February 4, 2026
Houston Astros right-hander
Lance McCullers Jr. threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and will be built up as a starter during spring training, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. McCullers, one of the most injury-prone pitchers in baseball, returned to the Astros in 2025 after missing two full seasons following surgery on his right forearm. The 32-year-old veteran went on the injured list three separate times last year and appeared in 16 games (13 starts), going 2-5 with a 6.51 ERA (5.77 FIP) and 1.81 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 39 walks in 55 1/3 innings. Perhaps McCullers will be more effective another year removed from his flexor-tendon surgery, but at this point, it's hard to imagine him making it through a full season with a starter's workload. He does a good job of keeping the ball out of the air, but his serious durability concerns will keep most fantasy managers far away, even in the deepest of formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
February 4, 2026
Left-handed starting pitcher
Framber Valdez has agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Valdez was viewed as the top free agent starting pitcher on the market and will now join a rotation that features the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner,
Tarik Skubal. Passan noted that this contract features an opt-out following the second season. The southpaw has spent his entire eight-year MLB career with the Houston Astros. Last summer, the 32-year-old logged 192 innings to the tune of a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 187:68 K:BB. Since 2022, the left-hander has been one of the most consistent workhorses in the sport, logging at least 190 innings in three of the four seasons. During this four-year stretch, Valdez has posted an overall 3.21 ERA with a strong 1.16 WHIP. While his strikeout upside is limited, Valdez remains a high-end SP2 in all formats, given his ability to produce high-end ratios while taking on a large workload.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
February 4, 2026
Outfielder
David Peralta announced on his Instagram account on Wednesday that he is retiring from professional baseball. Peralta last played in the major leagues in 2024 with the San Diego Padres, when he hit .267/.335/.415 with a .750 OPS, eight home runs, 28 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 91 games and 260 plate appearances. The 38-year-old Venezuelan didn't play with an affiliated MLB team in 2025 and probably wasn't generating any real interest on the open market this offseason. Peralta will wrap up an 11-year big-league career that saw him play for four different teams -- Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays. Nine of his 11 seasons were spent in Arizona. His best year came in 2018 with the Snakes, when he hit .293/.352/.516 with an .868 OPS, 30 homers, and 87 RBI. Peralta finishes his career with a .278/.335/.448 slash line, .782 OPS, 125 homers, and 569 RBI in 1,232 regular-season games.
--Keith HernandezSource: David Peralta on Instagram
February 4, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent left-hander Tyler Saucedo to a minor-league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training. Saucedo will stay in the American League West after spending the 2025 campaign with the Seattle Mariners. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw only appeared in 10 games out of the bullpen for Seattle last year, allowing 12 runs (11 earned) on 19 hits (two homers) while walking six and striking out 12 in 13 1/3 frames. The former 21st-rounder by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2015 out of Tennessee Wesleyan University has a career 4.36 ERA (4.18 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, 19.9% strikeout rate, and 10.3% walk rate in 148 relief appearances in his five MLB seasons with the M's and Blue Jays. Saucedo will most likely begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Salt Lake, and if he joins the Angels' big-league roster, he'll be a low-leverage lefty specialist.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Angels
February 4, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent right-hander
Mike Clevinger to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training, according to Jason Mackey of PG Sports Now. Clevinger, a nine-year MLB veteran, appeared in only eight games in relief in 2025 for the Chicago White Sox and was not effective, allowing five earned runs on five hits while walking eight and striking out three. The 35-year-old veteran was then sent to Triple-A Charlotte, where he remained for the rest of the season. The strength of the Pirates' major-league roster is their starting rotation, so Clevinger is an extreme long shot to get an opportunity as a starter for the Bucs at any point this coming season. Expect him to start at Triple-A Indianapolis if he sticks with the team after spring training.
--Keith HernandezSource: PG Sports Now - Jason Mackey
February 4, 2026
Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said on the Tiger Territory podcast that he sees relievers
Kenley Jansen,
Will Vest, and
Kyle Finnegan all getting save opportunities in 2026, but he named Jansen as the favorite for most of the closing work since he is 24 saves from reaching the 500-save mark for his career. The 38-year-old veteran was signed to a one-year, $9 million deal in free agency after posting a 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 29 saves for the Los Angeles Angels in 2025. Hinch said he's not afraid to use any of his three high-leverage relief arms earlier in the game, if necessary, and he's also not opposed to changing up the save hierarchy at any point if it makes sense. Jansen's strikeout rate dropped to a career-low 24.4% last year, and although he was still effective, he has less room for error going forward and will most likely be on a short leash in Detroit. Jansen is ranked as the No. 15 fantasy closer at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tiger Territory
February 4, 2026
Free-agent infielder
Isiah Kiner-Falefa and the Boston Red Sox agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kiner-Falefa will remain in the American League East after ending last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. The utility infielder started the 2025 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being waived in August after he hit .264/.300/.332 with a home run, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 119 games. He only played in 19 regular-season games in Toronto, going 7-for-30 (.233) with a homer and five RBI. The 30-year-old has never hit more than eight home runs in his eight big-league seasons and hasn't hit the 20-steal mark since 2022 with the New York Yankees. In Beantown, Kiner-Falefa will likely operate in a utility role, leaving him little fantasy appeal in deeper leagues outside of his positional versatility.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 4, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent first baseman
Bligh Madris to a minor-league deal on Wednesday, according to Chase Ford of MiLB Central. Madris has 247 extra-base hits and 403 RBI in his minor-league career. The 29-year-old was taken in the ninth round in 2017 out of Colorado Mesa University by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he made his big-league debut with the Bucs in 2022, going 20-for-113 (.177) at the plate with a homer, seven RBI, 10 runs, two steals, 10 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 39 games and 123 plate appearances. Madris played in 12 games with the Houston Astros in 2023 and hit a career-high .269 (18-for-67) with a homer and five RBI in 21 games with the Detroit Tigers in 2024. He hit .232/.320/.384 with five homers in 50 games with Triple-A Toledo in 2025. Expect Madris to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Memphis.
