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Kansas City Royals right-hander Luinder Avila made his major-league debut last year for 13 relief appearances and thrived, posting a 1.29 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. The Royals see Avila as a potential starter down the road, but the team's rotation is too crowded going into the 2026 season. The 24-year-old could force the Royals' hand for another bullpen spot on Opening Day, though, if he continues to impress during spring training. The Venezuelan hurler primarily features an 82-85 mph curveball that generated whiffs on 50% of swings last year. He also has mid-90s fastballs (four-seamer and sinker), and an occasional 86-88 mph changeup. Before getting his first big-league call-up last year, Avila had a 5.01 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 71 strikeouts and 26 walks in 59 1/3 innings over 17 outings (12 starts) for High-A Quad Cities and Triple-A Omaha. He's an intriguing pitching prospect to watch in dynasty/keeper leagues.

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New York Yankees right-hander Cade Winquest, the team's Rule 5 pick from the St. Louis Cardinals, is trying to become the first Rule 5 pick to stick with the Yankees since Billy Parker in 1973. The 25-year-old former eighth-round pick in 2022 from the University of Texas at Arlington went 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 39 walks in 106 innings over 25 appearances (23 starts) with High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield last year in the Cardinals organization. Winquest relies mostly on a mid-90s fastball and a big-breaking upper-70s curveball. He has a 4.19 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 219:92 K:BB in 212 2/3 frames in his three seasons in the minor leagues. MLB.com lists Winquest as a candidate to make a push for an Opening Day roster spot this year, but fantasy managers in single-year leagues can ignore him for now.

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Despite having only 14 2/3 innings of minor-league experience on his resume due to elbow and back injuries, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Spencer Miles could be a candidate to win an Opening Day bullpen spot if he impresses the coaching staff at spring training. The former fourth-rounder by the San Francisco Giants in 2022 out of Missouri went to Toronto in the Rule 5 draft primarily because of a mid-90s fastball, a high-spin curveball, a solid low-90s cutter, and an upper-80s changeup that he showed in the Arizona Fall League, according to MLB.com. Miles struck out 12 and only walked one in 8 2/3 frames in the AFL and has the stuff to make an impact at the big-league level. The lack of a track record probably makes him a long shot to be on the Opening Day roster, but the 25-year-old is a relief arm to keep an eye on in the Blue Jays' system in 2026.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers designated left-hander Anthony Banda for assignment on Friday after claiming catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, according to MLB.com. Banda, 32, pitched for seven different organizations before latching on with the Dodgers in May of 2024. In his two seasons in L.A., he was very solid, going 8-3 with a 3.14 ERA (4.15 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, two saves, 111 strikeouts, and 52 walks in 114 2/3 innings over 119 appearances (three starts) during the regular season. He gave up just one run in eight innings during the team's championship run in 2024, although he struggled in the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In his nine major-league seasons, Banda has a career 4.44 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, three saves, a 21.5% strikeout rate, and a 9.9% walk rate. He will most likely be claimed off waivers.

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Free-agent right-handed reliever Scott Barlow and the Athletics agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract on Friday that includes $1.3 million in performance bonuses, a source told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Barlow was originally a sixth-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, and he made his major-league debut in 2018. He spent the first five years of his career in KC before bouncing around with the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Guardians, and Cincinnati Reds for the last three years. In a career-high 75 outings (one start) with the Reds last year, the 33-year-old veteran held a 4.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, one save, 75 strikeouts, and a career-high 45 walks in 68 1/3 innings. He'll immediately become the most experienced reliever in Sacramento in terms of career saves (59), but he hasn't had a sub-4.00 ERA since 2022 and could be involved in a closer-by-committee situation for the A's.

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The Athletics designated infielder Max Schuemann for assignment on Friday, according to A's Communications. The move was made to clear a spot on the team's 40-man roster after the A's claimed infielder Andy Ibanez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 28-year-old former 20th-round pick in 2018 out of Eastern Michigan gets booted off the roster after hitting just .197/.295/.273 with a .568 OPS, two home runs, 13 RBI, 20 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 101 games played in Sacramento last year. Schuemann was only slightly better in 2024 in his first MLB season, when he hit .220/.311/.308 with seven long balls, 34 RBI, 55 runs, and 14 steals in 133 games played. It remains to be seen if another MLB team will scoop him up off waivers for infield depth heading into spring training in 2026.

