February 5, 2026
The Chicago Bulls are trading guard
Ayo Dosunmu to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for
Rob Dillingham,
Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks. Dosunmu has spent the first five seasons of his career in Chicago, averaging 10.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. His ascension was on display this season, as he averaged a career-high 15.0 points per game in 45 games. With Minnesota trading
Mike Conley Jr. and now Dillingham, Dosunmu will compete for minutes at the point guard position alongside
Donte DiVincenzo, who has started in every game this season for Minnesota. For Chicago, the rebuild continues, as Dosunmu's departure opens the door for newly acquired
Jaden Ivey and
Collin Sexton to take over the share left behind.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 5, 2026
Free agent starting pitcher
Zac Gallen is one of the few impact starting pitchers left on the market after
Framber Valdez signed with the Tigers on Wednesday, and that fact could lead to more focus on Gallen from the Orioles, who were considered one of the main teams in the mix for Valdez. Like Valdez, Gallen rejected a qualifying offer, which could be complicating his market, but now that Framber is no longer an option, the O's could turn to Gallen. They need an arm for the top of their rotation that seems stuffed with middle-of-the-rotation arms like
Shane Baz,
Kyle Bradish,
Trevor Rogers,
Zach Eflin,
Dean Kremer,
Tyler Wells, and
Cade Povich. Gallen struggled early in 2025 but looked better in the second half, finishing with a 4.83 ERA, 4.50 FIP, and 175 strikeouts in 192 innings. The 30-year-old has won at least 12 games in each of the last four seasons, and he'll look to return to his ace form wherever he ends up landing.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Mark Feinsand
February 5, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers second baseman
Brice Turang is a perfect example of a post-hype breakthrough. He was considered a top prospect early in his career but took longer than some other players to develop. He had a breakthrough last season, though, hitting .288 with 18 homers, 24 stolen bases, and a .346 wOBA. His blend of power and speed from the top of the lineup made the former first-round pick one of the best second basemen on the board last season, and he's still undervalued in many formats, according to his ADP. Even if his batting average and power regress a little bit, the lefty should remain in a key spot in Milwaukee's lineup, and his speed gives him even more ways to help your fantasy team. The 26-year-old is definitely worth a look as you look for solutions at 2B, which doesn't have many elite options on the board.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers got his first extended look at major-league pitching last season, and the 28-year-old lefty established himself as one of the best emerging power options in the league. He smashed 25 homers in his 117 games while hitting a very solid .288 with a stellar .386 wOBA and 149 wRC+. Stowers hard-hit metrics have been good in the past, but his barrel rate jumped from 10.9% in 2024 all the way to 19.0% in 2025. That barrel rate placed him in the 98th percentile, and his hard-hit rate also fell in the top 10% of the MLB. He crushed right-handed pitching and should be back to play a key role in the Marlins' young, progressing lineup this season. He's a good power option to target in fantasy baseball drafts this season and should remain in a prominent role in Miami. He was shut down at the end of the year with an oblique injury, but should start spring training fully healthy.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin had a three-assist game on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks, helping his team secure a 4-2 victory. Nichushkin helped Artturi Lehkonen score two second-period goals, and Josh Manson potted the game-winning goal in the third after work from Nichushkin and Nathan MacKinnon. With Martin Necas (lower body) out, Nichushkin has skated on the first line with Lehkonen and MacKinnon. The Olympic break comes at the wrong time for him, as the Russian forward has been pointless only once in his last six outings. For the season, Nichushkin has totaled 12 goals and 34 points in 46 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 5, 2026
The NCAA denied Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss' medical redshirt waiver on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The veteran signal caller was seeking an extra year of eligibility through a medical redshirt dating back to his second year at Farris State in 2022. This was just one step in his fight to earn a sixth year of collegiate eligibility, but it is not over. The 23-year-old's attorney has filed an injunction in the state court of Mississippi. The hearing is expected to take place on February 12 in the Chancery Court of Lafayette County in Mississippi. This case looms large for the 2026 college football season, as Chambliss would be viewed as one of the nation's top quarterbacks if he can return, giving Ole Miss a chance to compete for a second straight College Football Playoff berth. In his first season with the Rebels, he tallied 3,973 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions along with 527 rushing yards and eight scores. If Chambliss is unsuccessful in gaining another year of eligibility, former Auburn five-star quarterback Deuce Knight is likely in line to start for Ole Miss in the first full year of the Pete Golding era.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
