February 6, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Friday that they signed free-agent left-hander
Brent Suter to a one-year, $1.25 million deal, according to Taylor Blake Ward of Baseball America. Suter spent the last two seasons pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, where he had a 3.85 ERA (4.44 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, two saves, 103 strikeouts, and 30 walks in 133 1/3 innings over 95 appearances (six starts). He had a 4.52 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 53:18 K:BB in 67 2/3 innings last year. Suter brings plenty of experience -- he's heading into his 11th season in the big leagues in 2026 -- but he can be ignored for fantasy purposes as a middle-relief arm with virtually no strikeout upside. In his 10 big-league campaigns, Suter only has a 19.9% strikeout rate in 597 1/3 total innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball America - Taylor Blake Ward
February 6, 2026
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Friday that catcher
Ben Rortvedt was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rortvedt will head back to the 2025 World Series champions after the Reds previously claimed him off waivers from the Dodgers back in November. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop hit a combined .152/.240/.205 with a .445 OPS, just one home run, 10 RBI, 11 walks, and 23 strikeouts in 44 regular-season games in 2025 with the Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays. Rortvedt only appeared in 18 games for L.A. to close out the season. He actually served as the Dodgers' starting catcher for a stretch late last season, when both
Will Smith and
Dalton Rushing went down with injuries. Like most backup catchers, Rortvedt lacks any kind of real power or speed, which makes him pretty useless in fantasy. He'll enter spring training as the No. 3 catcher for the Dodgers.
--Keith HernandezSource: Cincinnati Reds
February 6, 2026
The New York Yankees are reportedly still interested in bringing back free-agent first baseman
Paul Goldschmidt. According to Jon Heyman, there could be competition with the San Diego Padres emerging as a candidate for Goldschmidt. The Yankees are looking for a platoon partner for
Ben Rice at first base, and Goldy seems to be a good fit. Last season, Goldschmidt slashed .274/.328/.403 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 146 games with the Yankees. He was excellent versus left-handed pitching, slashing .336/.411/.570 with seven homers in 168 plate appearances in 2025. The 38-year-old is an ideal platoon option at first base who is still a capable defensive player. His fantasy value will be dependent on where he ends up signing.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
February 6, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals claimed third baseman
Bryan Ramos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, sources told Francys Romero. The Cuban infielder was designated for assignment two days ago by the Orioles, and he'll now head to the National League Central. The Orioles acquired Ramos in a trade with the Chicago White Sox last Sunday. The 23-year-old infielder only appeared in four games with the White Sox last year, going 2-for-12 with two RBI and four strikeouts. In his MLB debut in 2024, he went 20-for-99 (.202) with three homers, 11 RBI, seven walks, and 22 strikeouts in 32 games played. At Triple-A Charlotte last year, Ramos slashed .216/.309/.396, although he did manage to pop 16 home runs and steal 13 bases. There's still time for Ramos to develop, but as of right now, he's most likely to start the 2026 season at Triple-A Memphis as infield depth for the Red Birds.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
February 6, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Graham Ashcraft won his salary arbitration case against the team on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Ashcraft will make $1.75 million in 2026. After dealing with injuries and posting an ERA just under 5.00 in his first three seasons with the Reds as a starter, Cincy converted the 27-year-old into a full-time reliever in 2025, and the results were solid. Ashcraft had a career-best 3.99 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 25 walks in 65 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He will enter the 2026 campaign in a middle-relief role again, which limits his fantasy appeal, but Ashcraft did tally 23 holds last year, which was tied for 19th in the league. Injuries were still an issue -- he made two trips to the injured list. Ashcraft also had a career-high 22.5% strikeout rate in 2025, although it's still a bit underwhelming for how hard he throws.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 6, 2026
The Athletics have claimed infielder
Andy Ibanez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ibanez signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Dodgers in mid-January. He was recently designated for assignment by the organization, but has quickly found a new home. The expectation is that Ibanez will play in a platoon-type role with
Jeff McNeil at second base. In 2025, Ibanez slashed .239/.301/.352 with four home runs, 21 RBI, and four steals in 91 games with the Detroit Tigers. The 32-year-old is better against left-handed pitching, slashing .258/.311/.403 in 135 plate appearances versus southpaws last season. He could be a useful platoon player, but is unlikely to offer much fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Fabian Ardaya
February 6, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Jasson Dominguez reportedly isn't a lock to make the Opening Day roster. According to Bryan Hoch, Dominguez might begin the season in the minor leagues. The starting outfield spots are currently taken by
Aaron Judge,
Cody Bellinger, and
Trent Grisham. Dominguez could play a role off the bench, but the Yankees would likely rather have Dominguez get everyday at-bats in Triple-A. The assumption is that Dominguez would be the next man up if something happens to those outfielders or
Giancarlo Stanton goes down with an injury. Last season, Dominguez slashed .257/331/.388 with 10 home runs, 47 RBI, and 23 stolen bases in 123 games with the Yankees. The 22-year-old appears ready for the next level on a full-time basis, but the Yankees don't currently have a starting spot for him at the moment.
