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The San Diego Padres agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo on Sunday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Verdugo appeared in only 56 games with the Atlanta Braves last year and was eventually designated for assignment over the summer after hitting just .239/.296/.289 with no homers, 12 RBI, and 21 runs scored in 213 plate appearances. The nine-year veteran is getting a late start in spring training and won't be guaranteed to make the Padres' Opening Day roster. If Verdugo did make the big-league squad out of camp, he'd most likely be a platoon option from the left side of the plate in a corner-outfield spot or at designated hitter. Most likely, Verdugo will offer the Padres some outfield depth at Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2026 regular season. In 149 games with the Yankees in 2024, Verdugo held a .233/.291/.356 slash line with 13 homers and 61 RBI in 621 plate appearances.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) will start in the team's exhibition against Team Great Britain on Wednesday, his first appearance in a game since his 2024 Tommy John surgery that October, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Musgrove didn't pitch at all for the Padres in 2025 as the results of his surgery, but he has worked his way all the way back and will be part of SD's Opening Day starting rotation. The 33-year-old is not expected to have any workload restrictions, but it's fair for fantasy managers to wonder how effective he'll be in 2026 in his return. Musgrove was a first-time All-Star back in 2022 with the Friars, when he went 10-7 with a career-best 2.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 184:42 K:BB in 181 innings (30 starts), but that was the last time he went over 100 innings in a season. Expecting him to return to that All-Star form in 2026 is a lot to ask, but Musgrove is definitely worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts as rotation depth.

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The St. Louis Cardinals are holding shortstop Masyn Winn (arm) out of the Grapefruit League lineup on Monday against the Miami Marlins due to right-arm soreness, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Manager Oliver Marmol said that Winn is "fine" and that his soreness is the result of a "heavy" workload on Sunday. The 23-year-old is expected to return to spring training action later this week on Thursday or Friday, but he could also play in an exhibition game on Wednesday against Team Nicaragua. Through four Grapefruit League games, Winn has gone 2-for-8 at the plate with a stolen base. A knee injury that eventually required meniscus surgery last year may have been to blame for his disappointing offensive numbers. He had a .253/.310/.363 slash line .673 OPS, nine homers, 51 RBI, and nine steals in 129 games. Winn could bounce back some with better health, but with middling power and speed, there's limited upside here. He profiles better as a middle-infield option in mixed fantasy leagues.

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Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez is making his Grapefruit League debut on Monday against the Washington Nationals, serving as the DH and batting second, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Alvarez isn't dealing with an injury, but the Astros chose to slow-play him this spring after he was limited to 48 games in 2025 due to ankle and hand injuries. To keep the 28-year-old left-handed slugger healthy all year, the Astros plan on using him primarily as a DH this year, while occasionally giving him some action in left field. The Cuban slugger made the All-Star team for three straight years from 2022 to 2024 and was annually one of the best all-around hitters in the game before struggling with injuries last year. Alvarez reached the 30-homer mark for four straight seasons from 2021-24, and he could easily bounce back in the power department in 2026 if he stays on the field.

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X-rays on Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews' left thumb were negative, and he is considered day-to-day, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Crews suffered a left-thumb contusion after getting hit by a pitch during live batting practice in camp on Saturday and was scratched from Sunday's Grapefruit League lineup. The 24-year-old isn't back in the lineup on Monday, either, but we should see him return to the field at some point this week. So far, Crews has gone 1-for-9 at the plate in spring training with a walk and three strikeouts. The former second overall pick in 2023 out of LSU hasn't lived up to lofty expectations in his first 116 major-league games, slashing .211/.282/.352 with a .634 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases in 454 plate appearances. Crews missed considerable time last year with an oblique injury, though, and he's too young and too talented to write off completely.

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Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Bubba Chandler stumbled in his second outing of spring training on Sunday afternoon. The top pitching prospect entered the game in relief behind Braxton Ashcraft and struggled, tossing 1 1/3 innings of two-run ball. In this brief appearance, Chandler allowed a high three walks with only two strikeouts. Chandler has now logged three innings in the spring with six earned runs and a modest 4:7 K:BB. Last summer, Chandler struggled with his command at Triple-A, which kept him in the minor leagues for most of the season. However, in the majors, Chandler looked far more comfortable, allowing only four total free passes over 31 2/3 innings. Managers should continue to keep a close eye on his progression in camp. While he remains locked into a starring role, Chandler could see his upside significantly capped due to his inconsistent command.

