MLB News

Joe Mack • C • Marlins

Joe Mack Returns to Action Following Brief Injury

Miami Marlins catching prospect Joe Mack (neck) returned to the starting lineup during Tuesday's spring training contest against the Washington Nationals. The young back was sidelined for a few days due to neck stiffness, but quickly returned to action. In his return, Mack struggled at the plate, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout. The former 31st overall selection is in serious consideration to break camp with the MLB roster. Last summer, Mack spent the majority of his campaign at Triple-A (99 games), where he hit .250/.320/.459 line with a .779 OPS. During this stint, Mack hit 18 home runs and carried a modest 115:35 K:BB. If Mack can enjoy a strong conclusion to camp, he could contend for a depth role on the MLB roster. If he were to fall short, he would be in contention for an early promotion.

6 hours ago

J.J. Wetherholt • SS • Cardinals

JJ Wetherholt Hits Second Grapefruit League Home Run

St. Louis Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt has continued to perform at a high level in the Grapefruit League as he launched his second home run on Monday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles. Through nine games, Wetherholt has gone 5-for-18 with two long balls, one stolen base, and a strong 4:7 K:BB. The top shortstop appears to be a clear favorite to be in the team's Opening Day lineup and is performance in spring training further supports this. According to MLB.com, the former seventh overall pick is considered the sport's No. 5 overall prospect. Last season, Wetherholt spent his campaign with Double-A and Triple-A and held an overall .306/.421/.510 line with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, and 23 stolen bases. Given his five-category profile and potential for everyday at-bats, Wetherholt is a top late-round breakout selection for all fantasy formats.

6 hours ago

Emmanuel Rodriguez • CF • Twins |

Manuel Rodríguez • RP • Rays

Emmanuel Rodriguez Optioned to Minor-League Camp

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez was unable to crack the Opening Day roster and was optioned to minor-league camp earlier on Monday. Rodriguez is considered the team's No. 4-ranked prospect and the overall No. 74-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com. Given that he spent most of his 2025 season at Triple-A, he was under consideration to begin the 2026 season in the major leagues. Despite going 8-for-19 with two doubles and two home runs, the Twins will send their budding star to continue his development at St. Paul to begin the 2026 campaign. Last season, Rodriguez appeared in 52 of his 62 MiLB games at St. Paul and posted a .258/.429/.423 line with six home runs and nine stolen bases. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status early in the season as he could contend for a first-half MLB debut.

7 hours ago

Kevin McGonigle • SS • Tigers

Kevin McGonigle Launches First Spring Training Home Run

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Monday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays. This was the top prospect's first long ball of spring training. Overall, McGonigle has looked quite comfortable facing MLB-caliber pitching, posting a .318/.444/.636 slash line with two doubles, one home run, and one stolen base. He has struck out just five times over these 22 at-bats. McGonigle is under serious consideration to break camp with the MLB roster and appears to be in a good position to do so, as he avoided the first round of roster cuts, which saw fellow top prospect, Max Clark, sent to the minor leagues. In 2025, McGonigle spent the season across Low-A, High-A, and Double-A and posted an overall .305/.408/.583 line with a .991 OPS. Given his production in camp, McGonigle is emerging as a favorite to start on Opening Day, which makes him a prime late-round target in all drafts.

7 hours ago

Parker Messick • SP • Guardians

Parker Messick Looks Sharp on Monday, Continues to Make Case for Starting Role

Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect Parker Messick logged another strong outing on Monday afternoon and continues to make a strong case to begin the campaign in the starting rotation. Messick logged 4 2/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals and allowed no runs with just two hits and one walk. He struck out four. Over his three appearances in camp (two starts), the young southpaw has tossed 9 1/3 innings to the tune of a 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 7:4 K:BB. He made his MLB debut late in the 2025 season and looked quite comfortable, posting a 2.72 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP over his first 39 2/3 innings. He is currently competing alongside Logan Allen and Joey Cantillo for one of the final starting positions. If he were to break camp in the rotation, he would have solid late-round sleeper appeal.

