MLB News

Brent Rooker • RF • Athletics

Brent Rooker Demonstrating Power Amid Strikeout Issues

Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker has continued to produce impressive stats at the plate this spring training, headlined by four home runs through just 35 plate appearances. The 31-year-old has turned into one of MLB's most impressive power hitters, producing 30 homers in each of the last three seasons, so we shouldn't be too surprised by his power output so far. Nevertheless, it's encouraging to see him mix in other base hits amid the home runs, as he owns a .324/.343/.765 slash line during Cactus League play. The biggest red flag for Rooker this spring has been his discipline numbers. He currently owns a 2.9% walk rate and a 31.4% strikeout rate, neither of which will be acceptable during the regular season. We expect power hitters to have above-average strikeout rates, but ideally, Rooker will get back down to last year's walk and strikeout rates of 9.3% and 22.2%, respectively. Volatility is common during spring training, so managers should expect Rookier's discipline numbers to improve while maintaining his power when the regular season arrives.

5 hours ago

Hunter Gaddis • RP • Guardians

Hunter Gaddis Threw a Bullpen Session on Thursday

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Hunter Gaddis (forearm) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Thursday as he recovers from right forearm tightness. Gaddis hasn't appeared in a spring training game since February 27, and it's unclear whether he'll be able to face opposing batters again before Cactus League action concludes. The Guardians will certainly be smart with his recovery, especially since Gaddis is a pivotal part of their bullpen. He tossed 66.2 innings last year, amassing a 3.50 FIP with 9.86 K/9 and 2.84 BB/9. We could even see him pick up some more saves this season with Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on non-disciplinary leave, but for now, the primary closer role belongs to Cade Smith. At the moment, Gaddis lacks fantasy appeal, slotting in as the #83 reliever in RotoBaller's latest rankings.

5 hours ago

Jordan Lawlar • SS • Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar Turning a Corner This Spring?

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jordan Lawlar has put together a very impressive spring training at the plate, sparking optimism about his outlook for the 2026 regular season. Lawlar produced a measly .182/.257/.288 slash line with zero home runs and a 35.1% strikeout rate in the majors last year. This spring, however, he seems to have turned a corner with a .323/.432/.742 slash line, four home runs, 199 wRC+, a 16.2% walk rate, and a 27.0% strikeout rate. We don't want to put too much stock into spring training stats due to sample size and matchup factors, but it's encouraging nonetheless, especially for a player who attracted so much hype as a prep first-round pick back in 2021. Fantasy managers should also be intrigued by the fact that Lawlar has spent plenty of time in center field this spring, and he's looked good there. If the Diamondbacks are willing to introduce a position change just to get him in the lineup, that's an encouraging sign that the team is very excited about his bat in 2026.

5 hours ago

Konnor Griffin • SS • Pirates

Konnor Griffin Turning Heads This Spring

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin has endured an up-and-down spring at the plate, but his power production so far has been quite impressive. Griffin owns a .200/.273/.533 slash line in Grapefruit League play, accruing a 0.0% walk rate and 24.2% strikeout rate. The latter two numbers are concerning, but it's been a small sample size, and we anticipate the discipline metrics will revert to the mean over a larger period of time. What's more impressive are his power numbers, as he's slugged three home runs through 33 plate appearances so far. Still just 19 years old, Griffin has a bright MLB future ahead of him, even though he's unlikely to break camp with the big-league club. He remains a very intriguing prospect to monitor in dynasty leagues, especially if he continues to produce MLB-caliber power.

6 hours ago

Samuel Basallo • C • Orioles

Samuel Basallo Flashing Immense Upside in Spring Training

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo has been off to an impressive start to spring training, offering plenty of optimism for his performance during the regular season. He currently owns a .320/.414/.560 slash line with one home run, seven RBI, and a 13.8% walk rate. His strikeout rate is an alarming 27.6%, but that's a fair trade-off if the bat continues to play. The improved slash line is a welcome sign for fantasy managers, given that Basallo slashed .165/.229/.330 with 55 wRC+ across 31 games in the majors last year. The Orioles are still optimistic that Basallo can be their catcher of the future, so his solid spring is encouraging. He'll likely split catching duties with Adley Rutschman this year.