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Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jett Williams (quadriceps) is dealing with left quad soreness. He sustained this injury during last week's spring training contest. The young infielder has been held out of action since then. However, Brewers manager Pat Murphy noted that the injury is a "2 out of 10" on the severity scale, which suggests the infielder should be back in action in the coming days. The Brewers acquired Williams from the New York Mets as the headliner piece in the deal that sent right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta to Queens earlier in the winter. Williams is in the mix to compete for a starting role out of spring training, but will likely be sent to Triple-A to open the 2026 season. Last summer, Williams struggled over his first 36 games at Triple-A, holding a .209/.285/.433 line. He remains a viable early-season stash target in deeper 12+ team formats.

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Houston Astros shortstop/outfield prospect Brice Matthews has enjoyed a hot start to spring training and is making a strong case to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. The team's top prospect (according to MLB.com) has gone 4-for-10 at the plate with one double and one stolen base. Matthews progressed through the minors as a shortstop but has begun to see time in the outfield, given Houston's immense infield depth. Last summer, the former 28th overall pick made his MLB debut and held a .167/.222/.452 line with four home runs and one stolen base across a brief 13-game stint. He spent most of the summer at Triple-A Sugar Land, where he held a .260/.371/.458 line with 17 home runs and 41 swiped bases over a 112-game stint. Given Houston's lack of proven options in the outfield, Matthews could be worth a late-round selection given his power and speed upside.

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones has already launched three long balls through the opening week of spring training. Across his first five games, the young slugger has gone 3-for-10 with three home runs, one stolen base, and a 4:2 K:BB. The 24-year-old flashed elite upside in the minor leagues last season and appears poised to contend for his MLB debut later in 2026. He opened the 2025 campaign with Double-A and posted a .274/.389/.594 line with eight doubles, 16 home runs, and 10 sotlen bases. He then moved up to Triple-A, where he continued to hit for high power, launching 19 home runs with 15 doubles and 19 stolen bases across a 67-game stint. However, his hefty 36.7% K% at Triple-A raises concerns about his long-term outlook. With the Yankee outfield quite crowded following the re-signing of Cody Bellinger, Jones figures to earn a promotion as an injury replacement later in the season.

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Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin launched his third home run of the spring during their contest on Sunday afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals. The top prospect hit a two-run shot in the game's opening frame off right-handed pitcher Kyle Leahry. While Griffin has shown immense upside, hitting three home runs over his first six games, he has posted a modest .214 AVG with a low .267 OBP as all three of his total hits have left the yard. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his production in camp, as he could contend for an early-season promotion or even crack the Opening Day lineup. Last summer, Griffin made his MiLB debut and was nothing short of dominant across his first 122 games, posting an elite .333/.415/.527 line with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases. Given his five-category upside, he should be viewed as a high-end stash target in all formats if he were to fall short of the Opening Day roster.

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Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter was sharp in his spring training debut and is making a strong case to earn the final role in the starting rotation at the beginning of the campaign. Painter was given the starting nod on Sunday afternoon and tossed two shutout frames. He did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out one hitter. His command was a glaring issue during his 2025 season, and seeing him toss two clean frames is an excellent sign for his early-season outlook. In 2025, the former first-round selection spent most of the campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and logged 106 2/3 innings to the tune of a 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 111:46 K:BB. With Zack Wheeler (shoulder) set to miss the start of the season, Painter appears poised to begin the season as the team's final starter and could remain in that role if he enjoys a strong start. He is a top late-round sleeper pick when looking for an upside starter.

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Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shelby Miller (elbow) was officially placed on the 60-day injured list on Sunday. This was expected as Miller is recovering from UCL and flexor tendon surgery that he underwent in October. The right-hander signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal with the Cubs over the offseason. The 35-year-old won't pitch in 2026, but the Cubs are hopeful Miller can contribute in 2027. The move to put Miller on the 60-day injured list opens up a 40-man roster spot. In a corresponding move, Ben Cowles has been claimed off waivers by the Cubs from the Toronto Blue Jays. The 26-year-old infielder is expected to serve as depth at Triple-A Iowa to begin the season.

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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is reportedly getting close to making his spring debut. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said deGrom threw a 30-pitch side session over the weekend. He continued by saying that deGrom will make his Cactus League debut really soon. Given his injury history, deGrom has been eased into spring action. The plan is for deGrom to make three or four appearances before camp concludes. This is the same pitching plan they had deGrom use last season, and that worked out extremely well in the long run. The right-hander posted a 2.97 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 185/37 K/BB ratio across 30 starts in 2025. If healthy, deGrom can be a top-10 fantasy option.

