February 2, 2026
The Cleveland Guardians announced on Monday that they re-signed left-hander
Kolby Allard to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. The 28-year-old southpaw had a career-best 1.3 bWAR with a 2.63 ERA in 33 games (two starts) last year for Cleveland, mainly in a long-relief role. He also had a career-high four holds and a 12 1/3 scoreless-inning streak to close out the campaign. Allard had a 1.20 WHIP with 42 strikeouts and 14 walks in 65 regular-season innings. If Allard wins a roster spot out of spring training, he'll most likely serve in a long-relief role for the Guards, limiting his fantasy appeal. The former first-rounder by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 has pitched for four teams already in his first eight big-league seasons and has a career 5.34 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 269 strikeouts, and 106 walks in 109 appearances (44 starts).
--Keith HernandezSource: GuardsInsider
February 2, 2026
Although Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
Hurston Waldrep looked great in 10 outings (nine starts) for the team in 2025, MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that he's not assured of a starting rotation spot out of spring training. Waldrep will be a rotation option alongside
Martin Perez,
Bryce Elder, and
Joey Wentz. Perez, Elder, Wentz, and
Grant Holmes (elbow) are all out of minor-league options, which means that Waldrep could be ticketed to start the 2026 season at Triple-A Gwinnett. Still, Bowman adds that Waldrep could end up being the most valuable of the "fifth-starter" candidates by the end of the season. In 56 1/3 innings, the 23-year-old had a 2.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB while also going 6-1.
Chris Sale and
Spencer Strider are at the top of Atlanta's rotation, with
Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow),
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder), and Holmes all coming off injuries. Although Waldrep had a mediocre 24% strikeout rate with the Braves, he should be a rotation option for the team sooner than later in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
February 2, 2026
Free-agent outfielder
Avisail Garcia announced his retirement from professional baseball on Monday after 13 seasons in the big leagues with five different teams (White Sox, Marlins, Brewers, Tigers, and Rays). Garcia made the All-Star one time, when he hit .330 with 18 home runs and 80 RBI in 136 games with the White Sox in 2017. The 34-year-old Venezuelan didn't play at all last year after having surgery to fix a fracture and disc issue in his lower back. He spent the last three years of his career in Miami, slashing .217/.260/.322 with a .582 OPS, 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 43 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 153 games over 549 plate appearances. Garcia was unable to play 100 games in each of his last five years in the big leagues due to injuries. He'll finish his 13-year career with a .263/.316/.417 slash line, .733 OPS, 140 home runs, 524 RBI, 496 runs scored, and 51 stolen bases in 1,104 regular-season contests.
--Keith HernandezSource: El Extra Base - Daniel Alvarez-Montes
February 2, 2026
The Seattle Mariners are nearing a deal on Monday to acquire infielder/outfielder
Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a three-way trade that also includes the Tampa Bay Rays, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN. Third baseman
Ben Williamson is expected to go from Seattle to Tampa, but the rest of the trade is unknown. The 29-year-old Donovan has been a popular trade candidate this offseason and will give the M's a versatile piece that will likely hit leadoff in his new home. He slashed .287/.353/.422 with a .775 OPS, 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 64 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 118 games for the Cardinals last year while earning his first All-Star nod. Donovan dealt with turf-toe and groin injuries in 2025 and was shut down early due to his groin issue. He also had offseason surgery to fix a sports hernia, although he's expected to be ready for Opening Day. With limited power and speed, Donovan is merely a utility infielder/outfielder in deeper fantasy leagues, even with the impending move to Seattle.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 2, 2026
After the worst offensive season of his career (.732 OPS), Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop and former MVP
Mookie Betts said his offseason consisted of "rewiring" his body to try to eliminate the flaws that slipped into his swing in 2025, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The 33-year-old was sapped of 20 pounds and much of his strength right before the start of last season due to a stomach virus, and from there, bad habits developed. "It was kinda like a snowball effect," Betts said. He believes his preparation last offseason for becoming a full-time shortstop also threw his routine off. Betts thinks he's in a "really good spot" going into his seventh year in L.A. as the Dodgers try to three-peat. Things will only get more difficult for Betts at his size (5-foot-10, 180 pounds). He should have a decent floor as the likely No. 3 hitter in a stacked Dodgers lineup, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting another MVP-like campaign from the eight-time All-Star.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
February 2, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect
Trey Yesavage said he plans to add a curveball to his repertoire, which already includes a fastball, splitter, and slider, according to Kristjan Lautens of the Toronto Star. "I have a funky (over-the-top) arm angle, so I've just got to play around with it. I would love (a pitch) that moves glove side," Yesavage said. The 22-year-old former 20th overall pick in 2024 started the 2025 season at Single-A Dunedin and ended up what was a whirlwind season as a starter in the postseason for Toronto. He made his first three regular-season starts in September before appearing in six playoff games. Along the way, he set a Blue Jays franchise single-game postseason record by fanning 12 Dodgers hitters in the World Series. Yesavage will begin the 2026 campaign in Toronto's rotation and won't have a strict innings limit. Control was a bit of an issue in his small sample size in the big leagues last year, but Yesavage's upside alone makes him a No. 3 starting pitcher target going into his first full season with the Jays.
