Kirby Yates to Begin Season as Primary Closer for Angels?

When asked who might be the Los Angeles Angels' primary closer this year, The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher said, "probably" right-hander Kirby Yates. Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano are other options for saves in Anaheim to begin the 2026 season, but Yates feels like the favorite going into this week, with both Ben Joyce […]

Dennis Santana Won't be Pirates' Primary Closer

Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't expected to have a designated closer going into the 2026 regular season. Manager Don Kelly said that right-hander Dennis Santana will get a lot of time in the ninth inning, but "he won't be the only one." "Gregory Soto has closed, we've got […]

Zack Wheeler Throws Simulated Game on Monday

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw 29 pitches in two innings on a back field in camp on Monday in a simulated game against low-level minor-league hitters with no outfielders and the catcher calling balls and strikes, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Wheeler "let it rip in the second inning" and was […]

Luis Gil Won't Make Four-Man Rotation to Begin the Year

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team is likely to begin the 2026 campaign with a four-man starting rotation, and right-hander Luis Gil will not be one of the four, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers will be the Yankees' four starters in the […]

Kyle Leahy Earns Spot in St. Louis' Starting Rotation

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy will open the 2026 regular season in the team's starting rotation, according to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He'll be joined in the rotation by Matthew Liberatore, Michael McGreevy, Dustin May, and Andre Pallante. Leahy's first start of the year won't be an easy matchup for fantasy […]

Jose Suarez Likely to Open 2026 as the Braves' Fifth Starter

Atlanta Braves left-hander Jose Suarez is likely to open 2026 as the team's fifth starter with starting pitcher Spencer Strider (oblique) set to begin the year on the Injured List, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Bowman reports that Atlanta's plan for young right-hander Didier Fuentes is still for him to open the year in the […]

Sal Stewart Likely to Hit Cleanup for the Reds?

Cincinnati Reds corner infield prospect Sal Stewart could be one of the few young players whom veteran Reds manager Terry Francona entrusts to regularly bat in the cleanup spot, speculates Reds beat writer Charlie Goldsmith. The 22-year-old Stewart made his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .253/.295/.543 with five home runs in just 58 plate appearances. […]

Jesus Made Set to Open 2026 at Double-A

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Jesus Made is set to open the 2026 season at Double-A Biloxi, per Francys Romero of Beisbol FR. The 18-year-old Made is widely considered one of the very best prospects in all of baseball. He made it to Double-A in 2025 after starting the year in Single-A, but logged just 24 […]

Can Andrew Painter Deliver on his Sleeper Potential?

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter has made the team's starting rotation to open 2026. Once considered one of the very best prospects in all of baseball, Painter posted a ridiculous 38.7% strikeout rate across 103 2/3 minor league innings as a 19-year-old in 2022. However, he missed the entirety of both 2023 and 2024 […]

Richie Palacios Makes Rays' Opening Day Roster

Tampa Bay Rays utility man Richie Palacios has made the team's 2026 Opening Day roster, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin reports that Palacios will replace second baseman/outfielder Gavin Lux (shoulder), who will start the year on the Injured List with a right shoulder impingement. The 28-year-old Palacios logged just 48 MLB […]

Gavin Lux Set to Open 2026 on the Injured List Due to Shoulder Impingement

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman/outfielder Gavin Lux (shoulder) is being placed on the Injured List due to a right shoulder impingement, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. It's not entirely clear at this point how long Lux is expected to be sidelined, but he will likely miss at least the first few weeks […]

Spencer Strider to Start the Season on Injured List

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) will start the 2026 regular season on the injured list with an oblique strain, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Strider will not pitch in his scheduled final exhibition tune-up on Monday in the Grapefruit League against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With the 27-year-old starting on the shelf, Jose Suarez […]

Dylan Beavers Progressing Well, Status for Opening Day Remains Uncertain

Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Dylan Beavers (knee) is progressing well through his knee injury, according to Andrew Golden of The Baltimore Banner. Beavers has been sidelined since Friday after being scratched from a spring training game due to a sore knee. While his status for Opening Day remains uncertain, the young outfielder's progress is a […]

Trey Yesavage to Start Minor-League Game on Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) is set to start a minor league game on Wednesday. The budding ace will begin the regular season on the injured list and is slowly increasing his workload. Yesavage has yet to take the mound this spring, but he will take the next step in his […]

Hunter Barco Cracks Opening Day Roster

According to DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitching prospect Hunter Barco has made the Opening Day roster. However, the team has yet to decide on Barco's role for the start of the season. In the minor leagues, he developed as a starter, but during his first taste of MLB action last summer, he came […]

