January 30, 2026
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said that quarterback
Drake Maye (shoulder, illness) missed practice on Friday, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Maye was listed as limited in the first two practices of the week on Wednesday and Thursday due to a right-shoulder injury that he suffered in the AFC Championship game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday. The 23-year-old was held out on Friday because of his illness, otherwise he would have practiced. Vrabel said on Thursday that the team isn't worried about Maye's status for the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 8. The second-year QB out of North Carolina still has another full week to get his shoulder closer to 100%. Maye led the NFL with a 72% completion percentage during the regular season and was the QB3 in fantasy scoring, but he has struggled in his first three career playoff games, completing 55.8% of his passes for 533 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions while fumbling six times (three lost).
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
January 30, 2026
Former Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton (foot) suffered a broken foot during Thursday's Senior Bowl practice, according to Rich Scarcella of The Reading Eagle. Singleton broke the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and will have surgery early next week in Alabama. He's expected to attend the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 to March 2, but he won't be able to participate in on-field activities now. Injuries have been an issue for Singleton over the last year, as he also had surgery on his thumb last January to fix a torn ligament. It's unclear if his foot injury will change anything, but Singleton has been projected as one of the top-five RBs available in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is Penn State's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,586) and total touchdowns (55), and he ranks fourth with 3,461 career rushing yards.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Reading Eagle - Rich Scarcella
January 30, 2026
Miami Marlins left-hander
Thomas White, the consensus top prospect in the organization, is expected to be called up later in the 2026 season, according to Kevin Barral of Fish on First. Across three minor-league levels last year, White had a 2.31 ERA, 2.27 FIP, 14.55 K/9, and a 5.12 BB/9 in 89 2/3 innings pitched. The 21-year-old southpaw needs to improve both his command and control, though, and he'll be working to show that to the Fish during spring training. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder needs more innings under his belt before Miami will trust throwing him into the fire in their MLB starting rotation, as he's made just two starts at the Triple-A level. Besides his shaky control, White has the obvious makings of a front-line starting pitcher for fantasy managers, who should already be stashing him in dynasty/keeper leagues. He's MLB Pipeline's No. 17 overall prospect going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Fish On First - Kevin Barral
January 30, 2026
Fan-favorite featherweight brawler Diego Lopes will look to avenge his loss to featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 325 on Saturday. Lopes already fought Volkanovski for the title, and although he managed to drop Volkanovski twice, it was Volkanovski who outstruck Lopes to win a unanimous decision. The 31-year-old Lopes rebounded last September at Noche UFC 3 by finishing Jean Silva via second-round TKO. Lopes and Silva got the Fight of the Night bonus, while Lopes also got the Performance of the Night bonus. DraftKings sees Lopes as the underdog with a salary of $7,700.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 30, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Emmet Sheehan is likely to be considered for a starting role to begin the 2026 regular season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. That will especially be the case if manager Dave Roberts opens the year with a hybrid or six-man rotation. Both
Shohei Ohtani and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will miss a large chunk of spring training for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. It was quite impressive what Sheehan did last year for the Dodgers, as he was returning from Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. The 26-year-old had a 2.82 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 89 strikeouts, and 22 walks in 15 outings (12 starts) over 73 1/3 innings in his second MLB season. Sheehan mostly relies on his slider and changeup for whiffs and has plenty of strikeout upside for fantasy managers to dream on if he ever gets a full-time shot at a starting spot in L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
January 30, 2026
Featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski will look to make the first title defense of his second reign as featherweight champion against fan-favorite Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 325 on Saturday. Volkanovski and Lopes fought less than a year ago at UFC 314, where Volkanovski outstruck Lopes to win via unanimous decision and reclaim the vacant featherweight title. DraftKings sees Volkanovski as the favorite with a salary of $8,500.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 30, 2026
