March 27, 2026
After signing a two-year deal with the team over the offseason, Colorado Rockies utility man
Willi Castro is expected to serve as the team's primary third baseman to open 2026. Across 454 plate appearances split between the Minnesota Twins and Chicago Cubs in 2025, Castro hit .226/.316/.366 with 11 home runs, 33 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. The 28-year-old's main appeal is his positional versatility, as he's logged significant time at every position on the diamond other than first base, catcher and pitcher. With a career 5.9% barrel rate and 33.2% hard-hit rate, Castro is unlikely to provide more than 10-15 homer power for fantasy managers. However, he's just two years removed from stealing 33 bases as a member of the Twins in 2023. If Castro can hold everyday playing time while playing his home games in the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field, he could be a useful multi-positional eligible depth piece for fantasy managers in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Free-agent running back
Najee Harris (Achilles) is scheduled to meet with the Las Vegas Raiders next Thursday, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The former Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers RB visited with the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday as he looks for his new home. The 28-year-old former 24th overall pick by the Steelers in 2021 out of Alabama began his NFL career with four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons in the Steel City. He signed with the Chargers as a free agent last offseason, but he only appeared in three games for the Bolts in 2025 before suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Harris probably isn't an option to re-sign in L.A. after the Chargers picked up former Ravens RB
Keaton Mitchell to give them depth behind
Omarion Hampton. If Harris were to sign with Vegas, he'd be the clear backup to second-year back
Ashton Jeanty and would merely be a handcuff option in fantasy football leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 27, 2026
The New York Yankees signed free-agent right-hander
Luis Garcia (elbow) to a two-year minor-league deal on Friday, a source told Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Garcia is currently rehabbing after having the second Tommy John surgery of his career last October. His base salary for the 2027 season would be $2.25 million with another $750,000 in possible performance bonuses. The 29-year-old Venezuelan hurler also missed all of the 2024 season due to injury. Garcia entered the league in 2020 with the Houston Astros and has gone 29-19 with a 3.60 ERA (3.82 FIP), 1.15 WHIP, 25.3% strikeout rate, and a 7.7% walk rate in 359 2/3 innings over 71 appearances (65 starts) in the majors in five seasons with the Astros. He only made two starts in 2025 before being shut down. The Yankees are hoping that Garcia can be an option for their starting rotation in 2027 after he recovers from right-elbow surgery.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
March 27, 2026
The New York Daily News' Gary Phillips reports that New York Yankees pitching prospect
Carlos Lagrange is scheduled to make his debut at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday for the RailRiders. Lagrange, who is considered the team's No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was named the Yankees' most outstanding rookie during spring training. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out 17 batters while walking six in 16 1/3 innings pitched in five Grapefruit League appearances (two starts). The hard-throwing Dominican is one of the better pitching stashes in dynasty/keeper leagues. The 6-foot-7, 248-pounder had a 3.53 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 168 strikeouts and 62 walks in 120 innings over 24 outings (23 starts) with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset in 2025. Lagrange had an impressive 31% strikeout rate but also a concerning 14.9% walk rate. If Lagrange cannot improve his control, he could be ticketed for a high-leverage bullpen role in the Bronx by the 2027 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
March 27, 2026
New York Yankees left-handed-hitting first baseman/catcher
Ben Rice will take a seat on Friday at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants with left-hander
Robbie Ray on the mound, according to MLB.com. Rice will give way to right-handed-hitting
Paul Goldschmidt, who is starting at first base and batting leadoff for the Yanks. Rice, who broke out in 2025 with 26 home runs and 65 RBI in 138 games played, is expected to play more against lefties in 2026, but he'll start on the bench in this one. In his young MLB career, Rice has a .683 OPS against left-handers as opposed to an .809 OPS versus righty pitchers. He went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Wednesday night's Opening Day win over San Fran. Goldschmidt, a former National League MVP, has seen a decline in his production in recent years, but the 38-year-old veteran did have an impressive .981 OPS with seven of his 10 homers against southpaws last year. He's gone hitless in five career at-bats against Ray.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
San Francisco Giants first baseman
