March 14, 2026
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Saturday that right-hander
Kevin Gausman will be their Opening Day starter in 2026. Gausman is going into his fifth year with the Blue Jays. He's been their ace all along and was an All-Star for the second time back in 2023. The 35-year-old veteran went 10-11 last year with a 3.59 ERA (3.41 FIP), 1.06 WHIP, and 189:50 K: BB in a career-high 193 innings over 32 starts. Not only has Gausman been a solid fantasy starter in his time in Toronto, but he's been reliable, making at least 31 starts in five straight seasons with a 3.34 ERA and 1.15 WHIP during that span. RotoBaller has Gausman ranked as its No. 27 fantasy starting pitcher because of his pedigree and durability through the year. We know Gausman has a high fantasy floor and elite command of the baseball when pitching, but there is inherent risk in going with a pitcher near the end of his career as your No. 2 or 3 arm. Gausman will face an up-and-coming young Athletics lineup on Opening Day on March 27.
--Keith HernandezSource: Toronto Blue Jays
March 14, 2026
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Chase Burns is fully healthy as the 2026 MLB regular season approaches, according to manager Terry Francona. Burns threw a limited pitch count during spring training action on Friday, but Francona explained that the reduced workload was a result of him "working through some of his routines and stuff." Burns reportedly put in plenty of work over five days leading up to his spring training appearance, which led to a shorter outing on Friday. He could experience similar workload management during the regular season, with Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19 speculating that Burns might not consistently approach 100 pitches during his starts this year. Nevertheless, the Reds are confident that Burns is healthy and will be a staple in their starting rotation throughout the regular season. He's trending upward after a 2025 rookie campaign in which he posted a fantastic 2.65 FIP with 13.92 K/9 and 3.32 BB/9.
--Andersen PickardSource: Charlie Goldsmith
March 14, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, playing left field and hitting leadoff. Stowers will finally return to game action after missing the last two weeks with a strained right hamstring. Hopefully, the 28-year-old can get back in the swing of things over the next two weeks and hit the ground running for Opening Day later this month. The young left-handed-hitting outfielder is looking for an encore in 2026 after slashing .288/.386/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 117 games in his first full season in South Beach. Stowers broke out in his fourth year in the big leagues and was named an All-Star for the first time in his career. Durability is definitely a concern, but when healthy, his 30-homer power potential makes him a high-upside No. 3/4 outfield target in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Marlins
March 14, 2026
Athletics designated hitter
Brent Rooker has continued to produce impressive stats at the plate this spring training, headlined by four home runs through just 35 plate appearances. The 31-year-old has turned into one of MLB's most impressive power hitters, producing 30 homers in each of the last three seasons, so we shouldn't be too surprised by his power output so far. Nevertheless, it's encouraging to see him mix in other base hits amid the home runs, as he owns a .324/.343/.765 slash line during Cactus League play. The biggest red flag for Rooker this spring has been his discipline numbers. He currently owns a 2.9% walk rate and a 31.4% strikeout rate, neither of which will be acceptable during the regular season. We expect power hitters to have above-average strikeout rates, but ideally, Rooker will get back down to last year's walk and strikeout rates of 9.3% and 22.2%, respectively. Volatility is common during spring training, so managers should expect Rookier's discipline numbers to improve while maintaining his power when the regular season arrives.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 14, 2026
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher
Hunter Gaddis (forearm) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Thursday as he recovers from right forearm tightness. Gaddis hasn't appeared in a spring training game since February 27, and it's unclear whether he'll be able to face opposing batters again before Cactus League action concludes. The Guardians will certainly be smart with his recovery, especially since Gaddis is a pivotal part of their bullpen. He tossed 66.2 innings last year, amassing a 3.50 FIP with 9.86 K/9 and 2.84 BB/9. We could even see him pick up some more saves this season with
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz on non-disciplinary leave, but for now, the primary closer role belongs to
Cade Smith. At the moment, Gaddis lacks fantasy appeal, slotting in as the #83 reliever in RotoBaller's latest rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: Guardians Prospective
March 14, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop
