March 22, 2026
In recent seasons, Houston Astros relief pitcher
Bryan Abreu has established himself as one of the better high-leverage arms in all of baseball. Across 71 innings in 2025, the 28-year-old recorded three wins and seven saves while pitching to a 2.28 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 105 strikeouts. Despite his dominance, Abreu has never worked as a full-time closer in Houston, limiting his fantasy value in traditional rotisserie scoring formats. However, Astros closer
Josh Hader (biceps) is set to open 2026 on the Injured List, providing Abreu a chance to work in the ninth inning. Hader is not expected to miss too much time, so Abreu's time in the closer role in Houston could be brief. Still, Abreu profiles as an extremely valuable arm for as long as he's racking up saves. If Hader suffers a setback or struggles upon his return, Abreu could emerge as a high-end fantasy reliever in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 22, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Cody Ponce has not pitched in an MLB game since 2021. Nevertheless, Toronto signed the 31-year-old right-hander to a three-year, $30 million contract over the winter after Ponce dominated the KBO in 2025. Across 180 2/3 innings (29 starts) for the Hanwha Eagles, Ponce recorded a 17-1 record with a 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 252 strikeouts. With Blue Jays starters
Shane Bieber (forearm),
Trey Yesavage (shoulder), and
Jose Berrios (elbow) all set to open 2026 on the Injured List, Ponce is locked into a rotation role in Toronto to start the year. He's been effective in a limited sample size this spring, recording a 0.66 ERA and 0.80 WHIP with 12 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings pitched. Ponce should not be expected to replicate the prodigious strikeout rate he produced in Korea last season. However, he could emerge as a solid innings eater with upside and may be worth targeting in the later rounds of fantasy drafts heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 22, 2026
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Mick Abel won a spot in his team's starting rotation to open 2026 with an impressive performance in Grapefruit League action. The 24-year-old recorded a 2.00 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 23 strikeouts across 18 innings pitched. Abel was one of the key pieces the Twins received from the Philadelphia Phillies in last year's trade deadline deal for star reliever
Jhoan Duran. However, Abel struggled in a small sample size in 2025, posting a 6.23 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 39 strikeouts across 39 innings split between Philadelphia and Minnesota. Walks have been a persistent issue for Abel to this point in his career. He recorded a 10.1% walk rate across 98 1/3 minor-league innings in 2025 and never recorded a single-digit walk rate in any of his four minor league seasons. Still, Abel logged an impressive 28.6% strikeout rate in the minors in 2025. If he can keep his walk rate under control, Abel could be an undervalued source of strikeouts for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 22, 2026
Veteran relief pitcher
Craig Kimbrel has been told he will not be on the New York Mets' Opening Day roster, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. Kimbrel signed a minor league deal with New York over the offseason in hopes of earning a role in the team's bullpen, but it appears he will start the year on the outside looking in. Across six appearances this spring, the 37-year-old recorded a 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and five strikeouts. While Kimbrel has extensive experience as a high-leverage reliever, command has become an issue for him in recent seasons. He posted a 14.3% walk rate across a limited 12-inning sample size in 2025 and a 13.4% walk rate across 52 1/3 innings in 2024. Kimbrel's closing experience makes him a candidate to earn some ninth-inning work wherever he lands, but he profiles better in middle relief at this point in his career.
--Will BradySource: New York Post - Mike Puma
March 22, 2026
Free-agent left-hander
Ryan Borucki and the San Francisco Giants agreed to an undisclosed one-year major-league deal on Saturday, sources told Robert Murray of FanSided. Borucki drew strong interest around the league over the winter and eventually signed with the Chicago White Sox before opting out after not being added to the Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old veteran threw six scoreless innings in the Cactus League with the White Sox with eight strikeouts and one walk in six appearances before he opted out of his deal with Chicago. The veteran southpaw will give the Giants another lefty in their bullpen. He has eight years of big-league experience and a 4.28 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 19.7% strikeout rate, and 8.9% walk rate in 187 appearances (21 starts) in his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Seattle Mariners. Borucki had a 4.63 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 35 innings with Pittsburgh and Toronto a season ago.
