February 18, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Lars Nootbaar (heels) still has no timeline for a return to full baseball activities, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Nootbaar has been able to hit and throw, but he's just now moving into being able to run without assistance. The 28-year-old will continue to run on an anti-gravity treadmill in camp after having surgery in early October on both of his heels to address deformities. The Cardinals are unlikely to rush Nootbaar, so the expectation is that he will not be ready to go on Opening Day in late March. Nootbaar played a career-high 135 games in 2025 and disappointed offensively, slashing .234/.325/.361 with a career-worst .686 OPS, 13 homers, 48 RBI, 68 runs, and four steals in 583 plate appearances. His batted-ball metrics have always teased more -- he had a career-best 50% hard-hit rate and 10.2% barrel rate in 2025 -- but he's rarely been healthy and has yet to put it all together. Nootbaar needs to get healthy and finally break through to jump into the top-100 outfield rankings.
--Keith HernandezSource: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
February 18, 2026
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Houston Astros' chances of trading third baseman
Isaac Paredes before the start of the 2026 season are "diminishing." Paredes missed two months last year in his first season in Houston due to a serious hamstring tear, which led to the team reacquiring
Carlos Correa to play third. The 27-year-old is now blocked in the infield with
Jose Altuve moving back to second base, and at designated hitter (
Yordan Alvarez). Paredes is moving around at multiple different positions this spring, and a utility role might be his best path to playing time, barring an injury. Despite playing in only 102 games, Paredes reached the 20-homer mark for the third time in his six MLB seasons while slashing .254/.352/.458 with an .809 OPS. His 2026 fantasy value is unsettled without a clear path to regular playing time. A trade out of town with an everyday role would be the best outcome from a fantasy perspective.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
February 18, 2026
Sacramento Kings' newly acquired forward
De'Andre Hunter (eye) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Orlando Magic. Hunter missed the previous three games with a left eye injury that began before the All-Star break. The forward was traded to Sacramento from the Cleveland Cavaliers during this season's trade deadline and has played just three games with the Kings. With him set to miss another game on Thursday, forward
Precious Achiuwa should start, while rookies
Maxime Raynaud and
Nique Clifford should be major beneficiaries of the number of injuries affecting the Kings' lineup.
--Nathan HarveySource: James Ham
February 18, 2026
Golden State Warriors center
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Boston Celtics, but he told reporters he plans to make his debut with the team. Porzingis was traded to the Warriors from the Atlanta Hawks at this season's trade deadline after playing just 17 games with them. Many expect Porzingis to be the perfect fit with the Warriors, barring health. The former fourth-overall pick has averaged 19.6 points per game in his career, shooting over 36% from three in each of the last four seasons. With Porzingis expected to play, centers
Al Horford and
Quinten Post should see fewer minutes moving forward, while Porzingis should be more of a factor from a fantasy perspective.
--Nathan HarveySource: Anthony Slater - ESPN
February 18, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Toronto Raptors but practiced in full on Wednesday and expects to play. Giddey has missed the previous eight games with a strained left hamstring, and the team has struggled, losing seven of its last eight games without him. The former sixth-overall pick has had a career year in his fifth season, averaging 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in 32 minutes per game. With Giddey expected to return on Thursday, expect guards
Collin Sexton,
Jaden Ivey, and
Rob Dillingham to see fewer minutes and less offensive production moving forward.