--Keith HernandezSource: Toronto Star - Kristjan Lautens
February 2, 2026
Cincinnati Reds rookie and top prospect
Sal Stewart is expected to have a similar role as
Eugenio Suarez in 2026 as a designated hitter and corner infielder, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
Ke'Bryan Hayes will be Cincy's regular third baseman. In addition to Suarez,
Spencer Steer could also share time with Stewart at first base. Stewart made his MLB debut in 2025 but played in only 18 regular-season games, going 14-for-55 (.255) at the plate with five home runs, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored in 58 plate appearances. The 22-year-old former first-round pick in 2022 is ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect in baseball entering the 2026 campaign, per MLB Pipeline. It was encouraging that he had a 52.5% hard-hit rate and 17.5% barrel rate in the big leagues, and Stewart should be an everyday player for the Reds in his first full year in the big leagues as long as he's healthy. Stewart is a nice late-round flier with a high-end hit tool and above-average power in a hitter-friendly home ballpark.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
February 2, 2026
Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder
Spencer Steer, who was a National League Gold Glove finalist at first base in 2025, will play some in the outfield and will have a utility role in 2026, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
Eugenio Suarez and
Sal Stewart are expected to see most of the at-bats at designated hitter and first base, so Steer could get squeezed to mostly playing in left field. Elite defenseman
Ke'Bryan Hayes will be the starting third baseman. Left field was Steer's primary position in 2024. Although Steer managed to reach the 20-homer mark for the third straight year in 2025, he was mostly a disappointment offensively with a .238/.312/.411 slash line, .723 OPS, 21 homers, 75 RBI, 66 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 146 regular-season games. It helps that Steer is eligible at first and outfield in most fantasy leagues, but with his playing time potentially taking a dip in 2026, his fantasy stock is on the decline. RotoBaller has Steer ranked as the No. 25 fantasy first baseman.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
February 2, 2026
Cincinnati Reds two-time National League Gold Glove winner
Ke'Bryan Hayes is expected to remain entrenched as the team's starting third baseman, even after the signing of
Eugenio Suarez. Suarez is expected to serve as Cincy's primary designated hitter, but he'll also see time at third and first base. Hayes hit .234/.315/.342 with three home runs, 13 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 52 regular-season games for the Reds in 2025 after they acquired him at midseason from the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old was slightly better offensively after the move to Cincy, but his .306 slugging percentage was the worst among qualified hitters last year, and his .595 OPS was second-worst. Hayes' 2026 fantasy profile is slightly better as he enters his first full year with the Reds, but he's a better real-life player for his top-notch glove than a fantasy one. He's the No. 52 fantasy third baseman at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
February 2, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles acquired Cuban third baseman
Bryan Ramos from the Chicago White Sox on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations, sources told Francys Romero. Ramos will move to the American League East after being designated for assignment by Chicago last week. The 23-year-old only played in four games for the Pale Hose last year, going 2-for-12 with two RBI, a run scored, and four strikeouts. In his first MLB season in Chicago in 2024, Ramos slashed .202/.252/.333 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and 13 runs scored in only 32 games played. At Triple-A Charlotte in 2025, Ramos hit .216/.309/.396 with 16 home runs, 51 RBI, 60 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in 431 plate appearances. He'll be competing for a roster spot in spring training, and there's a good chance he'll open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Norfolk as organizational infield depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
