MLB News

Matthew Liberatore • SP • Cardinals

Matthew Liberatore Named Cardinals' Opening Day Starter

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore will get the nod as the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, taking on the Tampa Bay Rays at home on Thursday, March 26. The left-hander was second on the team in wins, quality starts, and strikeouts last season behind Sonny Gray, who is no longer with the club, so Liberatore will assume the role of ace of the staff. The 6-foot-5 southpaw recorded a 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts in 151 2/2 innings pitched last season, which doesn't really move the needle much for fantasy. The former first-rounder has looked good so far this spring, though, as he's allowed three earned runs in 10 innings of work (2.70 ERA) while registering a 1.00 WHIP and an impressive 14:1 K:BB in his three starts, so perhaps he's ready to take a step forward in 2026. The 26-year-old is going undrafted in most fantasy leagues, owning an ADP of 359, right around his RotoBaller ranking of 341 overall.

4 hours ago

Gerrit Cole • SP • Yankees

Gerrit Cole Sees Good Velocity in Abbreviated Spring Debut on Wednesday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) made his first Grapefruit League start of 2026 on Wednesday against the Red Sox, and although the one-inning outing was short, it was encouraging. The veteran threw only 10 pitches, but his fastball averaged 97.1 mph and topped out at 98.7 mph; for reference, the right-hander's fastball averaged 96.7 mph in his last full season of 2023. The six-time All-Star made just 17 starts in 2024 and then missed all of 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. Despite Wednesday's appearance, the expectation still is that the 6-foot-4 hurler will begin the regular season on the 60-day injured list, and so he will not be ready to return to the mound in the regular season until sometime in late May or early June. Fantasy managers hoping he will return to form in 2026 can grab the two-time Cy Young winner at the end of most drafts with an ADP of 249, right around his RotoBaller rank of 234 overall.

4 hours ago

Roki Sasaki • SP • Dodgers

Roki Sasaki to be in Opening Day Starting Rotation

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that right-hander Roki Sasaki will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation despite his struggles in spring training, according to Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times. Sasaki has been a roller coaster in Cactus League action this year, and it continued in his latest outing on Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals, when he allowed three runs on four hits, four walks, and five strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings pitched. He has shown progress with his newly-added cutter, but overall, Sasaki has been underwhelming this spring. When left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) eventually makes his 2026 season debut, Sasaki may end up back in the bullpen, where he was thriving last fall to close out the season. Struggles with command have been the biggest issue for the 24-year-old Japanese hurler, making him a boom/bust fantasy option in 2026. In 36 1/3 innings in his MLB debut in the regular season last year, Sasaki had a 4.46 ERA with 28 K's and 22 walks in 10 outings (eight starts).

5 hours ago

Josh Lowe • RF • Angels

Josh Lowe Plays Six Innings in Minor-League Game

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) said he played six innings on a back field in a minor-league game on Tuesday and got some outfield work in as well, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Lowe recently returned to Cactus League action for the Halos in a designated-hitter role after initially injuring his oblique in late February. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger has a history of oblique injuries, so it makes sense for the Angels to err on the side of caution with the regular season starting late next week. Lowe, a former first-rounder in 2016 by the Tampa Bay Rays, was once a promising power/speed threat before injuries slowed him down. He had a 20-homer campaign in 2023 and also stole 32 bags that year and drove in 83 runs. Lowe has had two straight disappointing seasons since then, hitting a combined .230/.292/.378 with 21 homers, 74 RBI, and 43 stolen bases. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues can still dream on that potential, but he must stay healthy and will be battling for playing time in Anaheim.

5 hours ago

Tyler Freeman • RF • Rockies

Tyler Freeman Scratched From Spring Lineup With Back Tightness

Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder Tyler Freeman (back) was scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds with lower-back tightness, according to the team. Cole Carrigg will take over for the Rockies in center field. Freeman should be considered day-to-day for now. The 26-year-old former second-rounder by the Cleveland Guardians in 2017 played in 110 games in 2025 in his first year in Colorado and looked good, slashing .281/.354/.361 with a career-best .715 OPS, two home runs, 31 RBI, 50 runs scored, and a career-high 18 stolen bases in 428 plate appearances. Freeman makes a lot of contact and has some speed, but his lack of power doesn't make him all that exciting in fantasy, even at hitter-friendly Coors Field. If healthy this year, he's expected to be in more of a super-utility role as well, which will limit his playing time.