Rafael Devers (hamstring) is still feeling something in his left hamstring, which is why he's serving as the designated hitter again on Friday at Oracle Park against the visiting New York Yankees, according to John Shea of The San Francisco Standard. Manager Tony Vitello said that Devers could play first if necessary. "Still a little bit of a feeling in there," Vitello said. Devers is the DH and is batting third on Friday against Yankees right-hander
Cam Schlittler, while infielder
Casey Schmitt will make another start at first base and bat seventh for the Gigantes. The 29-year-old Devers dealt with a balky hammy in late February during spring training, but it's obviously not a very serious injury since he remains in the starting lineup. Devers went 1-for-4 in the 7-0 Opening Day loss to New York on Wednesday night. Fantasy managers will want to keep him in their lineups as the Giants try for their first win of the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Francisco Standard - John Shea
March 27, 2026
Kansas City Royals left-handed-hitting outfielder/first baseman
Jac Caglianone will start on the bench for the team's Opening Day game on Friday against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park with left-hander
Chris Sale on the mound. The Royals aren't going to have Caglianone face one of the nastiest left-handers in the game to begin his first full season in the big leagues, especially after the left-handed power bat struggled mightily in his first taste of major-league pitching in 62 games in 2025. The former sixth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Florida did hit seven games in 232 plate appearances, but he also struck out 52 times and hit just .157 (33-for-210). Things looked better in spring training, though, as Cags went 7-for-23 (.304) in a small sample size with a homer, four RBI, six walks, and seven strikeouts in 10 Cactus League games. He's expected to be on the strong side of a platoon against righties in right field for KC in 2026. Veteran
Starling Marte is in right on Friday and will hit sixth against Sale. Marte has hit .286 with a .572 in just seven career at-bats versus Sale.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
Outfielder
Jason Heyward officially announced his retirement from professional baseball on Friday on MLB Network. Heyward played 16 years in the major leagues with the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres, and Houston Astros. The 36-year-old helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series in 2016 and was also named to an All-Star team with the Braves in his rookie season in 2010, when he hit .277/.393/.456 with an .849 OPS, 18 home runs, 72 RBI, 83 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 142 games. Heyward was perhaps most known for his glove in right field, winning five Gold Glove in his career. He hit a career-high 27 home runs and stole 21 bases in his third season with the Braves in 2012. Heyward finishes his successful career with a .255/.336/.408 slash line, 186 home runs, 730 RBI, and 125 stolen bases in 1,824 regular-season games. He played in 34 games for the Padres in his final MLB season in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Network
March 27, 2026
The Buffalo Bills re-signed safety Damar Hamlin (pectoral) to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Hamlin will return to the Bills for a sixth season after they originally selected him in the sixth round (212th overall) in 2021 out of Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old defensive back missed the final 13 games of last season due to a pectoral injury, but he should be fully healthy for the start of training camp this summer. In just five games played in 2025, Hamlin had one solo tackle for the Bills. Hamlin started 13 of the 15 games he appeared in during his second year in the league in 2022 before collapsing on the field in January of that season due to a cardiac-arrest incident. It was a scary scene. He returned to play in five games the following season, then started all 14 games he appeared in during 2024. Hamlin will most likely be in a reserve role in Buffalo's secondary in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
March 27, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring), who began the 2026 season on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain, threw, hit, and ran during a workout on Wednesday as he builds up his workload and intensity, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The plan is for the Marlins to reassess Stowers in three to four weeks. He strained his hamstring earlier this spring and then left last Friday's split-squad game against the Houston Astros with tightness in the same hamstring. Stowers' 2025 breakout season also ended prematurely last August when he suffered a left-oblique strain, but he had already managed to hit 25 home runs and drive in 73 runs in 117 games to establish himself as one of the National League's top hitters. The Marlins signed veteran
Austin Slater to help give them additional outfield depth with Stowers out. Durability concerns are real for Stowers, but he is a must-stash in all fantasy formats as the Marlins hitter with the most upside in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
March 27, 2026
Chicago White Sox right-hander
