March 11, 2026
Houston Astros infielder/outfielder
Brice Matthews is among the players that MLB.com's Brian McTaggart lists as having a "strong case" to make the team's Opening Day roster. A first-round pick of Houston's in 2023, Matthews made his MLB debut in 2025 and hit .167/.222/.452 with four home runs, nine RBI, 6 runs scored, and one stolen base across 47 plate appearances. Matthews posted strong numbers across 498 plate appearances in Triple-A, slashing .260/.371/.458 with 17 home runs, 64 RBI, 70 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases. However, the 23-year-old posted a 27.9% strikeout rate in the Minors and a 42.6% rate in a small sample size at the big-league level. If he cracks Houston's Opening Day roster, Matthews would likely open the season in a utility role. Still, his power-speed profile gives him some fantasy upside.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
March 11, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/designated hitter
Yandy Diaz (hand) is scheduled to return to Spring Training game action on Friday, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Diaz has been out a little over a week due to soreness in his left hand, but it appears as though the issue is not overly serious. Across 681 plate appearances in 2025, Diaz slashed .300/.366/.482 with 25 home runs, 83 RBI, 79 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 34-year-old has little to prove in Spring Training, so it would make sense if Tampa Bay were taking the stance of being overly cautious with its veteran slugger. Assuming he can return to full health, Diaz should be locked into an everyday role at the top of the Rays lineup in 2026. With a career batting average of .290, Diaz profiles as a reliable corner infield bat for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
March 11, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher
Dennis Santana posted a breakout season in 2025, collecting a 4-5 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 60 strikeouts, and 16 saves across 70 1/3 innings pitched. The 29-year-old emerged as Pittsburgh's primary ninth-inning option down the stretch of 2025 after the Pirates traded veteran closer
David Bednar to the New York Yankees at the trade deadline. Heading into 2026, Santana looks set to get the first shot as Pittsburgh's primary save-earner. Santana's numbers are almost certain to regress from the outlier marks he posted in 2025, as he was buoyed by an unsustainably low .211 opponent batting average on balls in play. Santana is also not an elite strikeout pitcher, as he posted a 22.2% strikeout rate in 2025 and owns a career mark of 22.1%. However, Santana has now posted consecutive seasons with a WHIP of 1.09 or better and may have the trust of the Pirates organization. If he can do enough to maintain the closing job in Pittsburgh, Santana could be an undervalued source of saves for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 11, 2026
Across 61 innings (65 games) in 2025, St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher
JoJo Romero posted a 4-6 record with a 2.07 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 55 strikeouts, and eight saves. With former Cardinals closer
Ryan Helsley now a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Romero is in the mix to close games in St. Louis along with fellow Cardinals relievers
Riley O'Brien and
Matt Svanson. Romero outperformed his peripherals in 2025, as he posted a middling 10.2% K-BB rate. His 3.49 xERA and 3.28 FIP, while strong marks, were both significantly worse than his 2.07 ERA. Still, Romero has been an effective setup man for multiple seasons in St. Louis and saw some work in the ninth inning down the stretch of the 2025 season. As a left-handed reliever, Romero could emerge as Cardinals manager Oli Marmol's preferred ninth-inning option against lefty-heavy portions of opposing lineups. Romero may be worth targeting late in fantasy drafts heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 11, 2026
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles both included Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin on their projected Opening Day roster. Nothing is official from the Pirates. Kriffin has so far gone 5-for-24 (.208) with three home runs, eight RBI, three runs scored, no walks, and six strikeouts in 26 plate appearances over nine Grapefruit League games in spring training. The 19-year-old phenom has looked the part and is mature beyond his years, not to mention all of the physical skills he has on defense and at the plate. In his first minor-league season in 2025, Griffin spent time at three different levels and hit a combined .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases in 122 games. There isn't anything he can't do on the diamond. The only question now is whether the Bucs feel he needs a tad bit more seasoning before being given the starting duties at the 6 in the Show. Either way, Griffin is going to make a potentially big impact in all fantasy leagues in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley, Noah Hiles
March 11, 2026
Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) will start the season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader threw his first spring training bullpen session on Tuesday and felt good, but the timeline the Astros have laid out won't have Hader ready by Opening Day at the end of the month. The 31-year-old six-time All-Star has become a much more risky fantasy closer because of his injury and the fact that he finished last year injured as well with a left-shoulder strain. Hader was still pretty dominant in 2025 when he was healthy, going 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 28 saves, and 76 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings pitched, and he will take over closing duties in Houston as soon as he's ready to make his season debut. In the meantime, though,
Bryan Abreu is absolutely worth a late-round flier for saves for however long Hader is out.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 11, 2026
Miami Marlins catching prospect
Joe Mack (neck) returned to the starting lineup during Tuesday's spring training contest against the Washington Nationals. The young back was sidelined for a few days due to neck stiffness, but quickly returned to action. In his return, Mack struggled at the plate, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout. The former 31st overall selection is in serious consideration to break camp with the MLB roster. Last summer, Mack spent the majority of his campaign at Triple-A (99 games), where he hit .250/.320/.459 line with a .779 OPS. During this stint, Mack hit 18 home runs and carried a modest 115:35 K:BB. If Mack can enjoy a strong conclusion to camp, he could contend for a depth role on the MLB roster. If he were to fall short, he would be in contention for an early promotion.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
March 11, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals top prospect
JJ Wetherholt has continued to perform at a high level in the Grapefruit League as he launched his second home run on Monday afternoon against the Baltimore Orioles. Through nine games, Wetherholt has gone 5-for-18 with two long balls, one stolen base, and a strong 4:7 K:BB. The top shortstop appears to be a clear favorite to be in the team's Opening Day lineup and is performance in spring training further supports this. According to MLB.com, the former seventh overall pick is considered the sport's No. 5 overall prospect. Last season, Wetherholt spent his campaign with Double-A and Triple-A and held an overall .306/.421/.510 line with 28 doubles, 17 home runs, and 23 stolen bases. Given his five-category profile and potential for everyday at-bats, Wetherholt is a top late-round breakout selection for all fantasy formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
