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Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz (foot) sprained his left foot while playing winter ball in December, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Diaz is still participating in baseball activities, but his running progression will be behind some of the other players. The 27-year-old backstop is hitting and will catch a bullpen session at camp on Wednesday. The Astros don't seem to have any concerns that Diaz might not be ready for Opening Day in late March. The Dominican catcher reached 20 home runs in 2025 for the second time in his career while slashing .256/.284/.417 with a .701 OPS, 70 RBI, and 56 runs scored in 143 games played. Diaz's drop in batting average from .299 to .256 was likely due to his regression in BABIP from .338 to .277. He doesn't have ideal plate discipline, but he makes enough contact to hold a decent average while supplying enough power to make him a low-end starting catcher in fantasy.

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Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown has been named the team's Opening Day starter, manager Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome. After a breakout 2025 campaign, Brown will be a must-start for fantasy managers in his Opening Day nod in a plus matchup against the Los Angeles Angels at home. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2019 out of Wayne State finished third in the American League Cy Young voting last year after going 12-9 with a career-best 2.43 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 206:57 K:BB in 185 1/3 innings pitched over 31 starts for the Astros. Brown was able to hold opponents to a .201 batting average with a six-pitch mix. He has a high floor because of his ability to neutralize both righties and lefties. Brown might struggle to improve on his 2025 numbers, but going into 2026 fantasy drafts, he should be considered a top-12 starting pitcher.

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Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (elbow) will be eased into spring training after undergoing a scope on his throwing elbow, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Dingler had a similar arthroscopic surgery on his right arm two years ago, and he doesn't expect to miss much of camp. The 27-year-old is expected to be the Tigers' primary catcher in 2026 after winning a Gold Glove behind the plate in 2025. If he has a setback once he returns to baseball activities, Jake Rogers would be in line to take over starting duties to begin the season. Dingler hit .278/.327/.425 with a .752 OPS, 13 home runs, 57 RBI, and 54 runs scored in 126 regular-season games in his first full season in the big leagues last year. He cut his strikeout rate drastically from his rookie season, but a .345 BABIP buoyed his batting average. Dingler will be in play as a No. 2 catcher in two-catcher fantasy leagues.

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Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) said he may need to undergo arthroscopic surgery to have bone spurs removed from his right elbow, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. When asked if he fears he could miss the entire 2026 season, Schwellenbach said he doesn't know what the recovery time would be. The 25-year-old was placed on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday, so he will at least miss the first two months of the regular season, if not more. It's a tough break for the Braves and for Schwellenbach, who also missed the last three months of last season due to a small fracture in his right elbow. Schwellenbach was coming off a breakout rookie campaign in 2024, and he was showing modest improvements in 2025 before his unfortunate elbow injury. With Schewellenbach out for the foreseeable future and possibly most of the season, Hurston Waldrep should benefit the most in Atlanta's rotation.

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The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery (elbow) to a one-year, $1.25 million deal on Wednesday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Montgomery will make his return to Texas after helping the team win its first World Series championship back in 2023. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw won't make his 2026 debut until around the All-Star break, though, after having a hybrid UCL reconstruction last March. In his last season in 2024 with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Montgomery really struggled, going 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 innings over 25 appearances (21 starts). He has now had two left-elbow reconstructions, making it unlikely he'll be able to recapture any of his 2023 magic, especially once he returns in the second half this season.

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According to Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader (biceps) underwent imaging that revealed inflammation in his biceps. Earlier in the offseason, Hader dealt with "arm soreness" as well. While the veteran is expected to resume a throwing program later on Wednesday, his status for Opening Day is "in flux." Managers should continue to closely monitor his status throughout the spring, as he may have a delayed start to the campaign. Last summer, Hader logged only 52 2/3 innings due to a late-season shoulder strain, which cut his campaign short. However, he remained one of the sport's top closers, posting a 2.05 ERA with a 0.86 WHIP and earning 28 saves. If Hader were to miss Opening Day, Bryan Abreu would hold high-end short-term value in all formats.

