San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that right-hander Hayden Birdsong (elbow) is dealing with some right-elbow soreness in camp and will be evaluated, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. The severity of Birdsong's elbow injury is uncertain, as well as how long he might be shut down from throwing in spring training. On top of injury issues with around two weeks until Opening Day, the 24-year-old has been hit around in Cactus League play. Birdsong has given up eight earned runs on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings pitched. Already fighting an uphill battle to make the team's Opening Day starting rotation, fantasy managers can probably assume he won't make the starting five now. The former sixth-rounder in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois had an ERA approaching 5.00 for the second straight season and an FIP even higher in 65 2/3 innings pitched over 21 outings (10 starts). Especially with an injury, Birdsong is outside the top-100 starting fantasy pitchers.

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Cleveland Guardians infielder Daniel Schneemann (ankle) was scratched from the Grapefruit League lineup on Friday with a right-ankle sprain, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Schneemann was set to start at shortstop for the Guards before being scratched. Depending on the severity of the 29-year-old's ankle sprain, he could be sidelined for a little bit, putting his availability for Opening Day at the end of the month in question. The left-handed hitter mostly played against righties in 2025 in just his second year in the big leagues, slashing .206/.283/.354 with a .636 OPS, 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 48 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 422 plate appearances over 131 games played. If healthy for the 2026 season, Schneeman will provide infield versatility off Cleveland's bench against right-handed pitchers. Schneeman showed some power last year, but he's hit just .210 (12-for-572) in his first 204 big-league games.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (lat) threw a four-inning simulated game in camp on Friday but said his status for Opening Day in late March is still to be determined, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers aren't taking any chances with Woodruff going into the 2026 season after he got a late start in 2025 while recovering from right-shoulder surgery, before suffering a right-lat strain late in the year. The 33-year-old veteran has already thrown two innings in a Cactus League game. His primary goal is to be healthy for the entire season, so don't be surprised if Woodruff isn't in the Opening Day starting rotation. Woodruff was still very strong last year with a 3.20 ERA and 0.91 WHIP despite diminished velocity, and he's proven in the past that he can be one of the better pitchers in baseball. Injury concerns make him a high-risk, high-reward option in fantasy drafts this year with a ceiling of a SP2.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (wrist) thinks an optimistic timeline for his diagnosis is a late-April/early-May return, according to Dominic Cotroneo. "Ultimately, I'll trust whatever the scheduling is there to make sure we do it right... so get back as fast as possible but as smart as possible," Priester said on Friday. The 25-year-old was diagnosed with a nerve issue in the thoracic outlet syndrome family that has given him issues with his right wrist. The good news is that it's not very severe, and the Brewers think he can avoid having to go under the knife. Still, it's a pretty serious setback for Priester, and he'll begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list. Priester was shaping up as an interesting late-round selection in fantasy drafts for rotation depth after breaking out in 2025 in Milwaukee with a 3.32 ERA, but now he's highly risky. He is not in Rotoballer's top-100 rankings for starting pitchers.

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Across 64 innings in 2025, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Robert Garcia pitched to a 4-8 record with a 2.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and nine saves. The 29-year-old left-hander owns a solid 27.2% strikeout rate for his career with a manageable 7.7% walk rate to boot. Garcia ended 2025 tied for the Rangers' team lead in saves with Shawn Armstrong and Luke Jackson, both of whom are no longer with the organization. As a result, Garcia could be in line to assume the club's primary closer role in 2026. Additionally, Texas recently designated free agent signee Alexis Diaz for assignment, who may have been the most experienced closer the team had in camp. If Garcia pitches well in the early portion of the season, he could conceivably grab hold of the ninth-inning role in a Rangers bullpen that currently appears light on quality alternatives. Fantasy managers may want to target Garcia as a mid-round saves option in upcoming drafts before Opening Day.

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Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that right-hander Logan Henderson (elbow) is "back on track" and could pitch in a Spring Training game this weekend, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Henderson experienced some elbow soreness in early March, but it appears that he and the Brewers may have avoided a serious injury. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2025, recording a 3-0 record with a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings (five starts). Milwaukee's enviable starting pitching depth and his minor spring injury setback could leave Henderson on the outside looking in of the Opening Day rotation. However, he should have a chance to open the year healthy, and he will almost certainly have an opportunity to work his way back to the big leagues at some point this season. Fantasy managers in deep leagues may want to swoop in on Henderson now at a relative low point in his value heading into 2026.

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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte was the subject of trade discussions early this offseason, but ultimately did not end up being moved and will suit up for his 10th season in Arizona in 2026. Marte has firmly established himself as one of the best second basemen in baseball, hitting .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs, 72 RBI, 87 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 556 plate appearances in 2025. He's posted a walk rate of at least 10.9% in each of the last three seasons and boosted his barrel rate to a career-high 13.5% in 2025. Marte has not reached double-digit steals in a season since 2019, so he does not project as a major speed asset for fantasy managers. He also comes with a spotty track record of health, reaching 600 plate appearances just twice since 2016. Still, the 32-year-old elite production when on the field and profiles as a high-end fantasy second baseman heading into 2026.

