MLB News

Carson Fulmer • RP • Pirates

Carson Fulmer Signs Minor-League Deal With Pirates

Free-agent right-hander Carson Fulmer signed a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, a source told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Fulmer's 2025 season with the Los Angeles Angels was cut short due to an elbow injury. Before his injury, he struggled to a 5.83 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and 11 walks in 29 1/3 relief innings over 13 appearances. The 32-year-old former eighth overall pick by the Chicago White Sox out of Vanderbilt is probably fighting long odds to make the Opening Day bullpen in Pittsburgh. In his nine big-league seasons, Fulmer has a 5.44 ERA (5.27 FIP), 1.46 WHIP, 20% strikeout rate, and 11.9% walk rate in 256 2/3 innings over 127 appearances (24 starts). He's nowhere near the fantasy radar.

7 hours ago

Brent Honeywell • RP • Giants

Brent Honeywell Signs Minor-League Contract With Giants

Free-agent right-hander Brent Honeywell, who won the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The former top prospect with the Tampa Bay Rays did not pitch with a team in 2025. The 30-year-old former second-round pick in 2014 out of Walters State Community College never panned out as a big-league starter and has started only three of the 63 games that he's appeared in in the majors since debuting with the Rays in 2021. Honeywell actually had a solid year in 2024 with the Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates, posting a 2.63 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with a save, 18 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 37 2/3 innings over 20 outings (one start). He will most likely start the year at Triple-A Sacramento as relief depth for the Gigantes.

8 hours ago

Graham Pauley • 3B • Marlins

Graham Pauley Undergoes Imaging for Forearm Tightness

Miami Marlins third baseman Graham Pauley (forearm) has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game yet in spring training and underwent imaging for forearm tightness on Monday, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Although Pauley doesn't have a ton of upside offensively, he was considered one of the favorites for regular playing time at third in Miami to begin the 2026 regular season. It's unclear if this injury will jeopardize his availability for Opening Day in late March, but if it does, it will be good news for Connor Norby's path to regular playing time. The 25-year-old Pauley played in 62 games in 2025 in his first year with the Fish, slashing .224/.311/.366 with a .678 OPS, four home runs, 11 RBI, 18 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 184 plate appearances. For now, Pauley should be considered day-to-day.

8 hours ago

Trevor Story • SS • Red Sox

Trevor Story a Strong Candidate to Hit Second in 2026

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story is a strong candidate to hit second in the batting order this year, following outfielder Roman Anthony in the leadoff spot, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Story was in the two-hole in his final 10 games of the 2025 regular season and also hit there in all three of the team's Wild-Card games in the playoffs against the New York Yankees. The veteran shortstop hit .294 with a .339 on-base percentage, .497 slugging percentage, and .836 OPS in his final 84 games last year, but overall, he had a .308 on-base percentage (tied for 11th), and his .433 slugging percentage ranked 72nd among qualified hitters. The 33-year-old two-time All-Star stayed healthy and hit 25 homers, drove in 96, scored 91 runs, and stole 31 bases in 157 regular-season games. Story is still a top-15 fantasy shortstop when healthy, but his lengthy injury history suggests volume could be an issue in 2026.

8 hours ago

Bryan Abreu • RP • Astros

Bryan Abreu Could Begin Season as the Closer

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu could be asked to step up into the closer role to begin the regular season. Normally, Josh Hader (biceps) would fill the role, but he's currently dealing with biceps inflammation. The southpaw is playing light catch off flat ground, so he'll need to ramp up his progress to be ready in time for Opening Day. It sounds like Abreu is the next man up after posting elite numbers as the set-up man for multiple years. Last season, Abreu registered a career-high seven saves across 70 appearances with the Astros. The team has faith that Abreu can hold down the job while Hader recovers from his injury. The 28-year-old is probably the favorite for saves early in the season, assuming Hader misses time.

