March 27, 2026
New York Yankees left-handed-hitting first baseman/catcher
Ben Rice will take a seat on Friday at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants with left-hander
Robbie Ray on the mound, according to MLB.com. Rice will give way to right-handed-hitting
Paul Goldschmidt, who is starting at first base and batting leadoff for the Yanks. Rice, who broke out in 2025 with 26 home runs and 65 RBI in 138 games played, is expected to play more against lefties in 2026, but he'll start on the bench in this one. In his young MLB career, Rice has a .683 OPS against left-handers as opposed to an .809 OPS versus righty pitchers. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday night's Opening Day win over San Fran. Goldschmidt, a former National League MVP, has seen a decline in his production in recent years, but the 38-year-old veteran did have an impressive .981 OPS with seven of his 10 homers against southpaws last year. He's gone hitless in five career at-bats against Ray.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
San Francisco Giants first baseman
Rafael Devers (hamstring) is still feeling something in his left hamstring, which is why he's serving as the designated hitter again on Friday at Oracle Park against the visiting New York Yankees, according to John Shea of The San Francisco Standard. Manager Tony Vitello said that Devers could play first if necessary. "Still a little bit of a feeling in there," Vitello said. Devers is the DH and is batting third on Friday against Yankees right-hander
Cam Schlittler, while infielder
Casey Schmitt will make another start at first base and bat seventh for the Gigantes. The 29-year-old Devers dealt with a balky hammy in late February during spring training, but it's obviously not a very serious injury since he remains in the starting lineup. Devers went 1-for-4 in the 7-0 Opening Day loss to New York on Wednesday night. Fantasy managers will want to keep him in their lineups as the Giants try for their first win of the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Francisco Standard - John Shea
March 27, 2026
Kansas City Royals left-handed-hitting outfielder/first baseman
Jac Caglianone will start on the bench for the team's Opening Day game on Friday against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park with left-hander
Chris Sale on the mound. The Royals aren't going to have Caglianone face one of the nastiest left-handers in the game to begin his first full season in the big leagues, especially after the left-handed power bat struggled mightily in his first taste of major-league pitching in 62 games in 2025. The former sixth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida did hit seven games in 232 plate appearances, but he also struck out 52 times and hit just .157 (33-for-210). Things looked better in spring training, though, as Cags went 7-for-23 (.304) in a small sample size with a homer, four RBI, six walks, and seven strikeouts in 10 Cactus League games. He's expected to be on the strong side of a platoon against righties in right field for KC in 2026. Veteran
Starling Marte is in right on Friday and will hit sixth against Sale. Marte has hit .286 with a .572 in just seven career at-bats versus Sale.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
Outfielder
Jason Heyward officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Friday on MLB Network. Heyward played 16 years in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Houston Astros. The 36-year-old helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016 and was also named to an All-Star team with the Braves in his rookie season in 2010, when he hit .277/.393/.456 with an .849 OPS, 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 83 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 142 games. Heyward was perhaps most known for his glove in right field, winning five Gold Glove in his career. He hit a career-high 27 home runs and stole 21 bases in his third season with the Braves in 2012. Heyward finishes his successful career with a .255/.336/.408 slash line, 186 home runs, 730 RBI, and 125 stolen bases in 1,824 regular-season games. He played in 34 games for the Padres in his final MLB season in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Network
March 27, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring), who began the 2026 season on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain, threw, hit, and ran during a workout on Wednesday as he builds up his workload and intensity, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The plan is for the Marlins to reassess Stowers in three to four weeks. He strained his hamstring earlier this spring and then left last Friday's split-squad game against the Houston Astros with tightness in the same hamstring. Stowers' 2025 breakout season also ended prematurely last August when he suffered a left-oblique strain, but he had already managed to hit 25 home runs and drive in 73 runs in 117 games to establish himself as one of the National League's top hitters. The Marlins signed veteran
Austin Slater to help give them additional outfield depth with Stowers out. Durability concerns are real for Stowers, but he is a must-stash in all fantasy formats as the Marlins hitter with the most upside in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
March 27, 2026
Chicago White Sox right-hander
Shane Smith got off to a bad start to the 2026 season on Opening Day on Thursday in a 14-2 loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Smith only went 1 2/3 innings in his first start of the year and surrendered four runs (three earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out two. All of the damage against Smith came on a bases-clearing double from catcher
William Contreras in the second inning. It was the shortest outing of the 25-year-old's career, and he threw only 54 pitches. Smith was an All-Star in 2025 in his first year in the majors, going 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA (4.10 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 145 strikeouts and 58 walks in 146 1/3 innings over his 29 starts for Chicago. Smith's 23.9% strikeout rate was slightly above league average, but his 9.4% walk rate was well below average. If Smith continues to exhibit poor control, it could be a tough sophomore season, especially since he's unlikely to pick up many wins on what should be another bad White Sox team.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Tanner Bibee's right-shoulder issue that forced him out of his Opening Day start early on Thursday night against the Seatle Mariners "doesn't appear serious at this point," according to Tom Withers of The Associated Press. The Guardians will re-evaluate Bibee on Friday, at which point we should have a better idea of whether he might land on the injured list. The Guardians took the cautious approach in Game 1 of the season, but it's possible that left-hander