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MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reports that the Toronto Blue Jays plan to keep starting pitcher Shane Bieber (forearm) on his normal throwing schedule for the "next few days" before seeing if he's ready to throw off a mound for the first time "a week from now." Bieber dealt with right forearm fatigue late in Toronto's 2025 postseason run, which will lead to him starting 2026 on the Injured List. The 30-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024 that kept him sidelined until late August 2025. Bieber pitched well across 40 1/3 innings (seven starts) for the Blue Jays upon his return to the mound, recording a 4-2 record with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts. If he can work his way back to full health, Bieber could re-emerge as a fantasy-relevant starting pitcher in 2026. However, he remains without a firm return timeline and has to be considered a major health risk, given that he has not made more than 21 starts in a season since 2022.

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The Texas Rangers have designated relief pitcher Alexis Diaz for assignment, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Diaz served as the primary closer for the Cincinnati Reds in 2023 and 2024, collecting 65 total saves and 141 strikeouts across 123 2/3 innings. However, the right-hander struggled mightily in 2025, posting an 8.15 ERA across 17 2/3 innings split between the Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves. Texas took a flyer on Diaz by signing him to a one-year deal in free agency, but the Rangers have apparently decided to bail out early on the 28-year-old. Diaz looked completely lost in his three Spring Training appearances for Texas, walking four and allowing eight earned runs across 1 2/3 innings pitched. The former closer will now either accept an outright assignment to the Minor Leagues or search for a new home as he looks to resurrect his MLB career.

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Baltimore Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers will get the nod on Opening Day this year for the team, manager Craig Albernaz told Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Rogers will take the hill to get things kicked off on March 26 against the Minnesota Twins. The 28-year-old southpaw was traded from the Miami Marlins to Baltimore in the middle of the 2024 season and struggled so much with the O's that he was sent to the minors. 2025 was a different story for Rogers, though, as he went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 103:29 K:BB in 109 2/3 innings pitched over his 18 starts for the team. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect similar numbers in 2026 if Rogers can pitch for a full season, but he showed last year that he still has plenty left in the tank. He's worth considering as a No. 4 or 5 starter later in fantasy drafts with the upside to be a SP2 if everything goes right. In his season debut against the Twins, Rogers will be a cheap DFS play in a good matchup.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) is expected to be out until at least mid-April after having surgery to fix a torn ACL in his knee, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Gurriel has already said that he's hopeful to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March, but the D-backs have other plans and plan to bring him along a bit more slowly. Still, the 32-year-old veteran is making excellent progress, and he could even serve as a designated hitter in Cactus League games before the end of spring training. With Gurriel set to open the 2026 regular season on the injured list, Jordan Lawlar is "all but certain" to make the Opening Day roster and get regular playing time for the Snakes. When Gurriel does return, he'll provide the D-backs with a platoon bat in left field. He has a three-year streak of 75-plus RBI, but Gurriel is undraftable in shallow mixed redraft leagues coming off the torn ACL that he suffered in the final month of last season.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow), who is dealing with right-elbow inflammation, will go to Texas for an in-person assessment with Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Berrios will not throw before then. The 31-year-old also dealt with elbow inflammation and a biceps injury late last season. This isn't a good sign for a veteran pitcher with a ton of tread already on his tires. He had made three appearances in the Grapefruit League in spring training, posting a 3.38 ERA with seven strikeouts and four walks in 10 2/3 innings pitched. Berrios, a 10-year MLB vet, went 9-5 last year in his fourth full season with the Jays, posting a 4.17 ERA (4.65 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with 138 K's and 56 walks in 166 innings over 31 regular-season outings (30 starts). The two-time All-Star was a depth starter in mixed fantasy leagues before more elbow issues cropped up. Until we know more, it's probably best to avoid Berrios in upcoming drafts.

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Los Angeles Angels reliever Kirby Yates should have an opportunity to earn saves in the Halos' wide-open bullpen this season. Yates inked a deal with the Angels during the offseason after a successful season in the Dodgers' bullpen. Through 50 appearances (41.1 innings) in 2025, he posted 11.32 K/9, 3.70 BB/9, and 1.96 HR/9. That staggering home run rate likely explains his 5.23 ERA, but it should be noted that his 3.90 xFIP indicates that he's due for a significant bounce-back campaign. Yates ultimately racked up three saves in a non-closer role with the Dodgers, but he has a much clearer path to save opportunities with the Angels. Los Angeles' closer competition currently consists of Jordan Romano, Robert Stephenson, Drew Pomeranz, and Yates, with all four arms seemingly still in the mix at this point in spring training. Yates isn't a lock for the closer role, but he could end up providing managers with low-cost saves at his current ADP of 367. The reward outweighs the risk here.