--Keith HernandezSource: FanSided - Robert Murray
March 22, 2026
Utility man
Dylan Moore and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to an undisclosed major-league deal on Saturday, league sources told Will Sammon of The Athletic. Moore triggered the opt-out clause in his previous contract earlier this week, but he's now back with the organization and is expected to be on the team's Opening Day roster. The 33-year-old veteran recently fouled a ball off his foot during spring training, but it wasn't serious, and he should be fine for Opening Day on Thursday. The former seventh-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2015 out of Central Florida will mostly be a bat off the bench for the Phillies in 2026, limiting his fantasy appeal to deeper leagues for his speed primarily. Moore struggled with a .201/.267/.374 slash line, .642 OPS, 11 home runs, 25 RBI, and 14 steals in 2025 with the Mariners and Rangers, but he did have a career-high 32 stolen bases in 2024 and is worth a bench stash in NL-only leagues for his speed on the basepaths.
UPDATE: Moore is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Sunday against the Yankees.--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon
March 22, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Mike Tauchman (knee) is dealing with a meniscus tear in his left knee and will require surgery, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. Tauchman will begin the 2026 season on the injured list and, at the very least, will miss the first month of the year. If the 35-year-old veteran needs a full trim of his meniscus, it will be a much longer absence for the veteran outfielder. It's a tough way for Tauchman to begin his tenure in New York after he was hitting well in spring training, going 7-for-29 (.241) with a homer, three doubles, six RBI, and five runs scored in 13 Grapefruit League games. Tauchman was likely ticketed for a platoon role, at best, in right field with the Mets to begin the season if he wasn't injured. His injury should open up more consistent playing time for outfield prospect
Carson Benge. Tauchman has double-digit home runs in just one of his eight major-league seasons, and it came all the way back in 2019 with the Yankees.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Mike Puma
March 22, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada hasn't ruled out shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) from being ready for Opening Day next week, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Pena will hit again on Sunday in camp as he tries to get himself ready for Thursday's game against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old suffered a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger while playing in an exhibition game for Team Dominican Republic in the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic. Pena was cleared to swing a bat with both hands on Friday, though. The next step will be for Pena to face live pitching, and it's unclear if there is enough time for the team to clear him to play on Opening Day. If Pena isn't ready for Thursday, it shouldn't be long before he's cleared to return to his duties as Houston's starting shortstop. Despite the injury, Pena is still in play as a low-end starting fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 homers, 62 RBI, and 20 steals in 125 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
March 22, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Zach Dezenzo (elbow) will not travel back to Houston with the team after their Grapefruit League game on Sunday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Dezenzo will remain in West Palm Beach, Fla., to rehab his elbow. The good news is that Dezenzo can hit without issue, but he's not going to be ready for Opening Day next week after injuring his right elbow while playing for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic. When fully healthy, the 25-year-old is merely a backup at designated hitter behind
Yordan Alvarez and at the corner-outfield spots in Houston. The former 12th-round pick in 2022 out of Ohio State has played in only 53 games at the major-league level the last two years and has hit .244/.305/.369 with a .673 OPS, four home runs, 18 RBI, and 22 runs scored in 174 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can ignore Dezenzo for the start of the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 22, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Esteury Ruiz (oblique) has been diagnosed with a high-grade left oblique strain and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Ruiz will be placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Opening Day, and given his timeline, it seems like the team could at least consider a shift to the 60-day injured list. This is a devastating blow for the Marlins, who will be without both Ruiz and
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) for an extended period of time. Ruiz, who was acquired from the Dodgers over the offseason, has never been a major threat at the plate, but he offers blazing speed and brought his walk rate up to an encouraging mark of 14.6% this spring. With Stowers and Ruiz sidelined, the Marlins will likely turn to a rotation of
Griffin Conine,
Javier Sanoja, and
Heriberto Hernandez in left field.