7 hours ago

Kyle Teel • C • White Sox

Kyle Teel Exits Tuesday's Game with Hamstring Injury

Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game against the United States due to right-hamstring discomfort. Before exiting the contest, the young catcher was off to a roaring start, going 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a double. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status, as he may not be able to return for the remainder of the tournament. Last season, Teel made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox and posted a solid .273/.375/.411 line with eight long balls and three stolen bases over a 78-game stint. At Triple-A (50 games), Teel held a .295/.394/.492 line with eight home runs and seven stolen bases. If Teel were to have a delayed start to the regular season, fantasy managers should expect fellow young backstop, Edgar Quero, to operate as the primary option.

7 hours ago

Blake Snell • SP • Dodgers

Blake Snell Progresses to Throwing Off of a Mound

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (shoulder) is "taking the next steps" in his throwing progression and threw off the mound to a standing catcher on Monday, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Snell is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, as the team is slow-playing his Spring buildup after he missed significant time in 2025 due to shoulder issues. However, it appears as though the 33-year-old is on track with the progression that the team has laid out for him. When healthy, Snell is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Across 1,158 career big league innings (222 starts), the veteran left-hander owns a 3.15 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 1,440 strikeouts, and two Cy Young Awards. However, Snell has thrown more than 128 2/3 innings just once since 2019 and seems likely to miss a chunk of time in 2026 as well. He profiles as a high-risk, high-reward fantasy SP3 heading into his second campaign with the Dodgers.

17 hours ago

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios Joining Team Puerto Rico for the Remainder of WBC

Team Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said that Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios has received clearance to join the Puerto Rican team for the remainder of the World Baseball Classic, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Puerto Rico has already secured a spot in the tournament quarterfinals, which begin on Friday. Across 166 innings (31 games) in 2025, Berrios posted a 9-5 record with a 4.17 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. The 31-year-old reportedly dealt with a biceps tendon issue down the stretch of 2025 and was left off Toronto's postseason roster during its run to the World Series. However, Berrios has said he is fully healthy heading into 2026 and will have a chance to prove he is on the path to a bounce-back season at the WBC. The Blue Jays have enough pitching depth to potentially move Berrios out of the starting rotation if he struggles again this season, making him a risky starting pitcher option for fantasy managers.

17 hours ago

Trey Yesavage • SP • Blue Jays

Trey Yesavage Scheduled to Pitch in Minor-League Game on Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher Trey Yesavage will pitch in a Minor League game at the team's Spring Training complex on Wednesday, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Matheson reports that the plan is for Yesavage to pitch two innings, and that may make two additional Spring Training starts following his outing on Wednesday. Toronto is carefully managing Yesavage's workload after he threw 139 2/3 innings (including Minor League and postseason action) in 2025. Yesavage was a key piece of the Blue Jays' run to the World Series last season, posting a 35.8% strikeout rate and a 1.05 WHIP across 27 2/3 postseason innings. While the young righty's long-term upside appears to be sky-high, Toronto's apparent desire to hold him back from a full starter's workload may limit his 2026 fantasy value. Yesavage profiles as a high-ceiling, low-floor number three fantasy starter as Opening Day approaches.

17 hours ago

Merrill Kelly • SP • Diamondbacks

Merrill Kelly Set to Make Spring Training Debut on Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (back) is set to make the start in his team's spring training game on Friday against the Kansas City Royals, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Kelly was sidelined early in camp with a back injury, but he was able to make it through a live batting practice session this past Sunday and appears on track to progress to game action. The 37-year-old may not be fully built up to his normal pitch count in his first start or two of the season, but he should have a chance to be ready for Opening Day barring any setbacks. Across 184 innings (32 starts) split between the Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers in 2025, Kelly posted a 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts. He is locked into a rotation spot in Arizona and projects as a quality late-round innings eater for fantasy managers.

