March 26, 2026
Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect
Parker Messick is set to open the 2026 season with a spot in the team's big-league rotation. Messick made his MLB debut in 2025, recording a 3-1 record with a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts across 39 2/3 innings (seven starts). While the 25-year-old posted just a 23% strikeout rate in his first taste of the big leagues, he demonstrated more impressive swing-and-miss generation throughout his time in the minors. Across 98 2/3 Triple-A innings in 2025, Messick struck out 29.1% of the batters he faced. In 19 2/3 innings this spring, Messick recorded a 4.12 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 17 strikeouts. If Messick can hold a spot in the Guardians' rotation throughout 2026, he could emerge as a worthy waiver-wire target for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 26, 2026
On Thursday, the Chicago Bulls announced that guard
Jaden Ivey (knee) will miss the remainder of the regular season. With the team out of playoff contention, Chicago has elected to shut Ivey down early due to lingering pain in his left knee. The 24-year-old averaged 8.5 points, 1.8 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game across 37 appearances this season, split between the Bulls and Pistons.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Chicago Bulls
March 26, 2026
Seattle Mariners second baseman
Cole Young made his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .211/.302/.305 with four home runs, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored, and one stolen base across 257 plate appearances. While Young's numbers at the plate amounted to well below-average production, it's important to remember that 2025 was just his age-21 season. Entering 2026, Young projects as Seattle's everyday second baseman and should have a second chance to establish himself as an everyday big-leaguer. Young put together an impressive performance in the Cactus League this spring, hitting .281/.349/.667 with six home runs and three stolen bases across 63 plate appearances. While Young recorded just one steal in the majors in 2025, he showcased more speed in his minor league career with back-to-back 20-plus steal seasons in 2023 and 2024. If he can take a step forward across the board with another year of development in 2026, Young could be a sleeper second base option off the waiver wire for deep-league fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 26, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks infield/outfield prospect
Jordan Lawlar is officially an Opening Day starter in 2026, batting ninth and playing left field for his team's first game of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lawlar has long been considered one of the Diamondbacks' top prospects, but he's struggled with injuries and hit just .182/.257/.288 with a 35.8% strikeout rate across 74 plate appearances after making his MLB debut in 2025. Lawlar also had some defensive issues while spending time at every infield position other than first base, leading the Diamondbacks to shift him to the outfield this spring. Still, Lawlar will not turn 24 years old until July and posted a .967 OPS across 300 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. With Diamondbacks outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) currently working his way back from a torn ACL, Lawlar could have an extended run of everyday playing time to open 2026.
--Will BradySource: Arizona Diamondbacks
March 26, 2026
On Thursday, the Chicago Bulls announced that forward/center
Jalen Smith (calf) will miss the remainder of the season due to a lingering calf issue. Through 53 regular-season outings, the 26-year-old big man averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 1.5 three-pointers across 20.7 minutes per game. With Smith sidelined,
Guerschon Yabusele and
Nick Richards should see larger roles in the rotation for the rest of the campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Chicago Bulls
March 26, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte (lower leg) is in the lineup and batting leadoff for his team's Opening Day matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Marte was scratched from Arizona's exhibition finale on Tuesday due to lower-leg soreness, but it appears the 32-year-old has avoided a serious issue. Marte is coming off an excellent 2025 season in which he hit .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs, 72 RBI, 87 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 556 plate appearances. When healthy, Marte is arguably the premier second baseman in all of baseball. However, the veteran switch-hitter does have a fairly extensive injury history, reaching 600 plate appearances just twice in 11 MLB seasons. Fantasy managers can breathe a bit easier now that Marte is officially good to go for the start of 2026.
--Will BradySource: Arizona Diamondbacks
March 26, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Mike Tauchman (knee) underwent surgery on the meniscus tear in his left knee on Thursday, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman reports that Tauchman is expected to be sidelined for "six weeks before returning to play," so it appears as though Tauchman avoided a full meniscus repair, which would have kept him out for significantly longer. Across 385 plate appearances with the Chicago White Sox in 2025, Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 with nine home runs, 40 RBI, and 44 runs scored. The 35-year-old owns a career 12.6% walk rate and has posted an on-base percentage of at least .350 in three consecutive campaigns. Once healthy, Tauchman could challenge Mets rookie
Carson Benge for playing time in right field.
