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Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is said to be "confident and optimistic" ahead of a new trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Franco was found guilty of the charges in June, but both sides appealed the decision, leading to the ordering of a new trial, which begins Friday. The 24-year-old has not appeared in an MLB game since August of 2023 and remains on the league's restricted list. If found guilty in the new trial, Franco could face stricter punishment, including jail time. If cleared of the charges, he would likely still face an uphill battle to make it back to the big leagues and could still be subject to a suspension from MLB.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee), who is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered last September, has been ahead of schedule in his rehab to the point where he thinks he could be ready for Opening Day, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Gurriel took live batting practice on Tuesday in camp and has been running the bases. However, manager Torey Lovullo already said that the 32-year-old Cuban outfielder won't be an option on Opening Day. Alek Thomas, who has been a mainstay in center field for the Sankes in the last three years, has started taking fly balls in left field this spring. Corbin Carroll (hand) also had surgery to remove a broken hamate bone from his hand, but he has a realistic chance to be ready for Opening Day. With an unknown timetable on Gurriel, he's currently outside RotoBaller's top-100 fantasy outfield rankings entering 2026.

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Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez consistently sat around 93 mph and hit 94 mph during the second inning of his live batting practice session in camp on Thursday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Lopez "seems to be where he needs to be in February." The 32-year-old former reliever has proven he can be effective as a big-league starter at 94-95 mph, with the ability to dial up 98 mph when he needs it. Lopez is attempting to return from a lost season in 2025, in which he made just one start for Atlanta before having arthroscopic right-shoulder surgery. He's back to full health now, though, and is looking to bounce back to his All-Star form in 2024, when he went 8-5 with a career-best 1.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 148:42 K:BB in 135 2/3 frames. Expecting a repeat of his 2024 success would be foolish. Lopez has only gone over 70 innings in a season once since 2019, and he's a good bet to be moved back to a relief role later in 2026. He's outside RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitcher rankings.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will take the hill on Opening Day on March 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen gets the nod after exceeding expectations last year in his first full season back from right-elbow surgery. The 30-year-old veteran was a first-time All-Star in his sixth year in the big leagues and went 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, career-high 127 strikeouts, and 37 walks in 150 innings pitched over 31 starts. Still, fantasy managers need to remember that Rasmussen has had three elbow surgeries in his career. The Rays could loosen the leash a bit in terms of his workload in 2026, but they will still probably be somewhat cautious, given his injury history. You can't argue with Rasmussen's results when he's been healthy, though, as he has the fourth-best ERA among all pitchers in the last five years. He has a decent floor as a No. 4 starting pitcher in fantasy.

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MLB.com's Christina De Nicola reports that the Miami Marlins are expected to go with pitchers Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Chris Paddack in their five-man starting rotation to begin the 2026 season, leaving left-handed pitching prospect Thomas White on the outside looking in. It shouldn't come as a big surprise, as White is only 21 years old and has made only two starts for Triple-A Jacksonville. He will most likely begin this season back at Jacksonville, but if injuries arise to Miami's starting rotation during the year, he'll be one of the team's top options to plug any holes. In three minor-league levels in 2025, White went 4-3 with a 2.31 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 145:51 K: BB in 89 2/3 innings over 21 starts at High-A Beloit, Double-A Pensacola, and Jacksonville. The 6-foot-5 southpaw is a great dynasty/keeper league stash, but he must tighten up his control before he'll be allowed to make his MLB debut.

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Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said that outfielder Steven Kwan will get some reps in center field this spring, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians are searching for the best possible outfield alignment. Kwan has won the American League Gold Glove award in left field in each of his four seasons with the team. In addition to the 28-year-old, Chase DeLauter, Daniel Schneemann, and Angel Martinez also figure to play in center during spring training for Cleveland. Kwan had his second straight season of double-digit home runs, but he still only hit 11 bombs while slashing .272/.330/.374 with a career-low .705 OPS, career-high 56 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases in 156 regular-season games. He has great discipline as the leadoff hitter for the Guards and will also provide plenty of runs scored, a strong average, and stolen bases, but you'll need to get your power elsewhere.

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Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling is not projected to make the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Barring injuries, the Marlins project to roll with Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Chris Paddack as their five starting pitchers. The 22-year-old Snelling was named the Marlins' Minor-League Pitcher of the Year in 2025 after he went 9-7 with a 2.51 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 166 strikeouts and only 39 walks in 136 innings over 25 starts with Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville. If an injury strikes Miami's rotation at any point this year, which it inevitably will, Snelling could very well be the next man up for the Fish. The former top-100 prospect had a 1.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 26.0 K-BB% in 11 starts at Triple-A. Snelling is a must-stash in dynasty/keeper leagues with good stuff, great command, and durability.

