March 23, 2026
Texas Rangers right-hander
Kumar Rocker will open the 2026 season in the starting rotation as the team's fifth starter, according to Jeff Wilson of All City DLLS.
Jacob Latz will head to the bullpen after competing for a rotation spot in spring training. It's a big turnaround for Rocker, who ended the 2025 season in the bullpen. The 26-year-old former third overall pick in the 2022 draft had a 5.74 ERA (4.88 FIP), 1.46 WHIP, and 56:23 K:BB in 64 1/3 innings over 14 starts with the Rangers in his second year in the big leagues after making only three starts in his debut in 2024. In 12 2/3 frames in the Cactus League this spring, he allowed six earned runs while walking three and striking out 14 over four outings (three starts). Rocker also made last year's starting rotation, but he was quickly knocked around on the mound before eventually injuring his shoulder. After working on his mechanics late last year, he'll get another chance in the rotation, but he'll need to improve against left-handers if he wants to turn things around.
--Keith HernandezSource: All City DLLS - Jeff Wilson
March 23, 2026
Cincinnati Reds left-hander
Nick Lodolo's (finger) status for Opening Day later this week remains up in the air, but he will play catch on Tuesday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer. Manager Terry Francona said there are three options for Lodolo: To stay on schedule and start on March 28, which is viewed as the longest shot, get pushed back to the back of the starting rotation, or to go on the injured list and lose at least the first 12 days of the 2026 season. The 28-year-old southpaw was pulled early from his Cactus League outing on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians with a blister issue on his left index finger. It's not the first time that Lodolo has dealt with blister problems, so we wouldn't be surprised if he goes on the IL. Injuries have been an issue for Lodolo in his career, but he still has No. 2 starting pitcher upside because of his 26.2% career strikeout rate. In five Cactus League starts this spring, Lodolo allowed 12 runs (11 earned) while walking four and striking out 18 in 13 2/3 innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
March 23, 2026
Cincinnati Reds second baseman
Matt McLain (illness) will not play in the team's exhibition game on Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers because he caught a bug that has been going around the Reds' clubhouse, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. McLain is doing pre-game work, though, and he's expected to play in Tuesday's final exhibition game before Opening Day on Thursday. The 26-year-old former first-rounder out of UCLA is a sleeper second baseman in fantasy baseball this year who is projected to hit second in a hitter-friendly home environment in Cincy. McLain burst onto the scene in 2023 in his rookie season and hit .290 with 16 home runs, 50 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 89 games. He didn't play at all in 2024 due to injury before disappointing with a .220/.300/.343 slash line, 15 homers, 50 RBI, and 18 steals in 147 games in 2025. McLain has torn the cover off the baseball in spring training, going 27-for-51 (.529) with seven home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored, and two steals in 17 Cactus League games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
March 23, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Monday that right-handed pitching prospect
Brandon Sproat has made the Opening Day starting rotation, and he will make his first start of the year on Sunday, March 29, in the final game of the series against the Chicago White Sox. Sproat will only be making his fifth major-league start against the White Sox after posting a 4.79 ERA (2.80 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks in 20 2/3 innings over four starts in 2025 with the New York Mets in his MLB debut. He came to Milwaukee in the offseason in the trade that sent pitcher
Freddy Peralta to Queens. The 25-year-old was a late bloomer in the upper levels of the minors and could be headed for a trip back to the minors with the Brewers if he isn't consistent early in the year. Sproat has a rotation spot locked down, though, boosting his single-year and dynasty value. He'll be a matchup-based streaming option next week against the White Sox.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
March 23, 2026
San Diego Padres right-hander
Nick Pivetta is scheduled to take the ball on Opening Day this Thursday at Petco Park against the visiting Detroit Tigers. He'll be opposed by reigning American League Cy Young winner
Tarik Skubal. Pivetta earned the Opening Day nod after having a career-best season last year in his first year in San Diego. The nine-year veteran went 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in 181 2/3 innings over 31 regular-season starts. He definitely didn't look as good this spring, allowing 12 runs (11 earned) on 19 hits (four homers) while walking six and striking out nine in 12 innings over four Cactus League starts. Pivetta reportedly dealt with some arm fatigue this spring, but he should be fine for close to a full workload on Thursday. Against a strong Tigers offense on Opening Day after struggling this spring, DFS managers will probably be scared off Pivetta as a starter on Thursday.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Diego Padres
