Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman batted fifth in the lineup in Monday's Cactus League game against the Angels with left-hander Reid Detmers on the mound, something manager Dave Roberts stated he would do with his lineup against southpaws to begin the season. Freeman will typically bat fourth, and catcher Will Smith will bat fifth, but against lefties, they'll be swapped. It is somewhat of a head-scratcher given Freeman's ability to hit lefties just fine, even better than Smith, both for his career and in 2025, so there hasn't been a dropoff in effectiveness from the veteran slugger. We'll see how long the change holds up, but regardless, Freeman and Smith should remain plenty productive in a loaded Los Angeles lineup.

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Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. This was not a surprise as the 6-foot-4 slugger was unable to participate in any Grapefruit League action as he continues to recover from a ruptured left patellar tendon that he suffered in 2025. He recently faced live hitters and has been cleared to run the bases and slide, but with no rehab assignment scheduled yet, it's not certain when he might be able to return to the majors. Mid-to-late May is probably a good estimate based on the usual timeline, but there is no rush as the team acquired Willson Contreras in the offseason to man first base, and before his injury last year, the left-handed hitter was slashing just .182/.277/.303, so they may want to make sure he's fully knocked the rust off before he competes for at-bats with the big league club. The former first-rounder does have some power, though, as he belted 24 home runs in 2023 in 132 games, so the 26-year-old's progress is certainly worth monitoring for fantasy.

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The Atlanta Braves placed right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, retroactive to Sunday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It's a disappointing start to the 2026 season for Strider, but reports continue to be promising regarding his oblique injury. He will be eligible to come off the IL on April 6, although that might be a little early. Still, there's a chance that Strider will only miss a turn or two through Atlanta's starting rotation to begin the year. The 27-year-old strained his left oblique in a spring training outing last week against the Boston Red Sox. With Strider opening the year on the shelf, Jose Suarez is expected to take his rotation spot. Strider has fallen far since he won a league-high 20 games and struck out a league-high 281 batters for the Braves in 2023. He made only two starts in 2024 before having right-elbow surgery, and he didn't look the same in 23 starts last year, going 7-14 with a 4.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 131:51 K:BB in 125 1/3 innings. A drop in velocity this spring isn't encouraging for fantasy managers hoping for a bounce-back.

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As expected, the Cincinnati Reds officially announced on Wednesday that they placed left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 23) with a blister on his left index finger. Lodolo left his final Cactus League start last weekend with a blister issue, and as a precaution, the Reds are going to have him skip a start or two to begin the 2026 regular season. It means that all of Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson will be locked into the rotation to begin the year. When Lodolo returns, the Reds plan to rotate the three in the final two rotation spots due to their inexperience and recent injury history. It's a frustrating start for Lodolo, who has dealt with blister issues in the past, but he should still be rostered in all fantasy formats due to his high-strikeout upside. Barring a setback, Lodolo figures to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on April 7. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of TCU has a 26.2% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate in his first four big-league seasons with the Reds.

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The Houston Astros officially placed left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with left-biceps tendinitis, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. We already knew that Hader would begin the 2026 regular season on the IL, and now it's official. The Astros haven't given a timetable for when the 31-year-old veteran southpaw will be able to make his season debut, but it could come sooner than later in April, barring a setback. Until Hader returns, right-hander Bryan Abreu should operate as the Astros' primary closer at the back end of the bullpen. Hader has been one of the most dominant fantasy closers in baseball for a while, but he was also shut down in August of last year with a left-shoulder sprain, so it's possible he could be starting to break down physically. He should take over closing duties in Houston when he comes off the IL, though, so Hader needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

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The Houston Astros optioned outfield prospect Zach Cole to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Cole loses out on the final roster spot for Opening Day to infield prospect Brice Matthews. The 25-year-old hit just .200 (8-for-40) with two home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, five stolen bases, eight walks, and 20 strikeouts in 16 Grapefruit League games this spring. The former 10th-rounder in 2022 out of Ball State made his big-league debut last year and hit .255 (12-for-47) with four home runs, 11 RBI, nine runs scored, and three steals in 15 games played. He hit .176 with a 40.5% strikeout rate in his last 37 plate appearances. Cole brings some intriguing power and speed to the table, but issues making contact could prevent him from reaching his true potential at the next level. Cole slashed .279/.377/.539 with 19 homers and 18 steals in 97 games in 2025 at Sugar Land. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is a fine stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, and we should be seeing him again in 2026 at the major-league level in a platoon outfield role.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) is on the team's Opening Day roster, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena fractured the tip of his finger during an exhibition game with the Dominican Republic in a tune-up for the World Baseball Classic, but the 28-year-old has recovered nicely and was able to play in the team's exhibition game on Tuesday. He should be in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Pena's finger injury may hinder him early on at the plate, but fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fourth big-league season, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 125 games played. Pena has 30-30 upside in Houston if everything falls into place, but fantasy managers should consider him a low-end shortstop in 12-team leagues to begin 2026.

