MLB Player News

Kelley will be back in the Rangers’ bullpen for Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Indians after missing a couple of weeks with discomfort in his right biceps. He had been serving as the primary closer in Texas before the injury, but Jose Leclerc has since reclaimed that job. Kelley is probably droppable in most fantasy formats.

It sounds like a minor issue and not something that should sideline the 24-year-old outfielder long term. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to state his case for a spot in the White Sox’ Opening Day outfield before the spring concludes.

The announcement doesn’t come as a surprise after the 29-year-old hurler was diagnosed with significant tearing of his UCL earlier in the week. It’s a brutal break for the Twins as López was set to anchor their starting rotation heading into the 2026 season. He’ll now miss the entire year — and possibly the start of the 2027 season as well, while recovering from the procedure.

There’s nothing wrong physically with the 32-year-old outfielder, he just prefers to ramp up slowly and the Rangers have been accommodating to his usual routine. He has plenty of time to get himself ready for the start of the regular season even if he misses the first couple of Cactus League affairs.

The 28-year-old hurler was a 15th round selection by the Orioles from the 2021 draft class. He registered a strong 2.68 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and a 51/13 K/BB ratio over 53 2/3 innings between Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk during the 2025 season. He’s expected to return to the bullpen at Triple-A Norfolk once he’s fully recovered and could debut with the O’s at some point during the 2026 campaign.

Barring any setbacks, the 25-year-old hurler is on track to be ready in time for the start of the regular season, though it’s still possible that the Angels take a cautious approach and have him open the year on the injured list as he continues to build back up. Either way, it’s an encouraging development and sounds like the flame-throwing right-hander will be available out of the Halos’ bullpen at some point early in the season.

This will likely be his only start with the Dodgers before he joins Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic. The 27-year-old right-hander is coming off of a ridiculous 2025 campaign where he posted a stellar 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 201/59 K/BB ratio across 173 2/3 innings and followed it up with one of the most dominant postseason performances in recent memory. Yamamoto currently sits as the fourth starting pitcher off the board in fantasy drafts, behind only Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes and Garrett Crochet.

Matsui suffered the injury during a live batting practice session on Thursday. They’ll take it day-by-day and see how he’s feeling, but it sounds like he may be unable to compete in the Classic. As of now though, his availability for the start of the regular season isn’t in doubt.

What that actually means for Hader’s availability to start the regular season remains to be seen. The 31-year-old southpaw is dealing with inflammation in his biceps tendon after finishing the 2025 campaign on the injured list with a left shoulder strain. Until he’s back up on a mound and facing live hitters, it’s difficult to project any sort of timeline for his absence. Bryan Abreu will open the season in the closer’s role if Hader starts the year on the IL.

He’ll remain in the pool of eligible players and could potentially be added if South Korea advances to the championship rounds. As of now, it shouldn’t impact his availability for the start of the regular season, but it’s a situation worth monitoring as the next couple of weeks unfold.

The 27-year-old superstar hid predominantly out of the leadoff spot in the Padres’ lineup in 2025, so this could be an interesting change. It’s definitely a situation to monitor. If it sticks heading into the season, it would certainly increase his RBI output while dinging his projection in runs slightly. Xander Bogaerts is batting out of the leadoff spot in his place on Friday.