--Will BradySource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
March 26, 2026
In his first full season in the big leagues in 2025, New York Yankees starting pitcher
Will Warren recorded a 9-8 record with a 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts across 162 1/3 innings (33 starts). The 26-year-old struggled with consistent command (9.1% walk rate) and allowed a slightly elevated 1.22 HR/9. However, Warren held a spot in the Yankees' rotation for the entire season and has consistently shown the ability to generate swing-and-miss pitches throughout his entire professional career. With Yankees starting pitchers
Gerrit Cole (elbow),
Carlos Rodon (elbow), and
Clarke Schmidt (elbow) all opening 2026 on the injured list, Warren currently pencils in as the number three starter in New York. Warren is also coming off an impressive Grapefruit League, where he pitched to a 1.42 ERA and 0.63 WHIP while allowing just three walks across 25 1/3 innings. Warren could emerge as a breakout starting pitcher for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 26, 2026
San Francisco Giants right-hander
Hayden Birdsong (elbow) had successful surgery on his right elbow for UCL reconstruction on Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Birdsong will return to Arizona later this week to start his rehab at the minor-league complex. The Giants placed the 24-year-old on the 60-day injured list before the start of the regular season in their loss on Wednesday night to the New York Yankees. The former sixth-round selection in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois will miss the entire 2026 campaign and most likely the start of the 2027 regular season after having elbow surgery. It's a tough setback for his fantasy baseball value in dynasty/keeper leagues. In his first two MLB seasons with the Gigantes, Birdsong went 9-10 with a 4.77 ERA (4.81 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, 25.4% strikeout rate, and a 13.1% walk rate in 137 2/3 innings over 37 appearances (26 starts). Command/control issues make Birdsong a shaky long-term asset.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
March 26, 2026
Athletics shortstop prospect
Leo De Vries will start the 2026 regular season at Double-A Midland, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. The big return that the A's got in the
Mason Miller trade, De Vries is the A's top prospect and the No. 4 overall prospect in all of baseball at MLB Pipeline. He's the No. 4 shortstop prospect, behind
Konnor Griffin,
Kevin McGonigle, and
Jesus Made. The 19-year-old switch-hitter looked like the real deal this spring, hitting .426/.460/.723 with a 1.183 OPS, three home runs, 12 RBI, 10 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 18 Cactus League contests. De Vries is obviously still young, but if he continues to perform like that in the minors early this year, he could quickly make his way to Triple-A Las Vegas and potentially the big leagues by the end of 2026. With
Jacob Wilson locked in at shortstop, De Vries' future at the big-league level could be at second base. De Vries, who is a must-roster in all dynasty leagues, doesn't have elite speed, but he still has the potential to be a high-end starting fantasy shortstop in time.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
March 26, 2026
New York Mets pitching prospect
Jonah Tong could be an early-season call-up for the team whenever they find themselves in need of pitching. Although the right-hander struggled to a 7.71 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, and a 14.9 percent K-BB% in his five starts with the Mets last year, he was one of the most dominant arms in the minors before that. Despite being in the majors for the final month, the former seventh-round draft pick still led all minor leaguers with 179 strikeouts in just 113 2/3 innings pitched, good for a 14.17 K/9. If he can continue to dominate to begin the 2026 campaign and perhaps tone down the walks (career rate of 11.5 percent) then he should be in contention for an early-season call-up. Pitching-needy managers in deeper leagues could consider stashing the 22-year-old, who is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
March 26, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent running back
Tyler Goodson to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, according to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com. Goodson, a Georgia native, will head to the NFC South after spending the first three years of his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent only had 54 rushing attempts for 264 yards (4.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown in his 33 games (one start) with the Colts, adding 19 receptions on 27 targets for 103 yards and a touchdown through the air. In Atlanta, Goodson will be competing with Carlos Washington and
Nathan Carter for the RB3 role this summer, behind workhorse starter
Bijan Robinson and new backup
Brian Robinson Jr. He had just nine carries for 24 yards and caught two passes for eight yards in 11 games for Indy in 2025. Goodson can continue to be ignored in pretty much all fantasy leagues in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Will McFadden
March 26, 2026
The Cleveland Browns are not expected to trade reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett this offseason, ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show. When Schefter called the Browns due to rumors of a potential Garrett trade, they "said they're 100% not trading" Garrett. The Browns were "adamant" that they don't plan to trade the two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Cleveland just modified Garrett's contract, but it wasn't done with future intentions of trading him, but rather to give the team more salary cap flexibility. Schefter said that the Browns "couldn't have been stronger about it" in stating that they won't be moving one of the best pass-rushers in the game. It would really enrage the Browns' fan base if they traded Garrett, who set the single-season NFL sack record with 23. He's an elite IPD fantasy defensive lineman and has a whopping 125.5 sacks in the first nine years of his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 26, 2026