Logan Allen could take Bibee's rotation spot if rest is required. The 27-year-old took a no-decision on Thursday before leaving with a trainer, allowing three solo home runs while walking two and striking out seven in his five innings of work to begin the 2026 campaign. Cleveland called Bibee's injury right-shoulder inflammation on Thursday night. At the very least, Bibee's next start will most likely be pushed back, but he could also go on the IL and miss at least 15 days.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press - Tom Withers
March 27, 2026
Chicago White Sox third baseman
Miguel Vargas went hitless during Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. Vargas went 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk in the blowout loss. It wasn't an ideal start for Vargas, but that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from considering scooping him up. The 26-year-old was in the three-hole, which should help his fantasy value if he sticks in that spot going forward. He's coming off a productive season with the White Sox in 2025. He slashed .234/.316/.401 with 16 home runs and 60 RBI across 138 games. The expectation is that Vargas will get a chance to play full-time at third base in 2026. He doesn't hit for average, but has decent pop, can draw walks, and has some speed as well. Vargas does enough right on the field to warrant a look in deep leagues to start the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
March 27, 2026
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Mick Abel is expected to make his season debut at some point during the upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals. Although fantasy managers might not want to wait until then to scoop up Abel. The young right-hander earned a spot in the starting rotation after an impressive performance during Spring Training. Abel posted a 2.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP with 23 strikeouts in 18 innings of work. The former first-round pick was part of the trade that sent
Jhoan Duran to the Philadelphia Phillies mid-season last year. Abel struggled in four outings with the Twins last season, but appears to have turned a corner. The 24-year-old could be a consistent big league starter as long as he can keep his walk rate in check. He's worth a look in mixed leagues and could quickly become a popular waiver wire pickup.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
March 27, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Giancarlo Stanton got the season started the right way during Wednesday's Opening Day matchup versus the San Francisco Giants. Stanton went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI in the 7-0 win over the Giants. It was a nice beginning to the season for the oft-injured slugger who is hopeful to stay healthy in 2026. Although it's worth noting that Stanton continues to deal with elbow issues that he'll need to manage throughout the season. Stanton already spends most of his time at designated hitter, which is a trend that should continue going forward. The 36-year-old should also get plenty of maintenance days to keep managing his lingering elbow problems. When healthy, Stanton is a dangerous bat who is a threat to go deep at any moment. He's an intriguing fantasy option, but not someone that must be rostered in all fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
March 27, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Sal Frelick got the season started with a bang on Thursday. Frelick made some noise with a two-run home run off
Tyler Gilbert in the fifth inning. He would finish his day 1-for-3 with a homer, two RBI, and two walks in the blowout win over the Chicago White Sox. This was a nice start to the season for Frelick, who is coming off a productive 2025 campaign. Last season, Frelick slashed .288/.351/.405 with 12 home runs, 63 RBI, and 19 steals across 142 games. The former first-round pick doesn't have a ton of power, but does a lot of things right on the baseball field. The 25-year-old does enough to warrant rostering in mixed leagues and is someone to keep an eye on right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
March 27, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman
Ryan O'Hearn made his team debut versus the New York Mets on Thursday. He came ready to swing the bat on Opening Day. O'Hearn went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in the loss. He took right-hander
Tobias Myers deep in the sixth inning and singled in the ninth inning. The Pirates signed O'Hearn to a two-year, $29 million deal over the offseason. The first time All-Star slashed .281/.366/.437 with 17 home runs and 63 RBI across 144 games with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres last season. The 32-year-old should get regular playing time in the middle of the order in Pittsburgh. He's someone worth monitoring in fantasy leagues, but is more of a deep league option at the moment.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
March 27, 2026
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Cade Cavalli got the Opening Day nod versus the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The right-hander didn't work deep into the game as he only threw 3.2 innings before getting pulled at 75 pitches. He allowed three runs (two earned), on three hits, with three walks, and five strikeouts in the no-decision. The former first-round pick registered a 4.25 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and a 40:15 K/BB ratio across 10 starts last season. Cavalli showed some promising signs here, but he will have a tough challenge against the Philadelphia Phillies during his next time out. Fantasy managers should keep their eye on Cavalli right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
March 27, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Alec Burleson came ready to hit during Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. Burleson went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk during the 9-7 victory. The Cardinals moved on from multiple key hitters this offseason, which allowed for Burleson to move into the three-hole on Thursday. Given the results, Burleson figures to stick in the spot for now. The 27-year-old should offer good upside as the three-hole hitter, even in this lackluster Cardinals' lineup. Last season, Burleson slashed .290/.343/.459 with 18 home runs and 69 RBI in 139 games. There's enough upside with his bat to warrant rostering Burleson in most fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
March 27, 2026
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Jose Soriano was tough to hit during Thursday's Opening Day nod against the Houston Astros. Soriano threw six scoreless innings, allowing two hits, four walks, and striking out seven batters in the win. It was an impressive outing for Soriano, who allowed one hit through his first five innings of work. The lack of command is a concern going forward, but Soriano was able to work around the damage on Thursday. He did get 19 swings and misses on Thursday, which registered an elite CSW of 36 percent. The upside makes Soriano worth a look as a waiver wire pickup. His next outing will come on Tuesday versus the Chicago Cubs.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
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