February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to take the mound versus the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. This is likely going to be his only start before he joins Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic. Yamamoto probably won't pitch long during Saturday's game, but at least fans will get to see him face a few batters. The 27-year-old is coming off a fantastic 2025 campaign with the Dodgers. He posted a 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a 201/59 K/BB ratio across 30 starts with the Dodgers last season. Yamamoto is a top-five fantasy starting pitcher heading into the 2026 campaign.
--Andy WebbSource: Katie Woo
February 20, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles claimed infielder
Bryan Ramos off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Ramos was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals from the O's earlier this month. Now, Ramos will head back to Baltimore for the second time this offseason. The Orioles need extra depth with
Jordan Westburg (elbow) set to open the regular season on the injured list. Ramos has played in 36 big league games with the Chicago White Sox over the last two seasons. Last season, Ramos slashed .216/.309/.396 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI, and 13 stolen bases in 105 games in Triple-A Charlotte. His overall numbers don't scream everyday third baseman, but he at least gives the Orioles another option at the hot corner.
--Andy WebbSource: Francys Romero
February 20, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly staying in touch with free-agent starting pitcher
Max Scherzer. According to Ben Nicholson-Smith, talks between the two sides have intensified over the last week. It sounds like other teams remain in the mix, but the Blue Jays appear to be the most serious suitor for Scherzer right now. A reunion seems possible, but Scherzer didn't exactly light up the stat sheet last season. Through 17 starts, Scherzer posted a 5.19 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and an 82/23 K/BB ratio last season with the Jays. The 41-year-old probably doesn't have much left in the tank, but the Jays need to add depth. They're going to open the season with
Shane Bieber (forearm) on the injured list due to right forearm fatigue. Scherzer is unlikely to offer much fantasy value, but he gives this team some extra depth heading into the regular season.
--Andy WebbSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
February 20, 2026
Boston Red Sox infielder
Marcelo Mayer (wrist) is expected to remain sidelined for a few more days. According to Ian Browne, Mayer isn't expected to make his spring debut for a couple of days. Mayer still needs to do some batting practice and get his wrist more exposed to hitting before moving into live games. The young infielder is currently recovering from wrist surgery that he underwent last August. The 23-year-old is expected to be a major factor in the Red Sox lineup this season. During the 2025 campaign, Mayer slashed .228/.272/.402 with four home runs and 10 RBI in 44 games. The former first-round pick should get a much longer look in a Red Sox uniform this upcoming season.
--Andy WebbSource: Ian Browne
February 20, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever
Yimi Garcia (elbow) said on Friday that he is "a little behind" the other pitchers in camp and will "100%" not be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The 35-year-old veteran reliever had right-elbow surgery in September of last year and is still recovering. Garcia has yet to throw off a mound, but he's hoping to do so in the next week or two. "I feel good right now, I feel better than last season," Garcia said. In addition to his elbow injury, Garcia missed time with ankle and shoulder injuries in 2025 and was limited to just 21 relief innings. He was unavailable for the Blue Jays' postseason run to the World Series, but Toronto is hoping he'll bounce back as their top setup man in 2026. Garcia has 12 saves and 57 holds for the team in the last four seasons, and he would most likely be their top option for saves if
Jeff Hoffman is injured or ineffective.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
February 20, 2026
New York Yankees right-hander
Gerrit Cole (elbow) reached 96.9 mph on the radar gun in his first live batting practice session against hitters in camp on Friday since he had Tommy John surgery last March, according to The Associated Press. Cole threw around 20 pitches to
Trent Grisham,
Aaron Judge, and
Jasson Dominguez. The Yankees expect Cole to be ready at some point from May to September. "It sounds like it was really good," manager Aaron Boone said. The 2023 American League Cy Young winner has altered his windup, putting his hands over his head now. The 35-year-old six-time All-Star will be a big question mark for the Yankees and for fantasy managers in 2026 because of his long layoff -- his last official outing was in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series on Oct. 30. RotoBaller has Cole ranked as the No. 83 fantasy starting pitcher this year. He's worth stashing in all single-year leagues, but temper your expectations upon his return.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Angels first baseman
Nolan Schanuel improved his average bat speed by 2.3 mph from 2024 to 2025, which was the sixth-best jump in the majors, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Schanuel said he spent the offseason working on the same type of drills while also working on his barrel control as he seeks more power and extra-base hits. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter has a .257 average and .348 on-base percentage in his first two full major-league seasons and has struck out only 13% of the time, but he's added just 25 home runs. Perhaps Schanuel will start hitting the ball over the fence more often in 2026 as he continues to search for more power, but until that happens, it's hard to get excited about him in shallow mixed fantasy leagues. Schanuel is most valuable in deeper leagues that count on-base percentage as corner-infield depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
February 20, 2026
San Francisco Giants right-hander
Tyler Mahle (illness) is a bit behind the other pitchers in camp because he got sick, but he's expected to face hitters next week, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. Mahle should be ready to roll for Opening Day in late March in his first year with the Gigantes after signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the team in December. The 31-year-old veteran had a career-best 2.18 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks with the Texas Rangers last year, but he was limited to 86 2/3 innings and 16 starts after missing almost three months with a shoulder injury. In 2023 and 2024 combined, Mahle made just eight starts for the Twins and Rangers, so durability is a big concern for the veteran hurler. Fantasy managers can't count on Mahle being reliable, which is why he's outside RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitcher rankings. Under the hood last year, Mahle had a weak 19.1% strikeout rate and didn't miss many bats (23.2% whiff rate).
