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Player News
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Will Riley Greene Continue to Sacrifice Contact for Power?
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Durability a Concern, but Trea Turner's Skills Remain Intact
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Andy Ibanez Designated for Assignment
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Dodgers Claim Michael Siani Off Waivers From Yankees
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Jordyn Adams Signs With Brewers
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Kyle Bradish Wins his Arbitration Case With Orioles
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Will Riley Greene Continue to Sacrifice Contact for Power?
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene took a more aggressive approach at the plate in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues, which led to career highs in home runs (36) and RBI (111), but also in strikeouts (201). Greene had a career-high 30.7% strikeout rate, although his average only dropped from .262 to .258. The 25-year-old left-handed slugger's OPS also dropped over 20 points, thanks to a career-low 7.1% walk rate. He swung at more pitches and also swung and missed more, but when he did make contact, he did damage with a 17.1% barrel rate. In addition to Greene's 36 homers and 111 RBI, he added a career-high 84 runs scored but stole just two bases. Greene has a total of 14 thefts in his four seasons, so fantasy managers can't count on that as part of his game. If his aggressive approach at the plate continues in 2026, Greene should have a high floor as a power threat and run-producer while maintaining a solid but unspectacular average. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 20 outfielder. -
Durability a Concern, but Trea Turner's Skills Remain Intact
For the second straight season, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Tre Turner missed time with a hamstring injury, limiting him to 141 games. Turner still managed to win his second batting title (.304 batting average), but he was unable to reach the 20-homer mark (15 dingers) for the first time in a full season since 2019 with the Washington Nationals. In addition to his 15 homers and .304 average, the 32-year-old three-time All-Star had 69 RBI, 94 runs scored, and 36 stolen bases in his third season with the Phillies. Injuries are a concern for Turner, but he proved last year that he still has the sprint speed to swipe 30-plus bags as he nears his mid-30s. And if he manages to stay healthy, the counting stats should be there as the table-setter for a very potent Philly offense. Turner is a borderline top-25 fantasy asset and is the No. 5-ranked fantasy shortstop at RotoBaller going into the 2026 season. -
Andy Ibanez Designated for Assignment
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they designated infielder Andy Ibanez for assignment. In a corresponding move, the team claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the New York Yankees. Ibanez loses his spot on the 40-man roster after signing a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Dodgers last month. The 32-year-old veteran from Cuba played in 91 games for the Detroit Tigers last year and slashed .239/.301/.352 with a .653 OPS, four home runs, 21 RBI, 24 runs scored, and a career-high four stolen bases in 193 plate appearances. Ibanez is a career .254/.305/.389 hitter with a .694 OPS in five major-league seasons with the Tigers and Texas Rangers. He has very little power and speed, although his success against left-handed pitching in 2025 could make him attractive as a bench option off waivers. -
Dodgers Claim Michael Siani Off Waivers From Yankees
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the New York Yankees. The Dodgers designated infielder Andy Ibanez for assignment in a corresponding move. The Yankees claimed Siani off waivers from the Dodgers last month, but he'll be heading back to L.A. with a week until the start of spring training. The 26-year-old is a great defensive outfielder, but he doesn't bring much with his bat. Siani played in only 19 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last year and hit .228/.285/.285 with a .570 OPS, two home runs, 20 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 124 games in St. Louis in 2024. With minor-league options remaining, Siani will most likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City while providing organizational outfield depth for the Blue. -
Jordyn Adams Signs With Brewers
Free-agent outfielder Jordyn Adams signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. Adams, the former 17th overall pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, made his major-league debut with the Halos in 2023 and hit .128 (5-for-39) in 17 games. He only appeared in five games for the Baltimore Orioles last year and was hitless in five at-bats with two strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-handed-hitting outfielder will now head to the Brewers, where he'll most likely serve as organizational outfield depth at Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2026 campaign. In seven minor-league seasons, Adams has slashed .247/.328/.377 with a .705 OPS, 52 home runs, 288 RBI, and 158 stolen bases in 651 games played. He is off the fantasy radar in all leagues. -
Kyle Bradish Wins his Arbitration Case With Orioles
Right-hander Kyle Bradish won his salary arbitration hearing with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, a source told Jake Rill of MLB.com. Bradish will make $3.55 million during the 2026 season. The Orioles had submitted a figure of $2.875 million. In his return from Tommy John surgery last year, the 29-year-old went 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA (2.45 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 10 walks in 32 innings pitched over just six starts in his fourth year in the big leagues. Although it was a small sample size, Bradish's 37.3% strikeout rate was extremely impressive. He also went five innings in four of his starts and struck out nine or more in three outings. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Bradish to be that dominant in 2026, but it's hard to argue with his results from the last three seasons (2.78 ERA and 268 K's in 240 innings). Bradish should be a low-end No. 2 target as a starting pitcher in fantasy in 2026. -