6 hours ago

Austin Wells • C • Yankees

Austin Wells Hits Three-Run Homer in WBC Blowout Win Over South Korea

New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells hit a game-ending three-run home run in the seventh inning on Friday for Team Dominican Republic to help them beat South Korea 10-0 to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals. Wells' homer was the 14th for the Dominicans in the tournament, tying the record set by Mexico in 2009. The 26-year-old left-handed hitting backstop also hit a home run for the Dominican Republic in pool play in a win over the Netherlands. Wells is the Yankees' primary catcher going into the 2026 season after he hit .219/.275/.436 with a .712 OPS, a career-high 21 home runs, 71 RBI, 51 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 448 plate appearances over 126 games in his third year in the big leagues. If you wait at the catching position, Wells is a solid No. 2 catching target for his power in a strong Yankees' lineup. He should have a pretty solid counting-stat floor as New York's primary option behind the dish.

15 hours ago

Jonathan India • 2B • Royals

Jonathan India Leaves Friday's Game Early With Groin Tightness

Kansas City Royals infielder Jonathan India (groin) left Friday night's Cactus League game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with right-groin tightness, the team announced. Before leaving with the injury, India was 1-for-1 at the plate with a double and a run scored. The 29-year-old was pulled in the third frame. For now, fantasy managers should consider India day-to-day, but with two weeks until Opening Day, his availability for the start of the 2026 regular season is certainly in question. If India's injury lands him on the injured list to begin the year, Michael Massey is the most likely candidate to take over playing time in KC at the keystone. India, a former fifth overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of the University of Florida, had the worst year of his career in 2025 in his first season with the Royals, slashing .233/.323/.346 with a .669 OPS, career-low nine home runs, 45 RBI, and 63 runs in 136 games played. He hasn't returned to the 20-homer mark since he won National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. His batted-ball metrics support a rebound, but you can get India at a low price late in deep-mixed leagues as middle-infield insurance.

16 hours ago

Danny Coulombe • RP • Red Sox

Red Sox Sign Reliever Danny Coulombe to One-Year Deal

The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox placed infielder Romy Gonzalez (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list after he had left-shoulder surgery. The 36-year-old Coulombe was originally a 25th-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 out of Texas Tech. He had a solid 2.30 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, a career-high two saves, 43 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 43 innings over 55 appearances (one start) last year with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers. Over his 11 seasons in the big leagues, Coulombe has gone 17-10 with a 3.35 ERA (3.62 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, five saves, and a 24% strikeout rate in 11 seasons with five different teams. At best, Coulombe is going to be a lefty specialist out of Boston's bullpen in 2026, and he won't have any real fantasy appeal.

19 hours ago

Jalen Beeks • RP • Rangers

Rangers Add Lefty Jalen Beeks for Bullpen Depth

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks to a one-year deal worth $1.6 million on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Rangers designated right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz for assignment. Diaz, who was an All-Star closer for the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, had an 8.15 ERA in 18 relief appearances with the Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves in 2025. He had also allowed eight earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings in three Cactus League appearances this spring. Beeks struck out 47 hitters in 57 1/3 innings while going 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA and a save in 61 appearances out of the bullpen for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for games pitched. He will not be on the fantasy radar as primarily a lefty specialist. Beeks is 28-18 in his career with a 4.31 ERA, and 16 saves in 263 career outings with five different teams.

19 hours ago

Gabriel Moreno • C • Diamondbacks

Gabriel Moreno Scratched on Friday With Forearm Tightness

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that catcher Gabriel Moreno (forearm) was scratched from Friday night's Cactus League lineup with right-forearm tightness, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. It's something that Moreno has been dealing with for a few days. He'll go for imaging on his forearm, at which point we'll have a better idea of the severity of the injury. If the injury is serious enough to keep Moreno out for Opening Day in two weeks, it would open up playing time behind the dish in the desert for both Adrian Del Castillo and James McCann. The 26-year-old Venezuelan backstop has only played in over 100 games once in his three full seasons in the big leagues. Moreno played in 83 games a season ago due to injuries, although he still managed a career-high nine home runs, 40 RBI, and a solid .285 batting average (79-for-277) in 309 plate appearances. Moreno is more of a No. 2 catching target in fantasy drafts because of his durability concerns.