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
February 20, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles placed right-handed reliever
Felix Bautista (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list on Friday and claimed third baseman
Bryan Ramos off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals in a corresponding move, according to Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan. Bautista had surgery on his right shoulder in August of last year and isn't guaranteed to pitch in the big leagues in 2026. With Bautista potentially out for the entire season, the Orioles signed right-hander
Ryan Helsley in the offseason and are hoping he can bounce back as their closer after a tough finish to last season with the New York Mets. The 30-year-old Bautista also had Tommy John surgery in October of 2023 and missed the entire 2024 campaign. He struggled with control (6.0 BB/9) but struck out 50 in 34 2/3 innings last year while recording 19 saves. Fantasy managers can obviously avoid Bautista in redraft leagues, and he may never be as dominant as he once was after major shoulder surgery.
--Keith HernandezSource: 105.7 The Fan - Cordell Woodland
February 20, 2026
The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee reports that San Diego Padres infielder
Sung-Mun Song (oblique) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut in spring training in the coming days after recovering from a minor oblique injury that he suffered while taking batting practice last month. The 29-year-old took live batting practice in camp on Thursday and is itching to make his spring training debut for the Friars. San Diego has had Song move around this spring in preparation for a super-utility role that could see him play some third base, second base, shortstop, and even left field. Barring injuries around the field for the Padres in 2026, Song will likely be a bench player in his first year in the United States, making him avoidable in mixed fantasy leagues. Song makes plenty of contact and has decent power, but we've seen Korean hitters in the past struggle initially with the velocity of MLB pitchers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
February 20, 2026
San Diego Padres right-handed reliever
Jason Adam (quadriceps) "remains on track to potentially be ready" for Opening Day in late March, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune's Kevin Acee. Adam said last week that he feels it's realistic for him to be ready for the start of the 2026 season, and he said on Friday that he thinks the team's medical staff is "on board." The 34-year-old veteran is making great progress since suffering a torn left quad late last season that required surgery. He has been throwing bullpen sessions since early December. When back to full health, Adam will be the Padres' top setup man in front of superstar closer
Mason Miller. Adam was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and finished seventh among relievers with 29 holds while recording a sub-2.00 ERA for the third time in the last four years. He won't really see save chances as long as Miller stays healthy, but Adam should once again be very valuable in holds leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
February 20, 2026
San Diego Padres manager
Craig Stammen said that left-handed reliever
Yuki Matsui (groin) had his live batting practice session cut short in camp on Thursday due to left-groin tightness, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Although the injury doesn't sound very serious, it could keep Matsui from participating for Team Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. If he's feeling better, the 30-year-old southpaw could resume playing catch on Saturday. Matsui has been solid out of the Padres' bullpen in his first two years in the big leagues in middle relief, but he doesn't really move the needle in fantasy baseball without much of a high-leverage role. In his 125 appearances (126 innings), he has a 3.86 ERA (4.40 FIP), 1.26 WHIP, one save, 130 strikeouts, and 60 walks in San Diego.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
February 20, 2026
The Boston Red Sox want right-hander
Johan Oviedo's delivery "to be more explosive," according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. The team wants him to "create more force down the mound." "The extension," manager Alex Cora said. "And that's kind of key for him. We saw him last year, he did a good job against us, and that's his uniqueness. If the velo goes up, great. But I think just maximize who you are and his extension is elite." If the 6-foot-6, 275-pounder can make the necessary fixes to his delivery that the team is looking for, he could be the favorite for one of the final spots in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 season, with
Kutter Crawford (knee, wrist) potentially opening the year on the injured list. Oviedo looked good last year in his return from Tommy John surgery, although he made only nine starts (40 1/3 frames). Durability and walks are the biggest concerns with Oviedo, but if he can generate more force with his delivery, he could see an uptick in velocity and K's in Boston.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
February 20, 2026
Detroit Tigers right-hander
Sawyer Gipson-Long (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in camp on Friday, according to Evan Petzold of MLive.com. Gipson-Long is battling through a left-oblique injury in spring training, but barring a setback, he should be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 28-year-old missed all of the 2024 season after having Tommy John surgery, and he returned last year to record a rough 7.18 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and only six walks in 31 1/3 innings pitched over eight appearances (three starts) at the big-league level. He also dealt with some neck problems last year, so injuries have been an issue. For now, Gipson-Long is off the fantasy baseball radar in single-year leagues, and he'll likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo. However, when healthy, he throws strikes and can generate whiffs with his offspeed pitches.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
February 20, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander
Drew Rasmussen, who has been named the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, is a pretty good bet to see a career-high in innings pitched this year, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen exceeded expectations in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, going 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 127:37 K:BB in 150 innings over 31 starts to become a first-time All-Star. For obvious reasons, the Rays closely monitored the 30-year-old's workload, and he still set a new career high in innings. Rasmussen has already had three serious elbow surgeries, dating back to his college days, but barring an injury this year, he should easily surpass the 150-inning mark he set in 2025. With more volume comes higher fantasy upside for Rasmussen, who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 44 fantasy starting pitcher in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
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