Hello everyone! I’m happy to announce that I have been given the green light to start this weekly article segment called the “Rumor Roundup”. Essentially, I’ll be diving into all the recent talk, transactions, and player trends through a real-world, front office lens with occasional fantasy analysis mixed in. Any significant injuries? Production from players forcing more playing time? A player is reportedly on the trade block? Rumor roundup will have you covered throughout the entirety of the 2026 season. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Injury Updates
Toronto Blue Jays star RHP Trey Yesavage hit the injured list (IL) with right shoulder impingement. The Blue Jays did not shut down Yesavage from throwing, as he had seen some minor action on the backfields and last threw on March 25. He is not ramped up for big league action, however, and the Jays are hopeful he’ll be able to return to the club in mid/late April.
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday will make his season debut with Triple-A Norfolk on a rehab assignment. The 22-year-old is battling to return from a fractured hamate bone he had removed very early during camp.
Cleveland Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee was removed early from his second career Opening Day start with right shoulder inflammation. He claims it was “on and off” throughout the entire game. Cleveland’s postgame injury reports suggest he did well on strength tests and felt better after being removed, but the expected return is still TBD. RHP Hunter Gaddis‘ status is improving and could be granted a minor league rehab assignment as soon as this weekend.
Chicago White Sox star catcher Kyle Teel seems to be progressing at a faster pace than expected. He suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in early March playing for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic. He traveled with the team to Milwaukee and could make his season debut as soon as April 2.
The Los Angeles Angels are dealing with a multitude of injuries to start the season. Veteran RHP Kirby Yates (left knee inflammation) will start the season on the IL. He is playing catch, but the Angels are taking his recovery slowly. RHPs Grayson Rodriguez (right arm soreness) and Alek Manoah (blister) both hit the IL as well. Rodriguez has continued to play catch, while there is no information on how Manoah’s recovery has been. Finally, infielder Vaughn Grissom (left hand soreness) isn’t expected to be out long but was placed on the IL earlier this week.
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford hit the IL with right shoulder inflammation. He only played in seven spring training exhibition games and may need more than a tune up before returning to major league action. RHP Bryce Miller was also placed on the IL with an oblique strain — an injury he’s been battling back from for over four weeks now.
New York Mets veteran outfielder Mike Tauchman tore his meniscus, paving the way for rookie Carson Benge to make the Opening Day roster. He’s targeting a midsummer return. LHP A.J. Minter, recovering from left lat surgery, is reportedly “a month” behind the rest of the pitchers and will continue rehabbing in Port St. Lucie before going on a rehab assignment.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar was placed on the 60-day IL after undergoing surgery on both heels. There is no clear timetable in place for his return.
Milwaukee Brewers star outfielder Jackson Chourio hit the IL mere hours before the Opening Day roster was finalized with a left-hand fracture. Chourio will reportedly miss the first 2-4 weeks of the season, at minimum.
The Cincinnati Reds are missing two key starting pitchers on their Opening Day roster — LHP Nick Lodolo (blister) and RHP Hunter Greene (elbow). Greene, 26, underwent MRI testing in early March and ended up having bone chips removed from his right elbow. He’s projected to make a return to the mound in July at the earliest. Lodolo, on the other hand, suffered a far more recent injury, exiting his final spring training outing after just ten pitches with a blister on his index finger. Oddly enough, Reds RHP Brady Singer also dealt with a blister issue earlier in March. Reds skipper Terry Francona told reporters that the blister was taken care of. Later in the week, it was announced that Lodolo would hit the IL.
Arizona Diamondbacks‘ RHP Corbin Burnes is progressing well. Nearly ten days ago, Burnes threw his first short-box bullpen session. He told reporters afterwards that he felt good and that he’ll pretty much be throwing 1-2 bullpens per week for the next month at around 85%. Burnes hopes to face hitters in 3-4 weeks and make his return to the mound at some point in 2026.
San Francisco Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong opted to undergo Tommy John surgery and is out indefinitely. The 24-year-old weighed all options after an MRI revealed a Grade 2 forearm strain and UCL sprain. Rehab was not an option after seeking a second option from Dr. Keith Meister. Birdsong felt a pop after attempting to throw a curveball in a spring training exhibition game against the Cleveland Guardians on March 10. Hoping for a smooth and successful recovery!
Recent Transactions
The Blue Jays elected to cut RHP Angel Bastardo from their 26-man roster. As a result, the former Rule 5 Draft selection will be placed on waivers. If nobody selects him to their active roster, he’ll be offered back to the Boston Red Sox or the two teams can work out a trade. I posted a breakdown on Bastardo — why he’s an intriguing pitching prospect and some potential tweaks I’d like to see the Red Sox (or any team) work through with him in 2026. You can read that here.
The Giants designated outfielder Luis Matos for assignment (DFA’d). Matos, 24, has slashed just .231/.281/.369 with an 80 wRC+ through three career MLB seasons. He’s hit lefties better than righties over that span, though he produced reverse splits last season, so maybe a team is willing to bet on the former top prospect’s upside.
The Angels signed LHP Joey Lucchesi, who posted a 3.76 ERA/3.53 FIP through 38.1 innings with the Giants last year. He may not strike many batters out (19%), but he was able to limit walks well (7%) in a relief role last season. The Angels simply need guys to eat innings, especially with a handful of notables hitting the IL before Opening Day.
24-year-old Leo Jiménez was DFA’d by the Blue Jays. The infielder slashed .296/.404/.370 between Low-A and Triple-A last season, but was downright awful (-19 wRC+) in his short stint in the majors.
The Mets DFA’d infielder Vidal Bruján, a 28-year-old former top prospect out of the Rays organization. He slashed .253/.305/.310 with a 75 wRC+ for three teams last season with mediocre infield defense. I would not be surprised if a few teams take a flier.
Misc. Notes
White Sox RHP Jedixson Paez made the Opening Day roster. What’s so fascinating? The 2025 Rule 5 Draft pick, just 22 years old, has never pitched above the High-A level. Last season in the Red Sox organization, Paez only tossed 19.1 innings with Greenville before battling through injury, amassing a 2.79 ERA/4.32 FIP. The young right-hander won’t overpower hitters, but he’s an elite strike-thrower that lives in the zone early and often (40% zone rate ranks in the 98th percentile among qualified arms during spring training) that will a solid amount of swing-and-miss while inducing weak contact. I’m definitely going to be watching this development closely.
UPDATE: Breaking news from Milwaukee this afternoon — the Brewers have reportedly called up catching prospect Jeferson Quero ahead of the rest of their opening series against the Chicago White Sox, per Adam McCalvy.
Quero, 23, is Milwaukee’s No. 8 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The Venezuelan product slashed .271/.361/.478 with a 121 wRC+ while posting nearly even walk (11%) and K (14%) rates throughout the 2025 minor league season. His ability to make contact (23% whiff, 87% zCon rates in AAA last season) paired with solid QoC (.345 xwOBA, 109.5 max EV) and premium defense behind the dish is what makes him such an intriguing prospect. Quero made his 2026 debut in Triple-A yesterday, going 0-for-2 with a walk and HBP. Once the corresponding move is announced, likely Andrew Vaughn (hand) hitting the IL, Quero will be in line to make his major league debut. Congratulations!
