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Player News
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Upgraded to Available
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Myron Gardner Makes Second Career Start
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Julian Phillips is Sitting Out on Tuesday
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Kevin Porter Jr. Could Return Wednesday
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Bobby Portis Ruled Out Tuesday
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Tre Jones is Available, but Unlikely to Play
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Upgraded to Available
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (finger) has been upgraded to available to play ahead of Tuesday's game against the Orlando Magic. He was listed as questionable coming into this game due to a sprained right index finger. It doesn't appear to be serious enough to keep Gilgeous-Alexander off the court. There is a concern that the finger issue could affect his shooting ability. Despite that, Gilgeous-Alexander needs to be started in all fantasy formats, even with a banged-up finger. Fantasy managers should get him active in their lineups ahead of tip-off. -
Myron Gardner Makes Second Career Start
Miami Heat small forward Myron Gardner will fill in for Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Atlanta Hawks, making his second career start. Gardner's first start occurred a couple of games back, and he performed well in a clash with the Chicago Bulls. Across 23 minutes of action, the 24-year-old rookie notched 12 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals. Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, Simone Fontecchio, and Bam Adebayo will also start for the Heat. These teams play at the highest pace in the NBA, creating a perfect environment for big fantasy lines. -
Julian Phillips is Sitting Out on Tuesday
Chicago Bulls forward Julian Phillips (wrist) is ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Phillips made his return from a two-game absence on Friday, but is still dealing with this lingering wrist issue. The team will take the cautious approach and hold him out of Tuesday's contest. His absence shouldn't have a huge impact on the rotation, given he's only averaging 9.6 minutes per game. Dalen Terry and Isaac Okoro figure to see more run with Phillips sidelined for this game. -
Kevin Porter Jr. Could Return Wednesday
Milwaukee Bucks point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (oblique) could return to action on Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans, The Athletic's Eric Nehm reports. He will miss a sixth straight game on Tuesday against the Chicago Bulls. However, Bucks head coach Doc Rivers sounded optimistic about Porter Jr.'s chances to play this week. If he can't make it back on Wednesday, he will have a good chance to play in Friday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) out of the lineup and potentially out of town soon, Porter Jr.'s fantasy stock could explode. In games without Antetokounmpo, Porter Jr. has averaged 20.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 8.4 assists this season. -
Bobby Portis Ruled Out Tuesday
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (hip) won't suit up against the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. The 30-year-old veteran is dealing with a right hip contusion and his next chance to play is Wednesday against the Pelicans. With Portis of action for tonight's contest, Gary Trent and Pete Nance could see more frontcourt minutes than usual, but neither player brings much to the table fantasy-wise. -
Tre Jones is Available, but Unlikely to Play
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (hamstring) is available ahead of Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. According to K.C. Johnson, Jones will dress, but he's unlikely to play during Tuesday's contest. He has been sidelined since late January due to a lingering hamstring issue. The Bulls are extremely shorthanded at the guard spot, but it sounds like they don't want to use Jones if they don't have to . That means Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are likely going to see heavy minutes, with Jones unlikely to dress for this game. -
Austin Reaves Active Tuesday, Will Come Off the Bench
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (calf) will make his long-awaited comeback on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. After being listed as questionable for a couple of games, Reaves is finally ready to return from a calf injury he sustained on Christmas Day. Reaves will be under a minute restriction on Tuesday and won't start. Still, it's great to see him back in action, and it shouldn't take long for Reaves to get back up to speed. His return will affect the playing time of Marcus Smart and Gabe Vincent. -
Jalen Smith is Available on Tuesday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Tuesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Smith will make his return to the court after missing each of the last two games due to a calf injury. His return to the court comes at a good time, with the Bulls trading Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics earlier in the day. He's expected to step into a bigger role with Vucevic no longer on the roster. Over his last five games, Smith is averaging 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. He should be a popular waiver wire addition with an increased role coming his way. -
Brandon Williams Unavailable on Tuesday
According to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Mavericks' official site, guard Brandon Williams (lower leg) won't suit up against the Celtics on Tuesday due to a right-leg contusion. He sustained the injury during Saturday's 111-107 loss to Houston. His next chance to play is on Thursday against San Antonio. The Mavs frontcourt will have to rely on Ryan Nembhard and Jaden Hardy to take on extra minutes while Williams is absent. -
Micah Potter is Ruled Out on Tuesday
Indiana Pacers center Micah Potter (hip) is ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Utah Jazz. Potter will miss the second game of the back-to-back set due to a left hip contusion. His next chance to play will be on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. This season, Potter is averaging 6.7 points, 1.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game. There isn't a ton of playing time to go around, considering he was only averaging minutes in the teens. The assumption is that Jay Huff and Jarace Walker will see more action and have slightly increased fantasy value. -
Scoot Henderson Won't Suit Up on Tuesday
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (hamstring) is ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns. There was a chance that Henderson was going to make his season debut here. The Blazers have officially ruled him out, so fantasy managers will need to wait at least one more game. Henderson is currently working his way back from a torn hamstring that has kept him sidelined all season. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Friday for another update on his status. Caleb Love figures to lose streaming appeal once Henderson is back in the mix. For now, Love is worth looking at as a possible streaming choice for Tuesday's slate. -
D'Angelo Russell Won't Play Tuesday
Dallas Mavericks guard D'Angelo Russell (illness) won't be available for Tuesday's clash against the Boston Celtics. The veteran is dealing with an illness and has been ruled out after carrying a doubtful tag on the initial injury report. Russell's absence won't affect the Mavericks, as head coach Jason Kidd has used him in only one game since the turn of the year. He appears to have no future in Dallas, despite a reasonably good start to the season. Russell has averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 assists per game with the Mavericks. -
Dorian Finney-Smith is Ruled Out for Wednesday
Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. This is the first game of a back-to-back set, so Finney-Smith will sit out for rest purposes. This has been an ongoing theme since Finney-Smith returned from injury in late December. The assumption is that Finney-Smith will be back in the mix for Thursday's game. Jae'Sean Tate should see more playing time with Finney-Smith unavailable. Tate will likely only play minutes in the teens, so he's not an appealing streaming option. -
Julius Randle Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle (thumb) remains on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Wednesday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Due to a sore left thumb, Randle was also questionable for Monday's meeting with the Memphis Grizzlies, but he logged 40 minutes of action in the game. This bodes well for his chances of playing on Wednesday. However, Randle is a left-handed shooter, and the thumb issue appeared to affect his scoring ability on Monday, as the three-time All-Star shot only 5-for-14 from the field, including 1-for-6 from behind the arc. Despite his poor shooting, Randle almost pulled off a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. -
Stephon Castle Considered Questionable for Wednesday
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (adductor) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Castle may miss his second game in a row due to left adductor tightness. Across 39 games this season, the 21-year-old is averaging 16.6 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals across 31.1 minutes per contest. If Castle is on the shelf, Dylan Harper could be assigned extra playing time against OKC. Harper has collected 51 points in his last three appearances. -
Anthony Edwards Questionable to Face Raptors
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (elbow) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. Edwards has been dealing with a lingering foot issue and was questionable for Monday's action against Memphis due to back spasms. Now, he's on the injury report with a sore left elbow. Despite being banged up, Edwards has averaged 38.0 minutes a night across the last four games. If Edwards must take some time off to rest on Wednesday, Bones Hyland would become an attractive fantasy option. -
