March 28, 2026
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone sat on the bench in the Opening Day loss to the Atlanta Braves on Friday with tough left-hander
Chris Sale on the mound, but he will make his 2026 starting debut on Saturday at Truist Park, according to MLB.com. Caglianone is starting in right field and is batting seventh against Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez. The Royals have said that Cags will start against left-handed pitchers this year, but they wanted to protect him to kick off the season against one of the most dominant southpaws in the game. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger has high-end power potential, but he looked overmatched in his MLB debut last year, hitting .157 (33-for-210) with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 18 walks, and 52 strikeouts in 232 plate appearances. The good news is that he didn't strike out all that much. Caglianone will get a longer runway in 2026 and could be an asset in all fantasy leagues, but he'll need to make more consistent hard contact to get there.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena is getting the day off on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels at Daikin Park, according to MLB.com. Pena did not start on Opening Day on Thursday due to a fractured finger that he suffered earlier this spring while preparing for the World Baseball Classic, but he made his 2026 season debut in Friday night's loss and went 2-for-5 at the plate with a run scored and a stolen base. Veteran
Carlos Correa will make another start at the 6 on Saturday, with
Isaac Paredes starting at third base against Angels left-hander
Reid Detmers. The 28-year-old Pena's performance on Friday was a good sign that his finger won't affect his production at the plate early in the season. Pena should be back in the starting lineup and at shortstop for the series finale against the Halos on Sunday. Correa has hit .222 with a homer and three RBI in nine career at-bats against Detmers, while Paredes has hit .333 against him with one RBI in six at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
With Texas Rangers right-hander
Jacob deGrom (neck) scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park due to neck stiffness, left-hander
Jacob Latz will make the spot start. The 29-year-old Latz was competing for a spot in Texas' starting rotation in spring training, but he lost out to former first-rounder Kamar Rocker. Latz made 33 appearances for the Rangers in 2025, including eight starts. In a career-high 85 2/3 innings pitched, he had a solid 2.84 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 76 strikeouts and 37 walks in 33 appearances. In his eight starts, he had a 2.72 ERA with 34 punchouts and 15 walks in 39 2/3 innings pitched. Latz is a decent fallback option for the Rangers for their first spot start of the season, but in DFS, fantasy managers will want to avoid him on the road in a hitter-friendly venue against a strong lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
March 28, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman
Andrew Vaughn (hand) fractured the left hamate bone in his hand on Opening Day on Thursday and will require surgery, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Vaughn is expected to need four to six weeks of recovery. The Brewers placed Vaughn on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. It's a tough break for the former White Sox first baseman, who came to life in Milwaukee after being acquired from Chicago last year. In 64 games with the Brew Crew, he hit .308/.375/.493 with an .869 OPS, nine home runs, 46 RBI, and 26 runs scored in 254 plate appearances. With Vaughn going on the IL, the Brewers recalled catching prospect
Jeferson Quero. Veteran catcher
Gary Sanchez figures to platoon at first base with
Jake Bauers, while Quero gives starting catcher
William Contreras a breather when he needs it behind the plate. In the Opening Day win on Thursday over his former team, the White Sox, Vaughn went 1-for-4 with an RBI.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 28, 2026
Texas Rangers right-hander
Jacob deGrom (neck) said he woke up on Saturday with a stiff neck, which is why he was scratched from his scheduled outing in Philadelphia against the Phillies, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The Rangers decided not to push it with the oft-injured veteran, and deGrom feels "confident" that he'll make a start on the current road trip. It's good news for the Rangers and for fantasy managers, but it's also another reminder that it's hard to trust the 37-year-old veteran when it comes to durability. On the bright side, it's good news that it's not related to deGrom's arm.
