March 24, 2026
The Detroit Tigers announced on Tuesday that shortstop prospect
Kevin McGonigle has made the Opening Day roster. Not only has McGonigle won an Opening Day roster spot, but he's expected to open the 2026 campaign as the team's starting shortstop after hitting .250 (10-for-40) with two home runs, two doubles, a triple, six RBI, eight runs scored, two stolen bases, 11 walks, and eight strikeouts in 19 Grapefruit League contests. The 21-year-old is set to make his major-league debut this Thursday at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres and right-hander
Nick Pivetta. McGonigle's fantasy stock in all formats has been on the rise all spring while displaying maturity beyond his years on both offense and defense. The former first-rounder in 2023 is developing as a power/speed threat, slashing .305/.408/.583 with a .991 OPS, 19 homers, 80 RBI, 68 runs, and 10 stolen bases at three minor-league levels in 2025. RotoBaller has McGonigle ranked as the No. 19 fantasy shortstop. There could be growing pains in his first taste of the majors, but there's no doubt that McGonigle will contribute in all fantasy formats in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Tigers
March 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander
Nick Martinez (hamstring) will have his first start of the 2026 season pushed back to Game 4 due to a minor hamstring issue, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Right-hander
Joe Boyle will now start the second game of the season for the Rays, with
Ryan Pepiot (hip) landing on the 15-day injured list. The 35-year-old Martinez will make his first start for the Rays on Monday, March 30, in Milwaukee against the Brewers. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues and in DFS should be looking to avoid Martinez next week in a bad matchup, especially since he has allowed 18 runs in just 7 2/3 innings in the Grapefruit League in his last two starts. Since returning from a four-year stint in Japan in 2022, Martinez has a 3.67 ERA (3.96 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 433 strikeouts and 141 walks in 61 outings (26 starts). Martinez doesn't walk many, but he lacks the strikeout upside to make him intriguing outside of shallow-mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
March 24, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said that outfielder
Lars Nootbaar (heels) will be evaluated this week for a potential placement on the 60-day injured list, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. If Nootbaar lands on the 60-day IL, he won't be eligible to make his 2026 season debut until late May, so the Cardinals would like to avoid that if possible. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder had surgery to fix deformities in both of his heels in the offseason, and he's just not ready yet. The good news is that he's scheduled to take batting practice with minor-leaguers in camp on Tuesday. Nootbaar has teased fantasy managers for years, but he has never delivered, and now his dynasty/keeper stock is at a new low. Despite playing in a career-high 135 games in 2025, Nootbaar disappointed with a .234/.325/.361 slash line with a career-low .686 OPS, 13 homers, and 48 RBI in 583 plate appearances. Look for
Nathan Church, Thomas Saggesse, and
Jose Fermin to compete for playing time in left field for the Cardinals to begin the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
March 24, 2026
Boston Red Sox right-hander
Johan Oviedo will begin the 2026 season in the bullpen, likely as a piggyback option for rookie left-hander
Connelly Early in his first start of the year on Sunday versus the Cincinnati Reds, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The Red Sox will reassess the situation after a couple of turns through the starting rotation. Oviedo, 28, lost out on the No. 5 starting-rotation spot to Early despite going into his outing on Monday allowing only two earned runs while walking six and striking out 14 in 11 1/3 innings this spring over four Grapefruit League starts. The Cuban hurler then allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings on Monday against the Minnesota Twins with diminished velocity on his pitches. Oviedo will surely make starts for the Red Sox in 2026 in his first year with the team, but he has some things to clean up first, and his opportunities could depend on how Early fares early on. Oviedo is merely an arm to stash in AL-only leagues at the moment.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
March 24, 2026
Colorado Rockies right-handed reliever
Victor Vodnik struck out the only batter he faced and nailed down the save in Monday night's Cactus League win over the Detroit Tigers, and manager Warren Schaefer hinted that it's something we could see more of going into the 2026 regular season, according to Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. "Also, Victor, we're gonna see a lot of that this year late in the game," Schaeffer said. It helps that last year's saves leader for the Rockies, Seth Halvoresen, isn't expected to make the Opening Day roster. In addition to Vodnik,
Juan Mejia and
Jimmy Herget could be options to see save chances for the Rockies in 2026. Even though Vodnik, 26, has struggled in spring training with a 15.43 ERA, five walks, and five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings pitched, he should have a leg up on save chances after recording 10 saves, a 3.02 ERA, and a 49:26 K:BB in 50 2/3 innings in 2025. Only fantasy managers desperate for saves in deeper leagues should seriously consider Vodnik or any other reliever in Colorado's bullpen.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Steve Stockmar
March 24, 2026
New York Yankees shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will hit off the Trajekt machine this week, and he'll progress to facing live pitching next week, according to Greg Joyce of The New York Post. Volpe is working his way back from left shoulder surgery and won't be ready for Opening Day. However, he believes he's making good progress, and a late-April or early-May return still appears to be in play. Hitting off the Trajekt machine is a step in the right direction for Volpe, because it means he can face factors like increased velocity, spin, and break. The same can be said about Volpe facing live pitching next week. The young shortstop is surely eager to get back and avenge last season, which included a .212/.272/.391 slash line, a 25.2% strikeout rate, and a career-low 83 wRC+. He was also held to fewer than 20 steals for the first time in his career.
