February 11, 2026
There's a chance that Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) will be forced to open the 2026 regular season on the injured list, which would open the door for right-handed reliever
Bryan Abreu to begin the campaign as the team's primary closer. Hader experienced "arm soreness" before his fourth bullpen session of the winter, and imaging showed "bicep inflammation." The veteran closer will resume his throwing program on Wednesday, but Hader's status for Opening Day is now in question. The 28-year-old Abreu was one of just five relievers to record 100 strikeouts in 2025, and he did it for the third straight year. The 28-year-old Dominican added a 2.28 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a career-best seven saves in 70 relief appearances in 2025. If Hader should miss any time at all, Abreu's stock would increase dramatically.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
February 11, 2026
Baltimore Orioles infielder
Jordan Westburg (oblique) is dealing with a strained oblique and will be slow-played to start spring training, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. President of baseball operations Mike Elias said he doesn't expect Westburg to play in Grapefruit League games right away, but he's not currently in jeopardy of missing Opening Day in late March. It's something to watch for the 26-year-old this spring. Baltimore's starting infield is a bit banged up early on, with starting second baseman
Jackson Holliday (hand) set to open the regular season on the injured list with a broken hamate bone. Westburg missed extended stretches in 2025 due to injury as well, first with a hamstring injury, and then due to a right-ankle sprain. When healthy, he makes enough contact and has enough power to be a worthy corner-infield bat. Westburg should be a lock for 20 homers if he can stay healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
February 11, 2026
Houston Astros right-hander
Hunter Brown has been named the team's Opening Day starter, manager Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome. After a breakout 2025 campaign, Brown will be a must-start for fantasy managers in his Opening Day nod in a plus matchup against the Los Angeles Angels at home. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2019 out of Wayne State finished third in the American League Cy Young voting last year after going 12-9 with a career-best 2.43 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 206:57 K:BB in 185 1/3 innings pitched over 31 starts for the Astros. Brown was able to hold opponents to a .201 batting average with a six-pitch mix. He has a high floor because of his ability to neutralize both righties and lefties. Brown might struggle to improve on his 2025 numbers, but going into 2026 fantasy drafts, he should be considered a top-12 starting pitcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
February 11, 2026
Houston Astros catcher
Yainer Diaz (foot) sprained his left foot while playing winter ball in December, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Diaz is still participating in baseball activities, but his running progression will be behind some of the other players. The 27-year-old backstop is hitting and will catch a bullpen session at camp on Wednesday. The Astros don't seem to have any concerns that Diaz might not be ready for Opening Day in late March. The Dominican catcher reached 20 home runs in 2025 for the second time in his career while slashing .256/.284/.417 with a .701 OPS, 70 RBI, and 56 runs scored in 143 games played. Diaz's drop in batting average from .299 to .256 was likely due to his regression in BABIP from .338 to .277. He doesn't have ideal plate discipline, but he makes enough contact to hold a decent average while supplying enough power to make him a low-end starting catcher in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
February 11, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-hander
Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) said he may need to undergo arthroscopic surgery to have bone spurs removed from his right elbow, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. When asked if he fears he could miss the entire 2026 season, Schwellenbach said he doesn't know what the recovery time would be. The 25-year-old was placed on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, so he will at least miss the first two months of the regular season, if not more. It's a tough break for the Braves and for Schwellenbach, who also missed the last three months of last season due to a small fracture in his right elbow. Schwellenbach was coming off a breakout rookie campaign in 2024, and he was showing modest improvements in 2025 before his unfortunate elbow injury. With Schewellenbach out for the foreseeable future and possibly most of the season,
Hurston Waldrep should benefit the most in Atlanta's rotation.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
February 11, 2026
Detroit Tigers catcher
Dillon Dingler (elbow) will be eased into spring training after undergoing a scope on his throwing elbow, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Dingler had a similar arthroscopic surgery on his right arm two years ago, and he doesn't expect to miss much of camp. The 27-year-old is expected to be the Tigers' primary catcher in 2026 after winning a Gold Glove behind the plate in 2025. If he has a setback once he returns to baseball activities,
Jake Rogers would be in line to take over starting duties to begin the season. Dingler hit .278/.327/.425 with a .752 OPS, 13 home runs, 57 RBI, and 54 runs scored in 126 regular-season games in his first full season in the big leagues last year. He cut his strikeout rate drastically from his rookie season, but a .345 BABIP buoyed his batting average. Dingler will be in play as a No. 2 catcher in two-catcher fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit News - Chris McCosky
February 11, 2026
The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-hander
Jordan Montgomery (elbow) to a one-year, $1.25 million deal on Wednesday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Montgomery will make his return to Texas after helping the team win its first World Series championship back in 2023. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw won't make his 2026 debut until around the All-Star break, though, after having a hybrid UCL reconstruction last March. In his last season in 2024 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Montgomery really struggled, going 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 innings over 25 appearances (21 starts). He has now had two left-elbow reconstructions, making it unlikely he'll be able to recapture any of his 2023 magic, especially once he returns in the second half this season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
February 11, 2026
According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston Astros relief pitcher
Josh Hader (biceps) underwent imaging that revealed inflammation in his biceps. Earlier in the offseason, Hader dealt with "arm soreness" as well. While the veteran is expected to resume a throwing program later on Wednesday, his status for Opening Day is "in flux." Managers should continue to closely monitor his status throughout the spring, as he may have a delayed start to the campaign. Last summer, Hader logged only 52 2/3 innings due to a late-season shoulder strain, which cut his campaign short. However, he remained one of the sport's top closers, posting a 2.05 ERA with a 0.86 WHIP and earning 28 saves. If Hader were to miss Opening Day,
Bryan Abreu would hold high-end short-term value in all formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Chandler Rome
February 11, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand) suffered a broken hamate bone during live batting practice on Tuesday and is set to miss significant time this spring. Given this injury, Carroll's status for Opening Day is now in serious question. The star outfielder is a consensus first-round selection in all fantasy formats. Last summer, the former top prospect enjoyed a massive power surge, hitting a career-high 31 long balls with a .259/.343/.541 line. The 25-year-old also swiped 32 bags while generating an elite .372 xwOBA, .529 xSLG, and a 49.9% hard-hit rate, all of which are well above the average marks. Additionally, Carroll drew walks at a stong 10.4% rate, boosting his value in points leagues. With Carroll potentially at danger of missing Opening Day,
Jordan Lawlar could carve out a prominent role early in the campaign in the outfield.
