Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team will likely start the season with a six-man rotation, with Shohei Ohtani expected to pitch once a week in 2026. (Source: Bill Plunkett on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Ohtani did not pitch during the 2024 season due to elbow surgery but returned to the mound in 2025, posting a 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 47 innings. He was limited to pitching roughly once a week for most of the season, a pattern expected to continue in 2026. This won’t affect his fantasy draft stock, as he remains the clear-cut No. 1 overall pick thanks to his unmatched two-way impact.
Ryan Walker believes a mechanical adjustment he made over the winter will help improve his slider command this season. (Source: NBC Sports Bay Area)
Fantasy Impact: While Walker’s fastball velocity reached the highest mark of his career last season, he struggled with consistency, often getting hit hard. On nights when his slider was off, he had little choice but to rely heavily on his sinker, leaving him vulnerable. This offseason, he focused on refining his mechanics, emphasizing staying more square and directing his upper body toward the mound to avoid counter-rotation. With his improved mechanics and renewed command, Walker will enter spring training vying for the San Francisco Giants' closer role.
Nick Gonzales took grounders at third base in camp on Thursday. (Source: Colin Beazley on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Gonzales started 85 games at second base and 13 at shortstop in 2025, but was seen taking grounders at third base Thursday. With Brandon Lowe now on the team, he could open the season at third. Getting reps there during camp increases Gonzales’ playing opportunities and could see him take the field at three different positions this year. He posted a .260/.299/.362 slash line last season.
The Tampa Bay Rays plan to use Nick Martinez exclusively as a starter this season. (Source: Bob Nightengale on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Martinez split time between the rotation and bullpen with the Cincinnati Reds last season, posting a 4.45 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. He has moved between starting and relieving throughout his career, but the plan for the Tampa Bay Rays is to use him exclusively as a starter. In that role, he owns a career 4.59 ERA with 470 strikeouts across 702 innings pitched.
The Diamondbacks are reportedly still exploring creative ways to re-sign free agent right-hander Zac Gallen. (Source: John Gambadoro on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Gallen has also been linked to the Cubs, but his overall market has remained quiet. He remains the top available starter left with free agency around the corner.
Cade Winquest added a sinker to his arsenal and is happy with the pitch's development thus far. (Source: Gary Phillips on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Winquest was selected by the New York Yankees in the MLB Rule 5 Draft in December after posting a 3.99 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 106 innings between High-A and Double-A in the St. Louis Cardinals’ system. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Thursday that Winquest will get “a real opportunity this spring to kind of showcase and let us see him.” He’s likely to begin the season in the minors, but a strong impression this spring could put him on the radar for a call-up later in the year.
Thu, Feb 12th 3:14pm EST
By Nicholas Rodriguez
Kyle Bradish threw a live batting practice on Thursday. (Source: Jake Rill on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bradish threw live batting practice and recorded a swing-and-miss strikeout against Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso. After missing most of last season recovering from UCL surgery, he returned for six late-season starts, posting a 2.53 ERA across 32 innings with a 37.3% strikeout rate and a 7.9% walk rate. He appears fully healthy in camp and looks ready for the start of the season.
Willson Contreras says he is still not sure he will be able to play in the World Baseball Classic. (Source: Rob Bradford on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Contreras added that he hasn't gotten word about insurance yet. There should be an update on his status after he takes his physical.
Bradley Blalock said on Wednesday that he worked on his mechanics and added a sinker and a sweeper to his arsenal during the offseason. (Source: Kevin Barral on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Blalock was part of an offseason trade that sent him from the Colorado Rockies to the Miami Marlins. He struggled last season, posting a 9.36 ERA and 1.84 WHIP across 14 appearances with Colorado, but now moves to a more pitcher-friendly environment in Miami. He’ll compete for a spot on the Marlins’ 26-man roster during spring training.
Wed, Feb 11th 3:46pm EST
By Nicholas Rodriguez
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday that Jordan Lawlar is likely to start the season in centerfield if he proves he can handle it during spring training. (Source: Alex Weiner on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said last week that Jordan Lawlar would see the majority of his spring work in the outfield, and manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday that it will likely be in centerfield. With Blaze Alexander gone and Corbin Carroll (hand) undergoing surgery on Wednesday, putting him at risk of missing the start of the season, Lawlar is in line for an everyday role if he has a solid spring.
