March 1, 2026
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Justin Steele (elbow) has been cleared for "full go" on throwing and is eyeing a return to the big-league mound in either May or June, per Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Steele is making his way back from elbow surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign last April. In 2024, Steele pitched to a 5-5 record with a 3.07 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 135 strikeouts across 134 2/3 innings (24 starts). The 30-year-old left-hander owns a career K-BB rate of 17.1% and posted a WHIP of 1.17 or lower in both 2023 and 2024. Upon his return, Steele should be locked into a spot in the Cubs' rotation, which will provide him a chance to rack up wins. Depending on the league format, fantasy managers will have to gauge how long they are willing to hold Steele through the early portion of the season. Still, Steele should be a quality fantasy starting pitcher once he makes it back to the mound for Chicago.
--Will BradySource: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
March 1, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Samuel Basallo (abdomen) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox. Basallo was forced to make an early exit during Thursday's game due to abdominal discomfort. He received a few days off to rest and is ready to return behind the plate on Sunday. The 21-year-old struggled during his 31 games with the Orioles last season. Despite some early struggles, the Orioles have confidence that Basallo can be their catcher of the future. He'll bat cleanup and start behind the plate against the Red Sox on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Weyrich
March 1, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a two-year extension with manager Oliver Marmol on Sunday. This new deal begins after this season and includes the 2027 and 2028 seasons. Marmol also has a club option for the 2029 campaign. This will give Marmol the comfort to manage this team during the rebuild without fear of being fired. Over his first four seasons, Marmol has a 325-323 (.502) record, but he hasn't made the postseason since his first season in St. Louis. The Cardinals are at the beginning of a rebuild, so the expectations probably aren't too high for this team in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Derrick Goold
March 1, 2026
Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Thomas White (oblique) will see his Spring Training come to an end after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain. White will be sidelined for 3-4 weeks, which means we won't see him again in camp. The 21-year-old is arguably the top prospect in the Marlins' farm system right now. He received an invite to Spring Training, but was always expected to begin the season in the minor leagues. He registered a 2.51 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 145/51 K/BB ratio across 21 starts in three different minor league levels last season. White should begin the year in Triple-A, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him in Miami at some point this season.
--Andy WebbSource: Christina De Nicola
March 1, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher
Carmen Mlodzinski will compete for a starting rotation spot during Spring Training. He worked as a starter to begin the 2025 season, but ultimately shifted to the bullpen. Mlodzinski posted a 6.58 ERA, a .330 batting average against and an .858 OPS in six starts in March and April. He was demoted to the minor leagues and returned as an excellent reliever for the Pirates. He registered a 1.89 ERA over 47 2/3 innings in his final 20 appearances. Mlodzinski believes that success as a reliever gave him the confidence that he needed to become a successful starting pitcher. The Pirates do have a spot or two available at the back-end of the rotation, but multiple pitchers are vying for that spot. So far this spring, Mlodzinski has thrown two scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
--Andy WebbSource: Kevin Gorman
March 1, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jacob Melton (thumb) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves. Melton was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to left thumb soreness. He received a few days off to rest and is now ready to play again. He's currently competing for a spot in the outfield on the Opening Day roster. Melton was acquired by the Rays earlier in the offseason in a three-team trade with the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old struggled during his 32 big league games last season, but has plus speed and is normally someone who can make consistent contact.
--Andy WebbSource: Marc Topkin
February 28, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder
Keston Hiura (hand) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's Cactus League matchup against the Chicago Cubs. Hiura exited immediately after taking a 97-mph sinker off his hand during the fifth inning of Saturday's contest. The severity of the injury is unknown, but Hiura is likely going to at least miss a few days. The 29-year-old is attempting to make the roster as a bench player, but has an uphill battle ahead of him. Hiura spent most of his time in Triple-A Albuquerque with the Colorado Rockies organization last season. He slashed .272/.369/.507 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI in 100 games. He hasn't seen significant big league action since the 2022 season with the Milwaukee Brewers.
--Andy WebbSource: Jack Vita
February 28, 2026
Athletics shortstop
Leo De Vries (illness) was removed early during Saturday's Spring Training contest against the San Francisco Giants. De Vries was pulled out of the game due to illness, which was likely dehydration. Luckily, this sounds like something minor that shouldn't keep De Vries sidelined for long. The expectation is that he'll be back in the lineup within a day or two. The 19-year-old is viewed as one of the top prospects in the league. He made it to Double-A last season and is likely going to open the 2026 season there or in Triple-A. There's a chance that De Vries makes his MLB debut in 2026, but that depends on how he performs in the minors. Regardless, the future is extremely bright for the youngster.