Shane Smith got off to a bad start to the 2026 season on Opening Day on Thursday in a 14-2 loss to the hosting Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Smith only went 1 2/3 innings in his first start of the year and surrendered four runs (three earned) on three hits while walking two and striking out two. All of the damage against Smith came on a bases-clearing double from catcher
William Contreras in the second inning. It was the shortest outing of the 25-year-old's career, and he threw only 54 pitches. Smith was an All-Star in 2025 in his first year in the majors, going 7-8 with a 3.81 ERA (4.10 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 145 strikeouts and 58 walks in 146 1/3 innings over his 29 starts for Chicago. Smith's 23.9% strikeout rate was slightly above league average, but his 9.4% walk rate was well below average. If Smith continues to exhibit poor control, it could be a tough sophomore season, especially since he's unlikely to pick up many wins on what should be another bad White Sox team.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Tanner Bibee's right-shoulder issue that forced him out of his Opening Day start early on Thursday night against the Seatle Mariners "doesn't appear serious at this point," according to Tom Withers of The Associated Press. The Guardians will re-evaluate Bibee on Friday, at which point we should have a better idea of whether he might land on the injured list. The Guardians took the cautious approach in Game 1 of the season, but it's possible that left-hander
Logan Allen could take Bibee's rotation spot if rest is required. The 27-year-old took a no-decision on Thursday before leaving with a trainer, allowing three solo home runs while walking two and striking out seven in his five innings of work to begin the 2026 campaign. Cleveland called Bibee's injury right-shoulder inflammation on Thursday night. At the very least, Bibee's next start will most likely be pushed back, but he could also go on the IL and miss at least 15 days.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press - Tom Withers
March 27, 2026
Chicago White Sox third baseman
Miguel Vargas went hitless during Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers. Vargas went 0-for-3 at the plate with a walk in the blowout loss. It wasn't an ideal start for Vargas, but that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from considering scooping him up. The 26-year-old was in the three-hole, which should help his fantasy value if he sticks in that spot going forward. He's coming off a productive season with the White Sox in 2025. He slashed .234/.316/.401 with 16 home runs and 60 RBI across 138 games. The expectation is that Vargas will get a chance to play full-time at third base in 2026. He doesn't hit for average, but has decent pop, can draw walks, and has some speed as well. Vargas does enough right on the field to warrant a look in deep leagues to start the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
March 27, 2026
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Mick Abel is expected to make his season debut at some point during the upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals. Although fantasy managers might not want to wait until then to scoop up Abel. The young right-hander earned a spot in the starting rotation after an impressive performance during Spring Training. Abel posted a 2.00 ERA, 0.83 WHIP with 23 strikeouts in 18 innings of work. The former first-round pick was part of the trade that sent
Jhoan Duran to the Philadelphia Phillies mid-season last year. Abel struggled in four outings with the Twins last season, but appears to have turned a corner. The 24-year-old could be a consistent big league starter as long as he can keep his walk rate in check. He's worth a look in mixed leagues and could quickly become a popular waiver wire pickup.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
March 27, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Giancarlo Stanton got the season started the right way during Wednesday's Opening Day matchup versus the San Francisco Giants. Stanton went 2-for-4 with two singles and an RBI in the 7-0 win over the Giants. It was a nice beginning to the season for the oft-injured slugger who is hopeful to stay healthy in 2026. Although it's worth noting that Stanton continues to deal with elbow issues that he'll need to manage throughout the season. Stanton already spends most of his time at designated hitter, which is a trend that should continue going forward. The 36-year-old should also get plenty of maintenance days to keep managing his lingering elbow problems. When healthy, Stanton is a dangerous bat who is a threat to go deep at any moment. He's an intriguing fantasy option, but not someone that must be rostered in all fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
March 27, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Sal Frelick got the season started with a bang on Thursday. Frelick made some noise with a two-run home run off
Tyler Gilbert in the fifth inning. He would finish his day 1-for-3 with a homer, two RBI, and two walks in the blowout win over the Chicago White Sox. This was a nice start to the season for Frelick, who is coming off a productive 2025 campaign. Last season, Frelick slashed .288/.351/.405 with 12 home runs, 63 RBI, and 19 steals across 142 games. The former first-round pick doesn't have a ton of power, but does a lot of things right on the baseball field. The 25-year-old does enough to warrant rostering in mixed leagues and is someone to keep an eye on right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
