MLB News

Anthony Volpe • SS • Yankees

Anthony Volpe Unlikely to Return Until May?

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will start the 2026 season on the injured list after recovering from left-labrum surgery last October, and he's unlikely to return until at least May, according to Randy Miller of NJ Advance Media. Volpe's fantasy value obviously will take a pretty big hit this year with the expectation that he'll miss at least the first month of the campaign. He initially injured his left shoulder while diving for a ball on May 3 and required several cortisone shots to get through the season. It most definitely hurt Volpe's offensive production in 2025, and he finished with a depressed .212/.272/.391 slash line with a .663 OPS, career-low 19 home runs, career-high 72 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 153 regular-season games. It could take the 24-year-old some time to work his way back as well in 2026. Until Volpe is cleared to make his season debut, speedster Jose Caballero is expected to handle most of the work at the 6 in the Bronx.

11 hours ago

Brett Wisely • 2B

Brett Wisely Designated for Assignment by Rays

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brett Wisely was designated for assignment by the organization on Friday. Wisely was the odd man out after the team acquired outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. from the Miami Marlins earlier in the day. Wisely never got a chance to play for the Rays, as he was acquired by the organization in a trade with the Atlanta Braves last month. The 26-year-old is slashing .214/.265/.319 with seven home runs and 49 RBI in 168 games across parts of three big league seasons. It's possible another team claims him and gives Wisely a chance to earn a spot in Spring Training.

13 hours ago

Mike Vasil • RP • White Sox

Mike Vasil to Compete for Starting Rotation Spot

Chicago White Sox pitcher Mike Vasil will get a chance to compete for a starting rotation spot in Spring Training. Vasil mostly pitched as a reliever last season, but recently said on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast that he'll get a chance to pitch as a starting pitcher. The 25-year-old registered a 2.50 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and an 82/52 K/BB ratio across 47 games (three starts) with the White Sox last season. He mostly worked as a multi-inning reliever and threw over 100 innings in 2025. The transition to a starting pitcher doesn't seem too difficult for Vasil, given he's already stretched out as a multiple-inning reliever. Before the 2025 campaign, Vasil was a full-time starting pitcher in the minor leagues with the New York Mets. The White Sox certainly need help in the starting rotation, so they might as well give Vasil a chance.

13 hours ago

Miguel Mendez • P • Padres

Miguel Mendez Could be on the Big-League Radar in 2026

San Diego Padres right-handed pitching prospect Miguel Mendez "could factor into San Diego's starting depth this season and push up his timeline with a strong spring," according to MLB.com. Mendez is still raw at 23 years old and made only six starts at Double-A San Antonio last year, but the Dominican hurler broke out in 2025. At three minor-league levels, he went 8-7 with a 3.22 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 118 strikeouts and 45 walks in 95 innings pitched over his 21 starts. General manager A.J. Preller is notoriously aggressive in promoting prospects if he feels they are deserving, so nobody should count out Mendez for his big-league debut in 2026, especially since the Padres' pitching depth is one of their glaring weaknesses. Mendez features plus pitches in his 95-98 mph fastball and mid-80s slider. Despite his slim build (6-foot-2, 165 pounds), Mendez can hit triple digits regularly and has one of the best sliders in the minors.

14 hours ago

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Can Konnor Griffin Win Shortstop Job in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, the consensus top prospect in baseball entering the 2026 season, made it look way too easy in his first year of pro ball in 2025, reaching Double-A at just 19 years old. The former ninth overall pick by the Bucs in 2024 hit .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases in 122 games (563 plate appearances) with Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Double-A Altoona. The Pirates might want to practice some patience with Griffin since he has played in just 21 games above A ball, but MLB.com speculates that it might be hard for Pittsburgh to keep him off the Opening Day roster if he continues to do what he did last year in spring training. Griffin has plus-plus speed, amazing athleticism, and is physical at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds. He has all the makings of a future superstar. Griffin should already be rostered in all keeper leagues, and his current 241 ADP should only continue to rise this spring in single-year leagues.

