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 […]

Carlos Lagrange to Debut at Triple-A on Sunday

The New York Daily News' Gary Phillips reports that New York Yankees pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange is scheduled to make his debut at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday for the RailRiders. Lagrange, who is considered the team's No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was named the Yankees' most outstanding rookie during spring training. The 22-year-old right-hander […]

Ben Rice on the Bench Against Lefty in Game 2

New York Yankees left-handed-hitting first baseman/catcher Ben Rice will take a seat on Friday at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants with left-hander Robbie Ray on the mound, according to MLB.com. Rice will give way to right-handed-hitting Paul Goldschmidt, who is starting at first base and batting leadoff for the Yanks. Rice, who broke […]

Rafael Devers at DH Again Due to Lingering Hamstring Tightness

San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (hamstring) is still feeling something in his left hamstring, which is why he's serving as the designated hitter again on Friday at Oracle Park against the visiting New York Yankees, according to John Shea of The San Francisco Standard. Manager Tony Vitello said that Devers could play first […]

Jac Caglianone on Bench Versus Lefty on Opening Day

Kansas City Royals left-handed-hitting outfielder/first baseman Jac Caglianone will start on the bench for the team's Opening Day game on Friday against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park with left-hander Chris Sale on the mound. The Royals aren't going to have Caglianone face one of the nastiest left-handers in the game to begin his first […]

Jason Heyward Announces his Retirement

Outfielder Jason Heyward officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Friday on MLB Network. Heyward played 16 years in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Houston Astros. The 36-year-old helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016 and was […]

Kyle Stowers Doing Baseball Activities

Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring), who began the 2026 season on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain, threw, hit, and ran during a workout on Wednesday as he builds up his workload and intensity, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The plan is for the Marlins to reassess Stowers […]

Shane Smith Takes Loss in Short Outing on Opening Day

Chicago White Sox right-hander Shane Smith got off to a bad start to the 2026 season on Opening Day on Thursday in a 14-2 loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Smith only went 1 2/3 innings in his first start of the year and surrendered four runs (three earned) on three […]

Tanner Bibee's Shoulder Issue Not Considered Serious

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee's right-shoulder issue that forced him out of his Opening Day start early on Thursday night against the Seatle Mariners "doesn't appear serious at this point," according to Tom Withers of The Associated Press. The Guardians will re-evaluate Bibee on Friday, at which point we should have a better idea of […]

Miguel Vargas Could be Worth Stashing

Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas went hitless during Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. Vargas went 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk in the blowout loss. It wasn't an ideal start for Vargas, but that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from considering scooping him up. The 26-year-old was in the three-hole, […]

Mick Abel Could be a Sneaky Pickup

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel is expected to make his season debut at some point during the upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals. Although fantasy managers might not want to wait until then to scoop up Abel. The young right-hander earned a spot in the starting rotation after an impressive performance during Spring […]

Giancarlo Stanton Collects Two Hits

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton got the season started the right way during Wednesday's Opening Day matchup versus the San Francisco Giants. Stanton went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI in the 7-0 win over the Giants. It was a nice beginning to the season for the oft-injured slugger who is hopeful to […]

Sal Frelick Goes Deep on Opening Day

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick got the season started with a bang on Thursday. Frelick made some noise with a two-run home run off Tyler Gilbert in the fifth inning. He would finish his day 1-for-3 with a homer, two RBI, and two walks in the blowout win over the Chicago White Sox. This was […]

Ryan O'Hearn Homers in Team Debut

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ryan O'Hearn made his team debut versus the New York Mets on Thursday. He came ready to swing the bat on Opening Day. O'Hearn went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in the loss. He took right-hander Tobias Myers deep in the sixth inning and singled in […]

Cade Cavalli Could be Worth Stashing

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli got the Opening Day nod versus the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The right-hander didn't work deep into the game as he only threw 3.2 innings before getting pulled at 75 pitches. He allowed three runs (two earned), on three hits, with three walks, and five strikeouts in the no-decision. […]

Alec Burleson Collects Three Hits on Opening Day

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson came ready to hit during Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. Burleson went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk during the 9-7 victory. The Cardinals moved on from multiple key hitters this offseason, which allowed for Burleson to move into the three-hole on […]

Jose Soriano a Top Pickup After Excellent Start

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano was tough to hit during Thursday's Opening Day nod against the Houston Astros. Soriano threw six scoreless innings, allowing two hits, four walks, and striking out seven batters in the win. It was an impressive outing for Soriano, who allowed one hit through his first five innings of […]

JR Ritchie Emerging as Sneaky Stash Target

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect JR Ritchie should contend for an early MLB debut during the 2026 campaign. Ritchie was sharp in spring training, logging 12 innings to the tune of a 2.25 ERA, 0.58 WHIP, and a 14:5 K:BB. However, even with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Spencer Strider (oblique), and Hurston Waldrep (elbow) all beginning […]

Payton Tolle Worth Stashing Ahead of Return to Boston

Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Payton Tolle is worth stashing ahead of his return to the major leagues. Tolle joined the Red Sox with the 50th selection in the 2024 MLB Draft and quickly progressed through the minor leagues last summer. He opened the 2025 campaign with High-A, but was able to debut in […]

Cade Smith Locks Down First Save

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Cade Smith was tasked with shutting the door on Opening Day. Smith was called upon with a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Thursday's game versus the Seattle Mariners. He retired the side on 13 pitches while striking out one batter to earn his first save of the season. Smith […]