Wed, Feb 11th 3:16pm EST
By Nicholas Rodriguez
Bryce Eldridge took fly balls in left field in camp on Wednesday, saying it was San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello’s idea. (Source: Alex Pavlovic on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Vitello wants Eldridge to get reps in the outfield, given the Giants’ crowded infield situation. Eldridge played some outfield in the minors, and getting more comfortable there could allow him to see more playing time during the regular season.
Dylan Cease told reporters on Wednesday that he will work on adding a changeup to his arsenal during spring training. (Source: Keegan Matheson on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract with the Blue Jays this offseason and is wasting no time looking for ways to improve. He said the changeup will primarily help against left-handed hitters. Last year with the San Diego Padres, Cease posted a 4.55 ERA and 1.33 WHIP across 168 innings.
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed on Wednesday that Hunter Brown will be the club's opening day starter. (Source: MLB.com)
Fantasy Impact: Brown will make his first career Opening Day start after Framber Valdez, who joined the Detroit Tigers this offseason, handled the assignment the previous four years for Houston. Brown posted a stellar 2.43 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 206 strikeouts across 185.1 innings last season. The Astros open the season March 26 against the Los Angeles Angels.
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Bo Bichette will likely bat third in the lineup, hitting behind Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. (Source: Mike Puma on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Bichette signed a three-year, $126 million deal with the Mets this offseason and is expected to hit in the heart of the order. He finished 2025 with a .311/.357/.483 slash line across 139 games. While he has played shortstop throughout his career, he is expected to open the season as the team’s third baseman. However, Francisco Lindor (hand) is scheduled to undergo surgery, so Bichette could slide to shortstop if Lindor is forced to miss the start of the season.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed on Wednesday that Daniel Palencia will be the team's closer to open the season. (Source: Jesse Rogers on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Palencia broke out in 2025, posting a 2.91 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 16 walks across 52.2 innings. He converted 22 of 25 save opportunities and will handle ninth-inning duties to open the season. He is typically the 18th relief pitcher off the board in fantasy drafts, offering solid value, especially pitching on a team that won 92 games in 2025.
Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said on Tuesday that Alek Manoah will need to prove he’s healthy and earn his way into the starting rotation. (Source: Rhett Bollinger on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Manoah underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and logged 38.2 innings in the minors in 2025, posting a 3.96 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 35 strikeouts. A former All-Star in 2022, when he recorded a career-best 2.24 ERA across 196.2 innings, Manoah will look to reclaim a spot in the rotation and rediscover that form. The Angels have two openings in the rotation available, with Manoah primarily competing against Drew Pomeranz, Caden Dana and Grayson Rodriguez.
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly in talks with free-agent utility man Juan Yepez. (Source: Eric Treuden on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Yepez, 27, didn't appear in the big leagues in 2025. He also struggled at Triple-A where he hit just .222 with four homers and a .605 OPS in 62 games.
Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement will mainly play second base in 2026, as per manager John Schneider. (Source: Ben Nicholson-Smith on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Clement played all over the infield in 2025, logging the most innings at third base. However, with the departure of Bo Bichette combined with Andres Gimenez's full-time move to shortstop, Clement will man the keystone for the reigning AL champion Blue Jays this season.
The Philadelphia Phillies are heavily shopping outfielder Nick Castellanos ahead of spring training. (Source: MLB.com)
Fantasy Impact: According to Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, the club is "doing everything we can to make a move by [Monday]." Feb. 16 is scheduled as the team's first full workout as pitchers and catchers begin to report to spring training this week. The 33-year-old endured his worst MLB season in 2025, hitting .250 with 17 home runs and a .694 OPS while grading out as arguably the worst defensive outfielder in the league.
Baltimore Orioles president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Elias said on Tuesday that Coby Mayo’s primary focus will be first base, though he will also get reps at other positions during spring training. (Source: Jake Rill on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: While Elias did not specify which positions, he said it’s something he plans to discuss with Mayo and the coaching staff. Third base is a likely option, as Mayo has played 15 career games there, and the corner outfield could also be a natural fit. The 24-year-old hit .217/.299/.388 with 11 home runs in 85 games last season.
