January 25, 2026
The Detroit Tigers are "one of many teams" interested in signing free-agent starting pitcher
Lucas Giolito, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Giolito impressed in the Red Sox's rotation last year, and he remains on the market with less than one month until spring training. He tossed 145 innings across 26 starts in 2025, posting a 3.41 ERA, 7.51 K/9, and 3.48 BB/9. His 4.59 xFIP suggests he may have gotten lucky at times last season, but the results were enough to keep Giolito entrenched in the No. 2 starter role behind
Garrett Crochet. It doesn't sound like a deal is imminent, but if Giolito does land in Detroit, he'll go from pitching behind one AL Cy Young candidate in Crochet to another in
Tarik Skubal. He'd also reunite with Tigers starter
Jack Flaherty, who was his teammate in high school. Giolito currently ranks as the #123 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings, but that placement will presumably shift a little once we know where he'll be pitching in 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Heyman
January 25, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have signed outfielder
Dylan Carlson to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Greg Zumach of The Baseball Tribune. Carlson was the Cardinals' first-round pick in 2016 and made his MLB debut with the organization in 2020. He ascended into the role of everyday right fielder and was a finalist for National League Rookie of the Year in 2021. However, his productivity at the plate dipped over time. He was traded to the Rays in 2024 and spent last season in a platoon role with the Baltimore Orioles. Across 83 big-league contests in Birdland, he slashed just .203/.278/.336 with an 8.7% walk rate, a 22.4% strikeout rate, and 74 wRC+. He posted negative fWAR for the second season in a row, forcing him to settle for a minor league contract this offseason. Now back in the NL Central for the first time since 2024, Carlson will look to compete for a 26-man roster spot in camp. It's a relatively crowded position battle, though, especially after the Cubs inked outfielder
Chas McCormick to a similar minor league deal last week.
--Andersen PickardSource: Greg Zumach
January 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher
Jared Jones (elbow) has been throwing bullpen sessions twice a week as he continues his rehab program, he told John Perrotto of PiratesRoundtable. Jones experienced UCL discomfort last spring and ultimately underwent an internal brace procedure in May. As a result, he hasn't pitched in a game since his rookie season in 2024. During that campaign, he tossed 121.2 innings across 22 starts with a 3.78 xFIP, 9.76 K/9, and 2.88 BB/9. At just 24 years old, he brings plenty of upside to a young Pirates rotation that also features
Paul Skenes,
Mitch Keller,
Braxton Ashcraft, and
Bubba Chandler. Perrotto said that, although the Pirates don't have an exact timetable for Jones' recovery, a June return seems realistic at the moment. He currently ranks as the #139 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: John Perrotto
January 25, 2026
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Justin Steele (elbow) resumed throwing off a mound last week, according to the team's injury tracker on MLB.com. Steele has been on the injured list since undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery last April, and the only significant update on his status between then and now was an October report that said Steele had resumed throwing. Throwing off a mound is the latest step in his recovery, and Steele recently said that he is either on or ahead of schedule. He might not be ready for Opening Day, but an April return remains a real possibility, especially amid reports that he should face batters during spring training. Steele was the ace of the Cubs' staff when he was fully healthy in 2024, putting together a 2.74 xERA with 9.02 K/9, 2.47 BB/9, and a 44.8% ground ball rate. It's unclear which rotation spot he'll slot into upon his return, as the Cubs' five current projected starters all had sub-3.75 ERAs last year. Despite the crowded pitching staff, Steele's track record puts him in line for a prominent rotation role once he's healthy enough to pitch again. If anything, the Cubs' pitching depth could allow them to be extra cautious and not rush Steele back.