--Andy WebbSource: Bryan Hoch
February 6, 2026
Free-agent right-handed reliever
Ryan Brasier is finalizing an undisclosed deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday, sources told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Injuries limited Brasier to only 26 relief innings in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, and he held a 4.50 ERA (3.17 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and five walks in 28 appearances (one start). The 38-year-old veteran has nine years of big-league experience (six seasons with the Boston Red Sox), so he'll add some much-needed experience and depth to a Rangers' bullpen that could use some help. However, Brasier is unlikely to be much more than a middle-relief arm who might not have much left in the tank as he nears 40 years old. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Brasier to be much of a high-leverage bullpen option, as he's recorded just 10 saves in 325 major-league appearances.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
February 6, 2026
Miami Marlins third baseman
Connor Norby began last season on the injured list and was on the IL three separate times in 2025. Overall, it was a disappointing first full season in Miami for the former second-round pick, as Norby finished with a .251/.300/.389 slash line, .689 OPS, eight home runs, 34 RBI, 42 runs scored, and eight steals in 88 games (337 plate appearances). MLB.com's Christina De Nicola writes that the right-handed-hitting Norby could fall into a platoon at third base with
Graham Pauley if neither player stands out in spring training or early in the regular season. Pauley also might have an advantage at the hot corner because of his stellar defense. Norby is expected to get some reps in the outfield this spring, so the Marlins may be grooming him for a potential utility role. Norby is merely a deep-league flier with a career strikeout rate just south of 30%.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 6, 2026
MLB.com's Christina De Nicola writes that Miami Marlins infielder
Graham Pauley's defense gives him an advantage in the third base competition, as his six outs above average tied for fifthmost among MLB third basemen in 2025. De Nicola suggests that Pauley, who hits left-handed, and
Connor Norby could platoon at the hot corner to open the year if neither player stands out in spring training. Along with his stellar defense, Pauley's bat picked up in the second half last year, going from a .529 OPS in the first half to an .840 OPS in nearly the same amount of plate appearances. The 25-year-old lacks power -- he has six home runs in his first 75 MLB games over the last two years -- and he's unlikely to have an everyday role. Pauley has excellent plate discipline, though, and could make for a nice corner-infield option in deep NL-only fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 6, 2026
Miami Marlins left-hander
Braxton Garrett (elbow), who missed all of last season while rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery, is expected to be a full-go for spring training, according to MLB.com's Christina De Nicola. Garrett was in the Marlins' starting rotation before his left-elbow injury, but he hasn't pitched in a major-league game since June 17 of 2024. The 28-year-old southpaw is a former first-rounder (seventh overall) and has shown flashes of upside in Miami, and he should be a lock for the No. 4 rotation spot in 2026 behind
Sandy Alcantara,
Eury Perez, and
Max Meyer (hip) if he's fully healthy by Opening Day. The Marlins traded both
Edward Cabrera and
Ryan Weathers this offseason, leaving three open rotation spots to begin the 2026 season. Garrett held a 3.66 ERA with 156 K's and 29 walks in 30 starts. There's talent in Garrett's profile, but the volume is unlikely to be there in his first season back from TJ surgery.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 6, 2026
Miami Marlins right-hander
Max Meyer (hip) is expected to be full-go for spring training, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Meyer opened last year with a 2.10 ERA, 41 strikeouts, and seven walks through five starts before posting a 7.10 ERA over his next seven starts and eventually needing season-ending left-hip surgery. The 26-year-old should be a lock for a starting-rotation spot (if healthy) behind
Sandy Alcantara and
Eury Perez after the Marlins traded both
Edward Cabrera and
Ryan Weathers in the offseason. Meyers' hip injury in 2025 most likely contributed to him falling apart before he was shut down, so if he's completely past his hip injuries this year, there is true breakout potential for the former third overall pick. At an average ADP of 433, Meyer is going undrafted in most leagues, but he could end up being a great waiver-wire pickup in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 6, 2026
The San Diego Padres signed free-agent first baseman/outfielder Leandro Cedeno to a minor-league contract on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The 27-year-old spent the last three seasons playing in Japan for the Orix Buffaloes and the Seibu Lions. Cedeno, a right-handed-hitting Venezuelan, was originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals when he was just 16 years old. In seven minor-league seasons, he hit .289/.345/.484 with an .829 OPS, 74 home runs, 306 RBI, and eight stolen bases in 461 games played. Cedeno has always been a liability on defense, so he profiles more as a designated-hitter type. At the plate, his main draw is his power from the right side. Cedeno is a flier for the Padres and will most likely be a long shot to appear at the big-league level in 2026 or beyond.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
February 6, 2026
New York Mets shortstop prospect
A.J. Ewing is progressing quite quickly through the minor leagues and is a name to keep a close eye on during the 2026 campaign. Ewing joined the Mets in the 2023 Draft out of Springboro HS. The 21-year-old began the 2025 campaign with Low-A but was able to finish the season with Double-A Binghamton. At Low-A, Ewing posted an incredible .400/.506/.615 slash line with one long ball and 14 stolen bases, across a brief 18-game stint. Through his first 78 games at High-A Brooklyn, Ewing held a .288/.387/.388 line with 16 doubles, four home runs, and 44 stolen bases. He would finish the campaign at Double-A, where he would continue to hit for a high average (.339) while showing high speed, stealing 12 bags over a short 28-game stint. While he will likely open 2026 at Double-A, he is an emerging bat in the system and could reach Triple-A much sooner than expected.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 6, 2026
Cleveland Guardians top catching prospect
Cooper Ingle is expected to be in the mix for an early MLB debut in 2026. Ingle joined the Guardians in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Clemson. Ingle began 2025 by making his second appearance at the Double-A level. Through 92 games, the young backstop looked quite comfortable, posting a .273/.391/.441 line with a strong .882 OPS. He would hit nine home runs, while showing a strong eye at the plate, posting a 70:65 K:BB. He would then earn a second-half ticket to Triple-A Columbus. However, Ingle stumbled in his first look facing the top pitching in the minor leagues, posting a modest .207/.383/.329 line. He would hit just one round-tripper during this stint. Given his struggles, managers should expect MLB.com's No. 99-ranked prospect to begin the season at Triple-A. However, if he can find his footing early, he should contend for a first-half 2026 promotion.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
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