Caris LeVert Cleared to Play Tuesday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Caris LeVert (illness) will be active on Tuesday against the Denver Nuggets. The veteran is finally ready to return to action after an illness took him out for seven games. Coming off the bench, LeVert has averaged 7.9 points and 2.8 assists in 19.7 minutes with the Pistons this season. His addition to the rotation could take some minutes away from Ron Holland II and Daniss Jenkins. -
Kevin Durant Expected to Play on Wednesday Night
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) is listed as probable ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. He tweaked his ankle during the win over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday and wasn't available for Monday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Reed Sheppard got the start in that one, finishing with 11 points, five assists, two steals, and one block. With that in mind, if Durant is officially cleared for action, Sheppard's fantasy ceiling will decrease significantly. -
Andy Ibanez Designated for Assignment
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they designated infielder Andy Ibanez for assignment. In a corresponding move, the team claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the New York Yankees. Ibanez loses his spot on the 40-man roster after signing a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Dodgers last month. The 32-year-old veteran from Cuba played in 91 games for the Detroit Tigers last year and slashed .239/.301/.352 with a .653 OPS, four home runs, 21 RBI, 24 runs scored, and a career-high four stolen bases in 193 plate appearances. Ibanez is a career .254/.305/.389 hitter with a .694 OPS in five major-league seasons with the Tigers and Texas Rangers. He has very little power and speed, although his success against left-handed pitching in 2025 could make him attractive as a bench option off waivers. -
Kristaps Porzingis Now Out on Tuesday
Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) won't play on Tuesday versus Miami. The veteran hasn't played since the loss to the Pelicans on January 7 because of an Achilles issue. While he was upgraded to available, he'll now miss this one due to an illness. With Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) also out, Mouhamed Gueye, coming off a 15-point, four-rebound, three-steal, and one-block effort, is in line to start, significantly improving his fantasy outlook. -
Nick Foligno Set to Return Wednesday
Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno (undisclosed) is traveling with the team and is expected to play on Wednesday against his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. An undisclosed health issue has kept Foligno sidelined for two games. After being a regular 30-point scorer, Foligno is unlikely to even hit the 20-point mark in 2025-26. He has been limited to 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 32 outings. These days, his main assets are leadership and physicality, as Foligno averages 2.5 hits per game. Landon Slaggert will depart the lineup on Wednesday if Foligno is ready to play. -
Norman Powell Out Versus Hawks
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (personal) is unavailable for Tuesday's matchup with the Atlanta Hawks. Powell will miss his third game in a row due to a personal matter. The 32-year-old veteran guard's next chance to return to the floor is Friday against the Celtics. With Powell and Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) also out, Miami's offense will likely run through Pelle Larsson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Bam Adebayo during tonight's tilt. -
Christian Braun Back on Tuesday Night
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (ankle) will play on Tuesday versus Detroit. He's appeared in only three games since mid-November because of a sprained left ankle. It's unknown if the 24-year-old will start of come or the bench. Either way, Braun will presumably be limited. With that said, Jalen Pickett should still see fewer minutes and offensive opportunities after averaging 8.5 points in 17 starts throughout the 2025 campaign. -
Dante Fabbro Returns From Six-Game Absence
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Dante Fabbro (lower body) is on track to rejoin the lineup on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. He has missed six games due to a lower-body injury. Fabbro's return will push Egor Zemula out of the lineup. After impressing in Columbus last season, Fabbro's production has declined in 2025-26, making him redundant for fantasy teams. In 48 appearances, Fabbro has registered seven points (three goals, four assists), 48 shots, 81 blocks, 42 hits, and a team-worst minus-13 rating. -
Kevin Love Ruled Out Tuesday
Utah Jazz forward/center Kevin Love (illness) won't suit up against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday. Love was previously considered questionable, but he has since been downgraded to out due to an illness. The veteran big man has averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds across 17.5 minutes per game in 27 outings this season. With Love out of action, the Jazz frontcourt could turn to Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski to take on extended minutes. -
Kirill Marchenko Out Tuesday
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (illness) won't play against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. He missed Monday's practice due to illness and will need more time to recover. With Marchenko out, the Blue Jackets must manage without their top-scoring forward. The 25-year-old has tallied 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 50 games. Isac Lundestrom will move to the top line on Tuesday, while Kent Johnson is set to log time on the first power-play unit. Sean Monahan (illness), who left early on Saturday against the St. Louis Blues, is feeling better and is expected to play. -
Bryan Rust Returns to Penguins Lineup
Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Bryan Rust (suspension) will be back in action on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. The veteran has completed his three-game suspension and will return to his regular spot on the first line next to Sidney Crosby. Rutger McGroarty will come out of the lineup against the Islanders. Rust was a bit quiet in January, but he's had a good campaign overall. In 47 appearances, the 33-year-old has contributed 18 goals and 27 assists. While Crosby has always enjoyed the matchups with the Islanders, Rust hasn't picked up any points against them in 12 consecutive regular-season outings. -
Andrew Wiggins Sidelined on Tuesday
Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (hamstring) is unavailable for Tuesday's clash with the Atlanta Hawks. Wiggins was downgraded from questionable to out due to left hamstring tightness. Tonight's contest will be the first he's missed since Dec. 19. With Wiggins on the shelf and Norman Powell (personal) doubtful, fantasy managers could look to Jaime Jaquez Jr. as a reasonable streaming option this evening as he supplied 14 points, five rebounds and one assist across 19 minutes on Sunday against the Bulls. -
Jack Hughes Misses Second Straight Game
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (lower body) has been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is forced to miss a second straight game due to a lower-body injury. It's possible Hughes can return for Thursday's tilt against the New York Islanders. "His goal is to play on Thursday, and he's trying to do everything that he can to get to that point," Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "But it's really up to the medical team. They're not confident with where he's at, but we'll just see what [Wednesday] brings." In Hughes' absence, Cody Glass will be part of the top-six group on Tuesday. Glass has had a good spell recently, averaging a point per game over his last 10 outings. -
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Out for Olympics
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (lower body) will be unavailable for Team Finland at the 2026 Olympics, with Joonas Korpisalo of the Columbus Blue Jackets named as an injury replacement. Luukkonen will sit out his fourth consecutive game on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Colten Ellis is likely to start the contest after Alex Lyon beat the Florida Panthers 5-3 with 38 saves on Monday night. Lyon has won 11 of his 12 starts, giving Buffalo a red-hot option in the crease while Luukkonen is on the mend. -
Anthony Cirelli to Miss Olympics
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (lower body) won't play at the 2026 Olympics and has been replaced on Team Canada by Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body). Cirelli sustained a lower-body injury on Sunday against the Boston Bruins. With him out for the Olympics, Cirelli is also set to miss two Lightning games this week. Bennett was hurt in Monday's loss to the Buffalo Sabres but is expected to be healthy for the Olympic tournament. The Lightning will also be without Brayden Point (lower body) and Nicholas Paul (undisclosed) on Tuesday against Buffalo, which could give Yanni Gourde a spot in the top six. -
Keegan Murray Out at Least Two More Weeks
According to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) is progressing in his recovery from a moderate left ankle sprain. He has been cleared for on-court contact activities and will be reevaluated in two weeks. With the new timetable, it looks like the 25-year-old could return sometime after the mid-February All-Star break. Malik Monk will continue carrying a heavier workload while Murray is absent and until De'Andre Hunter is ready to make his Kings debut. -
Dodgers Claim Michael Siani Off Waivers From Yankees
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they claimed outfielder Michael Siani off waivers from the New York Yankees. The Dodgers designated infielder Andy Ibanez for assignment in a corresponding move. The Yankees claimed Siani off waivers from the Dodgers last month, but he'll be heading back to L.A. with a week until the start of spring training. The 26-year-old is a great defensive outfielder, but he doesn't bring much with his bat. Siani played in only 19 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last year and hit .228/.285/.285 with a .570 OPS, two home runs, 20 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 124 games in St. Louis in 2024. With minor-league options remaining, Siani will most likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City while providing organizational outfield depth for the Blue. -
Jordyn Adams Signs With Brewers
