Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (finger) will be evaluated in a couple of weeks and will then likely start a range-of-motion and strengthening program before progressing to hitting, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow expects Anthony to be ready for spring training in 2027. The 22-year-old is working his way back from a torn finger ligament that limited him to 55 games in his second big-league season. In those 55 games (242 plate appearances), the left-handed-hitting outfielder batted .245 (52-for-212) with five home runs, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two steals after he hit .292 with eight homers, 32 RBI, and four stolen bases in 71 games in his first year in the big leagues in 2025. Anthony still has a lot of fantasy upside as a power/speed threat, but he has quickly developed an injury-prone label going into 2027 after also missing the tail end of 2025 due to an injury. With the possibility of surgery down the road on his finger if it does not heal properly, Anthony will be a risk/reward fantasy outfielder in spring drafts.

New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried (elbow) had a bone spur removed from his left elbow but should be ready for spring training next year, general manager Brian Cashman told Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. The 32-year-old veteran is expected to begin his throwing program in December, per Cashman. Fried had two separate stints on the injured list in 2026 for a left-elbow bone bruise, but when he was healthy, the three-time All-Star continued to be a fantasy ace, going 5-5 with a 2.80 ERA across 112 2/3 innings pitched. He is in the second year of his eight-year, $218 million contract that he signed with the Yankees as a free agent. The former seventh overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2012 won a league-high 19 games and had a strong 2.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 189:51 K:BB in 195 1/3 innings across 32 starts in his first season in pinstripes in 2025, so in comparison, he was a disappointment overall for fantasy managers in 2026. As long as Fried does not have any setbacks with his elbow this offseason, he will be a high-end fantasy starting pitcher target in spring drafts.

Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart was named the National League Jackie Robinson 2026 Rookie of the Year, according to Major League Baseball. The 22-year-old Stewart immediately brought a power presence to Cincy's lineup, hitting 32 home runs and driving in 112 runs while putting together the first season with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBI for a Reds rookie. Overall, the former 32nd overall pick in 2022 hit .263/.330/.457 with a .787 OPS, 87 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 623 at-bats in 2026. Stewart became just the fifth rookie to record at least 100 RBI and 15 stolen bases, joining Carlos Beltran (1999), Jose Canseco (1986), Tony Lazzeri (1926), and Al Simmons (1924). Perhaps the most impressive thing about Stewart's first full season in the big leagues was that he played in all 162 regular-season games. He played in 18 games in 2025 and hit .255 (14-for-55) with five home runs and eight RBI in 58 plate appearances. Stewart's impressive 2026 campaign earned him 20 of 30 first-place votes for the NL.

Major League Baseball announced that Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle was named the 2026 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year. McGonigle had an impressive first year in the big leagues, receiving 28 of 30 first-place votes after hitting .278/.376/.430 with an .806 OPS, 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 97 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 605 at-bats in 156 total games played in 2026. The 22-year-old's consistency on offense and defense was extremely impressive for a player who was just three years removed from high school. He led the AL with 7.1 wins above replacement and finished fifth in the league in walks and hits. McGonigle became the first rookie to finish within the top five in both categories since Ted Williams in 1939. He split time between shortstop and third base and signed an eight-year, $150 million extension midway through his first month in the majors. McGonigle's 97 runs scored led all rookies, and his 168 hits were tied with Mets outfielder Carson Benge for the lead among rookies.