14 hours ago

Brandon Sproat • SP • Brewers

Brandon Sproat Should be in Mix for Brewers Rotation Spot

After being acquired from the New York Mets in the deal that involved right-hander Freddy Peralta in the offseason, right-handed pitching prospect Brandon Sproat "should be right in Milwaukee's rotation mix," according to MLB.com. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2022 out of Florida made his MLB debut in New York last year and was inconsistent, allowing 11 earned runs on 18 hits while walking seven and striking out 17 in 20 2/3 innings over four starts. Sproat features two high-velocity fastballs and an intriguing offspeed mix of a curveball, sweeper, slider, and changeup. The Brewers could decide that Sproat needs more seasoning at Triple-A, but his chances of winning an Opening Day rotation spot increased with the move to Milwaukee. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder will be a nice late-round flier in mixed fantasy leagues with a deep arsenal if he's on track to start the year in the majors in 2026.

15 hours ago

Dylan Ross • RP • Mets

Dylan Ross Pushing for Bullpen Role at MLB Level

MLB.com lists New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Dylan Ross as a candidate to push for an Opening Day spot in the bullpen this spring. Ross, a 13th-round selection in 2022 out of Georgia, was called up by the Mets last September, but he didn't make an appearance out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old was extremely impressive at High-A Brooklyn, Double-A Binghamton, and Triple-A Syracuse, posting a 2.17 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, seven saves, 80 strikeouts, and 33 walks in 54 relief innings. At Syracuse, Ross held a 1.45 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and 38:21 K:BB in 31 innings. His four-seam fastball can reach 102 mph, and his 89-91 mph, low-spin splitter is another nasty offering he features, in addition to a hard upper-80s slider. Ross is going to need to demonstrate better control if the Mets are going to give him a chance in the big-league bullpen in 2026, but he's a relief arm to keep an eye on in dynasty/keeper leagues.

15 hours ago

Ben Rice • 1B • Yankees

Ben Rice to Lose Playing Time With Veteran First Baseman Returning?

The New York Yankees are bringing veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt back on a one-year deal, which could negatively affect the playing time for left-handed-hitting first baseman Ben Rice in 2026. Manager Aaron Boone said last month that Rice would play a lot against left-handed pitchers this year, but that could change a bit now that Goldy is back in the fold. Although Goldschmidt isn't the hitter he once was, he did kill southpaws in 2025 to the tune of a .336/.411/.570 slash line and .981 OPS in 168 plate appearances. The 26-year-old Rice hit only .208 against lefties in 119 regular-season plate appearances, although he did slug .481 against them with seven home runs. Goldy's return isn't great news for Rice's overall fantasy upside, but he will still be on the strong side of a platoon and can also pick up playing time behind the plate. RotoBaller considers Rice a top-10 first base option in 2026.

16 hours ago

Paul Goldschmidt • 1B • Yankees

Paul Goldschmidt Returning to Yankees on One-Year Deal

Free-agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and the New York Yankees are finalizing an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 38-year-old veteran and former MVP will return to the Bronx after hitting .274/.328/.403 with a .731 OPS, 10 home runs, 45 RBI, 76 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 146 regular-season games and 534 plate appearances. The seven-time All-Star continued to decline offensively since winning the National League MVP award in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals, with his 10 homers being his fewest total since the shortened 2020 campaign. However, Goldy was money against left-handed pitchers last year, sporting a .336/.411/.570 slash line, .981 OPS, and seven of his 10 home runs against them in 168 plate appearances. He won't be a full-time player anymore, but Goldschmidt should be on the short side of a platoon at first base with the lefty-hitting Ben Rice.

16 hours ago

Nate Garkow • RP • Blue Jays

Nate Garkow Receives Invitation to Spring Training

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Nate Garkow has received an invitation to big-league spring training this year, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The 28-year-old had a solid 2025 season at High-A Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire, going 4-0 with a 3.19 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 86 strikeouts, and 31 walks in 53 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. He also added three saves. Garkow went undrafted out of Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, but he's impressed in his two minor-league seasons so far, going 8-0 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 120:42 K:BB in 77 2/3 innings of relief. He will most likely be a long shot to win an Opening Day bullpen spot in Toronto, but if Garkow continues to get results on the farm, he could make his major-league debut for the Jays this year in a low-leverage bullpen role.