--Nathan HarveySource: K.C. Johnson
February 18, 2026
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (toe) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Anunoby has missed the previous four games after having his toenail removed, but practiced in full on Wednesday, opening the door for a potential return on Thursday. In 41 games this season, Anunoby has averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 33 minutes per game. A return seems likely, but Anunoby could face a minutes restriction despite facing the current first seed in the Eastern Conference. If he does, in fact, play on Thursday, look for
Mohamed Diawara to see a reduced workload.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Begley
February 18, 2026
Right-hander
Tobias Myers will be on the New York Mets' Opening Day roster, according to manager
Carlos Mendoza. Myers will begin his first year with the Mets in the bullpen if the starting rotation is full and everyone is healthy, but the Mets will not send him to the minors simply to keep him stretched out. The 27-year-old came over from the Milwaukee Brewers in the offseason as part of the trade that involved starter
Freddy Peralta. He will most likely start the year in a long-relief role and will likely operate as a swingman, as needed. Myers spent most of the 2025 campaign going back and forth between Milwaukee and Triple-A Nashville, and he started only six of his 22 appearances after making 25 starts for the Brew Crew in his rookie season. It was discouraging that his strikeout rate fell from 22.3% to 17.3% in mostly a relief role. Without a clear path to a starting role in Queens, Myers won't have any mixed-league utility.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
February 18, 2026
Charlotte Hornets guard
Coby White (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets, and head coach Charles Lee said there's no clear timeline for his return. White was acquired by the Hornets from the Chicago Bulls at this season's trade deadline but has yet to suit up for them. In 29 games this season with Chicago, White has averaged 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in just over 29 minutes per game. With the newly acquired guard not ready to return from his calf injury, guards
Sion James and
Grant Williams should benefit from his absence. Fantasy managers should expect White to return in the coming weeks, as the Hornets enter playoff contention and no shutdown is expected.
--Nathan HarveySource: DaShawn Brown
February 18, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani will remain in the leadoff spot this season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. Why mess with success? The two-way superstar won his third straight MVP award and fourth in the last five seasons while also helping the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series titles. The 2026 season will be his first full year in L.A. as a true two-way player. Ohtani led the league last year in runs (146), slugging percentage (.622), OPS (1.014), and total bases (380) in 158 regular-season games while also hitting .282 with a career-high 55 home runs, 102 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. The 31-year-old was unable to live up to his 50-50 showing from 2024, but he still was a beast as a DH for fantasy managers. He will once again set the table for the best team in baseball and will be the top player off the board in all fantasy drafts as a hitter.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
February 18, 2026
Los Angeles Angels right-hander
Jose Soriano will start the team's Cactus League opener in spring training on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Soriano is completely recovered after missing the final two weeks of last season with a right-forearm contusion. Not only will the 27-year-old kick off Cactus League action this year, but he could get the nod as the Halos' Opening Day starter over left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi. In his third year in the majors with the Angels in 2025, Soriano went 10-11 with a career-high 4.26 ERA (3.73 FIP), 1.39 WHIP, and 152:78 K:BB in 169 innings over his 31 starts. His stuff is top-notch, and he generates plenty of ground balls, but Soriano holds only a 22.1% career strikeout rate, while his 10.6% walk rate will scare many away. RotoBaller has him ranked just inside the top 100 starting pitchers in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
February 18, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that right-handed reliever
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) won't be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Graterol's velocity was up the last time he threw off a mound, but the Dodgers will continue to take things slow with him. The 27-year-old had surgery on his right shoulder in November of 2024 and missed the entire 2025 campaign, so the Dodgers aren't going to rush him back. Graterol held a fantastic 1.20 ERA (3.03 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, a career-high seven saves, 48 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 67 1/3 innings pitched in 2023 for the Dodgers before getting hurt in 2024. If he can return to that pre-injury form in 2026, he will certainly have a place near the back end of the Dodgers' bullpen in a contract year. However, with just 7 1/3 innings thrown since the start of 2024, Graterol is a big question mark.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