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Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) will begin the 2026 campaign on the injured list due to a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Jake Rill of MLB.com reported that Holliday will undergo a procedure on Thursday, and his timeline will be measured in "weeks" after Opening Day. The former first overall was poised to have a lead role for the second-straight season, but is now in danger of missing significant time in the opening portion of the campaign. Last summer, Holliday appeared in 149 games and held a .242/.314/.375 slash line with 21 doubles, 17 home runs, and 17 stolen bases. Under the hood, Holliday generated a mdoest .314 xwOBA with a 40.8% hard-hit rate. With Holliday on the shelf to open the season, managers should expect Blaze Alexander to carve out a starting role and will carry early-season streaming upside.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand) suffered a broken hamate bone during live batting practice on Tuesday and is set to miss significant time this spring. Given this injury, Carroll's status for Opening Day is now in serious question. The star outfielder is a consensus first-round selection in all fantasy formats. Last summer, the former top prospect enjoyed a massive power surge, hitting a career-high 31 long balls with a .259/.343/.541 line. The 25-year-old also swiped 32 bags while generating an elite .372 xwOBA, .529 xSLG, and a 49.9% hard-hit rate, all of which are well above the average marks. Additionally, Carroll drew walks at a stong 10.4% rate, boosting his value in points leagues. With Carroll potentially at danger of missing Opening Day, Jordan Lawlar could carve out a prominent role early in the campaign in the outfield.

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According to Scott Lauber of The Inquirer.com, the Philadelphia Phillies continue to shop outfielder Nick Castellanos on the trade market. Throughout the offseason, the Phillies have made it clear they were looking to move off the veteran outfielder. However, they have yet to find a suitor and now may enter spring training with him still on the roster. In the winter, the Phillies brought in former Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia to take his starting role in right field. During the 2025 campaign, Castellanos held a modest .250/.294/.400 slash line with only 17 home runs. He generated a weak .302 xwOBA with a low .242 xBA and a .408 xSLG, all of which were well below the average marks. If they cannot find a trade partner, the Phillies may look to release the 33-year-old.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu is viewed as an "everyday" player in the Boston lineup, according to manager Alex Cora. Last summer, Abreu was typically held on the bench when facing southpaws, but he is now expected to earn the starting nod against both right-handed and left-handed pitching. Through 115 games last season, Abreu turned in a strong campaign, posting a .247/.317/.469 slash line with 22 long balls and six stolen bases. Under the hood, the 26-year-old generated an above-average .335 xwOBA with a 12.3% barrel rate, suggesting that his power production could significantly improve if given a full-time role. Additionally, Abreu is an elite defender who will likely provide him a longer leash against southpaws if he struggles. With Abreu projected to see a full-time role in right field, this could limit Kristian Campbell's opportunities in the outfield and will likely shift Roman Anthony to a primary DH role.

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Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect Ty Madden is expected to be a full-go ahead of spring training. Madden suffered a strained rotator cuff last spring and was unable to pitch the next campaign. However, following a successful offseason, the 25-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the 2026 campaign. In 2024, the Texas product made his MLB debut with the Tigers, logging 23 innings with a 4.30 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out just 17 batters with a modest 7.9% walk rate. Through 79 innings at Triple-A that same season, Madden posted a hefty 7.97 ERA with 1.77 WHIP. Given the missed time, managers should expect Madden to likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A or as a low-leverage bullpen option in the majors if he performs well in spring training.

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According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Pavin Smith is expected to play primarily at first base in the upcoming season. In 2025, Smith drew 36 starts at first base while seeing a much higher 47 starts at the DH spot. In 2024, Smith spent most of his time in the outfield, but now appears to be moving to first base for the foreseeable future. Last summer, the 30-year-old was typically deployed on the strong side of a platoon and held a .258/.362/.434 slash line with eight home runs and two stolen bases. However, he generated a strong 46.1% hard-hit rate with an 11.7% barrel rate, suggesting he could see some positive regression in the power department. With Carlos Santana joining the Diamondbacks, managers should expect Smith to continue to operate as a platoon bat and hold solid streaming upside in deeper leagues.

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Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya feels "100 percent" entering spring training. The team's backstop played in only 28 games during the 2025 campaign due to oblique and ankle injuries. During this limited stint of action, Amaya was quite productive, posting a .281/.314/.500 slash line with nine doubles, four home runs, and a 22:4 K:BB. Under the hood, the 26-year-old generated an elite 38.2% LA-sweet-spot% but with a low .295 xwOBA. With Amaya on the shelf, that paved the way for Carson Kelly to emerge as the team's top backstop. However, with Amaya back to full health and set to represent Panama in the World Baseball Classic, he could end up sharing the dish with Kelly. Managers should monitor his production in camp in case he faces any setbacks. Given that both will likely share playing time, they are best left for 15-team, two-catcher formats in 2026.

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According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, the Colorado Rockies have signed veteran left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana to a one-year contract worth $6 million. Quintana was one of the top remaining starting pitchers on the market ahead of spring training. Last summer, the 37-year-old spent his 14th MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers. Across 131 2/3 innings, the southpaw held a 3.96 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He struck out hitters at a low 16.0% rate and generated a hefty 5.20 xERA under the hood, suggesting he may face some regression in the upcoming campaign. He also allowed walks at a high 9.0% rate. The 37-year-old is not expected to hold much fantasy value outside of a low-end streaming option in NL-only formats, given his minimal strikeout potential and that he is now pitching in a hitter's paradise, Coors Field.