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Milwaukee Brewers reliever Abner Uribe is competing to be the team's primary closer in 2026. While that role belonged to Trevor Megill last season, Uribe has simply been the stronger bullpen arm and offers tremendous upside in save scenarios. Uribe finished 2025 with a 1.67 ERA, 10.75 K/9, and 3.23 BB/9 over 75 games (75.1 innings). He touched 100 mph with his fastball and racked up seven saves. Megill had 30 saves, but he was less effective overall with a 2.49 ERA and 3.23 xERA. The Brewers are lucky to have two capable closers competing for one job; there are very few teams in MLB that find themselves in that position. At the same time, though, this is a very important decision for the Brewers to make, and all things being equal, it seems like Uribe may be the favorite. He's the cheaper fantasy option, too, currently holding an ADP of 170 (compared to Megill's ADP of 135).

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Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel hasn't previously been a full-time closer, but he could be the early favorite to earn save opportunities during the 2026 season. His primary competition at this point is veteran reliever Paul Sewald, who was the Snakes' closer in 2023 and 2024 but then struggled while splitting time with the Guardians and Tigers last year. Sewald finished 2025 with a 5.00 xFIP, two saves, and two blown saves, leading him back to Arizona this offseason. Now that Sewald has shown he no longer has high-leverage save appeal, the closer job may be Ginkel's to lose. Ginkel tossed 25.2 innings in the majors last year, posting 10.17 K/9, 4.56 BB/9, and 0.70 K/9. He had an atrocious 7.36 ERA, but his 3.64 FIP suggests he was extremely unlucky and should bounce back this year. The walk rate isn't ideal, either, but we're encouraged by his high strikeout rate and low home run rate. In all likelihood, the D-backs will operate in a "closer by committee" situation, giving saves to whichever leverage arm has been most successful lately. There's a good chance the first dibs go to Ginkel, though.

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Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is fully healthy ahead of the 2026 season, and he's likely ready to put last year's two injuries behind him. Alvarez missed more than 100 games in 2025 due to a fractured left hand and right ankle sprain. As a result, he produced just six home runs and 118 wRC+ with a 14.1% walk rate and a 16.6% strikeout rate. The discipline numbers are impressive, and we expect that he can return to his 30-plus-homer form if he stays healthy for most of the 2026 season. He has appeared in just six games this spring; he went 1-for-13 with five strikeouts over the first five contests, but then delivered an impressive 3-for-3 showing with a double on Thursday. We're not going to put much stock in spring statsgood or badand the main takeaway should be that Alvarez is healthy and ready to contribute. He offers significant power upside with both outfield and designated hitter eligibility.

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Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is fully healthy ahead of the 2026 season, making him a very intriguing option in fantasy baseball leagues. Seager was held to just over 100 games last year due to a hamstring injury and appendectomy. He still had a solid campaign, slashing .271/.373/.487 with 21 home runs, 138 wRC+, a 13.0% walk rate, and a 19.6% strikeout rate. However, it's evident that he could have been far more impactful for the Rangers and fantasy managers if he had played a full season. Seager hasn't eclipsed 123 games since 2022, so it's not a given that he'll be fully healthy this year. With that said, the fact that he has a clean bill of health is a step in the right direction. With 30-homer potential and solid discipline numbers, Seager is an appealing option in fantasy baseball leagues and currently ranks as RotoBaller's #12 overall shortstop.

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery he underwent in October of 2024. He didn't pitch at all in 2025, and his last time on the mound was against Team Great Britain in an exhibition game. Ahead of Thursday's game, Padres manager Craig Stammen said Musgrove is nearing a return, but is in "a bit of a holding pattern" right now. It sounds like the organization is waiting for Musgrove to get over the hump before they ramp up his activities. Stammen didn't hint at Musgrove not being ready for Opening Day, but given his recent activities, it's hard to imagine he'll be ready by then. Fantasy managers should still consider Musgrove a late-round option despite a possible delayed start to the season.

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Tampa Bay Rays infielder Richie Palacios (back) is returning to the lineup ahead of Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox. Palacios appears ready to play after missing over a week of action due to back tightness. He has been off to an ugly 2-for-15 start at the plate during Spring Training. He's hopeful to turn that around and earn a utility/bench role on the Rays' 26-man roster to begin the season. The 28-year-old posted solid numbers during a 13-game sample size with the Rays last season. He slashed .223/.346/.318 with five home runs, 21 RBI, and 19 steals in 92 games with Tampa Bay in 2024. He could offer some deep league value if he's able to make the big league team.

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Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz (hand) is back in the lineup ahead of Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox. Diaz is back in the mix after missing more than a week of action due to left-hand soreness. He has been increasing his workouts in recent days and is feeling good enough to play now. Diaz looks to continue his reliable ways after slashing .300/.366/.482 with 25 home runs and 83 RBI in 150 games last season. His power numbers could see a regression with the move back to Tropicana Field in 2026. The 34-year-old still hits well enough to be a useful corner infield bat for fantasy managers heading into the 2026 campaign.

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