March 10, 2026
New York Mets shortstop
Francisco Lindor (hand) is taking another step in his recovery from hamate-bone surgery in camp on Tuesday and is fielding ground balls with other Mets infielders, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Nothing is set in stone as far as Lindor's availability for Opening Day at the end of this month, but there remains optimism in the organization that the 32-year-old veteran All-Star will be ready to go. The fact that he has also progressed to hitting in the batting cage is definitely a good sign. The five-time Puerto Rican All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger winner is still one of the better fantasy options at the shortstop position despite his hand injury, and RotoBaller has him ranked at No. 5 at the position. Lindor had his second 30-30 season in the last three years in 2025, slashing .267/.346/.466 with an .811 OPS, 86 RBI, and 117 runs scored in a league-high 732 plate appearances.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
March 10, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect
Ricky Tiedemann (elbow) resumed throwing in camp on Tuesday, per Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. Once one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, Tiedemann is now just trying to stay healthy after missing all of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. He was shut down late last month after feeling soreness in his surgically repaired left arm, but he has been cleared to resume throwing. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper formats can still dream on the former third-rounder's upside at the next level, but the bottom line is that he needs to prove he can stay on the mound for an extended period of time first. It's unclear if Tiedemann will be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, but even if he is, he'll almost certainly begin the year at Triple-A Buffalo for more seasoning.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
March 10, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Shane Bieber (forearm) continues to throw on flat ground in camp, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. All of the reports on Bieber's throwing program in spring training have been good, but there's still no timetable for when he'll get up on a mound. The 30-year-old former American League Cy Young winner made his return from Tommy John surgery last year but then dealt with right-forearm fatigue late in the year as the Blue Jays made a run to the World Series. The two-time All-Star pitched well in his seven regular-season starts, allowing 16 earned runs on 34 hits (eight homers) while walking seven and striking out 37 in 40 1/3 innings. Bieber made five appearances (four starts) in the postseason, allowing nine runs (eight earned) while walking six and fanning 18 in 18 2/3 frames. He has already been ruled out for Opening Day, making him a tough sell in shallow mixed leagues as starting rotation depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
March 10, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday in the outfield against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The Marlins have been cautious with their lone All-Star representative from a year ago, but barring a setback once he starts playing in games, Stowers should be ready for Opening Day at the end of the month. It's good news that he's not being eased back in as the designated hitter. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger broke out in his first full year with the Fish in 2025, hitting .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 457 plate appearances over 117 games played. Stowers squares the ball up regularly, which bodes well for his future in dynasty/keeper leagues, but durability is definitely a concern. Draft him as a No. 3 fantasy outfielder with upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
March 10, 2026
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) has still been able to do infield work in camp despite dealing with a fractured right ring finger that knocked him out of playing in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The 28-year-old's status for Opening Day later this month will depend on how he progresses over the next couple of weeks. If Pena begins the year on the injured list,
Carlos Correa will shift over to shortstop, allowing
Isaac Paredes to play third base.
Nick Allen would be another option to start at the 6 with Pena injured. The injury doesn't appear to be very serious, but it does make Pena a little less attractive as a low-end starting fantasy shortstop going into 2026. Pena was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fourth year in the league, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 68 runs, and 20 steals in his 125 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
March 10, 2026
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Hunter Greene (elbow) is expected to be sidelined for the next 14 to 16 weeks to remove bone chips and loose bodies in his right elbow. This will keep the team's ace sidelined through at least July. The hard-throwing right-hander underwent an MRI due to an elbow issue last week and will now face an extended absence. While he avoided a season-ending injury, he may only pitch in the second half. Last season, Greene logged only 107 2/3 innings due to groin issues, but was highly effective when on the bump. During this stint, the former top prospect held a 2.76 ERA with a stellar 0.94 WHIP. He struck out hitters at a 31.4% rate, placing him in the 93rd percentile among qualified pitchers. He also generated a strong 3.05 xERA with a .202 xBA. Given his current timeline, Greene's ADP is sure to continue to drop, as he was viewed as a borderline top-12 SP for most of the offseason. Greene now projects to carry high-end stash upside for most of the first half of the 2026 season.
