March 25, 2026
Cincinnati Reds left-hander
Brandon Williamson will open the year as the team's No. 5 starter now that left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) is opening on the injured list, according to Rich Rovito of MLB.com. Initially, the plan was for Williamson and right-handers
Chase Burns and
Rhett Lowder to mix and match in the final two rotation spots to begin the 2026 campaign. Fantasy managers should temper expectations with Williamson this year after he missed all of the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old southpaw went 5-5 with a 4.39 ERA (4.84 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 44 walks in 131 1/3 innings over 27 appearances (26 starts) for the Reds in the last two seasons after debuting in the big leagues in 2023. When Lodolo makes his return, potentially after one or two turns through the team's rotation in April, Williamson could be sent to the minors or moved to a long-relief role as the Reds look to manage his workload.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rich Rovito
March 25, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Rhett Lowder is expected to take on a much bigger role in the team's starting rotation in 2026, and he's lined up to make his first start of the year on Sunday, March 29, against the Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Rich Rovito. The 24-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest made his big-league debut in 2024 and looked great, posting a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 22:14 K:BB in 30 2/3 innings in a small sample size of just six starts. He didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 due to injuries. With
Nick Lodolo (finger) starting on the injured list, Lowder will be locked into a rotation spot in Cincy, and he could stick there all season long. Lowder might not have the fantasy ceiling of teammate
Chase Burns, but his fantasy stock is on the rise, and he's worth stashing as starting rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues. Lowder is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 106 fantasy starting pitcher going into his first full year in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rich Rovito
March 25, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect
Chase Burns is scheduled to make his first start of the 2026 season on Monday, March 30, against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Rich Rovito of MLB.com. Burns made his sixth and final start of spring training on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers and went five efficient innings while throwing 53 of his 68 pitches for strikes. He struck out the side in the first inning with a four-seam fastball, slider, and sinker combination. Burns allowed four hits (one homer) and two runs while striking out seven and walking none. Now that left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) is starting on the injured list, each of Burns,
Rhett Lowder, and
Brandon Williamson will take turns in the Reds' rotation to begin the regular season. Burns, a hard-throwing 23-year-old and former second overall pick, has as much fantasy upside as any young pitcher in the game as he heads into his first full year in the big leagues. He's RotoBaller's No. 36 fantasy starting pitcher after fanning 67 batters in 43 1/3 innings in his major-league debut in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rich Rovito
March 25, 2026
The New York Yankees officially announced on Wednesday that they placed shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) with left-shoulder surgery recovery. Volpe initially injured the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in May of last year and played through it the rest of the season. The 24-year-old underwent surgery last October and is still rehabbing this spring. Barring a setback as he ramps up his baseball activities, Volpe is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment around the second week of April. We may see Volpe make his 2026 season debut in early May. In the meantime, speedster
Jose Caballero is expected to see the majority of playing time at the 6 in the Bronx. Volpe hit just .212 (114-for-539) in 153 games in 2025, but he still managed 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases while playing with a banged-up shoulder. He has clear 20-20 potential (he did it as a rookie in 2023), but fantasy managers should still be skeptical of a player coming off serious shoulder surgery.
--Keith HernandezSource: Yankees PR Department
March 25, 2026
The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they officially placed left-hander
Carlos Rodon (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) with left-elbow surgery recovery. Rodon had a bone spur removed from his left elbow last October and is finishing off the final stages of his rehab. Barring a setback as he continues to ramp up his arm, the 33-year-old veteran southpaw is expected to make his 2026 season debut before the end of April. The three-time All-Star had his best year in pinstripes in his third season with the team in 2025, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA (3.78 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 203 strikeouts and 73 walks in 195 1/3 innings over 33 starts. It was just the second time in Rodon's career that he reached the 200-strikeout mark. Rodon will carry more risk for fantasy managers coming off his elbow surgery, but he's a high-upside stash who could only end up missing the first several weeks of the year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Yankees PR Department
March 25, 2026
Before Wednesday night's season opener against the San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees placed right-hander
Gerrit Cole (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with Tommy John surgery recovery, according to the team. Cole had TJ surgery with an internal-brace procedure last March and didn't pitch at all for the Yankees in 2025. He's been recovering nicely this spring, though, and he even got into two spring training games, allowing a run while striking out three and walking none in 2 2/3 frames. The 35-year-old veteran, six-time All-Star, and former American League Cy Young winner is trending in the right direction and should be stashed in all fantasy formats. However, a little patience will be required, as he isn't expected to make his 2026 debut until late May. Cole, the former first overall pick in 2011 by the Pirates out of UCLA, carries more risk this year coming off TJ surgery, but he's proven in the past to be a fantasy ace, making him worth the risk.
--Keith HernandezSource: Yankees PR Department
March 25, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever
Justin Martinez (elbow) is still throwing on flat ground up to 120 feet, according to Arizona Sports' Alex Weiner. Martinez underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on June 25 of last year and will open the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list. In a best-case scenario, he won't be available to return to high-leverage duties at the back end of Arizona's bullpen until the second half of the season. Fellow reliever
A.J. Puk (elbow), who had an internal-brace procedure on his left arm, is slightly ahead of Martinez and is throwing short bullpen sessions. With both Martinez and Puk out for the first half of the season, veteran
Paul Sewald might be the favorite for saves in the desert. The 24-year-old Martinez has 13 saves for Arizona in the last two seasons and is probably the team's preferred closer when healthy, but he could very well be eased back into high-leverage duties in the second half this year when he's back.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
March 25, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever
A.J. Puk (elbow) has started throwing "shortbox bullpens," which means the catcher sets up closer to the pitcher, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Puk is opening the 2026 regular season on the 60-day injured list after having an internal-brace procedure on his left elbow on June 20 of last year. Barring a setback, he's expected to return to the D-backs' bullpen around the All-Star break in mid-July. With fellow reliever
Justin Martinez (elbow) also recovering from Tommy John surgery, Arizona's bullpen will be very vulnerable in the first half of the season. Veteran
Paul Sewald could be the favorite for save opportunities, but manager Torey Lovullo could also mix and match with arms like
Taylor Clarke,
Jonathan Loaisiga, and
Kevin Ginkel. It's truly a bullpen situation that fantasy managers should be looking to avoid, if at all possible.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
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
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