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Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley saw his batting stats continue to decline in 2025. He finished the year with a .260/.309/.428 slash line and just 16 home runs, which was the second-lowest mark of his career. He also posted some of the worst plate discipline metrics since his rookie campaign, including a 6.0% walk rate and a 28.6% strikeout rate. This represented a massive step back for the 28-year-old, especially after he totaled 108 home runs from 2022 through 2024. Perhaps the biggest bright spot of Riley's 2025 season was that he posted 1.0 fWAR at the hot corner, although he produced negative OAA and FRV values. The Braves and fantasy managers will maintain optimism that Riley can rediscover his power stroke and return to All-Star form. The good news is that he's now healthy after missing the final two months of the regular season with a strained lower abdominal muscle. As it stands, he ranks as the #5 third baseman in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

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Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper had a great 2025 season, but it didn't quite live up to the standards he set in previous years. He finished his age-32 campaign with a .261/.357/.487 slash line, contributing his lowest slugging percentage and OPS marks since 2016. He slugged 27 home runs, walked 12.1% of the time, posted a 20.9% strikeout rate, and finished with 131 wRC+. Harper ultimately compiled 3.5 fWAR, which is half a win below his career average. He also played 132 games, and he has been held to fewer than 145 games in each of the last six seasons. In order to achieve top-tier fantasy status, he'll need to improve his OPS while staying healthy for the full year. As it stands, he ranks as the #4 first baseman and #31 hitter in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.

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The Minnesota Twins signed free-agent catcher David Banuelos to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to big-league camp, according to Darren Wolfson. Banuelos was in the Twins' system from 2018 to 2022. The 29-year-old backstop was originally a fifth-round selection in 2017 out of California State Long Beach by the Seattle Mariners. He made his major-league debut in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles, but he has just three plate appearances at the big-league level over the last two years. At Triple-A Norfolk in 2025, Banuelos hit only .107 with a home run, two RBI, and four runs scored in 21 games played. Banuelos will almost certainly open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul as catching depth behind Ryan Jeffers, Victor Caratini, and Alex Jackson.

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The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they extended a non-roster invitation to infield prospect George Lombard Jr. for major-league spring training. Lombard, who is MLB Pipeline's No. 32 overall prospect going into the 2026 season, played in 132 games at High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset last year and batted .235/.367/.381 with a .748 OPS, nine home runs, 49 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases in 580 plate appearances. The 20-year-old hit just .215 (84-for-391) with eight homers, 36 RBI, 68 runs, and 24 steals in 108 games at Somerset, but he was the third-youngest qualified hitter at Double-A. Lombard has a fly-ball swing, but he has yet to develop much power and has struggled to get on base regularly against older competition. The former first-rounder still has some developing to do, but he makes for a nice dynasty stash as a future shortstop with above-average speed and potential plus power as well.

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The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that outfield prospect Cole Carrigg has received a non-roster invitation to 2026 major-league spring training. The 23-year-old former second-round pick out of San Diego State University in 2023 will get an invite after slashing .237/.316/.394 with a .711 OPS, 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 46 stolen bases in 123 games played last year with Double-A Hartford. Carrigg's speed and defense are his primary calling cards, but the Rockies are already set in center field with Brenton Doyle. He has stolen 99 bases in the last two seasons, but he also saw his strikeout rate jump from 19% at High-A Spokane to 27% last year at Hartford. Hitter-friendly Coors Field should help mask some of Carrigg's deficiencies as a hitter when he makes it to the big leagues, though, and his speed and defense will certainly play.

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The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that they gave first base prospect Charlie Condon a non-roster invitation to 2026 major-league spring training. Condon, the No. 70 overall prospect at MLB Pipeline, will have a shot to win an Opening Day roster spot if he excels in spring training, especially since the Rockies no longer have either Michael Toglia or Warming Bernabel competing at first base. The former third overall pick out of Georgia hit .268/.376/.444 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, and 59 runs scored in 99 games at the Rookie level, High-A Spokane, and Double-A Hartford last year. Condon played third base and outfield in college, but he is expected to move forward exclusively as a power-hitting first baseman, and he should make his MLB debut at some point in 2026. He may never live up to his draft pedigree, but at hitter-friendly Coors Field, Condon and his 6-foot-6 frame should project for plenty of power at the very least.

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Indicted Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase is accused of throwing suspicious pitches to benefit bettors in at least 48 games over two years, according to a court document that was filed on Thursday. Federal prosecutors listed nine games in which Clase allegedly threw rigged pitches in the indictment unsealed in November. Major League Baseball said it is cooperating with federal prosecutors and declined further comment. Pitcher Luis L. Ortiz's attorney asked for his client's case to be severed from Clase's, arguing that Ortiz and Clase have "markedly different levels of culpability." Prosecutors accused Ortiz of rigging pitches in two games in June of last year. Clase appeared in 197 regular-season games from 2023 to July of 2025, when he was put on non-disciplinary leave by the league. It's still a bit hard to fathom for Clase, who was one of the best closers in the game. If found guilty, he will never pitch again.

