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The New York Mets announced they have designated left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady for assignment as a corresponding 40-man roster move following their acquisition of infielder Vidal Brujn from the Minnesota Twins. Lovelady is out of minor-league options, and if he clears waivers and is outrighted, he would have the right to elect free agency. The 30-year-old southpaw pitched just 11 innings for the Mets in 2025, allowing seven earned runs while striking out nine and issuing four walks. Across his six-year major league career, Lovelady has struggled to find consistency, compiling a 5.35 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 111 innings. For him to carve out a stable role at the major league level, he would need to rediscover his 2021 form, when he struck out 27.4 percent of opposing hitters and posted a 3.85 xERA. Looking ahead to 2026, even if Lovelady does find himself on a major league roster, he is unlikely to provide any meaningful fantasy value.

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Free-agent outfielder Corey Julks signed a minor-league contract with the Detroit Tigers last week, and The Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold reports that the deal includes a non-roster invitation to MLB spring training and would pay $875,000 if Julks makes the major-league roster. Julks has spent the past three seasons with the Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox. Across 525 MLB plate appearances, the 29-year-old has slashed .234/.288/.337 with nine home runs, 23 doubles, and 20 stolen bases, good for a 74 wRC+. He has also posted a 24.4% strikeout rate alongside a modest 7.0% walk rate. A right-handed hitter, Julks has historically crushed left-handed pitching in the minors but has yet to translate that success to the major league level. Defensively, he has experience at all three outfield spots, though he is best suited for a corner role. Looking ahead to 2026, the Tigers already have Riley Greene, Wenceel Prez, Kerry Carpenter, Parker Meadows, and Jahmai Jones on the 40-man roster. If Julks does receive a call-up, it is unlikely to be a long-term opportunity unless he significantly outperforms expectations. Outside of the deepest dynasty leagues, you can leave Julks off your fantasy radar for now.

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The Minnesota Twins announced they have traded infielder Vidal Brujan to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. Minnesota designated Brujn for assignment on Tuesday after acquiring Tristan Gray in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. The Mets have not yet made a corresponding roster move. Across five MLB seasons, the switch-hitting Brujn has slashed .199/.267/.276 with five home runs and 16 stolen bases in 645 plate appearances. Optimistically, Brujn has recently shown modest gains in power without sacrificing his low strikeout rate, but he has still been unable to find a long-term home. The 27-year-old Dominican Republic native was once a highly regarded prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays organization but has never been able to secure consistent playing time or production at the major league level. Brujn is out of minor-league options, meaning he would need to remain on the active roster to stay with the Mets. If he does stick around, he would likely serve as infield depth following the Mets' decision to trade Luisangel Acua for Luis Robert earlier this week. For now, fantasy managers can safely leave Brujn off their radar.

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The Washington Nationals announced they have designated catcher Riley Adams for assignment, a corresponding move for their claim of right-hander Gus Varland. Adams had been one of the longest-tenured Nationals, having been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 in exchange for left-handed reliever Brad Hand. Over five major league seasons, the 29-year-old has slashed .211/.287/.354 with 21 home runs in 849 plate appearances. While Adams has shown occasional power, his 79 wRC+ over that span indicates his offense has done more harm than good, particularly given that he grades out as a below-average defender. Washington further crowded its catching depth chart in December by acquiring Harry Ford from the Seattle Mariners in the Jos A. Ferrer trade. With Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas already on the 40-man roster, Adams' designation seemed inevitable.

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The Chicago White Sox and veteran free-agent first baseman/outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. have agreed to a minor-league contract, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Wade will report to MLB camp as a non-roster invitee. Across seven MLB seasons, Wade owns a .236/.341/.390 slash line with 55 home runs and 185 RBI over 560 games. In 2025, the 32-year-old split time between the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels, struggling to a .167 batting average with just one home run in 242 plate appearances. The White Sox have become something of a landing spot for underperforming veteran bats, so it's not impossible that Wade makes the roster out of spring training. Even if he does, however, he would offer minimal fantasy value outside of the deepest AL-only leagues. Chicago already has Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Vargas, who could play first base.