February 2, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Mike Sirota is quickly progressing through the minor leagues and is a name to watch in 2026. Sirota was drafted with the 87th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds out of Northeastern. He was then shipped to the Dodgers in the package that sent infielder
Gavin Lux to the Reds. Sirota made his professional debut in 2025 with Low-A, then joined High-A shortly after. Through 24 games with Low-A Sirota, held a .354/.443/.687 line with eight doubles and seven home runs. With High-A, Sirota continued to show immense power upside, posting an elite 1.014 OPS with six home runs and four stolen bases. While his season was cut short by a knee injury, he is expected to push for an early promotion to the upper levels in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
February 2, 2026
Cincinnati Reds catching prospect
Alfredo Duno is a name to monitor in dynasty formats ahead of the 2026 regular season. Duno is currently listed as the team's No. 2-ranked prospect on MLB.com and the overall No. 48-ranked prospect on MLB.com. Duno joined the Cincinnati system in 2023 and has continued to show high upside at the lower levels. He made his professional debut in 2023 in the Dominican Summer League, where he held a .303/.451/.493 line with a strong .944 OPS. This past season, he spent the entire campaign with Low-A Daytona, where he posted an impressive .287/.430/.518 slash line with 32 doubles, 18 home runs, and six stolen bases. Given his solid play last summer, managers should expect Duno to spend most of 2026 with High-A.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 2, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitching prospect Brody Hopkins will attend MLB spring training. Hopkins is currently viewed as the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system on MLB.com. Last summer, Hopkins spent the entire campaign at Double-A. In 2024, he made his professional debut and spent time in the lower levels. Through 115 innings split between Low-A and Double-A in 2024, the right-hander posted a 3.05 ERA with a 1.18 WHIP. In 2025, Hopkins looked quite comfortable with Double-A Montgomery, logging 116 innings to the tune of a 2.72 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He struck out 141 batters while allowing 60 free passes. While an early-season MLB debut seems improbable, he could remain on track for a second-half debut if he can begin the 2026 season with Triple-A.
--Andy SmithSource: Marc Topkin
February 2, 2026
Seattle Mariners switch-pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje is expected to focus entirely on right-handed pitching during spring training. Cijntje joined the Mariners with the 15th overall selection in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Mississippi State. Cijntje spent his debut campaign splitting time across High-And Double-A, pitching from both sides. However, the Mariners will look to have Cijntje focus solely on right-handed pitching this spring. Through 74 2/3 innings with High-A, Cijntje held a 4.58 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He struck out 83 batters. Through his first 33 2/3 innings at Double-A, the 22-year-old posted a strong 2.67 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, with a 37:16 K:BB. When facing right-handed batters (pitching with his right hand), Cijntje was far more effective, posting a 76:12 K:BB compared to the rough 44:39 K:BB he held as a left-hander. If he progresses well in camp, he could debut in Triple-A early in the first half.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB Pipeline
February 2, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks have officially invited infield prospect
Tommy Troy to MLB spring training. Troy was a fast riser in the system last season and is now in a great position to compete for a role on the Opening Day roster in 2026. Troy began the 2025 campaign with Double-A Amarillo and held a .286/.382/.461 slash line with 20 doubles, 12 home runs, and 21 stolen bases. He was then bumped up to Triple-A Reno to close out the campaign, where he continued to perform at a high level. Through 38 games, Troy held a .295/.381/.429 line. He posted an .810 OPS with three home runs and three stolen bases. Currently, Troy figures to compete for a utility role in the infield, serving as a backup option to third baseman
Nolan Arenado or shortstop
Geraldo Perdomo. He is a name to watch in deeper formats given his five-category upside.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB Pipeline
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