Jacob Latz will make the spot start on Saturday versus the Phillies. As of right now, deGrom is tentatively scheduled to start on Tuesday at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles. He'll be more of a risky fantasy play in that matchup in his first start of the 2026 season if he makes it.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
March 28, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) will make his first minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that Wheeler will make another rehab outing on Friday against Triple-A Durham, then another one at Double-A Reading. It's possible that Wheeler would make a fourth rehab outing after that, but it's not set in stone. Wheeler is scheduled to throw three innings and/or 50 pitches in his start on Saturday for the Iron Pigs. It's the first game action for the 35-year-old veteran since he underwent surgery for venous thoracic outlet syndrome in September. It's a unique surgery to come back from, which makes Wheeler more risky as a fantasy commodity in 2026, but all reports on his rehab have been very positive this spring. Before his injury in 2025, Wheeler was operating as a fantasy ace once again. Even though he carries more risk, Wheeler should be stashed in all formats, and he could make his season debut in April.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
March 28, 2026
Cincinnati Reds infield prospect
Sal Stewart (forearm, wrist) is in the team's starting lineup on Saturday against the visiting Boston Red Sox and right-hander
Sonny Gray despite dealing with a sore forearm from being hit by a line drive on Opening Day on Thursday, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. He's starting at first base and batting in the cleanup spot. The 22-year-old came out of the gates strong on the plate on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with two doubles in the Opening Day loss to Boston. Between first base and designated hitter, Stewart should be a lineup regular for the Reds in his first full year in the majors in 2026, and he has plenty of slugging upside that will play in all fantasy formats, especially if he continues to hit in the heart of the batting order. The former first-rounder in 2022 went 14-for-55 (.255) with five home runs, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored in just 18 games last year in his big-league debut. Stewart is a big part of the Reds' future.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
March 28, 2026
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) had a golden opportunity to take over his team's backfield in 2025 after fellow Cardinals back
James Conner (ankle) went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 3. However, Benson suffered a knee injury that ultimately ended up being season-ending as well in the Cardinals' next game in Week 4. Now entering his third NFL season, the 23-year-old has compiled 574 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 111 touches across 17 career games. Conner should be back in the mix this season for Arizona, and the team also made a move to upgrade in the offseason by signing former Atlanta Falcons running back
Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.25 million contract. As a result, Benson could be completely blocked off from playing time with the Cardinals in 2026. He still carries some dynasty upside, but Benson's stock is trending in the wrong direction after Arizona's offseason moves.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) will throw a bullpen session on Sunday and could pitch in a minor-league rehab game on Wednesday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Lodolo opened the 2026 regular season on the 15-day injured list due to a blister on his left index finger, but he's making good progress and should be ready to rejoin Cincy's starting rotation by mid-April, barring a setback once he starts his rehab assignment in the minors. The 28-year-old southpaw could push fellow lefty
Brandon Williamson out of the Reds' starting rotation upon his return. Lodolo, a former first-round pick by the Reds in 2019 out of TCU, should be stashed in all fantasy baseball formats for his high-strikeout upside. Injuries have been an issue for the lefty, but when healthy, Lodolo has an above-average 26.2% strikeout rate in his four major-league seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
March 28, 2026
Washington Commanders running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a bit of a rollercoaster campaign as a rookie in 2025, finishing the year with 873 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 184 touches across 17 games (seven starts). Croskey-Merritt recorded four touchdowns across his first five NFL games, but then cracked 40 rushing yards just once across eight contests between Week 6 and Week 14. Still, Croskey-Merritt closed the year on a tear, recording 255 rushing yards and four scores over the season's final four weeks. Heading into 2026, the 24-year-old should have a chance to emerge as Washington's RB1. However, the Commanders also added veteran backs
