January 29, 2026
Not much went right for second baseman
Marcus Semien in 2025 in what ended up being his final season with the Texas Rangers. The 35-year-old three-time All-Star continued to decline offensively and finished with a .230/.305/.364 slash line, career-worst .669 OPS, 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 62 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 127 games. Semien's 127 games played were his fewest in a full season since 2017 with Oakland, and his 15 homers were his fewest in a full season since 2018. The iron man -- Semien has played in a full 162 games three times in the last six full seasons -- might be succumbing to Father Time. A foot injury ended his season prematurely, but he should be ready for the start of 2026 with the Mets. While fantasy managers shouldn't be banking on a late-career resurgence like
George Springer in 2025, Semien can still provide moderate power/speed numbers as the Mets' starter at the keystone. Semien is best drafted as middle infield insurance now rather than a starting 2B in 12-team fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 29, 2026
With right-hander
Emmanuel Clase out of the saves picture in Cleveland, Guardians right-handed reliever heads into the 2026 season as the team's likely closer. Smith took over for Clase in the middle of last season and finished out the year with a 2.93 ERA (1.95 FIP), 1.00 WHIP, a career-high 16 saves, 104 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 73 2/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen. He had earned 76.4% of the team's save share, and he was one of just five relievers in major-league baseball to strike out 100-plus batters. The 26-year-old has proven pretty dominant in high-leverage situations in his two MLB seasons in Cleveland, striking out 207 batters and walking 36 in 149 innings pitched. Smith relied mostly on his fastball to post a 28.3 K-BB percentage, which ranked sixth among all qualified relievers. His fantasy value has skyrocketed from last year to this year, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 5 fantasy reliever.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 28, 2026
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Roman Anthony made his MLB debut on June 9 of 2025 and looked the part of the top prospect in baseball after his promotion, finishing his first season in the big leagues with a .292/.396/.463 slash line, .859 OPS, eight home runs, 32 RBI, 48 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 71 games played (303 plate appearances). The 21-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 already signed an eight-year, $130 million contract as a building block in Boston's outfield for the future. Anthony's first year with the BoSox ended disappointingly when he was shut down due to an oblique strain, which caused him to miss the playoffs. Fantasy managers should consider him a top-15 fantasy outfielder because he's expected to have a normal offseason following his oblique injury. Anthony has tons of long-term and short-term upside. He was only the second player in Red Sox history (other than Ted Williams) to have 20-plus extra-base hits and 25-plus walks in his first 52 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 28, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Trent Grisham had a career year in 2025 in his second year in the Bronx, slashing .235/.348/.464 with an .811 OPS, a career-high 34 home runs, a career-high 74 RBI, a career-high 87 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 143 regular-season games. Grisham's previous career-high in home runs was 17 in 2022 with the San Diego Padres. The left-handed-hitting outfielder's strong campaign was particularly a surprise because he hit under .200 in each of the previous three seasons. The 29-year-old's 2025 campaign was supported by a 46.4% hard-hit rate and 14.2% barrel rate, and he also had a .249 xBA and .481 xSLG. Grisham should open the 2026 season with regular playing time in a starting role, and it's also a plus that he'll have the short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium again. Power is what you're searching for with Grisham, but don't overspend. He's ranked as the No. 61 fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 28, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter
George Springer had a late-career resurgence to help lead the team to the World Series in 2025, hitting .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, 106 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games played. It was a bit of a surprise, considering Springer's offensive profile had been in decline leading up to the 2025 campaign. His .309 batting average and 166 wRC+ were both career-highs. Springer's surface stats were backed up by a 15.8% barrel rate and 46.7% hard-hit rate, and it helped that he put the ball in the air more often. In a hitter-friendly home ballpark and with a strong lineup around him, Springer has the skills to repeat his performance, but the injury risk because of his age (36) is very real. You'll have to pay slightly more for Springer in 2026 if you're willing to take on the risk. RotoBaller has Springer ranked as the No. 26 fantasy outfielder, but Toronto might keep him primarily as their DH to keep him healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 28, 2026
Former Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich has interviewed for the New York Jets' offensive-coordinator position, according to the team. In addition to Reich, the Jets have interviewed Darrell Bevell, Ronald Curry, Greg Roman, and Lunda Wells as they look to replace Tanner Engstrand, who was fired earlier this week. Reich, 64, is currently a senior adviser at Stanford University. He has more than a decade of NFL coaching experience, most recently as the head coach of Carolina in 2023. Before that, he was the head coach for the Colts for six years from 2018 to 2022. Reich won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016-17. He spent 14 seasons in the NFL as a player after being taken by the Buffalo Bills in the third round of the 1985 NFL Draft. Recent reports suggest that Reich is the favorite to become the Jets' next OC.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Jets