--Andy SmithSource: Steve Gilbert
February 11, 2026
Baltimore Orioles second baseman
Jackson Holliday (hand) will begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list due to a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Jake Rill of MLB.com reported that Holliday will undergo a procedure on Thursday, and his timeline will be measured in "weeks" after Opening Day. The former first overall was poised to have a lead role for the second-straight season, but is now in danger of missing significant time in the opening portion of the campaign. Last summer, Holliday appeared in 149 games and held a .242/.314/.375 slash line with 21 doubles, 17 home runs, and 17 stolen bases. Under the hood, Holliday generated a mdoest .314 xwOBA with a 40.8% hard-hit rate. With Holliday on the shelf to open the season, managers should expect
Blaze Alexander to carve out a starting role and will carry early-season streaming upside.
--Andy SmithSource: Jake Rill
February 11, 2026
According to Scott Lauber of The Inquirer.com, the Philadelphia Phillies continue to shop outfielder
Nick Castellanos on the trade market. Throughout the offseason, the Phillies have made it clear they were looking to move off the veteran outfielder. However, they have yet to find a suitor and now may enter spring training with him still on the roster. In the winter, the Phillies brought in former Texas Rangers outfielder
Adolis Garcia to take his starting role in right field. During the 2025 campaign, Castellanos held a modest .250/.294/.400 slash line with only 17 home runs. He generated a weak .302 xwOBA with a low .242 xBA and a .408 xSLG, all of which were well below the average marks. If they cannot find a trade partner, the Phillies may look to release the 33-year-old.
--Andy SmithSource: Scott Lauber
February 11, 2026
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Wilyer Abreu is viewed as an "everyday" player in the Boston lineup, according to manager Alex Cora. Last summer, Abreu was typically held on the bench when facing southpaws, but he is now expected to earn the starting nod against both right-handed and left-handed pitching. Through 115 games last season, Abreu turned in a strong campaign, posting a .247/.317/.469 slash line with 22 long balls and six stolen bases. Under the hood, the 26-year-old generated an above-average .335 xwOBA with a 12.3% barrel rate, suggesting that his power production could significantly improve if given a full-time role. Additionally, Abreu is an elite defender who will likely provide him a longer leash against southpaws if he struggles. With Abreu projected to see a full-time role in right field, this could limit
Kristian Campbell's opportunities in the outfield and will likely shift
Roman Anthony to a primary DH role.
--Andy SmithSource: Christopher Smith
February 11, 2026
Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect
Ty Madden (shoulder) is expected to be a full-go ahead of spring training. Madden suffered a strained rotator cuff last spring and was unable to pitch the next campaign. However, following a successful offseason, the 25-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the 2026 campaign. In 2024, the Texas product made his MLB debut with the Tigers, logging 23 innings with a 4.30 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out just 17 batters with a modest 7.9% walk rate. Through 79 innings at Triple-A that same season, Madden posted a hefty 7.97 ERA with 1.77 WHIP. Given the missed time, managers should expect Madden to likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A or as a low-leverage bullpen option in the majors if he performs well in spring training.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 11, 2026
According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman
Pavin Smith is expected to play primarily at first base in the upcoming season. In 2025, Smith drew 36 starts at first base while seeing a much higher 47 starts at the DH spot. In 2024, Smith spent most of his time in the outfield, but now appears to be moving to first base for the foreseeable future. Last summer, the 30-year-old was typically deployed on the strong side of a platoon and held a .258/.362/.434 slash line with eight home runs and two stolen bases. However, he generated a strong 46.1% hard-hit rate with an 11.7% barrel rate, suggesting he could see some positive regression in the power department. With
Carlos Santana joining the Diamondbacks, managers should expect Smith to continue to operate as a platoon bat and hold solid streaming upside in deeper leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Steve Gilbert
February 11, 2026
Chicago Cubs catcher
Miguel Amaya (ankle, oblique) feels "100 percent" entering spring training. The team's backstop played in only 28 games during the 2025 campaign due to oblique and ankle injuries. During this limited stint of action, Amaya was quite productive, posting a .281/.314/.500 slash line with nine doubles, four home runs, and a 22:4 K:BB. Under the hood, the 26-year-old generated an elite 38.2% LA-sweet-spot% but with a low .295 xwOBA. With Amaya on the shelf, that paved the way for
Carson Kelly to emerge as the team's top backstop. However, with Amaya back to full health and set to represent Panama in the World Baseball Classic, he could end up sharing the dish with Kelly. Managers should monitor his production in camp in case he faces any setbacks. Given that both will likely share playing time, they are best left for 15-team, two-catcher formats in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: Jordan Bastian
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