16 hours ago

Emiliano Teodo • SP • Rangers

Emiliano Teodo Could be Bullpen Asset for Rangers

Texas Rangers right-handed pitching prospect Emiliano Teodo is fully healthy entering the 2026 season and could be a "bullpen asset with three weapons," according to MLB.com. Teodo was limited to just 30 minor-league innings last year due to a shoulder impingement, posting a 7.20 ERA and 1.87 WHIP with 38 strikeouts and 29 walks at the Rookie level, Double-A Frisco, and Triple-A Round Rock. The 24-year-old was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2020 for just $10,000. Teodo features a 97-99 mph sinker that touches 102, a tight upper-80s slider that falls off the table, and an upper-80s changeup with fade and depth. The hard-throwing pitching prospect is a volatile stash in dynasty/keeper leagues because of his control issues, but his pure stuff could earn him a call-up to the big leagues for the first time in 2026.

17 hours ago

Junior Perez • CF • Athletics

Junior Perez in the Running for Backup Outfield Spot

Athletics outfield prospect Junior Perez could be in the "running for a backup outfielder gig" at spring training this year, according to MLB.com. The A's aren't shy about fast-tracking young players, and Perez has impressive tools. The 24-year-old Dominican slashed .231/.348/.473 with an .821 OPS, 26 home runs, 87 RBI, 87 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases in 137 games with Double-A Midland and Triple-A Las Vegas in 2025 over 587 plate appearances. Perez walked 14.8% of the time, but the drawback was his 28.1% strikeout rate, which led to his low average at the plate. He also had a career-best contact rate (73.5%) and career-best swinging-strike rate (10.3%). The hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League may have inflated his counting stats, but nobody will argue that Perez doesn't have intriguing tools. In addition to his offensive skills, Perez is a good defender with a plus arm. He figures to get his first taste of the big leagues in another hitter-friendly ballpark in Sacramento in 2026.

17 hours ago

Connor Prielipp • SP • Twins

Connor Prielipp has the Arsenal to Start for the Twins

Minnesota Twins left-handed pitching prospect Connor Prielipp has the arsenal to start -- four-seam and two-seam fastballs, a slider, a changeup, and a curveball -- but he had thrown only 30 innings in the minors heading into last year since being drafted in 2022. Prielipp had Tommy John surgery back in 2021 and then needed an internal-brace procedure in July of 2023. The 25-year-old southpaw, who stands at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, recorded a 4.03 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 98 strikeouts and 31 walks in 82 2/3 innings over 24 appearances (23 starts) in 2025 with Double-A Wichita and Triple-A St. Paul. It was encouraging that he got through a full season healthy, but his injury history could push the Twins to use him in shorter relief stints in 2026 if he's on the big-league roster. The former 48th overall pick struggled with control at Triple-A, but his 10.7 K/9 was encouraging. Prielipp is a pitching prospect to monitor in dynasty leagues.

17 hours ago

Luinder Avila • SP • Royals

Luinder Avila Seen as Potential Starting Pitcher

Kansas City Royals right-hander Luinder Avila made his major-league debut last year for 13 relief appearances and thrived, posting a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. The Royals see Avila as a potential starter down the road, but the team's rotation is too crowded going into the 2026 season. The 24-year-old could force the Royals' hand for another bullpen spot on Opening Day, though, if he continues to impress during spring training. The Venezuelan hurler primarily features an 82-85 mph curveball that generated whiffs on 50% of swings last year. He also has mid-90s fastballs (four-seamer and sinker), and an occasional 86-88 mph changeup. Before getting his first big-league call-up last year, Avila had a 5.01 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 71 strikeouts and 26 walks in 59 1/3 innings over 17 outings (12 starts) for High-A Quad Cities and Triple-A Omaha. He's an intriguing pitching prospect to watch in dynasty/keeper leagues.

17 hours ago

Cade Winquest • SP • Yankees

Cade Winquest an Option for Yankees Opening Day Roster?

New York Yankees right-hander Cade Winquest, the team's Rule 5 pick from the St. Louis Cardinals, is trying to become the first Rule 5 pick to stick with the Yankees since Billy Parker in 1973. The 25-year-old former eighth-round pick in 2022 from the University of Texas at Arlington went 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 39 walks in 106 innings over 25 appearances (23 starts) with High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield last year in the Cardinals organization. Winquest relies mostly on a mid-90s fastball and a big-breaking upper-70s curveball. He has a 4.19 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 219:92 K:BB in 212 2/3 frames in his three seasons in the minor leagues. MLB.com lists Winquest as a candidate to make a push for an Opening Day roster spot this year, but fantasy managers in single-year leagues can ignore him for now.