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The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent outfielder Chas McCormick to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. McCormick will be battling for a roster spot during camp this year in his new digs after he struggled in his final two seasons with the Houston Astros. The 30-year-old center fielder hit a career-high .273 with a career-best 22 home runs, 70 RBI, 59 runs, and a career-high 19 steals in 115 games for Houston in 2023, but the last two years combined, he has slashed a mere .211/.273/.301 with a .574 OPS, only six home runs, 32 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 158 games played. There's a very good chance that McCormick is forced to open the 2026 campaign in the minors at Triple-A Iowa for outfield depth, depending on how he performs this spring.

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After being acquired by the New York Mets on Wednesday night in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, right-hander Freddy Peralta is open to signing a contract extension with the Mets, sources told Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. The Mets gave up two of their top-five prospects in infielder Jett Williams and right-hander Brandon Sproat, and they're also receiving right-hander Tobias Myers. Given the cost of acquiring Peralta, New York is incentivized to lock Peralta up for years to come before he hits free agency after the 2026 season. Peralta was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025, going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 204 strikeouts, and a 5.5 bWAR in 176 2/3 innings over 33 regular-season starts. While the landing spot with the Mets isn't ideal, Peralta's track record of consistency speaks for itself -- 3.59 ERA and 14.9 bWAR in 211 games with Milwaukee. He'll be a top-20 fantasy starter in his first year with the Mets.

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The Texas Rangers are acquiring left-hander MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals on Thursday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Nationals will receive third baseman Gavin Fien, the 12th overall pick last year out of high school. Gore was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his third year in D.C., going 5-15 with a 4.17 ERA (3.74 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, career-high 185 strikeouts, and 64 walks in 30 starts over 159 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old southpaw looked like he was on his way to becoming a high-end fantasy starter in the first half, with a 3.02 ERA and 11.3 K/9 in his first 19 outings. But then everything fell apart, and Gore had a rough 6.75 ERA in his final 11 starts while also missing some time with ankle and shoulder injuries. Gore's strikeout upside gives him a decent floor, and the potential for more wins in Texas should raise his ADP going into the 2026 season.

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According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, multiple teams remain interested in free-agent first baseman Luis Arraez. Feinsand noted that, given his ability to play both first and second base, he has multiple suitors in the open market. Last season, the 28-year-old posted a .292 AVG, which was the lowest mark of his seven-year MLB career. He hit eight home runs and swiped 11 bags. Under the hood, he generated an elite 96th percentile xBA with a 3.1% K%, placing him within the 100th percentile among qualified hitters. From 2022 through 2024, Arraez held an overall .328/.371/.426 line with a .797 OPS. While his power production remains low, Arraez will be a top batting-average contributor in 2026, given his elite quality of contact. His counting stats could also see an uptick if he were to join a competing lineup.

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According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Boston Red Sox are a team that could make a push for top free agent Eugenio Suarez. Saurez has been linked to the Red Sox throughout the winter, and following the signings of Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, and Cody Bellinger, the third baseman is likely the top bat available. According to Feinsand, the Red Sox were pursuing both Bregman and Bichette before they signed their respective contracts. The 34-year-old would take on an everyday role at the hot corner in Boston and would shift young infielder Marcelo Mayer back to the middle of the infield, where he spent most of his minor league career. Last summer, Suarez enjoyed a resurgent campaign, hitting 49 home runs with a .228 AVG and an .824 OPS. Surez would carry a mid-range starting third base value in all formats if he were to join the Red Sox.

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New York Mets right-handed pitcher Christian Scott appears ticked for a depth role to begin the 2026 regular season. According to Will Sammon and Chad Jennings of The Athletic, Scott is projected to sit behind newly-acquired ace Freddy Peralta and the other primary starting pitchers on the roster, such as Sean Manaea, David Peterson, Kodai Senga, Nolan McLean, and Clay Holmes, leaving him a role as a middle reliever. Scott made his MLB debut during the 2024 campaign and posted a 4.56 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP across 47 1/3 innings. Earlier that season, the Florida product posted an impressive 2.76 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP across his first 42 1/3 innings at Triple-A. However, the right-hander would undergo a hybrid Tommy John operation in late 2024, which kept him on the shelf all last season. While he appears to be at full strength, Scott does not expect to hold much fantasy value to begin the 2026 campaign.