March 27, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman
Ryan O'Hearn made his team debut versus the New York Mets on Thursday. He came ready to swing the bat on Opening Day. O'Hearn went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in the loss. He took right-hander
Tobias Myers deep in the sixth inning and singled in the ninth inning. The Pirates signed O'Hearn to a two-year, $29 million deal over the offseason. The first time All-Star slashed .281/.366/.437 with 17 home runs and 63 RBI across 144 games with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres last season. The 32-year-old should get regular playing time in the middle of the order in Pittsburgh. He's someone worth monitoring in fantasy leagues, but is more of a deep league option at the moment.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
March 27, 2026
Penn State running back
Nicholas Singleton was a four-year contributor for the Nittany Lions, but he was never able to recapture the magic of his 2022 true freshman season. After scoring 10 touchdowns and nearly reaching 1,000 yards on a 6.3 yards per carry clip, his average dropped below five yards per attempt over his next three seasons, and he topped double-digit rushing scores only once more. Singleton is often knocked for his subpar vision, but he has the physical traits offensive coordinators dream about, and which often translate into fantasy success. He weighs in at nearly 220 pounds, and had he not injured his foot during Senior Bowl practices, he likely would have threatened for one of the faster 40 times at the NFL Combine. In a wide-open rookie running back class, those physical tools could see him come off the board earlier than anticipated, and he will likely become a divisive pick in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Running back
J.K. Dobbins (foot) recently agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal to return to a Denver Broncos team that he led in rushing in 2025 despite missing the final seven games of the season. Denver had made upgrading the position a public priority before essentially returning the same unit from last year. With the Broncos picking comfortably outside of the range to add an impact rookie like
Jeremiyah Love, the team looks to be heading into 2026 with Dobbins,
RJ Harvey, and
Jaleel McLaughlin again topping the depth chart. Dobbins was easily the most effective runner of that group in 2025, averaging nearly a yard and a half more per carry than Harvey, and pacing toward 1,300 rushing yards before his Week 10 foot injury. Denver returns all five starters from an offensive line that has regularly been considered among the best in the league, and they made a splash by trading for former Dolphins receiver
Jaylen Waddle, a move that should elevate the entire offense.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Notre Dame wide receiver
Malachi Fields played five collegiate seasons, but he was never able to top the 811 receiving yards from his 2023 sophomore season at Virginia. From an analytical perspective, his 2.20 yards per route run as a senior, which has become a strong indicator of fantasy success, ranks in the bottom half of the draft class. Fields made several highlight-worthy plays during Senior Bowl practices and was commonly linked to the late first round in early mock drafts, but a rocky showing at the NFL Combine, along with further dissection of his production profile, has now landed him closer to late Day 2 status in more recent mocks. With no clear consensus on how the rest of the rookie wide receiver class will shake out behind the Big Three of Jordan Tyson,
Carnell Tate, and
Makai Lemon, draft capital will become a telling piece of his rookie profile.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (upper body) is week-to-week, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny doesn't expect Hayton to play for a bit after he sustained an upper-body injury in Tuesday's loss to Edmonton. Hayton has tallied 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in 67 outings this season. His absence allowed Daniil But to re-enter the lineup on Thursday night against Washington, but he didn't make an impact in 9:08 of ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Brogan Houston
March 27, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Travis Etienne Jr. was one of the first names off the board when the legal tampering window opened ahead of the new league year. Now that the dust has settled on the early wave of free agency, his landing spot in the bayou looks to be one of the better fits from a fantasy perspective. In year one under head coach Kellen Moore, the Saints ran one of the fastest paces of play in the league, and their signing of former Bills guard David Edwards to a four-year, $61 million contract should help to bolster the interior of a line that ranked near the bottom of the league in run blocking. Etienne's own signing of a top-of-the-market four-year, $52 million deal also signals the Saints' intent to make him a true workhorse back. His 325 touches in 2023 mark a career-high by a wide margin and uncoincidentally resulted in a career-best RB3 finish in Half-PPR formats.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (lower body) will be unavailable for 1-2 weeks, the team announced. He sat out his first game of the season on Thursday night against Dallas and is expected to be sidelined for at least three more contests. Losing DeAngelo is a significant setback for the playoff-chasing Islanders. The 30-year-old has contributed five goals and 28 assists in 72 games. On the bright side, Ryan Pulock (lower body) was back on the blue line against Dallas, which helps ease the impact of DeAngelo's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: New York Islanders
