March 15, 2026
New York Mets shortstop
Francisco Lindor (hand) acknowledged that he's making significant progress, but he's not ready to commit to being in the lineup on Opening Day, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The 32-year-old made his 2026 spring training debut on Sunday after missing time due to a stress reaction in his left hamate bone. Lindor is one of the best shortstops in baseball, so Mets fans and fantasy managers will be eager for him to be cleared 100 percent. With that being said, the Mets will be smart and have no plans to rush him back before he's ready. The 32-year-old has slugged at least 30 homers in each of the last three seasons, and he posted an impressive 129 wRC+ with 31 stolen bases last year. He currently ranks as the #4 shortstop in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings. He finds himself among the elite tier of fantasy options and should be drafted at a premium price, regardless of whether he's ready for Opening Day or not.
--Andersen PickardSource: Anthony DiComo
March 15, 2026
Athletics outfielder
Lawrence Butler (knees) was seen running the bases at the team's spring training facility in Mesa on Sunday. Martín Gallegos of MLB.com reports that the A's are "looking at Tuesday for his first game playing outfield" during 2026 Cactus League action. Butler hasn't played yet this spring, but it sounds like he's getting close. The Athletics will be pleased to get him back ahead of Opening Day, kicking off a potential bounce-back campaign. Butler posted a modest .710 OPS with 96 wRC+ last year, but on a more positive note, he delivered a 20-homer, 20-steal campaign with 4 OAA and 1 FRV in the outfield. He currently ranks as the #41 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for the 2026 season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Martín Gallegos
March 15, 2026
Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher
Nathan Eovaldi will earn the start on Opening Day, manager Skip Schumaker announced on Sunday. It seemed like the Rangers' decision was trending this way, but the confirmation is useful for fantasy managers, especially since
Jacob deGrom could have been in the mix for the nod. It's a well-deserved recognition for Eovaldi, who will now start on Opening Day for the third year in a row. He posted a stellar 1.73 ERA over 22 starts last year, amassing 8.93 K/9, 1.45 BB/9, and 0.69 HR/9 with an impressive 50.3% ground ball rate. Even at 36 years old, Eovaldi remains quite productive. He ranks #38 among starters in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kennedi Landry
March 15, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Luis Gil has been named to the team's starting rotation ahead of Opening Day, manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. While Boone wouldn't confirm which rotation spot Gil will occupy, he did confirm that the 27-year-old will be one of the team's five starters. A right lat strain kept the right-hander out of action until August last season, so it will be refreshing to see him healthy for Opening Day this year. He's looking to improve upon an abbreviated 2025 campaign in which he posted a 3.32 ERA. That ERA reflected a bit of good luck on Gil's side, as he also finished the year with a 5.65 xFIP, 6.47 K/9, and 5.21 BB/9. He currently ranks outside RotoBaller's top 100 starting pitchers for the 2026 fantasy baseball season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Bryan Hoch
March 15, 2026
San Francisco Giants right-handed pitcher
Hayden Birdsong (forearm) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 forearm strain and UCL sprain, according to an announcement from the organization that was relayed by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Birdsong will meet with Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion later this week, but the initial MRI results aren't very favorable. At this point, Birdsong is weighing his treatment options, and a shift to the 60-man injured list seems quite possible. That's a tough blow for the Giants and fantasy managers after Birdsong went 4-4 with a 4.69 xERA across 21 games (10 starts) in 2025. He posted a solid 9.32 K/9, but found himself posting very concerning rates of 5.07 BB/9 and 1.37 HR/9. If Birdsong ends up on the IL,
Landen Roupp could be in line to earn a spot in the starting rotation.
--Andersen PickardSource: Alex Pavlovic
March 15, 2026
After notching 10 saves and a 1.91 ERA across 76 appearances in 2024, San Francisco Giants relief pitcher
Ryan Walker entered 2025 as the team's primary ninth-inning option. While Walker collected 17 more saves in 2025, he struggled to a 4.11 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, and eventually lost his job to emergent Giants right-hander
Randy Rodriguez (elbow). However, Rodriguez underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in late August 2025, opening the door for Walker to reclaim his ninth-inning role. Entering 2026, Walker is expected to get the first shot as San Francisco's primary closer. While the Giants have other quality relief options like left-hander
Erik Miller, there is no clear option to replace Walker even if he encounters some early-season struggles. Walker has sleeper potential if he can rediscover his 2024 form, but his profile is not without significant downside risk for fantasy managers entering 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 15, 2026
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024, Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Eury Perez did not make it back to the big league mound until June 2025. Upon his return, the 22-year-old posted a 7-6 record with a 4.25 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 105 strikeouts across 95 1/3 innings (20 starts). While Perez's 4.25 ERA stands out as less than ideal, he posted an excellent 19% K-BB rate and was victimized by a 64% strand rate that is likely to regress. Perez is reportedly fully healthy heading into 2026 and is expected to anchor the Marlins rotation. Perez has been a bit wild so far this spring, issuing a 17.9% walk rate across his three Grapefruit League appearances. Still, his health is more important than his performance in the small sample size of Spring Training. As long as he can avoid the injury bug, Perez has a fantasy SP1 upside in 2026 and beyond.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 15, 2026
After breaking out as a fantasy ace in 2024, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Cole Ragans battled through injuries and underperformance in an underwhelming follow-up campaign in 2025. Across 61 2/3 innings (13 starts), the 28-year-old went 3-3 with a 4.67 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts. Ragans spent time on the Injured List with two separate groin strains and also dealt with a rotator cuff issue. However, Ragans is reportedly back to full strength heading into 2026 and could be in line for a resurgent season. Even in a down year, Ragans still posted a ridiculous 38.1% strikeout rate in 2025. His outlier 64.4% strand rate indicates that his inflated 4.67 ERA in 2025 was a symptom of poor luck, as he logged an excellent 2.67 xERA and 2.50 FIP. As long as Ragans can stay healthy, he could easily re-emerge as a fantasy SP1 in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 15, 2026