February 18, 2026
Marquee Sports Network's Bruce Levine says that Chicago Cubs shortstop
Dansby Swanson has a new approach at the plate this year and is going to "forsake some of the power for more contact," and he also mentioned that Swanson wants to hit the ball the other way more often. The 32-year-old veteran hasn't hit over .244 in any of his three seasons on the North Side, although he did clobber 24 homers (three off his career high) in 159 regular-season games in 2025. Swanson had his first 20-20 season in the big leagues last year, but he'd like to drop his strikeout rate, which has been at 25% in the last four years. Plate discipline hasn't been the issue, but rather making contact with hittable pitches inside the zone. Swanson has been good but not great for fantasy managers, and he ranks as RotoBaller's No. 16 shortstop. As long as he continues to run like he did last year, fantasy managers probably won't mind a little power trade-off for a higher average.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network - Bruce Levine
February 18, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez (groin) admitted that a groin injury was partly to blame for the worst offensive season of his big-league career in 2025, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. "I wasn't moving the way I know I can move," Hernández said. The groin injury he dealt with last year never really felt right." The 33-year-old Dominican veteran cleaned up his diet in the offseason and dropped 10 pounds as he looks to bounce back in 2026. Hernandez is eager to prove that he can get back to the production he had in his first year in L.A., when he hit .272/.339/.501 with an .840 OPS, career-high 33 home runs, 99 RBI, 84 runs, and 12 stolen bases in 154 regular-season games. His defense also slipped last year, but Hernandez was still essential in helping the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series titles. Hernandez's batted-ball metrics in 2025 were similar to his career year in 2024, suggesting he can easily bounce back in his third year in Hollywood. And in the best lineup in baseball, you could definitely have a worse No. 3 outfielder in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
February 18, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (ribs) is expected to practice Thursday as he works toward a return from a right costochondral injury that has sidelined him for 15 straight games. He is averaging 25.3 usage in 32.0 minutes this season and could be listed as questionable for Friday's matchup in Atlanta depending on how he responds. Until he is cleared,
Kasparas Jakucionis,
Myron Gardner, and
Simone Fontecchio should continue seeing added run, though all remain fringe fantasy options. Herro's return would tighten the rotation and restore primary scoring duties alongside
Bam Adebayo and
Norman Powell.
--Brian DailisanSource: Anthony Chiang
February 18, 2026
Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl offensive guard Wyatt Teller, who will be a free agent in March, announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he will not return to Cleveland and will sign elsewhere, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Teller was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round in 2018 out of Virginia Tech, but he has spent seven of his eight years in the NFL with the Browns. The 31-year-old veteran was a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons from 2021 to 2023, but he appeared in only 13 games in each of the past two seasons in Cleveland. A calf injury limited him this past season. Teller figures to draw plenty of interest on the open market for teams that are looking for a dependable starting right guard. He has started 101 of the 109 games he's appeared in during his eight seasons in the league.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
February 18, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jonathan Kuminga (knee) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week as he continues rehabbing a left knee bone bruise, the team announced Wednesday. The injury occurred Jan. 22, and Kuminga will miss at least the next stretch of games before another update. His delayed debut keeps minutes open on the wing.
Corey Kispert has averaged 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 threes in 25.4 minutes over his last eight games, while
Zaccharie Risacher is posting 10.5 points and 1.5 threes in 24.2 minutes across 42 contests. Both are viable deeper-league streamers but remain fringe options until Kuminga is cleared.
