February 23, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles agreed to a minor-league contract with free-agent infielder
Thairo Estrada on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Estrada will give the Orioles more insurance with both infielders
Jackson Holliday (hand) and
Jordan Westburg (elbow) set to open the 2026 regular season on the injured list due to injuries.
Coby Mayo is expected to open the season as Baltimore's regular third baseman, with
Blaze Alexander likely to operate as the starter at the keystone. The 30-year-old Estrada won't be a lock to make the Opening Day roster as infield depth. The Venezuelan hit .253/285/.370 with a .655 OPS, three home runs, 21 RBI, and 14 runs scored in only 39 games played last year with the Colorado Rockies. Even if Estrada breaks camp with the big-league club, he'll be a bench player who won't warrant fantasy attention in mixed leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
February 23, 2026
Houston Astros left-hander closer
Josh Hader (biceps) is playing light catch off flat ground in camp as he works his way through biceps inflammation, but "it's difficult to envision Houston rushing" Hader to be ready for Opening Day, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 31-year-old six-time All-Star also missed time last season with a shoulder capsule strain, so the Astros are going to play it safe here. If Hader is not ready for Opening Day in late March, setup man
Bryan Abreu figures to take over closing duties for the team to begin the 2026 campaign. When healthy, Hader was still one of the most dominant high-leverage relievers in baseball, posting a 6-2 record, 2.05 ERA (3.25 FIP), 0.85 WHIP, 28 saves, 76 strikeouts, and 16 walks in 52 2/3 innings. But because of his injuries going into this season, Hader carries more injury risk and has dropped to No. 15 in RotoBaller's fantasy closer rankings.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
February 23, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Michael Conforto signed with the Chicago Cubs on a minor-league deal on Sunday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Conforto will have to prove himself in spring training to earn an Opening Day roster spot with Chicago, likely in a bench role. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed-hitting outfielder really struggled in 2025 with the World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers, slashing .199/.305/.333 with 12 home runs in 486 plate appearances during the regular season. Conforto struck out 121 times in 138 games played and drove in only 36 runs. If he makes the roster, Conforto will most likely be an option against right-handed pitchers in right field if the Cubs want to give
Seiya Suzuki a day off in the field. His xBA of .237 in 2025 suggests that he could bounce back in 2026, but he probably isn't going to see enough volume to be relevant in shallow mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
February 23, 2026
Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Payton Tolle tossed two innings of one-run ball in his spring training debut on Saturday afternoon. The southpaw was given the starting nod. In the opening frame, he surrendered a solo shot to Minnesota Twins third baseman
Royce Lewis. In the second inning, he would toss a perfect frame and tally his lone strikeout of the contest, against outfielder
Matt Wallner. Tolle is currently in contention for one of the final spots in the starting rotation and will likely need a strong showing in spring training to claim it. Last summer, the left-hander struggled in his MLB debut, posting a 6.06 ERA across his first 16 1/3 innings. However, in the minor leagues, he logged 91 2/3 innings with a strong 3.04 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a 133:23 K:BB. Given his high-end strikeout upside, he is a name to closely watch during spring training as he could be a worthy selection in the final rounds of your draft if he were to emerge as a viable starter.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 23, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect
Jacob Melton went 1-for-3 with a home run during their loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday afternoon. Melton would launch a solo shot (his first of spring training) in the sixth frame. The team's No. 4-ranked prospect on MLB.com is in competition for one of the final spots on the MLB roster and could make a strong case with a productive spring training. Last season, Melton made his MLB debut with the Astros and spent 32 games in Houston. During this stint, the former second-round pick posted a modest .157/.234/.186 slash line with no home runs and a 29:6 K:BB. Through 35 games at Triple-A, Melton was far more productive, posting a .286/.389/.556 line with six home runs and 12 stolen bases. He is a name to monitor in deeper five-outfielder formats as he could have some sleeper appeal if he cracks the Opening Day roster, given his speed upside.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 23, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect
Justin Crawford went 2-for-3 with a strikeout in his spring training debut on Saturday afternoon. Crawford served as the leadoff hitter and knocked a double to center field to open the contest. Later in the game, Crawford would hit a single on a line drive. The team's top outfield prospect is currently the favorite to claim the starting center field role, and his hot start in camp further cements him as a starting option. Last season, the 22-year-old spent the entire 2025 season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and held a .334/.411/.452 slash line with 23 doubles, seven home runs, and an eye-catching 46 stolen bases. While his power upside may be limited, Crawford could produce a high batting average with an elite stolen base total. He is a prime late-round option for those in standard leagues, as he should begin the season in an everyday role.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 23, 2026
Chicago Cubs catching prospect
Moises Ballesteros officially reported to camp on Sunday. The young backstop had his start to the 2026 campaign delayed by visa issues, but was finally able to join the Cubs. The 22-year-old is expected to immediately begin the season in a lead role on the offense, likely serving as the primary designated hitter. Last season, Ballesteros made his MLB debut and held a solid .298/.394/.474 slash line with two doubles, one triple, and two home runs across a 20-game stint. At Triple-A, Ballesteros was one of the most productive hitters in the minor leagues, posting a .316/.385/.473 line with 29 doubles, 13 home runs, and a strong .858 OPS. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in camp and should view him as a solid C2 in all formats with the solid power upside. If he is able to fully claim the DH role, he could carry starting-caliber upside in standard leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Maddie Lee
February 23, 2026
According to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com, Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect
Parker Messick is one of the names in the running for one of the final spots in the starting rotation. Messick made his spring training debut on Sunday afternoon and tossed two innings of work with no runs, no hits, and a 1:3 K:BB. Joining him in the competition will be young left-hander
Joey Cantillo,
Logan Allen, and
Slade Cecconi. Last summer, Messick made his MLB debut and held his own, logging 39 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.72 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. During this stint, the southpaw struck out 38 hitters while generating an elite 5.8% barrel rate with a strong 3.6% walk rate. Messick is worth monitoring closely, as he could carry late-round sleeper appeal if he were to open the season as a starter.