Carlos Santana Agrees With Diamondbacks
Free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, a source told John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. The 39-year-old veteran switch-hitter will join his ninth team as he enters his 17th season in the big leagues. Santana split last season with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs and slashed a combined .219/.308/.325 with a career-low .633 OPS, 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 124 games and 474 plate appearances. Santana's ability to switch hit will give him an advantage in a platoon situation at first base, but he'll still likely be on the short side of a platoon with Pavin Smith at first in the desert in 2026. In his prime, Santana was an excellent source of on-base percentage due to his fantastic knowledge of the strike zone, but he's declined offensively in recent years and is likely in his final big-league season. -
Edwin Diaz to Pitch for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Los Angeles Dodgers star closer Edwin Diaz will pitch for Puerto Rico in this year's World Baseball Classic, three years after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the tournament, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a victory back in 2023 over the Dominican Republic. He signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers as a free agent this offseason and will enter 2026 as one of the top closers off the board in fantasy baseball drafts. Since 2018, Diaz has 201 saves, which is fourth-most in the majors. The 31-year-old veteran converted 28 of his 31 save chances and had a sharp 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings last year for the New York Mets. As one of the most dominant closers in the game with the back-to-back World Series-champion Dodgers, the sky is the limit for Diaz in 2026. -
Twins Claim Jackson Kowar Off Waivers From Mariners
The Minnesota Twins announced on Tuesday that they claimed right-hander Jackson Kowar off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Kowar was designated for assignment by Seattle last week after the team acquired Jhonny Pereda from the Twins. The 29-year-old former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2018 out of the University of Florida had his 2025 season cut short by a right-shoulder impingement. Before his injury, he had a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17 innings for the M's out of the bullpen. Kowar will most likely begin the 2026 campaign in the minors as organizational relief depth for Minnesota. In his four major-league seasons (three with the Royals), Kowar has posted an ugly 8.21 ERA (5.96 FIP), 1.93 WHIP, 90 strikeouts, and 58 walks in 54 outings (eight starts) over 91 innings pitched. -
Cam Smith to See Time in Center Field This Spring
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that outfielder Cam Smith will play some center field in spring training, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Reports this offseason have suggested that Smith isn't a lock for an Opening Day roster spot, but adding versatility in center field definitely will help his cause. The 22-year-old former first-rounder played well defensively in right field in 2025 in his first year in the big leagues while also slashing .236/.312/.358 with a .671 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 134 games played. The 22-year-old was brought up to the big leagues quickly, which makes his struggles less surprising. Smith carried a 27.8% strikeout rate, 90 wRC+, 6.9% barrel rate, and 45.1% ground-ball rate. Because of the possibility that Smith will start the 2026 season at Triple-A Sugar Land, he's a very risky investment in single-year fantasy leagues. -
Marlins Claim Garrett Acton Off Waivers From Rockies
The Miami Marlins announced that they claimed right-hander Garrett Acton off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday and designated outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. for assignment in a corresponding move. Acton, 27, made his major-league debut with the Athletics in 2023 and only threw one inning in relief for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025. He spent most of last year at Triple-A Durham, where he pitched to a 3.68 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 27 walks in 58 2/3 innings pitched. Acton will now compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot with the Marlins in spring training, but he'll likely open the year at Triple-A Jacksonville. Mesa made his big-league debut in 2025 with the Fish and went 6-for-32 (.188) with a homer in only 16 appearances. He was much better at Triple-A, though, slashing .303/.374/.513. -
Thomas Saggese Could be in the Mix for Outfield Work
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said on Tuesday that infielders Thomas Saggese and Freddy Fermin could play into the competition in the outfield during spring training, according to Brandon Kiley of 101 ESPN. Entering the mix in the outfield would give Saggese a better path to more playing time, but he hasn't spent any time in the outfield yet in his professional career. The 23-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2020 debuted in the majors in 2024 but played in only 18 games. Last year in 82 games (295 plate appearances), Saggese hit .258/.299/.342 with a .641 OPS, two home runs, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored, and three stolen bases for the Red Birds. Saggese still has time to develop, but he has so far disappointed with an elevated strikeout rate and limited power. His 44.1% hard-hit rate and 90.2 average exit velocity give hope that he can build on his offensive performance in 2026, but consistent playing time could be hard to come by. -
Nolan Gorman Should Have "Plenty of Opportunity" in 2026
