When asked if he expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to be in the team's Opening Day starting rotation as a pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said, "I do." Ohtani will not pitch at all for Team Japan during the upcoming World Baseball Classic, so he probably will be on a strict innings limit to begin the 2026 season, but he'll be in the Dodgers' rotation. The 31-year-old four-time MVP and five-time All-Star didn't make his season debut on the mound for L.A. until mid-June after recovering from Tommy John surgery he had in September of 2023, and he was slowly eased into the rotation. Ohtani made 14 starts (47 innings) during the regular season and had a 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 62:9 K:BB. The leash was lengthened in the postseason, as he made four starts and threw 20 1/3 frames, striking out 28 and walking seven. Fantasy managers should anticipate a limited workload early on, but the expectation is that he'll be a full two-way player in 2026.

MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo writes that Boston Red Sox left-hander Jake Bennett has been an early camp standout for the team. The Red Sox want to keep him stretched out this spring, so he won't be a candidate to be in the Opening Day bullpen. "I don't foresee us, outside of strict necessity, wanting to shorten him up anytime soon," pitching coach Andrew Bailey said. The 25-year-old 6-foot-6, 234-pounder is getting an opportunity in big-league camp despite having not pitched above Double-A. Baseball America ranks Bennett as the sixth-best prospect in Boston's system and the fifth-best pitcher. He had Tommy John surgery after the 2023 season and missed all of 2024, but he bounced back nicely last year with a 2.27 ERA, 64 K's, and 19 walks in 75 1/3 innings. For now, Bennett is a name to watch. If he pitches well at Triple-A this year, he could be an option for Boston's rotation or bullpen later in 2026.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw another bullpen session in camp on Tuesday, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Cole had Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last March and missed all of the 2025 season, but the 35-year-old former Cy Young winner has been throwing since August and is making good progress. He will not be ready for the start of the 2026 season, but if he avoids any setbacks in his rehab, Cole could be ready to make his season debut in late May or early June. He could even pitch in some Grapefruit League games before the end of spring training. The six-time All-Star shouldn't be expected to return to pre-injury form immediately, and the Yankees will most likely ease him back into the rotation. The former ace should be stashed in all fantasy leagues, but he'll be a wild card since he's thrown only 95 innings since the start of 2024.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (elbow) has been diagnosed with a torn UCL, and "surgery is very much on the table," according to general manager Jeremy Zoll. If surgery is needed, Lopez would miss the entire season, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Lopez is seeking a second opinion, but in all likelihood, he's going to need Tommy John surgery or an internal-brace procedure and miss all of 2026. It's a big blow to an already thin Twins starting rotation. Lopez also dealt with shoulder and forearm injuries last year and threw just 75 2/3 innings. The Venezuelan hurler was solid when he was on the mound for Minnesota, though, recording a career-best 2.74 ERA (3.19 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 20 walks in his 14 starts. Even though surgery isn't official yet, fantasy managers will want to avoid Lopez in drafts this week.