8 hours ago

Justin Foscue • 1B • Rangers

Justin Foscue Exits Grapefruit League Game With Hamstring Tightness

Texas Rangers infielder Justin Foscue (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Monday's Cactus League matchup versus the Los Angeles Angels. Foscue was removed from the contest due to right hamstring tightness. It sounds like he pushed to stay in the game, but the Rangers didn't want to risk him making it a more serious injury. He singled in his lone at-bat of the game and should be considered day-to-day for the moment. The former first-round pick has looked solid early in camp, so hopefully he can get back out there soon. There should be another update on his status in the coming days.

9 hours ago

Trevor Megill • RP • Brewers

Trevor Megill had Offseason PRP Injections

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill (forearm) reportedly had platelet-rich plasma injections this offseason. The right-hander decided to get platelet-rich plasma injections after missing time due to a forearm strain in 2025. Megill appears to be healthy now, but his role in the bullpen is not certain yet. Last season, Megill registered a 2.49 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 60/17 K/BB ratio with 30 saves in 50 games. The 32-year-old has recorded over 50 total saves over the last two seasons, but might not be the full-time closer. It seems like the Brewers also like Abner Uribe, who looked good as a closer when Megill missed time last season. Knowing how the Brewers operate, Megill could be a trade candidate given his age and current salary. His full-time closer gig could be in jeopardy, but at least it sounds like Megill is healthy heading into the 2026 season.

9 hours ago

Merrill Kelly • SP • Diamondbacks

Merrill Kelly is Awaiting MRI Results

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (back) recently underwent an MRI after being scratched from his scheduled batting practice session last week. On Monday, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that they're still waiting for MRI results on Kelly's back issue. He continued by saying that Kelly is feeling good, so hopefully the 37-year-old will be able to avoid a significant injury. Kelly was recently named the Opening Day starter. At the moment, it doesn't sound like Kelly is in danger of missing the beginning of the regular season. Hopefully, the organization will be able to give a better timetable once the MRI results are in.

9 hours ago

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios Feels Fully Healthy Now

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios is feeling 100 percent healthy in camp right now. According to Mitch Bannon, Berrios said on Monday that he was dealing with a bicep tendon issue in September of last season. This could help explain why Berrios struggled late last season and why he was eventually left off the postseason roster. Heading into camp, there was some uncertainty about whether or not Berrios would be in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 season. Now, Berrios is basically a lock to join the rotation with Shane Bieber (forearm) heading to the injured list to start the regular season. The hope is that a fully healthy Berrios can bounce back after posting mediocre numbers in 2025.

9 hours ago

Jared Jones • SP • Pirates

Jared Jones Aiming to be Ready in Late May

Pittsburgh Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said on Monday that "the goal is to get Jared Jones (elbow) major-league game-ready at that one-year mark," according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Tomczyk also said that Jones has looked "really good" coming out of his live batting practice sessions this spring. The 24-year-old will open the year on the 60-day injured list after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last May. Jones obviously isn't going to have a full season in 2026, and there's a good chance he's eased back in after that, but he's still worthy of a late-round stash in mixed fantasy drafts. The former second-rounder in 2020 looked the part in his MLB debut in 2024, posting a 4.14 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 132 K's and 39 walks in 121 2/3 innings (22 starts). Right now, Jones is ranked outside the top 100 fantasy starting pitchers at RotoBaller.

12 hours ago

Matt Brash • RP • Mariners

Matt Brash Not Feeling Great After Tooth Removal

Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (mouth) played catch briefly in camp on Sunday but "still isn't feeling great," according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Brash had issues with the tooth abstraction that led to more dental work and discomfort, which is why he's been slow to return in spring training. The Mariners still have plenty of time to get him ready for Opening Day in late March, though, since he will not take part in this year's World Baseball Classic. The 27-year-old missed all of the 2024 campaign after having elbow reconstruction, but he returned to a setup role last year and was solid, recording a 2.47 ERA (3.05 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, four saves, 58 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 47 1/3 frames. Brash induced more ground balls by using his slider and sinker more, and he'll return to the eighth-inning setup role for Seattle. Brash is primarily useful in holds leagues, but he has the stuff to close out games if needed if Andres Munoz were to miss time due to an injury.

