Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Connelly Early has looked quiet so far at spring training as he competes for the final spot in the Boston starting rotation. Across 12 innings, the left-hander has held a 2.25 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP while striking nine hitters. He has allowed just three free passes. Early made his MLB debut in the second half of the 2025 campaign and posted a 2.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over his first 19 1/3 innings in the majors. During this impressive debut, he racked up 29 punchouts with a stellar 5.1% BB%. However, despite his high upside, Johan Oviedo is trending towards claiming the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation, which would send Early to Triple-A Worcester. Even though he will likely begin the season in the minor leagues, he should contend for a first-half return to Boston. He is worth stashing in deeper leagues ahead of Opening Day.

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Cincinnati Reds infield prospect Sal Stewart has continued to play at an elite level during spring training and appears ticketed for a major role during his first full MLB season. Through 13 spring games, the team's top infield prospect has held a dominant .355/.487/.613 line with two home runs and four stolen bases. This is an excellent sign for Stewart as he looked just as comfortable during his first taste of MLB action last summer. Over his first 18 games in Cincinnati, Stewart held a .255/.293/.545 line with five long balls. Earlier in the campaign, Stewart hit 10 home runs while swiping four bags across a brief 38-game stint at Triple-A, showcasing his five-category upside. Given Stewart's ability to play at several positions, he carries elite breakout appeal heading into the 2026 season, as he should have an everyday role in the offense.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Eduardo Quintero is a name to keep a close eye on during the 2026 season. Quintero is currently considered the No. 30 overall prospect on MLB.com and the No. 3-ranked prospect in the system. In 2025, Quintero spent his time in the lower levels of the season, shared between Low-A and High-A. At Low-A, Quintero logged 81 games to the tune of a .301/.426/.533 slash line with 18 doubles, 14 home runs, and 35 stolen bases. Then, during his first 32 games at High-A Great Lakes, Quintero posted a strong .259/.384/.440 line with an .824 OPS. Given that he only had a brief taste of High-A, managers should expect him to begin the 2026 regular season at that level. However, the 20-year-old appears ticketed for an early promotion to Double-A, which keeps him on track for a 2027 MLB debut.

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Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins (hamstring) is expected to be ready for the beginning of the Triple-A regular season, according to Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. The team's top prospect is dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain but is not expected to be limited in any capacity ahead of the start of the regular season. Jenkins was in the mix to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster but was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul to continue his development earlier in March. However, a hot start should push me into serious promotion conversations. Last season, Jenkins played 23 games at Triple-A and hit for a .242/.324/.396 line with two home runs and four stolen bases. Managers in deeper five-outfielder leagues should pay close attention to his early-season production as he could emerge as a high-end stash candidate.

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Chicago Cubs first base prospect Jonathon Long (elbow) went 1-for-3 with an RBI during his return on Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. The first base prospect has been on the shelf for all of March due to this minor elbow sprain. However, seeing that he has already returned to action suggests he will not face many restrictions by the start of the regular season. Per MLB.com, Long is considered the team's No. 7-ranked prospect. In 2025, Long spent his entire campaign with Triple-A Iowa and appears destined to begin his 2026 season there as well. Over his first 140 games with the Iowa Cubs, Long held a .325/.404/.479 line with an .883 OPS and 20 home runs. Given that Michael Busch holds the everyday role at first base on the MLB roster, Long will likely have to wait for an injury to earn his first call to the big leagues.

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Miami Marlins catching prospect Joe Mack was sent to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday afternoon. The young catcher was unlikely to break camp with the MLB roster and will now officially begin his 2026 season at the top level of the minor leagues. The 23-year-old spent most of spring training as the No. 3 catcher on the depth chart behind breakout Augstin Ramirez and Liam Hicks. In 2025, Mack spent most of his season with Triple-A and posted a solid .250/.302/.459 slash line with 18 doubles, 18 home runs, and a 115:35 K:BB. He also swiped eight bags. Earlier in the season, he posted an elite .318/.464/.614 line over a brief taste of Double-A action. Even though Mack was unable to crack the Opening Day roster, he remains on track for a first-half promotion and is worth monitoring in deeper two-catcher leagues.

