March 28, 2026
Seattle Mariners outfielder
Rob Refsnyder is serving as the team's designated hitter and will bat in the leadoff spot on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians and left-hander
Joey Cantillo at T-Mobile Park, according to MLB.com. Refsnyder is known as a lefty killer in his career, and he's the only Mariners player who has faced Cantillo in his career, going 1-for-3 against him. It's Refsnyder's first action of the 2026 season for Seattle after spending the last four years with the Boston Red Sox. The 35-year-old veteran South Korean native is a career .255/.343/.387 hitter with 33 home runs, 154 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in his 10 big-league seasons. Against southpaws, though, Refsnyder has hit .281/.383/.443 with an .826 slash line, and 22 of his 33 career home runs in 791 plate appearances. In comparison, he has just a .633 OPS against right-handers. Similar to what his role was like in Boston, Refsnyder will enter Seattle's lineup as an outfielder or DH against lefties in 2026. With Refsnyder at leadoff, third baseman
Brendan Donovan will move down to the six-hole on Saturday.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Atlanta Braves catcher
Sean Murphy (hip) is doing all baseball activities and could start a minor-league rehab assignment soon, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Murphy wasn't ready for the start of the 2026 season after having surgery last September to fix a labral tear in his right hip. Because of the severity of his injury, expect the Braves to give Murphy plenty of time on his rehab assignment, especially since they are covered at catcher in the big leagues with both
Drake Baldwin and
Jonah Heim. The 31-year-old veteran and former All-Star made his first All-Star squad in his first year in Atlanta in 2023, slashing .251/.365/.478 with an .844 OPS, 21 home runs, 68 RBI, and 65 runs scored in 108 games played. Since then, Murphy has struggled to stay healthy and has played in 166 games in the last two years, hitting just .197/.293/.384 with 26 homers and 70 RBI. Murphy is no longer Atlanta's primary catcher after Baldwin won National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2025, but he should play pretty regularly between catcher and designated hitter.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
March 28, 2026
Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever
Hunter Gaddis (forearm) is starting his minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A Columbus, according to Arthur Kinney of Next Year in Cleveland. Gaddis landed on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 season with right-forearm tightness. It's not a serious injury, so Gaddis could be ready to come off the IL when eligible in early April after a couple of rehab outings on the farm. When healthy, the 27-year-old figures to be a high-leverage setup man for Cleveland in front of closer
Cade Smith at the back of the bullpen. The former fifth-round pick in 2019 out of Georgia State had a sharp 1.57 ERA in 2024 and posted a 3.11 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, his first three career saves, a career-high 73 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 66 2/3 relief innings in 2025. Gaddis is a solid source of holds for the Guards when he's healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Next Year in Cleveland - Arthur Kinney
March 28, 2026
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder/designated hitter
Masataka Yoshida will start three of the team's next five games, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Cora feels comfortable putting Yoshida in left field when they begin a series in Houston against the Astros next week. However, Yoshida is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game in Cincinnati against the Reds and right-hander
Brady Singer. Fantasy managers should expect Yoshida to make his first start of the 2026 season in Sunday's finale in Cincy. With Yoshida getting set to enter the starting nine soon, it will push one of
Roman Anthony,
Jarren Duran,
Wilyer Abreu, or
Ceddanne Rafaela out of the lineup. The 32-year-old Japanese outfielder has seen his fantasy stock fall dramatically in 2026 after he played in just 55 games in 2025 due to a shoulder injury. Yoshida makes plenty of contact at the plate and has a .282 average through three seasons, but the power hasn't been there, and his less-than-stellar defensive work in the outfield leaves him more susceptible than ever to sitting on the bench in Boston.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
March 28, 2026