January 28, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Egor Demin (foot) won't suit up for Thursday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. It's the first of a back-to-back for the Nets, so the rookie is getting a night off to rest before likely returning on Friday against the Utah Jazz. Without Demin on the floor,
Ben Saraf is the favorite to replace him in the rotation. However, the 19-year-old has struggled in his five starts this season, averaging only 3.2 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 16.7% from behind the arc.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 28, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Cam Thomas (hamstring) won't play on Thursday in Denver. The Nets will then travel to Utah to meet the Jazz on Friday night, so Thomas will presumably be back for that contest. With
Noah Clowney (back) and
Egor Demin (foot) also out,
Michael Porter Jr. should receive even more opportunities to produce versus his former squad. The same can be said for
Nicolas Claxton,
Day'Ron Sharpe, and
Terance Mann (back), assuming he suits up.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 28, 2026
After a rough 2025 campaign with the New York Yankees in which right-handed closer
Devin Williams posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA and was demoted from the closer's role two separate times, he signed a three-year, $50 million deal to join the crosstown-rival New York Mets. Williams certainly didn't have the season he was hoping for in the Bronx, but he's primed for a bounce-back year. The 31-year-old veteran still has excellent stuff to close out games, his 2.68 FIP shows he ran into some bad luck, and his 25.1 K-BB percentage was 13th among qualified relief pitchers last year. The former second-rounder in 2013 by the Milwaukee Brewers is a two-time All-Star and has saved 86 games in his seven-year major-league career to this point. From 2022 to 2024 with the Brewers, Williams had a 1.66 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 65 saves. Despite his struggles with the Yanks, RotoBaller still has him as a top-10 fantasy closer.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 28, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (elbow) appears to be making good progress in his recovery process. On Wednesday, general manager Brian Cashman said there have been no surprises with Cole's rehab work. Cole missed all of the 2025 season while rehabbing his surgically repaired elbow. He has already started throwing the ball and plans to join the team's facility in Florida soon. Barring any setbacks, Cole should be able to rejoin the Yankees in late May or early June. When healthy, Cole is one of the best pitchers in the league, so he'll be worthy of holding on an IL spot until he's ready to pitch.
--Andy WebbSource: Gary Phillips
January 28, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Carlos Rodon (elbow) appears to be making solid progress in his recovery process. On Wednesday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that there have been no surprises so far during Rodon's rehab process. The veteran southpaw began throwing in December and has reported to the team's facility in Florida. Rodon underwent a procedure to address a bone spur in his left elbow late last season. Barring any setbacks, Rodon should be able to take the mound for the Yankees in late April or early May. Last season, Rodon posted a 3.09 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 203/73 K/BB ratio across 33 starts. The upside makes him worth stashing even if fantasy managers might get nothing from Rodon during the first month of the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Gary Phillips
January 28, 2026
The Washington Nationals have claimed shortstop
Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the New York Mets. Cheng will now land with his third team of the offseason after being designated for assignment by the Mets last week. The 24-year-old figures to offer organizational depth and is hopeful for a bounce-back season in 2026. Last season, Cheng slashed .207/.305/.267 with 36 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 110 games in the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league system. He'll look to earn a bench role with the Nats during Spring Training.
--Andy WebbSource: Washington Nationals
January 28, 2026
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on ESPN Cleveland on Wednesday that he expects new Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken to add to a quarterback room that already includes
Deshaun Watson (Achilles),
Shedeur Sanders, and
Dillon Gabriel. "I think the shake-up will be there regardless of whether it was Monken or someone else," Fowler said. If the Browns add, Fowler mentions
Malik Willis as an option in free agency and Ty Simpson as an option through the draft. It's unlikely that Monken, who has a head-coaching job for the first time in his NFL career, views the Browns' QB room as particularly attractive right now. Watson didn't play at all in 2025. He's likely to remain on the roster due to his massive salary cap hit, and he will face stiff competition for the starting job this summer. Gabriel and Sanders both struggled as rookies, but perhaps Monken will be beneficial in their development. Cleveland's QB picture is a giant question mark as things currently stand.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
January 28, 2026
Colorado Rockies outfielder
Yanquiel Fernandez has been designated for assignment by the organization on Wednesday. It's surprising to see Fernandez booted off the roster, given he's only 23 years old. He did struggle during his 52 games in the big leagues last season, but Fernandez still has promising upside. He slashed .284/.347/.502 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI across 64 games in Triple-A Albuquerque last season. Given the upside here, it wouldn't be shocking if multiple teams put in a waiver claim on Fernandez. His fantasy value will be dependent on where he goes and if he makes another team's 26-man roster.