17 hours ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor "100 Percent Optimistic" he Can be Ready for Opening Day

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) played four innings on defense in a minor-league spring training game on Tuesday, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Lindor is just under a month removed from surgery to repair a stress reaction in his left hamate bone. While the 32-year-old was able to play the field in a game, he has yet to progress to taking live at-bats. Per DiComo, Lindor said he is "100% optimistic" that he has a chance to be ready for Opening Day, although the veteran shortstop did not fully commit to a specific return date. Lindor has recorded four consecutive seasons with at least 680 plate appearances, so it would not be a surprise if he's able to make a quick recovery from surgery and avoid an early-season stint on the Injured List.

17 hours ago

Corbin Carroll • RF • Diamondbacks

Corbin Carroll Set to Play in Cactus League Game on Wednesday

The plan is for Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand) to serve as the designated hitter in the team's Cactus League game on Wednesday against the Athletics, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 25-year-old former National League Rookie of the Year has healed quickly from surgery to fix a fractured hamate bone in his right hand in early February. Barring a setback once Carroll returns to game action, he should be ready for Opening Day later this month. It's great news for the Diamondbacks and fantasy managers who took Carroll as a top-10 fantasy outfielder already in drafts. The former 16th overall pick in 2019 is a two-time All-Star and contributes across all categories in fantasy. Carroll has led the league in triples in each of the last three years and was a 30-30 man in 2025 for the first time in his career.

23 hours ago

Roki Sasaki • SP • Dodgers

Roki Sasaki Expected to Open the Season in Starting Role

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki is expected to open his second year in the big leagues in 2026 as a starting pitcher, per Jack Vita of the Los Angeles Times. "I don't see a world in which Roki Sasaki doesn't [open the season] as a starter," manager Dave Roberts said. Sasaki only appeared in 10 games (eight starts) in his first big-league season in 2025 during the regular season, allowing 18 earned runs on 30 hits (six homers) while walking 22 and striking out 28 in 36 1/3 innings pitched. The 24-year-old Japanese hurler then made nine appearances in the postseason as the Dodgers' closer, giving up just one earned run while recording three saves in 10 2/3 frames. He hasn't looked great in his two Cactus League starts, allowing seven earned runs while walking five and striking out five in 3 1/3 innings. Control continues to be the biggest issue for Sasaki, who could eventually be moved back to a bullpen role in 2026 when lefty Blake Snell (shoulder) makes his season debut.

23 hours ago

Spencer Torkelson • 1B • Tigers

Spencer Torkelson Leaves Sim Game Early After Hit-by-Pitch

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (forearm) was hit on his right forearm by a pitch during a simulated game in camp on Tuesday and left early with a trainer for treatment, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. It's unclear right now how serious Torkelson's injury is or if it will prevent him from being ready on Opening Day later this month. The 26-year-old former first overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State hit 31 home runs for the second time in his career last season after clubbing only 10 long balls in 2024, and he added 78 RBI and 82 runs scored in 155 games played while slashing .240/.333/.456 in 649 plate appearances. There's always going to be swing and miss in Torkelson's game, but he cut back slightly on his whiffs in 2025 and showed more plate discipline. Fantasy managers should look at Tork as a power asset later in drafts as corner-infield depth.

23 hours ago

Caleb Durbin • 3B • Red Sox

Caleb Durbin Expected to be Boston's Starting Third Baseman

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora stopped short of making it official but "strongly indicated" on Tuesday morning that infielder Caleb Durbin will be the team's starting third baseman on Opening Day later this month, according to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com. The Red Sox will most likely go with Durbin at the hot corner after they were unable to re-sign Alex Bregman in free agency in the winter. The 26-year-old Durbin played third base with the Milwaukee Brewers last year in his MLB debut, too, while finishing with a .256/.334/.387 slash line, .721 OPS, 11 homers, 53 RBI, 60 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 136 total regular-season games. Durbin finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. He displayed great plate discipline, but fantasy managers should be concerned about his 4.0% barrel rate, 26.9% hard-hit rate, and 85.2 mph average exit velocity. Durbin doesn't have the high-end power to be more than a backup third base option in mixed fantasy leagues.