Seattle Mariners right-hander
Luis Castillo will make his first start of the 2026 season in the team's fifth game on Monday, March 30, against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Fantasy managers shouldn't read anything into the fact that Castillo will start the fifth game of the regular season after he pitched in the team's Cactus League finale on Monday. The 33-year-old veteran will have a difficult matchup to kick things off, though, after struggling in spring training. Castillo allowed 14 runs (13 earned) on 23 hits (five home runs) while walking four and striking out 13 in 15 innings pitched over five starts. Spring statistics should always be taken with a grain of salt. Castillo has had ERAs under 4.00 in three straight seasons and has also made at least 30 starts for fantasy managers over that span. He's no ace, but Castillo's fantasy floor is pretty high, especially when starting at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
March 26, 2026
Washington Nationals catching prospect
Harry Ford was optioned to Triple-A Rochester earlier this month after an underwhelming spring, but that doesn't mean he won't be back in the big leagues soon. The Nats' third-ranked prospect is a former 12th-overall draft pick and had a strong 2025 at Triple-A, hitting .283 with 16 home runs while walking (74) nearly as many times as he struck out (88), which earned him a late-season promotion with the Mariners. The former first-rounder has a solid contact/power blend with his bat, and with his ability to draw walks, there is a solid OBP floor. The catcher's position is one of wear and tear, so there could be an opening for him on the major league roster sooner rather than later, and the 23-year-old should be considered one of the top stash candidates in deep two-catcher leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
March 26, 2026
Texas Rangers left-handed-hitting outfielder
Evan Carter will take a seat on the bench on Thursday for the team's Opening Day contest against the Philadelphia Phillies and left-hander
Cristopher Sanchez at Citizens Bank Park, according to MLB.com.
Wyatt Langford is moving to center, while
Sam Haggerty will make the start in left field and bat ninth for Texas. Haggerty is hitless in three career at-bats against Sanchez and will be a poor low-upside DFS option on Thursday against Sanchez. Injuries have held the 23-year-old Carter back from reaching his potential early in his MLB career, but he's expected to play more against southpaws in 2026 if he can stay healthy. The former second-round pick in 2020 played in a career-high 63 games in 2025 and hit .247/.336/.392 with five home runs, 25 RBI, 31 runs, and 14 steals in 220 plate appearances. Carter has hit just .083 (5-for-60) with 21 K's against lefties in his three big-league seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Los Angeles Angels infielder
Oswald Peraza is getting the start at second base and will bat ninth for the Halos on Opening Day on Thursday on the road against the division-rival Houston Astros and right-hander
Hunter Brown at Daikin Park, per MLB.com. The left-handed-hitting
Adam Frazier will start on the bench for Game 1 despite a right-hander being on the mound. The 25-year-old Peraza is coming into the start of the regular season hot after batting .315 (17-for-54) with an .888 OPS, two home runs, 10 RBI, six doubles, six runs scored, and six stolen bases in 18 Cactus League games. The former Yankees top prospect has also hit .750 with a home run and two RBI in four career at-bats against Brown, which might be why he's getting the starting nod on Thursday over Frazier. Speed is Peraza's biggest asset for fantasy managers in AL-only leagues, but he'll need to keep up his strong play from spring training to hold off Frazier against right-handed pitchers.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Miami Marlins pitching prospect
Robby Snelling did not earn a spot in the team's starting rotation to begin the season, but will likely be one of the first names called when Miami needs pitching reinforcements. The Marlins' second-ranked prospect made the top two levels of the minors look easy in 2025, recording a 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 23.2 percent K-BB% across 25 starts (136 innings pitched) between Double and Triple-A. Despite allowing seven earned runs in 8 1/3 IP this spring, the southpaw showed his strikeout potential with 13 punchouts during that time. The 6-foot-3 hurler owns a 27.1 percent K% in 71 minor-league starts and has shown solid command, too, with an 8.0 percent BB% for his career. With the 22-year-old standing on the doorstep to the big leagues, the 39th-overall selection in the 2022 Draft is one of the top pitching stashes for fantasy, and is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
March 26, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Jose Berrios (elbow) will throw off a mound this week, general manager Ross Atkins told The Athletic's Mitch Bannon. 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 are hoping that the veteran right-hander will be able to pitch through the issue this year, but because he hasn't pitched in a game in three weeks, he will need to build up his arm again. There isn't an exact time for when Berrios will be able to come off the IL, but fantasy managers should probably expect him to miss most, if not all, of April. When the 31-year-old is ready to rejoin the big-league squad, it could come in a long-relief role, which would kill most of what's left of his fantasy value. Berrios is no longer as dominant as he once was, he has injury concerns, and his home run issues probably aren't going away at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
March 26, 2026