Rachaad White and
Jerome Ford in free agency. At the very least, White and Ford are trusted third-down backs who will prevent Croskey-Merritt from seeing much receiving work in his second NFL season. Croskey-Merritt's clear upside as a rusher provides him with long-term upside for dynasty managers, but it does not appear as though Washington is ready to fully hand him the keys to its backfield in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
After back-to-back first-team All-Pro selections in 2023 and 2024, Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson struggled through an injury-marred down year in 2025. The 29-year-old missed four games due to back and hamstring injuries and finished the year with 2,549 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Perhaps due to his injury issues, Jackson also had the least productive rushing season of his career, totaling 349 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 67 attempts. However, Jackson should be fully healthy heading into 2026. When he's on the field, the two-time MVP remains perhaps the most dangerous dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. Across 17 games in 2024, Jackson threw for 4,172 yards and 41 touchdowns while rushing for 915 yards and four scores. Jackson still profiles as an elite quarterback option in dynasty formats heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Sean Tucker showed flashes of high-level production upside in 2025, recording 354 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 94 touches across 17 games played. However, most of Tucker's chances came with fellow Bucs running back
Bucky Irving sidelined by injury. When Irving was healthy, Tucker was largely limited to RB3 work behind both Irving and
Rachaad White. White departed Tampa Bay in free agency for the Washington Commanders, but the Bucs brought in even stiffer competition for Tucker in the form of former Pittsburgh Steelers back
Kenneth Gainwell. As long as Irving and Gainwell are healthy, Tucker's pathway to regular playing time in Tampa Bay is hard to see. The 24-year-old remains a slightly intriguing depth option for fantasy managers, but his dynasty value is fading as he enters his fourth NFL season and remains without a clear role in his team's offense.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
After failing to record a catch over his first two NFL seasons, San Francisco 49ers tight end
Jake Tonges emerged as a quality contributor in 2025. Across 17 games, the 26-year-old hauled in 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets. Tonges' performance was enough to earn him a new two-year contract worth $8 million from San Francisco in free agency. The majority of his production in 2025 came when fellow 49ers tight
George Kittle (Achilles) was sidelined by injury between Week 2 and Week 6. However, Tonges may have another chance to work as the 49ers' lead tight end to open 2026, as Kittle is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon that he suffered in the playoffs and is likely to miss time next season. Tonges could be a solid sleeper tight end option for fantasy managers to target heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Across 11 games as a junior at USC in 2025, wide receiver
Ja'Kobi Lane recorded 49 receptions for 745 yards and four touchdowns. The 21-year-old now appears likely to hear his name called at some point in the middle round of the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft in April. At 6'4" with a 40-inch vertical jump, Lane profiles as a big-bodied, ball-winning outside receiver. While he logged just four touchdown grabs in 2025, he showed his red zone prowess in 2024 by hauling in 12 touchdown catches in 13 games. However, Lane has some issues consistently creating separation against press coverage and is not the most shifty wideout in the short and intermediate areas of the field. As a result, Lane may have trouble providing consistent fantasy production in PPR-scoring formats, especially early in his career. Still, Lane has some upside as a downfield threat and is worthy of roster consideration in dynasty formats. RotoBaller currently ranks Lane as the 85th-best wide receiver for dynasty leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Washington Commanders tight end
Chig Okonkwo could immediately contribute as an appealing fantasy option during his first year with the team. Okonkwo spent his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans, occupying a modest role in the offense. He consistently finished as the TE21 in PPR leagues each of the last three years. With that being said, in terms of pure stats, 2025 was his best season as he caught 56 of his 79 targets for 560 yards, all career-highs. The Maryland product contributed to the best of his ability in a relatively uninspiring Titans offense. While the Commanders' offense admittedly has some work to do, as well, the presence of quarterback
Jayden Daniels and the new-look offensive system under coordinator
David Blough could bode well for Okonkwo as he looks to take a major leap. Fantasy managers would love to see him step in and fill the role of
