Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Jordan Romano slammed the door shut on the Houston Astros in the 3-0 Opening Day win on Thursday at Daikin Park to earn his first save of the season. Romano allowed a walk and struck out one in his inning of work to complete the shutout for starter Jose Soriano, who earned his first win of 2026. All of Ben Joyce (shoulder), Robert Stephenson (elbow), and Kirby Yates (knee) are on the injured list to begin the year, so the 32-year-old Romano is the Angels reliever most likely to see the most save opportunities early on. Veteran left-hander Drew Pomeranz could also get a look from first-year manager Kurt Suzuki. If Romano is on your league's waiver wire and you could use a short-term saves option, Romano could be your guy. The Canadian hurler has had his share of struggles the last two years, but there's something to be said for his 114 career saves as he starts his eighth year in the majors.

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Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle showed why he's the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball in 2026 in the team's 8-2 Opening Day win on Thursday over the hosting San Diego Padres at Petco Park. McGonigle went 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored to join Willie McCovey and Kirby Puckett as the only players in MLB history who had four hits in their big-league debut. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter profiles as Detroit's future starting shortstop, but he made the Opening Day start at third base, with Javier Baez at the 6. The former first-rounder in 2023 is one of the best pure-hitting prospects in baseball, and he put that on display on Thursday against the Padres. McGonigle slashed .305/.408/.583 with a .991 OPS, 19 home runs, 80 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 10 steals in three minor-league stops in 2025. He got his day started in the first inning with a bases-loaded double that scored two runs, and then he doubled off the right-field wall in his second at-bat. McGonigle's power/speed upside at a premier position makes him a potential future star in the making.

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Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Pavin Smith (elbow) has been scratched from the Opening Day lineup on Thursday evening against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers due to left-elbow soreness, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The Diamondbacks don't believe that Smith's elbow injury is serious, so he could be right back in the lineup on Friday night in L.A. Tim Tawa will make the start at designated hitter in place of Smith for the Snakes versus Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Smith has earned regular at-bats in Arizona between first base and designated hitter after hitting .262/.357/.475 with an .832 OPS, 17 home runs, 64 RBI, and 62 runs scored in 147 games and 446 plate appearances over the last two seasons. However, he had a career-high 31.9% strikeout rate in 2025 and has just a .597 career OPS against left-handed pitchers. It's a limited fantasy ceiling for Smith.

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The Philadelphia Inquirer's Nick Vadala reports that Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm is suing his own parents, alleging that they mismanaged his finances. It wasn't weighing too heavily on Bohm during the Phillies' Opening Day win on Thursday over the Texas Rangers, as he went 1-for-3 at the plate with a three-run home run and a walk in the 5-3 victory. It's unfortunate that the 29-year-old is going through personal issues involving money with his own family, but it shouldn't negatively affect his performance on the field in 2026, in what is his seventh year in the big leagues. Bohm was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and has hit at least .280 in three of the last four seasons. The power just hasn't been there for a third baseman in fantasy, though, as Bohm's career high in homers came in 2023 with 20. Still, he's plenty useful for his high batting average and run production in one of the best lineups in baseball. Bohm has 90-plus RBI in two of the last three years.

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New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge had a major-league debut to remember on Thursday on Opening Day against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in an 11-7 victory, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two runs scored, two walks, a stolen base, and two strikeouts. Benge's first big-league home run came off reliever Justin Lawrence in the sixth inning. The 23-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State kept it going after a strong spring training in which he hit .366 (15-for-41) with an .874 OPS, no home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base in 14 Grapefruit League games. Benge will probably sit frequently against left-handed pitchers in his first full major-league season, which limits his ceiling in redraft fantasy leagues, but there's no denying his power/speed upside in dynasty/keeper leagues. It's a promising start for him for managers who were willing to take a chance on him in mixed leagues.

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The Chicago Cubs agreed with second baseman Nico Hoerner on an undisclosed six-year deal on Thursday, pending a physical, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Hoerner went hitless in four at-bats in the Cubs' 10-4 Opening Day loss on Thursday to the Washington Nationals, but the Cubs will lock up his stellar defense and strong contact skills as a hitter for the foreseeable future. It comes just after the Cubs locked up All-Star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year contract. Hoerner, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of Stanford, has hit a strong .284/.339/.389 with a .728 OPS, 33 home runs, 231 RBI, 333 runs scored, and 123 stolen bases in four seasons in Chicago since becoming the team's full-time starter at the keystone in 2022. It's not the power you're chasing when it comes to Hoerner -- he has just 36 homers in seven seasons -- but he's a counting-stat compiler with strong on-base skills who can hit for a high average.