--Andy WebbSource: Martin Gallegos
February 28, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) underwent imaging after being scratched ahead of Saturday's game. The MRI has revealed that Stowers has suffered a minor hamstring strain. This sounds like a good diagnosis as far as hamstring injuries go. The Marlins expect Stowers to miss 1-2 weeks of action. Barring any setbacks, Stowers should be ready to go by the beginning of the regular season. The 28-year-old is coming off a breakout campaign with the Marlins last season. Stowers slashed .288/.386/.544 with 25 home runs and 73 RBI in 117 games. Assuming he's healthy to begin the season, Stowers should offer top-30 fantasy outfielder value.
--Andy WebbSource: Christian De Nicola
February 28, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Cody Bellinger (back) is dealing with a back injury that could sideline him for a few days. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Bellinger's back went out on him. This is a similar issue to what Bellinger dealt with early last season. The Yankees aren't going to take any risks this early into camp. The plan is to give Bellinger a few days off before getting him back in the lineup as early as Tuesday. Bellinger signed a five-year, $162 million deal with the Yankees over the offseason. He's expected to be a key piece in the middle of the order this season. This sounds like a minor issue that should only sideline Bellinger for a couple of days.
--Andy WebbSource: Bryan Hoch
February 28, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (wrist) is likely going to be ready for Opening Day. On Saturday, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo said he wouldn't be surprised if Carroll was back for the season opener. Carroll is currently recovering from a broken hamate bone in his wrist that he suffered earlier this month. It's hard to believe that Carroll would be ready by late March, but the organization has faith in a quick recovery. Carroll slashed .259/.343/.541 with 31 home runs, 84 RBI, and 32 steals in 143 games. Despite the injury, Carroll should still be viewed as a first-rounder in fantasy drafts.
--Andy WebbSource: Nick Piecoro
February 28, 2026
The Kansas City Royals agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent outfielder
Starling Marte on Saturday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The deal is pending a physical. Marte is heading into his 15th season in the big leagues and shouldn't be expected to see regular playing time in Kansas City. At best, he'll serve as an outfield/designated-hitter option off the bench against left-handed pitchers. The 37-year-old two-time All-Star hit a solid .270/.335/.410 with a .745 OPS in 98 games with the New York Mets last year, but it came with only nine home runs, 34 RBI, 37 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 329 plate appearances. Volume definitely isn't going to be there for Marte, even if he stays healthy. Marte hasn't played in over 100 games since 2022, when he was an All-Star for the second time in his career. Speed has always been Marte's biggest tool for fantasy managers, but he hasn't stolen over 30 bags since 2021.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
February 28, 2026
San Francisco Giants first baseman
Rafael Devers (hamstring) is being withheld from all activity for the next two to four days due to left-hamstring tightness, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. The Giants scratched Devers from the Cactus League game on Friday, and now they will hold him out for a few more days as a precaution. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter should have time to get ready for Opening Day in late March, but only if he doesn't have any further setbacks once he returns to baseball activities. If he were to land on the injured list for the start of the 2026 regular season, first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge would likely start at first base. Devers will have a full season at a very pitcher-friendly ballpark in 2026 in San Fran, but he still has a pretty solid floor as a top-10 fantasy first baseman. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger managed 35 homers with Boston and the Giants in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
February 28, 2026
Atlanta Braves superstar outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. looked to be in midseason form in Friday's Grapefruit League win over the Boston Red Sox, going 2-for-3 with a grand slam, three runs scored, two stolen bases, a walk, and a strikeout. The grand slam was Acuna's first spring homer, and it came in the third inning off minor-league pitcher
Steven Brooks. The 28-year-old has already torn the ACL in his knee twice, but he's still worth the risk in all fantasy baseball drafts in the first round as a top-10 overall player. The Venezuelan outfielder hit .290/.417/.518 with a .935 OPS, 21 home runs, 42 RBI, 74 runs, and nine stolen bases in 95 games played last year. The five-time All-Star and former MVP hit 40 home runs, drove in over 100 runs, and stole 73 bases in 2023, and if he starts to run more again in 2026, he'll be worth every penny if he stays healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
February 28, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect
JJ Wetherholt homered for his first spring training hit in Friday's Grapefruit League game versus the New York Mets. Per MLB Pipeline, Wetherhold is the No. 5 prospect going into the 2026 season. The home run he hit on Friday traveled 422 feet and had a 105.4 mph exit velocity. The bomb came off Mets closer
Devin Williams. The 23-year-old has only one hit in his four spring training games, but he's added four walks and a stolen base. Wetherholt came up through the minors as a shortstop, but he's expected to be St. Louis' starting second baseman on Opening Day this year. The former seventh overall pick in 2024 hit an impressive .306 with a .421 on-base percentage, 17 home runs, and 23 stolen bases in 109 games at Double-A and Triple-A last year. Wetherholt has nothing left to prove in the minors and should eventually be a middle infielder with 20-homer power.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Pipeline
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