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Stats

Rotoworld

Hak-Ju Lee

SF Shortstop #36

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Rays optioned SS Hak-Ju Lee to Triple-A Durham.

Acquired from the Cubs in the Matt Garza deal, Lee batted .261/.336/.360 with four home runs, 37 RBI, 37 stolen bases and a .696 OPS in Double-A last season. The Rays view him as their shortstop of the future, but he figures to spend most of 2013 at the Triple-A level.
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- Hak-Ju Lee
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Bowden Francis

TOR Pitcher #44

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Blue Jays placed RHP Bowden Francis on the 60-day injured list.

It’s just a procedural move to free up a roster spot for Ben Cowles. Francis underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this month and is not expected to be back in Toronto’s plans until 2027.

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Braves RHP Schwellenbach to begin season on IL

February 16, 2026 03:43 PM

Eric Samulski reacts to news that Braves pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach has been placed on the 60-day IL to have surgery on his right elbow, another blow to Atlanta's starting rotation before the 2026 season begins.

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Benjamin Cowles

TOR Infield
Blue Jays claimed IF Ben Cowles off waivers from the Cubs.

It’s the second time this offseason Cowles has been claimed off waivers, as the Cubs originally got him from the Yankees in January. The 26-year-old infielder will get a shake at a roster spot in Spring Training, but will likely wind up in the minors if the Blue Jays are his final destination. The Jays placed Bowden Francis on the 60-day injured list to free up the roster spot.
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- Chicago Cubs
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Griffin Canning

SD Starting Pitcher #46

MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell reports Griffin Canning (Achilles) is expected to begin the start of the season on the injured list.

Canning “might not be there very long,” per Cassavell, but he is not currently part of that race. NL-only leaguers take notice — if you draft Canning you’re going to have to have an IL spot to stash him early. Canning pitched well for the Mets before tearing his Achilles in June. He’ll likely bump one of the lower-level Padres starters from the rotation once he’s ready to return.

Injury

Source: MLB.com

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Michael Conforto

FA Left Fielder #23
MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart reports the Astros have “expressed interest” in free agent OF Michael Conforto.

Conforto would presumably challenge Joey Loperfido or Zach Cole in a corner outfield spot if signed. It should be noted that Conforto is no lock to win that battle coming into Spring Training late after hitting .199/.305/.333 for the Dodgers in 2025, disappointing the club so much that they decided to give Kyle Tucker a megacontract to forget about Conforto. This is the first blurb we have on Conforto since the White Sox expressed interest in him in January.
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- Houston Astros
Source: Brian McTaggart

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Hurston Waldrep

ATL Starting Pitcher #30

Braves manager Walt Weiss said RHP Hurston Waldrep (elbow) will undergo surgery next Monday.

The Braves provided no timetable for Waldrep’s return. Weiss said he “hopes” Waldrep will be able to pitch again this year., and the surgery removed loose bodies from his elbow. Waldrep had a 2.88 ERA in nine starts down the stretch for Atlanta in 2025, striking out 55 in 56 1/3 innings. Atlanta’s pitching depth is already being tested early this season. We wouldn’t be surprised if Waldrep missed his entire age-24 season with the injury.

Injury

Source: Mark Bowman

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Spencer Schwellenbach

ATL Pitcher #56

Braves manager Walt Weiss said Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) underwent surgery Wednesday and he “hopes” Schwellenbach will be able to pitch again this year.

This looked to be the likely scenario as he was placed on the 60-day IL last week. The surgery, per Weiss, removed bone spurs from Schwellenbach’s elbow. Fantasy managers should probably not bother spending real draft capital on Schwellenbach this year given his uncertain return date. It’s a bummer for the Braves after Schwellenbach posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 235/41 K/BB ratio over the last two seasons before fracturing his elbow last June.

Injury

Source: Mark Bowman

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Brusdar Graterol

LAD Pitcher #48

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) won’t be ready for opening day.

Graterol missed all of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery. It doesn’t look like he’s anywhere close to returning, and Roberts added that he’ll be “on a slower progression.” Graterol won’t figure into save chances when healthy either way, but if he’s healthy he could generate some holds.

Injury

Source: Jack Harris

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Lawrence Butler

ATH Outfield #4
MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos reports Lawrence Butler (knee) will likely be held out of games until “mid-spring.”

Butler is in the final stages of rehab after an offseason surgery to repair a partial tendon tear and debridement of chronic scar tissue. He’ll go cheaper in drafts this year and still maintains plenty of power/speed upside entering his age-26 season, but we’d sure like to see him in spring training games before giving him a full endorsement as a post-hype sleeper. Zack Gelof will also miss the start of Cactus League action as he builds up his swing progression.
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- Zack Gelof
Injury

Source: Martin Gallegos

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Brandon Clarke

STL Starting Pitcher

Cardinals LHP prospect Brandon Clarke (shoulder) underwent surgery and will be out until June.

He suffered a shoulder aneurysm that required the surgery. The Cardinals got Clarke in the Sonny Gray trade this offseason and at the time of the deal was Boston’s fifth-ranked prospect. Entering his age-23 season, this injury probably puts Clarke’s odds of making his major league debut in 2026 in jeopardy.

Injury

Source: Tyler Milliken

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Max Muncy

ATH Infield #10
A’s manager Mark Kotsay said the third-base job is “open” and mentioned Max Muncy, Darell Hernaiz, and Brett Harris as options to start.

Muncy fractured his hand last season and posted a .214/.259/.379 line in 220 plate appearances split between third base and second base. The A’s were reportedly close to acquiring Nolan Arenado this offseason, so it makes sense that they’re not exactly handing the 23-year-old Muncy the job. Neither of the three has much of a major-league track record to this point, but Muncy would have the highest upside in AL-only leagues.
Related
- Darell Hernaiz
- Brett Harris
Source: MLB.com

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