February 19, 2026
In 2024, while pitching for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher
Griffin Jax emerged as one of the best high-leverage arms in baseball. Jax's performance declined in 2025, as he finished the year with a 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 99 strikeouts across 66 innings split between Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Still, Jax posted an elite 35% strikeout rate, and his ERA improved to a more manageable 3.60 across 23 appearances with the Rays after being acquired mid-season. Heading into 2026, Jax appears to be competing with right-hander
Edwin Uceta and left-hander
Garrett Cleavinger for the closer job in Tampa Bay. Rays manager Kevin Cash is known for using multiple relievers in the ninth inning, so the most likely scenario is that Jax will not see 100% of the team's save opportunities. However, given his ability to rack up strikeouts, he could be a useful relief option for fantasy managers even if he remains in a part-time closer role. With a current average draft position of pick 233, Jax could ultimately end up providing significant value for managers in the middle rounds of drafts.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 19, 2026
Across 695 plate appearances in 2025, San Francisco Giants outfielder
Heliot Ramos hit .256/.328/.400 with 21 home runs, 69 RBI, 85 runs scored, and six stolen bases. While Ramos' production doesn't jump off the page, he established himself as an everyday regular in the San Francisco lineup. The 26-year-old also made significant strides in terms of swing-and-miss, lowering his strikeout rate from 26.1% in 2024 to 22.7% in 2025. However, Ramos sacrificed some power to make contact more often, as his barrel rate dropped from 14.5% to 8.8%. His isolated slugging percentage dropped over 50 points, and he hit one fewer home run despite logging nearly 200 more plate appearances. If Ramos can combine the best aspects of his 2025 approach with the power he displayed in 2024, he could be in line for a breakout season. However, he may ultimately settle in at the overall level he showed in 2025, which could put him at risk of losing playing time with the Giants.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 19, 2026
Colorado Rockies shortstop
Ezequiel Tovar battled through a down year in 2025, posting a .253/.294/.400 slash line with nine home runs, 33 RBI, 44 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 390 plate appearances. Hip and groin injuries limited the 24-year-old to just 95 games played. With a career strikeout rate of 27.3% and a career walk rate of 4.1%, Tovar's plate skills leave a lot to be desired. He also makes a good amount of soft contact, as he's never posted a hard-hit rate above 40% in any of his four big league seasons. Still, while not a perfect player, Tovar had been an above-average compiler for fantasy managers in 2024, collecting 26 home runs across 695 plate appearances. Playing his home games at the hitter-friendly Coors Field has also helped Tovar run a career batting average on balls in play of .331, which mitigates the impact of his below-average strikeout rate. As long as he's healthy, Tovar should see everyday playing time at the top of the Colorado batting order, and could be a strong buy-low candidate for fantasy managers at the shortstop position.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 19, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop
Wander Franco is said to be "confident and optimistic" ahead of a new trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Franco was found guilty of the charges in June, but both sides appealed the decision, leading to the ordering of a new trial, which begins Friday. The 24-year-old has not appeared in an MLB game since August of 2023 and remains on the league's restricted list. If found guilty in the new trial, Franco could face stricter punishment, including jail time. If cleared of the charges, he would likely still face an uphill battle to make it back to the big leagues and could still be subject to a suspension from MLB.
--Will BradySource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
February 19, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee), who is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered last September, has been ahead of schedule in his rehab to the point where he thinks he could be ready for Opening Day, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Gurriel took live batting practice on Tuesday in camp and has been running the bases. However, manager Torey Lovullo already said that the 32-year-old Cuban outfielder won't be an option on Opening Day.
Alek Thomas, who has been a mainstay in center field for the Sankes in the last three years, has started taking fly balls in left field this spring.
Corbin Carroll (hand) also had surgery to remove a broken hamate bone from his hand, but he has a realistic chance to be ready for Opening Day. With an unknown timetable on Gurriel, he's currently outside RotoBaller's top-100 fantasy outfield rankings entering 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
February 19, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander
Drew Rasmussen will take the hill on Opening Day on March 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen gets the nod after exceeding expectations last year in his first full season back from right-elbow surgery. The 30-year-old veteran was a first-time All-Star in his sixth year in the big leagues and went 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, career-high 127 strikeouts, and 37 walks in 150 innings pitched over 31 starts. Still, fantasy managers need to remember that Rasmussen has had three elbow surgeries in his career. The Rays could loosen the leash a bit in terms of his workload in 2026, but they will still probably be somewhat cautious, given his injury history. You can't argue with Rasmussen's results when he's been healthy, though, as he has the fourth-best ERA among all pitchers in the last five years. He has a decent floor as a No. 4 starting pitcher in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
February 19, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez consistently sat around 93 mph and hit 94 mph during the second inning of his live batting practice session in camp on Thursday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Lopez "seems to be where he needs to be in February." The 32-year-old former reliever has proven he can be effective as a big-league starter at 94-95 mph, with the ability to dial up 98 mph when he needs it. Lopez is attempting to return from a lost season in 2025, in which he made just one start for Atlanta before having arthroscopic right-shoulder surgery. He's back to full health now, though, and is looking to bounce back to his All-Star form in 2024, when he went 8-5 with a career-best 1.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 148:42 K:BB in 135 2/3 frames. Expecting a repeat of his 2024 success would be foolish. Lopez has only gone over 70 innings in a season once since 2019, and he's a good bet to be moved back to a relief role later in 2026. He's outside RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitcher rankings.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
February 19, 2026
MLB.com's Christina De Nicola reports that the Miami Marlins are expected to go with pitchers
Sandy Alcantara,
Eury Perez,
Max Meyer,
Braxton Garrett, and
Chris Paddack in their five-man starting rotation to begin the 2026 season, leaving left-handed pitching prospect