5 hours ago

Christopher Morel • LF • Marlins

Christopher Morel Expected to be Primary First Baseman

Miami Marlins infielder/outfielder Christopher Morel is expected to open the year as the team's primary starting first baseman, barring a "dramatic change of heart" by the team, a source told Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. It's good news for Morel's fantasy baseball value in deeper leagues entering his first year in Miami, but just remember that there is a lot of volatility and swing-and-miss here. The 26-year-old right-handed hitter is a career .222 hitter in four big-league seasons with 538 strikeouts in 1,770 plate appearances. In 105 games last year with the Tampa Bay Rays, Morel hit .219/.289/.396 with a .684 OPS, 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 37 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. He's also gone 5-for-37 (.135) with no homers, 13 K's, and three walks in spring training. Morel has some power from the right side, but if he continues to struggle offensively, the Marlins will give other players opportunities at first base in 2026.

5 hours ago

Harry Ford • C • Nationals

Harry Ford Optioned to Triple-A

The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that they optioned catching prospect Harry Ford to Triple-A Rochester. To begin the 2026 season, Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas will be the Nationals' catchers. Ford could have an opportunity to overtake Ruiz as the Nats' primary catcher sooner than later in 2026, but for now, the 23-year-old will begin in the minor leagues after going 3-for-14 (.214) with no homers, two RBI, a stolen base, three walks, and seven strikeouts in seven Grapefruit League games this spring. Per MLB Pipeline, Ford is considered Washington's No. 3 prospect, and he's also considered the No. 9 catching prospect in all of baseball. The trade to D.C. over the winter from Seattle did wonders for Ford's dynasty/keeper value, although some patience might be required. Ford has excellent plate discipline, on-base skills, and above-average power for a catcher.

6 hours ago

Vaughn Grissom • 2B • Angels

Vaughn Grissom Receives Injection, Unsure if he'll Open on Injured List

Los Angeles Angels infielder Vaughn Grissom (hand) received a cortisone shot in his left hand on Tuesday, and he's unsure if he'll have to open the 2026 regular season on the injured list, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Grissom hurt his hand during a Cactus League game last week against the Chicago White Sox. The 25-year-old former 11th-round pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2019 played all of last year at Triple-A Worcester in the Boston Red Sox's system, slashing .270/.342/.441 with a .783 OPS, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 69 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 96 games played. He looked good in limited action in the big leagues in his first two seasons in 2022 and 2023 with the Atlanta Braves, but injuries have cost him opportunities, and he batted under .200 in 31 games for the BoSox in 2024. Grissom's hand injury doesn't help his chances of making the Opening Day roster as a utility player for the Halos in 2026. You can ignore Grissom outside of deep AL-only and keeper leagues.

6 hours ago

George Valera • RF • Guardians

Guardians Won't Rush George Valera to be Ready for Opening Day

Cleveland Guardians outfielder/designated hitter George Valera (calf) has been sidelined by a mild left-calf strain in camp, and there is some question as to whether he'll be ready for Opening Day later this month, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. He has been throwing and hitting, and on Tuesday, he did some running. Valera "appears to be trending in the right direction," and the team is "hopeful he could return to game action in the coming days." However, the Guardians "won't rush him" for the sake of putting him on their Opening Day roster. Valera's long-term health is the top priority. It's tough timing for the 25-year-old's injury, as he was hitting .292 (7-for-24) with a homer, four RBI, and four runs scored in 10 Cactus League games before his injury and looked to be on track to break camp with the big-league team. It's now sounding more likely that he'll start either on the injured list or at Triple-A Columbus. In his major-league debut in 2025, Valera went 9-for-41 (.220) with two homers, five RBI, and a 13:7 K:BB in 16 games played.

6 hours ago

Richard Fitts • SP • Cardinals

Richard Fitts Sent to Minors

The St. Louis Cardinals optioned right-hander Richard Fitts to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. Pitchers Kyle Leahy and Andre Pallante have earned the final two spots in the Cardinals' Opening Day starting rotation. St. Louis will have Fitts, 26, get some more seasoning in the minor leagues, but he'll surely be counted on to make starts in 2026 in his first year with the Red Birds. St. Louis acquired Fitts in a trade with the Boston Red Sox in the offseason after he went 2-4 with a 5.00 ERA (5.80 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 16 walks in 45 innings over 11 outings (10 starts) in 2025. He continued to be very hittable in three Grapefruit League starts, allowing six earned runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out nine in 9 1/3 innings. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues can ignore Fitts for now, especially because of his injury history and a low career strikeout rate. He's probably only worth rostering in NL-only leagues as pitching depth.

