March 3, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Quinn Priester (wrist) might not be ready for Opening Day later this month as a precaution after last year's wrist discomfort, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers have chosen to slow-play Priester this spring, which is why the 25-year-old has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game in spring training. Priester's wrist injury isn't a concern, though, which is the good news. The only thing that might delay him from making his 2026 debut is the fact that he might not be fully built up by then. Priester, a former 18th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019, was great for the Brew Crew last year in his first season with the team, going 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA (4.01 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with a career-high 132 strikeouts and 50 walks in 157 1/3 innings over 29 outings (24 starts). He has limited strikeout upside and will likely be due for some regression in 2026, but Priester is a rising late-round target for starting pitching depth in mixed leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 3, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) could throw a bullpen session next week, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Hader came into spring training last month with left-biceps inflammation and has been limited to throwing on flat ground so far. The move to throwing off a mound is a big step for the 31-year-old, but it doesn't necessarily ensure that he'll be ready to go by Opening Day in late March. Fantasy managers need to keep in mind that the hard-throwing southpaw also missed the last seven weeks of the 2025 regular season due to a left-shoulder strain. Typically an elite closer in fantasy, Hader's stock is falling due to injury concerns going into the 2026 campaign. Meanwhile,
Bryan Abreu has become a popular late-round target as the likely ninth-inning replacement if Hader begins the year on the injured list.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
March 3, 2026
Houston Astros infielder
Isaac Paredes will make his first Grapefruit League start at first base on Tuesday night, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Manager Joe Espada said Paredes' practice "work around the base has been good -- holding runners, scoops, all that." Paredes will move back to third base for his next start. The Astros are moving the 27-year-old around the diamond at third, second, and first this spring to try to find additional ways to get him into the starting lineup regularly.
Carlos Correa is the primary third baseman, while
Jose Altuve is moving back to second full-time in 2026, leaving Paredes without a permanent defensive home. If he isn't traded before Opening Day, Paredes may serve in more of a utility infield role. The two-time All-Star hit 20 home runs in only 102 games last year in his first season in Houston, and he has plenty of pop in his bat, but his fantasy value will remain limited as long as he stays with the Astros.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
March 3, 2026
Boston Red Sox infielder
Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) got discouraging MRI results back on his injured shoulder, prompting him to seek a second opinion. The 29-year-old is expected to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache, but manager Alex Cora has already stated that he anticipates that the right-handed slugger is going to need surgery. The former first-rounder was competing for a roster spot this spring, however, it looks like he'll begin the season on the injured list. While the veteran offers some decent pop that could make him interesting for fantasy, he's off the radar until he returns to the big league lineup.
--Jarod RuppSource: Tim Healey
March 3, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly (back) is throwing from out to 60 feet, per manager Torey Lovullo. The veteran is dealing with a back injury, but played catch on Sunday, and this is a continuation of a throwing progression that would next get him into a bullpen session. The 37-year-old is optimistic about being ready for Opening Day and would likely join the backend of the Arizona rotation when the season opens if all goes to plan. The right-hander tossed 184 innings in 2025, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts (15.9 percent K-BB%). With an ADP of around pick 200, Kelly is being taken at the back end of most drafts, so it is worth monitoring his progress to make sure he stays on track.
--Jarod RuppSource: Alex D'Agostino
March 3, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher
Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time this spring. Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, it was only about 10 throws, although it was not off the rubber, and the catcher was standing. The right-hander has been dealing with right shoulder soreness, which has slowed his ability to get up to speed this spring. So long as there are no setbacks, the 26-year-old should be ready by Opening Day, however, it could be with Triple-A Oklahoma City, not Los Angeles. The former first-rounder is being viewed as a reliever this season after splitting time as both a starter and reliever in 2025 while spending most of the campaign at Triple-A. The 6-foot-5 hurler struggled to a 5.66 ERA and 1.56 WHIP last year, and didn't show much better splits as a reliever compared to his time as a starter. With a 14.9 percent walk rate in 2025, he'll need to get his command under control before working his way back to the major leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Fabian Ardaya
March 3, 2026
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher
Hunter Gaddis (forearm) made his spring debut this past Friday, striking out two while allowing no hits or walks in the one-inning outing. However, the right-hander experienced mild forearm tightness following the appearance. According to manager
Stephen Vogt, the 27-year-old went for imaging that "came back clean," and will be reevaluated on Thursday before being built back up. Sounds like a minor injury, and it doesn't appear to put his status for Opening Day in doubt for now. The 6-foot-6 hurler had a strong season for the Guardians in 2025, striking out 73 batters in 66 2/3 innings of work on his way to a 3.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and the second-most holds in all of baseball with 35. For fantasy managers looking for some ratio help, Gaddis could be a worthwhile roster addition, especially in the event something were to happen to the Guardians' closer,
Cade Smith, as Gaddis could potentially be the one to step into that role.
