St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Matthew Liberatore has streaming appeal in fantasy baseball on Thursday. Liberatore was named the Cardinals' Opening Day starter and will get the ball against the Tampa Bay Rays. Beyond the fact that he's starting Game 1 and had an impressive 1.80 ERA with 11.4 K/9 this spring, the southpaw is a particularly appealing streaming candidate because of his matchup against Tampa Bay. The Rays' lineup projects for the sixth-lowest fWAR in 2026, according to FanGraphs, and it's laden with plenty of lefties, giving Liberatore a potential handedness advantage. Fantasy managers should consider streaming the 26-year-old on Opening Day as he faces off against the team that originally drafted him.

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New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge is batting eighth and playing right field as he makes his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Opening Day. Benge, the Mets' first-round pick in 2024, ascended from High-A to Triple-A last year, and now, he's opening the 2026 season in the majors. He earned the start after slashing .366/.435/.439 with two extra-base hits and five RBI in spring training. Extra-base hits are Benge's specialty, as he contributed 25 doubles, seven triples, and 15 homers across just 116 games in the minors last year. We'd expect him to continue demonstrating his ability to find gaps and gain extra bases with his speed as he makes his MLB debut. Assuming he holds onto his starting role, he should prove to be a great early-season waiver wire addition across fantasy baseball.

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Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich is expected to handle more appearances in the outfield as the 2026 season gets underway. After the team placed Jackson Chourio (hand) on the 10-day injured list, manager Pat Murphy said, "[Yelich] wants to play the outfield, and I think he will." This was widely expected as soon as Chourio landed on the IL. After all, Yelich was an everyday outfielder until 2024, when he logged more games at designated hitter following Chourio's debut. Presumably, Yelich will spend more time in left field, penciling Sal Frelick into right field while Garrett Mitchell and Brandon Lockridge platoon in center. We'll have to wait and see whether the increased defensive reps impact Yelich's performance at the plate. He's coming off a solid season in which he slashed .264/.343/.452 with 29 home runs -- his highest home run total since 2019. He also contributed 121 wRC+, ranking above league-average for the 13th year in a row.

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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (hand) is officially in the starting lineup for Thursday's Opening Day contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He'll bat leadoff and play shortstop. There had been some speculation that Lindor might not be ready for the season opener after suffering a stress reaction in his hamate bone at the start of spring training. However, his recovery went well, and he even logged 19 at-bats across five games in spring training, showing that he was healthy enough to be in the lineup. As the season gets underway, Lindor will immediately face a tough opponent as the Pirates send Paul Skenes to the mound. All-time, Lindor is 2-for-6 against Skenes with a pair of singles.

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio (hand) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left hand, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. He is expected to miss two to four weeks. This is crushing news for the Brewers, just hours before their Opening Day contest against the Chicago White Sox. Chourio was terrific in his second MLB season last year, slashing .270/.308/.463 with 21 home runs, 21 walks, and 111 wRC+. He has put together a 20-20 campaign in each of his first two years at the major league level, but a delayed start to the 2026 season could threaten that streak. It's bad news for fantasy managers, too, as they'll have to quickly pivot and find a replacement for the 22-year-old, who ranked #9 among outfielders in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings and had an ADP of 21. Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that he expects Christian Yelich, who logged 130 games at designated hitter last year, to play the outfield in Chourio's absence.

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The San Diego Padres announced on Wednesday that they have placed right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) on the restricted list. Darvish will miss the entire 2026 season after having UCL surgery on his right elbow last November. While he ponders whether he'll try to continue his playing career in 2027, putting him on the restricted list will allow the Padres to free up significant payroll for this year. The 39-year-old native of Japan is nearing the end of his illustrious major-league career, which began in 2012 with the Texas Rangers. Darvish is a five-time All-Star with 2,075 career strikeouts in 13 seasons with four different teams. Since the start of the 2024 season, though, he has only made 31 total starts for the Friars, going 12-8 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, 146 strikeouts, and 41 walks in 153 2/3 innings. Even if Darvish decides to return for his age-40 season in 2027, he'll be hard to trust in fantasy baseball after major elbow surgery. We wouldn't recommend stashing Darvish in dynasty/keeper leagues.

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Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) will start a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, according to Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com. Holliday was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday after having surgery on Feb. 12 to remove the fractured hamate bone from his right hand, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he's expected to make his 2026 season debut around mid-April. Because of his hand injury, the 22-year-old was unable to play at all in any Grapefruit League games in spring training. The former first overall pick in 2022 looked overmatched in his first 60 games in the majors in 2024, but he bounced back in 2025 with a .242/.314/.375 slash line, .690 OPS, 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 70 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 149 games. If he avoids any more injuries this year, Holliday's upside as a rising young second baseman is evident. We wouldn't be surprised if he puts up his first 20-20 season despite a delayed start to the regular season.

