MLB News

Paul DeJong • 3B • Yankees

Paul DeJong Plans to Stay With Yankees

New York Yankees veteran infielder Paul DeJong doesn't plan to opt out of his minor-league deal with the team on Thursday, a source told Joel Sherman of the New York Post. DeJong's plan is to try to make the big-league squad out of spring training, and if he doesn't, he'll begin the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If the 32-year-old veteran were to win a job on the Opening Day roster for next week, he'd be operating in a bench role, leaving him very little fantasy upside at this point in his career. He's going into his 10th season in the big leagues with his seventh different team. Last year in 57 games with the Washington Nationals, DeJong hit .228/.269/.373 with a .642 OPS, six home runs, 23 RBI, 18 runs scored, and four stolen bases. DeJong reached the 30-homer mark once in his career, but that was all the way back in his third year in the big leagues in 2019 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

6 hours ago

Matt Svanson • RP • Cardinals

Matt Svanson Emerging as Closer Option in St. Louis?

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed reliever Matt Svanson could be involved in a closing committee in St. Louis this year, making him an intriguing candidate to speculate on for saves in deeper fantasy formats going into the 2026 campaign. Manager Oliver Marmol is already on record saying that he won't have a fixed closer going into the season, so Svanson, Riley O'Brien, JoJo Romero, and Ryne Stanek could all be options for the ninth inning. The 27-year-old Svanson was 4-0 in his major-league debut in 2025 with a 1.94 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 60 1/3 innings pitched. He was deployed in a high-leverage spot in Wednesday's 4-1 Grapefruit League debut win over the Houston Astros, too, picking up his third spring win while throwing two shutout innings with a strikeout and no walks. Svanson entered the day with a 1.50 ERA, six K's, and a walk in six spring innings. His strong performance in spring training could make him a favorite to lead St. Louis' bullpen in save chances.

6 hours ago

Max Fried • SP • Yankees

Max Fried to Start on Opening Day for Yankees

The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that left-hander Max Fried will take the hill for Opening Day next Wednesday on the road against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Fried is the easy choice for the Yankees to kick off the 2026 season with both Gerrit Cole (elbow) and Carlos Rodon (elbow) rehabbing elbow injuries. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw was excellent in his first year in the Bronx in 2025, earning his third career All-Star selection while leading the league in wins (19). Fried also had a 2.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 189:51 K:BB in 195 1/3 innings over his 32 starts during the regular season. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder is the ace of the Yankees' staff and should be treated as a low-end No. 1 fantasy starting pitcher going into his second season in pinstripes. It was only Fried's third time in nine MLB seasons that he reached 30 starts, and he has still never gone over 200 innings or 200 strikeouts. Fantasy managers should be starting him with confidence next week.

9 hours ago

River Ryan • SP • Dodgers

Dodgers Option River Ryan to Triple-A

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Wednesday that they optioned right-hander River Ryan to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Even with left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) not expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season next week, Ryan will start the year on the farm. The 27-year-old had Tommy John surgery in August of 2024 and didn't pitch at all for the Dodgers last year. The Dodgers chose to ignore his 1.86 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and four walks in his 9 2/3 innings in spring training in favor of giving him a softer runway in the minors to return from his right-elbow injury. The former 11th-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2021 made his big-league debut in L.A. in 2024 and looked good, allowing just three earned runs with 18 K's and nine walks in 20 1/3 innings in four starts. L.A.'s starting rotation won't be easy to crack, but Ryan should make starts again for the Dodgers at some point in 2026.

11 hours ago

Corbin Carroll • RF • Diamondbacks

Corbin Carroll Homers for First Time Since Returning From Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll hit his first home run of the spring in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs, a shot to left-center field off right-hander Edward Cabrera, reports Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. The homer had a 105.5 mph exit velocity. Carroll also hit a line drive to right field earlier in the game that came off his bat at 106.6 mph. The 25-year-old former National League Rookie of the Year has only been the designated hitter for Arizona since returning from surgery on a broken hamate bone in his right hand, but he's expected to be cleared to play the field soon, and he should be ready to go for Opening Day late next week. Fantasy managers should like what they saw from Carroll on Wednesday at the plate as far as his pop goes following hand surgery. With the ability to contribute across all fantasy categories in a hitter-friendly home ballpark, Carroll is a top-25 overall fantasy player in 2026.

