MLB News

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor to be Evaluated for Stress Reaction in Left Hamate

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) is set to be evaluated on Wednesday for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. The 5x All-Star may need surgery, and if he does, it typically comes with a six-week recovery timeline. The Mets are still optimistic that, even if surgery is needed, the 32-year-old would be ready in time for Opening Day on March 26. Despite a prolonged two-month downturn in midseason of last year, the switch-hitter finished with a strong .267-31-86-117-31 stat line with a .350 wOBA and 129 wRC+. That type of multi-category production has made him expensive in early 2026 fantasy drafts, going around pick 16, but with no less than a 120 wRC+ and no less than 152 games played over the last four seasons, the price is justified so long as he's ready to go when the season begins.

6 hours ago

Justin Verlander • SP • Tigers

Justin Verlander, Tigers Agree to One-Year Deal

Free-agent pitcher Justin Verlander agreed to a one-year, $13 million contract with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, $11 million of which is deferred. The veteran pitcher spent 2025 with the Giants, going 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and a 12.8 percent K-BB% in 152 innings pitched. Although it was an improvement on an injury-marred 2024, the three-time Cy Young award winner would be hard to trust for fantasy, with a high SIERA (4.44) and low strikeout rates (8.11 K/9) last season. The switch from pitcher-friendly Oracle Park to Comerica Park doesn't do him any favors either. The soon-to-be-43-year-old is going undrafted in most 2026 fantasy leagues, although there are probably riskier options at the end of deep-league drafts if managers want to roll the dice to see if a return to the place where he broke into the majors brings about some sort of revival.

6 hours ago

Coby Mayo • 1B • Orioles

Coby Mayo Could See Work in the Outfield

Baltimore Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said that Coby Mayo's focus will be at first base in spring training, but that the coaching staff will also talk to him about the possibility of additional positional focus, such as the corner outfield, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. The 24-year-old could also see time at third base, a position he played coming up in the farm system. Most of Mayo's playing time in 2025 came at first base, but the Orioles signed Pete Alonso in the offseason, and Samuel Basallo and Ryan Mountcastle are also options there. Mayo became an everyday player in Baltimore in the final two months of last season and finished with a .217/.299/.388 slash line, .687 OPS, 11 home runs, 28 RBI, 30 runs, and three steals in 85 games. He hit the ball hard (34.5% hard-hit rate), but he also struck out over 30% of the time. Playing time could be an issue in Baltimore if Mayo struggles at the plate. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 46 fantasy first baseman.

7 hours ago

Ben Joyce • RP • Angels

Ben Joyce Playing Catch, Uncertain for Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Ben Joyce (shoulder) is playing catch at spring training, but manager Kurt Suzuki said it's too early to tell if Joyce will be ready for Opening Day, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. The Angels are taking it day by day with Joyce for now. The hard-throwing 25-year-old missed most of last season after having surgery to fix the labrum in his right shoulder. He appeared in only five games, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out one in 4 1/3 innings. There are plenty of question marks for the back end of the Angels' bullpen going into the 2026 season with Kenley Jansen no longer around. Right now, Robert Stephenson, Drew Pomeranz, and Kirby Yates are set to work in a closer committee, but Joyce will be involved as well, depending on his health.

8 hours ago

Kristian Campbell • 2B • Red Sox

Kristian Campbell to Primarily Work in Outfield in Spring Training

Boston Red Sox infielder Kristian Campbell will primarily work in the outfield during spring training, according to manager Alex Cora. In addition to outfield work, Campbell will work one-on-one with infield coach Jose Flores at both second and third base. The addition of work at third is new, but Campbell played there minimally in the minors. The vast majority of Campbell's playing time in his first year in the majors in 2025 came at second base, but he also saw a handful of starts in left and center field. A move to the outfield is now possible after the acquisition of infielder Caleb Durbin. Some combination of Durbin and Marcelo Mayer should handle third and second base regularly in 2026, pushing Campbell to the outfield. The problem with that is Boston already has a crowded outfield picture with Jarren Duran, Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. A trade could be coming for the BoSox this spring.