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Houston Astros infield prospect Brice Matthews has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Matthews did so by hitting .250 (9-for-36) with a home run, 10 RBI, six runs scored, nine walks, and 13 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances and 16 games played this spring. The 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 has mostly played infield in the minors, but he has been working in the outfield during spring training and figures to open his first full year in the big leagues in a super-utility role for the Astros. Matthews made his major-league debut in 2025 and appeared in only 13 games, going 7-for-42 (.167) with four home runs, nine RBI, a stolen base, two walks, and 20 strikeouts. But at Triple-A Sugar Land, he hit 17 long balls and stole 41 bases in 498 plate appearances. The Astros are confident that Matthews is the heir apparent to Jose Altuve at the keystone in Houston. He's a high-upside rookie stash, but he'll need to make more contact to stick in the majors.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers placed left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday (retroactive to March 22) with left-shoulder fatigue, according to MLB.com. Snell dealt with left-shoulder fatigue following the team's World Series run last fall, so the Dodgers have decided to bring him along slowly this spring. The 33-year-old two-time Cy Young winner will begin the season on the shelf and isn't expected to make his 2026 season debut until late May or early June. It's a precaution after Snell missed four months in 2025 with a left-shoulder injury. Snell has begun throwing off a mound, but the Dodgers are going to ramp him up slowly so that they can have him healthy and ready to roll for the rest of the season once he returns. It's a big hit to Snell's 2026 fantasy value, but the veteran southpaw still has plenty of strikeout upside when he's healthy, making him stash-worthy in all fantasy leagues. In 11 regular-season starts with the Blue last year, Snell had a 2.35 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 26 walks in 61 1/3 innings pitched.

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Cincinnati Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson will open the year as the team's No. 5 starter now that left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) is opening on the injured list, according to Rich Rovito of MLB.com. Initially, the plan was for Williamson and right-handers Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder to mix and match in the final two rotation spots to begin the 2026 campaign. Fantasy managers should temper expectations with Williamson this year after he missed all of the 2025 season due to Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old southpaw went 5-5 with a 4.39 ERA (4.84 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 44 walks in 131 1/3 innings over 27 appearances (26 starts) for the Reds in the last two seasons after debuting in the big leagues in 2023. When Lodolo makes his return, potentially after one or two turns through the team's rotation in April, Williamson could be sent to the minors or moved to a long-relief role as the Reds look to manage his workload.

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Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Chase Burns is scheduled to make his first start of the 2026 season on Monday, March 30, against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Rich Rovito of MLB.com. Burns made his sixth and final start of spring training on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers and went five efficient innings while throwing 53 of his 68 pitches for strikes. He struck out the side in the first inning with a four-seam fastball, slider, and sinker combination. Burns allowed four hits (one homer) and two runs while striking out seven and walking none. Now that left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) is starting on the injured list, each of Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson will take turns in the Reds' rotation to begin the regular season. Burns, a hard-throwing 23-year-old and former second overall pick, has as much fantasy upside as any young pitcher in the game as he heads into his first full year in the big leagues. He's RotoBaller's No. 36 fantasy starting pitcher after fanning 67 batters in 43 1/3 innings in his major-league debut in 2025.

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Cincinnati Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder is expected to take on a much bigger role in the team's starting rotation in 2026, and he's lined up to make his first start of the year on Sunday, March 29, against the Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Rich Rovito. The 24-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest made his big-league debut in 2024 and looked great, posting a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 22:14 K:BB in 30 2/3 innings in a small sample size of just six starts. He didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 due to injuries. With Nick Lodolo (finger) starting on the injured list, Lowder will be locked into a rotation spot in Cincy, and he could stick there all season long. Lowder might not have the fantasy ceiling of teammate Chase Burns, but his fantasy stock is on the rise, and he's worth stashing as starting rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues. Lowder is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 106 fantasy starting pitcher going into his first full year in the majors.

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The New York Yankees officially announced on Wednesday that they placed shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) with left-shoulder surgery recovery. Volpe initially injured the labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in May of last year and played through it the rest of the season. The 24-year-old underwent surgery last October and is still rehabbing this spring. Barring a setback as he ramps up his baseball activities, Volpe is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment around the second week of April. We may see Volpe make his 2026 season debut in early May. In the meantime, speedster Jose Caballero is expected to see the majority of playing time at the 6 in the Bronx. Volpe hit just .212 (114-for-539) in 153 games in 2025, but he still managed 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases while playing with a banged-up shoulder. He has clear 20-20 potential (he did it as a rookie in 2023), but fantasy managers should still be skeptical of a player coming off serious shoulder surgery.