--Brian DailisanSource: Atlanta Hawks
February 18, 2026
The Los Angeles Rams announced on Wednesday that they re-signed offensive lineman David Quessenberry to an undisclosed one-year deal. Quessenberry was in his first year with the Rams in 2025, and he appeared in 13 regular-season games (zero starts). The 35-year-old veteran offensive tackle only played 18 snaps on offense, though, and 73 snaps on special teams. The former sixth-round pick out of San Jose State in 2013 will return to L.A. next season as offensive-line depth. Quessenberry has bounced around the league in his eight years in the NFL, having already played for five different teams.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Rams
February 18, 2026
Free-agent catcher
Mitch Garver and the Seattle Mariners agreed on a minor-league deal on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 35-year-old veteran backstop spent the last two seasons with the Mariners and will compete for the backup job in 2026 to American League MVP runner-up
Cal Raleigh. In his two years in the Pacific Northwest, Garver hit a measly .187/.290/.341 with a .632 OPS, but he did contribute 24 home runs, 81 RBI, and 66 runs scored in 201 regular-season games over 720 plate appearances. His primary competition for the No. 2 job will be
Andrew Knizner, with
Jhonny Pereda also in the mix this spring. Garver's average was up a bit (.209) last year in 87 games, but his power (nine homers) was down. Because his glove is below-average, it will be an uphill battle for playing time in Seattle if he wins the backup job.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
February 18, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center
Evan Mobley (calf) will make his first appearance since straining his left calf during a Jan. 26 win over Orlando when Cleveland faces Brooklyn on Thursday. He has missed seven straight games and may not immediately resume a full workload, with a potential minutes restriction in play. Mobley is averaging 17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 33.4 minutes this season and remains a must-start in all formats. His return should cut into the roles of
Jaylon Tyson and
Sam Merrill, both of whom saw expanded minutes during his absence.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
New York Mets infielder
Jorge Polanco is unlikely to appear in the first week of Grapefruit League games in spring training as the team looks to slow-play him, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon and Tim Britton. Polanco isn't coming off any injury concerns from last year with the Seattle Mariners, but the 32-year-old veteran has averaged 110 games played over the last four years. Polanco's 138 games played for Seattle last year were his highest total since 2021. In addition to trying to keep him healthy going into his first year in Queens, Polanco will be given some extra time in camp to learn first base, a position he could play a lot of in 2026 after
Pete Alonso left in free agency. The Dominican switch-hitter had a nice bounce-back campaign last year, hitting .265/.326/.495 with an .821 OPS, 26 home runs, 78 RBI, 64 runs, and six stolen bases. His batted-ball metrics looked solid, but durability issues will keep him as more of an infield depth option in fantasy with power in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon and Tim Britton
February 18, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (ankle) said he is ready to return for Thursday's game against Orlando, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento. Murray has been out since early January but recently resumed full basketball activities. In 19 appearances this season, he is averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 threes in 35.9 minutes. With
Zach LaVine (hand) and
Domantas Sabonis (knee) out for the year, Murray should absorb more offensive responsibility alongside
DeMar DeRozan. The Kings could ease him back, but he's worth holding as his workload builds.
--Brian DailisanSource: James Ham
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against Washington. He's battled nagging injuries throughout the campaign, so he got the night off versus the Nets in Indiana's final contest leading up to the All-Star break. With
Pascal Siakam (personal) and
Ivica Zubac (ankle) ruled out, and
Aaron Nesmith (back) and
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) questionable, Nembhard should receive plenty of chances to produce in a meeting with one of the worst defensive squads in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez is unlikely to appear in the first week of the Grapefruit League as the team looks to slow-play him, according to Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic. Alvarez is expected to be ready to go for Opening Day in late March, but the Mets are going to be cautious with the 24-year-old backstop after he had thumb surgery at the end of last season. In addition to a torn UCL in his right thumb last August, Alvarez also got a late start in 2025 due to a left-hand fracture. The injuries limited the Venezuelan catcher to 76 games in his fourth year in the majors. In 277 plate appearances for the Mets, Alvarez hit .256/.339/.447 with a career-high .787 OPS, 11 home runs, 32 RBI, and 32 runs scored. Alvarez's injury history is concerning, but he'll be the team's primary catcher, and he's pretty intriguing for his power upside at the cost of a backup fantasy catcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon and Tim Britton
