MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell made it official after the club’s decision to start lefty Matthew Boyd on short rest blew up in monumental fashion, leading to a blowout loss in Game 1 of the best-of-five series. Imanaga will attempt to even things up in Milwaukee after allowing two runs over four innings on Wednesday in his first playoff outing against the Padres. The 32-year-old southpaw figures to work deep into the contest to spare Chicago’s overworked bullpen.

Okamoto immediately slots into the heart of Toronto’s loaded lineup as the defending American League champions open their spring exhibition schedule. The 29-year-old infielder brings an extensive track record of success in Japan as a power-oriented bat with solid contact skills, a profile that should make his transition to the majors less volatile than most international imports. He’s been going outside the top 275 picks on average in NFBC drafts since early February, making him an intriguing late-round flyer for fantasy managers. Here is the full lineup: Ernie Clement (2B), Andrés Giménez (SS), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Alejandro Kirk (C), Addison Barger (RF, Okamoto (3B), Daulton Varsho (DH), Davis Schneider (LF), Nathan Lukes (CF).

Anthony will get a few exhibition games under his belt with the Red Sox before joining Team USA for next month’s World Baseball Classic. The 21-year-old on-base machine’s perch atop Boston’s formidable lineup, which features offseason acquisition Willson Contreras in the heart of the order, makes it easy to project him as an impact fantasy contributor in the runs scored department. His ability to generate consistent hard contact, as evidenced by a 94.5 mph average exit velocity — the highest single-season mark by a hitter under the age of 22 in the Statcast era — portend immediate success at the highest level as a power-hitting table-setter. He’ll be an early-round pick in all fantasy drafts this spring. Here’s the full lineup: Anthony (RF), Ceddanne Rafaela (CF), Wilyer Abreu (DH), Contreras (1B), Masataka Yoshida (LF), Connor Wong (C), Andruw Monasterio (3B), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (SS) and Brendan Rodgers (2B).

Ballesteros has been delayed from joining the Cubs in Arizona by visa issues. The 22-year-old has a great chance to open the year as the Cubs’ designated hitter while also seeing time behind the plate.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider was hopeful that García might be ready for Opening Day, but that has changed to “100 percent” that he will not be available for the start of 2026. The right-hander will be a high-leverage option in the late innings once available, but for now, there’s an open spot in the Toronto bullpen.

Murakami was initially announced as being scratched from the lineup today because he was stuck in traffic behind a car accident, but he showed up just in time to get the start at first base. He grounded out in his first at-bat and then delivered a 108-mph smash for a single in the third. His two-run double in his final at-bat was well struck to center, getting projected at 408 feet, but it would have been caught just short of the wall had Seiya Suzuki not lost it in the sun.

Taillon is going to pitch for Team Canada in the WBC, but it didn’t appear today that he was making any special preparations to be ready for the tournament, as his velocity was down about two mph from last year. That probably suits the Cubs just fine; they don’t need him peaking in mid-March.

Hodge was the victim of the one hit against him being a fly lost in the sun, but that doesn’t excuse him throwing just eight of his 25 pitches for strikes. Hodge, who had a 1.88 ERA and nine saves as a rookie for the Cubs in 2024, finished last season in the minors and seems likely to return there to open 2026. He had a 6.27 ERA in his 36 major league appearances last season.

Lee spent much of last season in Triple-A with the White Sox content to go with two rookie catchers in Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero, but he did come back up for the final five weeks, allowing the team to use one of its catchers at DH. That might again be the plan this season, as the White Sox have left themselves plenty of flexibility to keep Teel and Quero in the lineup at the same time. Plus, Lee is out of options, so the White Sox would risk losing him if they tried to send him down.

Miranda took Alex Hoppe deep to tie the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. The Padres signed Miranda as a non-roster invite in December, and while he has an uphill battle ot make the team, it’s worth noting that he isn’t far removed from MLB success. Obviously, he’d need to win an everyday job before fantasy managers would need to even consider Miranda for 2026.

Arroyo went opposite-field on a two-run shot off Jagger Haynes. His double was also hit to right field from the right side; showing off the 21-year-old’s impressive power potential. Arroyo is one of the best infield prospects in baseball, and while he doesn’t have the same kind of upside as a Colt Emerson, it would not be a massive upset if he reached the majors in 2026 He’s someone who has to be monitored in all eligible formats.