January 29, 2026
It is "fair to assume" that St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbar (heel) will open the 2026 MLB season on the injured list, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. Nootbar underwent a significant double-heel surgery during the offseason. He has no timetable for his return, and Jones expects him to land on the injured list "until he proves he can go at game speed." The 28-year-old played a career-high 135 games last season, slashing .234/.325/.361 with 13 home runs, an 11% walk rate, and a 20.4% strikeout rate. He posted a career-low 96 wRC+ along the way. He also had a rough year defensively, tallying -1 OAA and -4 FRV across all three outfield spots. Nootbar is an intriguing bounce-back candidate, but first, he'll need to get healthy. While he's on the IL, the Cardinals will likely deploy an outfield of
Nathan Church,
Victor Scott II, and
Jordan Walker.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Jones
January 29, 2026
The Houston Astros are interested in free-agent catcher
Christian Vazquez, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Vazquez caught for Houston during the second half of the 2022 season after a trade from Boston, and he ultimately won a World Series ring with the club. He just finished a three-year deal with the Twins, during which he posted the worst offensive numbers of his career. Though 65 games in 2025, he slashed .189/.271/.274 with 55 wRC+ and -12.7 fWAR at the plate. However, he did bring his walk rate up to 8.4% (highest mark since 2020) while cutting his strikeout rate down to 16.4% (lowest mark since 2022). Defensively, his framing contributed three runs below average, but he was above average in blocking and throwing. He finished with an FRV of zero runs above average and a defensive fWAR of 7.9 wins. Vazquez is certainly past his prime, but he can still be a solid, defense-first contributor on a contender while offering a steady veteran presence. If he were to sign with the Astros, he'd compete for the No. 2 catcher role behind
Yainer Diaz after
Victor Caratini departed for the Twins.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chandler Rome
January 29, 2026
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu has been the subject of plenty of trade rumors this offseason, due to his team's apparently overcrowded outfield. However, Boston hasn't been willing to part with him at his current value on the open market, and Abreu has also drawn praise for his work this offseason. Both GM
Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora have talked about getting Abreu regular at-bats against lefties. The two-time Gold Glove winner slashed .247/.317/.469 last season and hit a career-high 22 home runs. He was very streaky throughout the season, but he showed lots of upside when he was locked in. His outlook for 2026 is extremely volatile since his role on the roster is uncertain, but if the Sox make a move to open space for him or if he's moved to a place where he plays every day, he could end up delivering very nice value if you can get him late in drafts.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Rob Bradford
January 29, 2026
Free agent pitcher
Gabe Klobosits will look to earn a spot in the bullpen for the Chicago Cubs after agreeing to a minor-league deal with the team before the start of spring training. While he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2021, when he went 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in 11 games for the Nationals, the 6-foot-8 righty has posted some good numbers in independent ball with a 2.14 ERA over 80 innings. He split time last season between the Cleburne Railroaders in the American Association and the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League. Reports are that he is up to 98 miles-per-hour on his fastball this offseason, which would be an improvement from the last time he was in the majors. The 30-year-old will look to work his way back to the majors and will be an interesting arm to watch due to his non-traditional development path and potential to contribute to the bullpen at some point this season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Ari Alexander
January 29, 2026
Free-agent infielder
Jordan Groshans joined the Atlanta Braves organization on a minor-league deal, and the former top prospect will look to get back on track with a new team. After being the No. 12 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Groshans eventually made his big-league debut with the Marlins in 2022, going 16-for-61 (.262) with a homer, two RBI, and nine runs scored in just 17 games played. He hasn't been back to the majors since then, though, spending 2025 in Double-A and Triple-A for the Royals. In 67 games, he hit .284 with three homers, a .340 wOBA, and no stolen bases. He spent 2024 with the A's and Yankees in the minors and seems to be a minor-league journeyman at this point. He does provide organizational depth and positional versatility for the Braves, though, since he played every spot in the infield for the Royals last season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: MLB.com
January 29, 2026
Free-agent pitcher
Darren McCaughan will try to earn a spot with the Cincinnati Reds after signing a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. The right will be 30 years old at the start of the season and has spent time with the Mariners and Twins over the last several seasons. He pitched in just three games in the majors for the Twins in 2025, allowing one run on five hits with six strikeouts and a hold over 5 1/3 innings. In Triple-A, he was both a starter and reliever, appearing in 26 games with 12 starts and spanning 97 innings with a 5.10 ERA, 5.47 FIP, and 8.9 K/9. McCaughan will likely serve as organizational depth, especially since he can provide some length, but he seems unlikely to be a major contributor.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Charlie Goldsmith
January 29, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Kevin Gausman has been extremely reliable and consistent for the Blue Jays in the first four years of his five-year deal signed as a free agent before the 2022 season. The 36-year-old righty is entering the final year of his contract, and over the last five seasons (including his last with the Giants), he has racked up 1,020 strikeouts in 925 2/3 innings while making 158 starts and posting a 3.34 ERA and 16.4 WAR. Gausman has made at least 30 starts in each of those five seasons and won at least 10 games. He could be an intriguing veteran free agent next offseason, or the Blue Jays could try to extend their workhorse before he hits the open market. His consistency and reliability make him an undervalued fantasy asset coming into this year in many leagues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Buster Olney
January 29, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect
Tre' Morgan is expected to be in contention for an early promotion to the major leagues in 2026. Morgan is currently considered the No. 11-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system on MLB.com. Last summer, the former third-round pick from the 2023 MLB Draft spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Durham, playing at a high level. Through 92 games, Morgan held a .274/.398/.412 line with a strong .810 OPS. Morgan hit 15 doubles, three triples, and added eight round-trippers. He swiped eight bags and showed strong eye at the plate, posting a 77:64 K:BB. While
