March 25, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) will play in minor-league games soon as a designated hitter, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Gurriel has taken part in defensive drills and shagging, but he has yet to play the outfield in a game this spring. He's getting close to playing on defense, though. "Defensively is the next piece of the puzzle because you're gonna be chasing a baseball and you can't predict what your body's gonna need to do, what start-stop action you're gonna have with your lower half," manager Torey Lovullo said. "So we're getting very close to that." Gurriel tore the ACL in his right knee on Sept. 1 of last year and underwent surgery on Sept. 11. The 32-year-old veteran was hoping that he'd be ready for Opening Day, but that was never a realistic target date for his return. The D-backs are hoping that he can make his 2026 debut in early May. In mixed leagues, fantasy managers can leave Gurriel on the waiver wire to begin the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
March 25, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte (leg) was scratched from the team's exhibition lineup on Tuesday as a precaution due to what manager Torey Lovullo called lower-leg soreness, according to Arizona Sports' Alex Weiner. "He just felt like 'I'm good, I don't need that at-bat. I'm a little bit sore. So, let me take this time off,'" Lovullo said. "So that made sense to me." There is no concern that Marte will miss Opening Day on Thursday. Fantasy managers should expect to have Marte available through the weekend as the 2026 regular season kicks off. As long as he's healthy, the 32-year-old Dominican infielder is a must-start in all fantasy formats as one of the best second basemen in the game. The three-time All-Star had 28 home runs and 72 RBI in 126 games in 2025 while slashing .283/.376/.517 in 556 plate appearances. Marte does have a history with injuries, but regardless, he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 fantasy second baseman.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
March 25, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Merrill Kelly (back) will start the 2026 season on the 15-day injured list to build up his workload, and he will start a backfield game at the team's spring training complex this Saturday, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. If all goes according to plan, Kelly will make rehab outings for Triple-A Reno on April 3 and April 3 and then prepare to rejoin Arizona's starting rotation for his next appearance in his 2026 debut. The 37-year-old veteran pitched into the third inning in Monday's exhibition game against the Cleveland Guardians and got his pitch count up to 52. He allowed five runs, including two home runs, but he felt good about how his body felt. Kelly still has some work to do to fine-tune his mechanics, but barring a setback, he should be ready to return in April. He had a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167:48 K:BB in 184 innings over 32 starts in 2025 with Arizona and the Texas Rangers in his seventh year in the big leagues. Kelly is a savvy vet when healthy, but his fantasy upside is limited due to a below-average strikeout rate and increased injury volatility at his age.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
March 25, 2026
Across 563 plate appearances in 2025, Texas Rangers utility man
Josh Smith hit .251/.335/.366 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI, 70 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. While Smith's numbers don't jump off the page in any one area, he profiles as a steady contributor across the board and can line up anywhere on the diamond other than behind the plate or on the mound. Entering 2026, Smith appears set to open the season as the Rangers' primary second baseman following the team's offseason trade of veteran second baseman
Marcus Semien to the New York Mets. Smith owns just a 4.8% barrel rate and 33.5% hard-hit rate for his career, so his fantasy upside is likely limited. However, he posted impressive numbers across 60 plate appearances this spring, hitting .340 with four home runs and three stolen bases. If Smith can make some marginal power gains at the plate and push past the 600-plate-appearance mark, he could emerge as an undervalued five-category compiler with positional versatility for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 25, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Mike Burrows suffered an injury scare late in the spring after taking a ground ball off his left calf. However, Burrows appears to have avoided missed time, as Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports that Burrows is in line to start the Astros' second game of the 2026 regular season on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels. Houston acquired Burrows from the Pittsburgh Pirates over the winter after the 26-year-old recorded a 2-4 record with a 3.94 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 97 strikeouts across 96 innings (19 starts) in 2025. The right-hander pitched well across 18 innings for Houston this spring, recording a 1.50 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with a 23.9% strikeout rate. Burrows may not have prodigious upside, but he should be locked into a rotation spot in Houston. He could be a slightly overlooked source of steady ratios and solid strikeout numbers for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