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's game against Washington. He wasn't available versus the Nets in the Pacers' final contest before the All-Star break. Hopefully, the time off did him some good, although it's possible he may need another night off to recover from nagging hamstring soreness. With
Pascal Siakam (personal) and
Ivica Zubac (ankle) ruled out, and
Aaron Nesmith (back) listed as questionable, McConnell might work his way into the starting lineup, assuming he gets the green light to play. At the same time, even if the 33-year-old comes off the bench, he'll be worth streaming in most fantasy setups.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander
Hunter Dobbins (knee) was scheduled to visit with a doctor on Wednesday and is hoping to be fully cleared for baseball activities in spring training, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Dobbins is throwing bullpen sessions and live batting practice in camp, but he hasn't been able to field his position or do any running after having surgery on his right ACL last July. The 26-year-old could be on track to make some appearances in Grapefruit League games for his new team, but whether he'll be ready for Opening Day in late March is another question. The fact that Dobbins has yet to be fully cleared for baseball activities certainly isn't a good sign. For fantasy purposes, the former eighth-rounder doesn't have much long-term appeal with limited strikeout upside. In his 13 outings (11 starts) for Boston last year in his first MLB season, Dobbins had a 4.13 ERA (3.87 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 45 K's and 17 walks in 61 innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
February 18, 2026
Washington Wizards guard
Trae Young (knee) has not been cleared for contact and did not practice Wednesday, coach Brian Keefe said, via The Athletic. There is no timetable for his debut, and he can be considered week-to-week as he works back from a right knee MCL sprain and quad contusion. His absence keeps
Bub Carrington in the starting role. Carrington is averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 threes in 28.0 minutes across 53 games, though on 40.2 percent shooting.
Tre Johnson remains a viable streamer after posting 12.9 points and 2.1 threes in 25.0 minutes over 40 games.
--Brian DailisanSource: Josh Robbins
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Aaron Nesmith (back) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Wizards. He didn't suit up for the meeting with the Nets ahead of the All-Star break because of a lumbar strain. While Nesmith has a shot at playing on Thursday, it's also realistic to assume he won't be back on the court until Friday when these clubs meet again. With
Pascal Siakam (personal) sidelined,
Andrew Nembhard and
Jarace Walker have the best chance of leading the way offensively if Nesmith doesn't suit up.
Jay Huff could also be more involved on both ends of the floor, especially with
Ivica Zubac (ankle) still on the shelf.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam (personal) won't play on Thursday against Washington. These clubs will meet again on Friday, so fantasy managers will need to wait and see if he'll be back for that one. The Pacers have a number of players listed on the injury report, specifically,
T.J. McConnell (hamstring),
Aaron Nesmith (back),
Micah Potter (ankle), and
Ivica Zubac (ankle). As a result,
Kam Jones and
Ben Sheppard could see more work. That may also apply to
Quenton Jackson and
Ethan Thompson, depending on if they get the bump from the G League. With that said, there's a chance McConnell, Nesmith, and Potter will play, so there are a lot of moving parts in this scenario.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers guard
Darius Garland (toe) is considered week-to-week and continues practicing on a limited basis while managing his surgically repaired left foot, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. The team expects him to return this season, but a debut is unlikely before March. Garland carries a 28.6 usage rate when active, so his absence keeps
Kris Dunn entrenched as the starting point guard while
Kawhi Leonard maintains primary offensive control with a 34.8 usage rate.
Bennedict Mathurin and
Kobe Sanders carry value in deeper formats, though both profile as fringe options. Garland remains a firm hold in all competitive leagues.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 18, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Garrett Mitchell (shoulder) said that he received full clearance for baseball activities in early February, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Mitchell is a full-go in camp after having a second surgery on his left shoulder that limited him to just 25 games last season. The 27-year-old UCLA product was a first-rounder (20th overall) in 2020, but he just hasn't been able to stay on the field due to injuries. Mitchell hasn't played in more than 69 contests in a single season since debuting in the big leagues in 2022. In his four years with the Brewers, he's combined to hit .254/.333/.433 with a .766 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 61 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases in 141 games and 443 plate appearances. Mitchell should have a role in Milwaukee's outfield if he can stay healthy, and there is still enough power and speed in his profile to make him a worthwhile deep-league stash.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
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