20 hours ago

Francisco Lindor • SS • Mets

Francisco Lindor Takes Full Batting Practice on Friday

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) took full batting practice on the field in camp on Friday for the first time since having surgery on the hamate bone in his right hand last month, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. After BP, Lindor faced left-handed reliever A.J. Minter in live batting practice. The highlight for Lindor on the day was a ground-rule double to center field. Although nothing is official, it's looking very likely that Lindor will be ready to roll for the start of the 2026 season in two weeks on Opening Day, barring a setback. The next step for the 32-year-old five-time All-Star is to be cleared to play in Grapefruit League games. If the Puerto Rican can do that, he'll almost certainly avoid the injured list to begin the regular season. Lindor remains one of the top shortstop options in fantasy despite the injury after slashing .267/.346/.466 with an .811 OPS and the second 30-30 season of his career in 2025.

22 hours ago

Isaac Collins • LF • Royals

Isaac Collins Dealing With Back/Side Tightness

Kansas City Royals outfielder Isaac Collins (back, side) is dealing with mild back/left-side tightness in camp, which is why he hasn't been in the Cactus League lineup in spring training since Tuesday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The Royals are being cautious more than anything else, with Collins telling Rogers it's an injury he "doesn't want to push through" with Opening Day only two weeks away. It's something to monitor for now, with Collins being considered more day-to-day. The 28-year-old was acquired by the Royals in the offseason in a trade with the Brewers after the switch-hitter batted .263/.368/.411 with a .779 OPS, nine home runs, 54 RBI, 56 runs, and 16 stolen bases in 441 plate appearances over 130 games in 2025 in his second year in the majors. His .111 batting average in 20 plate appearances in spring training wasn't helping his cause for a part-time role in KC's outfield to begin the 2026 campaign.

22 hours ago

Mitchell Parker • SP • Nationals

Nationals Option Mitchell Parker to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals announced on Friday that they have optioned left-hander Mitchell Parker to Triple-A Rochester. Parker, who made 59 starts for the Nats in his first two big-league seasons, will head to the minors after allowing two earned runs with five walks and three strikeouts in only 3 2/3 innings over his two appearances in Grapefruit League play in spring training. The 6-foot-4, 239-pound southpaw really struggled in 2025 as a starter for Washington, going 9-16 with a 5.68 ERA (4.99 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP while striking out 103 and walking 58 in 164 2/3 innings over 33 outings (30 starts). It was especially disappointing after Parker had a 1.39 ERA after his first five starts. In September, Parker was moved to the bullpen, and he didn't show enough this spring to win a starting spot back, even with MacKenzie Gore being traded in the offseason. Parker will now bide his time at Rochester as he looks to make it back to the big leagues.

22 hours ago

Hayden Birdsong • SP • Giants

Hayden Birdsong Dealing With Elbow Soreness

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that right-hander Hayden Birdsong (elbow) is dealing with some right-elbow soreness in camp and will be evaluated, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. The severity of Birdsong's elbow injury is uncertain, as well as how long he might be shut down from throwing in spring training. On top of injury issues with around two weeks until Opening Day, the 24-year-old has been hit around in Cactus League play. Birdsong has given up eight earned runs on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings pitched. Already fighting an uphill battle to make the team's Opening Day starting rotation, fantasy managers can probably assume he won't make the starting five now. The former sixth-rounder in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois had an ERA approaching 5.00 for the second straight season and an FIP even higher in 65 2/3 innings pitched over 21 outings (10 starts). Especially with an injury, Birdsong is outside the top-100 starting fantasy pitchers.

22 hours ago

Daniel Schneemann • 2B • Guardians

Daniel Schneemann Scratched on Friday With Ankle Sprain

Cleveland Guardians infielder Daniel Schneemann (ankle) was scratched from the Grapefruit League lineup on Friday with a right-ankle sprain, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Schneemann was set to start at shortstop for the Guards before being scratched. Depending on the severity of the 29-year-old's ankle sprain, he could be sidelined for a little bit, putting his availability for Opening Day at the end of the month in question. The left-handed hitter mostly played against righties in 2025 in just his second year in the big leagues, slashing .206/.283/.354 with a .636 OPS, 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 48 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 422 plate appearances over 131 games played. If healthy for the 2026 season, Schneeman will provide infield versatility off Cleveland's bench against right-handed pitchers. Schneeman showed some power last year, but he's hit just .210 (12-for-572) in his first 204 big-league games.