11 hours ago

Santiago Espinal • 3B • Dodgers

Santiago Espinal Makes Dodgers Opening Day Roster

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of infielder/outfielder Santiago Espinal on Wednesday, the team announced. He has earned a spot on the big-league roster to open the 2026 season after hitting .412 (14-for-34) with two home runs, three doubles, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in 14 Cactus League games in spring training. The 31-year-old figures to be in a platoon role at second base to begin the year with Hyeseong Kim since Tommy Edman (ankle) could miss the first month of the season. The Dominican was an All-Star back in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays, when he hit .267/.322/.370 with seven homers and 51 RBI in 135 games. It's a surprising development for him to make L.A.'s roster after he failed to hit a home run in 114 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025. Espinal has some talent with the bat, but his path to regular playing time in Hollywood is a difficult one.

11 hours ago

Kyle Harrison • SP • Brewers

Kyle Harrison Leaves Game Early With Blister Issue

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison (finger) left his Cactus League outing on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning at 59 pitches due to a blister on his left index finger, according to Brewers reporter Sophia Minnaert. Before leaving, the 24-year-old southpaw allowed four runs (one earned) while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings of work. It's unclear at this point if Harrison's injury will keep him from being ready for the start of the 2026 regular season late next week. Harrison started last year with the San Francisco Giants before eventually being sent to the Boston Red Sox in the Rafael Devers trade. He was slightly better in Boston to close out the year and finished with a 4.04 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 38:14 K:BB in only 35 2/3 big-league innings over 11 outings (six starts). Fantasy managers should probably only consider him as a late-round flier with strikeout upside in 15-plus team leagues. If he doesn't win a rotation spot out of spring training, Harrison will likely be a swingman for the Brewers if he's healthy. UPDATE: Manager Pat Murphy said he doesn't expect Harrison's schedule to be changed by more than a day because of his blister issue.

12 hours ago

Brady Singer • SP • Reds

Brady Singer Leaves Wednesday's Game With a Blister

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brady Singer (finger) left his Cactus League outing on Wednesday with a blister, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Before being pulled, Singer threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies with two hits allowed, a walk, and three strikeouts. It's unclear if the 29-year-old's blister injury will prevent him from making his first start of the 2026 regular season, which is scheduled to come on March 29 against the Boston Red Sox. In his first full year in Cincy after being acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals, the former 18th overall pick from Florida in 2018 went 14-12 with a 4.03 ERA (3.98 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, and 163:60 K:BB in 169 2/3 innings over 32 starts. Singer pitches in a very hitter-friendly home ballpark and has a modest 22.1% strikeout rate in his six big-league seasons, so he relies heavily on his sinker to keep the ball out of the air. In shallow mixed leagues, fantasy managers should be able to find better upside pitching targets late in drafts.

12 hours ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle in Serious Consideration to Crack Opening Day Roster?

Detroit Tigers shortstop prospect Kevin McGonigle is staying in big-league camp on Wednesday rather than playing in the spring breakout game, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. "Their focus is in big-league camp and continuing trying to make an impression, state their case to be part of our puzzle," manager A.J. Hinch said. With just over a week to go until Opening Day next week, McGonigle remains in the Tigers' big-league camp in spring training. The former first-rounder has hit .242 (8-for-33) with two home runs, six RBI, eight runs scored, two stolen bases, and a 7:10 K:BB in 44 plate appearances over 16 Grapefruit League games, and he continues to play well beyond his years. Even if Detroit decides to have the 21-year-old start in the minors, it shouldn't be long before he's contending for starting duties at the 6 in Detroit. McGonigle needs to be stashed in all redraft formats and should already be rostered in dynasty leagues.

12 hours ago

Isaac Collins • LF • Royals

Isaac Collins Serving as the DH on Wednesday

Kansas City Royals outfielder Isaac Collins (back, side) is serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers. It will be Collins' first spring training game since March 10 while recovering from back and left-side tightness. Barring a setback, Collins should be ready for Opening Day at the end of next week. In six Cactus League games before his injury, the 28-year-old switch-hitter went 2-for-18 (.111) with two walks and nine strikeouts in 20 plate appearances. Collins hit .263/.368/.411 with a .779 OPS, nine home runs, 54 RBI, 56 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases in 130 games over 441 plate appearances in his first full big-league season in 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers. In deep-mixed and OBP leagues, Collins is a decent late-round flier with some speed and modest power. He will most likely be in some sort of platoon role in his first year in KC.

