Yankees Reassign George Lombard Jr. to Minor-League Camp: The New York Yankees announced that they reassigned infield prospect George Lombard Jr. to minor-league camp following their Grapefruit League game on Thursday. Lombard got off to a strong start at the plate in big-league spring training, but he had slowed down of late and will open the 2026 campaign most likely at Double-A for more development. Per MLB Pipeline, Lombard is considered the Yankees' top prospect going into this year, and he ranks as the No. 32 overall prospect in all of baseball. Even with Anthony Volpe (shoulder) set to miss the beginning of the season, the Yankees want to get Lombard more action in the minor leagues before he potentially makes his major-league debut in 2026. Lombard hit only .235/.367/.381 with a .748 OPS, nine home runs, 49 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases in 132 games at High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset in 2025. He has a high baseball IQ and intriguing long-term power potential, but Lombard must first improve at making contact with the baseball at the plate. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:38:32
Luis Pena Looking to Show Improvement in 2026: Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luis Pena impressed at Single-A in 2025, slashing .308/.375/.469 with a low 13.3 percent strikeout rate and 41 steals through 71 games as an 18-year-old. The showing earned him a promotion to High-A, where things did not go as smoothly, slashing just .168/.220/.297 with a 24.8 percent strikeout rate and three steals in 25 games. The 2026 campaign will provide Pena an opportunity to right the ship at High-A, and with highly-rated hit and power tools, there should be plenty of confidence that he will. Assuming he does, the Brewers' third-ranked prospect should continue to show off his 70-grade wheels (per MLB.com), and if all goes well, Pena could see time at Double-A before the season is over. The 19-year-old should already be on the radar in dynasty leagues, if not already rostered, although he's a couple of years away from the majors. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:06:38
Joe Ryan to Join Team USA in World Baseball Classic: Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan will join Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, replacing future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. Ryan was scratched ahead of his first scheduled Grapefruit League start on Feb. 21 with back tightness, but he has since recovered and thrown three shutout innings with two walks and no strikeouts in his lone spring training outing to this point. Now that he's recovered from his back injury, he'll be available to USA for the quarterfinals of the WBC against Canada. The 29-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his fifth year in the big leagues, going 13-10 with a career-best 3.42 ERA (3.74 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 194:39 K: BB in 171 innings over 31 outings (30 starts). The injury bug has been one of Ryan's biggest issues, like so many other pitches, but when healthy, he's a solid low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 fantasy starting pitcher. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 16:05:10
Kaelen Culpepper Continuing to Trend Upward: Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper was invited to major league camp this spring and has not disappointed, going 6-for-19 (.316) with a double and a stolen base, a continuation of the success he saw a season ago. The Twins' second-ranked prospect spent half of 2025 at High-A and the other half at Double-A, posting similar numbers at both levels, culminating in a .289/.375/.469 slash line with 20 home runs and 25 steals in 113 games. He may begin the season with Double-A Wichita, but it shouldn't be long before the former first-rounder gets his first taste of Triple-A action, and a late-season debut in the majors could be in the cards. Brooks Lee is currently slated to play shortstop for the big league club, but even after a 16-homer campaign in 2025, Lee has produced an uninspiring .636 OPS, .277 wOBA, and 75 wRC+ through 189 major league games, so there is certainly an offensive hole Culpepper could fill if Lee's struggles continue. Culpepper is not a stash candidate in season-long leagues at this point, but could become one later in the year, so fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress throughout 2026. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:58:39
Could Josue De Paula Make His MLB Debut in 2026?: Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula made a strong impression during his first major league camp this spring, going 9-for-24 (.375) with a 4:8 BB:K, and although he was reassigned to minor-league camp, he could still make an impact with the Dodgers this year. The team's top-ranked prospect has shown well in professional ball thus far, recording a .279/.405/.414 slash line with a keen eye (16.4 percent BB%) and a better-than-average strikeout rate (18.7 percent K%) during his time in the minors. For a guy who doesn't have a highly rated speed tool, the Dominican was aggressive on the basepaths the last two seasons, swiping 32 bags last year and 27 the year before. Furthermore, the 6-foot-3 slugger has yet to really tap into his 70-grade future value (FV) raw power grade (rated only behind known power-producers Samuel Basallo and Bryce Eldridge, who have FV power of 80, per FanGraphs), belting just 12 home runs in 2025 in 98 games at High-A. The left-handed hitter played just four games at Double-A last year, so that is where he will likely begin 2026, however, with a good showing, he could be ticketed for Triple-A by the second half, and the soon-to-be-21-year-old could be knocking on the door to the majors by September. For now, the Dodgers' top-ranked prospect is not a stash option in season-long leagues, but he's certainly a name to monitor. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:43:30