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone sat on the bench in the Opening Day loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday with tough left-hander
Chris Sale on the mound, but he will make his 2026 starting debut on Saturday at Truist Park, according to MLB.com. Caglianone is starting in right field and is batting seventh against Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez. The Royals have said that Cags will start against left-handed pitchers this year, but they wanted to protect him to kick off the season against one of the most dominant southpaws in the game. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger has high-end power potential, but he looked overmatched in his MLB debut last year, hitting .157 (33-for-210) with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 18 walks, and 52 strikeouts in 232 plate appearances. The good news is that he didn't strike out all that much. Caglianone will get a longer runway in 2026 and could be an asset in all fantasy leagues, but he'll need to make more consistent hard contact to get there.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena is getting the day off on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park, according to MLB.com. Pena did not start on Opening Day on Thursday due to a fractured finger that he suffered earlier this spring while preparing for the World Baseball Classic, but he made his 2026 season debut in Friday night's loss and went 2-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base. Veteran
Carlos Correa will make another start at the 6 on Saturday, with
Isaac Paredes starting at third base against Angels left-hander
Reid Detmers. The 28-year-old Pena's performance on Friday was a good sign that his finger won't affect his production at the plate early in the season. Pena should be back in the starting lineup and at shortstop for the series finale against the Halos on Sunday. Correa has hit .222 with a homer and three RBI in nine career at-bats against Detmers, while Paredes has hit .333 against him with one RBI in six at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
With Texas Rangers right-hander
Jacob deGrom (neck) scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park due to neck stiffness, left-hander
Jacob Latz will make the spot start. The 29-year-old Latz was competing for a spot in Texas' starting rotation in spring training, but he lost out to former first-rounder Kamar Rocker. Latz made 33 appearances for the Rangers in 2025, including eight starts. In a career-high 85 2/3 innings pitched, he had a solid 2.84 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 37 walks in 33 appearances. In his eight starts, he had a 2.72 ERA with 34 punchouts and 15 walks in 39 2/3 innings pitched. Latz is a decent fallback option for the Rangers for their first spot start of the season, but in DFS, fantasy managers will want to avoid him on the road in a hitter-friendly venue against a strong lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
March 28, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman
Andrew Vaughn (hand) fractured the left hamate bone in his hand on Opening Day on Thursday and will require surgery, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Vaughn is expected to need four to six weeks of recovery. The Brewers placed Vaughn on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. It's a tough break for the former White Sox first baseman, who came to life in Milwaukee after being acquired from Chicago last year. In 64 games with the Brew Crew, he hit .308/.375/.493 with an .869 OPS, nine home runs, 46 RBI, and 26 runs scored in 254 plate appearances. With Vaughn going on the IL, the Brewers recalled catching prospect
Jeferson Quero. Veteran catcher
Gary Sanchez figures to platoon at first base with
Jake Bauers, while Quero gives starting catcher
William Contreras a breather when he needs it behind the plate. In the Opening Day win on Thursday over his former team, the White Sox, Vaughn went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 28, 2026
Texas Rangers right-hander
Jacob deGrom (neck) said he woke up on Saturday with a stiff neck, which is why he was scratched from his scheduled outing in Philadelphia against the Phillies, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The Rangers decided not to push it with the oft-injured veteran, and deGrom feels "confident" that he'll make a start on the current road trip. It's good news for the Rangers and for fantasy managers, but it's also another reminder that it's hard to trust the 37-year-old veteran when it comes to durability. On the bright side, it's good news that it's not related to deGrom's arm.