February 5, 2026
Nashville Predators center Ryan O'Reilly finished Wednesday's high-scoring 6-5 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild with three assists. The veteran forward started off the night with a power-play assist in the first period and served up an even-strength assist in the second and third periods. O'Reilly has been one of the surprise performers in fantasy hockey this season, averaging a point per game for the first time in his 17-year NHL career. He's on track for an 80-point campaign after managing only 53 points a season ago. In 56 outings, O'Reilly has posted 20 goals and 36 assists. He will attempt to post a three-game multi-point streak on Thursday against Washington, something O'Reilly hasn't done in the regular season since 2016-17.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 5, 2026
Free agent pitcher
Mason Thompson has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers after spending the last several years with the Nationals. The signing is a return home for Thompson, who is from Texas and went to Round Rock High School, near where the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate plays. The 6-foot-6 righty has appeared in 89 games out of the bullpen for the Nats over the last four seasons, compiling a 5.54 ERA and 4.26 FIP in 89 1/3 innings. He was knocked around in both Triple-A and his brief stint in the majors last season, but that was his first action since Tommy John surgery in the spring of 2024. He'll look to complete his recovery and compete for a job in the Rangers' bullpen, and if he can return to his pre-surgery production, he will be an interesting depth option to monitor in spring training.
--Zach ThompsonSource: MLB.com
February 5, 2026
Free agent starting pitcher
Zac Gallen has drawn interest this offseason from the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles, but the veteran righty remains open to a return to the Arizona Diamondbacks as well. He said in an interview on Fox10 Phoenix, "I think people understand what Phoenix means to me...For us to be here would be awesome." The 30-year-old remains one of the top available starting pitchers, especially now that
Framber Valdez landed with the Tigers. Last year, Gallen's numbers dropped off, even though he still logged 192 innings with a 4.83 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and just 175 strikeouts. He looked better late in the season, and he could try to return to Arizona to re-establish his value on a short-term deal. He would provide nice depth for the D-backs' rotation that currently has the re-signed
Merrill Kelly,
Ryne Nelson,
Eduardo Rodriguez,
Brandon Pfaadt, and free agent signee
Michael Soroka slotted into the rotation. Managers should expect Gallen to hold mid-end SP4/SP5 upside in 2026, given his inconsistencies last season, but keep an eye on where he lands since his environment will play a big factor in his production.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Blake Niemann
February 5, 2026
Minnesota Wild winger Matt Boldy rocked the Nashville Predators with an early hat trick and a four-point performance in Wednesday's 6-5 overtime victory. The 24-year-old posted the fastest hat trick in franchise history to start a game, netting his third goal with just 12:58 played in the first period. Zach Parise held the previous record of 16:33, set in 2016. Boldy completed his big performance with an assist on Jared Spurgeon's game-winning goal late in overtime. The prolific winger became the sixth player in the league this season with at least 30 goals and 30 assists. He has managed 62 points (32 goals, 30 assists) in 54 contests. Boldy will now shift his attention to representing Team USA at the Olympics before continuing the season with the Wild on Feb. 25.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 5, 2026
Free agent pitcher
Josh Fleming will look to add some left-handed depth to the reigning American League champions after signing a minor-league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays that includes an invite to spring training. Felming is a 29-year-old southpaw who last appeared in the majors in 2024 with the Pirates. He went 1-1 with a 4.02 ERA and 4.76 FIP in 31 1/3 innings with Pittsburgh, striking out just 17 and allowing a .457 wOBA to lefties in tough reverse splits. Fleming originally came up with the Rays before spending that season in Pittsburgh, but he spent 2025 in Triple-A for the Mariners, where he went 5-5 in 47 games, working mostly out of the bullpen and compiling a 4.91 ERA and 5.64 xFIP. He could get some work in the bullpen at some point this season, but he's not likely to break camp with the team unless injuries strike Toronto's relievers.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Alden Gonzalez