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Tampa Bay Rays high-leverage right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) tested his "cranky" shoulder in camp on Thursday and "didn't feel great" the longer he played catch, according to manager Kevin Cash. Uceta will see a doctor, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. It's not great news for the 28-year-old, who is expected to be in a closer committee in Tampa after recording six saves in the last two seasons for the Rays. Even if the Dominican hurler doesn't have any structural damage in his right shoulder, he could be forced to open the 2026 season on the injured list. If Uceta's injury is significant enough to keep him sidelined to begin the campaign, both Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger should see more save opportunities for the Rays. Uceta had a 3.79 ERA (3.69 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and one save in 76 frames last year. He was one of just five relievers with 100-plus strikeouts.

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New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga was up to 97 mph during his live batting practice session in camp on Friday, manager Carlos Mendoza told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. For reference, Senga only hit 97 mph four times after the All-Star break last year. The 33-year-old Japanese hurler had a nice 3.02 ERA (4.12 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 109 strikeouts and 55 walks in 113 1/3 innings over 22 starts in 2025 in his third year in the league, but he struggled after the All-Star break and eventually finished the year in the minor leagues. Senga's strikeout rate fell to 22.6%, but his velocity increase this spring is a good sign that he can bounce back in 2026. RotoBaller has Senga ranked as the No. 90 fantasy starting pitcher because of his rough finish to last season, but a bounce-back could be coming, making him a value target in upcoming drafts. Senga's fall in 2025 was likely related to a hamstring injury that threw his mechanics off.

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Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis L. Ortiz entered not guilty pleas while being accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets, according to The Associated Press. The pitchers were first charged in November with accepting several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 by placing more than 100 in-game prop bets and parlays on the speed and outcome of certain pitches. Charges against them include wire-fraud conspiracy and conspiracy to influence sporting contests. Clase and Ortiz have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July. Lawyers for both men have insisted their clients never colluded with gamblers. Clase is a three-time All-Star and had a $4.5 million salary in 2025. If convicted on all charges, the 27-year-old faces a maximum of 65 years in prison.

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Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle will start at shortstop in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reports that McGonigle "has taken reps mostly at shortstop" in camp, and it's clear that the Tigers still view him as a long-term shortstop. Nobody in the Tigers organization has done anything to shut the idea of McGonigle making the Opening Day roster down. "His actions at shortstop look smoother than they did a year ago at this time," writes Stavenhagen. The 21-year-old is still stating his case for a shot to open the 2026 season in the big leagues. The consensus No. 2 prospect in the sport is the purist minor-league hitter, while his power and speed are still developing. McGonigle figures to be in the big leagues sooner than later as Detroit's starting shortstop and potential No. 2 hitter.

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Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter continues to draw rave reviews in spring training, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. "He looks great. I caught his bullpen yesterday. Shoot, I want to say it was 98, 99. It's just easy. It doesn't look like he's throwing max effort. It's still coming out that firm. He is kind of like Wheeler. His stuff is so elite, and he's still able to throw the ball on the edges (command)," catcher J.T. Realmuto said. Manager Rob Thomson said on Wednesday that Painter's command appears to be back after he struggled a bit to throw strikes in 2025 in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The 22-year-old former top prospect should be rising up draft boards this spring and has a real shot to crack the team's Opening Day rotation with Zack Wheeler (shoulder) injured. RotoBaller has Painter ranked as the No. 97 fantasy starting pitcher, but he has the stuff to break out in his first MLB season while being another year removed from elbow surgery.

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New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler (back) came away from his bullpen session on Tuesday "feeling good," according to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network. Schlitter had no issues with his back. He will throw another bullpen session and then likely start facing live hitters in camp. The 25-year-old is recovering from a minor middle-back issue and still has time to get ready for Opening Day in late March. If healthy by then, Schlittler is expected to be part of the season-opening starting rotation in the Bronx with some of their other regulars injured. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder and former seventh-round pick in 2022 out of Northeastern University was very impressive in his first 14 MLB starts in 2025, going 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA (3.74 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with 84 K's and 31 walks in 73 frames. Even with some regression likely coming in Year 2, Schlittler is a fine SP4 investment in redraft fantasy leagues.

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Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (oblique) is currently unable to participate in baseball activities in camp, manager Craig Albernaz told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. The skipper also declined to say whether it's Westburg's elbow or oblique. "I just want to make sure that we're doing our due diligence and make sure Jordan is in the best chance to play this year," Albernaz said. The 27-year-old came to spring training with a strained right oblique, but it's unclear if something else is bothering him as well. With no timetable to return to the field, his availability for Opening Day is in question. If Westburg is forced to open the 2026 season on the injured list, both Coby Mayo and Blaze Alexander would be options to take over at the hot corner in Baltimore. Injuries continue to be an issue for Westburg, but he makes enough contact and has enough power to be a worthwhile depth option at third base in deep-mixed fantasy leagues when he's available.