Benoit Saint Denis will look to extend his win streak to four when he faces off against Dan Hooker in the co-main event of UFC 325 on Saturday. Since losing back-to-back fights to former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano, Saint Denis got back on track by beating Kyle Prepolec and is now on a three-fight winning streak. He was last seen in action in November 2025 at UFC 322, where he knocked out Beneil Dariush in the first round and received a Performance of the Night bonus. DraftKings sees Saint Denis as a big favorite with a salary of $9,200.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 30, 2026
Fan-favorite Dan Hooker will look to get back in the win column when he takes on Benoit Saint Denis in the co-main event of UFC 325 on Saturday. Hooker was last seen in action in November 2025 at UFC Qatar,where he suffered a second-round submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan, which snapped his three-fight win streak. Before his fight with Tsarukyan, Hooker edged out a split decision win over Mateusz Gamrot. DraftKings sees Hooker as a big underdog with a salary of $7,000.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 30, 2026
The Atlanta Braves and free-agent left-hander
Martin Perez agreed to a minor-league deal on Friday, sources told Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media. Perez, who will turn 35 years old in April, had a 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 44:22 K:BB in 56 innings over 11 outings (10 starts) with the Chicago White Sox last season. In his 14-year major-league career, the veteran Venezuelan hurler has posted a 4.41 ERA (4.44 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP with a weak 16.3% strikeout rate and 8.3% walk rate over 1,631 2/3 innings pitched for six different clubs. Perez made the All-Star team once, back in 2022 with the Texas Rangers, when he went 12-8 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 32 starts. He missed most of last year with elbow and shoulder injuries, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for the start of spring training. Perez isn't much of a fantasy asset, but he'll give Atlanta some starting depth with
Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow),
Grant Holmes (elbow), and
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) all rehabbing injuries in the offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: Just Baseball Media - Aram Leighton
January 30, 2026
The Cleveland Guardians announced on Friday that infield prospect
Travis Bazzana has received a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. Bazzana, who was the first overall pick in 2024 out of Oregon State, hit .245/.389/.424 with an .813 OPS, nine home runs, 39 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 84 games at three minor-league levels in 2025. The 23-year-old Australian's season ended early due to left-flank soreness, and he also missed almost two months earlier in the year with a right-oblique strain. So far, Bazzana hasn't looked like a No. 1 overall pick, although he has gotten on base regularly with a .384 on-base percentage. MLB Pipeline has Bazzana ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect going into the 2026 season. He's an extremely patient hitter and has 20/20 upside at the second base position. Bazzana could be a candidate for his MLB debut in the second half of 2026, depending on how he looks at Triple-A Columbus.
--Keith HernandezSource: GuardsInsider
January 30, 2026
Mauricio Ruffy will look to get back in the win column when he takes on Rafael Fiziev on the main card of UFC 325 on Saturday. Ruffy was last seen in action in September 2025 at UFC Paris, where he suffered a second-round submission loss to Benoit Saint Denis. That was also his first loss in the promotion. Prior to that, Ruffy defeated the UFC veteran King Green via stunning first-round spinning wheel kick knockout. DraftKings sees Ruffy as a slight favorite with a salary of $8,200.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 30, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings announced on Friday that long-time executive Rob Brzezinski will lead the team's football operations through the 2026 NFL Draft after the organization fired former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, according to Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated. The Vikings won't have an immediate search for a new GM. Brzezinski has been in the Vikings organization since 1999, first serving as the vice president of football administration and later as the executive vice president of football operations. Depending on how things go during this year's draft, Brzezinski may be a candidate for the full-time GM role moving forward. The Vikings went 14-3 with
Sam Darnold as their quarterback in 2024, but they failed to make the postseason with young QB
J.J. McCarthy struggling in his first NFL season. Meanwhile, Darnold led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Will Ragatz