March 25, 2026
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher
Seranthony Dominguez is set to open the 2026 season as his team's primary closer. The 31-year-old signed a two-year contract with Chicago this past winter after posting a 3.16 ERA and 1.28 ERA with 79 strikeouts across 62 2/3 innings split between the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays in 2025. Dominguez recorded an impressive 30.3% strikeout rate, but he also allowed an elevated 13.8% walk rate. While Dominguez lowered his HR/9 to 0.72 in 2025, he allowed an elevated 1.84 HR/9 in 2024. If his struggles with the long ball return in 2026, his tendency to issue free passes could impact his ERA. Still, Dominguez should have an extended runway in the ninth inning in Chicago, and he's consistently demonstrated an ability to generate strikeouts throughout his MLB career. He may not have high-end upside, but Dominguez could be an undervalued source of saves and strikeouts for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 25, 2026
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher
Jordan Romano was a high-end closer for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2021 through 2023, recording 95 saves while recording 230 strikeouts across 186 innings. However, the 32-year-old missed most of 2024 due to elbow surgery and struggled mightily upon his return to the mound as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025. Across 42 2/3 innings for the Phillies, Romano recorded an 8.23 ERA and 1.45 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and eight saves. Despite his recent issues, Romano could be the favorite to open the 2026 season as the Angels' primary closer with fellow Halos relievers
Kirby Yates (knee) and
Ben Joyce (shoulder) both set to start the year on the 15-day injured list. Romano pitched well in Cactus League action, allowing five hits and zero walks while striking out six across six innings of work. He'll need to prove he can be effective to hold the closer role, but Romano could be a solid source of early-season saves for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 25, 2026
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher
Ben Joyce (shoulder) has been placed on the 15-day injured list to open 2026, per Jack Janes of The Sporting Tribune. Joyce is working his way back from the surgery he underwent in May 2025 to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 25-year-old fireballer struggled in a very limited sample size before getting injured last season, pitching to a 6.23 ERA in 4 1/3 innings. However, Joyce showed flashes of dominance in 2024, averaging over 102 mph on his fastball and pitching to a 2.08 ERA with four saves across 32 1/3 innings. When healthy, Joyce may be the favorite to work as the Angels' primary closer. With both Joyce and veteran right-hander
Kirby Yates (knee) sidelined to start the year,
Jordan Romano could get the first chance at regular save opportunities for Los Angeles in 2026.
--Will BradySource: The Sporting Tribune - Jack Janes
March 25, 2026
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez (arm) has officially been placed on the 15-day injured list to open 2026, per Jack Janes of The Sporting Tribune. Rodriguez is battling dead arm, so the hope is that he will be able to return to the mound sooner rather than later. Still, the 26-year-old's extensive injury history makes him difficult to trust for fantasy managers. Rodriguez missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone spurs. Before this most recent ailment, Rodriguez recorded a 4.97 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 12 strikeouts across 12 2/3 Cactus League innings for the Angels. Command was a major issue in the spring, as he issued 10 walks. Rodriguez has fantasy appeal if he can get back to the level he showed in 2024 while pitching for the Baltimore Orioles, when he recorded a 26.5% strikeout rate across 116 2/3 innings. However, he will need to prove he can stay healthy for an extended stretch.
--Will BradySource: The Sporting Tribune - Jack Janes
March 25, 2026
The San Francisco Giants have optioned right-handed pitching prospect
Trevor McDonald to Triple-A Sacramento. McDonald was in the mix to earn a role on the Opening Day roster but eventually fell short in the competition. The right-hander logged 15 innings in San Francisco last season and was quite effective, posting a near-perfect 1.80 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He struck out 14 hitters. He was deployed primarily as a starter but has also seen time operating out of the bullpen. He spent most of the 2025 season with Triple-A, where he logged 142 1/3 innings to the tune of a 5.31 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP. He struck out just 144 hitters while totaling a high 62 free passes. Managers should monitor his development with Triple-A, as he could have some streaming appeal if he earns spot starts in the majors later in the summer.