San Francisco Giants first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge should remain on the fantasy radar in the early part of 2026, as the Giants' top-ranked prospect has some of the biggest power potential in the minors. The 6-foot-7 slugger blasted 25 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A last year in just 100 games, and although he was left off the club's Opening Day roster, he'll likely be back in the majors sometime in the first half of the season. The left-handed slugger carries some batting average risk with the amount of swing-and-miss that comes with his power stroke, but managers who are looking for a home-run boost should keep the former first-round draft pick top of mind, and he should be a top stash candidate in deeper leagues as the regular season gets underway.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
March 26, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect
Trey Yesavage (shoulder) was "very effective" in a minor-league game on Wednesday, and his "velocity bumped back up," general manager Ross Atkins told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Toronto was being overly cautious with the 22-year-old's workload this spring, which is why he didn't appear in any Grapefruit League games. Then we learned that he was battling a right-shoulder impingement, which landed him on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 campaign. It's disappointing for Yesavage's fantasy managers, but it's a plus that he's pitching in games and looking good. Still, he is going to need probably a few more minor-league starts on an official rehab assignment before the Jays are comfortable having him rejoin the big-league rotation. When he makes his season debut, expect the Jays to ease him into action early on, limiting his DFS appeal. In year-long fantasy formats, Yesavage is one of the highest-upside young starting pitchers in baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
March 26, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect
Logan Henderson should be a name for fantasy managers to keep an eye on in the early going of the 2026 season. Although the right-hander was optioned to Triple-A earlier this month, he'll surely be one of the first names considered when Milwaukee needs pitching help. The former fourth-round draft pick debuted last year with good results, posting a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and an elite 25.3 percent K-BB% over five starts with the big league club. The 24-year-old looked good again in limited action this spring, allowing just one earned run in six innings pitched (1.50 ERA) with a 0.50 WHIP and a 4:0 K:BB. Fantasy managers with available bench space or even an NA slot should consider stashing the Brewers' seventh-ranked prospect ahead of his eventual call-up. Henderson is available in almost 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
March 26, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Shane Bieber (elbow) will throw off a mound this week, general manager Ross Atkins told Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Bieber still needs a full ramp-up that will simulate spring training, but it's a big step in his return from forearm/elbow fatigue. The 30-year-old veteran was placed on the 15-day injured list to start the 2026 regular season. Up to this point this spring, Bieber has been limited to throwing on flat ground. He didn't make his 2025 debut until August last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. When he returned, Bieber's velocity was up, but he still gave up plenty of hard contact and had a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings over seven regular-season starts. He then went 2-1 in five postseason games (four starts), allowing nine runs (eight earned) while striking out 18 and walking six in 18 2/3 frames. Barring a setback, Bieber could be a back-end rotation arm for fantasy managers at some point in May.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
March 26, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Brandon Sproat had a solid spring showing, posting a 3.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 21.2 percent K-BB% in 13 innings pitched, earning himself a spot in the Brewers' rotation to begin the year. The right-hander began last season at Triple-A, and although the season-long numbers don't jump off the page, in 10 appearances from June 28 through August 30, the former second-round draft pick recorded a 2.44 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched (20.9 percent K-BB%), which prompted his promotion to the big leagues. The 6-foot-5 hurler had a 4.79 ERA (2.80 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, and a much lower 11.9 percent K-BB% in his four starts for the Mets last year, and while a 7.40 K/9 in the majors doesn't grab the attention of many fantasy managers, the 25-year-old will draw a very favorable home matchup against the White Sox on Sunday in his first start of 2026. That should make him a viable waiver target, even if just for streaming purposes, and he could be a sneaky DFS pick in a game that the Brewers will surely be favored to win.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
March 26, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he'd be "foolish" not to consider veteran right-hander
Paul Sewald for save chances this year with both
Justin Martinez (elbow) and
A.J. Puk (elbow) on the injured list to begin the 2026 season, according to 12 News' Cameron Cox. Lovullo mentioned Sewald's experience at the back of the bullpen in his career, as the 35-year-old has 86 saves over his nine major-league seasons with five different teams. He certainly isn't a slam-dunk saves candidate for the D-backs or for fantasy managers, though, as he posted a weak 4.58 ERA (4.66 FIP), a 1.22 WHIP, two saves, 20 strikeouts, and six walks in just 19 2/3 innings in 2025 with the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. Sewald should be the Diamondbacks' first choice for save chances to begin the year, but
Kevin Ginkel and
Ryan Thompson could also be sprinkled in, and this could quickly evolve if Sewald struggles. Fantasy managers are better off staying away.
