March 4, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Cody Bellinger (back), who has been dealing with some back soreness in camp the last few days, took live batting practice on Wednesday and came out of it fine, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. Bellinger is scheduled to return to the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday afternoon against the Minnesota Twins. In three spring training games before his back injury, the 30-year-old two-time All-Star and former MVP went 4-for-9 (.444) with an RBI and a run scored. Barring a setback, he should be ready to rock on Opening Day later this month for the Yankees. Bellinger is considered a top-25 fantasy outfielder going into his 10th year in the big leagues after slashing .272/.334/.480 with an .813 OPS, 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 steals in 152 regular-season games in 2025 in his first year in the Bronx.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Erik Boland
March 4, 2026
Chicago Cubs third baseman
Matt Shaw will begin to play more outfield over the next two weeks in spring training, according to Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network. Levine reported in mid-February that Shaw is expected to start in right field in Chicago this year against left-handed pitchers, with outfielder
Seiya Suzuki moving to designated hitter on those days. The 24-year-old didn't exactly play well in his first exposure to big-league pitching in 2025, slashing .226/.295/.394 with a .690 OPS, 13 home runs, 44 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 437 plate appearances over 126 regular-season games. Shaw will be in more of a super-utility role in his sophomore season. The role won't help Shaw's case to rack up counting stats in fantasy, but it could make him more productive overall at the plate. Shaw's fantasy stock has fallen going into 2026, but he's still worth consideration as corner-infield depth late in drafts, and he should eventually have outfield eligibility.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network - Bruce Levine
March 4, 2026
Updating a previous report, Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Hunter Greene (elbow) said he has no damage to the UCL in his right elbow, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Greene pitched through some elbow soreness late last year and admitted that he has bone spurs in his arm, but he believes his UCL is intact. We will know for sure once the results of his MRI exam come back. The 26-year-old had an injection in the offseason and felt fine before dealing with more discomfort this spring. Even if Greene doesn't have UCL damage, which would be great news, he could still be a candidate to open the 2026 season on the injured list. Greene, a former second overall pick in 2017, was an All-Star in 2024 and is a top-15 starting pitcher in fantasy when healthy. In his fourth year in the majors in 2025, he went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132:26 K:BB in 107 2/3 innings over 19 starts. Greene has ace upside, but he's yet to make 30 starts or reach 200 innings in a single season.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
March 4, 2026
New York Mets right-hander
Nolan McLean (illness) is no longer dealing with vertigo-like symptoms and will throw roughly 50 to 55 pitches or four innings in a simulated game in camp on Wednesday, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. As long as the vertigo-like symptoms don't return for McLean, he should be cleared to pitch for Team USA against Italy in the World Baseball Classic on March 10. In his Grapefruit League debut last week against the Houston Astros, the young right-hander looked great, striking out six over four scoreless innings. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Oklahoma State looked great in his MLB debut last year, too, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA (2.97 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, and 57:16 K:BB in 48 innings over his eight starts. There's a lot to like about the former two-way player as he heads into his first full MLB season locked into New York's starting rotation. Treat him as a high-end No. 3 starter/low-end No. 2 starting pitcher in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Laura Albanese
March 4, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Hunter Greene (elbow) is dealing with a right-elbow injury and will undergo an MRI exam, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Greene won't throw until at least next Tuesday and is now in danger of not being ready for Opening Day at the end of March. The 26-year-old's elbow issue dates back to the final five or six starts from last year. He received an injection in the offseason and felt fine, but the discomfort has returned this spring. Greene said that he knows he has bone spurs in his elbow, but there's no UCL damage. In his Cactus League start on Saturday, he gave up four runs on five hits in just one inning of work. He has one of the best arms in the game and is currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 10 starting pitcher in fantasy, so losing Greene for a chunk of time to begin the season would be a big blow to the Reds and Greene's 2026 value.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
March 3, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Emmet Sheehan (illness) "figures to be a leading candidate" for one of the final two spots in the team's Opening Day starting rotation this year, but he's a bit behind schedule in camp after dealing with a sickness, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Along with Sheehan,
River Ryan and
Justin Wrobleski are candidates to open the year in L.A.'s rotation. The 26-year-old Sheehan is very intriguing for mixed-league starting fantasy rotations after going 6-3 last year with a 2.82 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 0.97 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 22 walks in 73 1/3 innings over 15 regular-season appearances (12 starts). Sheehan should make his Cactus League debut soon, and he still has time to get ready for Opening Day in late March. The former sixth-rounder has No. 3 starter upside in fantasy; the only problem is that he's not a lock to stick in the rotation all year long.