January 30, 2026
Rafael Fiziev will look to win back-to- back fights when he faces off against Mauricio Ruffy on the main card of UFC 325 on Saturday. After losing three fights in a row, to Mateusz Gamrot and twice to Justin Gaethje, Fiziev returned to the win column in his last fight by beating Ignacio Bahamondes via unanimous decision. Since joining the UFC back in 2019, Fiziev has gone 7-4. DraftKings sees Fiziev as a slight underdog with a salary of $8,000.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
January 30, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. This is a big surprise after the Vikings gave Adofo-Mensah a multi-year contract extension just last offseason. He had been the team's GM since the start of the 2022 season. The Vikings went 14-3 thanks to the help of quarterback
Sam Darnold in 2024, but they decided to let him leave in free agency and ride into the future with
J.J. McCarthy, who was taken in the first round in 2024. That decision alone could have cost Adofo-Mensah his job, with Darnold leading the Seattle Seahawks to another 14-win season and a Super Bowl appearance this year, while McCarthy struggled with consistency and health. The Vikings also announced on Friday that Rob Brzezinski will operate as the interim GM.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 30, 2026
New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is ready to hit the ground running in his new gig in the Steel City and is excited about the roster that he's inheriting, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. "This is not a start-over opportunity at all. This is a football team that was in the playoffs last year. This is a playoff roster," McCarthy said. The former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach is focused on filling out the rest of his coaching staff for 2026 before the team makes any decisions on impending free agents. The Steelers made the postseason in 2025 but were blown out by the Houston Texans in the Wild-Card round. Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers will be a free agent in March, and it's unclear if he even wants to play another year, let alone return to Pittsburgh. In addition to question marks at the most important position, the Steelers really could use more receiver depth behind
DK Metcalf.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
January 30, 2026
The Cleveland Browns are hiring former Baltimore Ravens run-game coordinator Travis Switzer as their new offensive coordinator on Friday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Switzer coached for the Ravens for the last nine years, serving as the run-game coordinator each of the previous three seasons. He becomes one of a handful of former Ravens assistants to join Monken, who was the Ravens' offensive coordinator, in Cleveland. With Monken and Switzer coordinating Baltimore's offense, running back
Derrick Henry had 1,921 yards in 2024 and 1,595 yards in 2025. Switzer also has experience working with wide receivers and tight ends. Both Monken and Switzer will have their work cut out for them in Cleveland, a team that will most likely be holding a quarterback competition this summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
January 30, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks were a bit worried several weeks ago when quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) tweaked his left oblique in practice while preparing to take on the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, but general manager John Schneider said that Darnold "hasn't flinched" about his injury this postseason. He played through the injury for the second week in a row in the NFC Championship win over the Los Angeles Rams, throwing for a season-high 346 yards while also tossing three touchdown passes. "I think we were all more panicked in what was going on than he was," Schneider said. "He was kind of looking at us like we had three heads, like, 'What's everybody so worried about?' He's like, 'I'll be good.'" Darnold has been listed as limited in practice so far this week, and he'll have another week to heal up before the Super Bowl versus the Patriots on Feb. 8. Fantasy managers setting playoff lineups shouldn't be concerned about Darnold's oblique.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
January 30, 2026
When healthy, Texas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager remains one of the best left-handed hitters in baseball. Across 445 plate appearances in 2025, the 31-year-old posted a .271/.373/.487 slash line with 21 home runs, 50 RBI, 61 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Unfortunately, consistent health has been elusive for Seager for the majority of his MLB career. Since 2018, Seager has topped 550 plate appearances in a season just once. From a fantasy perspective, the lack of availability limits Seager's ability to rack up counting stats across all categories and minimizes the benefit of his strong batting average. He's also never recorded more than four stolen bases in a season, so building a roster around Seager means accepting below-average speed from the shortstop position. All that being said, Seager should be healthy entering 2026 Spring Training. If he can somehow manage a full season's worth of playing time, Seager could easily out-produce his current average draft position of pick number 88. He's a risky selection, but one that could pay off in a big way for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitcher
Robert Suarez was one of the top closers in fantasy baseball while pitching for the San Diego Padres in 2025, posting a 2.97 ERA and 0.90 WHIP across 69 2/3 innings and racking up 40 saves, 75 strikeouts, and four wins. Suarez's stellar performance was enough to land him a three-year $45 million contract with Atlanta this past December. However, the Braves have long-time closer
Raisel Iglesias in place in the ninth inning, and reportedly plan to use Suarez in a high-leverage setup role. Suarez profiles as the lead candidate to assume the closer role if Iglesias struggles or suffers an injury. Still, Suarez's fantasy value is greatly diminished for as long as he remains siloed to a setup role, at least in redraft formats. In dynasty leagues, Suarez could jump right back into the ninth-inning role in Atlanta in 2027, as Iglesias will hit free agency at the end of 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Across 589 plate appearances in 2025, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio posted a .270/.308/.463 slash line with 21 home runs, 78 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. The 21-year-old's overall output was solid, but he didn't quite deliver on the full-scale breakout that some were hoping for heading into the year. Chourio missed time during the year due to a hamstring injury, which held down his counting stats and may have impacted his performance. Heading into 2026, Chourio should be fully recovered and locked into an everyday spot at or near the top of a Brewers lineup that finished second in the National League in runs scored (806) in 2025. While Chourio's top-level production in 2025 looks similar to the numbers he posted in 2024, he improved his barrel rate from 7.8% to 9.7% while cutting his strikeout rate from 21.1% to 20.5%. With improved health in 2026, Chourio could provide first-round caliber five-category fantasy production.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong had a spectacular season overall in 2025, posting a .247/.287/.481 slash line with 31 home runs, 95 RBI, 91 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases across 647 plate appearances. However, the 23-year-old's production fell off in the second half of the year. Across 246 plate appearances after the All-Star break, Crow-Armstrong hit .216/.262/.372 with just six home runs and struck out at a 25.6% rate, up from 22.9% in the first half. The lefty-swinging Crow-Armstrong also showed a notable platoon split throughout the season, logging a .594 OPS across 188 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Heading into 2026, Crow-Armstrong should remain an everyday staple in the Cubs lineup thanks to his elite defense in center field. He also posted a 13% barrel rate in 2025 and has 64 career stolen bases across 293 MLB games, so his power/speed profile appears legit. However, fantasy managers may want to anticipate a drop in counting stats and potentially a decline in batting average in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher
Paul Skenes established himself as one of MLB's premier hurlers in 2025, posting a 10-10 record with a 1.97 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 216 strikeouts across 187 2/3 innings pitched. The 23-year-old was unanimously named the National League Cy Young Award winner in just his second big-league season. With a career K-BB rate of 25% across 320 2/3 MLB innings, Skenes' underlying numbers support his dominance. From a fantasy perspective, wins are the one category where Skenes provided middling production in 2025, particularly relative to other high-end starting pitching options. While the Pirates don't profile as a juggernaut in 2026, they have made some steps towards contention this offseason by adding veteran infielders
Brandon Lowe and
Ryan O'Hearn. With a better supporting cast around him, Skenes could reach yet another level in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken told quarterback
Shedeur Sanders that he tried to draft him last year as a member of the Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff, according to Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Baltimore was interested in taking Sanders out of the University of Colorado in last year's draft, but Sanders said he wasn't interested in sitting behind two-time MVP
Lamar Jackson. The Ravens ended up passing on Sanders, and he fell all the way to the fifth round when the Browns took him at No. 144 overall. The 23-year-old appeared in eight games (seven starts) in his rookie season in 2025, completing 56.6% of his pass attempts for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He added 21 carries for 169 yards and a TD on the ground. Sanders mostly struggled, but he also showed playmaking upside. The Browns are expected to bring in at least one QB this offseason, so Sanders won't be a lock to win the starting gig under center going into Week 1.
