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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider was a fantasy ace earlier in his career, but he has not been able to return to his dominant levels since missing almost all of the 2024 season with an elbow injury that required an internal brace procedure. He did make 23 starts last year but posted a 4.45 ERA and 4.53 FIP with a 9.4 K/9 rate that was a huge dropoff from his elite 13.8 K/9 in 2022 and 13.6 K/9 in 2023. He is "pacing himself" this spring, but his velocity was noticeably down in his two innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He's a high-risk pick in the middle rounds of your fantasy baseball drafts at this point, especially with renewed velocity concerns. He has a very high ceiling but a low floor as well. He's ranked as the No. 38 pitcher in the RotoBaller rankings, so avoid reaching for him as a top talent unless you've already built in depth or are confident you can get reliable, high-floor options later in your draft

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New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is coming off another massive season and is starring this spring training for both the Yankees and Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Last year, the Yankees slugger delivered an impressive .331/.357/.688 slash line with 53 home runs, 137 runs scored, 114 RBI, and 12 steals over 152 contests. He claimed his second straight AL MVP Award and continued to be one of the most reliable players for fantasy baseball at any position. Judge has been consistent and elite over the past few seasons, and playing at Yankee Stadium and hitting in the heart of a strong lineup should set him up for another huge season in 2026. Depending on how your league treats the dual-threat of Shohei Ohtani, Judge can definitely be worth the top pick overall. He is ranked No. 2 overall in the RotoBaller rankings behind Ohtani, but either option is a great way to start fantasy baseball drafts with a reliable anchor for your roster.

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Baltimore Orioles second baseman/third baseman Blaze Alexander continues to be in line for more playing time early in the season and is projected to slot in as the team's primary second baseman early in the season while Jackson Holliday (hand) recovers from hamate bone surgery. Alexander was acquired from Arizona this offseason after he hit .230/.323/.383 with seven home runs and four steals in 74 games last season. The 26-year-old righty has looked solid in spring training and could move to third base after Holliday returns to his everyday role. If you need some infield help early in the season for AL-only leagues, Alexander is an intriguing flier with upside. He has both power and speed potential and should settle into a utility role once everyone in Baltimore is healthy.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired utilityman Tyler Callihan (left forearm) from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Kyle Nicolas in a rare trade inside the division. Callihan was expected to compete for a roster spot in Cincinnati after suffering a grisly left forearm fracture while crashing into the left-field wall in Atlanta last May. He was unable to return after only four games in his rookie campaign. The 25-year-old played LF and 2B in his four MLB games and also played 1B at Triple-A and 3B earlier in his minor-league journey. In addition to his high level of versatility, he has a solid bat, as he showed in 24 Triple-A games last year, posting a solid .303/.410/.528 triple-slash with a 15.1% walk rate, a 27.4% strikeout rate, and 150 wRC+. Callihan will get a chance to compete for an Opening Day job in Pittsburgh, but even if he starts at Triple-A, he'll likely get a look at some spot in the Pirates lineup this season. He's an interesting bat to watch in Pittsburgh, but he isn't mixed-league material at this point.

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The Cincinnati Reds acquired relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas from the Pirates on Wednesday, sending left-handed utilityman Tyer Callihan to the Pirates. Nicolas is a 27-year-old righty who has pitched in 86 games out of the bullpen for the Buccos over the last three seasons, compiling a 4.68 ERA and 4.10 FIP with 96 strikeouts in 98 career innings. Nicholas will likely slot into a middle relief spot for the Reds and provide solid depth. He's consistently in the upper-90's with his fastball and has posted a solid strikeout rate, even though he does have some control questions. He joins a crowded middle relief mix for the Reds and could start the year in the minors since he has one more option remaining. He'll add organizational depth for Cincinnati and will likely get a chance to contribute at some point this season, although he doesn't need to be considered for fantasy baseball in standard-sized mixed leagues.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan is in consideration for a starting position in the rotation to begin the 2026 MLB season, according to Courtney Hollmon of MLB.com. With Blake Snell (elbow) expected to miss the start of the season and Gavin Stone (shoulder) sidelined, Ryan could carve out a role at the back of the rotation. The 27-year-old underwent Tommy John in August of 2024 but is fully healthy to begin 2026. In 2024, he made his MLB debut, logging 20 1/3 innings while looking quite comfortable, posting a 1.33 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Through the early part of spring, Ryan has logged three scoreless frames with a 4:2 K:BB. Ryan is a name to monitor closely in deeper 12+ team formats, as he could hold early-season streaming appeal if he earns a starting role.

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Detroit Tigers top prospect Kevin McGonigle has made a strong case through the opening weeks of spring training to begin the regular season on the MLB roster. The No. 2-ranked prospect in the sport (on MLB.com), trialing only Pittsburgh's Konnor Griffin, has posted an elite .400/.471/.667 slash line with two doubles, one triple, and one stolen base over just six games. Even though McGonigle has yet to play a game at Triple-A, the budding star is looking quite comfortable against MLB-caliber pitching. Last summer, McGonigle spent most of his time at High-A and Double-A, where he held a cumulative .309/.411/.596 line with a 1.007 OPS, 19 HRs, and 10 SBs over 82 games. If he continues this pace in spring training, he could win the starting shortstop job over Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry.