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The Boston Red Sox claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the Washington Nationals on Friday, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox are the fifth team to have picked up Cheng so far this offseason. The 24-year-old Taiwanese infielder made his major-league debut last year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he played in just three games and was hitless with three strikeouts in seven plate appearances. He wasn't much better in the minors at Triple-A Indianapolis over 107 games, slashing .209/.307/.271 with a .578 OPS, one home run, 36 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 397 plate appearances. Cheng is known mostly for his speed and reliable glove on defense, so he can be ignored for fantasy purposes. He will most likely open the year at Triple-A Worcester if he sticks around with Boston beyond spring training.

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The Atlanta Braves offered infielder Kyle Farmer a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training this year, according to 680 The Fan. Farmer joins the Braves in 2026 after hitting .227/.280/.365 with a .645 OPS, eight home runs, 31 RBI, and 24 runs scored in 97 games (300 plate appearances) with the Colorado Rockies last year. The 35-year-old veteran has nine years of major-league experience with the Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, and Los Angeles Dodgers, but he's expected to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett. Farmer's best seasons were with the Reds in 2021 and 2022, when he combined to hit .259/.316/.400 with a .716 OPS, 30 home runs, and 141 RBI in 292 games played. He's a career .247/.306/.388 hitter with a .694 OPS in his nine MLB seasons. Fantasy managers can ignore Farmer everywhere.

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The Chicago Cubs have signed infielder Owen Miller to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training. Miller figures to compete for a bench role during camp. He spent most of his time in Triple-A Albuquerque in the Colorado Rockies organization last season. He slashed .277/.329/.429 with 11 home runs, 65 RBI, and 13 steals in Triple-A last season. The 29-year-old is capable of playing multiple positions, which is always a plus as a role player. Miller hasn't seen much MLB action since playing 90 games with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. He's unlikely to offer much fantasy value even if he does end up making the 26-man roster.

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The Los Angeles Angels announced on Friday that they signed free-agent left-hander Brent Suter to a one-year, $1.25 million deal, according to Taylor Blake Ward of Baseball America. Suter spent the last two seasons pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, where he had a 3.85 ERA (4.44 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, two saves, 103 strikeouts, and 30 walks in 133 1/3 innings over 95 appearances (six starts). He had a 4.52 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 53:18 K:BB in 67 2/3 innings last year. Suter brings plenty of experience -- he's heading into his 11th season in the big leagues in 2026 -- but he can be ignored for fantasy purposes as a middle-relief arm with virtually no strikeout upside. In his 10 big-league campaigns, Suter only has a 19.9% strikeout rate in 597 1/3 total innings.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (shoulder) might not be ready for the beginning of the regular season, according to Evan Petzold. Olson went down in July due to a strained shoulder and never returned to the mound. He reportedly began throwing in December, but doesn't appear quite ready to pitch yet. If Olson does miss time, Troy Melton is the most likely candidate to take his spot in the starting rotation. Before going down last season, Olson posted a 3.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 65/25 K/BB ratio in 13 starts. He has been a viable pitcher when healthy, but hasn't pitched more than 22 games since making his debut in 2023. The Tigers should give a better timetable on Olson once Spring Training ramps up.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta won his salary arbitration case against the team on Friday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Uceta will make $1.525 million in 2026 after the Rays offered him $1.2 million. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler will return to the Rays for his third season this year after going 10-3 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, one save, and a 103:27 K:BB in 76 relief innings. His 103 punchouts were a new career high in his fifth year in the big leagues. Uceta was even better for the Rays in 2024, with a 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, a career-high five saves, and a 57:8 K:BB in 41 2/3 frames. He gets plenty of swings and misses with his fastball/changeup combination, and he's expected to open the 2026 campaign in a closer-by-committee role in Tampa. Uceta was one of just five relief pitchers last year to reach the 100-strikeout mark, so even if he's not racking up many save chances, he should be useful for his strikeout ratios.

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The Cincinnati Reds announced on Friday that catcher Ben Rortvedt was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rortvedt will head back to the 2025 World Series champions after the Reds previously claimed him off waivers from the Dodgers back in November. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop hit a combined .152/.240/.205 with a .445 OPS, just one home run, 10 RBI, 11 walks, and 23 strikeouts in 44 regular-season games in 2025 with the Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays. Rortvedt only appeared in 18 games for L.A. to close out the season. He actually served as the Dodgers' starting catcher for a stretch late last season, when both Will Smith and Dalton Rushing went down with injuries. Like most backup catchers, Rortvedt lacks any kind of real power or speed, which makes him pretty useless in fantasy. He'll enter spring training as the No. 3 catcher for the Dodgers.

