Astros Not Ruling Out Jeremy Pena for Opening Day: Houston Astros manager Joe Espada hasn't ruled out shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) from being ready for Opening Day next week, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Pena will hit again on Sunday in camp as he tries to get himself ready for Thursday's game against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. The 28-year-old suffered a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger while playing in an exhibition game for Team Dominican Republic in the lead-up to the World Baseball Classic. Pena was cleared to swing a bat with both hands on Friday, though. The next step will be for Pena to face live pitching, and it's unclear if there is enough time for the team to clear him to play on Opening Day. If Pena isn't ready for Thursday, it shouldn't be long before he's cleared to return to his duties as Houston's starting shortstop. Despite the injury, Pena is still in play as a low-end starting fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star in 2025, slashing .304/.363/.477 with an .840 OPS, 17 homers, 62 RBI, and 20 steals in 125 games played. - as of Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:25:34
Esteury Ruiz Suffers Oblique Strain, Will Miss 6-8 Weeks: Miami Marlins outfielder Esteury Ruiz (oblique) has been diagnosed with a high-grade left oblique strain and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Ruiz will be placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Opening Day, and given his timeline, it seems like the team could at least consider a shift to the 60-day injured list. This is a devastating blow for the Marlins, who will be without both Ruiz and Kyle Stowers (hamstring) for an extended period of time. Ruiz, who was acquired from the Dodgers over the offseason, has never been a major threat at the plate, but he offers blazing speed and brought his walk rate up to an encouraging mark of 14.6% this spring. With Stowers and Ruiz sidelined, the Marlins will likely turn to a rotation of Griffin Conine, Javier Sanoja, and Heriberto Hernandez in left field. - as of Sun, 22 Mar 2026 11:00:44
Phillies Sign Cristopher Sanchez to a Six-Year Extension: The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez have agreed to a six-year extension with $107 million guaranteed, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The deal spans from 2027 through 2032, taking effect after he earns his existing $3.5 million salary in 2026. The new extension also offers the Phillies a potential extra year of control with a club option for the 2033 season. This pact reflects the Phillies' desire to preserve Sanchez as their ace long-term. As it stands, Sanchez is the front line of a very strong Phillies rotation that also features Aaron Nola, Jesus Luzardo, Taijuan Walker, and Andrew Painter. The left-hander was absolutely stellar in 2025, finishing as the National League Cy Young runner-up and an MVP finalist with a 2.55 FIP, 9.45 K/9, 1.96 BB/9, and a 58.3% ground ball rate across 32 starts. He currently ranks #4 among starting pitchers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026. - as of Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:46:36
Kyle Stowers Placed on Injured List with Hamstring Strain: Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will open the 2026 regular season on the injured list, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Stowers had left Friday's game early with hamstring tightness, and he's now expected to miss 3-4 weeks. That's a crushing blow for the Marlins, given that Stowers was projected to be their No. 3 hitter and everyday left fielder. He was spectacular at the plate last season, slashing .288/.368/.544 with 25 home runs, 73 RBI, and 149 wRC+. Injuries have been the biggest obstacle in his career so far, and now, he's going to be sidelined for Opening Day in 2026. Griffin Conine, Javier Sanoja, and Heriberto Hernandez will likely platoon in left field until Stowers is able to return in mid-to-late April. - as of Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:35:53
Walker Buehler Officially Makes the Padres' Opening Day Roster: San Diego Padres starting pitcher Walker Buehler has officially made the Opening Day roster, manager Craig Stammen confirmed to radio host Sammy Levitt. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Buehler had put together an impressive spring training. Through three starts (11.2 innings) in the Cactus League, he maintained a 2.98 FIP with 10.03 K/9, 3.09 BB/9, and a 42.9% ground ball rate. Presumably, he'll end up in the No. 5 starter role, putting him in line to make his Padres regular-season debut on Tuesday, March 31, against the San Francisco Giants. Buehler was roughed up to the tune of a 5.45 ERA across 23 outings in Boston last year, but he latched on with the Phillies near the end of the season and enjoyed much better results. Across 13.2 innings with Philadelphia, he posted a 0.66 ERA with eight strikeouts and six walks. - as of Sun, 22 Mar 2026 10:18:55
Orioles GM Praises Coby Mayo: Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias had good things to say when asked about his confidence in corner infielder Coby Mayo, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. "We're very fortunate to have Coby Mayo right behind Jordan Westburg. He's a promising young player. He's got a great opportunity ahead of him, and I think he's ready," Elias said. Not only is regular third baseman Jordan Westburg (elbow) expected to be out until some point in May, but Mayo has been raking in spring training. The 24-year-old came into Saturday's Grapefruit League action hitting .412 (14-for-34) with two home runs, three doubles, 12 RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base in 37 plate appearances. The former top prospect will enter his third year in the majors as Baltimore's starting third baseman, giving him a huge opportunity to turn things around after hitting .201/.285/.349 with a weak .634 OPS, 11 home runs, 28 RBI, 34 runs scored, and a 106:31 K:BB in 102 games in his first two major-league seasons. Mayo's fantasy stock in both single-year and dynasty/keeper leagues is on the rise given Westburg's injury situation. - as of Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:24:38
Max Clark to Start the Season at Triple-A: Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo, according to Nicholas Kohloff of Woodward Sports. This should come as no surprise to anyone after Clark struggled in big-league spring training this year with a .111 average (2-for-18) with an RBI, two walks, five strikeouts, and multiple miscues on defense in 10 Grapefruit League games. The 21-year-old former third overall pick in 2023 has yet to play above Double-A in the minors, so the Tigers would like to get him some more seasoning and see if he can't mature some more before he makes his major-league debut under the bright lights. With High-A West Michigan and Double-A Erie last year, Clark hit .271/.403/.432 with an .835 OPS, 14 home runs, 67 RBI, 85 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases in 111 total games. Per MLB Pipeline, he's the Tigers' No. 2 prospect and the 10th overall prospect in the sport. Clark lacks elite power upside, but all his other tools are top notch. If he continues to play well in the minors in 2026, we could see him in the big leagues in the second half of the upcoming season. - as of Sun, 22 Mar 2026 00:17:48
Gleyber Torres Clear to Return on Monday: Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (back) "will be good to go" for Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Colorado Rockies, according to Rogelio Castillo of Tigers ML Report. Torres had been scratched from the Tigers' lineup on Saturday due to lower back tightness, but it sounds like the injury isn't serious and won't require him to miss any additional time. All in all, this bodes well for Torres' availability on Opening Day against the San Diego Padres. He has been a productive hitter for the entirety of his MLB career, including 2025, when he slashed .256/.358/.387 with 16 homers, a 13.5% walk rate, a 16.1% strikeout rate, and 113 wRC+. In addition to being the Tigers' starting second baseman, Torres projects as the club's No. 2 hitter this year. - as of Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:39:29
Cade Cavalli Wraps Up Stellar Spring Training: Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli concluded a terrific stretch of spring training games on Saturday. Cavalli tossed five shutout innings with three hits, zero walks, and one strikeout against the New York Mets. His final Grapefruit League stat line includes four starts, 14 innings, one run, zero earned runs, four hits, two hit batters, one walk, and nine strikeouts. Outside of the low strikeout rate, it was a phenomenal spring for Cavalli, who will start for the Nats on Opening Day after MacKenzie Gore was traded away. In his first real taste of MLB action last year, Cavalli made 10 starts with a 3.93 xFIP, 7.44 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, and a 54.8% ground ball rate. He ranks #77 among starting pitchers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026. - as of Sat, 21 Mar 2026 17:32:46