Jordan Lawlar has put together a very impressive spring training at the plate, sparking optimism about his outlook for the 2026 regular season. Lawlar produced a measly .182/.257/.288 slash line with zero home runs and a 35.1% strikeout rate in the majors last year. This spring, however, he seems to have turned a corner with a .323/.432/.742 slash line, four home runs, 199 wRC+, a 16.2% walk rate, and a 27.0% strikeout rate. We don't want to put too much stock into spring training stats due to sample size and matchup factors, but it's encouraging nonetheless, especially for a player who attracted so much hype as a prep first-round pick back in 2021. Fantasy managers should also be intrigued by the fact that Lawlar has spent plenty of time in center field this spring, and he's looked good there. If the Diamondbacks are willing to introduce a position change just to get him in the lineup, that's an encouraging sign that the team is very excited about his bat in 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 14, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop
Konnor Griffin has endured an up-and-down spring at the plate, but his power production so far has been quite impressive. Griffin owns a .200/.273/.533 slash line in Grapefruit League play, accruing a 0.0% walk rate and 24.2% strikeout rate. The latter two numbers are concerning, but it's been a small sample size, and we anticipate the discipline metrics will revert to the mean over a larger period of time. What's more impressive are his power numbers, as he's slugged three home runs through 33 plate appearances so far. Still just 19 years old, Griffin has a bright MLB future ahead of him, even though he's unlikely to break camp with the big-league club. He remains a very intriguing prospect to monitor in dynasty leagues, especially if he continues to produce MLB-caliber power.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 14, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Samuel Basallo has been off to an impressive start to spring training, offering plenty of optimism for his performance during the regular season. He currently owns a .320/.414/.560 slash line with one home run, seven RBI, and a 13.8% walk rate. His strikeout rate is an alarming 27.6%, but that's a fair trade-off if the bat continues to play. The improved slash line is a welcome sign for fantasy managers, given that Basallo slashed .165/.229/.330 with 55 wRC+ across 31 games in the majors last year. The Orioles are still optimistic that Basallo can be their catcher of the future, so his solid spring is encouraging. He'll likely split catching duties with
Adley Rutschman this year.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 14, 2026
New York Yankees catcher
Austin Wells hit a game-ending three-run home run in the seventh inning on Friday for Team Dominican Republic to help them beat South Korea 10-0 to reach the World Baseball Classic semifinals. Wells' homer was the 14th for the Dominicans in the tournament, tying the record set by Mexico in 2009. The 26-year-old left-handed hitting backstop also hit a home run for the Dominican Republic in pool play in a win over the Netherlands. Wells is the Yankees' primary catcher going into the 2026 season after he hit .219/.275/.436 with a .712 OPS, a career-high 21 home runs, 71 RBI, 51 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 448 plate appearances over 126 games in his third year in the big leagues. If you wait at the catching position, Wells is a solid No. 2 catching target for his power in a strong Yankees' lineup. He should have a pretty solid counting-stat floor as New York's primary option behind the dish.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press
March 14, 2026
Kansas City Royals infielder
Jonathan India (groin) left Friday night's Cactus League game against the Arizona Diamondbacks with right-groin tightness, the team announced. Before leaving with the injury, India was 1-for-1 at the plate with a double and a run scored. The 29-year-old was pulled in the third frame. For now, fantasy managers should consider India day-to-day, but with two weeks until Opening Day, his availability for the start of the 2026 regular season is certainly in question. If India's injury lands him on the injured list to begin the year,
Michael Massey is the most likely candidate to take over playing time in KC at the keystone. India, a former fifth overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of the University of Florida, had the worst year of his career in 2025 in his first season with the Royals, slashing .233/.323/.346 with a .669 OPS, career-low nine home runs, 45 RBI, and 63 runs in 136 games played. He hasn't returned to the 20-homer mark since he won National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. His batted-ball metrics support a rebound, but you can get India at a low price late in deep-mixed leagues as middle-infield insurance.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kansas City Royals
March 13, 2026
The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent left-handed reliever
