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Stats

Rotoworld

Will Smith

KC Relief Pitcher #51

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Will Smith took his first blown save and his second loss after giving up two runs in the ninth against the Orioles on Wednesday.

The Kansas City bullpen is shaping up as a problem. Smith has given up six runs in 2 2/3 innings. James McArthur also allowed two runs tonight, leaving him with a 12.00 ERA after three appearances. John McMillon, the team’s best hope to run away with the closer’s role, gave up four runs in his first Triple-A appearance. John Schreiber might actually be worth a speculative pickup here, since there’s just not much reason to expect Smith to be very good going forward.
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Recap

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Michael Conforto

FA Left Fielder #23

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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.
Related
- Houston Astros
Source: Brian McTaggart

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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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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.
Related
- 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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Janson Junk

MIA Pitcher #26

Marlins RHP Janson Junk (ankle) is back in Miami getting imaging.

That doesn’t sound promising for Junk’s chances of being ready for the start of the season. He rolled the ankle in workouts on Tuesday. Should Junk’s absence linger, it could help Miami’s other fifth starter candidates such as Braxton Garrett, Ryan Gusto and Bradley Blalock nail down a roster spot.

Injury

Source: Jordan McPherson

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Shohei Ohtani

LAD Starting Pitcher #17

Shohei Ohtani is slated to open the season in the Dodgers rotation, even though he might not pitch in any Cactus League games.

Ohtani will not pitch during the World Baseball Classic, which concludes nine days before the Dodgers’ opener, so it’s unclear how built up he’ll be initially. Still, the Dodgers will just work with it, even if Ohtani isn’t ready to throw more than two or three innings initially. With early days off, they could have another starter piggyback off of him the first couple of times through the rotation.

Source: Bill Plunkett

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Tirso Ornelas

SD Outfield #21

Padres designated OF Tirso Ornelas for assignment.

The Padres needed to clear a spot on their 40-man roster for the official addition of Griffin Canning on Tuesday and unfortunately Ornelas drew the short straw this time around. The 25-year-old slashed a healthy .289/.384/.450 with 10 homers and 57 RBI in 371 plate appearances at Triple-A El Paso in 2025.

Transaction

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