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The Toronto Blue Jays officially placed right-hander Jose Berrios (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) on Wednesday with a right-elbow stress fracture, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Berrios hasn't been ruled out for the 2026 season, but it could be a while before we see him make his season debut for the Jays, and when he does, don't be surprised if it's in a long-relief role out of the bullpen. The 31-year-old veteran loses most of his fantasy relevance in redraft leagues due to his elbow injury after regressing in his 10th year in the big leagues in 2025 in his fourth year in Toronto. Berrios went 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 56 walks in 166 innings over his 31 appearances (30 starts) last year. His declining profile now includes a pretty serious injury to go along with control issues and struggles with home runs. The veteran Puerto Rican's heavy workloads over the year appear to finally be catching up with him.

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The Toronto Blue Jays placed right-handed pitching prospect Trey Yesavage (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) on Wednesday with a right-shoulder impingement, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. The Blue Jays are being extremely careful with Yesavage's workload after he joined the big-league roster late in the regular season and pitched into the World Series for the team last fall. It's not a serious injury, and the 22-year-old was able to pitch on the back fields at spring training on Wednesday. It's unclear when exactly Toronto will allow him to make his 2026 season debut, but it should be at some point in April. Left-hander Eric Lauer is the biggest beneficiary for the Jays with Yesavage, Jose Berrios (elbow), and Shane Bieber (elbow) all starting on the IL. Yesavage was a top-25 MLB prospect at the conclusion of last regular season, and then he proceeded to display his upside by striking out 12 against the Dodgers in the World Series. The former 24th overall pick creates deception with his delivery and features a three-pitch mix. Lack of control is probably the biggest knock on Yesavage. He'll have workload limitations early on, but long-term, he's one of the highest-upside young starting arms in baseball.

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The Toronto Blue Jays placed right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) on Wednesday with right-elbow inflammation, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. Bieber was looking like a potential value pick in 2026 fantasy drafts this spring at the end of last year, but he reportedly dealt with right-forearm fatigue last year, so the Blue Jays are playing it safe with the veteran 30-year-old. Bieber has yet to throw off a mound this spring, so he has a ways to go and might not be able to make his 2026 season debut until May. He didn't debut last year until late August after recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings over seven regular-season starts after his return. Most promising was the fact that Bieber's velocity was up. He gave up a lot of hard contact, though, and more injury concerns going into this season make him a more volatile fantasy stash for rotation depth.

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The Boston Red Sox released veteran infielder Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) on Wednesday, according to Brendan Campbell of BloggingTheRedSox.com. Rodgers was in camp as a non-roster invite in spring training before suffering a right-shoulder injury earlier this month that required season-ending surgery. The 29-year-old will now rehab for all of the 2026 campaign and hope he can latch on with another team on a likely minor-league deal going into spring training of next year. The former third overall pick by the Colorado Rockies in 2015 only appeared in 43 major-league games with the Boston Red Sox in 2025, going 22-for-115 (.191) with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 12 runs scored in 128 plate appearances. Rodgers' best season came in 2021 in Colorado, when he slashed .284/.328/.470 with 15 home runs, 51 RBI, and 49 runs scored in 102 games played. Injuries have derailed his career and left him off the fantasy radar in all formats, including dynasty/keeper leagues.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (hip) saw a doctor on Wednesday about his right-hip inflammation and is "in a really good spot," according to Ryan Bass. Pepiot will rest for a few days and should resume throwing this weekend. He is starting the season on the 15-day injured list and won't be with the team for their first road trip, but the expectation is that he'll rejoin the starting rotation during the first homestand, which starts on Monday, April 6, against the Chicago Cubs. Pepiot's injury has opened the door for right-hander Joe Boyle to join the team's Opening Day rotation. In his second year with the Rays in 2025, Pepiot went 11-12 with a career-high 3.86 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 167:61 K:BB in 167 2/3 innings over a career-high 31 starts. Pepiot mostly relies on his fastball/changeup mix to fool hitters and has a 25.3% strikeout rate in his four MLB seasons. Fantasy managers should consider him a decent No. 4/5 hurler who could benefit from the move back to Tropicana Field.

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New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice is hitting cleanup on Opening night on Wednesday at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Logan Webb, according to MLB.com. Rice is entrusted in the middle of New York's potent lineup after breaking out in 2025 to the tune of a .255/.337/.499 slash line, .836 OPS, 26 home runs, 65 RBI, and 74 runs scored in 530 plate appearances over 138 regular-season games. He has only faced Webb three times in his career and has one hit and an RBI. Not only does Rice have 30-homer potential at Yankee Stadium from the left side of the plate, but he also has catcher eligibility for fantasy managers. In 16 Grapefruit League games in spring training, Rice went 11-for-46 (.239) with two home runs, five RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base. He's as good a DFS selection on Opening night in San Fran as any Yankees hitter.

