MLB News

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman has been added to the United States of America's roster for the World Baseball Classic, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. He will join the team for the semifinals in Miami, replacing now-retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Now 33 years old, Hoffman has been an effective bullpen arm late into his career. While his FIP did jump to 4.90 last year, he still locked down 33 saves for a Jays team that won the American League pennant. Hoffman finished 2025 with 11.12 K/9 and 3.57 BB/9, leaving home runs as his biggest issue. If he can reduce the amount of loud contact he surrenders in 2026, he can return to being one of MLB's top closers while delivering high-leverage innings for a competitive baseball team. In the short term, he'll have a similarly important role pitching out of the USA's bullpen as the WBC continues.

The Boston Red Sox reportedly haven't engaged in extension talks with infielder Marcelo Mayer or pitching prospect Connelly Early, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. It has become increasingly common for organizations to sign their young prospects to long-term extensions, paying them a little more in the short term to ensure they gain extra years of guaranteed control further down the road. However, it sounds like the Sox don't have any interest in jumping to that step with Mayer or Early yet. Injuries limited Mayer to just 44 MLB games in his rookie season last year, and while he played solid defense, he slashed just .228/.272/.402 with a 30.1% strikeout rate and 80 wRC+ at the dish. He's viewed as a potential long-term third base solution with Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman gone, but currently, Boston is non-committal about giving him a spot on the 2026 Opening Day roster. Early has flashed upside on the mound, albeit over a small sample size. Through four starts as a rookie last year, he posted a 0.91 FIP with 13.50 K/9, 1.86 BB/9, and a 46.7% ground ball rate. The Red Sox have previously signed long-term extensions with other young prospects, including Brayan Bello, Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Ceddanne Rafaela. We could see Mayer and Early join that list eventually, but for now, extension talks are non-existent.

MLB.com reports that Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung's recovery from a groin injury has "been a little slower than initially expected." However, Jung was able to take ground balls on Friday and is expected to play in a minor-league game this weekend. The 28-year-old oft-injured third baseman hasn't appeared in a Cactus League game since Feb. 24. The former eighth overall pick out of Texas Tech in 2019 still has around two weeks to get fully back up to speed before the start of the 2026 regular season. Jung was an All-Star in 2023 in his first full year in the majors, slashing .266/.315/.467 with a .781 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, and 75 runs scored in 515 plate appearances and 122 games. He has clear 30-homer upside in Texas, but he's also among the biggest injury risks at the third base position, which makes him only RotoBaller's No. 34 fantasy third baseman. Jung's 131 games played last year were a career high.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (back) expects to open the regular season on the injured list, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Kelly experienced back discomfort on February 21, and while he was able to throw 1.2 innings in a Cactus League game this past Friday, it sounds like he won't be in the Snakes' rotation on Opening Day. On one hand, it's unfortunate news for the Diamondbacks and Kelly, who was projected to be the Opening Day starter after posting an impressive 3.76 FIP with 3.48 K/BB last year. On the other hand, Gilbert notes that the Diamondbacks can backdate Kelly's IL placement to three days before Opening Day, so he'd only miss the first 12 days of regular-season action. All things considered, that's just a few starts and should be enough to ensure he's fully healthy for a long season. Managers can afford to be a little patient with Kelly if it means that he'll be at peak health and productivity going forward. He currently ranks as the #72 starter in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said he expects Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes' pitch limit to be around 75 to 80 pitches for the World Baseball Classic semifinals on Sunday against the Dominican Republic, according to Rowan Kavner of FOX Sports. It will be a high-intensity, difficult matchup for Skenes before the 2026 regular season even begins. The 23-year-old former first overall pick in 2023 out of LSU is already one of the top big-league pitchers as he heads into his third MLB campaign. Skenes was as advertised with a quick rise to the big leagues, earning National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2024 and winning the NL Cy Young in his second season last year. He led the big leagues in ERA (1.97), FIP (2.36), WHIP (0.95), and home runs allowed per nine innings (0.5) while throwing 187 2/3 innings over 32 starts last year. Skenes has all the ingredients needed to finish as the overall SP1 in fantasy baseball when all is said and done in 2026.

Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger had an uncharacteristically poor year at the plate in 2025, but a strong performance this spring has sparked some optimism about his outlook for 2026. Through 103 games last year -- his first in Texas -- Burger slashed .236/.269/.419 with 16 home runs, a 3.2 walk rate, and a 24.7% strikeout rate. He amassed a career-low 89 wRC+ and, for the first time in his career, produced negative fWAR at the plate and in the field. This spring, however, his slash line is up to .355/.429/.645 with an 11.4% walk rate and 180 wRC+, and he has slugged three home runs in 35 plate appearances. We shouldn't invest too much stock into spring stats, but it's refreshing to see that his home run and walk rates have improved in Grapefruit League play, even if some of the pitchers he's facing aren't MLB-caliber arms. Managers should be optimistic that Burger, who launched 63 home runs between 2023 and 2024, might be able to mash around 20-25 homers this upcoming season, even though the Rangers' park is very pitcher-friendly.

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (back) is starting at second base and batting second on Saturday in the Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles. Lowe was scratched as a precaution from Wednesday's spring training game, but the 31-year-old veteran is back on the field this weekend as he prepares to start his first season in Pittsburgh. The Tampa Bay Rays sent the left-handed-hitting second baseman to the Steel City in December as part of a three-team deal. Lowe will give the Bucs more power upside at the keystone in 2026, and he's coming off his second All-Star season in 2025, in which he slashed .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs, 83 RBI, 79 runs, and three steals in 553 plate appearances over 134 games played. He'll be the team's everyday second baseman, and he offers 30-homer potential despite carrying plenty of risk and a low batting-average floor. Right now, RotoBaller has Lowe ranked just inside the top 15 fantasy second basemen for the 2026 campaign.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Saturday that right-hander Kevin Gausman will be their Opening Day starter in 2026. Gausman is going into his fifth year with the Blue Jays. He's been their ace all along and was an All-Star for the second time back in 2023. The 35-year-old veteran went 10-11 last year with a 3.59 ERA (3.41 FIP), 1.06 WHIP, and 189:50 K: BB in a career-high 193 innings over 32 starts. Not only has Gausman been a solid fantasy starter in his time in Toronto, but he's been reliable, making at least 31 starts in five straight seasons with a 3.34 ERA and 1.15 WHIP during that span. RotoBaller has Gausman ranked as its No. 27 fantasy starting pitcher because of his pedigree and durability through the year. We know Gausman has a high fantasy floor and elite command of the baseball when pitching, but there is inherent risk in going with a pitcher near the end of his career as your No. 2 or 3 arm. Gausman will face an up-and-coming young Athletics lineup on Opening Day on March 27.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Chase Burns is fully healthy as the 2026 MLB regular season approaches, according to manager Terry Francona. Burns threw a limited pitch count during spring training action on Friday, but Francona explained that the reduced workload was a result of him "working through some of his routines and stuff." Burns reportedly put in plenty of work over five days leading up to his spring training appearance, which led to a shorter outing on Friday. He could experience similar workload management during the regular season, with Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19 speculating that Burns might not consistently approach 100 pitches during his starts this year. Nevertheless, the Reds are confident that Burns is healthy and will be a staple in their starting rotation throughout the regular season. He's trending upward after a 2025 rookie campaign in which he posted a fantastic 2.65 FIP with 13.92 K/9 and 3.32 BB/9.

Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, playing left field and hitting leadoff. Stowers will finally return to game action after missing the last two weeks with a strained right hamstring. Hopefully, the 28-year-old can get back in the swing of things over the next two weeks and hit the ground running for Opening Day later this month. The young left-handed-hitting outfielder is looking for an encore in 2026 after slashing .288/.386/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 117 games in his first full season in South Beach. Stowers broke out in his fourth year in the big leagues and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career. Durability is definitely a concern, but when healthy, his 30-homer power potential makes him a high-upside No. 3/4 outfield target in fantasy drafts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.