--Andy SmithSource: Tim Stebbins
February 23, 2026
Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect
Robby Snelling tossed a perfect inning in his spring debut on Saturday afternoon. Facing the top of the New York lineup, Snelling would generate three straight outs against
Marcus Semien,
Juan Soto, and
Bo Bichette. While he was unable to tally any strikeouts, he made quick work of them, throwing only 10 pitches. The 22-year-old appeared to be in the mix to earn the final spot in the Miami rotation but now projects to be the season as the team's No. 6 option, and likely at Triple-A. With veteran
Chris Paddack being named as a starter and both
Max Meyer and
Braxton Garrett healthy, Snelling projects to be on the outside for the time being. However, he would likely be the first name called in the case of an injury. Last summer, the southpaw looked quite comfortable in his first taste of Triple-A, tossing 63 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.27 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He remains a worthy early-season stash candidate for those in deeper 12-team leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 22, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani was able to throw a live batting practice session without any issues on Sunday. Ohtani threw 33 pitches across two innings of work and touched 99 mph on his fastball. This is expected to be the last time that Ohtani will throw for the Dodgers in camp. He'll now leave to join Team Japan for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. It doesn't sound like Ohtani will pitch in the tourney, so he likely won't take the mound again until the start of the regular season. The Dodgers might ease Ohtani in, but he should be a solid No. 2 starter in fantasy once he's fully stretched out.
--Andy WebbSource: Jack Harris
February 22, 2026
The Cleveland Guardians have signed free-agent first baseman
Rhys Hoskins to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Hoskins is coming off a down year in 2025, which likely impacted his free agent value. Last season, Hoskins slashed .237/.332/.416 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI across 90 games with the Milwaukee Brewers. The 32-year-old does have legit power with five seasons of 25-plus home runs under his belt. This is a low-risk move for the Guardians, who might end up getting a solid power hitter out of Hoskins. He'll earn $1.5 million in 2026, assuming he makes the roster.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
February 22, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder
Jack Brannigan (head) was forced to exit early during Sunday's Spring Training game versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Brannigan was removed from the contest after getting hit in the face by a batted ball. He's currently being evaluated for further injury, so he should be considered day-to-day right now. Brannigan is competing for a bench role on the team, but will likely start the season in the minors. Last season, Brannigan slashed .225/.329/.358 with five home runs, 30 RBI, and nine steals in 59 games with Double-A Altoona. He'll likely need to prove himself a little more in the minors before he's ready for the big league level.
--Andy WebbSource: Kevin Gorman
February 22, 2026
Kansas City Royals outfielder
Dairon Blanco (head) was removed early during Sunday's Spring Training contest versus the Milwaukee Brewers. Blanco is being evaluated for a head injury after being hit in the head by a 90 mph pitch in the seventh inning. Manager Matt Quatraro said Blanco was dizzy getting up, but was able to walk and knew where he was. There is no word on whether or not Blanco has suffered a concussion. The expectation is that the Royals will take the cautious approach and hold out Blanco for the next few days.
--Andy WebbSource: Anne Rogers
February 22, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop
Aidan Miller (back) is likely going to sit out for a few days. According to Todd Zolecki, Miller is dealing with back soreness, so the Phillies plan to be careful with him. The team will take it easy with Miller while he gets treatment this week. The 21-year-old is expected to begin the season in the minors, but it shouldn't be too long before he's in Philly. In 2025, Miller slashed .264/.392/.433 with 14 home runs, 42 RBI, and 59 stolen bases in 116 games between Double-A and Triple-A. The majority of his games were played in Double-A, so Miller will likely begin the 2026 campaign in Triple-A. He could be on the short list to Philly if he shows that he can handle Triple-A pitching.
--Andy WebbSource: Todd Zolecki
February 22, 2026
In one of their bigger moves this winter, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired long-time Tampa Bay Rays second baseman
Brandon Lowe this offseason. Lowe has struggled to consistently stay healthy throughout his career, as he's reached 600 plate appearances just once in eight big league seasons. However, he was productive in 2025, hitting .256/.307/.477 with 31 home runs, 83 RBI, 79 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Another reason for the lefty-swinging Lowe's low plate appearance totals is his career splits against same-handed pitching, which has caused him to lose playing time in the past. Across 695 career plate appearances against lefties, Lowe owns a .695 OPS with a 32.4% strikeout rate. Now in Pittsburgh, Lowe may be given more of an opportunity to play against lefties, which could help his counting stats, but may cause his overall batting average to suffer. Still, with an average draft position of pick 172, Lowe could outperform his draft-day cost in a true everyday role with the Pirates.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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