Free-agent outfielder Jordyn Adams signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, according to Chris Cotillo of Mass Live. Adams, the former 17th overall pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2018, made his major-league debut with the Halos in 2023 and hit .128 (5-for-39) in 17 games. He only appeared in five games for the Baltimore Orioles last year and was hitless in five at-bats with two strikeouts. The 26-year-old right-handed-hitting outfielder will now head to the Brewers, where he'll most likely serve as organizational outfield depth at Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2026 campaign. In seven minor-league seasons, Adams has slashed .247/.328/.377 with a .705 OPS, 52 home runs, 288 RBI, and 158 stolen bases in 651 games played. He is off the fantasy radar in all leagues. -
Deni Avdija Continues to Miss Time With Back Injury
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (back) will miss his second straight game Tuesday night while he continues to manage a back injury. This will also be his fourth contest on the sidelines in the last six games. Jerami Grant was in the starting lineup on Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Avdija and Jrue Holiday (personal) inactive, and could remain in the starting five against the Phoenix Suns. Avdija, recently named an All-Star for the first time in his career, will likely have a questionable tag on Friday when the Trail Blazers play next. -
Kyle Bradish Wins his Arbitration Case With Orioles
Right-hander Kyle Bradish won his salary arbitration hearing with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, a source told Jake Rill of MLB.com. Bradish will make $3.55 million during the 2026 season. The Orioles had submitted a figure of $2.875 million. In his return from Tommy John surgery last year, the 29-year-old went 1-1 with a 2.53 ERA (2.45 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 47 strikeouts and 10 walks in 32 innings pitched over just six starts in his fourth year in the big leagues. Although it was a small sample size, Bradish's 37.3% strikeout rate was extremely impressive. He also went five innings in four of his starts and struck out nine or more in three outings. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Bradish to be that dominant in 2026, but it's hard to argue with his results from the last three seasons (2.78 ERA and 268 K's in 240 innings). Bradish should be a low-end No. 2 target as a starting pitcher in fantasy in 2026. -
Carlos Santana Agrees With Diamondbacks
Free-agent first baseman Carlos Santana agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, a source told John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. The 39-year-old veteran switch-hitter will join his ninth team as he enters his 17th season in the big leagues. Santana split last season with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs and slashed a combined .219/.308/.325 with a career-low .633 OPS, 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 124 games and 474 plate appearances. Santana's ability to switch hit will give him an advantage in a platoon situation at first base, but he'll still likely be on the short side of a platoon with Pavin Smith at first in the desert in 2026. In his prime, Santana was an excellent source of on-base percentage due to his fantastic knowledge of the strike zone, but he's declined offensively in recent years and is likely in his final big-league season. -
Edwin Diaz to Pitch for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Los Angeles Dodgers star closer Edwin Diaz will pitch for Puerto Rico in this year's World Baseball Classic, three years after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the tournament, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a victory back in 2023 over the Dominican Republic. He signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers as a free agent this offseason and will enter 2026 as one of the top closers off the board in fantasy baseball drafts. Since 2018, Diaz has 201 saves, which is fourth-most in the majors. The 31-year-old veteran converted 28 of his 31 save chances and had a sharp 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings last year for the New York Mets. As one of the most dominant closers in the game with the back-to-back World Series-champion Dodgers, the sky is the limit for Diaz in 2026. -
Matt Ryan Not Committing to Michael Penix Jr. as the Starting QB
Atlanta Falcons president of football Matt Ryan was non-committal on Tuesday to Michael Penix Jr. (knee) being the team's starting quarterback in 2026, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Penix suffered a torn left ACL last November and is currently recovering after having surgery. He is expected to be out anywhere from nine to 12 months. The 25-year-old completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine games in 2025 in his first full year as the starter, with the Falcons going 3-6 in his starts. Penix was the eighth overall pick out of Washington in 2024. New head coach Kevin Stefanski has been complimentary of Penix since taking the job, but his health and status as the starter will be a big question mark going into training camp and the start of the 2026 regular season this fall. Penix's fantasy stock is down, and his lengthy injury history — he's torn his ACL three times — is a big reason why. -
Twins Claim Jackson Kowar Off Waivers From Mariners
The Minnesota Twins announced on Tuesday that they claimed right-hander Jackson Kowar off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Kowar was designated for assignment by Seattle last week after the team acquired Jhonny Pereda from the Twins. The 29-year-old former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2018 out of the University of Florida had his 2025 season cut short by a right-shoulder impingement. Before his injury, he had a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17 innings for the M's out of the bullpen. Kowar will most likely begin the 2026 campaign in the minors as organizational relief depth for Minnesota. In his four major-league seasons (three with the Royals), Kowar has posted an ugly 8.21 ERA (5.96 FIP), 1.93 WHIP, 90 strikeouts, and 58 walks in 54 outings (eight starts) over 91 innings pitched. -
Cam Smith to See Time in Center Field This Spring
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that outfielder Cam Smith will play some center field in spring training, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Reports this offseason have suggested that Smith isn't a lock for an Opening Day roster spot, but adding versatility in center field definitely will help his cause. The 22-year-old former first-rounder played well defensively in right field in 2025 in his first year in the big leagues while also slashing .236/.312/.358 with a .671 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 134 games played. The 22-year-old was brought up to the big leagues quickly, which makes his struggles less surprising. Smith carried a 27.8% strikeout rate, 90 wRC+, 6.9% barrel rate, and 45.1% ground-ball rate. Because of the possibility that Smith will start the 2026 season at Triple-A Sugar Land, he's a very risky investment in single-year fantasy leagues. -
Marlins Claim Garrett Acton Off Waivers From Rockies
The Miami Marlins announced that they claimed right-hander Garrett Acton off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday and designated outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. for assignment in a corresponding move. Acton, 27, made his major-league debut with the Athletics in 2023 and only threw one inning in relief for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025. He spent most of last year at Triple-A Durham, where he pitched to a 3.68 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 27 walks in 58 2/3 innings pitched. Acton will now compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot with the Marlins in spring training, but he'll likely open the year at Triple-A Jacksonville. Mesa made his big-league debut in 2025 with the Fish and went 6-for-32 (.188) with a homer in only 16 appearances. He was much better at Triple-A, though, slashing .303/.374/.513. -
Thomas Saggese Could be in the Mix for Outfield Work
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said on Tuesday that infielders Thomas Saggese and Freddy Fermin could play into the competition in the outfield during spring training, according to Brandon Kiley of 101 ESPN. Entering the mix in the outfield would give Saggese a better path to more playing time, but he hasn't spent any time in the outfield yet in his professional career. The 23-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2020 debuted in the majors in 2024 but played in only 18 games. Last year in 82 games (295 plate appearances), Saggese hit .258/.299/.342 with a .641 OPS, two home runs, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored, and three stolen bases for the Red Birds. Saggese still has time to develop, but he has so far disappointed with an elevated strikeout rate and limited power. His 44.1% hard-hit rate and 90.2 average exit velocity give hope that he can build on his offensive performance in 2026, but consistent playing time could be hard to come by. -
Nolan Gorman Should Have "Plenty of Opportunity" in 2026
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman will have "plenty of opportunity" this year to make an impact, according to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. "It's a big year for him… He should have plenty of opportunity this year. We've seen it (before). He has power everywhere. He can drive the baseball to any part of the field… He knows this is a big opportunity (for him)," Bloom said. The Cardinals have two openings on the infield going into spring training at third base and second base after they traded both Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan this offseason. The 25-year-old Gorman is expected to take over at the hot corner, with infield prospect JJ Wetherholt having a clear path at the keystone. We know there is power in Gorman's bat after he hit a career-high 27 homers in 2023, but he has struck out 35% of the time the last two seasons while hitting 33 combined homers. If Gorman can lower his strikeout rate in 2026, he could be a nice sleeper source of power with regular playing time. -
Rockies Sign Kyle McCann to Minor-League Deal