22 hours ago

Quinn Priester • SP • Brewers

Quinn Priester Says Optimistic Timeline for a Return is Late April

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (wrist) thinks an optimistic timeline for his diagnosis is a late-April/early-May return, according to Dominic Cotroneo. "Ultimately, I'll trust whatever the scheduling is there to make sure we do it right... so get back as fast as possible but as smart as possible," Priester said on Friday. The 25-year-old was diagnosed with a nerve issue in the thoracic outlet syndrome family that has given him issues with his right wrist. The good news is that it's not very severe, and the Brewers think he can avoid having to go under the knife. Still, it's a pretty serious setback for Priester, and he'll begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list. Priester was shaping up as an interesting late-round selection in fantasy drafts for rotation depth after breaking out in 2025 in Milwaukee with a 3.32 ERA, but now he's highly risky. He is not in Rotoballer's top-100 rankings for starting pitchers.

23 hours ago

Brandon Woodruff • SP • Brewers

Brandon Woodruff Still TBD for Opening Day

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (lat) threw a four-inning simulated game in camp on Friday but said his status for Opening Day in late March is still to be determined, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers aren't taking any chances with Woodruff going into the 2026 season after he got a late start in 2025 while recovering from right-shoulder surgery, before suffering a right-lat strain late in the year. The 33-year-old veteran has already thrown two innings in a Cactus League game. His primary goal is to be healthy for the entire season, so don't be surprised if Woodruff isn't in the Opening Day starting rotation. Woodruff was still very strong last year with a 3.20 ERA and 0.91 WHIP despite diminished velocity, and he's proven in the past that he can be one of the better pitchers in baseball. Injury concerns make him a high-risk, high-reward option in fantasy drafts this year with a ceiling of a SP2.

23 hours ago

Robert Garcia • RP • Rangers

Can Robert Garcia Take Over the Full-Time Closer Role in Texas?

Across 64 innings in 2025, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Robert Garcia pitched to a 4-8 record with a 2.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and nine saves. The 29-year-old left-hander owns a solid 27.2% strikeout rate for his career with a manageable 7.7% walk rate to boot. Garcia ended 2025 tied for the Rangers' team lead in saves with Shawn Armstrong and Luke Jackson, both of whom are no longer with the organization. As a result, Garcia could be in line to assume the club's primary closer role in 2026. Additionally, Texas recently designated free agent signee Alexis Diaz for assignment, who may have been the most experienced closer the team had in camp. If Garcia pitches well in the early portion of the season, he could conceivably grab hold of the ninth-inning role in a Rangers bullpen that currently appears light on quality alternatives. Fantasy managers may want to target Garcia as a mid-round saves option in upcoming drafts before Opening Day.

Yesterday

Ketel Marte • 2B • Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte Remains an Elite Second Base Option Heading into 2026

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was the subject of trade discussions early this offseason, but ultimately did not end up being moved and will suit up for his 10th season in Arizona in 2026. Marte has firmly established himself as one of the best second basemen in baseball, hitting .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs, 72 RBI, 87 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 556 plate appearances in 2025. He's posted a walk rate of at least 10.9% in each of the last three seasons and boosted his barrel rate to a career-high 13.5% in 2025. Marte has not reached double-digit steals in a season since 2019, so he does not project as a major speed asset for fantasy managers. He also comes with a spotty track record of health, reaching 600 plate appearances just twice since 2016. Still, the 32-year-old elite production when on the field and profiles as a high-end fantasy second baseman heading into 2026.

Yesterday

Logan Henderson • SP • Brewers

Logan Henderson Could Return to Spring Training Action this Weekend

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that right-hander Logan Henderson (elbow) is "back on track" and could pitch in a Spring Training game this weekend, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Henderson experienced some elbow soreness in early March, but it appears that he and the Brewers may have avoided a serious injury. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2025, recording a 3-0 record with a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings (five starts). Milwaukee's enviable starting pitching depth and his minor spring injury setback could leave Henderson on the outside looking in of the Opening Day rotation. However, he should have a chance to open the year healthy, and he will almost certainly have an opportunity to work his way back to the big leagues at some point this season. Fantasy managers in deep leagues may want to swoop in on Henderson now at a relative low point in his value heading into 2026.

Yesterday

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