13 hours ago

Tarik Skubal • SP • Tigers

Tarik Skubal to Make One Start in World Baseball Classic

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal confirmed on Monday that he will only make one start for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Skubal has been the best pitcher in baseball the last two years, winning back-to-back American League Cy Young awards while going a combined 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA (2.47 FIP), 0.91 WHIP, 469 strikeouts, and only 68 walks in 387 1/3 innings over 62 regular-season starts. He threw 216 innings last year between the regular season and playoffs, so he won't be pushed in the WBC or in spring training. Skubal is the top fantasy starting pitcher and will be a must-start in his first start of the regular season in 2026 in San Diego against the San Diego Padres in late March.

13 hours ago

Blake Snell • SP • Dodgers

Opening Day Not a Target for Blake Snell

The Athletic's Katie Woo writes that Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell's (shoulder) Opening Day status is "in doubt." There is no real update on him, other than he's throwing off flat ground in camp. "Time's ticking, but like I told him the other day, Opening Day is not necessarily a hard and fast target for us," manager Dave Roberts said. Snell, 33, missed four months in 2025 due to left-shoulder inflammation and admitted that he was exhausted after an extended postseason run in October, which is why the Dodgers aren't making it a necessity that he be fully stretched out for Opening Day. Even if Snell were to land on the injured list to begin the regular season, it would likely be a short stay on the sidelines. The two-time Cy Young winner was solid when available for the Dodgers last year, going 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 72:26 K:BB, but he only made 11 starts in the regular season. Snell is a risk/reward No. 3 fantasy starting pitcher because of his injury history.

13 hours ago

Hagen Smith • SP • White Sox

Hagen Smith to Face Hitters on Tuesday

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect Hagen Smith (elbow) will face hitters in a live batting practice session on Tuesday for the first time this spring, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Smith has another live batting practice session scheduled and then expects to get into some action in Cactus League games. The 22-year-old southpaw, who was the fifth overall pick in 2024 out of Arkansas, had a 3.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 108:56 K:BB in 75 2/3 innings over 20 starts with Double-A Birmingham last year. He missed six weeks in the first half of 2025 due to elbow soreness, which is why the White Sox have slow-played him so far this spring. Questionable control has fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues pumping the brakes a bit on Smith being a high-end starting pitcher at the next level, although if he can lower his walk rate in 2026, he should make his MLB debut. Smith is dominant with his fastball and slider, but a lack of a real third pitch may push him to a high-leverage relief role down the road.

13 hours ago

Brandon Woodruff • SP • Brewers

Opening Day "Up in the Air" for Brandon Woodruff

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (lat) said on Monday that being ready for Opening Day in late March is "up in the air right now," according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Woodruff added that he's feeling night and day better now than he was at this point in the year in 2025, but staying healthy all season is the No. 1 priority. The 33-year-old veteran threw 25 pitches in a simulated game in camp on Monday, but he said he's a "touch" behind some of the pitchers that are already throwing in Cactus League games. Woodruff didn't make his 2025 debut until July after recovering from right-shoulder surgery that he had in 2024, and he finished last year on the injured list due to a right-lat strain. Recent injuries certainly make Woodruff more risky in fantasy drafts this spring, but he showed that he still has the stuff to be a high-end fantasy starter when healthy, going 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 83 K's in 2025. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 28 fantasy starting pitcher for this year.