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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara has reportedly been named the starter if the Dominican Republic advances to the World Baseball Classic final. On Sunday, DR manager Albert Pujols announced that Alcantara will get the ball if they make it through Team USA on Sunday night. The 30-year-old would take on either Venezuela or Italy in the WBC final. Alcantara gave up three runs over three innings of work earlier in the tournament versus Venezuela. It'll be interesting to see if the former CY Young award winner can rebound, assuming the DR advances on Sunday night.

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Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (knee) was removed from Saturday's World Baseball Classic quarterfinal after suffering an apparent injury. Suzuki suffered a right knee injury while attempting to steal second base in the loss to Venezuela. He'll head from Miami back to Arizona, so the Cubs' training staff can do an evaluation. When asked for an update, Cubs manager Craig Counsell said it's best to wait and see what the doctors and trainers say. Suzuki is a main cog in the middle of the Cubs' lineup, so Suzuki missing time would be a significant blow to their roster. An extended absence would likely free up additional playing time for Kevin Alcantara and Matt Shaw to begin the season.

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Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (shoulder) was removed early during Saturday's Cactus League matchup against the Chicago White Sox. Ramirez jammed his left shoulder while doing a head-first slide into third base. After the game, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that Ramirez is day-to-day with left shoulder inflammation. Fantasy managers can take a sigh of relief as it doesn't appear that Ramirez has suffered a significant injury. He could still potentially miss time, but this doesn't sound like something that will require a lengthy absence. The Guardians might have Ramirez undergo further testing, so fantasy managers should check back for another update on the superstar slugger.

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Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez appears to be fully healthy heading into the regular season. Last year, Alvarez was limited to 47 games due to a fractured hand and ankle sprain. When healthy, Alvarez posted solid numbers, but the Astros are hopeful to get a full season from him in 2026. Recently, Alvarez said that his swing is feeling pretty good right now and that he's almost back to normal. So far this spring, Alvarez is slashing .316/.350/.579 with one home run and four RBI in seven games. Currently, Alvarez is sitting around 30.0 ADP, which seems like a fair spot for him.

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cade Povich has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday. Povich was in the mix for one of the final rotational spots, but didn't make the cut. He struggled with a 4.32 ERA and seven walks across 8.1 innings of work during Spring Training. The southpaw opened the 2025 season with the O's, but struggled to post consistent numbers. He registered a 5.21 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and a 118/43 K/BB ratio across 22 games (20 starts) with the Orioles in 2025. Povich figures to serve as depth in the minor leagues while Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer hold down the final spots in the rotation.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand) "should start playing defense again on Wednesday or Thursday," according to Alex D'Agostino of Diamondbacks On SI. He'll likely play the outfield in a backfield game, rather than one of the Snakes' official Cactus League contests. It's another step in the right direction for the star outfielder, who has been recovering from a broken right hamate bone since February. While the Diamondbacks don't want to (and won't) rush him back, fans and fantasy managers would love some good news on the injury front as Opening Day approaches. Carroll is coming off another terrific MLB season in which he slashed .259/.343/.541 with a career-high 31 home runs and 139 wRC+, and he also continues to demonstrate advanced defensive skills in the outfield. He's a premium fantasy option, checking in as the #7 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

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Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (knees) was seen running the bases at the team's spring training facility in Mesa on Sunday. Martn Gallegos of MLB.com reports that the A's are "looking at Tuesday for his first game playing outfield" during 2026 Cactus League action. Butler hasn't played yet this spring, but it sounds like he's getting close. The Athletics will be pleased to get him back ahead of Opening Day, kicking off a potential bounce-back campaign. Butler posted a modest .710 OPS with 96 wRC+ last year, but on a more positive note, he delivered a 20-homer, 20-steal campaign with 4 OAA and 1 FRV in the outfield. He currently ranks as the #41 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for the 2026 season.

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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) acknowledged that he's making significant progress, but he's not ready to commit to being in the lineup on Opening Day, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The 32-year-old made his 2026 spring training debut on Sunday after missing time due to a stress reaction in his left hamate bone. Lindor is one of the best shortstops in baseball, so Mets fans and fantasy managers will be eager for him to be cleared 100 percent. With that being said, the Mets will be smart and have no plans to rush him back before he's ready. The 32-year-old has slugged at least 30 homers in each of the last three seasons, and he posted an impressive 129 wRC+ with 31 stolen bases last year. He currently ranks as the #4 shortstop in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings. He finds himself among the elite tier of fantasy options and should be drafted at a premium price, regardless of whether he's ready for Opening Day or not.

