March 1, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly (back) received cortisone and lidocaine shots in his back last week and was able to play catch on Sunday without issue, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Gilbert reports that Kelly is "optimistic" he will be able to "pitch at the backend" of Arizona's rotation to start the season. The 37-year-old was traded by the Diamondbacks to the Texas Rangers at the 2025 trade deadline, but returned to Arizona in free agency this offseason. Across 184 innings (32 starts) split between the Diamondbacks and Rangers in 2025, Kelly posted a 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts. It's not a great sign that he's dealing with back issues in spring, particularly given his age. However, it appears as though Kelly could avoid missing time, even if it requires him ramping up to a full workload in his first couple starts of the regular season.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
March 1, 2026
Throughout his big-league career to this point, Arizona Diamondbacks catcher
Gabriel Moreno has had a difficult time staying on the field. Over the past two seasons, groin and finger injuries have limited the 26-year-old to just 660 plate appearances. However, when healthy, Moreno has proven himself to be a productive player. Across 309 plate appearances in 2025, he hit .285/.353/.433 with nine home runs, 40 RBI, 44 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Moreno owns a career batting average of .281 and a career strikeout rate of 16.9%, so he should remain a batting average asset for fantasy managers, particularly relative to his position. Moreno may never threaten 20 home runs, but he did improve his barrel rate to a career-best 7.1% in 2025. Still, Moreno's inability to stay healthy is a major red flag in his fantasy profile. RotoBaller currently ranks Moreno as the number 16 fantasy catcher heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 1, 2026
New York Mets third baseman
Mark Vientos posted a breakout season in 2024, slugging 27 home runs in 454 plate appearances and carving out a role in the middle of the Mets lineup. However, the 26-year-old came crashing back down to earth in 2025, slashing .233/.289/.413 with 17 home runs, 61 RBI, 44 runs scored, and one stolen base. Vientos also graded out as one of the worst defensive third basemen in the big leagues, making it more difficult for the Mets to stick with him through his relative struggles at the plate. New York added former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop
Bo Bichette in free agency this past winter with the plan to move him to the hot corner, eliminating a pathway to playing time for Vientos. Vientos should be in the mix at designated hitter in New York, but he could find himself in a rotation with infielders
Brett Baty and
Jorge Polanco. If Vientos can get back to the 14.1% barrel rate he posted in 2024, he could force his way into everyday playing time at DH. However, there are holes in his profile that lead to playing time questions, making him a risky bet for fantasy managers heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 1, 2026
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Noah Cameron burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2025, recording a 9-7 record with a 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts across 138 1/3 innings pitched (24 starts). Cameron's ability to rack up whiffs left something to be desired for fantasy managers, as he posted just a 20.5% strikeout rate. The 26-year-old's underlying metrics also suggest that he could be in line for some regression in 2026, as he significantly outperformed his xERA (4.08) and FIP (4.18) in 2025. At the same time, Cameron logged significantly better strikeout numbers during his time in the minor leagues, recording a 27.8% strikeout rate across 128 2/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. If Cameron can add some swing-and-miss to his repertoire in 2026, it could help mitigate the regression that may be coming for his ERA and WHIP. As an innings-eater at the back end of a fantasy pitching staff, Cameron has a chance to provide solid value in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 1, 2026
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Justin Steele (elbow) has been cleared for "full go" on throwing and is eyeing a return to the big-league mound in either May or June, per Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Steele is making his way back from elbow surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign last April. In 2024, Steele pitched to a 5-5 record with a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 135 strikeouts across 134 2/3 innings (24 starts). The 30-year-old left-hander owns a career K-BB rate of 17.1% and posted a WHIP of 1.17 or lower in both 2023 and 2024. Upon his return, Steele should be locked into a spot in the Cubs' rotation, which will provide him a chance to rack up wins. Depending on the league format, fantasy managers will have to gauge how long they are willing to hold Steele through the early portion of the season. Still, Steele should be a quality fantasy starting pitcher once he makes it back to the mound for Chicago.
--Will BradySource: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
March 1, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Samuel Basallo (abdomen) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox. Basallo was forced to make an early exit during Thursday's game due to abdominal discomfort. He received a few days off to rest and is ready to return behind the plate on Sunday. The 21-year-old struggled during his 31 games with the Orioles last season. Despite some early struggles, the Orioles have confidence that Basallo can be their catcher of the future. He'll bat cleanup and start behind the plate against the Red Sox on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Weyrich
March 1, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a two-year extension with manager Oliver Marmol on Sunday. This new deal begins after this season and includes the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Marmol also has a club option for the 2029 campaign. This will give Marmol the comfort to manage this team during the rebuild without fear of being fired. Over his first four seasons, Marmol has a 325-323 (.502) record, but he hasn't made the postseason since his first season in St. Louis. The Cardinals are at the beginning of a rebuild, so the expectations probably aren't too high for this team in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Derrick Goold
March 1, 2026
Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Thomas White (oblique) will see his Spring Training come to an end after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain. White will be sidelined for 3-4 weeks, which means we won't see him again in camp. The 21-year-old is arguably the top prospect in the Marlins' farm system right now. He received an invite to Spring Training, but was always expected to begin the season in the minor leagues. He registered a 2.51 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 145/51 K/BB ratio across 21 starts in three different minor league levels last season. White should begin the year in Triple-A, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him in Miami at some point this season.