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos is starting in left field and batting sixth for the Giants on Opening night at Oracle Park on Wednesday against the visiting New York Yankees and left-hander Max Fried, according to MLB.com. It's a tough matchup, and many DFS managers won't feel comfortable pulling the trigger on Ramos in the first game of the regular season, especially since he's hitless in eight career at-bats against Fried. On a random note, Ramos becomes the first Giants left fielder to make back-to-back Opening Day starts since Barry Bonds in 2007. The 26-year-old former first-rounder in 2017 has back-to-back 20-homer seasons for the Giants as well, and he also cut his strikeout rate considerably in 2025. But with Luis Arraez now in town and hitting leadoff, Ramos' counting stats could take a big hit while residing further down the Giants' batting order. Ramos might have already reached his fantasy ceiling, especially at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnacion is not in the team's starting lineup on Opening Day on Wednesday evening at Oracle Park against the visiting New York Yankees and left-hander Max Fried, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Rafael Devers is serving as the Giants' designated hitter, with infielder Casey Schmitt making the start at first base. The 28-year-old Encarnacion could find playing time difficult to come by again in 2026 after playing in just 19 games in 2025 and slashing .200/.214/.364 with two home runs, seven RBI, and five runs scored in just 56 plate appearances. He dealt with hamstring, hand, and oblique injuries. Encarnacion makes very loud contact when he impacts the baseball, but he struggles to make consistent contact and has a history of injuries. He's out of minor-league options and will have to produce when he's given the opportunities in 2026 if he wants to stick around in the Giants' organization. Encarnacion has hit just .216 with 10 homers and 40 RBI in his 77 big-league games over three seasons with the Giants and Marlins.

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The Atlanta Braves placed catcher Sean Murphy (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with right-hip labrum repair, according to MLB.com. Murphy was always expected to begin the 2026 regular season on the shelf, and now it's official. He underwent surgery on his right hip in September of last year and isn't expected to be ready to make his season debut this year until sometime in May. It obviously makes Murphy much less attractive in fantasy baseball, especially with Drake Baldwin and Jonah Heim totally capable of handling the catching duties in Atlanta. The 31-year-old veteran backstop was able to take on-field batting practice on March 9, but he still has plenty of boxes to check in his rehab, including defensive work and running. Murphy was a first-time All-Star in his first year in Atlanta in 2023, but he has played in a combined 166 games the last two years while hitting just .197/.293/.384 with a .676 OPS in 601 plate appearances. When healthy, a lesser role could be coming for Murphy between catcher and designated hitter, and there's no guarantee the pop returns after having hip surgery.

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The Seattle Mariners placed shortstop J.P. Crawford (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with right-shoulder inflammation, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Crawford received a cortisone injection last week for a shoulder injury that he's dealt with since the start of spring training in February. He managed to play in seven Cactus League games, though, going 2-for-16 (.125) with three RBI and a stolen base. The good news for the M's is that they could have their starting shortstop back when he's eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday, April 1. Until then, Leo Rivas will have added value in AL-only leagues as middle-infield depth as the starter at the 6 for Seattle. Crawford's injury isn't serious, but it's another knock on the former first-rounder and his limited fantasy upside. He had double-digit home runs (12) for just the second time in his nine-year MLB career in 2025, and he's never had double-digit stolen bases in 930 career games.

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The Seattle Mariners placed right-hander Bryce Miller (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a left-oblique strain, according to MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. Miller only made one appearance during spring training after injuring his oblique late last month. The good news, though, is that the 27-year-old hasn't had any setbacks after throwing a couple of bullpen sessions in camp. Miller still needs a couple of weeks to build his arm back up, but barring a setback, he figures to rejoin Seattle's starting rotation before the end of April. In the meantime, Emerson Hancock will take Miller's spot in the team's rotation. The former fourth-round pick of the Mariners in 2021 out of Texas A&M went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 171:45 K:BB in 31 starts in his second big-league season before dealing with injuries and posting a 5.68 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in just 18 starts in 2025 due to injuries. Miller is pitching with a bone spur in his right elbow as well, making him more of a risk in 2026, but he's still a worthwhile IL stash for his upside in mixed fantasy leagues.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. This means the left-handed hitter will be out until at least late May as he recovers from offseason surgery to both of his heels. The team was hoping to avoid a 60-day IL stint, but instead, Nathan Church, Thomas Saggese, and Jose Fermin will compete for playing time in left field to begin the year. When Nootbaar returns, he does offer some pop after having reached at least 12 home runs the last four seasons, along with a solid OBP thanks to a strong walk rate, but you may be able to find higher-upside options on the waiver wire even when he's back in the lineup.

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Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. The left-handed slugger is working his way back from a broken hamate bone that he suffered back in February and has been making steady progress, even taking live batting practice last week. A minimal stay on the IL appears to be in order, so expect an announcement of a rehab assignment soon, which would likely take place at Triple-A Norfolk. The former first overall draft pick debuted in 2024 and showed signs of improvement in 2025, dropping his K% from 33.2 percent to 21.6 percent as his contact rate went from 70.3 percent to 78.7 percent, resulting in a wRC+ that went from 62 to 96. If the 22-year-old can continue to improve, he could be on the verge of a very fantasy-friendly third season in the big leagues.

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