Thomas White on the outside looking in. It shouldn't come as a big surprise, as White is only 21 years old and has made only two starts for Triple-A Jacksonville. He will most likely begin this season back at Jacksonville, but if injuries arise to Miami's starting rotation during the year, he'll be one of the team's top options to plug any holes. In three minor-league levels in 2025, White went 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 145:51 K: BB in 89 2/3 innings over 21 starts at High-A Beloit, Double-A Pensacola, and Jacksonville. The 6-foot-5 southpaw is a great dynasty/keeper league stash, but he must tighten up his control before he'll be allowed to make his MLB debut.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 19, 2026
Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect
Robby Snelling is not projected to make the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Barring injuries, the Marlins project to roll with
Sandy Alcantara,
Eury Perez,
Max Meyer,
Braxton Garrett, and
Chris Paddack as their five starting pitchers. The 22-year-old Snelling was named the Marlins' Minor-League Pitcher of the Year in 2025 after he went 9-7 with a 2.51 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 166 strikeouts and only 39 walks in 136 innings over 25 starts with Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville. If an injury strikes Miami's rotation at any point this year, which it inevitably will, Snelling could very well be the next man up for the Fish. The former top-100 prospect had a 1.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 26.0 K-BB% in 11 starts at Triple-A. Snelling is a must-stash in dynasty/keeper leagues with good stuff, great command, and durability.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 19, 2026
Cleveland Guardians manager
Stephen Vogt said that outfielder
Steven Kwan will get some reps in center field this spring, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians are searching for the best possible outfield alignment. Kwan has won the American League Gold Glove award in left field in each of his four seasons with the team. In addition to the 28-year-old,
Chase DeLauter,
Daniel Schneemann, and
Angel Martinez also figure to play in center during spring training for Cleveland. Kwan had his second straight season of double-digit home runs, but he still only hit 11 bombs while slashing .272/.330/.374 with a career-low .705 OPS, career-high 56 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases in 156 regular-season games. He has great discipline as the leadoff hitter for the Guards and will also provide plenty of runs scored, a strong average, and stolen bases, but you'll need to get your power elsewhere.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
February 19, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays high-leverage right-handed reliever
Edwin Uceta (shoulder) tested his "cranky" shoulder in camp on Thursday and "didn't feel great" the longer he played catch, according to manager Kevin Cash. Uceta will see a doctor, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. It's not great news for the 28-year-old, who is expected to be in a closer committee in Tampa after recording six saves in the last two seasons for the Rays. Even if the Dominican hurler doesn't have any structural damage in his right shoulder, he could be forced to open the 2026 season on the injured list. If Uceta's injury is significant enough to keep him sidelined to begin the campaign, both
Griffin Jax and
Garrett Cleavinger should see more save opportunities for the Rays. Uceta had a 3.79 ERA (3.69 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and one save in 76 frames last year. He was one of just five relievers with 100-plus strikeouts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
February 19, 2026
New York Mets right-hander
Kodai Senga was up to 97 mph during his live batting practice session in camp on Friday, manager
Carlos Mendoza told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. For reference, Senga only hit 97 mph four times after the All-Star break last year. The 33-year-old Japanese hurler had a nice 3.02 ERA (4.12 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 109 strikeouts and 55 walks in 113 1/3 innings over 22 starts in 2025 in his third year in the league, but he struggled after the All-Star break and eventually finished the year in the minor leagues. Senga's strikeout rate fell to 22.6%, but his velocity increase this spring is a good sign that he can bounce back in 2026. RotoBaller has Senga ranked as the No. 90 fantasy starting pitcher because of his rough finish to last season, but a bounce-back could be coming, making him a value target in upcoming drafts. Senga's fall in 2025 was likely related to a hamstring injury that threw his mechanics off.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
February 19, 2026
Cleveland Guardians pitchers
Emmanuel Clase and
Luis L. Ortiz entered not guilty pleas while being accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets, according to The Associated Press. The pitchers were first charged in November with accepting several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 by placing more than 100 in-game prop bets and parlays on the speed and outcome of certain pitches. Charges against them include wire-fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests. Clase and Ortiz have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July. Lawyers for both men have insisted their clients never colluded with gamblers. Clase is a three-time All-Star and had a $4.5 million salary in 2025. If convicted on all charges, the 27-year-old faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press
February 19, 2026
Detroit Tigers infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle will start at shortstop in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reports that McGonigle "has taken reps mostly at shortstop" in camp, and it's clear that the Tigers still view him as a long-term shortstop. Nobody in the Tigers organization has done anything to shut the idea of McGonigle making the Opening Day roster down. "His actions at shortstop look smoother than they did a year ago at this time," writes Stavenhagen. The 21-year-old is still stating his case for a shot to open the 2026 season in the big leagues. The consensus No. 2 prospect in the sport is the purist minor-league hitter, while his power and speed are still developing. McGonigle figures to be in the big leagues sooner than later as Detroit's starting shortstop and potential No. 2 hitter.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
February 19, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect
Andrew Painter continues to draw rave reviews in spring training, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. "He looks great. I caught his bullpen yesterday. Shoot, I want to say it was 98, 99. It's just easy. It doesn't look like he's throwing max effort. It's still coming out that firm. He is kind of like Wheeler. His stuff is so elite, and he's still able to throw the ball on the edges (command)," catcher
J.T. Realmuto said. Manager Rob Thomson said on Wednesday that Painter's command appears to be back after he struggled a bit to throw strikes in 2025 in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The 22-year-old former top prospect should be rising up draft boards this spring and has a real shot to crack the team's Opening Day rotation with
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) injured. RotoBaller has Painter ranked as the No. 97 fantasy starting pitcher, but he has the stuff to break out in his first MLB season while being another year removed from elbow surgery.
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - John Clark
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