March 25, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Dylan Beavers (knee) said he "peeled back" on activity that irritated his right knee/quadriceps and has been receiving treatment, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Beavers had a full work day on Tuesday, including running the bases, and "feels ready to go" for Opening Day on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. In 11 Grapefruit League games this spring before his injury, Beavers went 7-for-33 (.212) with a homer, four doubles, two RBI, four runs scored, one walk, and 10 strikeouts in 34 plate appearances. He played in 35 games for the O's in his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .227 (25-for-110) with four homers, 14 RBI, 16 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 137 plate appearances. It remains to be seen how big a role Beavers will have in the outfield in Baltimore to begin his first full year in the big leagues, but he's a high-floor prospect who had a .304 batting average, 18 home runs, and 23 steals in 94 games at Triple-A Norfolk in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
March 25, 2026
Baltimore Orioles second baseman
Jackson Holliday (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. The left-handed slugger is working his way back from a broken hamate bone that he suffered back in February and has been making steady progress, even taking live batting practice last week. A minimal stay on the IL appears to be in order, so expect an announcement of a rehab assignment soon, which would likely take place at Triple-A Norfolk. The former first overall draft pick debuted in 2024 and showed signs of improvement in 2025, dropping his K% from 33.2 percent to 21.6 percent as his contact rate went from 70.3 percent to 78.7 percent, resulting in a wRC+ that went from 62 to 96. If the 22-year-old can continue to improve, he could be on the verge of a very fantasy-friendly third season in the big leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jacob Calvin Meyer
March 25, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Clarke Schmidt (elbow) is expected to begin throwing bullpen sessions at the end of March and could progress to throwing to live hitters in April if all goes well. The right-hander is continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he underwent last July, and his current track puts him on pace to return to the big league mound sometime in the second half of the season, so long as he does not encounter any setbacks. The former first-round draft pick has been a relatively effective pitcher for the Yankees over the last few years, but he also missed a lot of time in 2024 due to injury. The 6-foot-1 hurler recorded a 3.07 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 15.8 percent K-BB% in 30 starts between 2024 and 2025, and if he can regain that form, he could be a worthy stash candidate or waiver add later in the year.
--Jarod RuppSource: MLB.com
March 25, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman batted fifth in the lineup in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels with left-hander
Reid Detmers on the mound, something manager Dave Roberts stated he would do with his lineup against southpaws to begin the season. Freeman will typically bat fourth, and catcher
Will Smith will bat fifth, but against lefties, they'll be swapped. It is somewhat of a head-scratcher given Freeman's ability to hit lefties just fine, even better than Smith, both for his career and in 2025, so there hasn't been a dropoff in effectiveness from the veteran slugger. We'll see how long the change holds up, but regardless, Freeman and Smith should remain plenty productive in a loaded Los Angeles lineup.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jack Harris
March 25, 2026
Boston Red Sox first baseman
Triston Casas (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. This was not a surprise as the 6-foot-4 slugger was unable to participate in any Grapefruit League action as he continues to recover from a ruptured left patellar tendon that he suffered in 2025. He recently faced live hitters and has been cleared to run the bases and slide, but with no rehab assignment scheduled yet, it's not certain when he might be able to return to the majors. Mid-to-late May is probably a good estimate based on the usual timeline, but there is no rush as the team acquired
Willson Contreras in the offseason to man first base, and before his injury last year, the left-handed hitter was slashing just .182/.277/.303, so they may want to make sure he's fully knocked the rust off before he competes for at-bats with the big league club. The former first-rounder does have some power, though, as he belted 24 home runs in 2023 in 132 games, so the 26-year-old's progress is certainly worth monitoring for fantasy.
--Jarod RuppSource: Boston Red Sox
March 25, 2026
As expected, the Cincinnati Reds officially announced on Wednesday that they placed left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 23) with a blister on his left index finger. Lodolo left his final Cactus League start last weekend with a blister issue, and as a precaution, the Reds are going to have him skip a start or two to begin the 2026 regular season. It means that all of
Chase Burns,
Rhett Lowder, and
Brandon Williamson will be locked into the rotation to begin the year. When Lodolo returns, the Reds plan to rotate the three in the final two rotation spots due to their inexperience and recent injury history. It's a frustrating start for Lodolo, who has dealt with blister issues in the past, but he should still be rostered in all fantasy formats due to his high-strikeout upside. Barring a setback, Lodolo figures to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on April 7. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of TCU has a 26.2% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate in his first four big-league seasons with the Reds.
