March 9, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect
Josue De Paula was assigned to minor-league camp on Sunday. The team's No. 1-ranked prospect (according to MLB.com) was unlikely to make the MLB roster out of spring training but was given a small taste of MLB action. During spring training, De Paula posted a strong .375/.464/.417 line across 14 games. Fantasy managers should expect the No. 15-ranked prospect in the sport to begin the 2026 regular season with Double-A Tulsa. In 2025, De Paula spent most of his season with High-A Great Lakes before earning a short four-game stint at Double-A. With High-A, De Paula posted .263/.406/.421 line with 12 home runs and eight stolen bases. While a 2026 MLB debut seems unlikely, he could be in the mix for a first-half promotion to Triple-A if he continues this trajectory.
--Andy SmithSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
March 9, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect
Joshua Baez is making a strong impression early in camp and could contend for a much-earlier-than-expected MLB debut. Through nine games, the team's No. 4-ranked prospect has posted a strong .333/.429/.667 slash line with two home runs and one stolen base. Last summer, Baez spent time at High-A and Double-A. While he has yet to step foot onto a Triple-A diamond, he may continue to make a strong case to join the MLB roster early in the 2026 season. At High-A, he held a .317/.404/.483 line with four home runs and 20 stolen bases over 38 games. Over his first stint at Double-A (79 games), the 22-year-old held a .271/.374/.509 line 16 home runs and seven stolen bases. Given his five-category profile, he is a top prospect to monitor in deep five-outfielder formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
March 9, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks reassigned outfield prospect
Ryan Waldschmidt to minor-league camp on Sunday, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. The D-backs were seriously considering having Waldschmidt make their Opening Day roster due to injuries to
Corbin Carroll (hand) and
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) in their outfield. The 23-year-old former 31st overall pick in 2024 out of Kentucky will start at Triple-A Reno in 2026, but if he's playing well early on, an early-season promotion to the Show could be in order. In nine Cactus League games in spring training, Waldschmidt has gone 9-for-28 (.321) with a homer, five RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base in 30 plate appearances. Waldschmidt hit .289/.419/.473 with an .892 OPS, 18 homers, 78 RBI, 114 runs, and 29 steals in 134 games with High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo last year. He could become Arizona's starting center fielder by season's end, and his power/speed combination makes him a must-stash in dynasty/keeper leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
March 8, 2026
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal could continue pitching with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic tournament. The original plan was for Skubal to pitch against Great Britain and then return to the Tigers camp. After Saturday's start, Skubal expressed interest in continuing to pitch with Team USA after feeling great emotion when pitching for his home country. Skubal would need approval from both his agent and the Tigers organization to continue playing in the WBC. It would be a huge boost for Team USA if the superstar southpaw is allowed to continue pitching with the team.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
March 8, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Nelson Velazquez appears to have a legitimate chance at landing a spot on the 26-man roster. The Cardinals are looking for an option in left field with
Lars Nootbaar (heels) still sidelined. Nootbaar is still recovering from surgery on his heels, so it doesn't sound like he'll be ready for Opening Day. Velazquez has looked good at the plate during his six Grapefruit League games. He's looking to rebound after posting a .200/.274/.366 slash line with eight home runs and 27 RBI in 64 games with the Kansas City Royals last season. He joined the Cardinals as a non-roster invitee, so they'd need to drop someone off the 40-man roster to keep Velazquez for Opening Day.
Nathan Church and
Thomas Saggese are also competing for the starting left field gig. The Cardinals lineup could use a slugger from the right side, such as Velazquez, but we'll see if he can earn the spot.
--Andy WebbSource: Derrick Goold
March 8, 2026
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher
Porter Hodge (elbow) will begin the 2026 season on the injured list, according to manager Craig Counsell. Hodge has been diagnosed with a right flexor tendon strain and will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks. That decision will end Hodge's chances of making the 26-man roster to start the season. Before the injury, Hodge wasn't helping himself with seven walks and yielding seven earned runs in two innings of Cactus League play. The 25-year-old posted excellent rookie numbers in 2024, but couldn't get anyone out last season. He was once viewed as a possible closing option in Chicago, but
Daniel Palencia has run away with that job.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
March 8, 2026
Team Venezuela manager Omar Lopez said that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio (hand) is "ready" and should be back in the lineup for the World Baseball Classic contest against Nicaragua on Monday, according to Kevin Barral of FishOnFirst.com. A left-hand injury has caused Chourio to miss Venezuela's first two games of the WBC, but it's not a serious injury, and he'll be back in action next week after injuring his hand in an exhibition game last Wednesday when he was hit by a pitch. The 21-year-old will be ready for Opening Day at the end of this month and will look to continue improving as one of the league's best young outfielders after slashing .272/.317/.463 with a .781 OPS, 52 home runs, 157 RBI, 168 runs scored, and 43 stolen bases in 1,162 plate appearances over his first 279 regular-season games. Chourio is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 8 overall fantasy outfielder going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Fish on First - Kevin Barral
March 8, 2026
The Texas Rangers have claimed outfielder
Dairon Blanco off waivers from the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. Blanco quickly finds a new home after being designated for assignment by the Royals earlier in the week. Blanco figures to have a legitimate shot at claiming a 26-man roster spot. The 32-year-old is a solid contact hitter with elite speed. Blanco has recorded 59 steals over parts of four seasons with the Royals. He could be a potential platoon option in the outfield, but his fantasy value will be dependent on his playing time.
