Federal prosecutors said that Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever Emmanuel Clase and co-conspirators used coded language to discuss pitch-rigging plans, according to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov and Zack Meisel. Clase received a text message hours before a game against the Reds on May 18 of last year that read, "Throw a rock at the first rooster in today's fight." Unsealed court documents on Friday also allege that Clase engaged in an illegal sports gambling scheme during the 2024 postseason. It was all part of an alleged effort by Clase and others to rig pitches during Guardians games for over two years. Co-conspirators netted winnings of at least $450,000, and Clase and teammate Luis L. Ortiz allegedly received kickbacks for their involvement. Clase and Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary leave last July amid allegations of sports gambling, and they remain on leave and are not permitted to report to spring training.

From RotoBaller

It sounds like the Chicago White Sox view catcher Kyle Teel as their everyday catcher. "We do view Teel as an everyday guy. But at the catching position, we know that doesn't mean you're actually in there every day. It's a demanding role. And Edgar is a guy that we like the bat against lefties, so there's DH opportunities for him. He's going to be able to catch, too, so there should be plenty of at-bats for those guys," manager Will Venable said when asked about splitting at-bats for Teel and Edgar Quero in 2026. Teel, a 23-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop, made his major-league debut last year and held his own with a .273/.375/.411 slash line, .786 OPS, eight home runs, 35 RBI, 38 runs scored, and even three steals in 78 games played in Chicago. Teel didn't look great against left-handed pitchers, but he's clearly the team's preferred catcher, and the rest of his profile makes him an attractive low-end starting catching target with upside.

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The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a multi-year guaranteed major-league deal with free-agent right-handed reliever Shelby Miller (elbow), sources told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Miller only pitched in 11 games last year for the Milwaukee Brewers after they acquired him in a midseason trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks before tearing the UCL in his right elbow and having Tommy John surgery. The Cubs will be hoping that the 35-year-old can successfully return in 2027 and provide a quality bullpen arm for them. Before his elbow injury, Miller was solid for Arizona in 37 relief appearances, recording an ERA under 2.00 with a 0.96 WHIP, a career-high 10 saves, 40 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 36 1/3 innings pitched. Miller has been a high-end relief arm during his 13 seasons in the majors, posting a 4.04 career ERA with 789 strikeouts in 921 2/3 innings with nine different teams. He obviously won't be in the mix in fantasy in 2026 since he'll likely miss the entire season.

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Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough confirmed that right-hander Chris Paddack will be part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. The first three spots in Miami's rotation are locked down with Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, and Paddack. The 30-year-old veteran joined the Marlins last week to little fanfare after going 5-12 with a 5.35 ERA (5.03 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 112 strikeouts and 37 walks in 158 innings over 33 appearances (28 starts) with the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. Paddack allowed a league-high 94 earned runs on 166 hits. He wasn't much better the two previous seasons with the Twins, and if he continues to pitch poorly in 2026 with the Fish, a move to the bullpen won't be far off. Opposing hitters continue to tee off against Paddack, as he's allowed 45 long balls the last two years. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere, even in NL-only formats.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony will play for Team USA in this year's World Baseball Classic if he passes a physical in spring training, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Anthony will be a replacement for injured Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand). The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is heading into his first full season in the big leagues in 2026 after slashing an impressive .292/.396/.463 with an .859 OPS, eight home runs, 32 RBI, 48 runs scored, and four stolen bases last year in his first 71 MLB games. Anthony is likely to hit leadoff for the BoSox against right-handers this year, and RotoBaller considers him a top-15 fantasy outfielder. An oblique strain cut his season short at the end of last season, but he's fully recovered and will be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback during the WBC. Anthony joined Ted Williams as the only Boston players to have 20-plus extra-base hits and 25-plus walks in their first 52 career games.

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Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle was seen working out at third base in camp on Friday, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. McGonigle is only 21 years old, but he's ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 2 overall prospect going into the 2026 season because of his advanced hit tool. The former first-rounder in 2023 hit .305/.408/.583 with a .991 OPS, 19 home runs, 80 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 88 games between Single-A Lakeland, High-A West Michigan, and Double-A Erie last year to earn himself an invite to major-league spring training this year. He can play third, second base, and shortstop, although his clearest path to playing time with Detroit this year is at the 6. The lefty-hitting infielder doesn't have impressive raw power or speed, but he's been extremely consistent and could become the Tigers' starting shortstop by this summer.

