MLB Player News

Bradley opened the season as the Guardians starting first baseman, but quickly fell out of favor after slashing just .118/.118/.118 with nine strikeouts in 17 plate appearances. He did smash 16 homers in 74 games during the 2021 season, so there may be something here if an interested club wanted to take a chance on waivers.

The Padres and Adam appear to disagree, as Adam said that “in my mind” he will be ready for Opening Day. Stammen continued by saying “We’re going to decide what’s best for him. And hopefully we’re on the same page together. We may have a different opinion at times, but we’ve got the best interest in him, not only for this season but for the rest of his career.” It appears as if Adam’s Opening Day status is in some question. Luckily Mason Miller seems well-locked into the closer’s role so it shouldn’t make much difference in leagues that don’t count holds.

Assuming that holds up, Stephenson could figure into the Angels closing plans. Stephenson did not pitch in 2024 and managed just 12 appearances in 2025, where he had a 2.70 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 10 innings off a return from the 60-day injured list. He was re-shelved in September. Stephenson is fragile enough that we probably shouldn’t invest a high-round pick in him, but he has the stuff to close if his arm is up to the task.

Jiménez already missed all of last season following knee surgery, and he needed a cleanup procedure in November. He was very good when last seen, amassing a 2.62 ERA over 68 2/3 innings as a setup man in 2024, but it’s unclear what he’ll have to offer this season as he enters the final year of a three-year, $26 million pact.

This confirms some speculation last week from The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. While the Paul Goldschmidt reunion looked like something tough for Rice after Goldy played against left-handers last year, this is a terrific update for Rice’s fantasy value. He may even be able to maintain catcher eligibility for 2027 if he gets into enough games at the position, giving him some extra keeper league value going forward.

He added that Cole could graduate to game action by the end of spring training. The word over the offseason was that Cole was likely to be out until late May or early June, and this update seems to jive well with that timetable. Cole figures to rejoin the Yankees at midseason as long as his rehab and ramp-up go well.

It’s notable because Counsell has normally given a boilerplate answer about having “an outs-getter” or something along those lines. Palencia looks like a good bet for 30 or more saves if he can stay healthy this season, and the fact that there’s no committee that we know of entering Spring Training is great news for his fantasy stock.

There’s a mutual option for 2027. Andujar figures to be the primary DH for the Friars in 2026 and could also see time as a corner infielder and outfielder. He will probably bat low enough in the order to not be much of a threat for runs scored, but could be a useful NL-only player at the outset of the season.

We are begging good hitters to stop breaking their hamate bones. Carroll is set to undergo surgery on the hamate bone today. Gilbert says Carroll will miss “significant time” this spring. It sounds like he’s potentially in line to start the season on the injured list, and he will certainly miss the World Baseball Classic. Jorge Barrosa figures to be more involved in the early-season outfield plan if Carroll misses enough time to push his return past the start of the season. Given the D-backs’ lack of outfield depth, they team might want to consider bringing back Randal Grichuk or adding a different free agent from a group that still includes Michael Conforto, Tommy Pham, Starling Marte and Mike Tauchman.

He is “having a normal camp” per MASN’s Roch Kubatko. Eflin isn’t going to be high on draft boards, but he’s in a good enough situation in Baltimore to be a worthwhile AL-only league flier or a streamer in 12-team leagues if he makes it through Spring Training healthy.

Not good. Selby pitched in 11 games for the Orioles in 2025 out of the pen and carried a 3.21 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in a low-leverage role. He wasn’t on the fantasy radar, but his absence may clear the way for some different members of Baltimore’s bullpen depth to make a roster push.