Carson Benge Projected to Start on Opening Day

New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge is projected to be the team's Opening Day right fielder. Following the injury to Mike Tauchman (knee), the rookie seems destined to claim the starting right field job when the Mets face the Pirates later this week, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Benge has enjoyed a strong […]

Robert Gasser Sent to Triple-A

The Milwaukee Brewers have optioned left-handed pitching prospect Robert Gasser to Triple-A. Gasser was in the mix to earn a role on the Opening Day roster but came up short in the competition. Across 12 1/3 innings this spring, the southpaw held a high 5.11 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, with a 14:4 K:BB. Even with Brandon […]

Bryce Eldridge Launches Home Run in Exhibition Game

San Francisco Giants first base prospect Bryce Eldridge went 2-for-3 with a home run during an exhibition game on Sunday. The team's top hitting prospect was left off the opening Day roster but turned in a nice showing over the weekend. During spring training, Eldridge continued to showcase his power, hitting four doubles with a […]

Daniel Robert Released From Hospital After Cardiac Event

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed reliever Daniel Robert (chest) was released from the hospital on Sunday and is feeling OK after a cardiac event in the morning at BayCare Ballpark, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. The 31-year-old veteran collapsed on the pitcher's mound following his first bullpen session since October, when he suffered a cardiac event […]

Ethan Conrad to Miss Around a Month With Back Injury

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Ethan Conrad (back), the team's first-round pick in 2025, is expected to miss around a month due to a back injury, according to Mark Gonzales. Conrad was taken with the 17th overall pick last year out of Wake Forest. The 21-year-old is already considered Chicago's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, […]

Konnor Griffin to Start the Year at Triple-A

It was announced on Saturday that Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin would not be on the team's Opening Day roster, and on Sunday, Milb Central reports that Griffin will start the year at Triple-A Indianapolis. It was looking like the 19-year-old phenom might become the first teenager to start on Opening Day since Ken […]

Grayson Rodriguez to Open Season on Injured List

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (arm) is going to open the season on the 15-day Injured List. Rodriguez is reportedly dealing with general soreness that will keep him sidelined to start the year. He's basically dealing with dead arm that will hopefully only keep him sidelined for the minimum of 15 days. Jack […]

Josh Hader Throws Bullpen Session on Sunday

Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader (biceps) was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Sunday. The southpaw has been able to throw a few bullpen sessions, but there is no word on when he'll advance to facing hitters. Hader will begin the season on the Injured List while he recovers from a biceps […]

Kyle Harrison Should be Ready for Opening Day

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (finger) is currently trending towards being ready for Opening Day. The southpaw was removed from Wednesday's outing due to a blister on his left index finger. He doesn't appear to be in danger of missing Opening Day after throwing a successful bullpen session over the weekend. The Brewers will […]

Mike Trout Returns on Sunday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (hand) was back in the starting lineup for Sunday's Freeway Series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trout was removed from Friday's Cactus League contest after getting hit by a pitch on his hand. He was immediately taken out of the game and underwent precautionary X-rays, which came back […]

Chase Dollander to Begin Season in Bullpen

Colorado Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander will begin the 2026 season pitching out of the bullpen, according to manager Warren Schaeffer. Dollander was competing for the final spot in the rotation with Ryan Feltner during camp. The 24-year-old didn't make the starting rotation after posting a 6.43 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, with seven walks across 14 innings […]

Nick Lodolo Exits Early With a Blister

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) was pulled from his Cactus League start on Sunday due to a blister on his left index finger, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19 (via radio broadcaster Tommy Thrall). Lodolo was clearly dealing with discomfort, as he threw just 10 pitches (four strikes) before exiting. He allowed two […]

Rhys Hoskins Makes the Guardians' Opening Day Roster

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Rhys Hoskins has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The eight-year MLB veteran was in camp with the Guardians on a minor league contract with a non-roster invite. He appeared in 90 games for the Milwaukee Brewers last year, slashing .237/.332/.416 with […]

RJ Petit Undergoes Tommy John Surgery, Won't Pitch in 2026

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitching prospect RJ Petit (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace on the right elbow, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The operation was performed on Friday by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, and it will result in Petit missing the entire 2026 regular season. It's a crushing blow for […]

J.C. Escarra Penciled Into No. 2 Catcher Role

New York Yankees catcher J.C. Escarra will open the regular season in a backup role behind Austin Wells, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Ben Rice did appear in Sunday's spring training game behind the dish, but he's expected to spend most of 2026 at first base, leaving Escarra as the natural No. 2 backstop […]