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Before Wednesday night's season opener against the San Francisco Giants, the New York Yankees placed right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with Tommy John surgery recovery, according to the team. Cole had TJ surgery with an internal-brace procedure last March and didn't pitch at all for the Yankees in 2025. He's been recovering nicely this spring, though, and he even got into two spring training games, allowing a run while striking out three and walking none in 2 2/3 frames. The 35-year-old veteran, six-time All-Star, and former American League Cy Young winner is trending in the right direction and should be stashed in all fantasy formats. However, a little patience will be required, as he isn't expected to make his 2026 debut until late May. Cole, the former first overall pick in 2011 by the Pirates out of UCLA, carries more risk this year coming off TJ surgery, but he's proven in the past to be a fantasy ace, making him worth the risk.

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The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they officially placed left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) with left-elbow surgery recovery. Rodon had a bone spur removed from his left elbow last October and is finishing off the final stages of his rehab. Barring a setback as he continues to ramp up his arm, the 33-year-old veteran southpaw is expected to make his 2026 season debut before the end of April. The three-time All-Star had his best year in pinstripes in his third season with the team in 2025, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA (3.78 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 203 strikeouts and 73 walks in 195 1/3 innings over 33 starts. It was just the second time in Rodon's career that he reached the 200-strikeout mark. Rodon will carry more risk for fantasy managers coming off his elbow surgery, but he's a high-upside stash who could only end up missing the first several weeks of the year.

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Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) is still throwing on flat ground up to 120 feet, according to Arizona Sports' Alex Weiner. Martinez underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow on June 25 of last year and will open the 2026 season on the 60-day injured list. In a best-case scenario, he won't be available to return to high-leverage duties at the back end of Arizona's bullpen until the second half of the season. Fellow reliever A.J. Puk (elbow), who had an internal-brace procedure on his left arm, is slightly ahead of Martinez and is throwing short bullpen sessions. With both Martinez and Puk out for the first half of the season, veteran Paul Sewald might be the favorite for saves in the desert. The 24-year-old Martinez has 13 saves for Arizona in the last two seasons and is probably the team's preferred closer when healthy, but he could very well be eased back into high-leverage duties in the second half this year when he's back.

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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (leg) was scratched from the team's exhibition lineup on Tuesday as a precaution due to what manager Torey Lovullo called lower-leg soreness, according to Arizona Sports' Alex Weiner. "He just felt like 'I'm good, I don't need that at-bat. I'm a little bit sore. So, let me take this time off,'" Lovullo said. "So that made sense to me." There is no concern that Marte will miss Opening Day on Thursday. Fantasy managers should expect to have Marte available through the weekend as the 2026 regular season kicks off. As long as he's healthy, the 32-year-old Dominican infielder is a must-start in all fantasy formats as one of the best second basemen in the game. The three-time All-Star had 28 home runs and 72 RBI in 126 games in 2025 while slashing .283/.376/.517 in 556 plate appearances. Marte does have a history with injuries, but regardless, he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 2 fantasy second baseman.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) will play in minor-league games soon as a designated hitter, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Gurriel has taken part in defensive drills and shagging, but he has yet to play the outfield in a game this spring. He's getting close to playing on defense, though. "Defensively is the next piece of the puzzle because you're gonna be chasing a baseball and you can't predict what your body's gonna need to do, what start-stop action you're gonna have with your lower half," manager Torey Lovullo said. "So we're getting very close to that." Gurriel tore the ACL in his right knee on Sept. 1 of last year and underwent surgery on Sept. 11. The 32-year-old veteran was hoping that he'd be ready for Opening Day, but that was never a realistic target date for his return. The D-backs are hoping that he can make his 2026 debut in early May. In mixed leagues, fantasy managers can leave Gurriel on the waiver wire to begin the season.

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Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) has started throwing "shortbox bullpens," which means the catcher sets up closer to the pitcher, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Puk is opening the 2026 regular season on the 60-day injured list after having an internal-brace procedure on his left elbow on June 20 of last year. Barring a setback, he's expected to return to the D-backs' bullpen around the All-Star break in mid-July. With fellow reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) also recovering from Tommy John surgery, Arizona's bullpen will be very vulnerable in the first half of the season. Veteran Paul Sewald could be the favorite for save opportunities, but manager Torey Lovullo could also mix and match with arms like Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Kevin Ginkel. It's truly a bullpen situation that fantasy managers should be looking to avoid, if at all possible.

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Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (back) will start the 2026 season on the 15-day injured list to build up his workload, and he will start a backfield game at the team's spring training complex this Saturday, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. If all goes according to plan, Kelly will make rehab outings for Triple-A Reno on April 3 and April 3 and then prepare to rejoin Arizona's starting rotation for his next appearance in his 2026 debut. The 37-year-old veteran pitched into the third inning in Monday's exhibition game against the Cleveland Guardians and got his pitch count up to 52. He allowed five runs, including two home runs, but he felt good about how his body felt. Kelly still has some work to do to fine-tune his mechanics, but barring a setback, he should be ready to return in April. He had a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167:48 K:BB in 184 innings over 32 starts in 2025 with Arizona and the Texas Rangers in his seventh year in the big leagues. Kelly is a savvy vet when healthy, but his fantasy upside is limited due to a below-average strikeout rate and increased injury volatility at his age.

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