March 23, 2026
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) traveled with the Astros back to Houston, where he is currently taking batting practice at Daikin Park, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros have not ruled Pena out for Opening Day. The 28-year-old took swings over the weekend in camp and apparently didn't suffer any setbacks after fracturing the tip of his right ring finger during an exhibition game for the Dominican Republic before the World Baseball Classic. Pena is recovering nicely, but if he isn't cleared to face live pitching before Thursday, there's a good chance he won't be in the Opening Day lineup against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. It's still possible he begins the 2026 campaign on the injured list. Pena's injury shouldn't negatively affect his fantasy value too much to begin the year. As a low-end starting shortstop in fantasy, Pena has 30-30 potential if all the pieces fall in the right place this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 23, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Monday that right-hander
Brandon Woodruff (lat) will make his 2026 season debut on Tuesday, March 31, against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Woodruff got a late start to the 2025 season while recovering from right-shoulder surgery, and then he injured his lat late in the year. It's why the Brew Crew played it safe with the 33-year-old veteran this spring. The good news for fantasy managers who are rolling the dice on Woodruff this year, though, is that he will avoid opening the regular season on the injured list. In just five Cactus League innings in spring training, Woodruff allowed three earned runs while walking two and striking out seven in two starts. DFS managers will probably want to avoid Woodruff early on because of his workload restrictions, but once he's fully stretched out, he can be a high-upside fantasy starter in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
March 23, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) has done so well in his rehab this spring that he will officially begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday and throw three innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Wheeler got the green light to start a rehab assignment this weekend after feeling good during a 29-pitch simulated game in camp on Monday. The 35-year-old veteran had surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome on Sept. 23, but he has looked great while ramping up this spring, and the Phillies are optimistic that he will be able to make his 2026 debut before the end of April. The Phillies already announced that Wheeler will start the season on the 15-day injured list. Although Wheeler is more of a risk in fantasy baseball drafts this spring, his ADP continues to rise with all of the reports on his rehab being excellent. RotoBaller has him currently ranked as the No. 26 fantasy starting pitcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
March 23, 2026
New York Mets outfield prospect
Carson Benge has officially made the team's Opening Day roster, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. It was pretty much a done deal once it was announced over the weekend that
Mike Tauchman needed knee surgery. The 23-year-old could split playing time against left-handers to
Tyrone Taylor in right field, but he figures to be on the strong side of a platoon to begin the 2026 campaign. Benge just looked like he belonged in spring training, hitting .366/.435/.439 with nine strikeouts and four walks in 46 Grapefruit League plate appearances. His fantasy ADP continues to rise now that it's official he'll be in the big leagues to begin the year. The former 19th overall pick and two-way player finished in a rough patch at Triple-A Syracuse last year, but overall he slashed .281/.358/.472 with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 116 games over three minor-league stops in 2025.It's not often a young player is named a starter on Opening Day as he makes his MLB debut.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Mike Puma
March 23, 2026
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Monday that outfielder
Seiya Suzuki (knee) will start the season on the injured list, according to Marquee Sports Network. We already knew that Suzuki wouldn't be ready for Opening Day this week after suffering a sprained PCL in his right knee while playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. The good news for fantasy managers is that the 31-year-old veteran isn't expected to be out long term, and he should make his 2026 season debut at some point in May. With Suzuki out to start the year, fantasy managers should expect some sort of platoon in right field between
Michael Conforto and
Matt Shaw. Suzuki becomes slightly more risky for those who have yet to draft before Opening Day this week. If his knee injury lingers, he could lose plenty of power at the plate after setting career-highs in homers (32) and RBI (103) in 151 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network
March 23, 2026
When asked who might be the Los Angeles Angels' primary closer this year, The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher said, "probably" right-hander
Kirby Yates.