February 5, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Jet Greaves registered a 21-save shutout on Wednesday night in a 4-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. A day after Elvis Merzlikins blanked the New Jersey Devils, Greaves responded with an equally impressive shutout effort. The Blue Jackets kept the opposition from scoring in consecutive days for just the second time in franchise history. Greaves earned his second shutout of the season, improving to 18-12-6. He holds a 2.62 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. Greaves and Merzlikins have been sharing the workload recently and will likely continue to do so after the Olympic break.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 5, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (lower body) exited Wednesday's 4-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period. He appeared to injure his left leg after getting tangled with Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. Chicago also finished the contest without forward Colton Dach (undisclosed), who left in the second frame. "If we were playing tomorrow, Dach wouldn't play, but he'd be kind of day to day-ish," Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill said postgame. "Kaiser would be out for a little bit. Kaiser, I don't want to put out an exact timeline. We'll know more after getting examined tomorrow, but we'll see after the break." Due to the Olympic break, the Blackhawks won't return to action until Feb. 25, giving Kaiser plenty of time to recover. However, he might still miss action if it's a major injury. The 23-year-old has registered 12 points (five goals, seven assists), 58 shots, 47 blocks, and 36 hits in 57 appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 5, 2026
Florida Panthers left wing Sandis Vilmanis (upper body) left Wednesday's 5-4 shootout win over the Boston Bruins early, Adam Lichtenstein of the Sun Sentinel reports. The Latvian forward was limited to four shifts and 2:35 of ice time. Vilmanis has contributed two goals and two assists through his first 13 career games this season. He had three points in four games before Wednesday's contest. Given his early exit against Boston, Vilmanis should be considered questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Florida also lost defenseman Tobias Bjornfot (undisclosed) in Wednesday's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Adam Lichtenstein
February 5, 2026
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (lower body) won't play on Thursday against the New York Islanders, missing a third consecutive game. After sitting out most of December with a hand injury, Hughes is dealing with a lower-body ailment. Hughes is scheduled to play for Team USA at the Olympics and will have an additional week to recover before the tournament opener against Latvia. The Devils have used Cody Glass in the top six since Hughes landed on the shelf. Before going scoreless in Tuesday's loss to Columbus, Glass had averaged a point per game over a 10-game stretch.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 5, 2026
The Chicago Bulls have acquired forward/center
Guerschon Yabusele from the New York Knicks in exchange for forward
Dalen Terry, SNY's Alex Smith reports. Sources have told SNY's Ian Begley that the Bulls plan to keep Yabusele and see how he fits with the team's guards. After a good comeback campaign in the NBA with Philadelphia in 2024-25, Yabusele had a frustrating time in New York. He was limited to 8.9 minutes per game, averaging 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds. The Frenchman should have a larger role in the Bulls' frontcourt after the team traded
Nikola Vucevic to Boston, at least until
Zach Collins (toe) returns to the rotation. However, Yabusele still won't offer much fantasy value as
Jalen Smith's backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Alex Smith
February 5, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect
Jhostynxon Garcia is expected to be in serious competition for a starting job during spring training. The Pirates acquired Garcia from the Red Sox earlier in December in a package that sent
Johan Oviedo to Boston. Garcia made a brief debut in the major leagues last season, posting a .143/.333/.286 line in a short five-game stint. The 23-year-old spent the majority of his season in the minor leagues. At Double-A, he would post a .256/.355/.393 slash line with three home runs and four stolen bases, across a 33-game stint. Over an 81-game look at Triple-A, Garcia took a step further, posting a .271/.334/.498 line with a .832 OPS and 18 long balls. Given his power upside, he is worth monitoring in deeper five-outfielder leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
The Charlotte Hornets have acquired point guard
Tyus Jones from the Orlando Magic for cash considerations. The team also picked up a couple of second-round draft picks in the deal. Jones is a skilled playmaker, but things didn't work out for him in Orlando after he signed with the team as a free agent during the offseason. Across 48 appearances, he made only eight starts and averaged 3.0 points and 2.4 assists in 15.7 minutes. With
LaMelo Ball entrenched as the starting point guard and the arrivals of
Coby White and
Mike Conley from Chicago, Jones' fantasy prospects are unlikely to improve in Charlotte.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA.com
