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 […]

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 […]