12 hours ago

Jake Rogers • C • Tigers

Jake Rogers Suffers a "Mild Concussion," Expected to Be Ready for Opening Day

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (concussion) has suffered a mild concussion after being struck in the face by his own bat while working in the batting cages, per MLB.com's Jason Beck. Beck reports that Rogers received stitches but that Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said the team expects him to be fine by Opening Day. Across 142 plate appearances in 2025, Rogers slashed .187/.277/.333 with three home runs, 19 RBI, and 14 runs scored. The 30-year-old posted an impressive 10.6% walk rate in 2025 and owns a double-digit barrel rate for his career, but he's also struck out at a 32.1% clip across nearly 1,100 MLB plate appearances. Once healthy, Rogers is expected to serve as Detroit's backup catcher behind Dillon Dingler. If Rogers ends up missing time to open the season, veteran backstop Tomas Nido could be the favorite to break camp with the team.

13 hours ago

Dylan Crews • RF • Nationals

Can Dylan Crews Establish Himself as a Productive Big-Leaguer in 2026?

Once considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews has struggled to be a consistently productive player early in his MLB career. Across 322 plate appearances in 2025, Crews hit .208/.280/.352 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. At just 24 years old, Crews still has plenty of time to develop into a quality big-leaguer. Crews also has the benefit of playing for. a rebuilding Nationals' squad that should give him plenty of runway for everyday playing time. However, Crews posted an uninspiring 38.7% hard-hit rate in 2025, and it's worth noting that he owns a .634 OPS across 454 career MLB plate appearances. He has the potential for five-category fantasy production if it all comes together, but Crews has yet to prove he can handle big-league pitching and comes with a fair degree of downside risk heading into 2026.

13 hours ago

Logan Henderson • SP • Brewers

Logan Henderson Slated for Return to Game Action on Friday

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson (elbow) is scheduled to pitch two or three innings in a game on Friday, per Brewers beat writer Sophia Minnaert. Henderson experienced some elbow soreness in early March but seems to have avoided a major injury. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2025 and dominated in a small sample size, recording a 3-0 record with a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings (five starts). Henderson's spring injury setback likely means he will open the season in the Minors as he builds up to a full starter's workload. Milwaukee also has a stockpile of MLB-quality pitching depth, which could delay Henderson's return to the big leagues even further. However, the young right-hander should be able to force his way to the Majors sooner rather than later if he can stay healthy and pitches as he did in 2025.

13 hours ago

Robby Snelling • SP • Marlins

Marlins Reassign Robby Snelling to Minor-League Camp

The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reassigned left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling to minor-league camp. Snelling, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, just couldn't win an Opening Day roster spot out of spring training while competing with left-hander Braxton Garrett and right-hander Janson Junk for the final two starting rotation spots. The 22-year-old southpaw will have to wait to make his major-league debut, but he doesn't have a ton left to prove down on the farm, so fantasy managers should expect him in the big leagues in 2026 sooner than later. Snelling had a 7.56 ERA in Grapefruit League play over four outings (8 1/3 innings), but he did strike out 13 batters while walking four. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has a high floor with a fastball that showed more velocity in 2025. Snelling also features a slider, sweeper, and changeup. Stash him in dynasty/keeper leagues as a potential mid-rotation starter.

13 hours ago

Quinn Priester • SP • Brewers

Quinn Priester Scheduled to Throw a Bullpen on Saturday, Aiming for April Return

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Quinn Priester (wrist) is slated to throw a bullpen on Saturday and is targeting an April return to the big-league mound, per Brewers beat writer Sophia Minnaert. Priester is battling a nerve issue that has caused issues in his right wrist, but the team is hopeful he will be able to avoid surgery. The 25-year-old was a breakout success in 157 1/3 innings for Milwaukee in 2025, posting a 13-3 record with a 3.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. Priester's subpar 20.2% strikeout rate limits his fantasy appeal, but the young right-hander has demonstrated he can be a productive pitcher against MLB hitters and should have a spot in the Brewers' rotation once he returns from injury. With Priester sidelined to open the year, left-hander Kyle Harrison and right-hander Brandon Sproat appear likely to open the season in Milwaukee's rotation.