The Colorado Rockies signed former Athletics catcher Kyle McCann to a minor-league deal on Tuesday with a non-roster invitation to spring training, major-league sources told Thomas Harding of MLB.com. McCann will head to Colorado to give the Rockies additional catching depth. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop did not play in the majors at all last year after making his MLB debut with the A's in 2024. In his first 54 big-league games that season, McCann hit .236/.318/.371 with a .690 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 157 plate appearances. He split last season between Triple-A Las Vegas and the Mexican League. McCann will not be on the fantasy baseball radar in 2026 and is fully expected to begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque. -
Astros, Isaac Paredes Avoid Arbitration
The Houston Astros and third baseman Isaac Paredes avoided an arbitration hearing by settling on a one-year, $9.35 million deal on Tuesday, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Both sides met in the middle after exchanging figures last month. The 26-year-old's fantasy stock is down heading into the 2026 campaign, as he might not have a path to an everyday role in his second year in Houston. Paredes slashed .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs, 53 RBI, and 53 runs scored in 438 plate appearances over 102 games played. A hamstring injury was the reason why he didn't play a full season, and he wasn't 100% percent when he returned in the final month. In addition to Paredes not having a clear path to a starting role in 2026, there's a chance he's not ready for Opening Day as the Astros bring him along slowly. A trade out of town would most likely be the best thing for Paredes' fantasy value. -
Eduardo Salazar Signs Minor-League Deal With Twins
Free-agent pitcher Eduardo Salazar signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The right-hander has a foreign team inquiry clause. The 27-year-old Venezuelan right-hander appeared in 30 games out of the bullpen for the Washington Nationals in 2025 and pitched to a rough 8.38 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, and 23:16 K:BB in 29 innings. Salazar made his debut in the big leagues back in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds and had an 8.03 ERA (11 earned runs allowed in 12 1/3 innings). In his three seasons in the majors with the Nationals, Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers, Salazar has a 5.99 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and weak 16% strikeout rate in 70 2/3 relief innings. Salazar is unlikely to make Minnesota's Opening Day roster and should serve as organizational relief depth if he sticks around. -
Daniel Robert Re-Signs With Phillies
Free-agent reliever Daniel Robert re-signed a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training camp, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Robert missed the final month of the 2025 season with a forearm strain, and it's uncertain if he'll be limited at all for the start of spring training in a couple of weeks. The 31-year-old veteran right-hander made only 15 appearances in relief for the Phillies last year and gave up seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits (two homers) while walking 10 and striking out 15 in 13 innings pitched. He debuted in the big leagues in 2024 with the Texas Rangers, but threw only 5 2/3 frames of relief. Robert was originally a 21st-round selection by the Rangers in 2017 out of Auburn. He won't carry any fantasy value into the 2026 season. -
Joey Cantillo to Compete for Rotation Job This Spring
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Joey Cantillo has plenty of experience pitching in relief, but MLB.com's Tim Stebbins writes that Cantillo will compete for a rotation job in spring training. In 13 starts (67 innings) for the Guardians in the second half of last season, Cantillo had a solid 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, and 28 walks. The 26-year-old southpaw will primarily be competing with pitching prospect Parker Messick for one of the final spots in the rotation in camp. If Messick impresses more, Cleveland can just slide Cantillo back into a relief role. He had a 3.81 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 21 outings out of the Guardians' bullpen in 2025. Although he may have had some luck as a starter to close out the year, Cantillo did have a 25.9% strikeout rate and 10.8% walk rate while holding hitters to a .214 average. As more of a swingman than a locked-in starter, Cantillo can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues. -
Rays Among the Teams Interested in Marcell Ozuna
The Tampa Bay Rays have joined the list of teams interested in signing free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, sources told MLB insider Mike Rodriguez. In addition to the Rays, the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates are looking at the three-time All-Star slugger. Ozuna was fourth in the MVP voting in 2024 but really struggled in 2025 in his sixth season with the Atlanta Braves, slashing .232/.355/.400 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 68 RBI, and 61 runs scored in 145 games and 592 plate appearances. The 35-year-old veteran Dominican was bothered by a hip injury that he suffered in June, which may have been the big reason why he struggled. Ozuna did increase his walk rate to a career-high 15.9%, but at this point in his career, he's most likely a full-time DH. There's potential for a bounce-back 2026 campaign, but at his age, Ozuna is also a pretty big risk. -
JJ Wetherholt Could Play Second Base in St. Louis
St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect JJ Wetherholt now has a clear path to playing time at second base in 2026 after the team traded Brendan Donovan to the Seattle Mariners on Monday night, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Before the Donovan trade, Wetherholt was expected to compete for the third base job after St. Louis traded Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks this offseason. Nothing is guaranteed for Wetherholt, but all signs point to the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, being on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster in 2026. Between Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis last year, the 23-year-old hit .306/.421/.510 with 17 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 109 games played. The former seventh overall pick in 2024 has 20-homer power as he matures, and he could play regularly right from the start of the season in St. Louis in 2026. -
Adbert Alzolay Expected to be Full-Go at Spring Training
New York Mets right-handed reliever Adbert Alzolay (elbow) is expected to be healthy as a full-go at the start of spring training, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets signed Alzolay to a two-year minor league deal in January of last year, and the 30-year-old Venezuelan hurler spent all of 2025 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old made his major-league debut with the Chicago Cubs back in 2019 and has gone 12-25 with a 4.04 ERA (4.30 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 27 saves, a 25.7% strikeout rate, and a 7.4% walk rate in 254 innings pitched over 121 appearances (27 starts) in six years with the Cubbies. If Alzolay stays healthy throughout spring training, he'll have a real shot to earn a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen as a middle-relief arm. -
Troy Melton to Compete for Rotation Spot in 2026
Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton is set to compete for a rotation spot in 2026 coming off his impressive stretch run last year, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Melton was a valuable swing man for Detroit late last year, but the 25-year-old's workload will be monitored closely after he threw 129 1/3 innings in 2025 between the minor leagues, the Tigers, and the playoffs. As a rookie last year, the 25-year-old had a strong 2.76 ERAand 1.01 WHIP in 45 2/3 innings in the big leagues over 16 appearances (four starts). The top of Detroit's rotation is set with Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Jack Flaherty, and Reese Olson (shoulder), so Melton will be battling for the fifth and final spot to begin the season. Melton only had a 20% strikeout rate in his first taste of the big leagues, but he showed his upside down the stretch, and his fantasy arrow is pointing up now that he should be a full-time starter. -
Reese Olson Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Detroit Tigers right-hander Reese Olson (shoulder) is on track to be ready for spring training after suffering a season-ending right-shoulder strain last year, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Olson was shut down in late July and didn't pitch again in 2025. The 26-year-old went 4-4 with a career-low 3.15 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 25 walks in 68 2/3 innings over his 13 starts. He hasn't exceeded 112 innings in his three years in the big leagues with the Tigers, but he has a solid 3.60 ERA (3.55 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with a 23% strikeout rate and 7.8% walk rate in 284 2/3 total innings. Olson should have a rotation spot locked up in 2026 and has proven he can be a pretty reliable starting option for fantasy managers. If Olson can stay healthy, a step forward in his fourth big-league season is possible. He's ranked as the No. 86 starting pitcher at RotoBaller. -
Manny Machado Remains a Consistent Force at the Hot Corner
San Diego third baseman Manny Machado continues to turn in consistent seasons for the Padres, and he may be a little under the radar based on his current average draft position. Machado didn't have an eye-catching season in 2025, but he did continue his run of reliable production. He finished with 27 homers in his 159 games and has 25+ homers in 10 straight seasons (not counting the shortened 2020 season). He hit .275 for the second straight year, and his wOBA ticked up from .340 to .341 while his wRC+ crept up from 122 to 123. He mixed in 14 stolen bases as well, his highest total since 2018. Even though he has been around the majors for 14 seasons, he'll still only be 33 at the start of this year, so he still should have several strong seasons left, barring any major injury. Machado has played at least 150 games in nine of the last 10 full seasons as well, and his consistency and reliability make him a solid piece to build around. -
Can Cal Raleigh Duplicate his Monster Season?