8 hours ago

Tomoyuki Sugano • SP • Rockies

Rockies Reach One-Year Deal With Tomoyuki Sugano

The Colorado Rockies reached an undisclosed one-year deal with veteran free-agent right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano on Tuesday, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. After 12 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, Sugano went 10-10 with a 4.64 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 36 walks in 157 innings over 30 starts with the Baltimore Orioles in 2025 in his first year in the United States. The 36-year-old hurler led the league with 33 home runs allowed, and that's likely going to continue to be an issue with his move to hitter-friendly Coors Field. In addition to allowing way too many home runs, Sugano also had a weak 15.7% strikeout rate. He doesn't miss many bats, which is going to cause problems for him in Denver. The one thing that Sugano does very well is control the baseball, but that probably won't be enough to make him fantasy relevent in Colorado.

8 hours ago

Zac Gallen • SP

Talks Heating Up for Zac Gallen, Multiple Teams Interested

Free-agent talks for right-handed starter Zac Gallen are starting to heat up with spring training workouts underway across the league, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Gallen is the best remaining free agent on the market, and the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, and Arizona Diamondbacks are the teams showing the most interest in the 30-year-old veteran. He picked a bad time to post a career-worst 4.83 ERA (4.50 FIP) in his walk year in 2025 with Arizona, going 13-15 with a 1.26 WHIP, 175 strikeouts, and 66 walks in 192 frames over his 33 starts. Gallen's career-high ERA was fueled by a career-worst 1.5 HR/9 mark. His strikeout rate also dropped to a career-worst 21.5% in 2025. His fantasy stock is obviously down (No. 65 starting pitcher at RotoBaller), but a rebound could come if he were to go to a place like San Diego.

8 hours ago

Aaron Civale • SP • Athletics

Aaron Civale, A's Agree on One-Year Deal

Free-agent right-hander Aaron Civale and the Athletics agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal on Tuesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 30-year-old will add a veteran arm to an A's team with postseason aspirations in 2026. He can make an additional $1.5 million this year through incentives. Civale spent the 2025 campaign pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs, going 4-9 with a 4.85 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 88:33 K:BB in 102 innings over 23 appearances (18 starts). With the move to Sacramento, he should be a lock to open the season in the starting rotation for the A's. Civale struggled with home runs as a starter with both the Brewers and White Sox last year, and things won't be any easier in his new home ballpark, which was one of the most hitter-friendly environments in baseball.

8 hours ago

Bryce Eldridge • 1B • Giants

Bryce Eldridge a Full-Go for Spring Training

San Francisco Giants first base prospect Bryce Eldridge (wrist) said he's a full-go for spring training after having left-wrist surgery in October of last year to remove a bone spur, according to Justice delos Santos of MLB.com. Eldridge initially injured his wrist in spring training last year and played through the injury for several months before eventually being shut down. The 21-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2023 hit a combined .260/.333/.510 with an .843 OPS, 25 home runs, and 84 RBI in 102 games at three-minor league levels last year despite playing through his wrist injury. During a brief MLB debut, the left-handed hitter went just 3-for-28 (.107) with no homers, seven walks, and 13 strikeouts. Between first base and designated hitter, Eldridge should be a regular for the Giants in 2026, and his plus raw power makes him attractive in all fantasy leagues. Eldridge is RotoBaller's No. 37 first baseman.

8 hours ago

Gavin Sheets • LF • Padres

Gavin Sheets the Top Option at First Base

San Diego Padres manager Craig Stammen said that Gavin Sheets is currently the team's No. 1 option at first base, according to Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Sheets was a big success for the Friars last year in his first season with the team, but he split his time between left field (64 games) and designated hitter (63 games). The 29-year-old left-handed slugger hit .252/.317/.429 with a .746 OPS, career-high 19 home runs, 71 RBI, 57 runs scored, and two steals in 145 regular-season games. Sheets came up as a first baseman in the minors, though, so it's not like he doesn't have some experience at the position. Jake Cronenworth, Will Wagner, and Sung-Mun Song are other options to play first base in SD now that Luis Arraez is in San Francisco. Most of Sheets' damage came against right-handed pitchers, but he'll be a decent option for power as corner-infield depth in fantasy, and gaining first base eligibility will be a bonus.