--Keith HernandezSource: The California Post - Jack Harris
March 3, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Brady Singer had a tough time at the office in his Cactus League debut on Monday night against the Chicago Cubs, allowing five earned runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out one in two innings of work. Singer threw 46 pitches in the outing but was able to generate just one swing and miss. The 29-year-old is heading into his second year in Cincy after going 14-12 with a 4.03 ERA (3.98 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, and 163:60 K:BB in 169 2/3 innings over 32 starts in 2025. He should once again be a valuable back-end starter for the Reds in 2026, although he's tougher to get behind in fantasy in one of the more hitter-friendly ballparks in the big leagues. The key to Singer's success is his sinker, which he will need to keep the ball out of the air in Cincy. His career 22.1% strikeout rate doesn't give him much fantasy upside either, which is why he's ranked just inside the top 100 starting pitchers at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 3, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Christian Yelich is penciled in for his Cactus League debut on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Yelich isn't injured at all, but the Brewers weren't in a rush to put the 34-year-old veteran with a history of back injuries on the field right away this spring. The three-time All-Star and former MVP hit .264/.343/.452 with a .795 OPS, 29 home runs, 103 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases in 644 plate appearances over 150 regular-season games in 2025 in his seventh year in Milwaukee. It was the first time that Yelich reached 20-plus home runs since 2019 and only the second time in his 13-year career that he had over 100 RBI. Yelich could have outfield eligibility in some fantasy leagues, but he will primarily serve as the DH for the Brew Crew in 2026 in an effort to keep him healthy. He's no spring chicken and comes with plenty of durability concerns, but when healthy, Yelich is a consistent run producer with a solid floor. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 28 fantasy outfielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 3, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Quinn Priester (wrist) might not be ready for Opening Day later this month as a precaution after last year's wrist discomfort, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers have chosen to slow-play Priester this spring, which is why the 25-year-old has yet to pitch in a Cactus League game in spring training. Priester's wrist injury isn't a concern, though, which is the good news. The only thing that might delay him from making his 2026 debut is the fact that he might not be fully built up by then. Priester, a former 18th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019, was great for the Brew Crew last year in his first season with the team, going 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA (4.01 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with a career-high 132 strikeouts and 50 walks in 157 1/3 innings over 29 outings (24 starts). He has limited strikeout upside and will likely be due for some regression in 2026, but Priester is a rising late-round target for starting pitching depth in mixed leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 3, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) could throw a bullpen session next week, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Hader came into spring training last month with left-biceps inflammation and has been limited to throwing on flat ground so far. The move to throwing off a mound is a big step for the 31-year-old, but it doesn't necessarily ensure that he'll be ready to go by Opening Day in late March. Fantasy managers need to keep in mind that the hard-throwing southpaw also missed the last seven weeks of the 2025 regular season due to a left-shoulder strain. Typically an elite closer in fantasy, Hader's stock is falling due to injury concerns going into the 2026 campaign. Meanwhile,
Bryan Abreu has become a popular late-round target as the likely ninth-inning replacement if Hader begins the year on the injured list.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
March 3, 2026
Houston Astros infielder
Isaac Paredes will make his first Grapefruit League start at first base on Tuesday night, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Manager Joe Espada said Paredes' practice "work around the base has been good -- holding runners, scoops, all that." Paredes will move back to third base for his next start. The Astros are moving the 27-year-old around the diamond at third, second, and first this spring to try to find additional ways to get him into the starting lineup regularly.
Carlos Correa is the primary third baseman, while
Jose Altuve is moving back to second full-time in 2026, leaving Paredes without a permanent defensive home. If he isn't traded before Opening Day, Paredes may serve in more of a utility infield role. The two-time All-Star hit 20 home runs in only 102 games last year in his first season in Houston, and he has plenty of pop in his bat, but his fantasy value will remain limited as long as he stays with the Astros.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
March 3, 2026
Boston Red Sox infielder
Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) got discouraging MRI results back on his injured shoulder, prompting him to seek a second opinion. The 29-year-old is expected to see Dr. Neal ElAttrache, but manager Alex Cora has already stated that he anticipates that the right-handed slugger is going to need surgery. The former first-rounder was competing for a roster spot this spring, however, it looks like he'll begin the season on the injured list. While the veteran offers some decent pop that could make him interesting for fantasy, he's off the radar until he returns to the big league lineup.
--Jarod RuppSource: Tim Healey
March 3, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly (back) is throwing from out to 60 feet, per manager Torey Lovullo. The veteran is dealing with a back injury, but played catch on Sunday, and this is a continuation of a throwing progression that would next get him into a bullpen session. The 37-year-old is optimistic about being ready for Opening Day and would likely join the backend of the Arizona rotation when the season opens if all goes to plan. The right-hander tossed 184 innings in 2025, posting a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts (15.9 percent K-BB%). With an ADP of around pick 200, Kelly is being taken at the back end of most drafts, so it is worth monitoring his progress to make sure he stays on track.
--Jarod RuppSource: Alex D'Agostino
March 3, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher
Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time this spring. Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, it was only about 10 throws, although it was not off the rubber, and the catcher was standing. The right-hander has been dealing with right shoulder soreness, which has slowed his ability to get up to speed this spring. So long as there are no setbacks, the 26-year-old should be ready by Opening Day, however, it could be with Triple-A Oklahoma City, not Los Angeles. The former first-rounder is being viewed as a reliever this season after splitting time as both a starter and reliever in 2025 while spending most of the campaign at Triple-A. The 6-foot-5 hurler struggled to a 5.66 ERA and 1.56 WHIP last year, and didn't show much better splits as a reliever compared to his time as a starter. With a 14.9 percent walk rate in 2025, he'll need to get his command under control before working his way back to the major leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Fabian Ardaya
March 3, 2026
Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher
Hunter Gaddis (forearm) made his spring debut this past Friday, striking out two while allowing no hits or walks in the one-inning outing. However, the right-hander experienced mild forearm tightness following the appearance. According to manager
Stephen Vogt, the 27-year-old went for imaging that "came back clean," and will be reevaluated on Thursday before being built back up. Sounds like a minor injury, and it doesn't appear to put his status for Opening Day in doubt for now. The 6-foot-6 hurler had a strong season for the Guardians in 2025, striking out 73 batters in 66 2/3 innings of work on his way to a 3.11 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and the second-most holds in all of baseball with 35. For fantasy managers looking for some ratio help, Gaddis could be a worthwhile roster addition, especially in the event something were to happen to the Guardians' closer,
Cade Smith, as Gaddis could potentially be the one to step into that role.
--Jarod RuppSource: Tim Stebbins
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