Zach Ertz, who finished as the overall TE7 with 654 yards and seven touchdowns as the Commanders' primary tight end in 2024. If Okonkwo can have that level of involvement around the goal line, there's no question that he can be a top-12 fantasy tight end year in and year out. If Daniels stays healthy and the offense operates efficiently in 2026, Okonkwo could end up being one of the biggest steals on fantasy draft night.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. could find himself in a familiar role next season. The Vikings re-signed Jones to share the backfield with
Jordan Mason, creating a similar dynamic to last year. The 31-year-old was a low-end RB2 when healthy, but he missed five full games due to injury and exited others early. As a result, he finished the regular season with a modest 548 rushing yards, 199 receiving yards, and three total touchdowns. The Vikings have gradually gotten Mason more involved, while Jones' age and injuries have resulted in him handling fewer touches. He's still going to get rushing yards, receiving yards, and touchdowns -- just not nearly as much as during the peak of his career. The good news for Jones is that his return indicates it should just be him and Mason in the backfield, and the Vikings won't make any splashes at the running back position in free agency or the draft. Still, Jones' days as an every-down back and fantasy RB1 are over. He's falling to the RB3/flex tier for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman
Andrew Vaughn (hand) is battling a hand injury, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. McCalvy reports that Vaughn's injury is prompting Milwaukee to promote catching prospect Jefferson Quero to provide the team the flexibility to use normal backup catcher
Gary Sanchez at first base. Vaughn appears likely to be placed on the injured list, but it's not entirely clear how much time Milwaukee expects him to miss. The 27-year-old started Milwaukee's opener on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox at first base and batted cleanup. Vaughn closed the 2025 season on a tear, hitting .308/.375/.493 with nine home runs, 46 RBI, and 26 runs scored across 254 plate appearances with Milwaukee. If he's forced to miss time, Sanchez and left-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman
Jake Bauers could be the leading candidates to cover first base for the Brewers.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 28, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers closer
Edwin Diaz converted his first save chance with his new team on Friday night in the Dodgers' 5-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Diaz allowed a walk but struck out two without allowing a hit in a scoreless ninth inning. The 32-year-old signed a three-year, $69 million contract with Los Angeles this past winter after a six-season run with the New York Mets. Across 66 1/3 innings with New York in 2025, Diaz recorded a 1.63 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP with 98 strikeouts, six wins, and 28 saves. He's recorded a strikeout rate of at least 38% in six out of the last seven seasons where he's pitched. When healthy, Diaz is arguably the best closer in baseball and should get plenty of save chances while pitching for the Dodgers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Oneil Cruz is not in the starting lineup for his team's matchup with the New York Mets and left-handed starting pitcher
David Peterson on Saturday. Switch-hitter
Jake Mangum will take Cruz's spot in center field and bat ninth. Cruz's 2026 season got off to a rough start in Pittsburgh's opener against the Mets on Thursday, as he struck out three times in five plate appearances and misplayed a ball in center field that led to multiple runs for New York. The 27-year-old owns a slash line of .172/.247/.313 with a 38.4% strikeout rate in 401 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching. It appears that Pittsburgh is planning to deploy Cruz in a true big-side platoon role in center field, at least to begin 2026. Cruz's power/speed profile makes him a high-upside fantasy outfielder, but his ability to rack up counting stats is limited by his lack of everyday playing time.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk's time in the Bay Area is likely over, but he could still be a low-cost target in dynasty leagues as he embarks on the next chapter of his career. All signs point to the 49ers designating Aiyuk as a post-June 1 release, putting an end to all the turmoil and drama that marred his first six years in the NFL. The 28-year-old played seven games in 2024 and zero in 2025, due to injury and personal issues with the organization. Hitting free agency will allow Aiyuk to have a fresh start, and he could perhaps return to his pre-2024 form. He was a top-15 fantasy receiver (PPR) in both 2022 and 2023, totaling more than 2,350 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns across those two years. The Arizona State product has shown that he has the talent to produce significant fantasy value, but now, he just needs to stay healthy and on good terms with his future team. Aiyuk's eventual landing spot remains unknown, but it's worth noting that he has been heavily linked to the Washington Commanders. He was teammates with quarterback
