Cleveland Guardians outfielder Chase DeLauter (lower body) was scratched from the lineup for his team's Spring Training game on Wednesday due to lower body soreness, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The 25-year-old DeLauter is considered one of the best prospects in the Guardians' system and is expected to compete for a starting role in the team's outfield during Spring Training. DeLauter saw his first taste of big-league action in the 2025 postseason, recording one hit in seven plate appearances against the Detroit Tigers. While it does not appear as though DeLauter has suffered a specific injury, any potential health questions for him should cause fantasy managers to raise their eyebrows. DeLauter has never logged more than 242 plate appearances across three Minor League seasons. He's fractured his left foot twice and missed time in 2025 due to both core muscle surgery and a right hamate bone fracture. If he's slowed down in Spring Training by injury, DeLauter's chances of making Cleveland's Opening Day roster could be in jeopardy.

Across 544 plate appearances split between the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres in 2025, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn posted a .281/.366/.437 slash line with 17 home runs, 63 RBI, 67 runs scored, and three stolen bases. O'Hearn's solid season landed him a two-year deal with the Pirates, where he could lock down an everyday spot in the middle of an improved batting order. The lefty-swinging O'Hearn owns a career .642 OPS against same-handed pitching, which has largely limited him to a platoon role for most of his career. However, the 32-year-old made significant strides against southpaws in 2025, hitting .278/.358/.474 in 109 plate appearances. The Pirates reportedly plan to play him primarily in right field this season, but O'Hearn's ability to work in at multiple positions gives him a few avenues to regular playing time. O'Hearn's fantasy production may not jump off the page in any one area, but as a steady compiler who could see a career high in plate appearances in 2026, he has value in deep leagues.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober had a season to forget in 2025. Across 146 1/3 innings (27 starts), the 30-year-old posted a 6-9 record with a 5.10 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts. Ober's strikeout rate plummeted from 26.9% in 2024 to 19.2% in 2025, and he allowed a whopping 1.85 HR/9. On the plus side, Ober's control continues to be a major asset. He allowed just a 5% walk rate in 2025 and owns a career walk rate of 5.3%. If Ober can push back up closer to his 24% career strikeout rate in 2026, he could be in line for a bounce-back season. Coming into 2025, Ober had posted two straight 140-plus inning seasons with a WHIP of 1.07 or lower, so he has the potential to be a real asset in the category for fantasy managers. Ober should also hold a secure spot in the Minnesota rotation, particularly after the Twins lost starter Pablo Lopez (elbow) to Tommy John surgery earlier this month. With a current average draft position of pick 296, Ober may end up being a value selection for fantasy managers in 2026.

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (shoulder) is dealing with a minor shoulder issue that has kept him from playing in a Cactus League game early in spring training, manager Dan Wilson told Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Kramer writes that the Mariners' concern level "appears low," and Crawford dealt with something similar last spring. The 31-year-old veteran is expected to make his spring debut at some point next week, so this isn't an injury that should affect his availability for the start of the 2026 regular season. Crawford's injury will open up more opportunities early on for top prospect Colt Emerson, who is battling for a spot on the team's Opening Day roster. Although Crawford didn't really stand out in any one area, he bounced back in 2025 to slash .265/.352/.370 with a .722 OPS, 12 home runs, 58 RBI, 69 runs scored, and a career-high eight steals in 157 regular-season games. Plate discipline is Crawford's strength, but his lack of power and speed makes him mostly middle-infield depth in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.