for Opening Day in late March due to right-shoulder inflammation, so it's a bit contradictory. If anything, the O's will likely err on the side of caution with the veteran reliever to make sure he doesn't overdo it early on. When healthy, Kittredge is expected to be the eighth-inning setup man in front of new closer Ryan Helsley in Baltimore. Despite his age, he had a career-best 30.8% strikeout rate and career-best 5.3% walk rate in 2025. If Helsley were to falter like he did last year in New York, Kittredge would also be next in line for saves.

Colorado Rockies utility man Tyler Freeman (back), who had an injection in his back over the winter, is in the Cactus League lineup on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers for the first time this spring, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. Freeman was dealing with a lower-back strain when he reported to spring training last month, but he's healthy now and is in line to be ready for Opening Day later this month, barring a setback. The 26-year-old right-handed hitter hit an impressive .281/.354/.361 with a career-best .715 OPS, two home runs, 31 RBI, 50 runs scored, and a career-high 18 stolen bases in 428 plate appearances over 110 games last year in his first season with the Rockies. Freeman's ability to play multiple positions will help his cause, as will hitter-friendly Coors Field, but his lack of power upside keeps his ceiling and floor low in fantasy. Still, he can be useful with a big enough role for his contact/speed profile in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues.

Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle (wrist), who is battling a left-wrist sprain in camp, hit in the batting cage on Wednesday and thinks he can play in a Cactus League game on Friday, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Doyle has not played in spring training since being scratched from the lineup last Wednesday with a wrist sprain. The Rockies will surely exercise caution in getting him back into a game this spring, but it sounds like he should be ready for Opening Day in late March, barring a setback. The 27-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2019 out of Shepherd University will be Colorado's starting center fielder in 2026 despite disappointing with a .233/.274/.376 slash line, .651 OPS, 15 homers, 57 RBI, 57 runs, and 18 steals in 138 games last year. Doyle broke out in 2024 with 23 homers, 72 RBI, and 30 stolen bases, and with his batted-ball metrics looking similar last year, he's a prime candidate to bounce back in hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen signed a one-year minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers on Thursday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The four-time MVP and former National League MVP with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013 is entering his 18th MLB season at age 39. McCutchen played in 135 games in 2025 with Pittsburgh, hitting .239/.333/.367 with a career-low .700 OPS, 13 home runs, 57 RBI, and 51 runs scored in 551 plate appearances. While there isn't a whole lot left from McCutchen, he did handle left-handed pitchers better in 2025 and figures to be on the short side of a platoon in Texas at either DH or in a corner-outfield spot. With limited playing time coming his way and a declining profile, fantasy managers can avoid McCutchen in mixed leagues in 2026.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider was a fantasy ace earlier in his career, but he has not been able to return to his dominant levels since missing almost all of the 2024 season with an elbow injury that required an internal brace procedure. He did make 23 starts last year but posted a 4.45 ERA and 4.53 FIP with a 9.4 K/9 rate that was a huge dropoff from his elite 13.8 K/9 in 2022 and 13.6 K/9 in 2023. He is "pacing himself" this spring, but his velocity was noticeably down in his two innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He's a high-risk pick in the middle rounds of your fantasy baseball drafts at this point, especially with renewed velocity concerns. He has a very high ceiling but a low floor as well. He's ranked as the No. 38 pitcher in the RotoBaller rankings, so avoid reaching for him as a top talent unless you've already built in depth or are confident you can get reliable, high-floor options later in your draft

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is coming off another massive season and is starring this spring training for both the Yankees and Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Last year, the Yankees slugger delivered an impressive .331/.357/.688 slash line with 53 home runs, 137 runs scored, 114 RBI, and 12 steals over 152 contests. He claimed his second straight AL MVP Award and continued to be one of the most reliable players for fantasy baseball at any position. Judge has been consistent and elite over the past few seasons, and playing at Yankee Stadium and hitting in the heart of a strong lineup should set him up for another huge season in 2026. Depending on how your league treats the dual-threat of Shohei Ohtani, Judge can definitely be worth the top pick overall. He is ranked No. 2 overall in the RotoBaller rankings behind Ohtani, but either option is a great way to start fantasy baseball drafts with a reliable anchor for your roster.

Baltimore Orioles second baseman/third baseman Blaze Alexander continues to be in line for more playing time early in the season and is projected to slot in as the team's primary second baseman early in the season while Jackson Holliday (hand) recovers from hamate bone surgery. Alexander was acquired from Arizona this offseason after he hit .230/.323/.383 with seven home runs and four steals in 74 games last season. The 26-year-old righty has looked solid in spring training and could move to third base after Holliday returns to his everyday role. If you need some infield help early in the season for AL-only leagues, Alexander is an intriguing flier with upside. He has both power and speed potential and should settle into a utility role once everyone in Baltimore is healthy.

The Cincinnati Reds acquired relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas from the Pirates on Wednesday, sending left-handed utilityman Tyler Callihan to the Pirates. Nicolas is a 27-year-old righty who has pitched in 86 games out of the bullpen for the Buccos over the last three seasons, compiling a 4.68 ERA and 4.10 FIP with 96 strikeouts in 98 career innings. Nicholas will likely slot into a middle relief spot for the Reds and provide solid depth. He's consistently in the upper-90's with his fastball and has posted a solid strikeout rate, even though he does have some control questions. He joins a crowded middle relief mix for the Reds and could start the year in the minors since he has one more option remaining. He'll add organizational depth for Cincinnati and will likely get a chance to contribute at some point this season, although he doesn't need to be considered for fantasy baseball in standard-sized mixed leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired utilityman Tyler Callihan (left forearm) from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Kyle Nicolas in a rare trade inside the division. Callihan was expected to compete for a roster spot in Cincinnati after suffering a grisly left forearm fracture while crashing into the left-field wall in Atlanta last May. He was unable to return after only four games in his rookie campaign. The 25-year-old played LF and 2B in his four MLB games and also played 1B at Triple-A and 3B earlier in his minor-league journey. In addition to his high level of versatility, he has a solid bat, as he showed in 24 Triple-A games last year, posting a solid .303/.410/.528 triple-slash with a 15.1% walk rate, a 27.4% strikeout rate, and 150 wRC+. Callihan will get a chance to compete for an Opening Day job in Pittsburgh, but even if he starts at Triple-A, he'll likely get a look at some spot in the Pirates lineup this season. He's an interesting bat to watch in Pittsburgh, but he isn't mixed-league material at this point.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan is in consideration for a starting position in the rotation to begin the 2026 MLB season, according to Courtney Hollmon of MLB.com. With Blake Snell (elbow) expected to miss the start of the season and Gavin Stone (shoulder) sidelined, Ryan could carve out a role at the back of the rotation. The 27-year-old underwent Tommy John in August of 2024 but is fully healthy to begin 2026. In 2024, he made his MLB debut, logging 20 1/3 innings while looking quite comfortable, posting a 1.33 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Through the early part of spring, Ryan has logged three scoreless frames with a 4:2 K:BB. Ryan is a name to monitor closely in deeper 12+ team formats, as he could hold early-season streaming appeal if he earns a starting role.