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman will have "plenty of opportunity" this year to make an impact, according to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. "It's a big year for him… He should have plenty of opportunity this year. We've seen it (before). He has power everywhere. He can drive the baseball to any part of the field… He knows this is a big opportunity (for him)," Bloom said. The Cardinals have two openings on the infield going into spring training at third base and second base after they traded both Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan this offseason. The 25-year-old Gorman is expected to take over at the hot corner, with infield prospect JJ Wetherholt having a clear path at the keystone. We know there is power in Gorman's bat after he hit a career-high 27 homers in 2023, but he has struck out 35% of the time the last two seasons while hitting 33 combined homers. If Gorman can lower his strikeout rate in 2026, he could be a nice sleeper source of power with regular playing time. -
Rockies Sign Kyle McCann to Minor-League Deal
The Colorado Rockies signed former Athletics catcher Kyle McCann to a minor-league deal on Tuesday with a non-roster invitation to spring training, major-league sources told Thomas Harding of MLB.com. McCann will head to Colorado to give the Rockies additional catching depth. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop did not play in the majors at all last year after making his MLB debut with the A's in 2024. In his first 54 big-league games that season, McCann hit .236/.318/.371 with a .690 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 157 plate appearances. He split last season between Triple-A Las Vegas and the Mexican League. McCann will not be on the fantasy baseball radar in 2026 and is fully expected to begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque. -
Astros, Isaac Paredes Avoid Arbitration
The Houston Astros and third baseman Isaac Paredes avoided an arbitration hearing by settling on a one-year, $9.35 million deal on Tuesday, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Both sides met in the middle after exchanging figures last month. The 26-year-old's fantasy stock is down heading into the 2026 campaign, as he might not have a path to an everyday role in his second year in Houston. Paredes slashed .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs, 53 RBI, and 53 runs scored in 438 plate appearances over 102 games played. A hamstring injury was the reason why he didn't play a full season, and he wasn't 100% percent when he returned in the final month. In addition to Paredes not having a clear path to a starting role in 2026, there's a chance he's not ready for Opening Day as the Astros bring him along slowly. A trade out of town would most likely be the best thing for Paredes' fantasy value. -
Eduardo Salazar Signs Minor-League Deal With Twins
Free-agent pitcher Eduardo Salazar signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The right-hander has a foreign team inquiry clause. The 27-year-old Venezuelan right-hander appeared in 30 games out of the bullpen for the Washington Nationals in 2025 and pitched to a rough 8.38 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, and 23:16 K:BB in 29 innings. Salazar made his debut in the big leagues back in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds and had an 8.03 ERA (11 earned runs allowed in 12 1/3 innings). In his three seasons in the majors with the Nationals, Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers, Salazar has a 5.99 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and weak 16% strikeout rate in 70 2/3 relief innings. Salazar is unlikely to make Minnesota's Opening Day roster and should serve as organizational relief depth if he sticks around. -
Daniel Robert Re-Signs With Phillies
Free-agent reliever Daniel Robert re-signed a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training camp, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Robert missed the final month of the 2025 season with a forearm strain, and it's uncertain if he'll be limited at all for the start of spring training in a couple of weeks. The 31-year-old veteran right-hander made only 15 appearances in relief for the Phillies last year and gave up seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits (two homers) while walking 10 and striking out 15 in 13 innings pitched. He debuted in the big leagues in 2024 with the Texas Rangers, but threw only 5 2/3 frames of relief. Robert was originally a 21st-round selection by the Rangers in 2017 out of Auburn. He won't carry any fantasy value into the 2026 season. -
Joey Cantillo to Compete for Rotation Job This Spring
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo has plenty of experience pitching in relief, but MLB.com's Tim Stebbins writes that Cantillo will compete for a rotation job in spring training. In 13 starts (67 innings) for the Guardians in the second half of last season, Cantillo had a solid 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, and 28 walks. The 26-year-old southpaw will primarily be competing with pitching prospect Parker Messick for one of the final spots in the rotation in camp. If Messick impresses more, Cleveland can just slide Cantillo back into a relief role. He had a 3.81 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 21 outings out of the Guardians' bullpen in 2025. Although he may have had some luck as a starter to close out the year, Cantillo did have a 25.9% strikeout rate and 10.8% walk rate while holding hitters to a .214 average. As more of a swingman than a locked-in starter, Cantillo can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues. -
Rays Among the Teams Interested in Marcell Ozuna
The Tampa Bay Rays have joined the list of teams interested in signing free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, sources told MLB insider Mike Rodriguez. In addition to the Rays, the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates are looking at the three-time All-Star slugger. Ozuna was fourth in the MVP voting in 2024 but really struggled in 2025 in his sixth season with the Atlanta Braves, slashing .232/.355/.400 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 68 RBI, and 61 runs scored in 145 games and 592 plate appearances. The 35-year-old veteran Dominican was bothered by a hip injury that he suffered in June, which may have been the big reason why he struggled. Ozuna did increase his walk rate to a career-high 15.9%, but at this point in his career, he's most likely a full-time DH. There's potential for a bounce-back 2026 campaign, but at his age, Ozuna is also a pretty big risk. -
