Detroit Tigers infield prospect Kevin McGonigle will start at shortstop in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reports that McGonigle "has taken reps mostly at shortstop" in camp, and it's clear that the Tigers still view him as a long-term shortstop. Nobody in the Tigers organization has done anything to shut the idea of McGonigle making the Opening Day roster down. "His actions at shortstop look smoother than they did a year ago at this time," writes Stavenhagen. The 21-year-old is still stating his case for a shot to open the 2026 season in the big leagues. The consensus No. 2 prospect in the sport is the purist minor-league hitter, while his power and speed are still developing. McGonigle figures to be in the big leagues sooner than later as Detroit's starting shortstop and potential No. 2 hitter.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter continues to draw rave reviews in spring training, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. "He looks great. I caught his bullpen yesterday. Shoot, I want to say it was 98, 99. It's just easy. It doesn't look like he's throwing max effort. It's still coming out that firm. He is kind of like Wheeler. His stuff is so elite, and he's still able to throw the ball on the edges (command)," catcher J.T. Realmuto said. Manager Rob Thomson said on Wednesday that Painter's command appears to be back after he struggled a bit to throw strikes in 2025 in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The 22-year-old former top prospect should be rising up draft boards this spring and has a real shot to crack the team's Opening Day rotation with Zack Wheeler (shoulder) injured. RotoBaller has Painter ranked as the No. 97 fantasy starting pitcher, but he has the stuff to break out in his first MLB season while being another year removed from elbow surgery.

New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler (back) came away from his bullpen session on Tuesday "feeling good," according to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network. Schlitter had no issues with his back. He will throw another bullpen session and then likely start facing live hitters in camp. The 25-year-old is recovering from a minor middle-back issue and still has time to get ready for Opening Day in late March. If healthy by then, Schlittler is expected to be part of the season-opening starting rotation in the Bronx with some of their other regulars injured. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder and former seventh-round pick in 2022 out of Northeastern University was very impressive in his first 14 MLB starts in 2025, going 4-3 with a 2.96 ERA (3.74 FIP) and 1.22 WHIP with 84 K's and 31 walks in 73 frames. Even with some regression likely coming in Year 2, Schlittler is a fine SP4 investment in redraft fantasy leagues.

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (oblique) is currently unable to participate in baseball activities in camp, manager Craig Albernaz told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. The skipper also declined to say whether it's Westburg's elbow or oblique. "I just want to make sure that we're doing our due diligence and make sure Jordan is in the best chance to play this year," Albernaz said. The 27-year-old came to spring training with a strained right oblique, but it's unclear if something else is bothering him as well. With no timetable to return to the field, his availability for Opening Day is in question. If Westburg is forced to open the 2026 season on the injured list, both Coby Mayo and Blaze Alexander would be options to take over at the hot corner in Baltimore. Injuries continue to be an issue for Westburg, but he makes enough contact and has enough power to be a worthwhile depth option at third base in deep-mixed fantasy leagues when he's available.