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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano (illness) has been scratched ahead of his scheduled start on Tuesday. Soriano was supposed to take the mound against the Seattle Mariners, but he will miss that start due to illness. George Klassen will be tasked with taking the ball during Tuesday's Catcus League contest. Soriano has been lit up this spring to the tune of seven earned runs across 3.2 innings of work. Soriano isn't expected to miss much time and should be back in the mix later in the week. The 27-year-old registered a 4.26 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 152/78 K/BB ratio across 31 starts with the Angels last season. Soriano is more of a streaming option because his lack of command makes him tough to trust over a full season.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller is reportedly being viewed as a reliever to begin the season. Miller started his professional career as a starting pitcher, but saw action as both a starter and reliever last season. Miller only pitched in two big league games last season and spent most of his time in the minors. He registered a 5.86 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and an 83/61 K/BB ratio across 35 games (14 starts) in Triple-A Oklahoma City in 2025. The 26-year-old says that he's open to whatever role because he wants to spend his entire career in Los Angeles. Miller has shown flashes of success, but a lack of command has hindered him from having long-term success. Hopefully, a move to a full-time bullpen role will be the key to unlocking his potential.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins (hamstring) is going to miss some time after picking up an injury over the weekend. Jenkins has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. He suffered the injury while attempting to beat out a double play on Saturday. The Twins haven't given a timetable for his return, but it's highly unlikely that he'll play again in camp. Jenkins is one of the top prospects in baseball and should make his MLB debut at some point in 2026. He got a taste of Triple-A last season and figures to begin the season there, assuming he's healthy. It wouldn't be shocking to see Jenkins playing in Minnesota at some point this season.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (back) received cortisone and lidocaine shots in his back last week and was able to play catch on Sunday without issue, per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Gilbert reports that Kelly is "optimistic" he will be able to "pitch at the backend" of Arizona's rotation to start the season. The 37-year-old was traded by the Diamondbacks to the Texas Rangers at the 2025 trade deadline, but returned to Arizona in free agency this offseason. Across 184 innings (32 starts) split between the Diamondbacks and Rangers in 2025, Kelly posted a 12-9 record with a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts. It's not a great sign that he's dealing with back issues in spring, particularly given his age. However, it appears as though Kelly could avoid missing time, even if it requires him ramping up to a full workload in his first couple starts of the regular season.

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Throughout his big-league career to this point, Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno has had a difficult time staying on the field. Over the past two seasons, groin and finger injuries have limited the 26-year-old to just 660 plate appearances. However, when healthy, Moreno has proven himself to be a productive player. Across 309 plate appearances in 2025, he hit .285/.353/.433 with nine home runs, 40 RBI, 44 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Moreno owns a career batting average of .281 and a career strikeout rate of 16.9%, so he should remain a batting average asset for fantasy managers, particularly relative to his position. Moreno may never threaten 20 home runs, but he did improve his barrel rate to a career-best 7.1% in 2025. Still, Moreno's inability to stay healthy is a major red flag in his fantasy profile. RotoBaller currently ranks Moreno as the number 16 fantasy catcher heading into 2026.

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New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos posted a breakout season in 2024, slugging 27 home runs in 454 plate appearances and carving out a role in the middle of the Mets lineup. However, the 26-year-old came crashing back down to earth in 2025, slashing .233/.289/.413 with 17 home runs, 61 RBI, 44 runs scored, and one stolen base. Vientos also graded out as one of the worst defensive third basemen in the big leagues, making it more difficult for the Mets to stick with him through his relative struggles at the plate. New York added former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette in free agency this past winter with the plan to move him to the hot corner, eliminating a pathway to playing time for Vientos. Vientos should be in the mix at designated hitter in New York, but he could find himself in a rotation with infielders Brett Baty and Jorge Polanco. If Vientos can get back to the 14.1% barrel rate he posted in 2024, he could force his way into everyday playing time at DH. However, there are holes in his profile that lead to playing time questions, making him a risky bet for fantasy managers heading into 2026.

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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Noah Cameron burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2025, recording a 9-7 record with a 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 114 strikeouts across 138 1/3 innings pitched (24 starts). Cameron's ability to rack up whiffs left something to be desired for fantasy managers, as he posted just a 20.5% strikeout rate. The 26-year-old's underlying metrics also suggest that he could be in line for some regression in 2026, as he significantly outperformed his xERA (4.08) and FIP (4.18) in 2025. At the same time, Cameron logged significantly better strikeout numbers during his time in the minor leagues, recording a 27.8% strikeout rate across 128 2/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. If Cameron can add some swing-and-miss to his repertoire in 2026, it could help mitigate the regression that may be coming for his ERA and WHIP. As an innings-eater at the back end of a fantasy pitching staff, Cameron has a chance to provide solid value in 2026.

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