Drew Pomeranz and
Jordan Romano are other options for saves in Anaheim to begin the 2026 season, but Yates feels like the favorite going into this week, with both
Ben Joyce (shoulder) and
Robert Stephenson (shoulder) sidelined by injuries. The 38-year-old veteran had a rough season with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, posting a 5.23 ERA and 1.33 WHIP in 41 1/3 innings, but he had 33 saves as a second-time All-Star in 2024 as a member of the Texas Rangers. Yates also led the league with a career-high 41 saves back in 2019 with the San Diego Padres. Yates' fantasy appeal is rising for managers that need help with saves, but he will be on a short leash with the Angels in the closer's role, and he could quickly shift to a late-inning setup role once Joyce and Stephenson get healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
March 23, 2026
Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't expected to have a designated closer going into the 2026 regular season. Manager
Don Kelly said that right-hander
Dennis Santana will get a lot of time in the ninth inning, but "he won't be the only one." "
Gregory Soto has closed, we've got guys on the back end that can handle it with the stuff they have," Kelly said. Santana is still probably the best fantasy bet for saves in the Steel City, but Soto and
Isaac Mattson could also see opportunities, especially if Santana hits a rough patch at any point. The 29-year-old Dominican had a strong 2.18 ERA (3.21 FIP), 0.87 WHIP, a career-high 16 saves, 60 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 70 1/3 innings in a career year with the Bucs in 2025. Santana saw 10 of the team's final 12 save chances last year after they traded away
David Bednar. This news further cements the fact that Santana remains a risky fantasy closer despite the fact that he's the favorite for saves to begin the year.
--Keith HernandezSource: DK Pittsburgh Sports - Jose Negron
March 23, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw 29 pitches in two innings on a back field in camp on Monday in a simulated game against low-level minor-league hitters with no outfielders and the catcher calling balls and strikes, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Wheeler "let it rip in the second inning" and was happy with the results. He will be with the team in Philadelphia on Opening Day this week and remains on schedule to come off the injured list to make his 2026 debut at some point in April. Wheeler had surgery last September to fix venous thoracic outlet syndrome, which is why he did not pitch at all during spring training this year. His fantasy ADP has continued to rise this spring with positive reports continuing to come in during his rehab. The 35-year-old veteran is a three-time All-Star and has been a fantasy ace for most of his six seasons in Philly. Wheeler is more of a risk in 2026 coming off a unique injury, but the upside is tantalizing if he can return to his pre-injury form.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
March 23, 2026
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team is likely to begin the 2026 campaign with a four-man starting rotation, and right-hander
Luis Gil will not be one of the four, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Max Fried,
Cam Schlittler,
Will Warren, and
Ryan Weathers will be the Yankees' four starters in the rotation to begin the year. Gil will remain behind in Tampa to throw live batting practice on Wednesday, according to pitching coach Matt Blake. New York is considering optioning Gil to the minors to begin the year, but if they don't, Blake said he'd be comfortable using Gil in a piggyback role. The 27-year-old Dominican had a 4.66 ERA with six homers allowed, five walks, and 24 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings pitched in six Grapefruit League starts. It's unclear if Gil will be summoned to start when the Yankees finally need a fifth starter on April 11 against the Rays. Gil was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2024, but he only made 11 starts in 2025 due to injury and was much less dominant on the mound.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
March 23, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander
Kyle Leahy will open the 2026 regular season in the team's starting rotation, according to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He'll be joined in the rotation by
Matthew Liberatore,
Michael McGreevy,
Dustin May, and
Andre Pallante. Leahy's first start of the year won't be an easy matchup for fantasy purposes, as he'll face the New York Mets at home on March 30. The 28-year-old former 17th-rounder in 2018 out of Colorado Mesa University has made just one career start (last year) in 98 career appearances since breaking into the league in 2023 in St. Louis, so fantasy managers should expect workload restrictions after he threw 88 innings in the majors in 2025. Leahy had a lackluster 4.58 ERA in Grapefruit League play in 17 2/3 innings pitched, but he did strike out 20 and walk five. The last time Leahy was a full-time starter was in 2022 at Double-A, when he held a 5.23 ERA.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
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