JJ Wetherholt Could Play Second Base in St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect JJ Wetherholt now has a clear path to playing time at second base in 2026 after the team traded Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners on Monday night, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Before the Donovan trade, Wetherholt was expected to compete for the third base job after St. Louis traded Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason. Nothing is guaranteed for Wetherholt, but all signs point to the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, being on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster in 2026. Between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis last year, the 23-year-old hit .306/.421/.510 with 17 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 109 games played. The former seventh overall pick in 2024 has 20-homer power as he matures, and he could play regularly right from the start of the season in St. Louis in 2026. -
Adbert Alzolay Expected to be Full-Go at Spring Training
New York Mets right-handed reliever Adbert Alzolay (elbow) is expected to be healthy as a full-go at the start of spring training, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets signed Alzolay to a two-year minor league deal in January of last year, and the 30-year-old Venezuelan hurler spent all of 2025 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old made his major-league debut with the Chicago Cubs back in 2019 and has gone 12-25 with a 4.04 ERA (4.30 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 27 saves, a 25.7% strikeout rate, and a 7.4% walk rate in 254 innings pitched over 121 appearances (27 starts) in six years with the Cubbies. If Alzolay stays healthy throughout spring training, he'll have a real shot to earn a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen as a middle-relief arm. -
Troy Melton to Compete for Rotation Spot in 2026
Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton is set to compete for a rotation spot in 2026 coming off his impressive stretch run last year, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Melton was a valuable swing man for Detroit late last year, but the 25-year-old's workload will be monitored closely after he threw 129 1/3 innings in 2025 between the minor leagues, the Tigers, and the playoffs. As a rookie last year, the 25-year-old had a strong 2.76 ERAand 1.01 WHIP in 45 2/3 innings in the big leagues over 16 appearances (four starts). The top of Detroit's rotation is set with Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty, and Reese Olson (shoulder), so Melton will be battling for the fifth and final spot to begin the season. Melton only had a 20% strikeout rate in his first taste of the big leagues, but he showed his upside down the stretch, and his fantasy arrow is pointing up now that he should be a full-time starter. -
Reese Olson Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (shoulder) is on track to be ready for spring training after suffering a season-ending right-shoulder strain last year, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Olson was shut down in late July and didn't pitch again in 2025. The 26-year-old went 4-4 with a career-low 3.15 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 25 walks in 68 2/3 innings over his 13 starts. He hasn't exceeded 112 innings in his three years in the big leagues with the Tigers, but he has a solid 3.60 ERA (3.55 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with a 23% strikeout rate and 7.8% walk rate in 284 2/3 total innings. Olson should have a rotation spot locked up in 2026 and has proven he can be a pretty reliable starting option for fantasy managers. If Olson can stay healthy, a step forward in his fourth big-league season is possible. He's ranked as the No. 86 starting pitcher at RotoBaller. -
Manny Machado Remains a Consistent Force at the Hot Corner
San Diego third baseman Manny Machado continues to turn in consistent seasons for the Padres, and he may be a little under the radar based on his current average draft position. Machado didn't have an eye-catching season in 2025, but he did continue his run of reliable production. He finished with 27 homers in his 159 games and has 25+ homers in 10 straight seasons (not counting the shortened 2020 season). He hit .275 for the second straight year, and his wOBA ticked up from .340 to .341 while his wRC+ crept up from 122 to 123. He mixed in 14 stolen bases as well, his highest total since 2018. Even though he has been around the majors for 14 seasons, he'll still only be 33 at the start of this year, so he still should have several strong seasons left, barring any major injury. Machado has played at least 150 games in nine of the last 10 full seasons as well, and his consistency and reliability make him a solid piece to build around. -
Can Cal Raleigh Duplicate his Monster Season?
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh had unprecedented success last year, breaking through for 60 home runs and 125 RBI. He's clearly the top bat available at a thin catcher position, and the fact that he's in the lineup almost every day, either behind the plate or at DH, makes him an even more valuable asset at one of the thinnest fantasy baseball positions. Raliegh played 159 games for the Mariners last year, hitting .247 with those 60 homers and a .392 wOBA while also adding in a sneaky 14 stolen bases. Big Dumper cut down on his strikeout rate and increased his barrel rate to a career-high 19.5%. He has at least 30 homers in three straight seasons and will be 29 when this season begins. There's likely to be some regression since no switch-hitting catcher has been so productive, but he was better than every other catcher by such a wide margin that he's still a great fantasy option for 2026. Barring injury, we should have a few more seasons of peak Raleigh, and he makes a lot of sense as an early target in most formats, where no other catcher comes close to matching his upside and production.