23 hours ago

Troy Melton • SP • Tigers

Tigers Place Troy Melton on 60-Day Injured List

The Detroit Tigers placed right-hander Troy Melton (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday with elbow inflammation despite no rehab setback, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The move means that the earliest Melton can return in 2026 is on May 25. The 25-year-old has yet to resume throwing since suffering a right-elbow strain early in spring training last month. It's a big setback for the young pitcher after he looked good in his big-league debut for Detroit last year. Melton went 3-2 on the mound with a 2.76 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, and 15 walks in a small sample size of 45 2/3 innings over 16 outings (four starts). He showed even more upside as a key arm for the Tigers in the offseason, even if his strikeout rate from the minors didn't carry over. The expectation was that Melton would get a shot at a full-time starting role this year, but those plans could be changing because of his elbow injury.

Yesterday

Josh Lowe • RF • Angels

Angels Expect Josh Lowe to be Ready for Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) will likely start hitting in minor-league games in spring training this weekend, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Lowe can rack up at-bats in minor-league games, so the Angels are currently expecting him to be ready for Opening Day in late March. More oblique issues this spring have limited the left-handed slugger to only three Cactus League games as he gets ready for his first season in Anaheim in 2026. Lowe was a former 13th overall selection in 2016, but he just hasn't panned out in five major-league seasons, hitting .250/.306/.414 with a .721 OPS, 43 home runs, 170 RBI, 188 runs scored, and 79 stolen bases in 403 games played. He does have two 20-homer seasons and plenty of speed, but his recurring oblique injuries make him hard to trust as outfield depth in fantasy in mixed leagues. RotoBaller currently has Lowe ranked as the No. 67 fantasy outfielder.

Yesterday

Michael Massey • 2B • Royals

Michael Massey has "Low-Grade" Calf Strain, Could be Out a Week

Kansas City Royals second baseman Michael Massey (calf) has a "low-grade" calf strain, manager Matt Quatraro told MLB.com's Anne Rogers on Tuesday morning. Massey tweaked it on a play in Cactus League action against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday, and it didn't improve, so the team had it checked out. He'll be out of game action for "hopefully just about a week." As long as the 27-year-old isn't out beyond a week, he'll still have a chance to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Massey isn't on the fantasy map in mixed leagues going into the 2026 campaign as more of a utility player for the Royals. The former fourth-rounder in 2019 played in only 77 games last year due to ankle, back, and wrist injuries for KC and slashed .244/.268/.313 with a career-worst .581 OPS, three home runs, 20 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 277 plate appearances.

Yesterday

Jacob Young • CF • Nationals

Jacob Young Starts Swinging, Still Hoping to be Ready for Opening Day

Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young (wrist) started swinging in camp on Tuesday, according to Jessica Camerato of MLB.com. Young is still considered day-to-day with a right-wrist contusion, with the Nationals' goal of making sure he's 100% healthy for Opening Day later this month. The 26-year-old has only been able to play in one Grapefruit League game so far this spring because of his wrist injury. In his third MLB season with the Nats last year, Young played in 120 games (364 plate appearances) and hit .231/.296/.287 with a career-worst .583 OPS, only two home runs, 31 RBI, 34 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases. The former seventh-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida is a speedster on the base paths -- he stole a career-high 33 bags in 2024 -- and is excellent on defense, but his lack of power and unclear playing time situation put him outside of RotoBaller's top-100 fantasy outfielders going into the 2026 season.

Yesterday

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor Fielding Ground Balls on Tuesday

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) is taking another step in his recovery from hamate-bone surgery in camp on Tuesday and is fielding ground balls with other Mets infielders, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Nothing is set in stone as far as Lindor's availability for Opening Day at the end of this month, but there remains optimism in the organization that the 32-year-old veteran All-Star will be ready to go. The fact that he has also progressed to hitting in the batting cage is definitely a good sign. The five-time Puerto Rican All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner is still one of the better fantasy options at the shortstop position despite his hand injury, and RotoBaller has him ranked at No. 5 at the position. Lindor had his second 30-30 season in the last three years in 2025, slashing .267/.346/.466 with an .811 OPS, 86 RBI, and 117 runs scored in a league-high 732 plate appearances.

Yesterday

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