March 27, 2026
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (undisclosed) didn't finish Thursday's 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. He exited the action in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. Steel's ice time has increased throughout the season due to injuries, and it's helped him to record a career-high 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 72 games. But he may now be sidelined himself. Fortunately for Dallas, Mikko Rantanen (lower body) is close to returning and will practice on Friday. Meanwhile, Michael Bunting, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday, is an option to rejoin the lineup for this weekend's back-to-back against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Heika
March 27, 2026
Alabama quarterback
Ty Simpson finished his collegiate career with a limited body of work, but his athleticism, pocket presence, and leadership ability have been enough to impress several teams. He has spent most of the pre-draft process as the consensus number two quarterback in the class, with the biggest question being how much later than presumed number one overall pick
Fernando Mendoza he will slide. With the NFL Draft less than a month away, Simpson has regularly found himself mocked in the back half of the first round. Three of his most common landing spots have been with the Rams, Jets, and Steelers, with whom he could be thrust into his earliest starting role, depending on how the
Aaron Rodgers saga plays out. If Simpson does earn first-round NFL capital, he will likely slot into the late first round of dynasty rookie drafts as well.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
March 27, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Jeff Svoboda of the Blue Jackets' official site reports. Severson scored the Blue Jackets' only goal of the game in the first period but left the action in the third. The 31-year-old has been very productive lately, recording three goals and two assists over the last five games. He has posted 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 71 games for the season. Egor Zamula or Jake Christiansen will get a chance to play if Severson misses additional time, while Denton Mateychuk could be his replacement on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jeff Svoboda
March 27, 2026
Joe Pyfer will look to extend his win streak when he takes on former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Seattle on Saturday. Pyfer was last seen competing in October at UFC 320, where he submitted Abus Magomedov in the second round via rear-naked choke. Since signing with the UFC, Pyfer has gone 6-1, with his only loss being to Jack Hermansson in 2024. DraftKings sees Erosa as the underdog with a salary of $7,700.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
March 27, 2026
San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 2-1 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 23-year-old was making his return from a lower-body injury but had to leave the game midway through the second period. Askarov was involved in a collission in the crease and appeared to have hurt his neck. He stopped all 11 SOG he faced. Askarov's replacement, Alex Nedeljkovic, allowed two goals on 12 SOG. If Askarov is forced to miss time again, the Sharks will likely bring back Laurent Brossoit from the minors to serve as Nedeljkovic's backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: San Jose Sharks PR
March 27, 2026
Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will aim to get back in the win column when he takes on Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle on Saturday. This fight is extremely imortant for Adesanya who is looking to snap the first three-fight losing streak of his career. Adesanya was last seen in the Octagon in February 2025 at UFC Riyadh where he suffered a second-round TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov. DraftKings sees Adesanya as the favorite with a salary of $8,500.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
March 27, 2026
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Cade Cavalli got the Opening Day nod versus the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The right-hander didn't work deep into the game as he only threw 3.2 innings before getting pulled at 75 pitches. He allowed three runs (two earned), on three hits, with three walks, and five strikeouts in the no-decision. The former first-round pick registered a 4.25 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and a 40:15 K/BB ratio across 10 starts last season. Cavalli showed some promising signs here, but he will have a tough challenge against the Philadelphia Phillies during his next time out. Fantasy managers should keep their eye on Cavalli right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
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