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh had unprecedented success last year, breaking through for 60 home runs and 125 RBI. He's clearly the top bat available at a thin catcher position, and the fact that he's in the lineup almost every day, either behind the plate or at DH, makes him an even more valuable asset at one of the thinnest fantasy baseball positions. Raliegh played 159 games for the Mariners last year, hitting .247 with those 60 homers and a .392 wOBA while also adding in a sneaky 14 stolen bases. Big Dumper cut down on his strikeout rate and increased his barrel rate to a career-high 19.5%. He has at least 30 homers in three straight seasons and will be 29 when this season begins. There's likely to be some regression since no switch-hitting catcher has been so productive, but he was better than every other catcher by such a wide margin that he's still a great fantasy option for 2026. Barring injury, we should have a few more seasons of peak Raleigh, and he makes a lot of sense as an early target in most formats, where no other catcher comes close to matching his upside and production. -
Agustin Ramirez Looks to Bounce Back after Tough Finish
Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez had a strong offensive season overall in his first year in the majors, and he showed enough upside to be a starter at the position in almost all formats in 2026. The 23-year-old made his MLB debut in April and played 136 games for Miami, totaling 33 doubles, 21 homers, 67 RBI, and a .231 batting average. His 47% hard-hit rate and 11% barrel rate back up his .302 wOBA and show the potential for even more power production as he adjusts to the league. In September, he hit just two homers in 25 games and was held to a .267 wOBA. He has been working on adjustments and improving his defense behind the plate this offseason and will look to be a regular bat in the middle of the Marlins' young lineup. He is definitely a young player with a high ceiling in 2026, and his power from the catcher position deserves attention in all formats. -
Ken Waldichuk Designated for Assignment Again
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ken Waldichuk was designated for assignment as a corresponding move to the Rays picking up Ben Williamson in the three-way trade that sent Brendan Donovan to Seattle. The Rays just acquired Waldichuk after the Braves designated him for assignment a few weeks ago. He actually started the offseason with the A's, who designated him for assignment when they acquired Jeff McNeil, and then the Braves claimed him off waivers. After being designated for assignment for a third time this offseason, the 28-year-old lefty could either end up being claimed again, traded, or sent to Triple-A by the Rays. After showing some promise as a prospect early in his career, he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2023. He underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2024 and pitched in the minors after his recovery last year. He is an interesting enough project that brings enough upside for the Braves and Rays to be interested in him, and since those organizations have a good track record of turning pitchers back around, it'll be very interesting to see where Waldichuk is sitting when the music stops on his game of musical chairs this offseason. -
Nick Schmaltz Leads Mammoth to Victory Monday
Utah Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz scored his third career hat trick and added an assist in Monday's 6-2 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks. Schmaltz became Utah's second player this season with multiple hat tricks, producing his team's fifth hat trick in total. Only Edmonton (6) has had more hat tricks this season. Schmaltz has been in good goal-scoring form all season and now needs just two more markers for a new career-high. He has lit the lamp 22 times in 56 outings, adding 29 assists. This season, Schmaltz is also poised to break his scoring record of 63 points from last year. -
Roman Josi Has Four Assists in Huge Comeback Win
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi finished Monday's 6-5 victory over the St. Louis Blues with four assists. The Predators captain registered a power-play assist in the first period and added three more during even-strength play when Nashville turned a 5-1 deficit into a win. This was Josi's fourth career four-assist game, tying Victor Hedman, Morgan Rielly, and Quinn Hughes for the most among active defensemen. After putting health issues behind him, Josi is having a good campaign in Music City. In 43 outings, he has contributed 10 goals and 27 assists. Only nine blue-liners have averaged more points than Josi (0.86 per game). -
Quinn Hughes Records Hat Trick of Assists
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes recorded a hat trick of assists against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night, playing a key role in a 4-3 overtime win. Hughes set up a pair of even-strength goals in regulation and helped Kirill Kaprizov end the game on the power play in overtime. On Monday, Hughes matched Kaprizov's franchise record with a nine-game assist streak. It also ties a league record for the longest assist streak by a defenseman in their first season with a franchise. Playing in his 484th career game, Hughes reached 400 assists with his final helper. Only the legendary Bobby Orr (437 games) and Paul Coffey (464 games) have reached 400 assists with fewer games among defensemen. Hughes is truly a special player, and he's had an incredible start in Minnesota, posting 32 points (three goals, 29 assists) in 25 outings. -
Filip Chytil Misses Third Period Monday
Vancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil (undisclosed) didn't play in the third period of Monday's 6-2 loss to the Utah Mammoth. Canucks head coach Adam Foote told reporters after the game that Chytil "tweaked something." Chytil has a history of concussions, which makes it concerning that he was forced off the ice. He made only his 12th appearance of the season and had a rough outing, going minus-three in 7:36 of action. Chytil has scored three goals on 24 shots but has no assists. Aatu Raty is set to return to the lineup if Chytil isn't unavailable for Wednesday's tilt against the Vegas Golden Knights. -
Daemon Hunt Injured In Monday's Win
Minnesota Wild defenseman Daemon Hunt (upper body) was limited to three shifts and 1:52 of ice time in Monday's 4-3 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens. He took a high stick to the neck from Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov. Fortunately, Hunt appears to have avoided a serious injury. According to Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News, Wild head coach John Hynes expects Hunt to be fine. Minnesota has one more game scheduled before the Olympic break, facing the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. Hunt has recently impressed on the Wild defense, covering for injured veterans Jonas Brodin (lower body) and Zach Bogosian (lower body). The latter was able to return from a 13-game absence on Monday, bumping David Jiricek from the lineup. -
Zach Benson Suffers Upper-Body Injury Monday
Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (upper body) couldn't finish Monday's win over the Florida Panthers, leaving him questionable for Tuesday's tilt versus the Tampa Bay Lightning. "(He's) just being evaluated," Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said postgame. "Couldn't finish the game. We'll see where he's at tomorrow." Benson scored Buffalo's third goal of the night. He appeared to have injured his left shoulder after crashing into the boards when he was tripped during a breakaway. Benson has accompanied Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on the first line, while averaging 2:14 of power-play time. Josh Doan may move up in the lineup if Benson can't play on Tuesday. -
Sam Bennett Exits Early Monday
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (upper body) played only a handful of minutes in Monday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. He suffered an upper-body injury, and there was no update on Bennett after the game. The Panthers were already without Brad Marchand (undisclosed) and Anton Lundell (upper body) on Monday night. With the team lacking quality options up front, Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues, Matthew Tkachuk, and Carter Verhaeghe all played heavy minutes in Monday's loss. While Brad Marchand (undisclosed) and Anton Lundell (upper body) could be available for Wednesday's game against Boston, it's unclear whether Bennett can play. -
Josh Jacobs' Strong Season Ends With a Whimper
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs had 13 rushing touchdowns in 15 regular-season starts, but a knee injury he suffered in Week 11 against the New York Giants hampered him the rest of the way and made him a disappointment when fantasy managers needed him the most. The 27-year-old had 929 rushing yards on 234 carries and added 36 catches for 282 yards and another score on 44 targets. Jacobs didn't have a single 100-yard rushing performance and finished under 1,000 yards for only the third time in his seven-year NFL career. The three-time Pro Bowler was the RB12 in half-PPR scoring, and his 234 carries ranked 16th among all RBs. Jacobs has double-digit rushing touchdowns in four of his seven seasons and will be Green Bay's RB1 again in 2026. The volume should be there if he's healthy, but fantasy managers should target Jacobs as more of an RB2 than an RB1. -
Jordan Mason Likely to Remain in Timeshare in Second Season in Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason had a career-high 159 rushing attempts for 758 yards (career-low 4.8 yards per carry) and a career-high six rushing touchdowns in 16 games (five starts) in 2025 in his first year with the team. The 26-year-old added a career-best 14 receptions on 16 targets for 51 yards through the air. He'll be under contract with the Vikes again in 2026 after signing a two-year, $10.5 million deal in March of last year. Mason's fantasy ceiling was capped while working in a timeshare with Aaron Jones, who is also under contract through next season, and he finished as the RB34 in half-PPR scoring while averaging only 7.7 fantasy points per game. In what should be a similar role in 2026, Mason will be an RB3/flex target later in fantasy football drafts as the power back for Minnesota. Those who roster the oft-injured Jones would be wise to handcuff him to Mason. -
Travis Kelce's 2026 Value Uncertain as he Ponders Retirement
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could hang up his cleats after 13 seasons in the NFL. It's still unclear if he'll return for a 14th campaign with the Chiefs after playing out the two-year, $34.25 million deal he signed with KC in April of 2024. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer was slightly better in 2025 than he was in 2024, but he still finished with fewer than 1,000 yards receiving for the third straight season. Kelce hauled in 76 of his 108 targets for 851 yards and five touchdowns in 17 starts. He became the third TE in history to reach 13,000 receiving yards, and he also had at least 75 catches for the 10th straight season. Kelce clearly is no longer in his prime, but he was still a top-five fantasy TE in half-PPR scoring in a season in which the Chiefs didn't even make the postseason. If Kelce returns to the Chiefs for one more run at it in 2026, he'll still be a top-10 fantasy target at the TE position, albeit one with more injury risk than ever before. -