--Keith HernandezSource: MiLB Central - Chase Ford
February 4, 2026
The Boston Red Sox announced on Wednesday that they claimed catcher/infielder
Mickey Gasper off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Gasper will return to the team with which he made his major-league debut in 2024, although he appeared in just 13 games and was hitless with eight strikeouts in 23 plate appearances. The 30-year-old appeared in 45 games last season with the Minnesota Twins and slashed just .158/.257/.232 with a .488 OPS, two home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two steals in 110 plate appearances. In addition to catcher, Gasper can play first base, second base, and the outfield. He has minor-league options remaining, so he will most likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Worcester as catching depth behind
Carlos Narvaez and
Connor Wong.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Red Sox
February 4, 2026
The New York Yankees claimed outfielder
Yanquiel Fernandez off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, sources told Francys Romero. Fernandez was designated for assignment by the Rockies last week. The 23-year-old Cuban outfielder made his major-league debut with Colorado in 2025 and hit .225/.265/.348 with a .613 OPS, four home runs, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, eight walks, and 44 strikeouts in 52 games and 147 plate appearances. While Fernandez will begin the 2026 campaign in the minors, he'll be an intriguing name to watch if he eventually makes his way to the Bronx because of his raw power from the left side of the plate. Fernandez has hit .279/.336/.478 with an .813 OPS, 77 home runs, and 338 RBI in 469 games over five minor-league seasons in the Rockies' system.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
February 4, 2026
The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent right-hander
Michael Fulmer to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training, according to the team. The 32-year-old veteran and former American League Rookie of the Year back in 2016 with the Detroit Tigers only appeared in three games (all in relief) in 2025 with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs, throwing 5 2/3 innings. In 66 1/3 innings in the minors, he had a 3.39 ERA with 86 strikeouts and 29 walks. Fulmer has eight years of big-league experience with four different teams and has appeared in 265 games (90 starts), but he'll merely be competing for a spot in San Fran's Opening Day bullpen this spring. If Fulmer makes the major-league roster in 2026, he will most likely work in a long-relief/mop-up role for the Gigantes.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Giants
February 4, 2026
Chicago White Sox right-hander
Grant Taylor has a goal of reaching 100 innings pitched in 2026 in his second big-league season, and MLB.com's Scott Merkin suggests that the 23-year-old could be an option to start again in 2027. "Having got through last year, adding [Seranthony] Domínguez, being able to slot guys in different areas, we are going to have more freedom to use Grant to win games, as opposed to fulfill some innings limit," manager
Will Venable said. The addition of
Seranthony Dominguez to the bullpen should free Taylor up to work multiple innings more out of the bullpen this year after he threw 36 2/3 frames in his first taste of MLB in 2025. Taylor had 37 pitches at 100 mph or faster, and he topped out at 102.2 mph on June 22. He had 54 strikeouts but an ERA of 4.91. The 23-year-old threw a career-high 63 1/3 innings last year between the minors and majors. Although high-leverage opportunities could come, most of Taylor's work this year is expected to come in long relief. Taylor's strikeout upside is obvious, but durability is a concern.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
February 4, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates have emerged as one of the most aggressive teams to pursue free-agent left-hander
Framber Valdez, people briefed on the matter told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 32-year-old is the biggest name left on the open market this offseason, and adding him would enhance the Pirates' biggest strength -- their starting rotation, which is led by National League Cy Young winner
Paul Skenes. The Pirates' new pitching coach, Bill Murphy, worked with Valdez as both a minor-league and major-league coach with the Houston Astros. In addition to the Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres have been linked to Valdez this offseason. The 32-year-old southpaw would give the Bucs not only another strong arm but plenty of experience and durability, as he's just one of five pitchers to throw at least 900 innings in the last four seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
February 4, 2026
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent right-hander
Tayler Scott to a minor-league deal with a non-roster invitation to spring training, according to Grant McAuley of 929 The Game. Scott, 33, split the 2025 season with the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks, posting a rough 7.90 ERA (6.32 FIP), 1.90 WHIP, 24 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 27 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The South African native has a career 5.51 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 21.2% strikeout rate in five major-league seasons with eight different teams. Scott will compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot for the Braves in spring training, but he's most likely going to begin at Triple-A Gwinnett. He was originally a fifth-round selection by the Chicago Cubs in 2011 out of high school.
--Keith HernandezSource: 929 The Game - Grant McAuley
February 4, 2026
The Detroit Tigers invited outfield prospect
Max Clark to major-league spring training this year, according to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold. Clark, who is considered the No. 10 overall prospect in baseball this year, hit a combined .271/.403/.432 with an .835 OPS, 14 home runs, 67 RBI, 85 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases in 111 games with High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie last year. The left-handed-hitting former third overall pick in 2023 has plus tools with his bat, legs, arm, and glove. Power from the left side might be his biggest weakness, but he figures to develop more of it as his 6-foot, 205-pound frame matures. Clark had a 135 wRC+ AND 16.7% strikeout rate at Double-A, so he figures to open the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo. If Clark picks up where he left off in the minors in 2026, it may not be long before he's starting in center field in Motown at the major-league level.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
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