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Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen confirmed on Thursday that the majority of work for Jordan Lawlar will come in the outfield this spring, but the team isn't closing off infield work for him, according to Jody Jackson of The Arizona Republic. The D-backs previously stated that the 23-year-old former top prospect would see work in center field in spring training, but that was before they traded utility man Blaze Alexander to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. Alexander's departure seemingly opens up playing time at third base going into the 2026 season, but Arizona has their sights set on Lawlar trying his hand in the outfield. There is also a need in the outfield, though, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) injured and Jake McCarthy no longer in town. Lawlar has only played in 42 big-league games for Arizona and hasn't lived up to his prospect hype, slashing .165/.241/.237 with no homers, five RBI, and 37 K's in 108 plate appearances. His bat showed promise in September, though, giving hope to fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues that he can be a post-hype breakout type in 2026.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired pitchers Kade Strowd and Wellington Aracena, and infielder Jose Mejia from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday in exchange for infielder Blaze Alexander, a source told The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. Strowd is the primary return for the D-backs in this swap. The 28-year-old right-hander was a former 12th-round selection by the O's in 2019 out of West Virginia. Strowd was impressive in his MLB debut last year, recording a 1.71 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 24 punchouts and 13 walks in 26 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He has a good chance to open the 2026 regular season in Arizona due to injuries to bullpen arms A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (elbow), and Strowd could be a sleeper for holds in deeper fantasy leagues in his sophomore campaign.

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The Baltimore Orioles are acquiring infielder Blaze Alexander from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday in exchange for pitchers Kade Strowd and Wellington Aracena, and infielder Jose Mejia, a source told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Alexander will head to the American League after slashing .237/.322/.366 with a .688 OPS, 10 home runs, 49 RBI, 50 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 135 games in his first two major-league seasons in Arizona. The 26-year-old former 11th-round pick in 2018 will most likely serve in a bench role in his new home in Baltimore, which will be a downgrade in fantasy with a less clear path to playing time. The 26-year-old is under team control through the 2030 season. Alexander saw most of the playing time in the second half last year at third base after the D-backs traded Eugenio Suarez, but with Alexander now gone, it could be Jordan Lawlar's spot to lose.

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The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they claimed right-hander Osvaldo Bido off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels and designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster. Bido has shockingly been passed around to six different teams already this offseason. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler made a career-high 26 appearances (10 starts) in 2025 with the Athletics and didn't pitch well, posting a career-worst 5.87 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and 35 walks in 79 2/3 innings pitched. Bido has a 5.07 ERA (4.67 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with a 20.9% strikeout rate and 9.6% walk rate in his three major-league seasons with the A's and Pittsburgh Pirates. He doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so he could wind up back on the waiver wire if he doesn't make the Yankees' Opening Day roster out of spring training.

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Detroit Tigers left-hander and two-time reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal won his salary arbitration case on Thursday against the team and will make $32 million in 2026, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Skubal will make $13 million more than the Tigers argued for, and the most any player has ever taken home in arbitration. The 29-year-old dominant left-hander has been the most dominant pitcher in baseball the last two seasons, going 31-10 with a 2.30 ERA (2.47 FIP) and 0.91 WHIP with 469 strikeouts and only 68 walks in 387 1/3 innings pitched over his 62 regular-season starts. He was even better in 2025, posting a 2.21 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 241:33 K:BB over his 31 starts. Skubal will be the first pitcher off the board in the first round of 2026 fantasy baseball drafts, without a question.

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The Washington Nationals claimed left-hander Ken Waldichuk off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday and designated right-hander George Soriano for assignment in a corresponding move, according to president of baseball operations Paul Toboni. Waldichuk, 28, has not pitched in the big leagues since 2023. The former fifth-round selection by the New York Yankees in 2019 out of Saint Mary's College went 6-11 with a 5.28 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 165 strikeouts and 81 walks in his two seasons with the Athletics in 2022 and 2023. Waldichuk made only seven starts in 2022 and then had a 5.36 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in 35 outings (22 starts) over 141 frames in 2023. He has now been with four different teams this offseason. In his first year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, Waldichuk struggled to an 8.65 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in 51 innings at Triple-A Las Vegas.

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MLB.com's Daniel Kramer writes that Seattle Mariners infield prospect Colt Emerson, who is MLB Pipeline's No. 9 overall prospect, "could still need seasoning by Opening Day." Emerson, 20, will be competing with fellow infield prospect Cole Young at second base in spring training, but Young is seen as the favorite after getting his first taste of the majors in a 77-game stint in 2025. Kramer believes that Young has as much upside as any position-player prospect in Seattle since outfielder Julio Rodriguez, but the recent acquisition of utility man Brendan Donovan should give the Mariners more time to let Emerson develop. Even if Emerson ends up on the Opening Day roster, Seattle is expected to avoid using him against tough left-handed pitchers. The former first-rounder reached Triple-A last year and hit an impressive .285/.383/.458 with 16 homers and 14 steals in 130 games over three minor-league levels. Emerson's power/speed upside makes him stash-worthy in 2026 fantasy leagues, even if he starts at Tacoma.

