Reds Bringing in Nathaniel Lowe

The Cincinnati Reds are signing free-agent first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to an undisclosed non-roster deal on Friday, sources told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Lowe joins the Reds on a minor-league deal and will compete for an Opening Day roster spot in spring training after hitting a disappointing .228/.307/.381 in 153 regular-season games last year with […]

Shohei Ohtani Could Pitch in the Cactus League

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani could pitch in a Cactus League game in spring training, and that it's "still in the air," according to Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. Ohtani was recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in September of 2023 and didn't make his season […]

Manager Praises Rhett Lowder During Rotation Battle

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that starting pitcher Rhett Lowder "pitches like a vet," according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19. "It's very obvious," Francona added. "It jumps out. He knows what he's doing." That's high praise for the 23-year-old amid competition for the fifth starter spot in the Reds' rotation. Lowder pitched just 9.1 […]

Chris Taylor Returns to Angels on Minor-League Deal

Free-agent outfielder Chris Taylor re-signed with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday on a minor-league deal and is present at major-league spring training, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Taylor should have a decent shot at winning an Opening Day roster spot, but in a bench role. The 35-year-old veteran right-handed hitter will give the […]

Braves Hope Ha-Seong Kim Can Return in Early May

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said "there is hope" that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (right middle finger) will be able to return by early May. The middle infielder underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger nearly four weeks ago. He reportedly suffered the injury after slipping on ice […]

Patrick Sandoval Throws Live Batting Practice

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval (elbow) threw a live bullpen session on Friday, according to a video posted by Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Sandoval is heading into the second year of a two-year deal with the Red Sox that allowed him to rehab from Tommy John surgery with the organization. He hasn't […]

Adrian Del Castillo Held Back by Calf Issue

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Adrian Del Castillo (left calf) "has been off to the side" and is absent from several catching drills as spring training gets underway, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. The 26-year-old is dealing with a left calf issue and will be delayed in his return to drills. Manager Torey Lovullo confirmed […]

Brayan Bello Adds a Curveball to Arsenal

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello has been throwing a curveball as spring training gets underway, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Bello threw five curveballs back in 2022, but he hasn't used the pitch since then. Now, it's back in his arsenal, adding a sixth pitch to his deep mix. Teammate Sonny […]

Fantasy Baseball Early-Round Overvalued Draft Picks: ADP Analysis for Every Position

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. Everyone loves to celebrate the good times and […]

Grant Holmes Will be in Opening Day Starting Rotation

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that right-hander Grant Holmes (elbow) will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Holmes dealt with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow late last season and missed the final two months, but he was able […]

Reynaldo Lopez Will Open Season in Starting Rotation

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (elbow) will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lopez is healthy after having arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last year that limited him to just one start. The 32-year-old Dominican was […]

Blue Jays Acquire Jesus Sanchez From Astros

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder Jesus Sanchez from the Houston Astros on Friday in exchange for outfielder Joey Loperfido, general manager Dana Brown told The Athletic's Chandler Rome. It was a money-saving move for the Astros, with Sanchez owed $6.8 million in 2026, while Loperfido is making the league minimum. The move to acquire […]

Astros Not Done Dealing After Joey Loperfido Trade

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown commented on Friday, "We're not done yet," after completing the trade with the Blue Jays that brought outfielder Joey Loperfido back to the organization that drafted him. The Astros have been in talks with multiple teams about possibly trading corner infielder Isaac Paredes, who appears to be the odd […]

Joey Loperfido Traded to the Astros

Outfielder Joey Loperfido was sent from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Houston Astros on Friday in exchange for outfielder Jesus Sanchez. Loperfido heads back to the team that drafted him back in 2021 and the team he debuted with in 2024. In 122 career games in the big leagues, the former seventh-round draft pick […]

Munetaka Murakami Will Primarily Play First Base, Could See Some Time at Third

Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami is expected to get some run at third base over the course of the season, per manager Will Venable. Chicago's skipper stated that the Japanese slugger will play mostly first base, though, as the complementary pieces around him fit better that way. The 26-year-old's main position over the […]

Jordan Westburg's Oblique is Progressing, Still on Track for Opening Day

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (oblique) continues to rehab his strained oblique and feels "pretty good," per Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner. The 26-year-old Westburg missed large chunks of time in both 2024 and 2025 due to injury, so to pick up an injury already in the preseason is concerning, especially since the right-handed […]

MLB Power Rankings: Every Team From Worst to First Before Spring Training [2026]

With pitchers and catchers reporting to camp this week, baseball is officially in the air. With that being said, it's time to update our MLB power rankings as the first spring training games are just days away. With a busy offseason filled with top free-agent signings and trades, the teams have already begun to shift […]

Owen Caissie in Position to Claim Everyday Role?

Miami Marlins outfield prospect Owen Caissie appears to be in a great position to claim a lead role in the Miami offense out of spring training. Caissie was the headliner piece in the trade that sent right-hander Edward Cabrera to the North Side of Chicago earlier this winter. Caissie is now viewed as Miami's No. […]

Building a Breakout: How to Find Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitcher Values Using Advanced Metrics (2026)

Pitchers and catchers reported to camp this week, and I reported back to my duties as a fantasy baseball analyst after lending my time and research to both basketball and football since last season concluded. I love researching and writing about baseball, especially pitchers. I was pretty excited to receive a nomination for "Best Research […]

Dylan Beavers a Name to Watch in Spring Training

Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Dylan Beavers is a name to closely monitor in spring training. Beavers reached Baltimore last summer and posted a modest .237/.375/.400 line over his brief 35-game stint. During this stretch, the California product hit four home runs and swiped two bases. In the minor leagues, Beavers showed five-category upside, which makes […]

Five Outfield Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets and Value Picks (2026)

While outfield typically has the most star power out of all of the positions, it is still important to find value at the position in all stages of the draft. Especially in leagues that require five starting outfielders, it’s just not possible to fill out every one of those spots with stars in the early […]

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 (hand). 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 […]

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 (elbow). With Schwellenbach on the 60-day IL with an elbow injury, Ritchie could make a strong push to open camp in the starting rotation. […]

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 […]