February 6, 2026
The Boston Red Sox claimed infielder
Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the Washington Nationals on Friday, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox are the fifth team to have picked up Cheng so far this offseason. The 24-year-old Taiwanese infielder made his major-league debut last year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he played in just three games and was hitless with three strikeouts in seven plate appearances. He wasn't much better in the minors at Triple-A Indianapolis over 107 games, slashing .209/.307/.271 with a .578 OPS, one home run, 36 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 397 plate appearances. Cheng is known mostly for his speed and reliable glove on defense, so he can be ignored for fantasy purposes. He will most likely open the year at Triple-A Worcester if he sticks around with Boston beyond spring training.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
February 6, 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays claimed outfielder
Victor Mesa Jr. from the Miami Marlins on Friday, sources told Francys Romero. The athletic Cuban outfielder will have a real opportunity to win an Opening Day roster spot out of spring training with the Rays. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter made his major-league debut in 2025 with the Marlins and really struggled at the plate, going 6-for-32 (.188) with one home run, six RBI, five walks, and five strikeouts in a small sample size of only 16 games played. Mesa looked a lot better at Triple-A Jacksonville in 171 plate appearances, posting an OPS of .887 while hitting .301 with seven home runs and 30 RBI. If Mesa wins a roster spot with the Rays to begin the 2026 regular season, he'll most likely be an extra outfielder off the bench.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
February 6, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have signed infielder
Owen Miller to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Miller figures to compete for a bench role during camp. He spent most of his time in Triple-A Albuquerque in the Colorado Rockies organization last season. He slashed .277/.329/.429 with 11 home runs, 65 RBI, and 13 steals in Triple-A last season. The 29-year-old is capable of playing multiple positions, which is always a plus as a role player. Miller hasn't seen much MLB action since playing 90 games with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. He's unlikely to offer much fantasy value even if he does end up making the 26-man roster.
--Andy WebbSource: Milb Central
February 6, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever
Edwin Uceta won his salary arbitration case against the team on Friday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Uceta will make $1.525 million in 2026 after the Rays offered him $1.2 million. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler will return to the Rays for his third season this year after going 10-3 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, one save, and a 103:27 K:BB in 76 relief innings. His 103 punchouts were a new career high in his fifth year in the big leagues. Uceta was even better for the Rays in 2024, with a 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, a career-high five saves, and a 57:8 K:BB in 41 2/3 frames. He gets plenty of swings and misses with his fastball/changeup combination, and he's expected to open the 2026 campaign in a closer-by-committee role in Tampa. Uceta was one of just five relief pitchers last year to reach the 100-strikeout mark, so even if he's not racking up many save chances, he should be useful for his strikeout ratios.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 6, 2026
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
Reese Olson (shoulder) might not be ready for the beginning of the regular season, according to Evan Petzold. Olson went down in July due to a strained shoulder and never returned to the mound. He reportedly began throwing in December, but doesn't appear quite ready to pitch yet. If Olson does miss time,
Troy Melton is the most likely candidate to take his spot in the starting rotation. Before going down last season, Olson posted a 3.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 65/25 K/BB ratio in 13 starts. He has been a viable pitcher when healthy, but hasn't pitched more than 22 games since making his debut in 2023. The Tigers should give a better timetable on Olson once Spring Training ramps up.
--Andy WebbSource: The Detroit Times
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
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