--Andy SmithSource: Charlie Goldsmith
March 10, 2026
Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) threw around 15 pitches in his first bullpen session of the spring on Tuesday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "Speed is there, fastball is there, action is there, synched up. All positives," Hader said. However, when asked about whether he'll be ready for Opening Day later this month, he said, "We'll see." The 31-year-old hard-throwing southpaw entered spring training last month with left-biceps inflammation and also ended the year on the injured list in 2025 with a left-shoulder strain. It makes Hader a lot more risky as a top-shelf closer in fantasy baseball entering the 2026 season, and it also makes late-inning setup man
Bryan Abreu worthy of a late-round flier for saves speculators in case Hader isn't ready for the start of the season. When healthy last year, Hader was still dominant, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 76 strikeouts, and 28 saves in 52 2/3 innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
March 10, 2026
The New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they optioned right-hander
Jonah Tong to Triple-A Syracuse. Tong will most likely be back in the big leagues with the Mets at some point in 2026, but for now, he'll get some more seasoning in the minors to begin the year. The 22-year-old gave up three runs in 2 2/3 innings in his lone Grapefruit League start this spring. The Canadian hurler and former seventh-round pick in 2022 also struggled in his major-league debut last season, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1.77 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and nine walks in 18 2/3 innings over his first five starts for the Mets. It shouldn't take away from how great he was in the minors in 2025, as he posted a 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 179 strikeouts, and a 52.9% ground-ball rate in 22 starts at Double-A and Triple-A. Tong will eventually be locked into a starting rotation spot for the Mets down the road, but there are durability questions because of his small stature of 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Mets
March 10, 2026
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale is fully recovered from his rib injury last year and is ready to roll for another season with the Braves. He signed an extension before spring training that will keep him with the Braves for at least 2027 and includes a team option for 2028. The 36-year-old lefty has revitalized his career with the Braves after injuries marred the end of his time in Boston. In the last two seasons, Sale has gone 25-8 in 50 starts with a 2.46 ERA, 2.33 FIP, and 11.6 K/9. Sale has allowed four runs in 7 2/3 innings in spring training, but he is expected to be atop the Braves' rotation when the season opens. He's the No. 9 pitcher in RotoBaller's rankings, and he can be a solid anchor for your rotation after the elite options are off the board. In standard-sized mixed leagues, he's an outstanding second starting pitcher and a low-end first starting pitcher.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
March 10, 2026
Baltimore Orioles infielder
Jordan Westburg (elbow) is dealing with an injury that doesn't give him a clear timetable to return, and as a result, his draft stock has plummeted over the last few weeks. Westburg is the No. 22 second baseman and the No. 22 third baseman in RotoBaller's rankings, but the floor has dropped out of his ADP, so he could end up being a late-round value if he falls far enough. Last year, Westburg hit .265 in his 85 games with 17 homers and a .332 wOBA. His averages were on par with his breakout 2024 season, and his power ticked up while his stolen bases were slightly down as he battled injury. He'll need to prove he's healthy and earn playing time back, since prospect
Coby Mayo will likely fill in at the hot corner until he returns.
Blaze Alexander and
Jeremiah Jackson could also end up in the mix at third base, giving Westburg an uncertain path to playing time in addition to his injury risk. He's high-risk, but his ADP is dropping low enough that he could be worth a flier if you can get him late enough as a bench piece.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
March 10, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop
Geraldo Perdomo took a huge leap in 2025, and his offense caught up with his excellent defense during his age-25 season. Perdomo posted an impressive .290/.389/.462 slash line with 20 home runs, 27 stolen bases, more walks than strikeouts, and a 370 wOBA. He played 161 of Arizona's 162 games and posted career highs in every major category. He had never hit more than six homers in a season, but hit 20 in 2025, and he had never had more than 16 stolen bases before swiping 27 bags last year. He took a huge step forward and became a key part of the D-backs' lineup. He's currently the No. 10 shortstop in RotoBaller's rankings and can be a strong mixed-league option if he continues last year's success. Most projections are calling for a little regression after his massive breakout, but he still is a solid starter to snag after the elite producers at the position are off the board.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
March 10, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Jasson Dominguez has been sliding in fantasy baseball drafts with uncertainty about his position and playing time in the Yankees' lineup. Dominguez is ranked as the No. 76 outfielder in the RotoBaller rankings, and his ADP is getting close to lining up with that ranking after dropping throughout the spring. Dominguez has been doing his part on the field, with a big spring training so far. He is hitting .296 in his first nine Grapefruit League games with a home run, seven RBI, a stolen base, and improved outfield defense. He could end up being a great value if he claims an everyday role after his stock drops, but he's still going a little early compared to other options around his same ranking. The biggest concern with Dominguez is the squeeze for outfield playing time in the Bronx.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
March 10, 2026
Cincinnati Reds first baseman
Christian Encarnacion-Strand will start the season in Triple-A after being optioned on Monday. The Reds are crowded at the corner infield spots with
Ke'Bryan Hayes now serving as the team's starting third baseman, with
Eugenio Suarez,
Sal Stewart, and Spencer Stewart rotating between first base and designated hitter. Encarnacion-Strand was once a top prospect and still has excellent raw power, but has struggled to stay healthy and limit his chase rate over the last few years. He was the team's starting first baseman for the last two Opening Days, but he'll need to prove he's healthy and ready to produce before earning a call-up back to the Reds MLB roster. He had a disappointing .208/.234/.377 triple-slash with a .610 OPS in 36 big-league games in 2025 and finished the year in the minors.
--Zach ThompsonSource: MLB.com
March 9, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Monday that they sent outfield prospect
Joshua Baez to minor-league camp. Baez homered in three straight Grapefruit League games, but he'll begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Memphis after hitting .287/.384/.500 with an .884 OPS, 20 home runs, 79 RBI, 78 runs scored, and 54 stolen bases in 495 plate appearances over 117 games at High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield. Sixteen of his 20 long balls came at Double-A in 79 games played. The power/speed is obvious here for Baez, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Cardinals' No. 4 prospect. He's the No. 87 overall prospect in MLB entering the 2026 season. If Baez performs well early on at Memphis, he'll most likely make his MLB debut at some point this year. There is 30-30 potential for the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder who was drafted in the second round in 2021. Baez's best path to playing time in St. Louis will be in right field. He's firmly back on the dynasty/keeper radar.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Cardinals
March 9, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that outfielders
Chandler Simpson (hamstring) and
Cedric Mullins (back) are feeling better and should play on Tuesday in Grapefruit League action, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson, the more attractive fantasy outfielder of the two because of his high-end speed, has not played since last Tuesday after feeling soreness in his left hamstring. It's an injury the 25-year-old had battled through early in camp, so the Rays aren't taking any chances. Simpson doesn't offer much to fantasy managers outside of stolen bases, so he could be vulnerable to a loss of playing time if his glove doesn't improve in the outfield. Mullins, 31, also hasn't played since last Tuesday due to a sore back, but it's not viewed as a long-term issue. He still has power from the left side and could be on the strong side of a platoon in Tampa, but declining batted-ball metrics for Mullins make him merely a late-round dice roll in mixed fantasy leagues this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
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