8 hours ago

Spencer Schwellenbach • SP • Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach to Miss Significant Time With Elbow Inflammation

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow)is dealing with right-elbow inflammation at the start of spring training, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The Braves are just hoping that Schwellenbach is dealing with bone spurs, but he's going to miss significant time and will begin the 2026 regular season on the 60-day injured list. The 25-year-old was already a question mark to be ready for this season after suffering a small fracture in his right elbow at the end of June. It's an ominous sign that he's still having right-elbow issues this spring. With it now official that Schwellenbach won't be in the Opening Day rotation, it should lock in right-hander Hurston Waldrep for a rotation spot to begin the year. Pitching prospect JR Ritchie is another arm to watch for a rotation spot if either Reynaldo Lopez or Grant Holmes aren't ready in time.

9 hours ago

Kumar Rocker • SP • Rangers

Kumar Rocker in Competition for Final Rotation Spot

Texas Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker will compete for the final spot in the team's Opening Day starting rotation this spring, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. The 2022 first-rounder had a less-than-stellar first full year in the majors in 2025, going 4-5 with a 5.74 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 56 strikeouts and 23 walks in 64 1/3 innings over 14 starts. Rocker was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Aug. 1 and was shut down for the rest of the year shortly after that to refine his mechanics and work on his delivery. General manager Ross Fenstermaker thinks Rocker is in a "really good spot" going into the 2026 season, though, and he'll primarily be competing with Jacob Latz for the No. 5 and final rotation spot. Given his draft pedigree (former 10th overall pick), the 26-year-old will get another shot this year, but if he continues to struggle against lefties, he could be relegated to a bullpen role.

9 hours ago

Jack Leiter • SP • Rangers

Jack Leiter Likely Locked into Starting Rotation

Despite the offseason acquisition of left-hander MacKenzie Gore, Texas Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter is likely locked into a starting rotation spot in Texas as he enters his second full big-league season, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Along with Leiter and Gore, the Rangers' Opening Day rotation will consist of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Kumar Rocker. Leiter, 25, improved as the year went on in 2025 and finished with a 10-10 record, 3.86 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 148:67 K:BB in 151 2/3 innings over 29 starts for the Rangers. While there were some ugly outings for the former second overall pick, it was mostly a successful season in his first full year in the big leagues. Walks are still the biggest issue for Leiter, but he made strides in that area in the second half. If he can display better control on the mound, Leiter could be in for a breakout campaign at a low cost in fantasy baseball drafts. He's currently ranked as the No. 74 starting pitcher at RotoBaller.

9 hours ago

Brooks Lee • 3B • Twins

Brooks Lee the Leader to Start at Shortstop

The Athletic's Dan Hayes writes that Minnesota Twins infielder Brooks Lee is the "leader to start at shortstop" this year, but he needs to "show improved mobility and find more consistency with his bat." Lee has good hands and a steady arm, but he was below-average as both a hitter and defender in his second year in the big leagues in 2025. The 24-year-old switch-hitter and former eighth overall pick slashed just .236/.285/.370 with a .654 OPS, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 50 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 139 games last year. With no sure options behind Lee at the position now that Carlos Correa is gone, the Twins could be in a serious bind if Lee doesn't show improvement in 2026. Ryan Kreidler and Orlando Arcia are the top internal options behind Lee. The good news for Lee is that he made contact 81.1% of the time and showed decent power, but he had just a 28% hard-hit rate and doesn't have much speed.

9 hours ago

Marcelo Mayer • 3B • Red Sox

Marcelo Mayer Without a Set Position Entering Spring Training

A Boston Red Sox source indicated a preference for infielder Marcelo Mayer at third base over second base, but that was before the team acquired infielder Caleb Durbin from the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. It's unclear whether Durbin's play at third last year will bump Mayer to second, but McCaffrey writes that wherever Durbin plays, Mayer "will man the other spot." We'll get a better idea of Boston's plans based on where Mayer and Durbin are positioned during their spring training drills. Mayer, 23, struggled in his first year in the big leagues in 2025, hitting .228/.272/.402 with a .674 OPS, four home runs, 10 RBI, eight walks, and 41 strikeouts in 136 plate appearances over 44 games. With Alex Bregman and David Hamilton gone, the former first-rounder should see more playing time in 2026. He'll need to lower his strikeout rate, but at the very least, he should be on the strong side of a platoon at either second or third base in Boston.

