Ryan Waldschmidt has Easier Path to Make Opening Day Roster?

Arizona Diamondbacks top outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt could have an easier path to crack the Opening Day roster following the injury to Corbin Carroll. With the team's top outfielder on the shelf with a fractured hamate bone and in serious danger of missing the start of the season, Waldschmidt could emerge as a top replacement […]

Carter Jensen a Prime Breakout Candidate in 2026

Kansas City Royals catching prospect Carter Jensen is a top breakout candidate heading into the 2026 regular season. Jensen made his MLB debut later in the second half last summer and immediately flashed upside. Through his first 20 MLB games, the former third-round selection posted a .300/.391/.550 slash line with three long balls. Under the […]

JR Ritchie Could Compete for Starting Role in Atlanta Rotation?

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie is a name to closely monitor during spring training, as he could break camp with the MLB roster following the injury to Spencer Schwellenbach. With Schwellenbach on the 60-day IL with an elbow injury, Ritchie could make a strong push to open camp in the starting rotation. Last […]

Colt Emerson in Consideration to Break Camp with MLB Roster

Seattle Mariners top prospect Colt Emerson is in serious consideration to break camp with the MLB roster. According to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, the team's President of Baseball Operations, Jerry Dipoto, noted that it's "not out of the question" that the top shortstop prospect begins the season in Seattle. According to MLB.com, Emerson, the former […]

Late-Round Fliers and Fantasy Baseball Lotto Tickets: Upside Hitter and Pitcher Value Picks

This premium article is part of our 2026 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit and a free sample of the expert analysis loaded up in RotoBaller's Draft Kit. Enjoy this premium article for free for a limited time. All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Much is made about your first few picks, […]

Jordan Walker to Run More in 2026?

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that he thinks outfielder Jordan Walker could steal more bases in 2026, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It might be a make-or-break year for Walker, who has stolen only 18 bases in 279 games in his first three seasons in the big leagues. The […]

Royals Acquire Mitch Spence From A's

The Kansas City Royals announced on Thursday that they acquired right-hander Mitch Spence from the Athletics in exchange for right-hander AJ Causey. In a corresponding move, the Royals moved right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Spence, 27, will be battling for a spot in KC's bullpen in spring training after posting a […]

Tylor Megill Moves to 60-Day Injured List

The New York Mets placed right-hander Tylor Megill (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday to make room for new outfielder MJ Melendez on the 40-man roster, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Megill will miss the entire 2026 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in September of last year. […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand May Miss First Few Spring Games

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring in January, according to Charlie Goldsmith. Encarnacion-Strand is on a running progression in camp and may be forced to miss the first few Cactus League games. The 26-year-old is off to a bad start in spring training after struggling to the […]

Seth Lugo Throws a Bullpen on Thursday

Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo (back) was seen throwing a bullpen session at camp on Thursday, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. It's good to see the veteran hurler throwing again after he was shut down for the final month of last season due to a nagging back injury. Lugo […]

Keibert Ruiz Cleared From Concussion Restrictions

Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (concussion) has been cleared from concussion restrictions after dealing with head injuries last year, according to Jessica Camerato of MLB.com. Now healthy, Ruiz enters spring training this year in a competition with No. 2 overall prospect Harry Ford, who was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in December, for the starting […]

Ryan Bliss Back in Action at Spring Training

Seattle Mariners infielder Ryan Bliss (knee, biceps) was part of a full infield workout at second base at spring training on Thursday, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. It's a promising sign for Bliss after he missed most of last year with significant meniscus and biceps injuries. The 26-year-old only appeared in 11 games at […]

Lars Nootbaar Will be Delayed in Reporting to Camp

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) will be a couple of days delayed in reporting to camp due to his rehab, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Nootbaar is in a spot in his progression where he's running on an altered-gravity treadmill, and the Cardinals have not had one delivered yet to […]

Nabil Crismatt to Have Elbow Surgery

Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Nabil Crismatt (elbow), who is in camp with the Rangers on a minor-league deal, will have right-elbow surgery and will not pitch for Team Colombia in this year's World Baseball Classic, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. It's unclear exactly what kind of surgery Crismatt will have, but at the […]

Agustin Ramirez Working to Improve his Defense

Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez, who is ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 4 fantasy backstop after a strong rookie campaign, is working to improve his defense behind the plate as he heads into his sophomore campaign in 2026, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. Offensively, Ramirez hit .231 with a .700 OPS, […]

Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider Likely to Platoon in Left Field

The Athletic's Mitch Bannon writes that Toronto Blue Jays outfielders Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider will likely form a platoon in left field in 2026. Lukes, who hits from the left side, will be on the strong side of the platoon. The 31-year-old veteran has handled right-handers pretty well since the start of the 2023 […]

Addison Barger Moving to Outfield Full Time?