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MLB.com's Daniel Kramer writes that Seattle Mariners infield prospect Cole Young has the "leg up to make the team and would have to struggle mightily to lose his grip on the second-base job." The Mariners are "bullish" on the 22-year-old being their second baseman of the future now that Jorge Polanco is out of town. Young bats left-handed, and there's a likelihood that the Mariners avoid using him against the game's better left-handed pitchers. On those days, new utility man Brendan Donovan could shift to the keystone. Kramer has Young projected to hit eighth in Seattle's batting order against righties. The former 21st overall pick in 2022 struggled in his MLB debut in 2025, hitting .211/.302/.305 with a .607 OPS, four home runs, 24 RBI, and a 47:28 K:BB ratio in 77 games. There's not a ton of short-term upside for Young, and if he struggles, fellow infield prospect Colt Emerson could take playing time from him.

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MLB.com's Daniel Kramer writes that Seattle Mariners utility man Brendan Donovan, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this week in a three-team trade, will play all over the field based on matchups, according to sources familiar with the club's thinking. The 2025 All-Star is expected to enter spring training as the primary third baseman, but it could change based on positional competitions, specifically among infielders Cole Young and Colt Emerson, Seattle's first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Donovan's presence as an option all around the infield could benefit both Young and Emerson long term and take pressure off them to perform right away in 2026. Donovan, who had an .853 OPS against righties and a .614 OPS against lefties last year, won't be in a platoon. In addition to playing every day, Donovan will be the M's leadoff hitter. The 29-year-old rarely strikes out (13% K rate in 2025), but his lack of power and speed severely limit his fantasy appeal in mixed leagues.

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The Kansas City Royals announced on Thursday that they re-signed catcher Luke Maile to a minor-league contract with an invitation to major-league spring training. Maile will return to KC after appearing in 25 games for the Royals last season, going 11-for-45 (.244) at the plate with a home run, six RBI, six runs scored, one stolen base, seven walks, and 16 strikeouts in 54 plate appearances. The 34-year-old veteran backstop has 10 years of major-league experience, but he's expected to begin the 2026 campaign as catching depth at Triple-A Omaha behind Salvador Perez and Carter Jensen. In his 10 years in the majors with six different organizations, Maile has slashed just .209/.277/.320 with a .597 OPS, 22 home runs, and 119 RBI in 458 games played. Maile has never appeared in more than 76 games in a single season.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent right-hander Jose Urquidy to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Thursday, a source told Jason Mackey of PG Sports Now. The 30-year-old Mexican hurler has pitched for the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers in his six-year MLB career, but he's thrown only 2 1/3 innings in the big leagues in the last two seasons after having right-elbow surgery. The 30-year-old appeared in 49 games (48 starts) for the Astros from 2021 to 2022 and was solid with a 3.81 ERA (4.42 FIP), 1.09 WHIP with 224 strikeouts and 57 walks in 271 1/3 innings pitched. Urquidy had Tommy John surgery in June of 2024. Given the stout nature of Pittsburgh's starting rotation going into the 2026 season, it's unlikely that Urquidy will win an Opening Day starting spot, but he'll give the Bucs some valuable depth and could operate as a swingman. He has a career 19.6% strikeout rate, which limits his fantasy upside.

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Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) has not had any setbacks during his rehab from Tommy John surgery, and the Diamondbacks' ace is still aiming to return in July of this year. "We put an aggressive timeline on it from the get-go. We were looking at the 12 1/2, 13-month mark. We're still on pace with that," Burnes said. It's the same timeline that the 31-year-old veteran gave back in late September, but it's still good news that he's on track after having right-elbow reconstruction in June of 2025. The four-time All-Star signed a six-year, $210 million contract with Arizona in December of 2024 but ended up only making 11 starts in his first year in the desert, posting a 2.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 63:26 K:BB in 64 1/3 innings. Before the injury, Burnes was one of the most consistent high-end starters in baseball over the previous five seasons. Fantasy managers can stash Burnes in an IL spot in 2026 in hopes of him being an ace in the second half, but expectations should be tempered as well.

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Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao, who is ranked No. 33 on Keith Law's top-100 prospect list for 2026, had a lost year in 2025 due to a sprained right shoulder that he suffered in spring training. Genao still managed to play in 85 games between the Arizona Complex League and Double-A Akron, but he didn't look like his 2024 self and often "seemed hesitant to swing at full speed." Overall, the 21-year-old switch-hitting Dominican slashed .263/.332/.382 with a .715 OPS, five home runs, 42 RBI, 49 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 373 plate appearances. Law believes that second base is more likely for Genao in the long-term, but shortstop is not off the table given his strong defense at the 6. Genao showed more full extension on his swings in the Dominican Winter League and could very well bounce back in 2026. Law has Genao as an above-average regular somewhere in the middle infield in Cleveland whenever he makes the jump to the big leagues.

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