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New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge is viewed as a potential starting option in right field ahead of spring training. The team's President of Baseball Operations, David Stearns, announced on Tuesday that with Juan Soto shifting to left field, Benge will be given an opportunity to earn the starting job. Additionally, he will compete alongside infielder Brett Baty, newly signed MJ Melendez, and veteran Tyrone Taylor. Baty spent the entire 2025 season in the minor leagues but was knocking on the MLB door for most of the summer. He began the campaign with High-A but would spend the second half at Triple-A. Across 116 total games, the Oklahoma State product posted a .281/.385/.472 line with 15 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He is a top name to monitor in spring training, as he would hold five-category upside if he sees every day at-bats.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope earned an invite to MLB spring training. Hope is quickly climbing prospect boards and is entering the 2026 campaign as one of the top outfield prospects in the game. According to MLB.com, Hope is the team's No.2-ranked prospect and the sport's No. 20-ranked prospect, sitting behind fellow outfield teammate Josue De Paula. Last summer, the 21-year-old spent the majority of the campaign with High-A Great Lakes before earning a short six-game stint at Double-A. With Great Lakes, Hope posted a .264/.377/.428 slash line with 13 home runs and 26 stolen bases. He carried this momentum into Double-A, posting a .316/.350/.421 line. While Hope will not break camp with the MLB roster, he will likely open the season with Double-A, which could open the door for a second-half Triple-A promotion.

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Los Angeles Dodgers top prospect Josue De Paula earned a non-roster invite to MLB spring training. The young outfielder is considered the team's top prospect on MLB.com and is quickly establishing himself as one of the top hitters in the entire minor leagues. According to MLB.com, the 20-year-old enters the 2026 regular season as the overall No. 13 prospect. Last summer, De Paula spent most of his regular season with High-A, alongside fellow budding star Zyhir Hope. At High-A, De Paula would hold a strong .263/.406/.421 line with an .827 OPS. During this 98-game stint, De Paula hit 12 home runs and swiped 32 bases. He then earned a four-game taste of Double-A, where he was unable to tally a hit. Even though De Paula is still likely one calendar year away from the major leagues, he is a top dynasty asset and could even debut at Triple-A in the second half of 2026.

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Chicago Cubs first base prospect Jonathon Long has earned an invite to MLB spring training. Long is considered the team's No. 6-ranked prospect in the system per MLB.com and is now quickly approaching his MLB debut. Long joined the Cubs in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft but has since emerged as one of their top bats. Last summer, the infielder spent the entire 2025 campaign with Triple-A Iowa and performed at a high level. Across 140 contests, the Long Beach State product held a .305/.404/.479 line with a strong .883 OPS. He hit 20 home runs while holding a 116:79 K:BB. The previous season, Long held a similar .283/.391/.461 line across 114 games between High-A and Double-A. Even though Michael Busch is the team's primary first baseman, Long could be in the mix for an early call-up as an injury replacement, given his quick adjustments to Triple-A pitching.

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According to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com, Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter is expected to see time in both center and right field during camp. The team's No. 2-ranked prospect is expected to not only compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster but also potentially carve out a starting role. Throughout his minor league career, the former 16th overall selection from the 2022 MLB Draft has shown high upside but has struggled to stay on the field. Last summer, DeLauter appeared in just 42 total MiLB games, with the majority of them at Triple-A Columbus. With the Clippers, DeLauter held a .278/.383/.476 line with five home runs and a strong 23:22 K:BB. Later in the season, he joined the Guardians in the postseason. If he were to perform well in camp, he should have the edge over Daniel Schneemann in center field or potentially George Valera in right field.

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Chicago Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins is among the non-roster invites set to attend MLB spring training. On MLB.com, Wiggins is considered the team's No. 2-ranked prospect and the sport's overall No. 67 prospect. Last summer, the right-hander was one of the most effective arms in the entire minor leagues and is now quickly approaching his MLB debut. He began the 2025 campaign with High-A but finished the second half with Triple-A Iowa. At High-A, Wiggins logged 26 1/3 innings to the tune of a 1.71 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He was then bumped up to Double-A, where he logged 42 innings with a stellar 1.92 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. In his first taste of Triple-A, Wiggins took a step back, allowing five runs over 9 2/3 innings. Despite his struggles, Wiggins will likely begin the 2026 season with the Iowa Cubs, leaving the door open for an early first-half MLB debut.

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