February 27, 2026
Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher
Stephen Kolek (oblique) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus left oblique strain and will be shut down for the next week or so, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Kolek's timeline for a recovery will depend on how he responds to rest and recovery, putting his availability for Opening Day in late March very much up in the air. The 28-year-old's injury definitely hurts his chances of winning a spot in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 regular season. Kolek ended up making 19 starts with the Royals and San Diego Padres last year while going 5-7 with a 3.51 ERA (3.82 FIP), 1.14 WHIP, and 77:31 K:BB in 112 2/3 innings pitched. He started the year off with an impressive 14 1/3 straight scoreless innings and even threw a shutout at Coors Field before posting a 5.10 ERA in 12 starts. Kolek is a ground-ball artist with limited strikeout upside, limiting his fantasy appeal to AL-only leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
February 27, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Samuel Basallo (abdomen) said he's "feeling good" after being checked by the medical team on Thursday, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Basallo felt "cramping" as part of the discomfort that he felt while tagging a runner out at home plate in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers. The good news is that it's not a serious injury, and he won't go for additional testing. Basallo thinks he'd be ready to play this weekend, but it's up to the team. "Everything is good," Basallo said through an interpreter. The 21-year-old backstop appears to have dodged a bullet and should be ready for the start of his first full season in the big leagues, and he's expected to play regularly behind the dish against right-handers. Basallo is one of the more intriguing up-and-coming young catchers with plenty of power upside. Target him as a high-end No. 2 catcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
February 27, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin (foot) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, starting at shortstop and hitting eighth. Griffin was hit by a pitch on his foot in Wednesday's spring training contest and was removed as a precaution. The 19-year-old No. 1 overall prospect in baseball said after the game on Wednesday that he was fine. Despite still being a teenager and having played only 21 games above High-A in the minors, The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal says that he's "trending toward" being the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop. Griffin has lived up to all the hype so far this spring and clubbed two home runs in the spring training game on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. All aspects of his game are polished well beyond his years, and his power/speed upside is through the roof. Griffin has all the makings of a future superstar and perennial All-Star.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Pirates
February 27, 2026
Detroit Tigers right-hander
Troy Melton (elbow) saw a doctor and was recommended to rest for an extended period of time, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. It means that Melton is unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season at the end of March. The 25-year-old hadn't pitched in a game this spring due to a right-elbow strain. Melton was sharp in his first 16 major-league outings (four starts) for the Tigers last year, delivering a 2.76 ERA (4.60 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 36 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 45 2/3 innings, and he was also a key piece for Detroit in the postseason. He'll now begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list, though, and it's unclear exactly when he might be an option to help the big-league pitching staff. Melton is a promising young arm in the Tigers' system, but he's likely to face workload restrictions.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit News - Chris McCosky
February 27, 2026
Minnesota Twins third baseman
Royce Lewis' (side) MRI exam came back clean after he was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates with tightness in his side, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The 26-year-old is being considered day-to-day for now and will likely be held out of spring training games for a couple of days as a precaution. Injuries have been an issue for the former first overall pick, as last year was the first time in his four major-league seasons that he played in over 100 games. Lewis hit .237/.283/.388 with a .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. He played in 70 combined games in his first two seasons and has already suffered two torn ACLs. Lewis is injury-prone and streaky as a hitter, but when he's dialed in, he can be an elite power hitter for fantasy managers at third base.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
February 27, 2026
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Joe Musgrove (elbow) was sharp in a simulated game early this week and is making a strong case to debut in spring training sometime next week. Musgrove is working his way back from Tommy John surgery but is slated to be a full-go for the start of the regular season. In this simulated game, Musgrove reached 95 MPH with his fastball and located his sinker and slider "very well." Earlier in the offseason, reports suggested that Musgrove would not face any major inning restriction, which is a great sign for his fantasy outlook. In 2024, Musgrove held a 3.8 ERA with a modest 1.17 WHIP. However, from 2021 through 2023, Musgrove held a strong 3.09 ERA with a dominant 1.09 WHIP. The 33-year-old carries solid sleeper appeal in all formats as he should take on a large role in the San Diego rotation.
--Andy SmithSource: Kevin Acee
February 27, 2026
Colorado Rockies left-handed pitcher
Kyle Freeland (back) completed a successful bullpen session this week and could make his spring training debut as early as this coming week. The southpaw has been dealing with a minor back injury, but appears to be progressing quite well. Managers should continue to monitor his status, but he does not appear to be in danger of missing the start of the regular season. Last summer, Freeland logged 163 2/3 innings with the Rockies and held a 4.98 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP. He struck out only 124 batters but had solid command of his pitches, allowing walks at a 5.4% rate. When healthy, Freeland figures to serve as the No.1 option in the Colorado rotation. Given his minimal strikeout upside and high ratios, Freeland only holds value as a low-end streamer in deeper 15-team leagues in favorable matchups.