--Andersen PickardSource: MLB.com
January 25, 2026
The Texas Rangers have signed free agent left-handed pitcher
Austin Gomber to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball. The 32-year-old has spent parts of seven seasons in the majors, including the last five with the Colorado Rockies. He tossed just 57.2 innings over 12 starts last year, pitching to a 0-7 record and 7.49 ERA. It's possible that he was a bit unlucky, as his xFIP was 5.67 and presumably would have been even lower if he didn't have to pitch at Coors Field. Still, it was the worst season of his career, as his strikeout rate dropped to 5.3 K/9 and his home run rate soared to 2.5 HR/9. Joining the Rangers should allow Gomber to pitch in a park that is far more pitcher-friendly, but first, he'll have to make the team. Gomber will spend spring training competing for the Rangers' fifth and final rotation spot behind
Jacob deGrom,
Nathan Eovaldi,
MacKenzie Gore, and
Jack Leiter.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aram Leighton
January 25, 2026
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Bryan Woo broke through to the ranks of ace territory in 2025, posting a 15-7 record with a 2.94 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 198 strikeouts across 186 2/3 innings pitched (30 starts). Woo recorded an elite 22.2% K-BB rate and owns a WHIP of 0.98 across 395 2/3 career innings. Entering his age-26 season, Woo should be in a position to build upon his 2025 performance and continue to establish himself as one of the best pitchers in MLB. He also has the benefit of pitching in one of baseball's most pitcher-friendly environments in Seattle. If there's any concern for fantasy managers, it's Woo's questionable injury track record. He dealt with an elbow ailment that limited him to 22 starts in 2024. Still, Woo is a young pitcher with upside who carries clear fantasy SP1 potential heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
In his first season with the Atlanta Braves in 2024, veteran starting pitcher
Chris Sale led MLB in wins and ERA on his way to winning the National League Cy Young Award. While Sale was still productive when healthy in 2025, a rib cage injury limited his availability and held down his overall performance. Across 125 2/3 innings (20 starts), Sale posted a 7-5 record with a 2.58 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 165 strikeouts. Heading into 2026, Sale could return to full Cy Young form with improved health. However, he will turn 37 years old at the end of March and carries an extensive injury track record beyond just 2025. Across a four-season stretch from 2020 through 2023, Sale made just 31 total starts. Still, since joining the Braves, Sale owns a 2.46 ERA and has posted back-to-back seasons with a strikeout rate north of 32%. He carries clear fantasy SP1 upside as long as he can stay on the mound in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
Veteran third baseman
Alex Bregman will have a new home for the 2026 season after signing a five-year, $175 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in free agency. The 31-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Houston Astros before signing a short-term deal with the Boston Red Sox for the 2025 season. Bregman missed time in 2025 due to injury, but produced a .273/.360/.462 slash line with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, and 64 runs scored across 495 plate appearances. In Chicago, he'll likely hit in the middle of what projects to be one of the best lineups in baseball. However, it's fair to wonder if Bregman's power output will decline now that he no longer has the home-field advantage provided by short left fields in Houston and Boston. With just a 6.1% career barrel rate, Bregman does not have elite underlying power metrics. Still, Bregman owns a career slugging percentage of .490 on the road, and 12 of his 18 home runs in 2025 came away from Fenway Park. Given that he still has a strong supporting cast around him in Chicago, Bregman's current average draft position as the eighth third baseman off the board may represent a value for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
Across three seasons from 2022 to 2024, injuries limited Texas Rangers starting pitcher
Jacob deGrom to just 20 total starts. Heading into 2025, many wondered if the two-time Cy Young Award winner would ever return to form. However, deGrom managed to log a full season in 2025, posting a 12-8 record with a 2.97 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings (30 starts). While deGrom's 22.1% K-BB rate in 2025 isn't quite the level he posted at his peak, it's still an elite mark that demonstrates how much he still has left in the tank. Still, deGrom will turn 38 years old during the 2026 season, and his extensive injury track record means he still carries a significant health risk. In comparison to other elite starting pitching options, fantasy managers should likely lower their volume-based expectations for deGrom. At the same time, he carries significant upside and currently ranks as RotoBaller's number 11 starting pitcher in standard rotisserie scoring formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge has established himself as arguably the best hitter in baseball, winning three out of the last four American League MVP awards. In 2025, Judge posted a .331/.457/.688 slash line with 53 home runs, 114 RBI, 137 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 679 plate appearances. However, Judge will turn 34 years old in April, putting into question just how much longer he can sustain his unbelievable run at the plate. Judge has also been able to stay mostly healthy in recent years, but he played through an elbow injury in 2025 and has missed significant chunks of several seasons due to injury earlier in his career. On the plus side, the Yankees recently re-signed outfielder