Jayden Daniels in college, and Commanders general manager Adam Peters was part of the 49ers front office that drafted Aiyuk back in 2020.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman
Kazuma Okamoto has been moved up to the cleanup spot in his team's lineup for Toronto's matchup on Saturday against the Athletics and left-handed starting pitcher
Jeffrey Springs. Okamoto batted seventh for the Blue Jays' opener on Friday with the A's throwing right-handed starting pitcher
Luis Severino. Okamoto performed well in his MLB debut, going two-for-three with a walk and two runs scored. The 29-year-old is expected to play a key role as the Blue Jays' everyday third baseman in 2026 after the team brought him over from Japan on a four-year, $60 million contract. Okamoto's prominent spot in the lineup against left-handers should help him rack up counting stats for fantasy managers, and could be an indicator of his potential to move up in the lineup against righties if he proves he can handle MLB pitching.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Romeo Doubs will have an opportunity to emerge as
Drake Maye's favorite target during the 2026 season. Doubs signed a multi-year contract this offseason to replace
Stefon Diggs as the presumptive No. 1 receiver in New England. However, that role isn't guaranteed, especially given the growth we saw from
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins,
Kyle Williams, and
Hunter Henry. Doubs will need to hold onto his No. 1 role throughout camp and the preseason to warrant consideration as a weekly fantasy starter. If that happens, he'd likely rank as a high-end WR3/flex in redraft leagues. He's unlikely to offer quite as much fantasy value as Diggs, who was inconsistent week over week but still finished as the overall WR17 in PPR formats. Managers should also be cognizant of the fact that New England might not be done making moves. A Diggs return remains possible, and the Patriots have been heavily linked to a trade for
A.J. Brown.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) continues to work his way back from injury. He recently signed a two-year extension to keep him in Indianapolis through 2027, but he's not a lock to start Week 1 this upcoming season. Depending on how his recovery goes, Jones could miss the early portion of the season, leaving
Riley Leonard in line to start. Managers likely won't have much clarity on his timeline until the middle or end of the summer, leaving plenty of questions about his fantasy value for 2026. When healthy last year, Jones was a legitimate QB1 in fantasy football. He ranked as the overall QB9 before getting injured, averaging 253.4 passing yards, 13.3 rushing yards, and 2.0 total touchdowns per game. Jones' ADP might end up pricing him as a top-10 quarterback, meaning you'll have no choice but to draft him as a QB1. If that happens, spending a draft pick on a decent QB2 is imperative, since you might be without Jones for the first few weeks of the season. When he does return, though, he should offer consistent production as a weekly fantasy starter.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 28, 2026
Texas Rangers ace
Jacob deGrom (neck) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to neck stiffness. Left-hander
Jacob Latz will make the start in deGrom's place. After failing to reach 100 innings pitched in four consecutive seasons from 2021 through 2024 due to multiple different arm injuries, deGrom finally put together a healthy campaign in 2025. Across 172 2/3 innings (30 starts), the 37-year-old recorded a 12-8 record with a 2.97 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts. On the bright side, deGrom's current issue is not arm-related, and he may simply need to be pushed back a few days before he can make his first start of 2026. However, any injury issue for deGrom is a concern for fantasy managers, given his extensive track record of missed time in recent years. Texas wraps up its series with the Phillies on Sunday before heading to Baltimore for a three-game set with the Orioles that begins on Monday evening.
--Will BradySource: Texas Rangers PR
March 28, 2026
Washington Nationals shortstop
CJ Abrams is currently away from the team due to the passing of a family member, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. Nationals infielder
Nasim Nunez will fill in for Abrams at shortstop for the team's game on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, with infielder
Jorbit Vivas taking Nunez's regular spot at second base. Abrams went one-for-four with two RBI in Washington's Opening Day win on Thursday against the Cubs. It's not entirely clear how long Abrams will be away from the team, but it's unlikely to be an extended absence. The Nationals wrap up their series in Chicago on Sunday before traveling to Philadelphia for a three-game series that begins on Monday night.