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Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Connelly Early will likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Worcester. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com, Johan Oviedo is the current favorite to claim the starting position, which will push Early and fellow prospect Payton Tolle to Triple-A. The 23-year-old looked quite comfortable in his first taste of MLB action, logging 19 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.33 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 29:4 K:BB. He struck out at least seven batters in all but one of his outings, and even hit the double-digit strikeout mark in his first career start against the Athletics. At Triple-A, the southpaw tossed 28 2/3 innings with a 2.83 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Even if Early were to begin the season in the minors, he is a worthy stash target in deeper formats given the high strikeout upside he flashed in his first taste of MLB action.

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Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Sal Stewart has flashed high power upside over his first taste of spring training games. The team's No. 1 prospect has posted an elite .429/.529/.929 line with one double and two long balls over just six games. He trails only infielder Matt McLain for the team lead in spring training home runs. Stewart earned a taste of the majors later in the second half of last season and held his own, carrying a .255/.293/.545 line with one double and five home runs over a brief 18-game stint. Earlier in the campaign, Stewart launched 20 home runs over a 118-game stint between Double-A and Triple-A. Fantasy managers should expect Stewart to carve out an everyday role in the Cincinnati offense, seeing time at several infield positions. He is a prime breakout candidate in drafts as he possesses elite power upside with the potential to chip in double-digit stolen bases.

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New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange has looked very comfortable through the early part of spring training and could be in serious contention to begin the season on the MLB roster. The team's No. 2-ranked prospect on MLB.com has appeared in two games so far (one start) and logged 5 2/3 innings with one earned run (two total runs) and a stellar 1.06 WHIP. He has struck out six batters and allowed just two free passes. Last summer, Lagrange spent most of his time at Double-A Somerset, where he logged 78 1/3 innings with a strong 3.22 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 104:50 K:BB. While he possesses immense strikeout upside, his weaker command has limited his production. If Lagrange continues this early success in camp, he could earn a spot on the Opening Day roster with both Carlos Rodon (elbow) and Gerrit Cole (elbow) set to miss the start of the season.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt has made a strong case for a starting job early in spring training and is quickly approaching sleeper territory in drafts. Through his first six contests, Waldschmidt has posted a .316/.350/.632 slash line with three doubles, one home run, and one stolen base. Even though Waldschmidt has yet to step foot on a Triple-A diamond, the team's top prospect is in serious contention to crack the Opening Day roster. Last season, he spent time at High- and Double-A and posted a cumulative .289/.419/.473 line with a .892 OPS, 18 home runs, and 29 stolen bases. With Corbin Carroll (hand) in question for Opening Day and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) set to miss the start of the season, Waldschmidt could hold high-end early-season value in all formats.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) suffered a small fracture in one of his fingers and will miss at least the first round of the World Baseball Classic, according to Dionisio Soldevila. It doesn't sound like it's too serious, but this will also put the 28-year-old's availability for the start of the 2026 regular season up in the air. If Pena opens the year on the injured list, Carlos Correa would likely move over to the 6, opening up starting duties at the hot corner for Isaac Paredes. Pena was a first-time All-Star last year, slashing .304/.363/.477 with a career-high .840 OPS, 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 125 games played over 543 plate appearances. He was pretty productive for the Astros and fantasy managers despite missing time with oblique and rib injuries. Pena is a more modest five-category contributor at a premium position, but he won't cost as much as the elite names on draft day. He could be even more of a value pick due to his finger injury.

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Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Drey Jameson could be a key piece of the team's bullpen in 2026 after injuries have left the staff thin, as A.J. Puk (elbow) is not expected to return until July and Justin Martinez (elbow) is targeting an August return. That leaves closing duties to the likes of Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald, who combined for five total saves last season, as Sewald dealt with a shoulder injury for most of the year and has been less effective since his 34-save campaign in 2023. Jameson may not get a crack at closing duties, but if he does, the right-hander has the stuff to be effective, including a fastball that can touch 99 mph. The former 34th-overall draft pick experienced elbow pain last year that caused him to be shut down in June, but he was able to strike out 19 batters in 12 2/3 innings pitched at Triple-A before that and was healthy enough to pitch again in the Arizona Fall League. The 28-year-old has looked good so far this spring, too, punching out three batters in two innings of work, with his four-seamer topping out at 98.7 mph. Jameson is not rosterable in most fantasy leagues at the moment, but he's a name to keep on the radar should Ginkel or Sewald falter early on.

