Mike Trout Picks Up Three Hits, Homers for Second Straight Game to Begin 2026

Los Angeles Angels future Hall of Fame outfielder Mike Trout was at it again in Game 2 of the regular season in Friday's 6-2 win on the road against the Houston Astros. Trout went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk, and he's now 4-for-6 at the plate with two home runs, four […]

Jeff Hoffman Blows First Save Chance of 2026, Picks Up Win

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed closer Jeff Hoffman, who famously blew the save in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers last fall, blew his first save opportunity of the 2026 season as well on Opening Day on Friday against the Athletics. Hoffman entered in the top of the ninth inning with […]

Shea Langeliers Hits Two Home Runs on Opening Day

Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers flexed his muscles in the 3-2 Opening Day loss to the hosting Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, going 3-for-4 with two solo home runs and a strikeout at Rogers Centre. Langeliers was the A's only source of offense on a night where Toronto right-hander Kevin Gausman was nearly unhittable. Gausman only […]

Kevin Gausman Picks Up No-Decision But Strikes Out 11 on Opening Day

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman didn't end up picking up his first win of the 2026 season in the team's 3-2 Opening Day win over the Athletics on Friday, but he was a beast nevertheless for his fantasy managers in his first start of the year. Gausman was in midseason form, allowing just one […]

Pavin Smith Returning to Lineup After Missing Opening Day

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Pavin Smith (elbow) is back in the starting lineup after taking batting practice for Friday's contest on the road against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Emmet Sheehan, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Smith will serve as the team's designated hitter and will bat fifth after he missed the […]

Tanner Bibee Day-to-Day, Could Make his Next Start

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee (shoulder) said he is "doing better" on Friday and threw weighted balls after being pulled from his Opening Day start on Thursday night against the Seattle Mariners with right-shoulder inflammation, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Manager Stephen Vogt noted that the team is proceeding day to day with Bibee […]

Grayson Rodriguez Playing Catch as he Works Through Dead Arm

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (arm) has been playing catch in Houston, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day injured list going into his first regular season with the Angels with an official designation of right-shoulder inflammation, but the team is calling it a case of dead arm. The 26-year-old's […]

Kirby Yates to Throw a Bullpen "Sooner Than Later"

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Kirby Yates (knee) continues to play catch and said he will throw a bullpen session "sooner than later," according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Yates landed on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 season due to left-knee inflammation, but the 39-year-old veteran might not miss a ton of […]

Nico Hoerner's Six-Year Deal is Worth $141 Million

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner's six-year deal has been finalized on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN, and he'll make $141 million. It's the fourth-largest contract ever for a second baseman and will lock up the 28-year-old into the 2030s. Hoerner isn't a big power guy at the keystone, but he plays excellent […]

Jac Caglianone Will Make Starts Against Lefties in 2026

Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone, who is on the bench on Opening Day on Friday against the Atlanta Braves and left-hander Chris Sale, will make starts against left-handed pitchers this year, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Sale is one of the most dominant lefty arms in baseball, though, so the Royals will […]

Josh Hader Throws Bullpen on Friday

Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) threw a bullpen session on Friday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader entered spring training in February with a biceps injury, and he also missed time in 2025 with a shoulder injury, so the veteran closer comes into 2026 with more risk than ever. While the […]

Christopher Morel Scratched on Opening Day With Oblique Strain

Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Christopher Morel (oblique) was scratched from the Opening Day lineup on Friday against the visiting Colorado Rockies due to a left-oblique strain, according to Craig Mish of Sports Grid. Connor Norby will replace him at first base, and Owen Caissie will serve as the designated hitter against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland. […]

Jose Berrios Throws 25 Pitches on Friday

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session in camp on Friday, manager John Schneider told Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Berrios is on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 regular season after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow last week. The Blue Jays […]

Brice Matthews Making Season Debut in Center Field on Friday

Houston Astros infielder/outfielder Brice Matthews will make his 2026 debut on Friday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi at Daikin Park. Per MLB.com, Matthews is starting in center field and will bat ninth in the lineup. With Matthews in the lineup, Jake Meyers will retreat to the bench against a left-hander. […]

Yordan Alvarez Shifts to Left Field on Friday

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez, who was in the designated hitter spot on Opening Day on Thursday, will shift to left field on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, according to MLB.com. With shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) back, Carlos Correa is shifting to third base, pushing Isaac Paredes to DH. Alvarez […]

Shane Baz, Orioles Agree to Five-Year Extension

Right-hander Shane Baz and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade this winter from the Tampa Bay Rays and is set for a big payday after his first fully healthy season in 2025. Baz went 10-12 […]