--Andy WebbSource: Christina De Nicola
March 1, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher
Carmen Mlodzinski will compete for a starting rotation spot during Spring Training. He worked as a starter to begin the 2025 season, but ultimately shifted to the bullpen. Mlodzinski posted a 6.58 ERA, a .330 batting average against and an .858 OPS in six starts in March and April. He was demoted to the minor leagues and returned as an excellent reliever for the Pirates. He registered a 1.89 ERA over 47 2/3 innings in his final 20 appearances. Mlodzinski believes that success as a reliever gave him the confidence that he needed to become a successful starting pitcher. The Pirates do have a spot or two available at the back-end of the rotation, but multiple pitchers are vying for that spot. So far this spring, Mlodzinski has thrown two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
--Andy WebbSource: Kevin Gorman
March 1, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jacob Melton (thumb) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves. Melton was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to left thumb soreness. He received a few days off to rest and is now ready to play again. He's currently competing for a spot in the outfield on the Opening Day roster. Melton was acquired by the Rays earlier in the offseason in a three-team trade with the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old struggled during his 32 big league games last season, but has plus speed and is normally someone who can make consistent contact.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Topkin
February 28, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder
Keston Hiura (hand) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's Cactus League matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Hiura exited immediately after taking a 97-mph sinker off his hand during the fifth inning of Saturday's contest. The severity of the injury is unknown, but Hiura is likely going to at least miss a few days. The 29-year-old is attempting to make the roster as a bench player, but has an uphill battle ahead of him. Hiura spent most of his time in Triple-A Albuquerque with the Colorado Rockies organization last season. He slashed .272/.369/.507 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI in 100 games. He hasn't seen significant big league action since the 2022 season with the Milwaukee Brewers.
--Andy WebbSource: Jack Vita
February 28, 2026
Athletics shortstop
Leo De Vries (illness) was removed early during Saturday's Spring Training contest against the San Francisco Giants. De Vries was pulled out of the game due to illness, which was likely dehydration. Luckily, this sounds like something minor that shouldn't keep De Vries sidelined for long. The expectation is that he'll be back in the lineup within a day or two. The 19-year-old is viewed as one of the top prospects in the league. He made it to Double-A last season and is likely going to open the 2026 season there or in Triple-A. There's a chance that De Vries makes his MLB debut in 2026, but that depends on how he performs in the minors. Regardless, the future is extremely bright for the youngster.
--Andy WebbSource: Martin Gallegos
February 28, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) underwent imaging after being scratched ahead of Saturday's game. The MRI has revealed that Stowers has suffered a minor hamstring strain. This sounds like a good diagnosis as far as hamstring injuries go. The Marlins expect Stowers to miss 1-2 weeks of action. Barring any setbacks, Stowers should be ready to go by the beginning of the regular season. The 28-year-old is coming off a breakout campaign with the Marlins last season. Stowers slashed .288/.386/.544 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI in 117 games. Assuming he's healthy to begin the season, Stowers should offer top-30 fantasy outfielder value.
--Andy WebbSource: Christian De Nicola
February 28, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Cody Bellinger (back) is dealing with a back injury that could sideline him for a few days. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Bellinger's back went out on him. This is a similar issue to what Bellinger dealt with early last season. The Yankees aren't going to take any risks this early into camp. The plan is to give Bellinger a few days off before getting him back in the lineup as early as Tuesday. Bellinger signed a five-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees over the offseason. He's expected to be a key piece in the middle of the order this season. This sounds like a minor issue that should only sideline Bellinger for a couple of days.
--Andy WebbSource: Bryan Hoch
February 28, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (wrist) is likely going to be ready for Opening Day. On Saturday, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo said he wouldn't be surprised if Carroll was back for the season opener. Carroll is currently recovering from a broken hamate bone in his wrist that he suffered earlier this month. It's hard to believe that Carroll would be ready by late March, but the organization has faith in a quick recovery. Carroll slashed .259/.343/.541 with 31 home runs, 84 RBI, and 32 steals in 143 games. Despite the injury, Carroll should still be viewed as a first-rounder in fantasy drafts.
--Andy WebbSource: Nick Piecoro
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