--Keith HernandezSource: Cincinnati Reds
March 25, 2026
The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander
Spencer Strider (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, retroactive to Sunday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's a disappointing start to the 2026 season for Strider, but reports continue to be promising regarding his oblique injury. He will be eligible to come off the IL on April 6, although that might be a little early. Still, there's a chance that Strider will only miss a turn or two through Atlanta's starting rotation to begin the year. The 27-year-old strained his left oblique in a spring training outing last week against the Boston Red Sox. With Strider opening the year on the shelf,
Jose Suarez is expected to take his rotation spot. Strider has fallen far since he won a league-high 20 games and struck out a league-high 281 batters for the Braves in 2023. He made only two starts in 2024 before having right-elbow surgery, and he didn't look the same in 23 starts last year, going 7-14 with a 4.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 131:51 K:BB in 125 1/3 innings. A drop in velocity this spring isn't encouraging for fantasy managers hoping for a bounce-back.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
March 25, 2026
The Houston Astros officially placed left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with left-biceps tendinitis, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. We already knew that Hader would begin the 2026 regular season on the IL, and now it's official. The Astros haven't given a timetable for when the 31-year-old veteran southpaw will be able to make his season debut, but it could come sooner than later in April, barring a setback. Until Hader returns, right-hander
Bryan Abreu should operate as the Astros' primary closer at the back end of the bullpen. Hader has been one of the most dominant fantasy closers in baseball for a while, but he was also shut down in August of last year with a left-shoulder sprain, so it's possible he could be starting to break down physically. He should take over closing duties in Houston when he comes off the IL, though, so Hader needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
March 25, 2026
The Houston Astros optioned outfield prospect
Zach Cole to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Cole loses out on the final roster spot for Opening Day to infield prospect
Brice Matthews. The 25-year-old hit just .200 (8-for-40) with two home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, five stolen bases, eight walks, and 20 strikeouts in 16 Grapefruit League games this spring. The former 10th-rounder in 2022 out of Ball State made his big-league debut last year and hit .255 (12-for-47) with four home runs, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, and three steals in 15 games played. He hit .176 with a 40.5% strikeout rate in his last 37 plate appearances. Cole brings some intriguing power and speed to the table, but issues making contact could prevent him from reaching his true potential at the next level. Cole slashed .279/.377/.539 with 19 homers and 18 steals in 97 games in 2025 at Sugar Land. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is a fine stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, and we should be seeing him again in 2026 at the major-league level in a platoon outfield role.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 25, 2026
Houston Astros infield prospect
Brice Matthews has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Matthews did so by hitting .250 (9-for-36) with a home run, 10 RBI, six runs scored, nine walks, and 13 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances and 16 games played this spring. The 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 has mostly played infield in the minors, but he has been working in the outfield during spring training and figures to open his first full year in the big leagues in a super-utility role for the Astros. Matthews made his major-league debut in 2025 and appeared in only 13 games, going 7-for-42 (.167) with four home runs, nine RBI, a stolen base, two walks, and 20 strikeouts. But at Triple-A Sugar Land, he hit 17 long balls and stole 41 bases in 498 plate appearances. The Astros are confident that Matthews is the heir apparent to
Jose Altuve at the keystone in Houston. He's a high-upside rookie stash, but he'll need to make more contact to stick in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 25, 2026
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) is on the team's Opening Day roster, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena fractured the tip of his finger during an exhibition game with the Dominican Republic in a tune-up for the World Baseball Classic, but the 28-year-old has recovered nicely and was able to play in the team's exhibition game on Tuesday. He should be in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Pena's finger injury may hinder him early on at the plate, but fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fourth big-league season, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 125 games played. Pena has 30-30 upside in Houston if everything falls into place, but fantasy managers should consider him a low-end shortstop in 12-team leagues to begin 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 25, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed left-hander
Blake Snell (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday (retroactive to March 22) with left-shoulder fatigue, according to MLB.com. Snell dealt with left-shoulder fatigue following the team's World Series run last fall, so the Dodgers have decided to bring him along slowly this spring. The 33-year-old two-time Cy Young winner will begin the season on the shelf and isn't expected to make his 2026 season debut until late May or early June. It's a precaution after Snell missed four months in 2025 with a left-shoulder injury. Snell has begun throwing off a mound, but the Dodgers are going to ramp him up slowly so that they can have him healthy and ready to roll for the rest of the season once he returns. It's a big hit to Snell's 2026 fantasy value, but the veteran southpaw still has plenty of strikeout upside when he's healthy, making him stash-worthy in all fantasy leagues. In 11 regular-season starts with the Blue last year, Snell had a 2.35 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 26 walks in 61 1/3 innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 25, 2026
Cincinnati Reds left-hander
Brandon Williamson will open the year as the team's No. 5 starter now that left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) is opening on the injured list, according to Rich Rovito of MLB.com. Initially, the plan was for Williamson and right-handers
Chase Burns and
Rhett Lowder to mix and match in the final two rotation spots to begin the 2026 campaign. Fantasy managers should temper expectations with Williamson this year after he missed all of the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old southpaw went 5-5 with a 4.39 ERA (4.84 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 44 walks in 131 1/3 innings over 27 appearances (26 starts) for the Reds in the last two seasons after debuting in the big leagues in 2023. When Lodolo makes his return, potentially after one or two turns through the team's rotation in April, Williamson could be sent to the minors or moved to a long-relief role as the Reds look to manage his workload.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rich Rovito
March 25, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Rhett Lowder is expected to take on a much bigger role in the team's starting rotation in 2026, and he's lined up to make his first start of the year on Sunday, March 29, against the Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Rich Rovito. The 24-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest made his big-league debut in 2024 and looked great, posting a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 22:14 K:BB in 30 2/3 innings in a small sample size of just six starts. He didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 due to injuries. With
Nick Lodolo (finger) starting on the injured list, Lowder will be locked into a rotation spot in Cincy, and he could stick there all season long. Lowder might not have the fantasy ceiling of teammate
Chase Burns, but his fantasy stock is on the rise, and he's worth stashing as starting rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues. Lowder is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 106 fantasy starting pitcher going into his first full year in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rich Rovito
March 25, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect
Chase Burns is scheduled to make his first start of the 2026 season on Monday, March 30, against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Rich Rovito of MLB.com. Burns made his sixth and final start of spring training on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers and went five efficient innings while throwing 53 of his 68 pitches for strikes. He struck out the side in the first inning with a four-seam fastball, slider, and sinker combination. Burns allowed four hits (one homer) and two runs while striking out seven and walking none. Now that left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) is starting on the injured list, each of Burns,
Rhett Lowder, and
Brandon Williamson will take turns in the Reds' rotation to begin the regular season. Burns, a hard-throwing 23-year-old and former second overall pick, has as much fantasy upside as any young pitcher in the game as he heads into his first full year in the big leagues. He's RotoBaller's No. 36 fantasy starting pitcher after fanning 67 batters in 43 1/3 innings in his major-league debut in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rich Rovito
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