Cleveland Guardians third baseman
Jose Ramirez has been one of the better players in baseball for the better part of the last 10 years. He posted another excellent season in 2025, hitting .282/.360/.503 with 30 home runs, 85 RBI, 103 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases across 673 plate appearances. Ramirez has logged at least 630 plate appearances in five consecutive seasons and has now recorded back-to-back campaigns with at least 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases. He has not recorded a strikeout rate higher than 12% since 2021, providing him with a safe batting average floor as well. If there's one flaw in Ramirez's profile, it's that he does not make consistently elite contact. With a 7% barrel rate and a 37% hard-hit rate in 2025, Ramirez's underlying power metrics are below-average. Still, the 33-year-old has a proven track record of maxing out his skill set. Ramirez remains an elite third base option who should be selected in the early part of the first round in fantasy drafts heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 15, 2026
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) is "feeling good" and returning by Opening Day remains his goal, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena suffered a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger while fielding a ground ball in a WBC exhibition game for Team Dominican Republic earlier this spring. The 28-year-old is coming off the best season of his MLB career, as he slashed .304/.363/.477 with 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across 543 plate appearances with Houston in 2025. Once healthy, Pena profiles as a max-volume regular at the top of the Astros lineup. Should he end up missing the start of 2026, Astros third baseman
Carlos Correa could shift back to his natural position of shortstop, keeping glove-first infielder
Nick Allen in a bench role.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 15, 2026
Boston Red Sox infielder
Marcelo Mayer (knee) was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League contest against the Minnesota Twins. According to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, Mayer is experiencing left knee soreness. While it's hard to gauge the severity of injuries from a potentially precautionary lineup change in spring training, this situation requires extra attention because of Mayer's injury history. He's had four significant injured list stints in the last three years, including a months-long absence that sidelined him from July 2025 through the end of the regular season. The former first-round pick has been competing for a spot on Boston's Opening Day roster, with manager Alex Cora publicly acknowledging Mayer isn't a lock to make the team. A knee injury certainly won't help his chances, especially if it's significant enough to sideline him for multiple games. At this point, it's looking more likely that
Isiah Kiner-Falefa could be the Red Sox' Opening Day second baseman with Mayer and
Romy Gonzalez (shoulder) injured.
--Andersen PickardSource: Christopher Smith
March 15, 2026
Los Angeles Angels shortstop
Zach Neto (hand) has been diagnosed with a small sprain in his left hand, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Fletcher reports that tests came back negative on Neto's hand, which means he avoided a fracture, and he expects to return to the Halos' lineup within a few days. All in all, this is good news for the Angels and Neto, as it appears the 25-year-old infielder avoided a serious injury. He should be good to go for Opening Day, which is less than two weeks away. Having Neto healthy is pivotal for the Angels and fantasy managers, as he was a prime contributor last year with a .257/.319/.474 slash line, 26 home runs, and 116 wRC+. He currently ranks #4 among shortstops in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for the 2026 season.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Fletcher
March 15, 2026
The Miami Marlins are targeting next weekend for third baseman
Graham Pauley (arm) to resume playing the infield, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. When he gets back onto the field, he'll return to his natural position at third base, where he played 52 big-league games last year. Pauley slashed just .224/.311/.366 with 90 wRC+ in 2025, but he delivered above-average contributions on defense (6 OAA and 5 FRV), suggesting he's in line to earn substantial reps at third base during the 2026 regular season. It's unclear if Pauley's arm injury, which he's been dealing with since February, will end up jeopardizing his shot at appearing on the Opening Day roster. Miami is fortunate to have depth at the position in case Pauley misses extended time. Replacement options include projected starting third baseman
Connor Norby or
Javier Sanoja.
--Andersen PickardSource: Christina De Nicola
March 15, 2026
Miami Marlins infield prospect
Maximo Acosta (oblique) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left oblique strain and will miss three to four weeks, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Acosta is a former international prospect who ranked #25 among Marlins prospects in FanGraphs' mid-2025 farm system report. He ended up making his MLB debut before the end of the season, slashing .204/.295/.389 with three home runs, a 9.8% walk rate, a 27.9% strikeout rate, and 91 wRC+ across 19 games. The results at the plate weren't great by any means, but they also weren't necessarily uncharacteristic for a glove-first rookie who was called up midseason. Of course, any chance that Acosta had of making the 2026 Opening Day roster is now down the drain due to his oblique injury. He'll open the year on the injured list, and it'll be tougher for the Marlins to justify sending him right back to the majors when he's healthy.
--Andersen PickardSource: Christina De Nicola
March 15, 2026
Los Angeles Angels infielder
Adam Frazier appears to be the favorite to start at second base on Opening Day, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Fletcher wrote that Frazier is "probably the leader" in the mix for the job after
Christian Moore and
Kyren Paris were optioned to Triple-A. Other names in the hunt include
Oswald Peraza,
Nick Madrigal, and Vaughn Grisson. However, Frazier is the leader in the pack amid an impressive spring in which he's slashing .368/.478/.474 with a 8.7% walk rate, a 13.0% strikeout rate, and 159 wRC+. It's a significant accomplishment for the veteran infielder, who originally faced an uphill battle to even make the team after attending camp as a non-roster invite. Now, he's in line to start on Opening Day and will need to be added to both the 26-man and 40-man rosters in the next two weeks. Despite Frazier's newfound starting role, he's not a reliable option in fantasy baseball leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Fletcher
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