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According to Will Sammon and Chad Jennings of The Athletic, Milwaukee Brewers left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser could be a name to watch to earn a role in the starting rotation. On Wednesday evening, the Brewers traded their top pitcher, Freddy Peralta, to the New York Mets in exchange for two top prospects, Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams. While veteran Brandon Woodruff is expected to lead the rotation with emerging right-hander Jacob Misiorowski slotting behind him, the back of the rotation is open. Quinn Priester and Chad Patrick are projected to operate as the No. 3 and No. 4, but Gasser could be a name to watch for one of the final positions. The young southpaw has made seven MLB starts over his career and logged 33 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.67 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Through 205 2/3 innings at Triple-A, Gasser has struck out 250 hitters with a 3.72 ERA. While Logan Henderson would likely have the edge for the final position, Gasser could make a strong claim to operate as the No. 6 starter if the team uses a six-man rotation. He is a name to monitor in spring training and could be worth a late-round selection in deeper formats.

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According to Williams and Chad Jennings of The Athletic, New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong may be on the outside of the team's opening rotation for the start of the 2026 season. On Wednesday evening, the Mets acquired right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta from the Brewers, who is now slated to lead the rotation. In exchange, the Mets sent two top prospects, Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat. While Tong was already sitting towards the back of the current rotation, Sammon and Jennings project the young right-hander to open the season as a depth option, sitting behind Peralta, Sean Manaea, David Peterson, Clay Holmes, Nolan McLean, and Kodai Senga. While Tong could be shifted to the bullpen, it appears the team's No. 4 prospect may begin the season with Triple-A to continue his development. During his first look at the majors, Tong held a high 7.71 ERA across 18 2/3 innings. For now, he is best left for deeper NL-only formats as a late-round stash option.

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (elbow) should return to action "sometime around May," according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Rodon has been sidelined since October after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies and to shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. He was effective when healthy last year, posting a 3.78 FIP, 9.4 K/9, and 3.4 K/9 across 33 starts (195.1 innings). Although New York will open the 2026 season without Rodon and Gerrit Cole (elbow), the organization reportedly feels good about its rotation headlined by Max Fried, Will Warren, Cam Schlittler, and newcomer Ryan Weathers. Rodon's proven track record makes him an intriguing fantasy option, even though he won't be ready for Opening Day. As it stands, he ranks as the #59 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest 2026 fantasy baseball draft rankings.

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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval (elbow) has resumed throwing and is expected to begin camp with the rest of the pitching staff, according to president of baseball operations Craig Breslow (via Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic). Sandoval hasn't pitched in an MLB game since June 2024 due to elbow surgery. Boston inked him to a two-year deal before last season in hopes that he could recover during 2025 before pitching meaningful innings in 2026. As it stands, it appears that Sandoval is on pace to do just that. However, even if healthy, he'll face competition in Boston's revamped rotation. The Red Sox added Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray behind Garrett Crochet, and Brayan Bello should earn the No. 4 starter role if he's not traded. That leaves one rotation spot for Sandoval, Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford (wrist), Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, or Kyle Harrison. The pitchers who don't make the Opening Day rotation will end up in the bullpen or Triple-A. Sandoval could certainly be the victor of that group, as he's a veteran arm who has impressed in the past. Over 79.2 innings with the Angels in 2024, he posted a 3.87 FIP, 9.2 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9. This competition will be worth monitoring as spring training gets underway and Opening Day inches closer.