--Andersen PickardSource: Christina De Nicola
March 22, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez have agreed to a six-year extension with $107 million guaranteed, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The deal spans from 2027 through 2032, taking effect after he earns his existing $3.5 million salary in 2026. The new extension also offers the Phillies a potential extra year of control with a club option for the 2033 season. This pact reflects the Phillies' desire to preserve Sanchez as their ace long-term. As it stands, Sanchez is the front line of a very strong Phillies rotation that also features
Aaron Nola,
Jesus Luzardo,
Taijuan Walker, and
Andrew Painter. The left-hander was absolutely stellar in 2025, finishing as the National League Cy Young runner-up and an MVP finalist with a 2.55 FIP, 9.45 K/9, 1.96 BB/9, and a 58.3% ground ball rate across 32 starts. He currently ranks #4 among starting pitchers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Gelb
March 22, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed relief pitcher
Tim Mayza to a one-year deal, according to Jeff Skversky of FOX29. Mayza had already been in camp with the Phillies, but he had asked to be released from his minor league contract. Ultimately, the Phillies wanted Mayza on their Opening Day roster, so they brought him back on a major league contract. It's a rewarding outcome for the veteran reliever after he posted a 3.75 xFIP with 10 strikeouts and two walks across 8.1 innings of work in spring training. He offers the Phillies' bullpen a reliable veteran left-handed presence. Philadelphia's bullpen is projected to open the year with four lefties and four righties.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Skversky
March 22, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will open the 2026 regular season on the injured list, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Stowers had left Friday's game early with hamstring tightness, and he's now expected to miss 3-4 weeks. That's a crushing blow for the Marlins, given that Stowers was projected to be their No. 3 hitter and everyday left fielder. He was spectacular at the plate last season, slashing .288/.368/.544 with 25 home runs, 73 RBI, and 149 wRC+. Injuries have been the biggest obstacle in his career so far, and now, he's going to be sidelined for Opening Day in 2026.
Griffin Conine,
Javier Sanoja, and
Heriberto Hernandez will likely platoon in left field until Stowers is able to return in mid-to-late April.
--Andersen PickardSource: Christina De Nicola
March 22, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
Didier Fuentes has made the Opening Day roster as a reliever, but Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that the 20-year-old will eventually return to the minors to be stretched out. According to Bowman, the Braves want Fuentes "to spend the first couple weeks as a long reliever for Atlanta and then go to Triple-A Gwinnett to work as a starter." That's some deflating news for Braves fans and fantasy managers, as Fuentes is an appealing prospect who delivered nine scoreless innings this spring. The former international free agent out of Colombia has made just one professional relief appearance in the minors since 2023, so it's somewhat perplexing that the Braves are going to temporarily convert him to a reliever, just to send him back to Triple-A and stretch him out. Regardless, this news delays any potential fantasy breakout for Fuentes. Fantasy managers will have to exercise a little more patience.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mark Bowman
March 22, 2026
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Walker Buehler has officially made the Opening Day roster, manager
Craig Stammen confirmed to radio host Sammy Levitt. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Buehler had put together an impressive spring training. Through three starts (11.2 innings) in the Cactus League, he maintained a 2.98 FIP with 10.03 K/9, 3.09 BB/9, and a 42.9% ground ball rate. Presumably, he'll end up in the No. 5 starter role, putting him in line to make his Padres regular-season debut on Tuesday, March 31, against the San Francisco Giants. Buehler was roughed up to the tune of a 5.45 ERA across 23 outings in Boston last year, but he latched on with the Phillies near the end of the season and enjoyed much better results. Across 13.2 innings with Philadelphia, he posted a 0.66 ERA with eight strikeouts and six walks.
--Andersen PickardSource: Sammy Levitt
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