March 11, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect
Emmanuel Rodriguez was unable to crack the Opening Day roster and was optioned to minor-league camp earlier on Monday. Rodriguez is considered the team's No. 4-ranked prospect and the overall No. 74-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com. Given that he spent most of his 2025 season at Triple-A, he was under consideration to begin the 2026 season in the major leagues. Despite going 8-for-19 with two doubles and two home runs, the Twins will send their budding star to continue his development at St. Paul to begin the 2026 campaign. Last season, Rodriguez appeared in 52 of his 62 MiLB games at St. Paul and posted a .258/.429/.423 line with six home runs and nine stolen bases. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status early in the season as he could contend for a first-half MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: Minnesota Twins
March 11, 2026
Detroit Tigers infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle went 1-for-3 with a solo home run during Monday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays. This was the top prospect's first long ball of spring training. Overall, McGonigle has looked quite comfortable facing MLB-caliber pitching, posting a .318/.444/.636 slash line with two doubles, one home run, and one stolen base. He has struck out just five times over these 22 at-bats. McGonigle is under serious consideration to break camp with the MLB roster and appears to be in a good position to do so, as he avoided the first round of roster cuts, which saw fellow top prospect,
Max Clark, sent to the minor leagues. In 2025, McGonigle spent the season across Low-A, High-A, and Double-A and posted an overall .305/.408/.583 line with a .991 OPS. Given his production in camp, McGonigle is emerging as a favorite to start on Opening Day, which makes him a prime late-round target in all drafts.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
March 11, 2026
Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect
Parker Messick logged another strong outing on Monday afternoon and continues to make a strong case to begin the campaign in the starting rotation. Messick logged 4 2/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals and allowed no runs with just two hits and one walk. He struck out four. Over his three appearances in camp (two starts), the young southpaw has tossed 9 1/3 innings to the tune of a 1.93 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 7:4 K:BB. He made his MLB debut late in the 2025 season and looked quite comfortable, posting a 2.72 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP over his first 39 2/3 innings. He is currently competing alongside
Logan Allen and
Joey Cantillo for one of the final starting positions. If he were to break camp in the rotation, he would have solid late-round sleeper appeal.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
March 11, 2026
Chicago White Sox catcher
Kyle Teel (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's World Baseball Classic game against the United States due to right-hamstring discomfort. Before exiting the contest, the young catcher was off to a roaring start, going 2-for-2 with a solo home run and a double. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status, as he may not be able to return for the remainder of the tournament. Last season, Teel made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox and posted a solid .273/.375/.411 line with eight long balls and three stolen bases over a 78-game stint. At Triple-A (50 games), Teel held a .295/.394/.492 line with eight home runs and seven stolen bases. If Teel were to have a delayed start to the regular season, fantasy managers should expect fellow young backstop,
Edgar Quero, to operate as the primary option.
--Andy SmithSource: Bob Nightengale
March 10, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Blake Snell (shoulder) is "taking the next steps" in his throwing progression and threw off the mound to a standing catcher on Monday, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Snell is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, as the team is slow-playing his Spring buildup after he missed significant time in 2025 due to shoulder issues. However, it appears as though the 33-year-old is on track with the progression that the team has laid out for him. When healthy, Snell is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Across 1,158 career big league innings (222 starts), the veteran left-hander owns a 3.15 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 1,440 strikeouts, and two Cy Young Awards. However, Snell has thrown more than 128 2/3 innings just once since 2019 and seems likely to miss a chunk of time in 2026 as well. He profiles as a high-risk, high-reward fantasy SP3 heading into his second campaign with the Dodgers.
--Will BradySource: AM 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
March 10, 2026
Team Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said that Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Jose Berrios has received clearance to join the Puerto Rican team for the remainder of the World Baseball Classic, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Puerto Rico has already secured a spot in the tournament quarterfinals, which begin on Friday. Across 166 innings (31 games) in 2025, Berrios posted a 9-5 record with a 4.17 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. The 31-year-old reportedly dealt with a biceps tendon issue down the stretch of 2025 and was left off Toronto's postseason roster during its run to the World Series. However, Berrios has said he is fully healthy heading into 2026 and will have a chance to prove he is on the path to a bounce-back season at the WBC. The Blue Jays have enough pitching depth to potentially move Berrios out of the starting rotation if he struggles again this season, making him a risky starting pitcher option for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
March 10, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher
Trey Yesavage will pitch in a Minor League game at the team's Spring Training complex on Wednesday, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Matheson reports that the plan is for Yesavage to pitch two innings, and that may make two additional Spring Training starts following his outing on Wednesday. Toronto is carefully managing Yesavage's workload after he threw 139 2/3 innings (including Minor League and postseason action) in 2025. Yesavage was a key piece of the Blue Jays' run to the World Series last season, posting a 35.8% strikeout rate and a 1.05 WHIP across 27 2/3 postseason innings. While the young righty's long-term upside appears to be sky-high, Toronto's apparent desire to hold him back from a full starter's workload may limit his 2026 fantasy value. Yesavage profiles as a high-ceiling, low-floor number three fantasy starter as Opening Day approaches.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
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