--Andersen PickardSource: Greg Joyce
March 24, 2026
Boston Red Sox first baseman
Triston Casas (knee) will stay in Fort Myers to continue his recovery, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Casas suffered a ruptured left patellar tendon on May 2, 2025, and hasn't played since then. At this point, it seems likely he'll remain sidelined on the one-year anniversary of his injury. The first baseman didn't get into any Grapefruit League games this spring, but he did log some innings in a minor league game. So far, Casas has been cleared to hit against live pitching, but not run the bases or slide. Once he's cleared for those activities, the Red Sox can schedule him for a rehab assignment in Triple-A. He remains on track for a return sometime in mid-to-late May, but even when he gets back to the majors, he'll have to compete for playing time.
Willson Contreras, acquired from the Cardinals during the offseason, is Boston's projected everyday first baseman.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chris Cotillo
March 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher
Joe Boyle will open the season as the team's No. 2 starter, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. Boyle was originally projected to start the year in Triple-A, but he'll now shift to the big-league rotation after
Ryan Pepiot (hip) was placed on the 15-day injured list. At a minimum, Boyle will make two starts, but there's a strong chance that he could stay in the rotation longer. His third start would be scheduled for April 8, which is the same day that Pepiot is eligible to be activated. If Pepiot misses the minimum amount of time, Boyle will likely head back to the bullpen or minors after two starts. Otherwise, he'd be on track for three-plus. The 26-year-old is no stranger to longer appearances, as nine of his 13 outings last year were starts. Across 52 total innings, he posted a 4.19 FIP with 10.04 K/9 and 4.85 BB/9. He also brought his ground ball rate up to a career-high 43.8% mark.
--Andersen PickardSource: Marc Topkin
March 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop
Carson Williams has made the Opening Day roster, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. Williams will be the team's starting shortstop. The 22-year-old made his MLB debut just last season, appearing in 32 games. He definitely offered more value in the field than at the plate, slashing just .172/.219/.354 with a 41.5% strikeout rate and 54 wRC+. At Triple-A prior to his promotion, he had a mere .213 batting average but offered power and speed with 23 homers and 22 stolen bases. In his first full season at the major league level, we wouldn't be shocked to see Williams continue to hit right around the Mendoza line while still offering solid power, impressive speed, and above-average defense. The 2026 ZiPS projections have Williams launching 21 homers, stealing 16 bags, and posting 91 wRC+. Now that he's penciled into the starting role, he should handle enough playing time to get on the fantasy radar, especially in deeper leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Marc Topkin
March 24, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Ryan Pepiot (hip) has been placed on the 15-day injured list, according to Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. Pepiot has been dealing with right hip inflammation, and as a result, he won't be available for the first couple of weeks of the regular season. That's crushing news for the Rays, who are dealing with several pitcher injuries and were hoping Pepiot could be a source of health and stability in the rotation. He threw a career-high 167.2 innings over 31 starts last year, posting a 3.86 ERA with 8.96 K/9 and 3.27 BB/9. Moving forward, the Rays and fantasy managers will look for Pepiot to get healthy and minimize loud contact. He allowed 1.40 HR/9 last year (consistent with his career rate) and surrendered ground balls at a 38.2% clip, which was somehow the highest mark of his career.