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San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers (hamstring) told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he's feeling much better. "I feel good!" Devers said. He's unsure if he'll be able to play in the team's next Cactus League game on Friday, but this weekend might be more likely for a return. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter was scratched from the spring training lineup last Friday with a hamstring injury and was also shut down from all baseball activities. Devers will still be considered day-to-day until he gets back on the field, but it sounds like he dodged a bullet and should be ready for Opening Day in late March. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger hit only .236/.347/.460 in 90 games for the Giants after being acquired in a trade with Boston, but he still finished with 35 homers and 109 RBI in 163 games played. Devers will be playing a full season in one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in baseball, but he's still a top-10 fantasy first baseman with a solid bat and safe floor.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-handed reliever Abner Uribe showed his dominance on Tuesday in an exhibition appearance for Team Dominican Republic against the Detroit Tigers. Uribe struck out all three batters he faced in the outing and threw 11 of his 19 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old's arrow is pointing up after going 3-2 with a career-best 1.67 ERA (2.75 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, career-high seven saves, career-high 90 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 75 1/3 innings pitched out of Milwaukee's bullpen. Uribe's filthy sinker hit 100.7 mph on the radar gun. Last year, Uribe also had a league-leading 37 holds over 75 appearances. In addition to a nasty sinker, Abner also possesses a wipeout slider that really gave hitters trouble in 2025. At worst, he'll be in a committee approach in Milwaukee for saves, and he has more fantasy upside than Trevor Megill.

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Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews (thumb) returned to the Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday, starting in center field and batting sixth against Team Venezuela. Crews took three days off after injuring his left thumb during live batting practice in camp on Saturday, but he's good to go now. The 24-year-old went 1-for-9 with two runs scored and an RBI in four spring training games before his thumb injury. A lot was expected of the former second overall pick out of LSU when he eventually got to the big leagues, but that has not been the case so far through two seasons. Crews has a .211/.282/.352 slash line, .634 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases in 454 plate appearances over 116 games. An oblique injury caused him to miss significant time in 2025. With better health, fantasy managers should not give up on this power/speed threat. Crews is a post-hype sleeper that could easily be a 20-20 player in 2026.

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Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) made his first Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched well, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking none, and striking out one. McClanahan, a two-time All-Star, has not pitched since 2023, first having Tommy John surgery and then missing all of last year with a nerve-related issue in his left triceps muscle. The 28-year-old southpaw is back, though, and he was able to hit 96.7 mph with his fastball on Tuesday while throwing 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. McClanahan was showing ace potential for the Rays before the injuries started, so there is upside here. However, after missing the last two seasons, workload restrictions will likely limit McClanahan's ceiling in 2026. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 67 fantasy starting pitcher as a late-round flier with upside. His ADP will only continue to rise if he looks good and stays healthy in spring training.

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Veteran right-handed reliever Kirby Yates signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2026 season, and he could be a favorite for save chances to begin the year. Yates will have to earn it this spring, but there is a potential opening at the back end of the Halos' bullpen with both right-handers Ben Joyce (shoulder) and Robert Stephenson (elbow) recovering from injuries. The two-time All-Star has 98 saves in his 11-year big-league career. He was an All-Star as recently as 2024 with the Texas Rangers, when he had a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves in 61 2/3 innings pitched. Yates had a career-high 41 saves for the San Diego Padres in 2019 as well, so he has plenty of experience being the guy in the ninth inning. It makes him a sleeper target for saves speculators, but he's coming off a 5.23 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and only three saves with the Dodgers last year, and once Joyce and Stephenson are ready, manager Kurt Suzuki will potentially be looking at a four-reliever committee for saves.

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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Mick Abel turned in his second strong spring performance this past Sunday, allowing no earned runs on one hit and no walks while striking out six over three innings of work. Combined with his spring debut, the right-hander has yet to allow a run and just three hits while walking none so far and striking out a total of 11 through six innings pitched. The former-first round draft pick was consistently throwing his four-seamer over 97 mph in his latest outing, topping out at 98.9 mph and generating six whiffs (55 percent) on 11 swings on that pitch in the process. Abel had a rough go of it during his first taste of the majors last year, posting a gaudy 6.23 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 10 appearances (eight starts) between Minnesota and Philadelphia, although his last start of the 2025 showed what he is capable of, when he struck out nine in six innings of shutout ball. The 24-year-old will likely begin the season with Triple-A, but if he continues to show well, he could be the first name called when the Twins need rotation help. Although he's not draftable in most leagues, Abel is a name to monitor as he's shown flashes of dominance in the minors with a 28.6 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A in 2025.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand) has progressed from swings off flips/tee toss to more typical batting practice swings, manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Carroll is recovering from surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand, but he appears to be getting close to facing live pitching in camp. If the 25-year-old continues to make good progress and avoids any setbacks, there's still a chance he could be ready to play on Opening Day on March 26 against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-time All-Star and former National League Rookie of the Year bounced back in 2025 after a down year in 2024, slashing .259/.343/.541 with an .883 OPS, career-high 31 home runs, a league-leading 17 triples, 107 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases in 143 games. Carroll's hand injury isn't ideal going into the regular season, and it could sap him of some power, but he's still considered a top-10 fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller.

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