Ben Rice Will See Time Against Left-Handed Pitchers This Year

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that first baseman/catcher Ben Rice and outfielder Trent Grisham, who are both out of the starting lineup on Friday against San Francisco Giants lefty Robbie Ray, will see playing time against southpaws in 2026, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "A lot of it has to do with […]

Jeremy Pena Making Season Debut on Friday Against Angels

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) will bat leadoff in his 2026 season debut on Friday at Daikin Park against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, according to MLB.com. Pena wasn't in the lineup in Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Halos after fracturing his finger back on March 4, but he […]

Ozzie Albies Hitting Third to Kick Off 2026 Season

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies will bat in the three-hole for the Braves on Opening Day on Friday against the visiting Kansas City Royals and left-hander Cole Ragans at Truist Park, according to MLB.com. This is definitely notable after Albies only had seven of his 157 plate appearances in 2025 out of the No. […]

Drake Baldwin Batting Second, Serving as DH on Opening Day

Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat out of the two-hole on Opening Day on Friday against the visiting Kansas City Royals and left-hander Cole Ragans at Truist Park, per MLB.com. At least until catcher Sean Murphy (hip) returns, the Braves plan to use Baldwin at DH and […]

Carter Jensen Serving as DH, Hitting Ninth on Opening Day

Kansas City Royals catching prospect Carter Jensen is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting ninth in the order on Friday on Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves and left-hander Chris Sale, according to MLB.com. Jensen, 22, impressed in a 20-game cup of coffee in KC in 2025 in his MLB debut, going […]

Nick Kurtz at Leadoff on Opening Day for A's

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz is batting leadoff for the A's on Opening Day on Friday on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman, per MLB.com. Kurtz is already considered one of the best hitters on the team after debuting in 2025 and looking like a seasoned veteran with a .290/.383/.619 […]

Kazuma Okamoto Hitting Seventh in Major-League Debut

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto will bat seventh in the Jays' lineup on Opening Day on Friday at the Rogers Centre against the visiting Athletics and right-hander Luis Severino, per MLB.com. The Blue Jays signed Okamoto over the winter to a four-year, $60 million contract to lock him in as their primary third […]

Austin Slater Batting Leadoff for Marlins on Opening Day

Miami Marlins veteran outfielder Austin Slater is starting in right field and is batting leadoff for the Fish on Friday on Opening Day against the visiting Colorado Rockies and left-hander Kyle Freeland, according to MLB.com. The Marlins signed Slater just last week after they knew that All-Star outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) would start the year […]

Clay Holmes Could Be an Undervalued Source of Innings in 2026

New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes made the transition from high-leverage reliever to starting pitcher in his first season with the team in 2025. Across 165 2/3 innings (33 appearances, 31 starts), Holmes recorded a 12-8 record with a 3.53 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts. Holmes' trademark power sinker transferred over to the starting […]

Mickey Moniak Placed on 10-Day Injured List Due to Sprained Finger

Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak (finger) has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right ring finger, per Rockies beat writer Thomas Harding. Catcher Braxton Fulford has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to take Moniak's place on the Rockies' active roster. Moniak had a breakout season in his first year with […]

Can Jack Leiter Replicate His Strong Close to 2025 Over a Full Season in 2026?

Across 151 2/3 innings (29 starts) in 2025, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter pitched to a 10-10 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 148 strikeouts. While the former top prospect established himself as a back-end rotation piece in Texas, his season-long K-BB% of 12.5% does not jump off the page. However, Leiter […]

Is Shane Baz Poised for a Breakout Season in Baltimore?

Across 166 1/3 innings (31 starts) for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025, starting pitcher Shane Baz recorded a 10-12 record with a 4.87 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 176 strikeouts. Baz was traded to the Baltimore Orioles over the offseason, and he's currently penciled into a mid-rotation role in Baltimore. While Baz's ERA and WHIP […]

Willi Castro Projected for Everyday Playing Time in Colorado Entering 2026

After signing a two-year deal with the team over the offseason, Colorado Rockies utility man Willi Castro is expected to serve as the team's primary third baseman to open 2026. Across 454 plate appearances split between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs in 2025, Castro hit .226/.316/.366 with 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 58 runs […]

Yankees Sign Luis Garcia to Two-Year Minor-League Deal

The New York Yankees signed free-agent right-hander Luis Garcia (elbow) to a two-year minor-league deal on Friday, a source told Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Garcia is currently rehabbing after having the second Tommy John surgery of his career last October. His base salary for the 2027 season would be $2.25 million with another $750,000 in […]