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Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) has been shut down for a few days because of his oblique, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. It's an injury that has bothered Lowe for the past two years. Manager Kurt Suzuki said the team is "going to give him a few more days to be cautious." The 28-year-old missed time with the Tampa Bay Rays each of the last two seasons due to oblique injuries, so it's not a great sign that he's still bothered by it this spring. The former 13th overall pick in 2016 has never been able to reach his full potential in the big leagues due to injuries, but if he can stay healthy, he's an outfielder sleeper in deeper fantasy leagues because of his power/speed upside. Lowe will need to stay healthy and figure out a way to improve against left-handers, though. He has yet to play in more than 135 games in a season, and he hit .220/.283/.366 with a .650 OPS, 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 56 runs, and 18 steals in 108 games in Tampa last year.

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Boston Red Sox outfielders Roman Anthony and Ceddanne Rafaela had a scary moment on Friday when they collided in the outfield during the Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves, but the two outfielders both ended up staying in the game. They are back in action on Saturday versus the Minnesota Twins, an excellent sign for Boston. Anthony, who was the top prospect in baseball at this time last year, will join Team USA soon for the World Baseball Classic. The 21-year-old has gone 3-for-16 at the plate with a double and four strikeouts so far in Grapefruit League play. He is set to be Boston's leadoff hitter in his first full year in the big leagues. Anthony looked the part in 257 at-bats in 2025, hitting .292/.396/.463 with eight homers and 32 RBI. He can be a top-10 fantasy outfielder in 2026. Rafaela, 25, is another rising Red Sox outfielder who already has two homers this spring. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 37 fantasy outfielder.

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The Kansas City Royals are talking to free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Starling Marte about a possible deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. If Marte were to land in Kansas City, he'd be a right-handed option in the outfield to face left-handers and give either Jac Caglianone or Kyle Isbel a day off. The 37-year-old Dominican veteran is better suited to be a full-time designated hitter at this point in his career, though. Injuries have been an issue for Marte, who is nearing the end of what has been a very successful 14-year career in the big leagues. Marte hasn't played over 98 games in each of the last three seasons with the Mets, although he was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2022. He has always made a lot of contact and has six seasons of 30-plus steals, but he can't be counted on for much power or speed at this point in his career with limited playing time.

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Houston Astros infielder Isaac Paredes (hamstring) is making his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, serving as the designated hitter and batting second, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Paredes has been a trade candidate going into the 2026 season, since the Astros have Carlos Correa locked in as the starter at third and Jose Altuve returning to second base on a more full-time basis. The 27-year-old remains in Houston, though, perhaps because teams are wary about his durability after he missed two months in 2025 with a hamstring tear. Paredes has recovered from the hamstring injury, but his fantasy value remains in limbo with questions about his playing time. Second base may ultimately be his best path to at-bats if he stays with the Astros, but even then, he wouldn't profile as an everyday player. A trade out of town before Opening Day is still Paredes' best path to fantasy value in 2026.

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Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said on Saturday that third baseman Josh Jung (adductor) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 adductor strain, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Jung will be down for about 10 days in camp. Originally, the belief was that Jung would be able to return to Cactus League action this weekend after being scratched from the spring training lineup the other day. After imaging, the Rangers have opted to take the more cautious route and shut the oft-injured Jung down for at least 10 days. The former eighth overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech University has intriguing power and was an All-Star in 2023 (the year the Rangers won the World Series), but he just hasn't been able to stay on the field enough to be considered a legitimate starting third baseman in fantasy. Jung's availability for Opening Day is now up in the air, making him more of a risk as a corner-infield depth in upcoming fantasy drafts.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) has been scratched from the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday due to hamstring tightness, and he will undergo imaging, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Until we know more about the severity of Stowers' hamstring injury, he'll be considered day-to-day. If the 28-year-old suffered a strained hammy, his availability for Opening Day in late March could be in jeopardy. The left-handed-hitting outfielder broke out in 2025 and was an All-Star for the first time in his career in his fourth year in the league, slashing .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 457 plate appearances over 117 games played. Stowers has dealt with injuries in the past and has also struggled at times to make contact, but his batted-ball metrics show a hitter on the rise. As long as his injury doesn't cause him to miss significant time to begin the 2026 season, Stowers is a fine No. 3 outfield target in fantasy drafts.

