February 4, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays infielder
Taylor Walls will likely start at shortstop to open the season, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com. Walls is working his way back from a groin strain that cost him the final two months of the regular season. He played 101 games in 2025, slashing just .220/.280/.319 with a career-low 8.2% walk rate and 22.1% strikeout rate. He contributed just 66 wRC+, which is concerning. However, he made up for his subpar hitting with above-average production in the field. He posted 1 OAA, 1 FRV, and 3.6 fWAR on defense last year, bringing his overall total WAR contribution to 0.3 wins. While Berry reports that Walls should patrol shortstop on Opening Day, it's worth noting that the 29-year-old switch-hitter doesn't have the greatest job security. Former top prospect
Carson Williams, who debuted last year, is on the 40-man roster, and the Rays also have middle infield depth in
Brett Wisely and
Jadher Areinamo.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Berry
February 4, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays remain interested in signing free agent starting pitcher
Framber Valdez, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Valdez remains the top arm on the market with spring training just a couple of weeks away. He posted double-digit wins and at least 22 starts in each of the last five seasons with Houston. He concluded his Astros tenure with an impressive 3.34 xFIP, 8.77 K/9, and 3.19 BB/9 in 2025. All the while, Valdez continued to effectively limit weak contact with just 0.7 HR/9 and a 72.9% ground ball rate. He's expected to fetch a sizable contract in free agency, but the chances of him settling for a shorter-term deal increase with each passing day. Valdez also has the qualifying offer attached to him, which adds a wrinkle to his market. Nevertheless, he is an ace who would offer a major upgrade to every rotation in baseball, including Toronto's. The American League champion's starting rotation is currently headlined by
Kevin Gausman,
Dylan Cease,
Shane Bieber, and
Trey Yesavage.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Heyman
February 3, 2026
Catcher
Yainer Diaz won his salary arbitration case against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, a source told Francys Romero. Diaz will make $4.5 million in 2026 after the Astros filed at $3 million. In his fourth year in the majors with the Astros in 2025, Diaz slashed .256/.284/.417 with a .701 OPS, 20 home runs, 70 RBI, and 56 runs scored in 143 games and 567 plate appearances. It was the second time that the 27-year-old backstop had 20 homers in his career, but his batting average fell more than 40 points. The free-swinging catcher still makes plenty of contact despite his lack of plate discipline, but fantasy managers certainly expect another high average after he was buoyed by a .338 BABIP in 2024. Diaz's low walk rate makes him a liability in leagues that count on-base percentage. But with plenty of pop at catcher and everyday playing time, Diaz is a low-end No. 1 catching option in fantasy baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
February 3, 2026
Cincinnati Reds left-hander
Nick Lodolo had a career-best 3.33 ERA (3.81 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP, and 156:31 K:BB in 156 2/3 innings over 29 outings (career-high 28 starts) in his fourth year in the majors. The 6-foot-6 southpaw made another trip to the injured list due to blister issues, but overall, it was another step forward for the former first-rounder out of TCU. Perhaps the most impressive thing Lodolo did in 2025 was post a 4.8% walk rate, which ranked fourth among starting pitchers with at least 150 innings pitched. Lodolo's strikeout numbers have dropped a tad compared to his first few years in the league, but he still sports a solid 26.2% strikeout rate in his four seasons to go along with a 6.7% walk rate. If Lodolo can keep the ball in the yard more at hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark, a breakout in Year 5 could be coming in 2026. Treat him as a No. 3 starting pitcher with upside in fantasy baseball drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
February 3, 2026
Detroit Tigers outfielder
Riley Greene took a more aggressive approach at the plate in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues, which led to career highs in home runs (36) and RBI (111), but also in strikeouts (201). Greene had a career-high 30.7% strikeout rate, although his average only dropped from .262 to .258. The 25-year-old left-handed slugger's OPS also dropped over 20 points, thanks to a career-low 7.1% walk rate. He swung at more pitches and also swung and missed more, but when he did make contact, he did damage with a 17.1% barrel rate. In addition to Greene's 36 homers and 111 RBI, he added a career-high 84 runs scored but stole just two bases. Greene has a total of 14 thefts in his four seasons, so fantasy managers can't count on that as part of his game. If his aggressive approach at the plate continues in 2026, Greene should have a high floor as a power threat and run-producer while maintaining a solid but unspectacular average. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 20 outfielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
February 3, 2026
For the second straight season, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Tre Turner missed time with a hamstring injury, limiting him to 141 games. Turner still managed to win his second batting title (.304 batting average), but he was unable to reach the 20-homer mark (15 dingers) for the first time in a full season since 2019 with the Washington Nationals. In addition to his 15 homers and .304 average, the 32-year-old three-time All-Star had 69 RBI, 94 runs scored, and 36 stolen bases in his third season with the Phillies. Injuries are a concern for Turner, but he proved last year that he still has the sprint speed to swipe 30-plus bags as he nears his mid-30s. And if he manages to stay healthy, the counting stats should be there as the table-setter for a very potent Philly offense. Turner is a borderline top-25 fantasy asset and is the No. 5-ranked fantasy shortstop at RotoBaller going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
February 3, 2026
Free-agent reliever Kyle Keller and the Boston Red Sox agreed to a minor-league contract with an invite to major-league spring training on Tuesday, league sources told Will Sammon of The Athletic. Keller will receive $1.9 million if he's in the majors, plus $500,000 in performance bonuses. The 32-year-old right-hander spent the last four seasons pitching in Japan and had a 2.42 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 152 1/3 innings pitched. Keller was originally an 18th-round selection by the Miami Marlins in 2015 out of Southeastern Louisiana University. He made his big-league debut in 2019 with Miami and also pitched for the Los Angeles Angels in 2020 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. In 46 1/3 relief innings over three MLB seasons, Keller had a 5.83 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, and 48:32 K:BB. He'll most likely begin the year in the minors as relief depth for Boston in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon
February 3, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they designated infielder
Andy Ibanez for assignment. In a corresponding move, the team claimed outfielder