February 5, 2026
New York Yankees outfield prospect
Spencer Jones will have a much tougher task to crack the Opening Day roster during spring training, following the signing of
Cody Bellinger. Before Bellinger was slated to return to the Bronx, Jones was expected to be considered for a role in left field, competing alongside switch-hitter
Jasson Dominguez. However, with Bellinger now back in the mix, the outfield seems quite crowded for the time being. Last summer, Jones opened the season with Double-A but needed just 49 games to prove he was ready to make the jump to the top level in the Yankee system. Through his first 67 games at Triple-A, Jones blasted 19 home runs with a .274/.342/.555 slash line. Even though he is unlikely to break camp with the Yankees, he could become a top stash option and would be the first name called following an injury.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
The Toronto Raptors have picked up center
Trayce Jackson-Davis from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for a 2026 second-round draft pick. The 25-year-old is departing his original team after being the 57th pick in the 2023 draft. As a reserve big, Jackson-Davis did some good work in San Francisco, averaging 6.6 points and 4.6 rebounds in 15.1 minutes per game. This season, he was limited to 4.2 points and 3.1 boards in 11.4 minutes. Toronto has played much of the season without its starting center,
Jakob Poeltl (back), with rookie
Collin Murray-Boyles shouldering a heavy workload alongside
Sandro Mamukelashvili. Jackson-Davis adds depth at center, but he won't have any fantasy value unless Toronto's injury situation worsens.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 5, 2026
Detroit Tigers top catching prospect
Josue Briceno was invited to MLB spring training. Briceno will join the team's other two top hitting prospects,
Kevin McGonigle and
Max Clark. Per MLB.com, Briceno is ranked as the sport's No. 33 prospect while he sits as Detroit's No. 3, sitting behind the two previously noted hitters. Briceno opened the 2025 campaign with High-A but needed only 55 games to prove he was ready to make the jump to Double-A. At High-A West Michigan, Briceno posted a .296/.422/.602 slash line with 13 doubles and 15 long balls. Through his first 45 games at Double-A, the young backstop took a slight step back, posting a lower .232/.335/.381 line with a modest .716 OPS. Given his growing pains, managers should expect Briceno to begin 2026 with Double-A Erie. However, if he enjoys a dominant start, he should be in the mix to join Triple-A before the All-Star break.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB Pipeline
February 5, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Eduardo Quintero is emerging as a top dynasty asset ahead of the 2026 campaign. According to MLB.com, Quintero is currently listed as the team's No. 3 overall prospect and the No. 34-best prospect in the entire sport. Quintero spent most of the 2025 campaign in Low-A but earned a brief promotion to High-A later in the second half. Across 81 games with Low-A Rancho, Quintero held a dominant .306/.426/.533 slash line with 14 home runs and 34 stolen bases. During this stretch, Quintero carried a solid 88:65 K:BB. This productive play earned him a 32-game stint in High-A. Through this short look, Quintero posted a .259/.384/.440 line with five home runs and 12 stolen bases. Managers should monitor his status early this season as he could make a case to join Double-A in the first half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
February 5, 2026
The Atlanta Hawks acquired guard/forward
Buddy Hield from the Golden State Warriors, ESPN's Anthony Slater and Shams Charania report. He was traded alongside
Jonathan Kuminga (knee) in a deal to land
Kristaps Porzingis (illness). Hield moved to San Francisco in 2024 and had a solid debut campaign. However, he couldn't build on it and became expendable for the Warriors. This season, Hield has averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 17.5 minutes per game. His workload is unlikely to improve in Atlanta unless he improves his career-low 34.4 percent three-point shooting.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 5, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect
Joshua Baez is a name to monitor during spring training as he could push for an early MLB promotion. Baez is currently ranked as the No. 14 prospect in the St. Louis system on MLB.com. Baez began the 2205 season in High-A, where he held a .317/.404/.483 slash line with eight doubles, four home runs, and an impressive 20 stolen bases, across a 38-game stint. He was then bumped up to Double-A Springfield, where he spent the majority of the campaign. Over his last 79 games, the outfielder held a .271/.374/.509 line an .883 OPS. During this stint, the former second-round pick hit 16 home runs while swiping 34 bags. While the Cardinals will likely look to give him a taste of Triple-A early in 2026, given St. Louis' current outfield situation, Baez could be in the mix for a first-half MLB debut. Given his five-category potential, he is a top name to monitor in deeper five-outfielder leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will end the season with the Golden State Warriors, who acquired him from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for