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The St. Louis Cardinals claimed third baseman Bryan Ramos off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, sources told Francys Romero. The Cuban infielder was designated for assignment two days ago by the Orioles, and he'll now head to the National League Central. The Orioles acquired Ramos in a trade with the Chicago White Sox last Sunday. The 23-year-old infielder only appeared in four games with the White Sox last year, going 2-for-12 with two RBI and four strikeouts. In his MLB debut in 2024, he went 20-for-99 (.202) with three homers, 11 RBI, seven walks, and 22 strikeouts in 32 games played. At Triple-A Charlotte last year, Ramos slashed .216/.309/.396, although he did manage to pop 16 home runs and steal 13 bases. There's still time for Ramos to develop, but as of right now, he's most likely to start the 2026 season at Triple-A Memphis as infield depth for the Red Birds.

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The New York Yankees are reportedly still interested in bringing back free-agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. According to Jon Heyman, there could be competition with the San Diego Padres emerging as a candidate for Goldschmidt. The Yankees are looking for a platoon partner for Ben Rice at first base, and Goldy seems to be a good fit. Last season, Goldschmidt slashed .274/.328/.403 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 146 games with the Yankees. He was excellent versus left-handed pitching, slashing .336/.411/.570 with seven homers in 168 plate appearances in 2025. The 38-year-old is an ideal platoon option at first base who is still a capable defensive player. His fantasy value will be dependent on where he ends up signing.

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The Athletics have claimed infielder Andy Ibanez off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ibanez signed a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Dodgers in mid-January. He was recently designated for assignment by the organization, but has quickly found a new home. The expectation is that Ibanez will play in a platoon-type role with Jeff McNeil at second base. In 2025, Ibanez slashed .239/.301/.352 with four home runs, 21 RBI, and four steals in 91 games with the Detroit Tigers. The 32-year-old is better against left-handed pitching, slashing .258/.311/.403 in 135 plate appearances versus southpaws last season. He could be a useful platoon player, but is unlikely to offer much fantasy value.

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Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft won his salary arbitration case against the team on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Ashcraft will make $1.75 million in 2026. After dealing with injuries and posting an ERA just under 5.00 in his first three seasons with the Reds as a starter, Cincy converted the 27-year-old into a full-time reliever in 2025, and the results were solid. Ashcraft had a career-best 3.99 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 25 walks in 65 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He will enter the 2026 campaign in a middle-relief role again, which limits his fantasy appeal, but Ashcraft did tally 23 holds last year, which was tied for 19th in the league. Injuries were still an issue -- he made two trips to the injured list. Ashcraft also had a career-high 22.5% strikeout rate in 2025, although it's still a bit underwhelming for how hard he throws.

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New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez reportedly isn't a lock to make the Opening Day roster. According to Bryan Hoch, Dominguez might begin the season in the minor leagues. The starting outfield spots are currently taken by Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham. Dominguez could play a role off the bench, but the Yankees would likely rather have Dominguez get everyday at-bats in Triple-A. The assumption is that Dominguez would be the next man up if something happens to those outfielders or Giancarlo Stanton goes down with an injury. Last season, Dominguez slashed .257/331/.388 with 10 home runs, 47 RBI, and 23 stolen bases in 123 games with the Yankees. The 22-year-old appears ready for the next level on a full-time basis, but the Yankees don't currently have a starting spot for him at the moment.

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Free-agent right-handed reliever Ryan Brasier is finalizing an undisclosed deal with the Texas Rangers on Friday, sources told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Injuries limited Brasier to only 26 relief innings in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs, and he held a 4.50 ERA (3.17 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and five walks in 28 appearances (one start). The 38-year-old veteran has nine years of big-league experience (six seasons with the Boston Red Sox), so he'll add some much-needed experience and depth to a Rangers' bullpen that could use some help. However, Brasier is unlikely to be much more than a middle-relief arm who might not have much left in the tank as he nears 40 years old. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Brasier to be much of a high-leverage bullpen option, as he's recorded just 10 saves in 325 major-league appearances.

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MLB.com's Christina De Nicola writes that Miami Marlins infielder Graham Pauley's defense gives him an advantage in the third base competition, as his six outs above average tied for fifthmost among MLB third basemen in 2025. De Nicola suggests that Pauley, who hits left-handed, and Connor Norby could platoon at the hot corner to open the year if neither player stands out in spring training. Along with his stellar defense, Pauley's bat picked up in the second half last year, going from a .529 OPS in the first half to an .840 OPS in nearly the same amount of plate appearances. The 25-year-old lacks power -- he has six home runs in his first 75 MLB games over the last two years -- and he's unlikely to have an everyday role. Pauley has excellent plate discipline, though, and could make for a nice corner-infield option in deep NL-only fantasy leagues.

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