Cody Bellinger, providing Judge with some much-needed help around him in the lineup. The Yankees led MLB in runs scored (849) in 2025 and will run it back in 2026 with basically the same team, so Judge should have plenty of opportunities to rack up counting stats. Some age-related decline should be expected, but Judge still profiles as an elite outfield option for fantasy managers as long as he stays healthy heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 25, 2026
As things currently stand, the Philadelphia Phillies don't have a set No. 4 or No. 5 starting pitcher, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
Cristopher Sanchez,
Jesus Luzardo, and
Aaron Nola are the three healthy starters who are guaranteed rotation spots. The Phillies are hoping top prospect
Andrew Painter and veteran
Taijuan Walker fill out the rotation, but they aren't slam dunks. Both pitchers need to perform in spring training, but even if they don't, they have to be in the initial rotation as
Zack Wheeler continues his recovery from thoracic outlet syndrome. Painter, 22, had a 5.26 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 123:47 K:BB in 118 innings over 26 starts with Single-A Clearwater and Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025 in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. There wasn't a notable dip in Painter's stuff last year, and he could bounce back another year removed from TJ surgery. A lowered price in 2026 definitely makes Painter an intriguing buy-low candidate with elite pitching upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
January 25, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti (elbow) doesn't appear to be dealing with any lingering problems from his elbow issues from last season. Arrighetti was sidelined in September due to elbow inflammation, but it didn't require surgery. The right-hander said he's had a fairly normal offseason and feels good right now. Arrighetti believes he'll have no problem being ready for the beginning of Spring Training. This is good news for the Astros, who only got seven starts from Arrighetti last season. The organization is hopeful they can get a full season from the 26-year-old in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Leah Vann
January 25, 2026
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. won't be making a positional change this upcoming season. The Braves have confirmed that they have no plans to move Acuna out of the outfield. There was some speculation that the Braves could move Acuna to shortstop, given
Ha-Seong Kim (finger) is expected to miss multiple months. That won't be the case as the Braves are likely to keep Acuna in right field for the foreseeable future. The Braves are just hopeful to keep Acuna healthy as he's only played over 100 games in a single season twice over the last five seasons.
--Andy WebbSource: Mark Bowman
January 25, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Oneil Cruz has reportedly worked hard this offseason to improve his body and the issues he had last season. Cruz said there was no time to relax and immediately got back to work when he got home. The 27-year-old wants to focus on getting better, which is exactly what the Pirates want to hear from Cruz, who struggled last season. In 2025, Cruz posted a .200/.298/.378 slash line with 20 home runs, 61 RBI, and 38 stolen bases in 135 games. Before that, Cruz was a 2.5 WAR player during the 2024 campaign. The Pirates are hopeful that Cruz and bounce back and return to the type of production that he was giving during the 2024 season.
--Andy WebbSource: Jason Mackey
January 25, 2026
San Francisco Giants pitcher
Hayden Birdsong is reportedly excited heading into Spring Training after making some mechanical adjustments during the offseason. Birdsong is happy about how he's throwing, and he even received praise from his teammate,
Logan Webb. The 24-year-old came into the league with some hype after posting strong numbers in the minor leagues. Since making his debut in 2024, Birdsong hasn't quite performed as well as the Giants had hoped. Last season, Birdsong posted a 4.80 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and a 68/37 K/BB ratio across 21 games (10 starts) with the Giants. The hope is that these adjustments will help Birdsong be a more productive option for the Giants in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Susan Slusser
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