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Milwaukee Brewers young right-hander Jacob Misiorowski was electric in the team's 14-2 Opening Day win on Thursday against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Misiorowski showed why he's one of the highest-upside young hurlers in the game by striking out 11 in five innings pitched. He allowed just one earned run on two hits while walking three. The only run that Miz allowed was a leadoff solo home run to infielder Chase Meidroth. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Crowder College debuted in 2025 to a 5-3 record, 4.36 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 87:31 K:BB in 66 innings over 15 appearances (14 starts). He now already has three 10-strikeout games in his first 15 big-league starts, giving him tons of upside for fantasy managers. Misiorowski's second start of the 2026 season is expected to come next Wednesday, April 1, against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. He'll be a must-start in fantasy in that matchup.

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It was not the Opening Day that Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes was expecting on Thursday on the road against the New York Mets. Skenes took the loss and didn't make it out of the first inning, allowing five earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one in two-thirds of an inning. He was pulled after just 37 pitches in an eventual 11-7 loss. Most of the damage against Skenes came on a bases-loaded triple. It was just one of those days, and not even Skenes is immune to them. The reigning National League Cy Young winner and former Rookie of the Year will be well-rested for his second start of 2026, which will come next Wednesday, April 1, against the Cincinnati Reds. We think Skenes will bounce back just fine. He is already one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the league in just his third major-league campaign.

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Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe had a really nice debut with the Bucs in an 11-7 Opening Day loss to the New York Mets on Thursday, going 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and three RBI. Both of his home runs came off new Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta. It's nice to see for Lowe, who hit just 6-for-30 (.200) with no homers or RBI, six walks, and 12 strikeouts in 36 plate appearances over 13 Grapefruit League games in spring training. There's still a lot to like about the left-handed pop that Lowe can provide at the second base position, especially if he continues to hit near the top of the Pirates' batting order. However, the drawbacks are that Lowe is very injury-prone and that he has never hit lefties well (.695 career OPS). He's coming off his second career 30-homer season in 2025, though, and he's had at least 21 long balls in each of the last three seasons. The two-time All-Star's .326 career on-base percentage doesn't scream two-hole hitter.

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Cleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect Parker Messick is set to open the 2026 season with a spot in the team's big-league rotation. Messick made his MLB debut in 2025, recording a 3-1 record with a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts across 39 2/3 innings (seven starts). While the 25-year-old posted just a 23% strikeout rate in his first taste of the big leagues, he demonstrated more impressive swing-and-miss generation throughout his time in the minors. Across 98 2/3 Triple-A innings in 2025, Messick struck out 29.1% of the batters he faced. In 19 2/3 innings this spring, Messick recorded a 4.12 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 17 strikeouts. If Messick can hold a spot in the Guardians' rotation throughout 2026, he could emerge as a worthy waiver-wire target for fantasy managers.

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Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young made his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .211/.302/.305 with four home runs, 24 RBI, 24 runs scored, and one stolen base across 257 plate appearances. While Young's numbers at the plate amounted to well below-average production, it's important to remember that 2025 was just his age-21 season. Entering 2026, Young projects as Seattle's everyday second baseman and should have a second chance to establish himself as an everyday big-leaguer. Young put together an impressive performance in the Cactus League this spring, hitting .281/.349/.667 with six home runs and three stolen bases across 63 plate appearances. While Young recorded just one steal in the majors in 2025, he showcased more speed in his minor league career with back-to-back 20-plus steal seasons in 2023 and 2024. If he can take a step forward across the board with another year of development in 2026, Young could be a sleeper second base option off the waiver wire for deep-league fantasy managers.

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Arizona Diamondbacks infield/outfield prospect Jordan Lawlar is officially an Opening Day starter in 2026, batting ninth and playing left field for his team's first game of the season against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lawlar has long been considered one of the Diamondbacks' top prospects, but he's struggled with injuries and hit just .182/.257/.288 with a 35.8% strikeout rate across 74 plate appearances after making his MLB debut in 2025. Lawlar also had some defensive issues while spending time at every infield position other than first base, leading the Diamondbacks to shift him to the outfield this spring. Still, Lawlar will not turn 24 years old until July and posted a .967 OPS across 300 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. With Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) currently working his way back from a torn ACL, Lawlar could have an extended run of everyday playing time to open 2026.

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New York Mets outfielder Mike Tauchman (knee) underwent surgery on the meniscus tear in his left knee on Thursday, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman reports that Tauchman is expected to be sidelined for "six weeks before returning to play," so it appears as though Tauchman avoided a full meniscus repair, which would have kept him out for significantly longer. Across 385 plate appearances with the Chicago White Sox in 2025, Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 with nine home runs, 40 RBI, and 44 runs scored. The 35-year-old owns a career 12.6% walk rate and has posted an on-base percentage of at least .350 in three consecutive campaigns. Once healthy, Tauchman could challenge Mets rookie Carson Benge for playing time in right field.