--Andy SmithSource: Shayna Rubin
March 25, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman
Kazuma Okamoto was an intriguing mid-to-later-round corner infielder in drafts and could emerge as a start-up option early in the season. Okamoto is slated to have an everyday role at the hot corner in Toronto, joining one of the game's most potent lineups. Okamoto has spent his entire professional career with the NPB. He battled injuries during the 2025 season but was productive when on the field, posting a .327/.416/.598 line with 15 home runs over a short 69-game stint. The previous season (143 games), the 29-year-old held a .280/.362/.501 line with 27 home runs. He has more than held his own in spring training, posting an impressive .316/.435/.632 line with three doubles, one home run, and a 4:3 K:BB. Given his projected playing time and previous career success, Okamoto has the potential to emerge as a must-start third baseman in all leagues early in the season. He is worth starting in Week 1 as a high-end corner infiedler but could see his ceiling rise quickly.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
March 25, 2026
Chicago White Sox first baseman
Munetaka Murakami is slated to have a starring role to begin his debut season in the major leagues and could emerge as one of the game's top power hitters. Murakami has spent his entire professional career overseeing in the NPB and consistently flashed elite power. He enjoyed his best season back in 2022 when he launched an eye-catching 56 home runs. Since 2023, Murakami has hit at least 30 home runs in two seasons and was on pace to meet that mark once again in 2025, but he only appeared in 56 games. However, in this short stint, Murakami hit 22 long balls while holding a .273 AVG. The lone knock on his profile is his high strikeout rate that has sat above 28.0% in each of his last three seasons. In spring training, Murakami held a .276/.323/.448 line with a home run, but struck out at a 25.8% rate. While his value could drop in points leagues that punish high strikeout hitters, he does draw walks at an impressive rate, which can offset his strikeout totals. Given that he is slated to see an everyday role in the Chicago starting lineup, the rookie slugger possesses 30-HR upside if he can make a quick adjustment ot major-league pitching. He is worth starting in all 12+ team leagues in the opening week of the season.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
March 25, 2026
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect
Nolan McLean enjoyed a strong showing in his first taste of MLB action last summer and is well-positioned to take the next step in his first full season. McLean opened the 2025 campaign with Double-A, but needed only 26 1/3 innings before earning the call to Triple-A Syracuse. With Double-A, McLean struck out 30 hitters while holding a 1.37 ERA. At Triple-A, McLean continued to find success, striking out 97 hitters over 87 1/3 innings while posting a 2.78 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. This dominant play earned him a late-season ticket to Queens, where he carried this momentum, logging 48 innings to the tune of a 2.067 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. He struck out 57 hitters and allowed walks at an 8.5% rate. McLean is slated to remain in the starting rotation in 2026 and is set up well to emerge as one of the game's top emerging starting pitchers, given the consistent success across all levels he enjoyed in 2025.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
March 25, 2026
Minnesota Twins top infield prospect
Kaelen Culpepper is set to begin the 2026 regular season with Triple-A St. Paul. Culpepper will open the campaign just one step away from the major leagues, which will set him up for an early 2026 debut. Culpepper joined the Twins as the 21st overall selection in the 2024 Draft out of Kansas State. Last summer, Culpepper split his time between High-A and Double-A. At High-A, the infielder carried a .293/.385/.479 line with nine home runs and 15 stolen bases. At Double-A, the 23-year-old took a slight step down, carrying a .285/.267/.460 slash line with 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases. If Culpepper continues this trajectory with St. Paul, he should join Minnesota before the All-Star break. He is worth monitoring in deeper formats for now and could emerge as an early-season top stash candidate.
--Andy SmithSource: Theodore Tollefson
March 25, 2026
Chicago White Sox right-handed pitching prospect
Jedixson Paez has made the Opening Day roster. Paez was a Rule 5 Draft selection. Even though the 22-year-old has yet to spend time in the upper minor leagues, the White Sox believe he is ready to face the top hitters in the sport. Last summer, Paez logged just 19 1/3 innings with High-A Greenville and posted a 2.79 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a stellar 23:3 K:BB. In 2024, he logged 96 2/3 innings across time at Low-A and High-A, where he carried a 3.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and a 113:12 K:BB. Given his high strikeout upside and elite command, Paez is worth monitoring in deeper formats. Due to his lack of experience in the upper levels, managers should expect the right-hander to open the season as a low-leverage reliever.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB Central
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