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Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday (hand) said he has started throwing a baseball again after having his broken hamate bone removed from his right hand, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Holliday is scheduled to begin swinging a bat on Thursday as part of a steady buildup. The 22-year-old had the stitches removed from his surgically repaired hand earlier this week and was also cleared for fielding and one-handed swings. The Orioles will continue to slowly build him back up this spring, but he will open the 2026 regular season on the injured list. Barring a setback, Holliday should be ready to go by mid-April. Holliday is an ascending young second baseman, but fantasy managers have to wonder if his hand injury will sap him of some power early this year. The former first overall pick in 2022 showed improvement in his first full big-league season in 2025, hitting .242/.314/.375 with a .690 OPS, 17 homers, 55 RBI, 70 runs, and 17 steals in 149 games played.

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Athletics first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's Grapefruit League win over the Texas Rangers, and he's gone 3-for-7 with two RBI, two runs, a walk, and a strikeout in his three spring games. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger is part of the A's exciting mix of young players. He signed a seven-year, $86 million contract extension in December after slashing .276/.346/.474 with a career-high .820 OPS, 25 home runs, 93 RBI, 75 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 624 plate appearances over 158 games played in his first full season in the big leagues in 2025. With Nick Kurtz locked in at first base, Soderstrom will be the A's regular in left field going into the 2026 campaign. His batted-ball metrics indicate his breakout was for real, especially as he made more contact.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates are expected to approach shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin with a long-term contract extension this spring, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Despite being only 19 years old with just 21 games of experience beyond High-A in the minor leagues, Griffin is the No. 1 prospect in the sport and is trending toward beginning the 2026 season as Pittsburgh's starting shortstop. If the 2025 Minor-League Player of the Year isn't on the Opening Day roster, it shouldn't be long before he makes his MLB debut. Passan writes that Griffin has "top-of-the-scale power and speed with a nifty glove and a shotgun-blast arm." His work ethic is also off the charts. If he makes the Opening Day roster, Griffin would be the first teenage hitter to debut on Opening Day since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989. A contract extension this spring would accelerate his timetable to the big leagues and continue to raise his ADP in fantasy baseball drafts.

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Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on MLB Network on Thursday that designated hitter Yordan Alvarez will see time in left field this season. Espada discussed how Alvarez enjoys playing left field, so the skipper believes it's important to get him some time on defense. It also allows the Astros to get some other players looks in the DH spot. It's unclear if it will be enough to give the Cuban left-handed slugger outfield eligibility in fantasy leagues, but if it is, it will make Alvarez even more attractive as a potential bounce-back candidate after his injury-plagued 2025 season. The 28-year-old three-time All-Star and former American League Rookie of the Year only played in 48 games and hit .273/.367/.430 with a career-worst .797 OPS, six home runs, 27 RBI, and 17 runs scored. Durability is the issue for Alvarez, but if he can stay healthy, he could easily post his fifth 30-homer season.

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Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (hamstring) is expected to make his return to the lineup on Sunday or Monday, according to Shawn McFarland. Jung was pulled from Thursday's lineup as a precaution due to a hamstring issue. He was initially expected to return on Friday, but the team is giving him a few extra days to rest. It's early in camp, so teams are usually going to be extremely cautious with players, even with minor issues. When healthy, Jung has good upside, but keeping him on the field has been a struggle. Last season, Jung slashed .251/.294/390 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI in a career-high 131 games. The 28-year-old could be worth a look as a late-round option due to his power upside.

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Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This will mark the first time that Kerkering has thrown since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain earlier this month. If everything goes well, Kerkering should progress to facing live hitters. After that, Kerkering should get back to pitching in live games. The right-hander has plenty of time to ramp up at his own pace before Opening Day. Last season, Kerkering posted a 3.30 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and a 65/27 K/BB ratio across 69 games with the Phillies. He figures to be an important late-inning option, but his fantasy value is limited due to the lack of save opportunities.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (side) was scratched ahead of Friday's Spring Training contest versus the Texas Rangers. Benintendi was pulled out of the lineup due to right-side soreness. For now, Benintendi is considered day-to-day, so hopefully, he has avoided any significant issues. The 31-year-old is coming off a decent campaign with the White Sox in 2025. He slashed .240/.307/.431 with 20 home runs and 63 RBI in 116 games. Darren Baker took over in left field on Friday and could see an expanded role until Benintendi returns.

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New York Mets infielder Grae Kessinger (knee) is reportedly getting imaging done after suffering a left knee injury during Friday's Grapefruit League contest against the St. Louis Cardinals. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the injury didn't look too good, but the team will wait until the MRI comes back before they decide the next step. Normally, Kessinger's presence wouldn't be a huge factor, but he's currently in the running for the starting shortstop gig. Francisco Lindor (hand) is uncertain for Opening Day, so the Mets might need to pivot once again if Kessinger misses significant time. The 28-year-old was unlikely to make a big impact on the Mets, given his .131/.243/.213 career slash line. However, the injury to Kessinger gives the Mets less depth going forward.