Jonathan Taylor Continues to Cement Himself as Elite Workhorse Back
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor finished behind only Christian McCaffrey in overall fantasy points at the RB position in 2025 in his sixth year in the league. Taylor led the NFL in carries (323) and rushing touchdowns (18) while gaining 1,585 yards on the ground (4.9 yards per attempt). He added a career-best 46 receptions on 55 targets for 378 receiving yards and two more touchdowns in 17 starts. The 27-year-old former second-round selection in 2020 out of Wisconsin has run for 3,016 yards and 29 touchdowns on 626 rushing attempts for the Colts the last two years, and he's found the end zone double-digit times on the ground in four of his six NFL campaigns. The three-time Pro Bowler will remain the centerpiece of Indy's offense in 2026, and with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) expected to return, he should maintain high-end upside as a top-five RB for fantasy football managers. -
Drake Maye Throws on Monday, Says he'll "be Fine"
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (shoulder) threw the football around on Monday and said he felt "good." "I threw a good bit (today). I threw as much as I would in a practice, and it felt great. I'll be just fine," Maye said. The second-year signal-caller injured his right (throwing) shoulder in the AFC Championship game win over the Denver Broncos and was listed as questionable for the Super Bowl after three practices last week. Maye was limited in two practices and did not see the field last Friday while dealing with an illness. The Patriots haven't been concerned at all about his availability for the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 8, against the Seattle Seahawks, so fantasy managers shouldn't be either. The matchup against a tough Seattle defense should be more concerning, especially since Maye hasn't been nearly as good in his first three career playoff games as he was during the regular season. -
Justin Fields Declines to Play in Pro Bowl Games
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (knee) was asked to participate in the Pro Bowl games on Tuesday, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Fields declined and will instead focus on his offseason training. The 26-year-old signed a two-year, $40 million deal in free agency last offseason to serve as the Jets' starting QB, but that experiment failed miserably in head coach Aaron Glenn's first year at the helm. The former 11th overall pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021 out of Ohio State made nine starts in 2025 before being benched for veteran Tyrod Taylor, and he ended the year on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury. Fields cut down on turnovers, but he threw for only 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception, and he wasn't as aggressive as a runner. He definitely won't be handed the starting job back in 2026, but it's unclear who he'll be competing with in training camp this summer. Fields' stock in dynasty/keeper leagues has taken a big hit. -
Brad Marchand, Anton Lundell Remain Out Monday
Florida Panthers forwards Brad Marchand (undisclosed) and Anton Lundell (upper body) won't play on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. Marchand will be out for a second consecutive game, while Lundell's absence will extend to three games. The two could return later this week when Florida has a back-to-back set against Boston and Tampa Bay. The injuries have benefited Eetu Luostarinen and Evan Rodrigues, who have moved to the first line. Both players also skate on the second power-play unit, giving them additional fantasy appeal. -
Morgan Rielly Out Through Olympic Break
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (upper body) will not be available for the final two games before the Olympic break. After sustaining an upper-body injury in Saturday's win over the Vancouver Canucks, Rielly will exit the lineup for Monday's meeting with the Calgary Flames. Rielly has been a busy man for the Maple Leafs, recording 31 points (seven goals, 24 assists), 106 shots, and 74 blocks in 54 appearances. He is second on the team in average ice time with 21:33 per game. Simon Benoit will enter the lineup on Monday, but won't offer anywhere near the same level of fantasy production. Jake McCabe will move into Rielly's spot on the first defensive pairing. -
Jonathan Drouin Available Against Capitals
New York Islanders winger Jonathan Drouin (illness) will return to the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Washington Capitals. He missed Saturday's loss to Nashville due to illness. Drouin hasn't scored any points in nine appearances and will have new linemates on Monday. He is set to work as the second-line center, flanked by Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman. Mathew Barzal will join Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat on the top line. In addition to his point drought, Drouin hasn't scored a goal since Nov. 14. He has been limited to 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) in 48 games this season. -
Logan Thompson Expected to Return Thursday
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (upper body) will miss two more games, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. The Capitals expect to have him back on Thursday against the Nashville Predators. Thompson was placed on Injured Reserve on Monday, retroactive to Jan. 28. Charlie Lindgren (lower body) is also on Injured Reserve and won't return until after the Olympic break, leaving Clay Stevenson and Garin Bjorklund as the team's options in net for its upcoming back-to-back. Stevenson will make a second consecutive start on Monday against the New York Islanders after his winning performance in Saturday's season debut versus Carolina. -
Matthew Stafford Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (back) will not require offseason surgery for a herniated disc in his back, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Stafford's availability for the start of the 2025 season was in question due to his back injury, but not only was he ready, but he played at an MVP level, throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions in the regular season. It was something that the Rams managed throughout the year. The 37-year-old veteran is still on the fence about his playing future, but he's leaning towards returning for an 18th NFL campaign in 2026. If Stafford does return, he'll have QB1 expectations from fantasy managers with both receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams returning. However, there will also be considerable injury risk for a player at his age near the tail end of his career. -
Matt Roy Rejoins Capitals Lineup Monday
Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (lower body) has been cleared to return from a three-game absence on Monday against the New York Islanders, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. The team has activated Roy from Injured Reserve ahead of the contest. Roy ranks second on his team with 106 blocks and is looking to post a fifth consecutive 20-point season. In 53 appearances, Roy has managed one goal and 13 assists. Washington's defense will also get Martin Fehervary (personal) back into the lineup after he missed Saturday's win over Carolina for the birth of his daughter. -
Davis Webb Reaches Agreement to Become Broncos Offensive Coordinator
Denver Broncos passing-game coordinator Davis Webb reached an agreement with the team on Monday to become their offensive coordinator, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Webb interviewed for three head-coaching jobs and also had other offensive-coordinator opportunities this cycle, but he chose to stick around in Denver under head coach Sean Payton. He'll be taking over the OC job from Joe Lombardi, who was fired following the team's AFC Championship game loss to the New England Patriots. It's a promotion for Webb, a former backup QB in the NFL, although Payton will most likely continue to call plays for the Broncos' offense in 2026. The Broncos retaining Webb is excellent news for the entire offense, particularly quarterback Bo Nix (ankle). -
Devon Toews Back for Avalanche Monday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) will return from a 13-game absence on Monday night against the Detroit Red Wings. He has been cleared to play after recovering from an upper-body injury. Toews will link up with his regular partner, Cale Makar, on the first defensive pairing. Sam Malinski will move to the third pairing. Toews offers defensive balance next to Makar, but occasionally also chips in on offense. He has tallied one goal and 12 assists in 40 outings. Additionally, Toews has blocked 58 shots and carries a plus-26 rating. -
Martin Necas Remains Out Monday
Colorado Avalanche right wing Martin Necas (lower body) will miss a second consecutive game on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. He was absent from the lineup for the first time this season on Saturday against Detroit and will miss at least one more game due to a lower-body injury. The team hopes to have Necas available for Wednesday's tilt against the San Jose Sharks. With Necas out, Valeri Nichushkin moved to the top line on Saturday, recording one assist in a 5-0 win. On Monday, Nichushkin has a chance to post a season-high with a five-game point streak. -
Jake Neighbours Available Monday
St. Louis Blues winger Jake Neighbours (upper body) will return to action on Monday against the Nashville Predators. He missed Saturday's loss to Columbus due to an upper-body injury. Neighbours is expected to join the second power-play unit and will skate with Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou during even-strength play. It's been a tough season for Neighbours, as health issues have limited him to 42 appearances. He leads the Blues with 13 goals and has tallied 22 points. Although Neighbours scored in his most recent outing, he has finished 12 of his last 17 games without a point, making him an unreliable fantasy option. -
Davante Adams Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that he has "no reason to believe" that wide receiver Davante Adams won't be back in 2026, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop. Adams signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the team in March of last year, so the 33-year-old is under contract with the team through the 2026 campaign. In his first year in L.A. while working with McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford, Adams showed he still has it, catching 60 of his 114 targets for 789 yards and a league-high 14 touchdowns in only 14 regular-season games. He wasn't all that efficient and took a back seat to star wideout Puka Nacua, but the six-time Pro Bowler was Stafford's go-to target in the red zone. Adams finished as the WR8 in half-PPR scoring. With Nacua not going anywhere as the target hog in this offense, Adams will be a regression candidate if he's unable to find the end zone as he did in 2025. There's also the chance of Adams' value tanking if Stafford retires this offseason. -
