MLB Player News

Pressly was a solid closer for the Astros before the team signed Josh Hader, but with Hader now in town and Bryan Abreu continuing to thrive in the bullpen, Pressly is now a bit more expendable. The soon-to-be 36-year-old is also coming off a down season that saw him post a 3.49 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 59 appearances. He also allowed 9.2 hits per nine innings which was his most in any 162-game season since 2016. Additionally, his whiff rate fell to 26.9 percent, which was four percent below his career average so now could be time for the Astros to see what they can get for him.

Arraez hasn’t generated any buzz this offseason as his contact-oriented skillset offers limited appeal, especially at a premium power position like first base. A move back to the keystone would boost his immediate fantasy value but his appeal is strictly limited to deeper mixed leagues as a one-category batting average stabilizer.

Musgrove represents a clear rebound candidate after missing last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. The durability concerns aren’t going away as he enters his mid-30’s but his track record as a consistent mid-rotation starter keeps him fantasy relevant. He’ll be worth monitoring closely during Cactus League outings and should be a top-75 range starting pitcher in drafts this spring.

Ohtani will ramp up his throwing program this spring, which complicates his availability for the international showcase where he’ll serve as Japan’s full-time DH. He’s expected to make a final decision at some point in the coming weeks depending on how he’s feeling physically. The 31-year-old two-way superstar will open the regular season as part of the Dodgers’ six-man rotation mix. He’ll be the first-overall selection in nearly every fantasy draft this spring.

Ryan remains on track for a normal spring training after missing all of last season recovering from elbow surgery that he underwent back in 2024. The 27-year-old top pitching prospect will be worth monitoring closely in camp to see how his stuff rebounds, but he’s likely ticketed for Triple-A Oklahoma City to open the year given the Dodgers’ surplus of established rotation options. He could make a significant impact for fantasy managers when injuries take their inevitable toll and create a path for him to pitch in Los Angeles.

Graterol missed last season recovering from shoulder surgery and figures to be brought along slowly this spring following the extended layoff. The hard-throwing 27-year-old is a true X-factor for Los Angeles’ bullpen mix but he’s likely ticketed for middle relief with Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia handling the high-leverage work.

Edman added that he recently resumed baseball activities after undergoing surgery last November on his right ankle. The versatile 30-year-old is expected to focus primarily on second base this upcoming season after dealing with recurring ankle issues throughout last year. It would likely be Hyseong Kim taking over at the keystone in his absence. He’s more of a late-round draft and stash candidate in fantasy drafts this spring.

Basallo’s ability to generate consistent hard contact at such a young age locks him in as one of the premier fantasy prospects heading into next season. The 21-year-old scuffled in his first taste of the majors last season, managing a .559 OPS with four homers over a 31-game cameo, but the underlying power profile remained firmly intact. Pete Alonso’s arrival clouds the playing-time picture by pushing Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo into reserve roles, though Basallo — who signed an eight-year, $67 million contract last August — still appears to have a path to regular at-bats splitting time between catcher and DH. He’s in intriguing high-upside late-round selection in all fantasy drafts this spring.

Hays represents an interesting dice roll for the rebuilding White Sox since they should be able to flip him to a contending team for a prospect package at the trade deadline. The 30-year-old veteran drew interest from the Mets, Yankees and Cardinals this offseason but will take over as one of Chicago’s corner outfield options in the aftermath of the Luis Robert Jr. trade earlier this month. He posted a respectable .266/.315/.453 slash line with 15 homers and seven steals across 103 games for the Reds last season. He projects as a borderline top-60 outfielder for fantasy purposes, which limits his appeal to deeper formats as a low-ceiling, late-round selection in drafts this spring.

The cosmic ideal of a modern-era journeyman reliever, Bowman has quietly bounced between five organizations — Orioles, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Twins and Yankees — over 48 appearances since 2023, compiling a perfectly serviceable 5.10 FIP and 45/21 K/BB ratio across 59 1/3 innings during that span. He’ll compete for one of the final spots in Minnesota’s bullpen during spring training.

Hopkins boasts one of the more imposing power arsenals of any pitching prospect in baseball, featuring triple-digit fastball velocity paired with a curveball and changeup that frequently touch 90 mph. The 24-year-old flamethrower has a chance to reach Tampa Bay at some point this upcoming season following a dominant run at Double-A Montgomery last year where he finished with a pristine 2.72 ERA — 3.33 FIP — and 141/60 K/BB ratio across 116 innings. He’s an elite pitching prospect that fantasy managers should be monitoring closely during Grapefruit League action.