--Andy SmithSource: Thomas Harding
February 27, 2026
Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder
Willi Castro is expected to be aggressive on the basepaths during the 2026 season. Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta noted that Castro's skill as a baserunner was one of the first qualities they took note of when they signed him to a two-year deal this offseason. While Castro only swiped 10 bags last season and 14 the year prior, he did total a season-high 33 stolen bases back in 2023, showing the raw skill he possesses as a baserunner. The Rockies have expressed interest in being aggressive on the bases this season, and adding Castro to their lineup suggests it will be a major focus for them in 2026. Castro is slated to be their everyday second baseman but could also see time in the outfield. Playing in a hitter's paradise at Coors Field, Castro possesses sneaky power and speed upside as a late-round option in category formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Thomas Harding
February 27, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (elbow) is set to face live hitters again on Friday. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, the 35-year-old will face
Aaron Judge,
Trent Grisham, and
Giancarlo Stanton in the live inning. Cole has progressed quite well during the early stages of camp and is making a strong case to return to the mound early into the 2026 season. Cole was unable to pitch during the 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace procedure in March of 2025. However, Cole has looked quite sharp in his previous bullpen session and remains in the mix to return early within the first half. In 2024, Cole logged 95 innings with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. However, in the previous season, Cole took home the AL Cy Young Award after striking out 222 hitters with a 2.63 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. He remains a prime stash option in the opening month as he could hold high-end SP2 upside as soon as he returns.
--Andy SmithSource: Bryan Hoch
February 27, 2026
Athletics right-handed pitcher
Gunnar Hoglund (knee) is set to see a doctor regarding a knee injury he suffered earlier in camp, according to Marin Gallegos of MLB.com. The 26-year-old has not been on the mound since last May after undergoing season-ending hip surgery. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears Hoglund could be in danger of missing time to begin the 2026 season. In 2025, Hoglund made his MLB debut and posted a 6.40 ERA with a 1.52 WHIP over his first 32 1/3 innings with the Athletics. In this stint, Hoglund struck out only 23 hitters. At Triple-A, Hoglund found much more success, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, with a 30:7 K:BB over a short 29 2/3 inning stint. When cleared to return, Hoglund should be in the mix to see spot starts in the rotation or operate in a long relief role in the bullpen.
--Andy SmithSource: Martin Gallegos
February 27, 2026
Athletics left-handed starting pitcher
Jacob Lopez (elbow) has been throwing live batting practice this week and is tentatively lined up to make his spring training debut on March 8 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 27-year-old has been on the shelf since being placed on the 15-day injured list last August with a shoulder strain. However, the southpaw has progressed well and appears to be on track to be a full-go to begin the season. With the Athletics last summer, Lopez logged a career-high 92 2/3 innings with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He struck out 113 hitters but posted a modest 9.3% BB rate. Under the hood, Lopez generated a strong 3.64 xERA with a .211 xBA, suggesting he should see some positive regression in 2026. He carries some sleeper appeal in deeper leagues given his underlying metrics and above-average strikeout upside.
--Andy SmithSource: Martin Gallegos
February 27, 2026
Seattle Mariners top prospect
Colt Emerson has begun to find his footing in spring training and is making a strong case to crack the Opening Day roster. On Tuesday, Emerson went 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run. In his next contest on Thursday, Emerson stayed hot at the dish, going 2-for-3 once again. He has now gone 4-for-11 through his first five contests this spring. Last summer, the 20-year-old spent most of his time at High-A and Double-A but did earn a short stint at Triple-A, which has opened the door for an early 2026 MLB debut. Across 124 games shared between High-A and Double-A, Emerson posted a .280/.380/.444 line with 14 long balls and 14 stolen bases. The No. 9-ranked prospect on MLB.com remains a top name to watch in camp as he would hold high-end sleeper value if he can earn a spot on the Opening Day roster.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 27, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo (abdomen) is not expected to undergo further testing. The top prospect was removed from Thursday's game with an abdominal injury, but it appears the move was precautionary. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the next few days, but Basallo looks to have avoided a serious injury. Orioles manager Craig Albernaz also noted that Basallo could have remained in the game. The 21-year-old made his MLB debut last summer and is poised to see a near-everyday role in the upcoming campaign. Through his first 31 games in the majors, Basallo held a .165/.229/.300 line with a modest .559 OPS. However, at Triple-A Norfolk, Basallo posted a strong .270/.377/.589 line with 23 home runs across 76 games. The young backstop is a top high-end No. 2 catcher in all formats heading into 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: Jake Rill
February 27, 2026
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect
Charlie Condon has been among the top hitters throughout the opening week of spring training games. The former third overall selection from the 2024 MLB Draft has gone 6-for-10 with two home runs and a 2:2 K:BB. The 22-year-old is in the mix to claim the starting first base job, and a strong showing in camp opens the door for an early promotion. Last summer, the former Georgia standout spent most of his time with High-A and Double-A. With High-A, Condon posted a .312/.431/.420 line across a 35-game stint. In his first look at Double-A, Condon flashed higher power, launching 11 long balls but held a lower .235/.342/.465 line. While he is likely ticketed for Triple-A to begin the campaign, Condon could remain in the mix for an early-season call-up if he continues this trajectory.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 27, 2026
According to Lochlahn March of The Philly Inquirer, Phillies top infield prospect
Aidan Miller (back) is still getting treatments on his back but remains without a clear timetable to resume hitting. March noted that the Phillies remain very cautious with the former 27th overall selection. The 21-year-old was in the mix to potentially crack the Opening Day roster, but this injury will likely send him back to Triple-A to begin the season. In 2025, Miller spent the majority of his campaign with Double-A before earning a short taste of Triple-A in the final month. Through 108 games at Reading, Miller held a stellar .259/.382/.427 line with 13 home runs and an eye-catching 52 stolen bases. In his first eight games at Triple-A, Miller swiped another seven bags while holding a .333 AVG. Even though Miller is trending towards beginning the season in the minor leagues, he remains a viable stash option for deeper leagues given the immense speed upside he possesses.
--Andy SmithSource: Lochlahn March
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