Sean McVay Keeping "Fingers Crossed" That Matthew Stafford Will Return
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that he doesn't have a timetable for when quarterback Matthew Stafford will make a decision about his future, but McVay is "hopeful" that the QB will return for his 18th NFL campaign in 2026, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. The Rams' head coach said he thinks Stafford "deserves as much time as he needs" to make a decision and said he doesn't "get the sense that (Stafford) wants to let it drag on either." "I'm keeping my fingers crossed." The 37-year-old is under contract through the 2026 season after he agreed to a reworked contract last February. He had the best season of his career in 2025 and is the odds-on favorite to be named MVP after leading the league in passing yards (4,707) and passing touchdowns (46). Durability will be a concern if Stafford returns for another season, but he proved last year that he still has what it takes to be successful with a strong supporting cast on offense. -
Cowboys Have had Preliminary Extension Talks With Javonte Williams
Dallas Cowboys club officials have held preliminary contract-extension talks with pending free-agent running back Javonte Williams, but talks are on hold until Williams finalizes hiring an agent, according to The Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins. The Cowboys have already made it clear that re-signing Williams will be a top priority this offseason after he had a career year in his first season in Dallas in 2025. After four seasons with the Denver Broncos, Williams set career highs across the board with the Cowboys, carrying the ball 252 times for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns in 16 starts. He added 35 receptions on 51 targets for 137 yards and two more scores. Williams finished as the RB11 in half-PPR scoring as Dallas' unquestioned lead back all year long. He finished the year on Injured Reserve due to a shoulder injury, but Williams should be fully healthy by the start of the 2026 campaign. If he returns to Dallas, which is expected, the 25-year-old will be a low-end RB1/high-end RB2 target in fantasy. -
Cowboys Haven't had Contract Talks With George Pickens
The Dallas Cowboys have not held any contract talks with wide receiver George Pickens' agent, two people briefed on the situation told Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. It's not concerning that the Cowboys haven't talked to Pickens about an extension yet, and they have expressed a desire to re-sign Pickens since the 2025 season ended. The 24-year-old broke out in his first year with Dallas, setting career highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429), and touchdowns (nine), to earn his first Pro Bowl nod. People close to Pickens were hopeful for a contract worth at least $30 million per season after the Cowboys acquired him from Pittsburgh last offseason, but after the big year he had in 2025, that average salary figure will most likely rise. If a long-term deal isn't worked out, the Cowboys can place the franchise tag on Pickens, starting Feb. 17. Most likely, Pickens will remain in Dallas for at least one more season on the franchise tag, where he'll be an early-round fantasy pick as a WR1. -
Morgan Geekie Extends Point Streak to Seven Games With Big Performance
Boston Bruins forward Morgan Geekie notched three points in Sunday's 6-5 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2026 Stadium Series. With Geekie on fire and producing two goals and one assist, Boston jumped 5-1 ahead at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Raymond James Stadium, but Marcos Strum's team got careless with the big lead. After slumping for most of January, Geekie has regained his scoring touch, putting together a seven-game point streak. He has finished goalless only twice during this run. In 55 outings this season, Geekie has tallied 53 points (32 goals, 21 assists), leaving him only five points away from eclipsing his career-best scoring total set last season. -
Nikita Kucherov Tallies Four Points in Stadium Series Win
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov missed tying the NHL record for most points in an outdoor game by just a single point on Sunday in a Stadium Series contest, recording one goal and three assists in a 6-5 shootout victory over Boston. Kucherov was feeling it all game, firing eight shots on goal. While he only got one puck past Jeremy Swayman in the Bruins' net, it was a vital goal in the third period, which extended the game. Two of Kucherov's assists came on the power play, helping the Lightning erase a 5-1 deficit. Kucherov has been producing silly numbers in recent weeks, finishing 15 of 18 outings with multiple points. This stretch includes six games with at least three points. As a result, the Russian star has started to sneak into Art Ross Trophy contention as the NHL's leading scorer. He has totaled 86 points (28 goals, 58 assists) in 49 games. -
Chris Kreider Pots Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Anaheim Ducks left wing Chris Kreider lit the lamp twice as his team beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 on Sunday. The veteran forward produced the first two goals of the contest, logging his sixth multi-point outing of the campaign. Kreider had a challenging time in December, finishing the month with only four points. He boosted his production to six points in January, and his improvement in form appears set to continue in February. Kreider has cemented a spot in the top six and skates with the first power-play unit. He has recorded 19 goals and 30 points in 49 games across the season. -
Chuba Hubbard Unlikely to Hold a Bell-Cow Role in 2026
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard's RB15 finish in 2024 made him a popular early-to-mid-round pick in 2025, but after missing time and ceding primary early down work to a more efficient Rico Dowdle upon his return, he finished as the RB40. Dowdle, who was on a one-year deal, has been vocal about wanting to be featured as a lead back, but whether he returns to Carolina or not, it's unlikely that Hubbard will again see the type of volume that made him a fantasy league-winner in 2024. Hubbard's usage in the passing game has ranked among the least efficient in the league over his five-year career, and his near-300 touches in 2024 came largely as a result of the unexpected absence of second-round pick Jonathon Brooks, who could be back to fight for a starting role in 2026. Regardless of who Hubbard finds himself sharing a backfield with next season, the 27-year-old has likely seen the last of his bell-cow duties. -
De'Von Achane a Refreshing Constant in Miami's Offense
The Miami Dolphins offense faces plenty of question marks this offseason, but running back De'Von Achane offers refreshing consistency. Achane is under contract for the 2026 season and has been playing the best football of his young career. He finished last season with a career-high 1,350 rushing yards, and he also caught 67 passes for 488 receiving yards. For the second year in a row, he scored 12 touchdowns and was the overall RB5 in full-PPR leagues. This past year, he accomplished those marks despite missing one game. Miami did make a concerted effort to get Ollie Gordon II and Jaylen Wright more involved, but that decision didn't really detract from Achane's role. If anything, it kept his legs fresh and allowed him to remain as dominant as ever. The Dolphins did make a coaching staff change this offseason, replacing offensive-minded head coach Mike McDaniel with the defensive-minded Jeff Hafley. Achane also got a new offensive coordinator in Bobby Slowik, who was with the Dolphins as a senior passing game coordinator in 2025. Miami has some key questions to answer surrounding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason. As a result, the passing game faces major uncertainty. However, we expect the running game to remain unchanged, leaving Achane in line for another fantastic season in 2026. He should be a top-five running back in fantasy football drafts next summer. -
Alvin Kamara Carries an Iffy Outlook Into 2026
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is trending downward ahead of the 2026 NFL season. While Kamara is under contract for one more year with the Saints, he's losing his grasp on the New Orleans backfield due to his age, injury issues, and the emergence of younger teammates. Kamara was the overall RB46 in full-PPR leagues during the 2025 season, which was the first time he ever finished lower than RB16. While part of his slip can be attributed to Kamara missing six games, he also showcased reduced volume and effectiveness. He averaged fewer than 15 touches per game, he finished with a career-low 3.6 yards per carry, and he only scored one touchdown all year. He is now 30 years old and suffered a knee sprain in Week 12, so age and injuries may be catching up to him. He also faces more competition than ever, as Devin Neal (hamstring) and Kendre Miller (knee) both flashed the ability to occupy lead-back roles before landing on season-ending injured reserve. Trade rumors have circled around Kamara for several years, but he has indicated that he wants to remain a Saint for life. Now, it's a question of whether New Orleans wants to keep him on the books for 2026. This team is looking to get younger, and cutting Kamara post-June 1 would create $8.5 million in cap space. -
Wan'Dale Robinson "Likely" Returning to the Giants
Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com expects the New York Giants to re-sign impending free agent wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson. "A return seems likely considering he has always been a favorite of [general manager] Joe Schoen and the Giants need to add playmakers, not let the ones they drafted and developed walk," writes Ranaan. Robinson had the best season of his young career in 2025, catching 92 passes for a career-high 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. He was the overall WR14 in full-PPR leagues, and while part of his ascension can be attributed to the absence of Malik Nabers (knee), it was also the result of a constant upward trend that Robinson has exhibited ever since being drafted. He has continuously taken on a larger role on offense, showcasing excellence when lining up inside or outside. With Nabers, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo (ankle) all on their rookie deals, New York can afford to hand out a larger contract to Robinson. A quartet of Nabers, Robinson, Dart, and Skattebo provides plenty of weapons to head coach John Harbaugh during his first season in New York. -
Cowboys to Use Franchise Tag on George Pickens?