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King is a high-risk, high-rewards option in 2026 fantasy baseball drafts after re-signing a three-year deal this past offseason. In his first year in San Diego, King showed his upside with a sparkling 2.95 ERA, 3.33 FIP, and 1.19 WHIP to go with a career-high 201 strikeouts in 30 regular-season starts. Last year, though, he was held back by shoulder and knee injuries and was only able to make 15 starts, compiling a 3.44 ERA, 4.42 FIP, and 1.20 WHIP. His strikeout rate slipped a bit as well, and he finished with 76 punchouts in 73 1/3 innings. If he can stay healthy this year, King has the potential to be a fantasy ace, and he opens spring training with no restrictions. Some buzz from spring training indicates that the Padres could go to a six-man rotation to try to limit their injury issues in the rotation, but that hasn't been officially announced yet. Drafting King for his upside is a good move in almost all formats, as long as you build in some extra depth in case injuries limit him again in 2026.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand) said he is targeting an Opening Day return from his surgery to fix a broken hamate bone suffered in spring training. Carroll will get the stitches out early next week and should be able to resume hitting. The injury was to his non-throwing hand, but the primary concern with hamate bone injuries is the force from swinging the bat. It looks like Carroll still has a chance to miss no time at the start of the season, but even if he misses his target, he won't likely miss extended time, barring any complications. If he coes miss time, it looks like the Diamondbacks will try Jordan Lawlar in center and move Alek Thomas to right field. While his injury definitely raises his risk factor, Carroll's injury is actually creating some great potential value in drafting Carroll, since he should be a top contributor when he returns and is sliding a little bit in drafts. If you take a shot on him early, just be sure to build in reliable depth later in your draft.

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webbhas been a durable and consistent ace for the Giants over the last several seasons, making 32+ starts in four straight years and surpassing 200 innings in each of the last three years. He tied a career-high with 15 wins and topped the National League with 224 strikeouts in his 207 innings. He finished the year with a 3.22 ERA despite an elevated 1.24 WHIP, but most of that was due to an elevated .346 BABIP against him. If he gets better defense and some batted-ball luck regression, he could be even sharper this season if he stays healthy again. He's a great option if you're looking for a reliable arm with good durability and upside in mixed-league drafts after about 20 pitchers have gone off the board.

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Griffin Canning (Achilles) is not expected to be ready to join his new team's rotation to start the season, but he could be back relatively early in the season. He could be ready to take a spot in April or May after finishing his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last June. Before the injury, the 29-year-old righty was having his best season in the majors, going 7-3 with a career-best 3.77 ERA, a 4.04 FIP, and a 1.38 WHIP with 70 strikeouts in 76 1/3 innings for the Mets. Canning will be an interesting option in Petco Park and a nice late-round stash if your league has enough IR spots to start the season. He is high-risk, though, given his inability to stay healthy during his career, so it may be better to grab him off waivers closer to his return in mixed leagues. In NL-only leagues, Canning is definitely worth stashing if possible.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) still has no timeline for a return to full baseball activities, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Nootbaar has been able to hit and throw, but he's just now moving into being able to run without assistance. The 28-year-old will continue to run on an anti-gravity treadmill in camp after having surgery in early October on both of his heels to address deformities. The Cardinals are unlikely to rush Nootbaar, so the expectation is that he will not be ready to go on Opening Day in late March. Nootbaar played a career-high 135 games in 2025 and disappointed offensively, slashing .234/.325/.361 with a career-worst .686 OPS, 13 homers, 48 RBI, 68 runs, and four steals in 583 plate appearances. His batted-ball metrics have always teased more -- he had a career-best 50% hard-hit rate and 10.2% barrel rate in 2025 -- but he's rarely been healthy and has yet to put it all together. Nootbaar needs to get healthy and finally break through to jump into the top-100 outfield rankings.

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MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Houston Astros' chances of trading third baseman Isaac Paredes before the start of the 2026 season are "diminishing." Paredes missed two months last year in his first season in Houston due to a serious hamstring tear, which led to the team reacquiring Carlos Correa to play third. The 27-year-old is now blocked in the infield with Jose Altuve moving back to second base, and at designated hitter (Yordan Alvarez). Paredes is moving around at multiple different positions this spring, and a utility role might be his best path to playing time, barring an injury. Despite playing in only 102 games, Paredes reached the 20-homer mark for the third time in his six MLB seasons while slashing .254/.352/.458 with an .809 OPS. His 2026 fantasy value is unsettled without a clear path to regular playing time. A trade out of town with an everyday role would be the best outcome from a fantasy perspective.

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