6 hours ago

Hayden Birdsong • SP • Giants

Hayden Birdsong Receives Second Opinion, Unsure on Course of Action

San Francisco Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong (elbow) told the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser that he saw Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion on the UCL/flexor tendon/forearm strain in his right arm. Birdsong still hasn't decided whether he will try to rehab or undergo surgery. If he were to undergo surgery, he wouldn't be able to return until around midseason in 2027. The 24-year-old was diagnosed with a UCL sprain and Grade 2 forearm strain after having an MRI exam on Sunday. Either way, he is going to open the 2026 season on the injured list, and it might be a while before we see him back on a mound, even if he opts not to have surgery. Until we know more, fantasy managers in upcoming redraft leagues should avoid Birdsong. The former sixth-rounder in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois has appeared in 37 big-league games (26 starts) over the last two years and has a 4.77 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 25.4% strikeout rate, and 13.1% walk rate in 137 2/3 innings.

7 hours ago

Eric Lauer • SP • Blue Jays

Eric Lauer "Firmly in the Mix" for Rotation Spot

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that left-hander Eric Lauer is "firmly in the mix to be in the rotation," according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The team's management of young right-hander Trey Yesavage is the "big remaining variable," and Lauer is "right on that line" now that right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) won't be ready for Opening Day. If Yesavage begins the year on the big-league roster, the Blue Jays could use a combination of Yesavage and Lauer for the final rotation spot early on. Lauer, 30, pitched very well in 2025 in his first year with the team, going 9-2 with a career-best 3.18 ERA (3.85 FIP), 1.11 WHIP, and 102:26 K:BB in 104 2/3 innings over his 28 appearances (15 starts) during the regular season. Shane Bieber (forearm) will also begin the year on the IL, so things are opening up for Lauer to have some deep-league appeal early on in 2026.

7 hours ago

Bo Naylor • C • Guardians

Bo Naylor Primed for Big Season After Mechanical Change?

Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor hit under .200 with a career-high 14 home runs, 47 RBI, and 46 runs scored in 123 games in his second full season in the big leagues in 2025. However, he went from a leg kick to a toe tap in August of last year, and in September, he was one of the team's top hitters. "I think Bo's just scratching the surface of the hitter he can be," manager Stephen Vogt said. "Everybody develops at a different clip. I think he's putting himself into a position to have a big breakout year." He hit .174/.278/.360 with a 12.4% walk rate and 24.8% strikeout rate in 91 games before he changed to a toe tap. In 19 games in September, Naylor hit .290/.324/.548 with a 5.8% walk rate, 18.8% strikeout rate, a 136 wRC+, and a 48.1% hard-hit rate. He also hit .353 (6-for-17) with a homer in four games for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Naylor has hit just .205/.286/.384 with a .670 OPS in his 318 major-league games in Cleveland, but if his mechanical change continues to provide results early in 2026, fantasy managers will take notice and grab him off the waiver wire.

7 hours ago

Logan Allen • RP |

Logan Allen • SP • Guardians

Logan Allen Joins Dodgers on Minor-League Deal

Free-agent left-hander Logan Allen is joining the Los Angeles Dodgers on a minor-league deal on Wednesday, an industry source told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Fresh off pitching for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, Allen will report to Triple-A Oklahoma City to begin the 2026 season. The 28-year-old southpaw previously agreed to a deal to pitch for the Tijuana Toros of the Mexican League, but now he'll head to the minors with the Dodgers after pitching well in the WBC. Allen spent the 2025 campaign in the Korean Baseball Organization with the NC Dinos, where he went 7-12 with a 4.53 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 149:67 K:BB in 173 innings pitched over 32 outings (31 starts). In his five years in the majors, the former eighth-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2015 posted a 5.79 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 15.7% strikeout rate, and 9.2% walk rate in 45 appearances (15 starts) with four different teams. It's going to be tough for him to reach the big leagues with the Dodgers.

7 hours ago

Ramón Urías • 3B • Cardinals

Ramon Urias Back in Grapefruit League Lineup on Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Ramon Urias (elbow) is starting at third base and will hit third in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros. It will be Urias' first game since March 9 due to elbow soreness. Barring a setback, Urias should be ready for Opening Day next Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran is heading into his first year in St. Louis after he spent the 2025 campaign with the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros. In 112 total games last year, he hit .241/.292/.384 with a career-worst .675 OPS, 11 home runs, 44 RBI, 33 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 391 plate appearances. Urias will open the year as a utility infielder for the Cards (mostly at third base) and probably will see most of his playing time when the team faces a left-handed pitcher. With limited playing time and limited power at the plate, Urias is off the fantasy radar in single-year mixed leagues.