Jacob Latz will make the spot start on Saturday versus the Phillies. As of right now, deGrom is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles. He'll be more of a risky fantasy play in that matchup in his first start of the 2026 season if he makes it.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
March 28, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) will make his first minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that Wheeler will make another rehab outing on Friday against Triple-A Durham, then another one at Double-A Reading. It's possible that Wheeler would make a fourth rehab outing after that, but it's not set in stone. Wheeler is scheduled to throw three innings and/or 50 pitches in his start on Saturday for the Iron Pigs. It's the first game action for the 35-year-old veteran since he underwent surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome in September. It's a unique surgery to come back from, which makes Wheeler more risky as a fantasy commodity in 2026, but all reports on his rehab have been very positive this spring. Before his injury in 2025, Wheeler was operating as a fantasy ace once again. Even though he carries more risk, Wheeler should be stashed in all formats, and he could make his season debut in April.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
March 28, 2026
Cincinnati Reds infield prospect
Sal Stewart (forearm, wrist) is in the team's starting lineup on Saturday against the visiting Boston Red Sox and right-hander
Sonny Gray despite dealing with a sore forearm from being hit by a line drive on Opening Day on Thursday, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. He's starting at first base and batting in the cleanup spot. The 22-year-old came out of the gates strong on the plate on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with two doubles in the Opening Day loss to Boston. Between first base and designated hitter, Stewart should be a lineup regular for the Reds in his first full year in the majors in 2026, and he has plenty of slugging upside that will play in all fantasy formats, especially if he continues to hit in the heart of the batting order. The former first-rounder in 2022 went 14-for-55 (.255) with five home runs, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored in just 18 games last year in his big-league debut. Stewart is a big part of the Reds' future.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
March 28, 2026
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) will throw a bullpen session on Sunday and could pitch in a minor-league rehab game on Wednesday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Lodolo opened the 2026 regular season on the 15-day injured list due to a blister on his left index finger, but he's making good progress and should be ready to rejoin Cincy's starting rotation by mid-April, barring a setback once he starts his rehab assignment in the minors. The 28-year-old southpaw could push fellow lefty
Brandon Williamson out of the Reds' starting rotation upon his return. Lodolo, a former first-round pick by the Reds in 2019 out of TCU, should be stashed in all fantasy baseball formats for his high-strikeout upside. Injuries have been an issue for the lefty, but when healthy, Lodolo has an above-average 26.2% strikeout rate in his four major-league seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
March 28, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman
Andrew Vaughn (hand) is battling a hand injury, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. McCalvy reports that Vaughn's injury is prompting Milwaukee to promote catching prospect Jefferson Quero to provide the team the flexibility to use normal backup catcher
Gary Sanchez at first base. Vaughn appears likely to be placed on the injured list, but it's not entirely clear how much time Milwaukee expects him to miss. The 27-year-old started Milwaukee's opener on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox at first base and batted cleanup. Vaughn closed the 2025 season on a tear, hitting .308/.375/.493 with nine home runs, 46 RBI, and 26 runs scored across 254 plate appearances with Milwaukee. If he's forced to miss time, Sanchez and left-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman
Jake Bauers could be the leading candidates to cover first base for the Brewers.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 28, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers closer
Edwin Diaz converted his first save chance with his new team on Friday night in the Dodgers' 5-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Diaz allowed a walk but struck out two without allowing a hit in a scoreless ninth inning. The 32-year-old signed a three-year, $69 million contract with Los Angeles this past winter after a six-season run with the New York Mets. Across 66 1/3 innings with New York in 2025, Diaz recorded a 1.63 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP with 98 strikeouts, six wins, and 28 saves. He's recorded a strikeout rate of at least 38% in six out of the last seven seasons where he's pitched. When healthy, Diaz is arguably the best closer in baseball and should get plenty of save chances while pitching for the Dodgers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Oneil Cruz is not in the starting lineup for his team's matchup with the New York Mets and left-handed starting pitcher
David Peterson on Saturday. Switch-hitter
Jake Mangum will take Cruz's spot in center field and bat ninth. Cruz's 2026 season got off to a rough start in Pittsburgh's opener against the Mets on Thursday, as he struck out three times in five plate appearances and misplayed a ball in center field that led to multiple runs for New York. The 27-year-old owns a slash line of .172/.247/.313 with a 38.4% strikeout rate in 401 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching. It appears that Pittsburgh is planning to deploy Cruz in a true big-side platoon role in center field, at least to begin 2026. Cruz's power/speed profile makes him a high-upside fantasy outfielder, but his ability to rack up counting stats is limited by his lack of everyday playing time.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
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