Michael Siani off waivers from the New York Yankees. Ibanez loses his spot on the 40-man roster after signing a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Dodgers last month. The 32-year-old veteran from Cuba played in 91 games for the Detroit Tigers last year and slashed .239/.301/.352 with a .653 OPS, four home runs, 21 RBI, 24 runs scored, and a career-high four stolen bases in 193 plate appearances. Ibanez is a career .254/.305/.389 hitter with a .694 OPS in five major-league seasons with the Tigers and Texas Rangers. He has very little power and speed, although his success against left-handed pitching in 2025 could make him attractive as a bench option off waivers.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
February 3, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they claimed outfielder
Michael Siani off waivers from the New York Yankees. The Dodgers designated infielder
Andy Ibanez for assignment in a corresponding move. The Yankees claimed Siani off waivers from the Dodgers last month, but he'll be heading back to L.A. with a week until the start of spring training. The 26-year-old is a great defensive outfielder, but he doesn't bring much with his bat. Siani played in only 19 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last year and hit .228/.285/.285 with a .570 OPS, two home runs, 20 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 124 games in St. Louis in 2024. With minor-league options remaining, Siani will most likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City while providing organizational outfield depth for the Blue.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
February 3, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Jordyn Adams signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. Adams, the former 17th overall pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, made his major-league debut with the Halos in 2023 and hit .128 (5-for-39) in 17 games. He only appeared in five games for the Baltimore Orioles last year and was hitless in five at-bats with two strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-handed-hitting outfielder will now head to the Brewers, where he'll most likely serve as organizational outfield depth at Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2026 campaign. In seven minor-league seasons, Adams has slashed .247/.328/.377 with a .705 OPS, 52 home runs, 288 RBI, and 158 stolen bases in 651 games played. He is off the fantasy radar in all leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
February 3, 2026
Right-hander
Kyle Bradish won his salary arbitration hearing with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, a source told Jake Rill of MLB.com. Bradish will make $3.55 million during the 2026 season. The Orioles had submitted a figure of $2.875 million. In his return from Tommy John surgery last year, the 29-year-old went 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA (2.45 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 10 walks in 32 innings pitched over just six starts in his fourth year in the big leagues. Although it was a small sample size, Bradish's 37.3% strikeout rate was extremely impressive. He also went five innings in four of his starts and struck out nine or more in three outings. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Bradish to be that dominant in 2026, but it's hard to argue with his results from the last three seasons (2.78 ERA and 268 K's in 240 innings). Bradish should be a low-end No. 2 target as a starting pitcher in fantasy in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
February 3, 2026
Free-agent first baseman
Carlos Santana agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, a source told John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. The 39-year-old veteran switch-hitter will join his ninth team as he enters his 17th season in the big leagues. Santana split last season with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs and slashed a combined .219/.308/.325 with a career-low .633 OPS, 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 124 games and 474 plate appearances. Santana's ability to switch hit will give him an advantage in a platoon situation at first base, but he'll still likely be on the short side of a platoon with
Pavin Smith at first in the desert in 2026. In his prime, Santana was an excellent source of on-base percentage due to his fantastic knowledge of the strike zone, but he's declined offensively in recent years and is likely in his final big-league season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
February 3, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers star closer
Edwin Diaz will pitch for Puerto Rico in this year's World Baseball Classic, three years after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the tournament, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a victory back in 2023 over the Dominican Republic. He signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers as a free agent this offseason and will enter 2026 as one of the top closers off the board in fantasy baseball drafts. Since 2018, Diaz has 201 saves, which is fourth-most in the majors. The 31-year-old veteran converted 28 of his 31 save chances and had a sharp 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings last year for the New York Mets. As one of the most dominant closers in the game with the back-to-back World Series-champion Dodgers, the sky is the limit for Diaz in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
February 3, 2026
The Minnesota Twins announced on Tuesday that they claimed right-hander
Jackson Kowar off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Kowar was designated for assignment by Seattle last week after the team acquired
Jhonny Pereda from the Twins. The 29-year-old former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2018 out of the University of Florida had his 2025 season cut short by a right-shoulder impingement. Before his injury, he had a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17 innings for the M's out of the bullpen. Kowar will most likely begin the 2026 campaign in the minors as organizational relief depth for Minnesota. In his four major-league seasons (three with the Royals), Kowar has posted an ugly 8.21 ERA (5.96 FIP), 1.93 WHIP, 90 strikeouts, and 58 walks in 54 outings (eight starts) over 91 innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Twins
February 3, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that outfielder
Cam Smith will play some center field in spring training, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Reports this offseason have suggested that Smith isn't a lock for an Opening Day roster spot, but adding versatility in center field definitely will help his cause. The 22-year-old former first-rounder played well defensively in right field in 2025 in his first year in the big leagues while also slashing .236/.312/.358 with a .671 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 134 games played. The 22-year-old was brought up to the big leagues quickly, which makes his struggles less surprising. Smith carried a 27.8% strikeout rate, 90 wRC+, 6.9% barrel rate, and 45.1% ground-ball rate. Because of the possibility that Smith will start the 2026 season at Triple-A Sugar Land, he's a very risky investment in single-year fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
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