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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Kutter Crawford (wrist) is expected to begin camp with the rest of the pitching staff, according to president of baseball operations Craig Breslow (via Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic). Crawford resumed throwing earlier this month, and as long as he stays healthy through spring training, he should compete for an Opening Day roster spot. The competition won't be easy, though. The Red Sox added Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray behind Garrett Crochet this offseason, and Brayan Bello should earn the No. 4 starter role if he's not traded. Assuming Boston opens the year with a five-man rotation, that leaves one spot for Crawford, Johan Oviedo, Patrick Sandoval (elbow), Connelly Early, Payton Tolle, or Kyle Harrison. The pitchers who don't make the Opening Day rotation will end up in the bullpen or Triple-A. Crawford is the most familiar face of that group, racking up 313 innings between 2023 and 2024. During the 2024 campaign, he made a whopping 33 starts, posting a 4.35 xFIP, 8.6 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9. He missed all of last year due to wrist surgery.

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The Boston Red Sox continue to explore potential infield additions, but Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports that the organization prefers to play infielder Marcelo Mayer at third base. McCaffrey speculates that Mayer would be a strong fit at the hot corner, not only because he played well in Alex Bregman's absence last year, but also because Boston views him as its franchise shortstop after Trevor Story's contract expires, so they'd like to keep him on the left side of the infield. Plus, although president of baseball operations Craig Breslow wouldn't commit to Mayer at second base or third base, he did emphasize a desire to improve the infield defense. Mayer posted 2 OAA and 2 FRV at third base last year. Connecting the dots, this would seem to indicate that if the Red Sox do pursue an external addition, they may prefer a second baseman over a third baseman. McCaffrey writes that Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner, who would fetch a significant haul if traded, might make more sense than third baseman Isaac Paredes, who has struggled defensively. As the roster currently stands, Mayer projects to play third base while Romy Gonzalez, Nate Eaton, and Nick Sogard could platoon at second.

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St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (elbow) began throwing earlier this month, and manager Oliver Marmol said that he should start hitting and defensive drills this week. Marmol wasn't ready to commit to an exact role for Herrera, who could catch or play left field. The skipper noted that spring training games don't offer the best opportunity for the Cardinals to evaluate Herrera behind the dish, since opponents don't always start their best players, and they also don't steal as often. As a result, they might not have an exact vision for his role until after the regular season begins. The team does expect Herrera to demonstrate improved throwing after he underwent an offseason surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Meanwhile, Herrera has expressed his desire to be an everyday catcher in the future. However, as he continues to work his way back from injury, St. Louis is being non-committal about his role. We wouldn't be surprised to see him play some catcher and some left field during the first couple weeks of the regular season. Cardinals fans and fantasy managers will certainly be excited to see him back in action, as Herrera posted an impressive .284/.373/.464 slash line with 19 home runs and a 137 wRC+ through 107 games last year. He currently ranks as the #11 catcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.

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Free agent relief pitcher Taylor Rogers is coming back to Minnesota after agreeing on a one-year, $2 million contract with the Twins. Rogers spent the first six seasons of his MLB career with the Twins, posting a career-high 30 saves in 2019 and earning an All-Star selection in 2021. He spent tie with the Padres, Brewers, Giants, Reds, and Cubs in the four seasons since departing, and last year he had a 3.38 ERA and 4.38 FIP in 50 2/3 innings with the Reds and Cubs. The 35-year-old lefty could be a key part of the Twins' bullpen in 2026, and he could even be in the mix for saves since the rest of the bullpen is relatively inexperienced.

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Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (lat) is having a normal offseason, and his progress was a critical element to the team trading starting pitcher Freddy Peralta to the Mets, according to president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. Woodruff opted out of his deal but then accepted the qualifying offer from the Brewers this offseason, giving him a one-year deal worth $22.025 million. Woodruff returned from a nearly two-year absence due to shoulder surgery in 2025, posting a strong 3.20 ERA, with 83 strikeouts and just 14 walks in 64 2/3 innings. His season ended early due to a lat injury in mid-September, but he should be ready to go for Spring Training. He'll provide a proven veteran option at the top of the team's promising young rotation.

From RotoBaller