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Addison Barger will play most of his games in right field in 2026, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Meanwhile, Nathan Lukes and Davis Schneider will likely form a platoon in left. Barger split his time almost evenly between the outfield and third base in his second year in the […]

Braxton Garrett Reaches 95 MPH During Live BP

Miami Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett was reaching 95 mph during his live batting practice in spring training this week, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Garrett is coming along nicely early in camp after missing all of last year following an internal-brace procedure on his left elbow in December of 2024. The 28-year-old southpaw […]

Ian Anderson to Miss All of 2026 After Shoulder Surgery

Former Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (shoulder) tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder on Christmas Eve and underwent season-ending surgery on Jan. 13. Anderson will remain on the free-agent market and will not pitch at all in 2026. He is scheduled to pick up a baseball in late summer or early fall, with the […]

Gunnar Henderson Leaves Camp Due to Personal Matter

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson left Orioles camp on Thursday due to a personal matter and will return on Sunday, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Henderson should still be ready for the start of Grapefruit League action in spring training, and he'll be hoping to bounce back after regressing in 2025 in […]

Noelvi Marte to Work in Center Field in Camp

Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Noelvi Marte will get some work in center field in spring training, even though TJ Friedl is expected to get most of the starts in center this year, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Marte didn't make his pro debut in the outfield until last July, and he definitely experienced […]

Sal Stewart Drops Weight Heading into First Full MLB Season

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart won the "best shape of his life" contest for the team in December, as he had already dropped 26 pounds from his listed 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Stewart is confident that he'll still have plenty of power despite playing at a lighter weight, and he […]

Dodgers Sign Keston Hiura to a Minor-League Deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed first baseman Keston Hiura to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He spent 2025 with the Colorado Rockies, primarily playing at Triple-A. The former first-round pick debuted with a .938 OPS in 2019, but his offensive […]

Nick Castellanos Drawing "a Lot of Interest"

Free agent outfielder Nick Castellanos is drawing "a lot of interest" after being released by the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Castellanos was cut loose after Philadelphia failed to find a trade partner. While none of the other 29 teams were willing to trade for Castellanos, Heyman […]

Hunter Dobbins Not Running or Fielding Yet

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins (knee) is not participating in fielding or running drills as spring training gets underway, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It was recently reported that Dobbins didn't have a timetable for his return to the mound, and the fact that he's being held out of […]

Jeff Criswell to Open 2026 Season on 60-Day Injured List

The Colorado Rockies have placed reliever Jeff Criswell (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Criswell underwent Tommy John surgery last year and hasn't pitched since his rookie season in 2024. Across 19.2 innings of relief work as a rookie, he posted 12.36 K/9, 4.12 BB/9, and 1.83 HR/9. He managed to escape with a 2.75 […]

Ryan Walker Fixes Mechanics in Pursuit of Closer Role

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Ryan Walker believes he found a mechanical fix during the offseason that should improve his command in 2026, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. The reliever struggled with slider command last year, forcing him to rely on his sinker. He locked down 17 saves, but he also had six […]

Carlos Rodon Has Thrown Five or Six Bullpen Sessions

New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (elbow) has thrown five to six bullpens and expects to throw another one on Saturday, according to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network. Rodon has been sidelined since October after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies and to shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. He also […]

Trevor Megill Facing More Competition for Saves in 2026

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill functioned as his team's primary closer in 2025, recording a 2.49 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 60 strikeouts, six wins, and 30 saves across 47 innings pitched. The 32-year-old has largely been a standout reliever since joining Milwaukee in 2023, recording 162 strikeouts and 51 saves across 128 innings […]