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Houston Astros outfielder Jake Meyers (back) was scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Friday's Grapefruit League game versus the Washington Nationals. It's early in camp, so teams are going to play it safe even with minor issues. It sounds like Meyers is dealing with back spasms, so he should be considered day-to-day. This injury shouldn't be something that impacts his status for Opening Day. Meyers is looking to build off his breakout campaign in 2025. He slashed .292/.354/.373 with three home runs, 24 RBI, and 16 steals in 104 games with the Astros last season. Kellen Strahm figures to see more time in center field until Meyers is ready to return.

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader (thumb) was removed early during Friday's Cactus League game versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. Bader was taken out of Friday's contest after his lone at-bat due to a right thumb contusion. It's unclear how Bader suffered the injury, but there should be more information later. At the moment, fantasy managers should consider Bader as day-to-day, but the organization should give another update on him soon. He signed a two-year, $20.5 million deal with the Giants in the offseason to be the everyday option in center field. Will Brennan or Jerar Enarnacion could see more at-bats if Bader misses any time.

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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim rebuilt his swing from the ground up in the offseason after struggling with big-league pitching in his first year in the league in 2025, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Hitting coach Aaron Bates said Kim's swing last year was too "twisted," and his inability to adjust to breaking pitches made him vulnerable. Dodgers coaches worked to get the 5-foot-10 South Korean native to use the "ground to generate more of his power and stability," and they also made subtle adjustments to keep him "squared up to the ball longer." In his first four Cactus League games, Kim has gone 6-for-13 with a home run. The 27-year-old has really impressed this spring, putting him in position for a more prominent role in 2026. Kim didn't make the Opening Day roster last year. He finished with a .280 batting average, but it came with a .699 OPS and 30.6% strikeout rate. With Tommy Edman (ankle) set to start on the injured list, Kim has made a strong case to open the year in a utility role on the big-league roster.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober was bothered by a hip injury last spring, and it lingered all season long, leading to "compromised mechanics, decreased velocity, and a career-worst 5.10 ERA in 146 1/3 innings." Ober has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game in spring training, instead "ramping up with live bullpen sessions," according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. "Physically, I'm feeling good," Ober said. "I'm throwing more bullpens this year, just making sure everything mechanically is lined up." The 30-year-old veteran also worked with a hip specialist in the offseason and is hoping to bounce back for the Twins in 2026. Before he battled injuries last year, Ober had three straight seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, and he also had a career-high 191 punchouts in 178 2/3 innings over 31 starts in 2024. With better health and increased velocity, Ober could return to form and be a great value pick late in fantasy baseball drafts.

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New York Mets right-handed reliever Devin Williams gave up a home run on his first pitch in Grapefruit League action on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. It's not exactly what Mets fans wanted to see, especially after Williams' struggles across town with the New York Yankees in 2025. The home run was the only hit he allowed in his one inning of work, and he didn't walk or strike out a batter. The Mets signed the 31-year-old to a three-year, $51 million contract in December, likely locking him in as the closer to begin the year to replace Edwin Diaz, who left in free agency. Williams blew four saves in 22 chances last year in the Bronx and ultimately lost his grip on the closer's role two separate times, finishing with a 4.79 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 90:25 K:BB in 62 frames. He'll be a top-10 closer in fantasy for one of the best teams in baseball, but Williams could have a short leash if he struggles again.

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Boston Red Sox infielder Marcelo Mayer, who has quickly developed an injury-prone label, "set out on a mission to gain more strength and speed" to withstand the rigors of his first full major-league season, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. The 23-year-old has never played more than 91 games in a season since he was taken fourth overall in 2021 due to back, shoulder, and wrist injuries. Mayer entered camp this year at 220 pounds, the most he's ever weighed, but he also feels "fast and explosive." He has much more to prove this year as he looks to lock down a starting job at either second or third base in 2026. Mayer's rookie season in 2025 ended early in August due to right-wrist surgery, and he hit just .228 with a .674 OPS in 44 games in Boston before the injury. If Mayer can stay healthy, steal more bases, and limit his strikeouts (especially against lefties) in 2026, he could be an excellent sleeper candidate in fantasy baseball with potential multi-position eligibility.

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