Jonathan Aranda will likely serve as the primary first baseman in Tampa Bay, Morgan has experience in the outfield, which could be an easier path to the majors. Given his strong play last season, he is a top name to monitor during spring training.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect
Leonardo Bernal is progressing through the system and should be in the mix to compete for a 2026 MLB debut. Last summer, Bernal spent the entire campaign with Double-A Springfield. Across 107 contests, the backstop posted a .247/.332/.394 line with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. He enjoyed a dominant first half, posting a .290/.368/.527 line but stumbled over the final months, carrying a much lower .210/.300/.276 line. Bernal is currently considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in the system and the No. 92 overall prospect in the sport on MLB.com. While he will likely not compete for an MLB role in spring training, he could begin the season with Triple-A, which would open the door for a midseason call to St. Louis.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
San Diego Padres catching prospect
Ethan Salas is a name to watch in spring training as he could contend for an early promotion to Triple-A. Salas had a disappointing 2025 season while dealing with a stress fracture in his back. This injury limited him to only 10 total games in the minor leagues. Across this brief 10-game stint with Double-A, Salas held a .188/.325/.219 slash line with one double and two stolen bases. In 2024, Salas spent the entire season with High-A, where he struggled at times, holding an overall .206/.288/.311 line with a low .599 OPS. However, Salas was able to play in the Arizona Fall League, suggesting he should be a full-go to open 2026. While he had a disappointing season, the backstop is still only 19 years old and appears poised for a resurgent campaign in 2026. He will likely begin the season with Double-A, but may only need a few months of action to earn the call to Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
Chicago Cubs top infield prospect
Jefferson Rojas is expected to begin the 2026 campaign with Double-A Knoxville. Rojas is considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in their system on MLB.com. Rojas began the 2025 season with High-A South Bend and was quite productive, posting a .278/.379/.492 line with an .871 OPS. During this 67-game stint, Rojas hit 13 doubles, 11 home runs, and swiped 14 bases. He was then bumped up to Double-A, where he saw his production take a decline. Through his first 39 games in the upper levels, Rojas stumbled to a .164/.279/.205 line with no long balls and only five stolen bases. Given his struggles against Double-A pitching in the second half, managers should expect Rojas to spend most of the 2026 season there. If he were to turn the corner, he could push for a second-half taste of Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 29, 2026
The Athletics have invited left-handed pitching prospect
Gage Jump to MLB spring training. Jump was drafted by the Athletics in the 2024 MLB Draft and has quickly progressed through their system. Jump made his professional debut in 2025 with High-A Lansing but needed only 31 innings to prove he was ready to make the leap to Double-A. With High-A, the southpaw struck out 45 hitters while holding a 2.32 ERA with a 0.84 WHIP. During his first stint at Double-A, Jump would log 81 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.64 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Jump would tally 89 punchouts and serve up 29 free passes. Given his inconsistent play at Double-A, managers should expect him to remain at Midland to start 2026. However, if he can join Triple-A Las Vegas in the first half, he could compete for a late-season MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: Athletics
January 29, 2026
The Athletics have invited top infield prospect
Leodalis De Vries to big-league spring training. De Vries is considered the No. 3-ranked prospect in the entire sport on MLB.com. He was the top piece included in the trade that sent
Mason Miller to San Diego last season. De Vries began his 2025 season with High-A Fort Wayne but finished it with Double-A. Through 97 games at High-A (split between Fort Wayne and Lansing), De Vries posted a .249/.354/.426 line with 21 doubles, 10 home runs, and nine stolen bases. He was then given a short 21-game stint at Double-A Midland, where he posted a .281/.359/.551 line with five long balls. Managers should closely monitor De Vries' progression as he could make a strong case to begin the season at Triple-A, which would open the door for a 2026 MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: Athletics
January 29, 2026
Not much went right for second baseman
Marcus Semien in 2025 in what ended up being his final season with the Texas Rangers. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star continued to decline offensively and finished with a .230/.305/.364 slash line, career-worst .669 OPS, 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 62 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 127 games. Semien's 127 games played were his fewest in a full season since 2017 with Oakland, and his 15 homers were his fewest in a full season since 2018. The iron man -- Semien has played in a full 162 games three times in the last six full seasons -- might be succumbing to Father Time. A foot injury ended his season prematurely, but he should be ready for the start of 2026 with the Mets. While fantasy managers shouldn't be banking on a late-career resurgence like
George Springer in 2025, Semien can still provide moderate power/speed numbers as the Mets' starter at the keystone. Semien is best drafted as middle infield insurance now rather than a starting 2B in 12-team fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 29, 2026
With right-hander
Emmanuel Clase out of the saves picture in Cleveland, Guardians right-handed reliever heads into the 2026 season as the team's likely closer. Smith took over for Clase in the middle of last season and finished out the year with a 2.93 ERA (1.95 FIP), 1.00 WHIP, a career-high 16 saves, 104 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 73 2/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen. He had earned 76.4% of the team's save share, and he was one of just five relievers in major-league baseball to strike out 100-plus batters. The 26-year-old has proven pretty dominant in high-leverage situations in his two MLB seasons in Cleveland, striking out 207 batters and walking 36 in 149 innings pitched. Smith relied mostly on his fastball to post a 28.3 K-BB percentage, which ranked sixth among all qualified relievers. His fantasy value has skyrocketed from last year to this year, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 5 fantasy reliever.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
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