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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (lower leg) is in the lineup and batting leadoff for his team's Opening Day matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Marte was scratched from Arizona's exhibition finale on Tuesday due to lower-leg soreness, but it appears the 32-year-old has avoided a serious issue. Marte is coming off an excellent 2025 season in which he hit .283/.376/.517 with 28 home runs, 72 RBI, 87 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 556 plate appearances. When healthy, Marte is arguably the premier second baseman in all of baseball. However, the veteran switch-hitter does have a fairly extensive injury history, reaching 600 plate appearances just twice in 11 MLB seasons. Fantasy managers can breathe a bit easier now that Marte is officially good to go for the start of 2026.

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In his first full season in the big leagues in 2025, New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren recorded a 9-8 record with a 4.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts across 162 1/3 innings (33 starts). The 26-year-old struggled with consistent command (9.1% walk rate) and allowed a slightly elevated 1.22 HR/9. However, Warren held a spot in the Yankees' rotation for the entire season and has consistently shown the ability to generate swing-and-miss pitches throughout his entire professional career. With Yankees starting pitchers Gerrit Cole (elbow), Carlos Rodon (elbow), and Clarke Schmidt (elbow) all opening 2026 on the injured list, Warren currently pencils in as the number three starter in New York. Warren is also coming off an impressive Grapefruit League, where he pitched to a 1.42 ERA and 0.63 WHIP while allowing just three walks across 25 1/3 innings. Warren could emerge as a breakout starting pitcher for fantasy managers in 2026.

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San Francisco Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong (elbow) had successful surgery on his right elbow for UCL reconstruction on Wednesday with Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, Texas, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Birdsong will return to Arizona later this week to start his rehab at the minor-league complex. The Giants placed the 24-year-old on the 60-day injured list before the start of the regular season in their loss on Wednesday night to the New York Yankees. The former sixth-round selection in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois will miss the entire 2026 campaign and most likely the start of the 2027 regular season after having elbow surgery. It's a tough setback for his fantasy baseball value in dynasty/keeper leagues. In his first two MLB seasons with the Gigantes, Birdsong went 9-10 with a 4.77 ERA (4.81 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, 25.4% strikeout rate, and a 13.1% walk rate in 137 2/3 innings over 37 appearances (26 starts). Command/control issues make Birdsong a shaky long-term asset.

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New York Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong could be an early-season call-up for the team whenever they find themselves in need of pitching. Although the right-hander struggled to a 7.71 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, and a 14.9 percent K-BB% in his five starts with the Mets last year, he was one of the most dominant arms in the minors before that. Despite being in the majors for the final month, the former seventh-round draft pick still led all minor leaguers with 179 strikeouts in just 113 2/3 innings pitched, good for a 14.17 K/9. If he can continue to dominate to begin the 2026 campaign and perhaps tone down the walks (career rate of 11.5 percent) then he should be in contention for an early-season call-up. Pitching-needy managers in deeper leagues could consider stashing the 22-year-old, who is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

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Washington Nationals catching prospect Harry Ford was optioned to Triple-A Rochester earlier this month after an underwhelming spring, but that doesn't mean he won't be back in the big leagues soon. The Nats' third-ranked prospect is a former 12th-overall draft pick and had a strong 2025 at Triple-A, hitting .283 with 16 home runs while walking (74) nearly as many times as he struck out (88), which earned him a late-season promotion with the Mariners. The former first-rounder has a solid contact/power blend with his bat, and with his ability to draw walks, there is a solid OBP floor. The catcher's position is one of wear and tear, so there could be an opening for him on the major league roster sooner rather than later, and the 23-year-old should be considered one of the top stash candidates in deep two-catcher leagues.

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo will make his first start of the 2026 season in the team's fifth game on Monday, March 30, against the New York Yankees at T-Mobile Park, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Fantasy managers shouldn't read anything into the fact that Castillo will start the fifth game of the regular season after he pitched in the team's Cactus League finale on Monday. The 33-year-old veteran will have a difficult matchup to kick things off, though, after struggling in spring training. Castillo allowed 14 runs (13 earned) on 23 hits (five home runs) while walking four and striking out 13 in 15 innings pitched over five starts. Spring statistics should always be taken with a grain of salt. Castillo has had ERAs under 4.00 in three straight seasons and has also made at least 30 starts for fantasy managers over that span. He's no ace, but Castillo's fantasy floor is pretty high, especially when starting at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park.

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Miami Marlins pitching prospect Robby Snelling did not earn a spot in the team's starting rotation to begin the season, but will likely be one of the first names called when Miami needs pitching reinforcements. The Marlins' second-ranked prospect made the top two levels of the minors look easy in 2025, recording a 2.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 23.2 percent K-BB% across 25 starts (136 innings pitched) between Double and Triple-A. Despite allowing seven earned runs in 8 1/3 IP this spring, the southpaw showed his strikeout potential with 13 punchouts during that time. The 6-foot-3 hurler owns a 27.1 percent K% in 71 minor-league starts and has shown solid command, too, with an 8.0 percent BB% for his career. With the 22-year-old standing on the doorstep to the big leagues, the 39th-overall selection in the 2022 Draft is one of the top pitching stashes for fantasy, and is available in over 90 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

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