9 hours ago

A.J. Puk • RP • Diamondbacks

A.J. Puk Expects to be Back Before July

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) said he would "love" to be back by early May, but that's unlikely to happen, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Puk does expect to be back before July, though. Meanwhile, fellow high-leverage reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) is targeting a late-August return in 2026. Puk, 30, underwent an internal-brace procedure on his left elbow last June, which isn't as serious as Tommy John surgery. Barring a setback, Puk should return before the All-Star break and get a shot at save chances before Martinez makes his season debut. Before his elbow injury in 2025, Puk had a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, four saves, 12 strikeouts, and two walks in just eight innings out of the bullpen. The 6-foot-7 hurler has lots of upside as a high-leverage reliever, but durability issues make him a question mark in fantasy baseball.

9 hours ago

Nacho Alvarez Jr. • SS • Braves

Nacho Alvarez Jr. Working Out With Catchers at Spring Training

Atlanta Braves infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. was seen working out with the catchers at spring training on Tuesday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's unclear if Alvarez is changing positions entirely or just adding some versatility, but Bowman writes that it "makes a lot of sense." The Braves already have Drake Baldwin, Sean Murphy (hip), and Sandy Leon at catcher, and they just signed Jonah Heim to a minor-league deal on Tuesday. Alvarez is blocked at the hot corner by Austin Riley as long as he's healthy, though, so the 22-year-old is probably just trying to gain some versatility going into the 2026 season. Alvarez hit .234/.296/.330 with a .626 OPS, only two home runs, and 15 RBI in 58 games played for the Braves in 2025 in his second year in the majors. He doesn't have much power for a third baseman, and he's likely to operate in more of a utility role in Atlanta this year.

9 hours ago

Corbin Burnes • SP • Diamondbacks

Corbin Burnes Hoping to Return Around All-Star Break

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) said that he hopes to rejoin the team's starting rotation around the All-Star break as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Burnes is also expecting to throw off a mound before the end of spring training as he continues to recover from TJ surgery that he had last June. The 31-year-old four-time All-Star and former National League Cy Young winner made the All-Star team from 2021 to 2024 but then made only 11 starts for Arizona in 2025 due to his right-elbow injury. When on the mound, though, he was his usual dominant self, posting a 2.66 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 64 1/3 innings. Fantasy managers shouldn't just expect Burnes to return around the All-Star break and be his former dominant self right away.

9 hours ago

Justin Martinez • RP • Diamondbacks

Justin Martinez Tentatively Targeting an August Return

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) said he's tentatively targeting an August return from elbow surgery, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Martinez is recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last June, although he did start a throwing program in the middle of last month. The 24-year-old Dominican hurler broke out in 2024 with a 2.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, eight saves, 91 K's, and 36 walks in 72 2/3 innings for the Snakes and was their primary closer last year before injuring his right elbow. Martinez had a 4.11 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, five saves, 22 K's, and 12 walks in 15 1/3 innings in 2025 before he was shut down. Until Martinez and left-hander A.J. Puk (elbow) return in 2026, Kevin Ginkel could get the majority of save opportunities in the desert, with Ryan Thompson and Kade Strowd potentially also in the mix for saves.

10 hours ago

Lance McCullers Jr. • SP • Astros |

Spencer Arrighetti • SP • Astros

Lance McCullers Jr., Spencer Arrighetti the Favorites to Begin Season in Rotation?

Houston Astros starting pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Spencer Arrighetti have the inside track on claiming starting rotation spots to open the season, but it's expected to be a top spring training battle to watch. The Astros are going with a six-man rotation to accommodate Tatsuya Imai's arrival from Japan and a busy early-season schedule. Hunter Brown, Imai, Mike Burrows, and Cristian Javier are almost guaranteed to be in the rotation, with Arrighetti, McCullers, Ryan Weiss, Jason Alexander, Nate Pearson, Colton Gordon, and AJ Blubaugh all in the mix for the other spots. Arrighetti and McCullers have the most MLB experience, and Pearson is still returning from a "cleanup" on his elbow. While the competition will be exciting to watch this spring, the depth is outstanding for the Astros since they've dealt with so many starting pitcher injuries in the last few seasons.

11 hours ago

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