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New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) said he's still targeting a June return, give or take some days, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Cole said his estimated timeline of 14 to 18 months hasn't changed since his Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in March of last year, so that could get him back at some point in May "on the earlier side." Manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday that the 35-year-old former Cy Young winner could pitch in Grapefruit League games at the end of camp if he keeps progressing. Cole has been throwing since last August and should progress to live batting practice in a couple of weeks. The six-time All-Star will be a wild card in 2026 for both the Yankees and fantasy managers. Expecting him to immediately return to ace form wouldn't be wise. RotoBaller has Cole ranked as the No. 87 starting pitcher this year.

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New York Mets right-hander Jonah Tong said that his focus in spring training this year is to "further develop his offspeed pitches," according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. Tong was confident in his fastball and changeup, and "I want to make sure I have the same level of confidence in my other two offerings." The 22-year-old is trying to improve his slider, curveball, and cutter to make him a more well-rounded pitcher as he enters his first full MLB season in 2026. The former seventh-rounder in 2022 made his big-league debut last year and struggled in five starts (18 2/3 innings), allowing 20 runs (16 earned) on 24 hits (three home runs), but he was able to strike out 22 hitters while walking nine. Tong was amazing in the minors, though, posting a 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 179 K's, and a 52.9% ground-ball rate in 22 starts. He will certainly need to improve his secondary offerings over a full season in the big leagues, and some critics are worried about his durability because of his slight frame at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Tong checks in as RotoBaller's No. 84 starting pitcher for 2026.

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The Cincinnati Reds are signing free-agent first baseman Nathaniel Lowe to an undisclosed non-roster deal on Friday, sources told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Lowe joins the Reds on a minor-league deal and will compete for an Opening Day roster spot in spring training after hitting a disappointing .228/.307/.381 in 153 regular-season games last year with the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox. However, the 30-year-old veteran slugger did manage to clear the fences 18 times while driving in 84 runs and scoring 64 times. Even if Lowe performs well in Cactus League games, he'll be hard-pressed for regular playing time in Cincinnati in 2026 as long as both Eugenio Suarez and Sal Stewart are healthy. Suarez and Stewart are projected to split time at first base and designated hitter for the Reds. Lowe will provide Cincy with more pop from the left side without a clear path to regular playing time.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani could pitch in a Cactus League game in spring training, and that it's "still in the air," according to Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. Ohtani was recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in September of 2023 and didn't make his season debut as a pitcher for the Dodgers until mid-June of 2025. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler ended up making 14 regular-season starts (47 innings) and posted a strong 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and only nine walks. His workload was expanded in the postseason, and although he might be babied this spring as a pitcher, he's fully expected to be part of the Opening Day starting rotation as a pitcher. Ohtani's fantasy ceiling is much higher as a hitter, but he's not too shabby as a pitcher either, and is RotoBaller's No. 32 starting pitcher in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said "there is hope" that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (right middle finger) will be able to return by early May. The middle infielder underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger nearly four weeks ago. He reportedly suffered the injury after slipping on ice and falling. Splitting 2025 between the Rays and Braves, he slashed .234/.304/.345 with five home runs, six stolen bases, an 8.4% walk rate, a 20.4% strikeout rate, and 82 wRC+. He mostly played at shortstop, but he also made five appearances at second base. In total, he posted -3 OAA and -1 FRV in the infield. Upon his return, he'll offer a solid bench bat behind middle infielders Ozzie Albies and Mauricio Dubon.