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Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will earn the start on Opening Day, manager Skip Schumaker announced on Sunday. It seemed like the Rangers' decision was trending this way, but the confirmation is useful for fantasy managers, especially since Jacob deGrom could have been in the mix for the nod. It's a well-deserved recognition for Eovaldi, who will now start on Opening Day for the third year in a row. He posted a stellar 1.73 ERA over 22 starts last year, amassing 8.93 K/9, 1.45 BB/9, and 0.69 HR/9 with an impressive 50.3% ground ball rate. Even at 36 years old, Eovaldi remains quite productive. He ranks #38 among starters in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

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San Francisco Giants right-handed pitcher Hayden Birdsong (forearm) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 forearm strain and UCL sprain, according to an announcement from the organization that was relayed by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Birdsong will meet with Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion later this week, but the initial MRI results aren't very favorable. At this point, Birdsong is weighing his treatment options, and a shift to the 60-man injured list seems quite possible. That's a tough blow for the Giants and fantasy managers after Birdsong went 4-4 with a 4.69 xERA across 21 games (10 starts) in 2025. He posted a solid 9.32 K/9, but found himself posting very concerning rates of 5.07 BB/9 and 1.37 HR/9. If Birdsong ends up on the IL, Landen Roupp could be in line to earn a spot in the starting rotation.

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil has been named to the team's starting rotation ahead of Opening Day, manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. While Boone wouldn't confirm which rotation spot Gil will occupy, he did confirm that the 27-year-old will be one of the team's five starters. A right lat strain kept the right-hander out of action until August last season, so it will be refreshing to see him healthy for Opening Day this year. He's looking to improve upon an abbreviated 2025 campaign in which he posted a 3.32 ERA. That ERA reflected a bit of good luck on Gil's side, as he also finished the year with a 5.65 xFIP, 6.47 K/9, and 5.21 BB/9. He currently ranks outside RotoBaller's top 100 starting pitchers for the 2026 fantasy baseball season.

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After notching 10 saves and a 1.91 ERA across 76 appearances in 2024, San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Ryan Walker entered 2025 as the team's primary ninth-inning option. While Walker collected 17 more saves in 2025, he struggled to a 4.11 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, and eventually lost his job to emergent Giants right-hander Randy Rodriguez (elbow). However, Rodriguez underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in late August 2025, opening the door for Walker to reclaim his ninth-inning role. Entering 2026, Walker is expected to get the first shot as San Francisco's primary closer. While the Giants have other quality relief options like left-hander Erik Miller, there is no clear option to replace Walker even if he encounters some early-season struggles. Walker has sleeper potential if he can rediscover his 2024 form, but his profile is not without significant downside risk for fantasy managers entering 2026.

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After undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024, Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez did not make it back to the big league mound until June 2025. Upon his return, the 22-year-old posted a 7-6 record with a 4.25 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 105 strikeouts across 95 1/3 innings (20 starts). While Perez's 4.25 ERA stands out as less than ideal, he posted an excellent 19% K-BB rate and was victimized by a 64% strand rate that is likely to regress. Perez is reportedly fully healthy heading into 2026 and is expected to anchor the Marlins rotation. Perez has been a bit wild so far this spring, issuing a 17.9% walk rate across his three Grapefruit League appearances. Still, his health is more important than his performance in the small sample size of Spring Training. As long as he can avoid the injury bug, Perez has a fantasy SP1 upside in 2026 and beyond.

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After breaking out as a fantasy ace in 2024, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans battled through injuries and underperformance in an underwhelming follow-up campaign in 2025. Across 61 2/3 innings (13 starts), the 28-year-old went 3-3 with a 4.67 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts. Ragans spent time on the Injured List with two separate groin strains and also dealt with a rotator cuff issue. However, Ragans is reportedly back to full strength heading into 2026 and could be in line for a resurgent season. Even in a down year, Ragans still posted a ridiculous 38.1% strikeout rate in 2025. His outlier 64.4% strand rate indicates that his inflated 4.67 ERA in 2025 was a symptom of poor luck, as he logged an excellent 2.67 xERA and 2.50 FIP. As long as Ragans can stay healthy, he could easily re-emerge as a fantasy SP1 in 2026.

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