--Jarod RuppSource: Tim Stebbins
March 3, 2026
The Major League Baseball Players Association plans to challenge the league's intention to suspend outfielder
Jurickson Profar for 162 games after a second violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy in the last year, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 33-year-old Profar was suspended for 80 games in his first year in Atlanta in 2025, and now he's looking at missing all of 2026 and forfeiting all of the $15 million he was scheduled to earn. It is highly unlikely that the 162-game suspension will be overturned, so fantasy managers need to cross Profar off their cheat sheets for upcoming drafts. It's a big blow to Atlanta's lineup, as Profar was expected to serve as the primary designated hitter this year while potentially hitting second in the batting order behind outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr.--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
March 3, 2026
Minnesota Twins third baseman
Royce Lewis (side) is back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays, starting at third base and batting leadoff. Lewis missed a bit of time in spring training after reporting tightness in his side last week, but an MRI exam was clean, and he's back in action this week. The Twins weren't going to take any chances with the oft-injured 26-year-old this early in camp. Lewis played in over 100 games for the first time in 2025 in his fourth year in the majors, but he disappointed by hitting .237/.283/.388 with a career-low .671 OPS, 13 home runs, 36 runs scored, 52 RBI, and a career-high 12 stolen bases in 403 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should consider Lewis a top-10 fantasy third baseman because of his ability to carry a roster with high-end power when he's on, but durability concerns for the former first overall pick put him on the low end of the top 15 at his position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Twins
March 3, 2026
Cincinnati Reds second baseman
Matt McLain is seeing the baseball as well as any hitter early in spring training. The 26-year-old former first-rounder went 2-for-2 with two home runs, six RBI, three runs scored, and two walks in Monday's Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs. McLain enters Tuesday's action with a .571 batting average (8-for-14) with three homers, nine RBI, seven runs scored, three walks, and only one strikeout in five games played. Injuries have been a big part of McLain's story so far in his big-league career, and he struggled to a .220/.300/.343 slash line, .643 OPS, 15 homers, 50 RBI, 73 runs, and 18 stolen bases in 147 games in his second year in the Show in 2025. McLain had an .864 OPS and 127 OPS+ as a rookie in 2023, though, and is looking like a nice late-round sleeper target at the second base position in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 3, 2026
New York Yankees outfield prospect
Spencer Jones is now swinging like Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. After reviewing last year's film, Jones quickly found that his swing wasn't getting started until it was too late. The 6-foot-7 left-handed slugger "began constructing his swing in a way that attempted to resemble" Ohtani's, especially in the lower half. Jones expects the offseason changes to stick as he attempts to finally break into the big leagues in 2026. The 24-year-old former first-rounder has seen results this spring, hitting .300 (3-for-10) with three homers, four strikeouts, and two walks. Jones has elite power upside, can play all three outfield positions, and also runs the bases well. However, he tends to have a lot of swings and misses. Jones hit 35 homers and drove in 80 runs in 116 games in the minors in 2025, but he also struck out 35.4% of the time. He also had an in-zone contact rate of just 72%.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
March 3, 2026
New York Mets right-hander
Nolan McLean (illness) is scheduled to start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic on March 10 against Italy, but he's now "day-to-day" due to a recent illness, USA manager Mark DeRosa told reporters on Monday. McLean was experiencing vertigo-like symptoms, but he's feeling better now. The 24-year-old threw a side session a few days ago and is scheduled to throw some more in camp on Wednesday. If he continues to improve, he'll likely take the hill against Italy, but DeRosa won't push the young hurler. McLean is one of the top young arms in baseball after going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 48 innings over his first eight major-league starts last year. He should be ready in plenty of time for the start of the 2026 regular season after pitching for Team USA. McLean should already be rostered in all dynasty/keeper leagues, and he'll have SP2 upside in redraft leagues going into his first full MLB season.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
March 3, 2026
Chicago White Sox catcher
Edgar Quero has looked impressive on both sides of the ball so far this spring, and the switch-hitter is tied for the Cactus League lead with nine RBI and nine hits after going deep against Chicago Cubs lefty
Shota Imanaga on Sunday. MLB.com's Scott Merkin writes that Quero's "diligent offseason work focused on strengthening all areas of his game," but change with his swing "came especially within his hips." "Try to rotate a little better with my load, in my back hips, and it's working right now. Both sides, same thing. I figured it out in the offseason, and now it's working," Quero said. The 22-year-old Cuban backstop hit .268/.333/.356 with five homers, 17 doubles, and 36 RBI, but he hit .357 with an .851 OPS in 137 plate appearances versus lefties. The White Sox don't have a set DH, so both Quero and
Kyle Teel could rotate time at DH if the Sox want to keep their bats in the lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
March 3, 2026
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Profar becomes the sixth player in MLB history to receive a 162-game suspension for PED use, and he will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary and be ineligible for the 2026 postseason. He also won't be allowed to play for the Netherlands in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Profar was suspended 80 games on March 31 of last year for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone that can encourage testosterone production. After his return in July of 2025, Profar hit .245/.353/.434 with 14 home runs and 43 RBI while playing left field in Atlanta. Profar was set to mostly be a DH in 2026, but now that he's out for the year, the Braves could use catcher
Drake Baldwin more in that spot once
Sean Murphy (hip) returns from injury. Fantasy managers will obviously want to remove Profar from their draft boards.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
March 3, 2026
The Miami Marlins announced on Tuesday that they reassigned left-handed pitching prospect
Thomas White (oblique) to minor-league camp. White was already not expected to open the 2026 regular season in Miami's big-league starting rotation, and that was confirmed when the 21-year-old was diagnosed with a strained oblique muscle in spring training. White will most likely start the year at Triple-A Jacksonville, but he could be one of the first options for an open rotation spot in Miami this year. In three minor-league stops last year, White was impressive, going 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 145 strikeouts and 51 walks in 89 2/3 innings over 21 starts. The 6-foot-5 southpaw needs to improve his control, like many young pitchers, but if he does, White has top-of-the-rotation potential at the big-league level.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Marlins
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