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Free-agent outfielder Chris Taylor re-signed with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday on a minor-league deal and is present at major-league spring training, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Taylor should have a decent shot at winning an Opening Day roster spot, but in a bench role. The 35-year-old veteran right-handed hitter will give the Halos the flexibility to play all over the diamond, but he doesn't appear to have much left in the tank after hitting a combined .186/.256/.301 with a career-worst .557 OPS, two home runs, 12 RBI, five walks, and 42 strikeouts in 125 plate appearances over 58 games with the Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers last year. Taylor hit .179 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 90 plate appearances in Anaheim in 2025. He has a career 29.3% strikeout rate and will be well off the fantasy radar in mixed leagues in 2026.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that starting pitcher Rhett Lowder "pitches like a vet," according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19. "It's very obvious," Francona added. "It jumps out. He knows what he's doing." That's high praise for the 23-year-old amid competition for the fifth starter spot in the Reds' rotation. Lowder pitched just 9.1 innings in the minors last season due to a right forearm strain and left oblique strain. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2024, when he tossed 30.2 innings across six starts. During his limited taste of action as a rookie, he posted a 1.17 ERA and 3.10 FIP with 6.46 K/9, 4.11 BB/9, and no home runs. Chase Burns is the early favorite to make Cincinnati's rotation, but Lowder, Chase Petty, and Brandon Williamson (elbow) are also heavily in the mix as spring camp gets underway.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval (elbow) threw a live bullpen session on Saturday, according to a video posted by Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Sandoval is heading into the second year of a two-year deal with the Red Sox that allowed him to rehab from Tommy John surgery with the organization. He hasn't pitched since 2024 with the Angels, but he's competing for the fifth spot in the Red Sox' rotation as camp gets underway. Across 16 starts in 2024, he went 2-8 with a 3.87 FIP, 9.15 K/9, 3.95 BB/9, and a 45% ground ball rate. Sandoval is on the 40-man roster, but the same can be said about other pitchers competing for rotation spots, including Johan Oviedo and Connelly Early.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Adrian Del Castillo (left calf) "has been off to the side" and is absent from several catching drills as spring training gets underway, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. The 26-year-old is dealing with a left calf issue and will be delayed in his return to drills. Manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Del Castillo will resume catching once he's healthy, as the team isn't considering a position switch for the young backstop. He spent 28 games at designated hitter and five at catcher last year, posting 0.2 FRM and 1 FRV behind the dish at the big league level in 2025. Holding the bat in his hands, he slashed .242/.290/.392 with four home runs, a 6.1% walk rate, a 35.9% strikeout rate, and 87 wRC+. Del Castillo is not a lock to make the 26-man roster, since the Snakes already have Gabriel Moreno and James McCann atop their depth chart.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello has been throwing a curveball as spring training gets underway, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Bello threw five curveballs back in 2022, but he hasn't used the pitch since then. Now, it's back in his arsenal, adding a sixth pitch to his deep mix. Teammate Sonny Gray said Bello's arsenal is "gross," and manager Alex Cora credited the young pitcher for consistently developing ever since his debut season in 2022. The 26-year-old posted a career-best 3.35 ERA last year, but his FIP was a bit higher at 4.19. He continued to induce weak contact with a 49.8% ground ball rate and 0.86 HR/9. Bello projects as Boston's No. 4 starter behind Garrett Crochet, Ranger Suarez, and Gray.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that right-hander Grant Holmes (elbow) will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Holmes dealt with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow late last season and missed the final two months, but he was able to avoid surgery and is now ready to rock for the start of the 2026 campaign. The 29-year-old went 4-9 with a 3.99 ERA (4.40 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 123 strikeouts and 54 walks in 115 innings over 22 appearances (21 starts) before his elbow injury in his second year in the big leagues. Holmes will have a starting role to begin the year, but he'll be a major injury risk and a good bet to regress if his walk rate is anywhere near what it was in 2025 (11%). Fantasy managers in mixed leagues should avoid Holmes.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (elbow) will be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lopez is healthy after having arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder last year that limited him to just one start. The 32-year-old Dominican was a first-time All-Star for the Braves in 2024 as he transitioned back to a starting role, posting a 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 148 strikeouts and 42 walks in 135 2/3 innings over 26 outings (25 starts). It was the first time that he went over 70 innings since 2019, and his 3.44 xFIP suggested he was a bit fortunate to have the numbers he did. The Braves will treat Lopez as a starter to begin the season, but he may end up back in the bullpen by the end of 2026. At the very least, fantasy managers should expect regression from his 2024 numbers.

From RotoBaller

Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown commented on Friday, "We're not done yet," after completing the trade with the Blue Jays that brought outfielder Joey Loperfido back to the organization that drafted him. The Astros have been in talks with multiple teams about possibly trading corner infielder Isaac Paredes, who appears to be the odd man out in terms of regular at-bats, with Carlos Correa expected to man third and Christian Walker at first. Paredes had a good year in 2025 for the Astros despite missing significant time due to injury, blasting 20 home runs in just 102 games with a .353 wOBA and 128 wRC+. He looks like a decent value in drafts right now, currently ranked at 181 at RotoBaller, while the 26-year-old has an NFBC ADP of 193. Keep an eye out for news, as his landing spot could have a positive (Boston) or negative (Pittsburgh) impact on his fantasy value.

From RotoBaller