Aidan Miller Reassigned to Minor-League Camp: Philadelphia Phillies shortstop prospect Aidan Miller (back) was reassigned to minor-league camp on Thursday. It's no surprise at this point, as the youngster has been dealing with a back issue since late February, having not registered a single at-bat in Grapefruit League play this spring, and with Trea Turner and Alec Bohm holding down the left side of the infield to start 2026. The Phillies' top-ranked prospect will likely begin the season at Triple-A, which is where he had an eight-game stint at the end of 2025 after a strong showing at Double-A. The former first-rounder hit .356 over his final 39 games between Double and Triple-A last year, carried a .392 OBP for the season thanks to a 15.6 percent BB%, and stole 59 bases in a total of 116 games. Assuming health, there's a good chance the 21-year-old will make his major league debut later this year, with work at both third base and second base this spring opening other potential routes to the big leagues, and with a fantasy-friendly power/speed toolset, the right-handed slugger is a worthy stash option in deeper leagues. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:22:31
Jose Berrios Dealing With Elbow Inflammation, Hopes to Make Next Start: Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) said that he feels good and called his recent elbow inflammation "strange" to hear about after his MRI exam, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Berrios is hoping to make his next start in the Grapefruit League. He was scratched from his Grapefruit League start on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies due to right-elbow inflammation, but apparently, he's not too worried. Because of his elbow injury, the 31-year-old veteran wasn't able to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. While it doesn't seem too serious right now, fantasy managers must remember that Berrios also had some similar elbow and biceps issues late last season. The former first-rounder has a lot of tread on his tires, having thrown 1,571 2/3 innings in his 10-year big-league career. With some injury issues this spring to boot, Berrios is not in RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitchers going into the 2026 season. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:02:35
Is Grant Taylor Emerging As a High-End Option in Chicago?: Chicago White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor has looked excellent this spring and is a breakout candidate to watch. The 23-year-old has outstanding stuff and can dominate when at his best, but his role is still a little undefined. Last year, he worked 36 2/3 innings in the majors in 36 games, including two starts. He picked up six saves and 54 strikeouts while throwing 37 pitches at 100 mph or faster, including a blistering 102.2 mph on June 22. He posted a 4.91 ERA but a more impressive 1.42 FIP. He is expected to work out of the bullpen, possibly for multiple innings, and has stated his goal is to throw 100 innings this year. He logged a career-high 63 1/3 innings last year in the minors and majors combined. He is shaping up to be an elite relief arm with a very high strikeout ceiling, although his durability and uncertain role make him a little tricky to lock into a spot, since his value depends on how your league treats relief arms. His strikeout potential definitely makes him a great option to watch for dynasty leagues, since the goal is to move him back to the rotation later in his career. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:36:58
Jorge Polanco Expected to Play First Base "More Often Than Not": New York Mets infielder Jorge Polanco has never played a professional inning at first base, but the plan is for Polanco to play first base "more often than not," according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Polanco could gain 1B eligibility in most leagues early in the season, which could make him a very valuable and versatile utility player. Last year, Polanco posted a .265/.326/.495 triple-slash with an .821 OPS, 26 home runs, 78 RBI, 64 runs scored, and six stolen bases for the Mariners. He will be hitting in the heart of a solid batting order this season, and has nice upside as his current ADP. He already has 2B and 3B eligibility in most formats, so adding 1B will allow more flexibility in roster constructions. - as of Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:21:40
Ryan Mountcastle Hit by Pitch on Hand, X-Rays Come Back Negative: Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (hand) was forced to leave Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates early in the eighth inning after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Fortunately, X-rays on his right hand came back negative, according to the team. With an off day coming in spring training on Friday, Mountcastle could be back in the lineup on Friday, although it wouldn't be a surprise to see the O's give him a couple of days off. The 29-year-old right-handed slugger's fantasy stock is on the decline going into the 2026 season after he dealt with more injuries and disappointing play in 2025. Mountcastle slashed .250/.286/.367 with a career-worst .653 OPS, only seven home runs, 35 RBI, 34 runs, and three steals in 89 games played. With the addition of All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso, Mountcastle could be facing a drop in playing time, with a DH role his only clear path to at-bats. - as of Wed, 11 Mar 2026 17:57:36