13 hours ago

Dairon Blanco • CF • Royals

Dairon Blanco Avoids Full Concussion

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said on Monday that outfielder Dairon Blanco (head) avoided a full concussion, but he will be taking it easy over the next few days with light activity inside, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Blanco will continue to be evaluated by the medical staff after getting hit square in the helmet by a 90 mph pitch in the seventh inning of Sunday's Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 32-year-old Cuban outfielder should be fine for Opening Day in late March, but he won't be on the fantasy baseball radar in the vast majority of leagues. Blanco has a career .257/.312/.416 slash line with a .728 OPS, seven home runs, 34 RBI, 59 runs scored, and 59 stolen bases in 171 games over his four seasons with the Royals. He played in only nine big-league games in 2025 and went 1-for-6 at the plate with an RBI and three steals.

14 hours ago

Isaac Collins • LF • Royals

Isaac Collins Healthy After Receiving Knee Injections

Kansas City Royals outfielder Isaac Collins (knees) received platelet-rich plasma injections in his knees this offseason, according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers. Collins didn't play in a Cactus League game over the weekend, but he's scheduled to play in Tuesday's road game against the Cincinnati Reds, and then again on Friday at home against the Athletics. He has been taking live at-bats against Royals pitchers and participating in all working, but the Royals are intentionally taking it slow with Collins. The 28-year-old has otherwise felt great. After Friday's game, he'll be a full-go and will be on a normal build-up schedule. At the time the Royals traded for Collins in December, manager Matt Quatraro said the team knew about his knee injections. Barring an injury before Opening Day, Collins projects as the Royals' fourth outfielder, limiting his fantasy appeal to deep-mixed and AL-only leagues.

16 hours ago

José Caballero • SS • Yankees

Jose Caballero Bringing More Bat Speed into 2026 Season?

New York Yankees speedy infielder Jose Caballero, who hit a 402-foot home run in the Grapefruit League game on Sunday against the New York Mets, said his goal in the offseason was to "improve his average bat speed to 71 mph this season," according to Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Caballero also spent time working at Driveline Baseball in Tampa. In 2025, Caballero had an average bat speed of 69.1 mph, according to Baseball Savant. His average exit velocity of 86 mph last year was among the lowest in baseball. At least for the first month of the 2026 season, the 29-year-old from Panama will be the Yankees' everyday shortstop with Anthony Volpe recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Caballero's fantasy value will receive a bump early on, mainly because of his speed, but if he can add some more power, it'll be a plus. He has never hit more than nine homers in his three MLB seasons.

16 hours ago

Jackson Holliday • 2B • Orioles

Jackson Holliday Doesn't Have his Hand Wrapped

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand), who had the stitches removed from his surgically repaired right hand on Monday, doesn't have his hand wrapped, according to MASN Sports' Roch Kubatko. Holliday said he's been cleared to take ground balls and one-handed swings in camp. The 22-year-old is expected to slowly ramp up his baseball activities in spring training after having the hamate bone removed from his hand. Holliday is expected to open the 2026 regular season on the injured list, but barring a setback, it could be a minimal IL stay for the young infielder. When healthy, he'll resume starting duties at the keystone for the O's. In the meantime, offseason acquisition Blaze Alexander is expected to see most of the playing time at second base. After showing improvement in Year 2 in 2025, the former first overall pick in 2022 is RotoBaller's No. 14-ranked fantasy second baseman.

16 hours ago

Thairo Estrada • 2B • Orioles

Orioles Agree to Minor-League Contract With Thairo Estrada

The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a minor-league contract with free-agent infielder Thairo Estrada on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Estrada will give the Orioles more insurance with both infielders Jackson Holliday (hand) and Jordan Westburg (elbow) set to open the 2026 regular season on the injured list due to injuries. Coby Mayo is expected to open the season as Baltimore's regular third baseman, with Blaze Alexander likely to operate as the starter at the keystone. The 30-year-old Estrada won't be a lock to make the Opening Day roster as infield depth. The Venezuelan hit .253/285/.370 with a .655 OPS, three home runs, 21 RBI, and 14 runs scored in only 39 games played last year with the Colorado Rockies. Even if Estrada breaks camp with the big-league club, he'll be a bench player who won't warrant fantasy attention in mixed leagues.

16 hours ago

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