Joe Boyle will occupy Pepiot's slot in the rotation until the 28-year-old is able to return.
--Andersen PickardSource: Marc Topkin
March 24, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect JJ Wetherhold is likely to bat in the leadoff spot on Opening Day on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander
Drew Rasmussen, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Wetherholt, 23, will be the team's starting second baseman after posting a .780 OPS, two home runs, seven RBI, six runs scored, two stolen bases, nine walks, and seven strikeouts in 15 Grapefruit League games. He came up through the minors as a shortstop, but he'll begin his big-league career at the keystone with
Masyn Winn entrenched at the 6. Wetherholt will likely hit lower in the batting order against lefties. In 109 games last year at Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis, the former seventh overall pick in 2024 out of West Virginia hit .306/.421/.510 with a .931 OPS, 17 homers, 59 RBI, 82 runs, and 23 stolen bases in 496 plate appearances. Wetherholt's hit tool is stronger than his power profile, but he could eventually be a 20- to 25-homer guy at second base. RotoBaller currently has Wetherholt ranked as the No. 17 fantasy second baseman.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
March 24, 2026
Colorado Rockies outfielder
Mickey Moniak (finger) was removed from Monday night's Cactus League game out of an abundance of caution after hitting his right ring finger while diving back to first base, according to Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette. Manager Warren Schaeffer thinks Moniak "will be fine." The 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now, and he should be fine for Opening Day later this week. Moniak broke out in his first year in Denver in 2025, hitting .270/.306/.518 with an .824 OPS, 24 home runs, 68 RBI, 62 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 461 plate appearances over 135 games played. He became more selective at the plate, which lowered his strikeout rate. The drawbacks are that his numbers weren't as good on the road, and he still has issues against left-handed pitchers. Fantasy managers should limit their exposure to Moniak only at home against right-handed arms, where he can do plenty of damage.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Denver Gazette - Kevin Henry
March 24, 2026
Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Connelly Early will make his first regular-season start of the year on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Right-hander
Johan Oviedo, who has been battling for the No. 5 starting spot in spring training, will open in the bullpen and will likely be a piggyback option. The Red Sox will re-assess after a couple of turns through the rotation. Early could easily be sent to the bullpen or to the minors in 2026 if he starts to struggle, but the young southpaw has earned a rotation spot after recording a 1.59 ERA with 16 strikeouts and only five walks in 17 innings in the Grapefruit League. The 23-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2023 out of Virginia also looked good in his MLB debut in 2025, posting a 2.33 ERA (0.91 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and 29:4 K:BB in 19 1/3 innings. Early has a versatile repertoire, has a pretty clean injury history, and is good at inducing weak contact. His stock in all fantasy formats is on the rise.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
March 24, 2026
Colorado Rockies first baseman
T.J. Rumfield has emerged as a breakout candidate to watch this spring training. The Rockies added Rumfield from the Yankees, who didn't have room for the 25-year-old lefty who hit .285 with 16 dingers in Triple-A last season. Rumfield seems to have claimed the wide-open job as the Rockies' starting 1B coming into the season, after hitting .296 with five homers in his first 22 games this spring training. He has only one strikeout in 62 plate appearances, which will be a huge change for Rockies fans used to
Michael Toglia's high strikeout rate from last year. Rumfield may not have the raw power of Toglia, but he's showcased good pop this spring and will get the boost from playing his home games at Coors Field. He has shown enough potential to definitely be a name to watch early in the year from the waiver wire.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
March 24, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Carson Benge is set to make a splash early in the season. He has officially made the roster and should play a regular role in the outfield. The lefty could end up in a platoon with righty
Tyrone Taylor, but he should get enough time to make a real impact as part of the Mets' solid offense. The 23-year-old impressed in spring training this year, posting a .366/.435/.439 with a double, a triple, a stolen base, nine strikeouts, and four walks in 46 Grapefruit League plate appearances. His ADP is on the rise, and he makes a great addition towards the end of mixed-league drafts. If he gets through the draft, he'll be a great addition from the early-season waiver wire with plenty of potential to be a contributor all season long.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
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