Danny Coulombe to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox placed infielder
Romy Gonzalez (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list after he had left-shoulder surgery. The 36-year-old Coulombe was originally a 25th-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 out of Texas Tech. He had a solid 2.30 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, a career-high two saves, 43 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 43 innings over 55 appearances (one start) last year with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers. Over his 11 seasons in the big leagues, Coulombe has gone 17-10 with a 3.35 ERA (3.62 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, five saves, and a 24% strikeout rate in 11 seasons with five different teams. At best, Coulombe is going to be a lefty specialist out of Boston's bullpen in 2026, and he won't have any real fantasy appeal.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press
March 13, 2026
The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-handed reliever
Jalen Beeks to a one-year deal worth $1.6 million on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Rangers designated right-handed reliever
Alexis Diaz for assignment. Diaz, who was an All-Star closer for the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, had an 8.15 ERA in 18 relief appearances with the Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves in 2025. He had also allowed eight earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings in three Cactus League appearances this spring. Beeks struck out 47 hitters in 57 1/3 innings while going 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA and a save in 61 appearances out of the bullpen for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for games pitched. He will not be on the fantasy radar as primarily a lefty specialist. Beeks is 28-18 in his career with a 4.31 ERA, and 16 saves in 263 career outings with five different teams.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press
March 13, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that catcher
Gabriel Moreno (forearm) was scratched from Friday night's Cactus League lineup with right-forearm tightness, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. It's something that Moreno has been dealing with for a few days. He'll go for imaging on his forearm, at which point we'll have a better idea of the severity of the injury. If the injury is serious enough to keep Moreno out for Opening Day in two weeks, it would open up playing time behind the dish in the desert for both
Adrian Del Castillo and
James McCann. The 26-year-old Venezuelan backstop has only played in over 100 games once in his three full seasons in the big leagues. Moreno played in 83 games a season ago due to injuries, although he still managed a career-high nine home runs, 40 RBI, and a solid .285 batting average (79-for-277) in 309 plate appearances. Moreno is more of a No. 2 catching target in fantasy drafts because of his durability concerns.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
March 13, 2026
New York Mets shortstop
Francisco Lindor (hand) took full batting practice on the field in camp on Friday for the first time since having surgery on the hamate bone in his right hand last month, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. After BP, Lindor faced left-handed reliever
A.J. Minter in live batting practice. The highlight for Lindor on the day was a ground-rule double to center field. Although nothing is official, it's looking very likely that Lindor will be ready to roll for the start of the 2026 season in two weeks on Opening Day, barring a setback. The next step for the 32-year-old five-time All-Star is to be cleared to play in Grapefruit League games. If the Puerto Rican can do that, he'll almost certainly avoid the injured list to begin the regular season. Lindor remains one of the top shortstop options in fantasy despite the injury after slashing .267/.346/.466 with an .811 OPS and the second 30-30 season of his career in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
March 13, 2026
Kansas City Royals outfielder
Isaac Collins (back, side) is dealing with mild back/left-side tightness in camp, which is why he hasn't been in the Cactus League lineup in spring training since Tuesday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. The Royals are being cautious more than anything else, with Collins telling Rogers it's an injury he "doesn't want to push through" with Opening Day only two weeks away. It's something to monitor for now, with Collins being considered more day-to-day. The 28-year-old was acquired by the Royals in the offseason in a trade with the Brewers after the switch-hitter batted .263/.368/.411 with a .779 OPS, nine home runs, 54 RBI, 56 runs, and 16 stolen bases in 441 plate appearances over 130 games in 2025 in his second year in the majors. His .111 batting average in 20 plate appearances in spring training wasn't helping his cause for a part-time role in KC's outfield to begin the 2026 campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
RADIO