There is a "strong belief" that the Dallas Cowboys will utilize the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Pickens had an excellent first season in Dallas, catching 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. All three of those marks were career-highs, as was his finish as the overall WR5 in full-PPR leagues. Pickens surpassed teammate CeeDee Lamb in all of those categories, too, but it's worth noting that the former played three additional games. Nevertheless, Pickens showed that he is absolutely capable of being a superstar No. 1 wide receiver in any NFL offense. As a result, he would fetch an enormous contract in free agency if he makes it that far. Archer speculates that Pickens could make more than Lamb ($34 million per year) in free agency, so the Cowboys will likely use the franchise tag to bring him back on a one-year, $28 million deal. While $62 million is a lot of money tied up to two receivers, a combination of Lamb and Pickens helps give Dallas one of the best offenses in the NFL, especially with quarterback Dak Prescott playing at a high level. Of course, the franchise tag is just a temporary fix, as it would push Pickens' free agency one year down the road. According to Archer, the last time that Dallas signed a franchise-tagged player to a long-term deal before the July extension deadline was 2015 (Dez Bryant). -
Devin Lloyd Expected to Depart in Free Agency
The Jacksonville Jaguars are not expected to bring back free agent linebacker Devin Lloyd, according to Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Lloyd is headed to the open market for the first time in his career after Jacksonville declined his fifth-year option. DiRocco writes that the Jaguars aren't expected to pay Lloyd the money he'll fetch in free agency, nor do they want to pay him the $27.5 million attached to the franchise tag. As a result, he'll likely play elsewhere in 2026 and beyond. If his time in Jacksonville is indeed over, he finishes his four-year stint with 429 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one forced fumble, five fumble recoveries, and nine interceptions. He tallied 1.5 sacks and a career-high five interceptions through 15 games in the 2025 regular season. -
Kenneth Gainwell Not Expected Back in Pittsburgh?
According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com, "it seems more likely" that Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell will sign with a new team during free agency. He had an impressive one-year stint in Pittsburgh, totaling 537 rushing yards, 73 catches, 486 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. He finished as the overall RB16 in full-PPR leagues, which was the best mark of his career. Gainwell's strong campaign in Pittsburgh raised his anticipated market value this offseason. While the Steelers would presumably be open to bringing him back, he's expected to fetch a decent-sized contract in free agency. "The Steelers haven't typically given big contracts to running backs," Pryor writes. She also notes that the vision for the backfield could look different with head coach Mike McCarthy replacing ex-offensive coordinator Arthur Smith as the team's play-caller. All signs point to Gainwell playing somewhere else in 2026. -
Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
The New York Jets "would like to work out a long-term deal" with running back Breece Hall, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. New York had an opportunity to move Hall at last season's trade deadline, but they ultimately kept him in hopes of extending him long-term. He finished his fourth NFL campaign with a career-high 1,065 rushing yards, but he scored just five touchdowns. Meanwhile, he finished the year with 350 receiving yards, the lowest mark since his rookie campaign. Still, Hall reportedly won over head coach Aaron Glenn, who wants the 24-year-old to remain the focal point of New York's run-heavy offense going forward. The former Iowa State standout could stir up a bidding war on the open market, though. As a result, Cimini writes that the Jets "could utilize the franchise or transition tag on him." The franchise has until 4 p.m. on March 4 to tag him. The NFL's legal tampering period for free agents begins at 12 p.m. on March 9. -
Michael Pittman Jr. Could Benefit From Change of Scenery
Indianapolis wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. carries an expected $29 million salary cap hit into 2026, but the Colts could clear all but $5 million by cutting him before the new league year. With Alec Pierce coming off his first 1,000-yard campaign and set for unrestricted free agency, the belief around Indianapolis is that the team will prioritize him over the 28-year-old Pittman. With the 12-plus games played by Daniel Jones before his season-ending Achilles injury arguably representing the pinnacle of quarterback play that Pittman has seen in his six-year career, the always steady, but never explosive, receiver could still have more to show. While he's never come close to delivering on his former top-ten dynasty ranking, his value could once again spike if he lands in the right situation. -
Sam LaPorta in Line for Post-Injury Bounce-Back
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta was on a 17-game pace of 76 receptions for 924 yards and six touchdowns before a back injury prematurely ended his season. Expected to be healthy for the 2026 season, LaPorta should see heavy involvement in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's tight end-friendly system. With Petzing calling plays in Arizona for the past three seasons, Cardinals tight end Trey McBride has emerged as a fantasy superstar. While target competition in Detroit will be significantly stronger than McBride faced in the desert, LaPorta already has a TE1 season under his belt and is an obvious dynasty buy until his market recovers to its pre-injury form. -
Keon Coleman's Value Dropping Drastically After Sophomore Season
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman hasn't played a game since mid-January, but perhaps no player has had a rougher transition into the offseason. After a disappointing sophomore season that saw him catch 38 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns, Coleman's name was front and center as the Bills transitioned from long-time head coach Sean McDermott to former offensive coordinator Joe Brady. With Bills owner Terry Pegula publicly insinuating that Coleman's second-round selection in the 2024 draft was not unanimously agreed upon in the draft room, he put general manager Brandon Beane and new head coach Brady in a position to do damage control. Coleman had already seen his dynasty value tumble throughout 2025, as he was made a healthy scratch on multiple occasions, but it currently sits at an all-time low, making him a nearly impossible sell. -
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Sees Volume and Efficiency Dip in Sophomore Season
New York Giants sophomore running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. saw his total touches and yards per touch drop from Year 1 to Year 2, as he missed some games early, spent time clearly running behind rookie Cam Skattebo, and never truly established himself as the Giants' lead back until late in the year after Skattebo's season-ending ankle injury. His fantasy value took another hit in the touchdown category, slipping from six total scores as a rookie to only four in 2025. With Skattebo expected to return to full health for 2026 following a devastating ankle injury, the 26-year-old Tracy is likely to be relegated to more of a change-of-pace role and should be viewed as little more than a high-upside handcuff entering his third season.