MLB Player News
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: In Monday's lineup
Alvarez will start at designated hitter and bat second in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Just as manager Joe Espada had suggested would be the case Sunday, Alvarez will enter the lineup Monday for what will be his spring debut. Alvarez was limited to 48 games last season due to hand and ankle injuries, but when healthy, he's consistently performed as one of the top hitters in the game. Espada has previously referred to Alvarez as the Astros' everyday designated hitter heading into 2026, so the 28-year-old would seem likely to see even less exposure to left field than he has in past seasons as Houston looks to keep him healthy over the course of the campaign.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Healthy numbers to begin spring
Harper went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto.
Harper socked his first homer during exhibition play Saturday, and he's now recorded two doubles, four RBI and three walks across his first four outings of spring training. It doesn't sound like the Phillies have any plans to shift Harper back to the outfield in 2026, but the All-Star slugger still remains one of the premier first baseman in fantasy circles. Harper has hit at least .260 in each regular season since 2018, and he hasn't finished with an OPS under .844 since 2016.
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Starling Marte RF | KC
Royals' Starling Marte: Signs with Royals
Marte signed a one-year contract with the Royals on Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Marte is coming off his most efficient season in three years, as he finished 2025 with a .270/.335/.410 slash line to go with nine homers, 34 RBI, 37 runs scored and seven steals in 329 plate appearances. That being said, the 37-year-old outfielder hasn't appeared in more than 100 games since 2022, and he likely isn't slated for a full-time role in Kansas City either. Instead, he'll presumably work in tandem with Jac Caglianone in right field and Carter Jensen at DH, filling in for one of the two against left-handed starters.
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Brent Rooker DH | ATH
Athletics' Brent Rooker: Blasts first spring homer
Rooker went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Thursday's Cactus League win over the Rangers.
The 31-year-old slugger went deep for the first time this spring, launching a Cal Quantrill slider over the fence in the second inning after driving in a run with a single in his first at-bat. Rooker has established himself as one of baseball's premier power threats, tallying 30-plus homers in each of the past three seasons while posting an OPS north of .800 in all three campaigns.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Set for spring debut next week
Astros manager Joe Espada said Thursday that Alvarez will make his Grapefruit League debut next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez is being eased into game action this spring following last year's injury issues, but he is considered fully healthy. The Astros plan for the slugger to spend most of his time in the designated-hitter slot this season in hopes that it will help keep him healthy, but Alvarez should still see the occasional start in left field.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Set for 'a lot of rest days'
Stanton is expected to receive "a lot of rest days during the season" as the Yankees attempt to keep him healthy and productive, Randy Miller of NJ.com reports.
Stanton made it clear Wednesday that another full offseason of rest didn't heal his tennis elbow that has plagued both arms since 2024. "I can't open a bag of chips... a bag of anything," Stanton said. The slugger missed the Yankees' first 70 games last year while rehabbing his elbows but still reached 24 homers during the regular season, marking his 14th MLB campaign clearing 20 long balls. Despite the lingering issues, Stanton is intent on playing a full season in 2026. He is set to make his spring debut March 3.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Spring debut TBD
Alvarez will not make his spring debut until "a little bit later" due to normal buildup, per manager Joe Espada, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Carlos Correa and Christian Walker are slated to make their debuts Thursday, with Jose Altuve debuting Friday and Alvarez debuting sometime after that. Alvarez is discounted in fantasy drafts this year due to his injury issues in 2025, so it will be worth tracking how long his spring debut is delayed.
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Heston Kjerstad DH | BAL
Orioles' Heston Kjerstad: Clubs first exhibition homer
Kjerstad went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.
Kjerstad launched his first homer of spring training Sunday. The 27-year-old is battling for an Opening Day roster spot, but Baltimore's offseason acquisition of Taylor Ward certainly makes it more difficult for Kjerstad to make the cut this spring. Dylan Beavers and Leody Taveras appear to have a leg up on Kjerstad to open camp, but the Orioles are likely to have the three outfielders battle it out during exhibition action to determine who makes the team.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Slated for spring debut in March
Stanton isn't expected to play in any Grapefruit League games until "right before or after the Yankees' off day on March 2," Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
Stanton reportedly won't have any restrictions this spring, per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, but New York is nonetheless keeping him out of the lineup for the first week or so of the exhibition slate. The veteran slugger played in only 77 regular-season games last year but performed well when healthy, posting a .944 OPS with 24 home runs and 66 RBI over 280 plate appearances. Stanton could be a value pick in fantasy if he can stay healthy -- especially since he has regained OF eligibility in most formats, having played 20 games between right and left field last year -- as his ADP currently sits north of 200.
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Christopher Morel DH | MIA
Marlins' Christopher Morel: Looking good with glove at 1B
Morel handled a number of tough chances at first base without issue during the Marlins' Grapefruit League opener against the Mets on Saturday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
The 26-year-old has never played a game at first base as a professional, but after signing a one-year contract with Miami in December, Morel got to work over the winter to learn the new position. He compared the footwork necessary around the bag to learning a popular dance in his native Dominican Republic. "It's more the feet when you go to cover first base, trying to put your feet correctly," Morel said after Saturday's game. "But we're getting better. Today, we got a few ground balls, and I'm trying to dance bachata today. We need to dance bachata to be a first baseman." While getting his glovework in order is a good first step, he'll likely need to improve his offensive contributions as well to secure a full-time role at first base -- over the last two seasons between the Cubs and Rays, Morel launched 32 homers with 15 steals in 257 games but slashed just .204/.288/.363 with a 29.3 percent strikeout rate.