7 hours ago

J.P. Crawford • SS • Mariners

J.P. Crawford Receives Injection, Uncertain for Opening Day

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (shoulder) received an injection in his shoulder on Wednesday and will be shut down for a few days, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Manager Dan Wilson is unsure if Crawford will be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 31-year-old has been dealing with a cranky shoulder for most of spring training, which is why he has only appeared in seven Cactus League games. Crawford's injury increases the likelihood that infield prospect Colt Emerson makes the team's Opening Day roster. Leo Rivas will be another option for Seattle at the 6 if Crawford is not ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. Crawford already wasn't much to look at in terms of fantasy baseball value with modest power and speed abilities, and now he's even less attractive with the possibility that he will open the year on the injured list. In his ninth MLB season in 2025, he hit .265/.352/.370/ with a .722 OPS, 12 homers, 58 RBI, 69 runs scored, and eight steals in 157 regular-season games.

7 hours ago

José Berríos • SP • Blue Jays

Jose Berrios has Stress Fracture, Won't be Ready for Opening Day

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) has a stress fracture in his right elbow, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. However, manager John Schneider said that Berrios is pain-free and that the team hopes he will resume throwing soon and can continue pitching through it. Berrios will not be ready for Opening Day at the end of the month, though. The 31-year-old veteran's heavy workload over the course of his career is finally catching up with him. He has thrown more innings than any other pitcher since the start of the 2019 season. Last year, Berrios threw 166 innings and went 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA (4.65 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 56 walks in 31 appearances (30 starts). While the Blue Jays hope he can continue pitching through his elbow injury, it wouldn't be wise to bank on it and trust him in fantasy baseball leagues. When Toronto's entire rotation is healthy, Berrios might be ticketed for a relief role in 2026.

8 hours ago

Brandon Nimmo • LF • Rangers

Can Brandon Nimmo Remain a Consistent Contributor in His New Home?

After 10 seasons as a member of the New York Mets, veteran outfielder Brandon Nimmo was traded to the Texas Rangers this past offseason. The soon-to-be 33-year-old Nimmo posted rock-solid numbers across 652 plate appearances with New York in 2025, hitting .262/.324/.436 with 25 home runs, 92 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. Nimmo has now recorded back-to-back seasons with at least 23 homers, 90 RBI, 80 runs scored, and double-digit steals. He also logged a career-best 50.2% hard-hit rate in 2025. Age-related decline may start to become an issue for Nimmo as he reaches his mid-30s, and this could be the biggest red flag in his fantasy outlook. Missed time would also impact Nimmo's profile as a compiler, as he's logged 650 plate appearances in four straight seasons. Still, Nimmo should be locked into a prime spot in the Rangers' everyday lineup when healthy, and his underlying metrics still support his strong top-line numbers. He profiles as a high-floor starting fantasy outfielder heading into 2026.

8 hours ago

Brandon Williamson • SP • Reds

Brandon Williamson Will Open 2026 in the Reds' Rotation

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson has been informed he will be on the team's Opening Day roster and will be part of a six-man starting rotation in Cincinnati, per Reds beat writer Charlie Goldsmith. A former top prospect, Williamson pitched just 14 1/3 big-league innings in 2024 due to a shoulder injury and then missed all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, he impressed in his four appearances this spring, recording 13 strikeouts and just two walks across 11 innings pitched. In his last extended MLB run back in 2023, Williamson pitched to a 4.46 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 98 strikeouts across 117 innings (23 starts). Given his injury track record, expectations for Williamson's 2026 workload should likely remain limited. Still, he's earned the chance to re-establish his big-league career in 2026 and could be worth taking a flier on in the very late rounds of fantasy drafts.

8 hours ago

Alex Bregman • 3B • Cubs

Alex Bregman Remains a Steady Third Base Option Heading into 2026

The Chicago Cubs made one of the bigger splashes of the offseason by signing veteran third baseman Alex Bregman to a five-year, $175 million contract. The soon-to-be 32-year-old was limited to 495 plate appearances by a quad injury in 2025 while playing for the Boston Red Sox. Still, Bregman posted quality numbers when healthy, slashing .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs scored, and one stolen base. With a career 6.1% barrel rate, Bregman does not own high-end underlying power metrics. It's fair to wonder if he may struggle to hit for power while playing his home games at Wrigley Field, which does not offer the same hitter-friendly dimensions as his previous home parks in Boston and Houston. However, Bregman actually owns a better slugging percentage in his career on the road (.490) than at home (.470). He should also be a counting stats machine while hitting in the heart of the excellent Cubs lineup. Bregman remains a solid starting third base option for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

8 hours ago

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