--Andy WebbSource: Kansas City Royals
March 8, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton (forearm) is "fine" after he was removed from Friday's World Baseball Classic game for Team USA against Brazil after being hit by a pitch on his right forearm in the fifth inning, according to Team USA manager Mark DeRosa. X-rays came back negative on Buxton's arm. He initially stayed in the game in the WBC opener on Friday before being replaced in the outfield by Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong. It's great news for the injury-prone two-time All-Star and for the Twins, with the start of the 2026 regular season less than three weeks away. It's also great news for Team USA, which is without Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand) due to a fractured hamate bone that required surgery last month. Buxton didn't start in Saturday's win over Great Britain, but he's not expected to miss much time.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Ryan Kelapire
March 8, 2026
Texas Rangers catcher
Kyle Higashioka (back) is expected to return to the lineup on Monday, according to manager Skip Schumaker. Higashioka has been sidelined since being scratched from Saturday's lineup due to back spasms. Luckily, it sounds like a minor issue that is only going to sideline Higashioka for a few days. The expectation is that Higashioka will split up the playing time behind the plate with
Danny Jansen. Last season, Higashioka slashed .241/.291/.403 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI across 94 games. The fact that he's going to be in a platoon situation doesn't bode well for his everyday fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Evan Grant
March 8, 2026
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Andrew Abbott has been named the Opening Day starter, according to manager Terry Francona. This will be the first Opening Day assignment for Abbott, who earned it as a consolation prize. Normally, ace
Hunter Greene (elbow) would get the Opening Day nod. Unfortunately, Greene is dealing with an elbow injury and won't be able to make that start. Abbott posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 149/43 K/BB ratio across 29 starts with the Reds last season. His current ADP sits at 208, which feels like a steal given his success last season. Abbott has the potential to be a top 45-50 starting pitcher in the league.
--Andy WebbSource: Cincinnati Reds
March 8, 2026
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Shane Smith will get the honor of taking the ball on Opening Day. According to Scott Merkin, Smith will get the nod to begin the regular season. The selection of Smith makes it five consecutive seasons that the White Sox have started a different pitcher on Opening Day. The 25-year-old is deserving of the honor after posting a strong rookie campaign in 2025. He registered a 3.81 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 145/58 K/BB ratio across 29 starts. His overall numbers don't scream ace pitcher, but Smith can be a capable big league arm. It's unlikely that he'll rack up a ton of wins on the South Side, which won't help his fantasy value. His current ADP is sitting around 260-270 range, which seems fair. He could be a decent depth option for fantasy managers with potential to get better.
--Andy WebbSource: Scott Merkin
March 8, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly (back) was able to throw a successful live batting practice session on Sunday. According to Steve Gilbert, Kelly felt good during the session and everything went well. The next step will likely be Kelly throwing a bullpen session before getting into game action. Barring any setbacks, Kelly should be ready in time for Opening Day. In 2025, Kelly posted a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 167/48 K/BB ratio across 32 starts. The 37-year-old pitched well last season, but a regression is possible given his age. If healthy, Kelly could be an interesting late-round option, but he's unlikely to surpass last year's numbers.
--Andy WebbSource: Steve Gilbert
March 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays infielder
Gavin Lux (upper body) is expected to make his Spring Training debut on Tuesday. The team has been vague about Lux so far, but they've been holding him out due to body soreness. He'll take some live at-bats on Sunday and will get into game action on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks, Lux should be ready to go for Opening Day. Lux was traded to the Rays in a three-team deal in January. He figures to get regular playing time at second base with
Brandon Lowe no longer on the team. Last season, Lux slashed .269/.350/.374 with five home runs, 53 RBI, and one steal in 127 games. The 28-year-old is unlikely to offer much fantasy value given his lack of power and speed.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Topkin
March 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Cedric Mullins (back) has been kept out of the lineup lately due to a lingering back issue. Mullins is reportedly feeling better and was able to resume baseball activities. Rays' manager Kevin Cash said that Mullins is improving, but he isn't going to play for a little bit. The Rays aren't going to take any chances early in camp, so they'll let Mullins get 100 percent healthy. This shouldn't be something that impacts his status for Opening Day. Mullins is looking to bounce back after a fairly disappointing season in 2025. He slashed .216/.297/.391 with 17 home runs, 59 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 122 games with the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets last season. The 31-year-old can still help fantasy managers with a little bit of pop and his speed upside.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Topkin
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