17 hours ago

Spencer Miles • SP • Blue Jays

Rule 5 Pick Spencer Miles Could Earn Bullpen Spot With Toronto

Despite having only 14 2/3 innings of minor-league experience on his resume due to elbow and back injuries, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Spencer Miles could be a candidate to win an Opening Day bullpen spot if he impresses the coaching staff at spring training. The former fourth-rounder by the San Francisco Giants in 2022 out of Missouri went to Toronto in the Rule 5 draft primarily because of a mid-90s fastball, a high-spin curveball, a solid low-90s cutter, and an upper-80s changeup that he showed in the Arizona Fall League, according to MLB.com. Miles struck out 12 and only walked one in 8 2/3 frames in the AFL and has the stuff to make an impact at the big-league level. The lack of a track record probably makes him a long shot to be on the Opening Day roster, but the 25-year-old is a relief arm to keep an eye on in the Blue Jays' system in 2026.

18 hours ago

Anthony Banda • RP

Dodgers Designate Anthony Banda for Assignment

The Los Angeles Dodgers designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment on Friday after claiming catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, according to MLB.com. Banda, 32, pitched for seven different organizations before latching on with the Dodgers in May of 2024. In his two seasons in L.A., he was very solid, going 8-3 with a 3.14 ERA (4.15 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, two saves, 111 strikeouts, and 52 walks in 114 2/3 innings over 119 appearances (three starts) during the regular season. He gave up just one run in eight innings during the team's championship run in 2024, although he struggled in the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In his nine major-league seasons, Banda has a career 4.44 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, three saves, a 21.5% strikeout rate, and a 9.9% walk rate. He will most likely be claimed off waivers.

18 hours ago

Scott Barlow • RP • Athletics

Scott Barlow Agrees to One-Year Deal With Athletics

Free-agent right-handed reliever Scott Barlow and the Athletics agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract on Friday that includes $1.3 million in performance bonuses, a source told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Barlow was originally a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, and he made his major-league debut in 2018. He spent the first five years of his career in KC before bouncing around with the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, and Cincinnati Reds for the last three years. In a career-high 75 outings (one start) with the Reds last year, the 33-year-old veteran held a 4.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, one save, 75 strikeouts, and a career-high 45 walks in 68 1/3 innings. He'll immediately become the most experienced reliever in Sacramento in terms of career saves (59), but he hasn't had a sub-4.00 ERA since 2022 and could be involved in a closer-by-committee situation in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in the majors.

18 hours ago

Max Schuemann • 3B

Athletics Designate Max Schuemann for Assignment

The Athletics designated infielder Max Schuemann for assignment on Friday, according to A's Communications. The move was made to clear a spot on the team's 40-man roster after the A's claimed infielder Andy Ibanez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 28-year-old former 20th-round pick in 2018 out of Eastern Michigan gets booted off the roster after hitting just .197/.295/.273 with a .568 OPS, two home runs, 13 RBI, 20 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 101 games played in Sacramento last year. Schuemann was only slightly better in 2024 in his first MLB season, when he hit .220/.311/.308 with seven long balls, 34 RBI, 55 runs, and 14 steals in 133 games played. It remains to be seen if another MLB team will scoop him up off waivers for infield depth heading into spring training in 2026.

19 hours ago

Kyle Farmer • 2B • Braves

Braves Invite Kyle Farmer to Spring Training

The Atlanta Braves offered infielder Kyle Farmer a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training this year, according to 680 The Fan. Farmer joins the Braves in 2026 after hitting .227/.280/.365 with a .645 OPS, eight home runs, 31 RBI, and 24 runs scored in 97 games (300 plate appearances) with the Colorado Rockies last year. The 35-year-old veteran has nine years of major-league experience with the Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Dodgers, but he's expected to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett. Farmer's best seasons were with the Reds in 2021 and 2022, when he combined to hit .259/.316/.400 with a .716 OPS, 30 home runs, and 141 RBI in 292 games played. He's a career .247/.306/.388 hitter with a .694 OPS in his nine MLB seasons. Fantasy managers can ignore Farmer everywhere.

19 hours ago

MLB News

LEGEND