Jonathan Kuminga and
Buddy Hield. The Warriors attempted to lure
Giannis Antetokounmpo away from the Milwaukee Bucks but failed, settling for the Latvian big man. According to ESPN's Anthony Slater and Shams Charania, Porzingis has been on Golden State's radar since his Boston days. Unfortunately, it has been another season marked by health issues for Porzingis, who appeared in only 17 games for the Hawks after they brought him in from Boston in the summer. He has done well when healthy, averaging 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks. Golden State sees him as a good fit in the frontcourt next to
Draymond Green, so Porzingis could enjoy a big finish to the season if he can stay healthy.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 5, 2026
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect
Nolan McLean is expected to operate in a lead role in the upcoming season. With the Mets missing out on left-handed starter
Framber Valdez in free agency, their rotation looks set entering spring training. While newly-acquired right-hander
Freddy Peralta will serve as the ace, McLean will likely slide in as the No. 2 option. Last summer, the former third-round selection made his MLB debut and looked quite comfortable in the major leagues. Across his first 48 innings of work, the right-hander struck out 57 hitters while posting a 2.06 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Progressing through the minor leagues, McLean carried a 2.41 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP across 113 2/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A. McLean is a top breakout pick in drafts this season, as he should be given a massive workload this summer.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
The Atlanta Hawks have acquired forward
Jonathan Kuminga (knee) from the Golden State Warriors, ESPN's Anthony Slater and Shams Charania report. Golden State also departed with
Buddy Hield in the deal to pick up
Kristaps Porzingis (illness). According to team sources, this transaction ends the Warriors' attempts to acquire Milwaukee Bucks superstar
Giannis Antetokounmpo. Kuminga had a difficult contract negotiation with Golden State during the offseason and never appeared to be part of the team's long-term plans. The 23-year-old won't be in a comfortable spot in Atlanta either, as his playing time will mostly come as
Jalen Johnson's backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 5, 2026
Washington Nationals outfielder
Dylan Crews continued to show flashes of upside in the majors last year, but for the most part, struggled to produce at a very high level and looked like he could use some more time in Triple-A. The former top prospect played 85 of his 98 games in MLB last season, slashing a frustrating .208/.280/.352 with a 7.5% walk rate and 23.6% strikeout rate. He is starting to show signs of the plus power we've expected all along, and the baserunning has come along quite well, as he stole 17 bags. Still, a blend of experience and generally poor results makes him a riskier name entering the 2026 season. ZiPS projects him for 1.8 fWAR in 2026, and he currently ranks #43 in the latest RotoBaller fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Gilbert is coming off a strong 2025 season, during which he posted a 2.95 xFIP with 11.89 K/9 and 2.13 BB/9. Along the way, he tied for second among Mariners pitchers in fWAR. The biggest blemish against Gilbert last year was his susceptibility to loud contact, as he surrendered home runs at a 1.37 HR/9 clip while his ground ball rate dropped to 38.9%. Outside of a few minor concerns, Gilbert has established himself as one of the best MLB arms in terms of control and results. He also has a fascinating pitch mix headlined by the splitter, which earned a 144 Stuff+ grade by FanGraphs' model. Meanwhile, he sat in the mid-to-upper-90s with his fastball. Gilbert currently projects as the Mariners' #2 starter behind
Bryan Woo, and he ranks at #6 in the latest RotoBaller fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 5, 2026
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Hunter Greene remains with the team ahead of spring training, despite countless trade rumors and speculation throughout the offseason. At times, it sounded like Greene might be a legitimate trade candidate, but in the end, he'll remain the ace in Cincinnati's rotation for at least one more year. He's coming off a solid season that was abbreviated due to injury. Across 19 starts (107.2 innings), he posted a 3.04 xERA, 11.03 K/9, and 2.17 BB/9. Loud contact was a slightly concerning subject as his home run rate jumped to 1.25 HR/9 and his ground ball rate dropped to 32.9%. Still, his impressive control and ability to blow his 100 mph fastball by batters make him one of the most exciting players to watch and roster in fantasy baseball. He remains atop the Reds' rotation and is on track for a 3.56 FIP with 3.2 fWAR in 2026, according to the ZiPS projections. As it stands, Greene ranks as the #9 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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