13 hours ago

Jesus Made • SS • Brewers

When Will Jesus Made Make His Major League Debut?

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made earned an invitation to big league camp this spring after cruising through three levels of the minor leagues last year with a .285/.379/.413 slash line, nine home runs, and 47 steals in 115 games, finishing the year in Double-A as an 18-year-old. The Dominican slugger was reassigned to minor-league camp earlier this month, and although a 2026 debut with the Brewers is unlikely, it isn't out of the question. The soon-to-be-19-year-old has some of the highest-rated hit, power, and speed tools (fielding, too) in the minors and has risen to MLB's No. 3 prospect overall. The 6-foot-1 phenom will likely begin the year at Double-A, and even if a 2026 MLB debut ends up not being in the cards, he's likely to have an impact in 2027, so keen fantasy managers would be wise to keep tabs on his progress this year.

13 hours ago

Brandon Woodruff • SP • Brewers

Brandon Woodruff Scheduled to Throw Four Innings on Thursday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (lat) is scheduled to throw four innings on Thursday, per Brewers beat writer Sophia Minnaert. The 33-year-old's status for Opening Day is officially up in the air as he works his way back from a lat injury. However, he could be on track to be part of the team's early-season plans if he can make it through the rest of his ramp-up period unscathed. Woodruff missed all of 2024 and the first three-plus months of 2025 with a shoulder injury. He was excellent upon his return last season, pitching to a 3.20 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 83 strikeouts across 64 2/3 innings (12 starts) before suffering a season-ending lat strain in September. Woodruff comes with significant health concerns at this point in his career, but the veteran right-hander also carries high-end fantasy upside.

13 hours ago

Dylan Moore • 2B • Phillies

Dylan Moore Dealing With Bruised Foot

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Dylan Moore (foot) is dealing with a bruised foot from a foul ball in spring training, manager Rob Thomson told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. It's nothing serious for Moore that will put him in danger of missing Opening Day late next week. Moore, who is pushing for the last bench spot to begin the 2026 regular season, had two hits and a walk in a Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves before being removed in the top of the fifth inning. Speed is the 33-year-old Moore's greatest asset to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. He wasn't able to hit enough in 2025 in 106 games with the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, slashing .201/.267/.374 with a .642 OPS, 11 homers, 25 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. Moore stole a career-high 32 bags in 2024 and has 118 thefts in his seven major-league seasons. Unless injuries in Philly force him into a bigger role, Moore will simply be a speed asset in NL-only leagues.

13 hours ago

Abimelec Ortiz • 1B • Nationals

Abimelec Ortiz Optioned to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that they optioned first baseman/designated hitter Abimelec Ortiz to Triple-A Rochester. The left-handed slugger had spent his entire career in the Texas organization before being acquired this offseason in the MacKenzie Gore trade. He showed well in his first taste of Triple-A pitching in 2025, slashing .283/.388/.565 with nine home runs and a 12.7 percent walk rate in 41 games there. The 24-year-old was just 3-for-22 (.136) in Cactus League play, though, and will have to continue his development with the team's Triple-A affiliate. It's possible the Nats' 24th-ranked prospect debuts later this season, but for now, he's off the fantasy radar.

14 hours ago

Andrew Painter • SP • Phillies

Andrew Painter Fires Four Scoreless in Final Spring Tune-Up

On Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter made what is likely his final spring appearance before the regular season gets underway, twirling four innings of one-hit ball against the Braves, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out three. The Phils' top pitching prospect had a bumpy outing his last time out (three earned runs), but Wednesday's performance made it three scoreless appearances out of four this spring with an 8:2 K:BB in a total of 11 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-7 hurler is expected to be the team's fifth starter once the regular season begins, and if he lives up to the former hype, the right-hander could remain there for the rest of the season. The former first-rounder struggled to a 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 13.7 percent K-BB% in 106 2/3 innings at Triple-A in 2025, his first time pitching in minor league regular-season games since 2022 after elbow problems and eventually Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2023 and 2024. Most fantasy managers may want to wait and see before rostering the tall right-hander, but proactive managers in deeper leagues with available bench space may consider stashing him in the event his spring success carries over into the regular season.

14 hours ago

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