--Keith HernandezSource: Akron Beacon Journal - Chris Easterling
January 30, 2026
The Buffalo Bills are hiring Denver Broncos senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael as their offensive coordinator, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Carmichael had new Bills head coach Joe Brady on his coaching staff for two seasons in New Orleans with the Saints during a 15-year run as offensive coordinator. Carmichael will head to Buffalo to coach quarterback
Josh Allen after spending the last two years working with Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Although Carmichael won't be calling plays himself as the OC -- Brady will do that -- he'll bring a wealth of experience and knowledge as the Bills try to get over the hump and get to the Super Bowl with Allen at the helm. Carmichael becomes the fourth assistant coach to depart the Broncos' staff this offseason, as OC Joe Lombardi, receivers coach Keary Colbert, and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch were all fired this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 30, 2026
Wake Forest wide receiver transfer Sterling Berkhalter has signed with Texas, according to Pete Nakos of On3. The rising sixth-year senior spent two seasons at North Carolina A&T before one year at Cincinnati and one year with the Demon Deacons. Last year, he set career highs in receptions (30), receiving yards (416), and receiving touchdowns (two). He'll join a talented WR room headlined by Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo, and he'll help improve last year's offensive unit, which did not meet expectations under first-year starter Arch Manning.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Transfer Portal on X
January 30, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Darius Garland (toe) will miss Friday's game against Phoenix as he continues to recover from a right toe sprain, with his status for the upcoming road trip still uncertain. His absence has elevated
Jaylon Tyson into a steady starting role, and he has responded with 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists across his last five games, making him a strong short-term add.
Sam Merrill is still ramping up but profiles as a viable standard-league option as his minutes stabilize, especially with
Evan Mobley (calf) sidelined for multiple weeks. Garland remains a clear hold.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 30, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward/center
Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis after undergoing a dental procedure and has already been ruled out for Thursday against Houston, with Saturday's game in Indiana also off the table. His next chance to return comes Tuesday in Miami. Atlanta unexpectedly turned to
Christian Koloko as a starter, and he logged 26 minutes with six points, seven rebounds, one steal, and one block, while
Mouhamed Gueye played 21 minutes off the bench with two points, three rebounds, and two assists. Both Koloko and Gueye remain difficult to trust, given the small sample and fluctuating roles, keeping Okongwu as the clear hold.
--Brian DailisanSource: Atlanta Hawks
January 30, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (rest) will sit out Friday against Brooklyn after appearing in two straight games, giving Utah a scheduled night off for its leading scorer. His absence creates a short-term rotation adjustment, with
Kyle Filipowski expected to step into the starting power forward role. The second-year big has shown efficiency in limited minutes, including 12 points and four rebounds in 17 minutes Wednesday.
Brice Sensabaugh should see a usage bump after scoring 22 points in 26 minutes last game, while
Kyle Anderson and
Taylor Hendricks remain situational pieces.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 30, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
JR Ritchie is an emerging arm in the Atlanta system and is expected to make his MLB debut in 2026. Ritchie began the campaign with High-A Rome but was able to reach Triple-A Gwinnett in the second half. At High-A, the right-hander was impressive, logging 41 2/3 innings to the tune of a 1.30 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP. At Double-A, Ritchie took a slight step back, carrying a 3.49 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP across 38 2/3 innings of work. However, during his first look at Triple-A, the 22-year-old rounded back into form, posting a strong 3.02 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP. During these 59 2/3 innings, Ritchie struck out 61 hitters while allowing 27 walks. Managers should keep a close eye on his status during camp as he could contend for an early 2026 debut.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 30, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Cameron Johnson (knee) is hopeful to be cleared before the All-Star break after missing time since late December with a right knee bone bruise. While no firm date is set, the update tightens the window and puts his return on the near-term radar. Johnson is averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game across 28 starts, a modest fantasy profile. His return would squeeze
Jalen Pickett and
Spencer Jones, who have handled spot starts but remain volatile. Johnson profiles as a cautious hold, with limited upside unless his minutes climb quickly.
--Brian DailisanSource: Vinny Benedetto
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