--Keith HernandezSource: 12 News - Cameron Cox
March 26, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park and is expected to go three innings/50 pitches during his minor-league rehab start on Saturday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports. Wheeler is making good progress in his recovery from surgery last September for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, and this will be his first game action since going under the knife. If everything goes according to plan during his rehab assignment in the minors, Wheeler could come off the IL and make his 2026 season debut in mid-April. The 35-year-old veteran is more of a risk in fantasy baseball going into his 12th season while coming off unique surgery, but Wheeler's high-end upside when healthy is too hard to ignore. He should not be available on any waiver wires to begin the year. The three-time All-Star had a 2.71 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 195:33 K:BB in his 24 starts last year before being shut down.
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Corey Seidman
March 26, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Chandler Simpson will start Opening Day on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals on the bench, according to MLB.com. The Rays will roll with
Ryan Vilade (batting second) in left field,
Cedric Mullins (batting eighth) in center field, and
Jonny DeLuca (batting sixth) in right field against Cardinals left-hander
Matthew Liberatore. Simpson, 25, bats from the left side and will have to wait to make his first start in 2026. In his first year in the big leagues in 2025, Simpson hit .299 (32-for-107) against southpaws, as opposed to a .293 (9-for-307) average versus righties. The former second-rounder in 2022 slashed an impressive .295/.326/.345 with a .671 OPS, no homers, 26 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases in his first 109 big-league games. He gives fantasy managers virtually zero power, and when he is in the lineup, he'll likely be down at the bottom of the order, limiting his counting-stat upside. Still, Simpson is useful in all leagues for his elite speed in Tampa.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 26, 2026
Chicago White Sox catcher
Kyle Teel (hamstring) was seen getting in some pre-game work on Thursday before the team's Opening Day contest in Milwaukee against the Brewers, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Teel was placed on the 10-day injured list to start the 2026 season due to a Grade 2 right-hamstring strain that he suffered in mid-March while playing for Italy during the World Baseball Classic. The White Sox expect the 24-year-old backstop to return in four to six weeks. When healthy, Teel should serve as the Pale Hose's primary catcher in 2026, sharing time with
Edgar Quero behind the dish. Until Teel can make his season debut, the White Sox will roll with Quero and
Reese McGuire at the position. Teel doesn't have a crazy-high power ceiling, but he's proven he can get on base frequently, and he even has above-average wheels for a catcher. The former 14th overall pick in 2023 out of Virginia by the Red Sox hit .273/.375/.411 with a .786 OPS, eight homers, and 35 RBI in his first 78 major-league games in Chicago in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
March 26, 2026
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Thursday that infielder
Isaac Paredes will move around at several different positions in 2026, according to Astros beat writer Javier Gonzalez. "He'll get a lot of at-bats. The plan is for him to play 3B, 1B, 2B, and DH," Brown said. Paredes is starting at the hot corner and will bat third on Opening Day on Thursday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and right-hander
Jose Soriano with
Jeremy Pena (finger) out of the lineup.
Carlos Correa is moving to shortstop. The 27-year-old will essentially rotate around the infield when players need a day off or when injuries strike, so Paredes won't be guaranteed regular playing time throughout the year. He was limited to 102 games in 2025 in his first year in Houston due to a serious hamstring injury, but he still managed to reach the 20-homer mark for the third time in his six MLB seasons. Fantasy managers should view Paredes as a mid-tier third baseman, but to reach his true ceiling, he'll likely need an injury to open up more consistent playing time in Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: Javier Gonzalez
March 26, 2026
The Houston Astros are hoping that left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) will be facing hitters "by mid-April," general manager Dana Brown told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader is starting the 2026 season on the 15-day injured list due to left-biceps tendinitis that he dealt with this spring. The good news is that the veteran southpaw has been throwing off the mound since earlier this month. However, with Hader being a couple of weeks out from potentially facing live hitters, fantasy managers might want to expect his 2026 debut to come in early May, at the earliest. Hader should not be floating around on any waiver wires to begin the year, but fantasy managers holding him might not get him back as early as they anticipated, and it remains to be seen if he'll be his normal dominant self when he returns after also dealing with shoulder issues in 2025. In the meantime,
Bryan Abreu figures to get the majority of save opportunities in Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
RADIO