--Will BradySource: Nats Journal - Mark Zuckerman
March 28, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers are calling up catching prospect
Jeferson Quero from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday, a source told Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtra Base. Quero, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will give the Brewers more catching depth behind
William Contreras and
Gary Sanchez. The 23-year-old Venezuelan backstop will be making his big-league debut whenever he gets into a game, but right now, his path to playing time appears blocked in Milwaukee. Quero dealt with hamstring and shoulder injuries in the minors in 2025 and was limited to 250 plate appearances, hitting .255/.336/.412 with 11 home runs, 57 RBI, and 42 runs scored in 69 games on the farm. It's a questionable early-season call-up unless one of Contreras or Sanchez is currently dealing with an injury that we are unaware of. Quero is considered one of baseball's best defensive catching prospects, although he's not on MLB Pipeline's list of top-10 catching prospects overall.
--Keith HernandezSource: ElExtraBase - Daniel Alvarez-Montes
March 28, 2026
Miami Marlins right-handed closer
Pete Fairbanks was successful in his first save opportunity on Opening Day on Friday, locking down the team's 2-1 victory over the visiting Colorado Rockies. In his inning of work, Fairbanks allowed a hit and struck out one batter to pick up his first win of the 2026 season with his new squad. The 32-year-old veteran signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the Fish over the winter to be their closer for this season, and if he can stay healthy, he'll have a good shot at his first career 30-save campaign in the big leagues. Fairbanks is in his eighth season in MLB and has 91 career saves with the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays. He had a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, a career-high 27 saves, 59 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 60 1/3 innings in 2025 in his final year in Tampa. Despite being in Miami, Fairbanks should be a pretty stable fantasy closer, as he's had at least 20 saves in each of the last three seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays infielder
Andres Gimenez was the hero for the Blue Jays on Friday in their 3-2 Opening Day win over the visiting Athletics on Friday, driving home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Gimenez finished the game 2-for-3 with a two-run triple, an RBI single, and a walk out of the nine-hole. The 27-year-old, who is now playing shortstop for the Blue Jays with
Bo Bichette no longer in town, has been riding high of late, also helping Team Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic this spring. Gimenez was an All-Star back in 2022 with the Cleveland Guardians and had 70 total stolen bases from 2022 to 2024, but he's still mostly useful to Toronto for his defensive prowess up the middle. He has a .254/.317/.383 career slash line in 670 career games, and has never reached the 20-home run mark. Offensive performances like Friday night will probably be few and far between for Gimenez, but his speed can be useful in deeper leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter is now up to three home runs on the year after just the first two games of the season after he homered again in the team's 5-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Friday night. DeLauter, batting in the two-hole for Cleveland, went 1-for-4 on the night with a solo home run and a strikeout. In his first two games of the 2026 season, the 24-year-old left-handed slugger has gone 4-for-9 with three home runs (all solo jobs). It's been nice to see from the former 16th overall pick in 2022 out of James Madison University in his first taste of major-league pitching. He also looked good at the plate this spring, batting .459/.535/.838 with a 1.373 OPS, three homers, five doubles, 10 RBI, 10 runs scored, six walks, and four strikeouts in 14 Cactus League games. Durability has been an issue for DeLauter in the minors, but for now, fantasy managers need to swoop him up where he's available, as he's looking like a potential early favorite for American League Rookie of the Year if he can stay on the field for Cleveland.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 28, 2026
Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever
Jordan Romano is emerging as the team's primary closer with all of
Kirby Yates (knee),
Ben Joyce (shoulder), and
Robert Stephenson (elbow) on the injured list to begin the 2026 season. Romano picked up his first save of the year in Thursday's 3-0 Opening Day win over the Houston Astros, and although it wasn't a save situation, he pitched in the ninth inning for a second straight day in Friday's 6-2 victory. He had a clean inning of work to finish off the victory, striking out two batters. Romano had a rough couple of seasons the last few years, but he topped out at 95.7 mph on Friday and is looking more like the version of himself that had 36 saves in back-to-back years with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2022 and 2023. Veteran left-hander
Drew Pomeranz could also see some save chances for the Halos early in the year with the back end of the bullpen banged up, but for now, Romano is the arm to roster for fantasy managers in need of saves.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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