--Andy WebbSource: Francys Romero
January 28, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels have claimed relief pitcher
Kaleb Ort off waivers from the New York Yankees. Ort was designated for assignment by the Yankees last week. He'll now head to Los Angeles, which will be his third team since the end of the regular season. At best, Ort will likely be used as a middle reliever, assuming he makes the Halos' 40-man roster. Last season, Ort posted a 4.89 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 49/27 K/BB ratio across 49 games with the Houston Astros. Ort is unlikely to have much fantasy value, even if he does make the final roster.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Yankees
January 28, 2026
Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter interviewed in-person on Tuesday for the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive-coordinator job, a league source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Cooter has been with the Colts since the 2023 season. Before landing in Indy, he was the passing-game coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, and before that, he was an offensive consultant in Philly in 2021. Cooter has worked in various offensive coaching roles since 2009 in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, and New York Jets. The Eagles are struggling to replace Kevin Patullo after his disappointing first year at the helm as the OC. Under Cooter in 2025, the Colts' offense ranked eighth in passing and scoring. A year after winning the Super Bowl, the Eagles' offense struggled to 22.3 points a game and led the NFL in three-and-outs.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
January 28, 2026
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder
Aaron Judge's right elbow is "doing really well" as he ramps up his throwing in preparation for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "He looks great," Boone said. The 33-year-old was sent to the injured list last year with a flexor strain in his elbow, and it limited him to designated hitter duties for a while after he returned. Judge returned to the outfield in September and avoided surgery, so he should be good to play the outfield to begin the 2026 regular season. Judge is the best hitter in baseball and has been the American League MVP in three of the last four years. He's the No. 2 overall fantasy player for a reason, as he's clubbed over 50 homers in three out of the last four seasons. Judge had 53 long balls and led the league in 2025 in WAR (9.7), runs (137), walks (124), batting average (.331), on-base percentage (.457), slugging percentage (.688), OPS (1.144), and total bases (372) in 152 regular-season contests.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
January 28, 2026
New York Yankees shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) is "working his tail off" as he rehabs from offseason left-shoulder surgery, according to general manager Brian Cashman. There's no updated return timetable on Volpe, but the Yankees said earlier this offseason that they don't expect Volpe to make his 2026 debut until after April, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The 24-year-old shortstop's fantasy stock has definitely taken a hit going into 2026 after having surgery for a shoulder injury that he suffered in the first half of last season. RotoBaller has Volpe ranked as the No. 34 fantasy shortstop after he hit .212/.272/.391 with 19 home runs, 72 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 153 games in 2025. Volpe will be much cheaper in fantasy drafts this year because of his shoulder surgery, and it could take him a while to regain his power stroke in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
January 28, 2026
The Atlanta Braves brought back right-handed closer
Raisel Iglesias on a one-year, $16 million deal for the 2026 campaign, but they also added high-leverage reliever
Robert Suarez in free agency. The Braves are saying that Iglesias will begin the year as their primary closer, but should Iglesias get injured or stumble, Suarez could take over quickly after leading baseball with 40 saves for the San Diego Padres in 2025. Suarez has 76 saves in the last two seasons, so he's plenty capable of handling the role in his new digs. The 36-year-old Iglesias didn't look like himself early in 2025, but he bounced back with an ERA under 2.00 and a 0.83 WHIP since the start of June. Iglesias had a league-best 16 saves over the final two months and was nearly unhittable during that time. He definitely still has the stuff to be a successful fantasy closer, but Suarez's presence has made him around the 12th fantasy closer off the board in drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 28, 2026
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Jake Bobo (hand) drew a limited tag on Wednesday's estimated injury report, according to The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. Bobo is dealing with a hand injury, but he'll have an extra week to rest before the Super Bowl kicks off against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Feb. 8. The 27-year-old pass-catcher caught his first touchdown of the year in the NFC Championship win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams on Sunday on a 17-yard reception in the third quarter. Bobo should be fine to play in the big game in a couple of weeks, but you shouldn't be expecting much from a player who only had two catches for 20 yards during 11 regular-season games for Seattle. In the NFC Championship, he played only 13 offensive snaps. Bobo is a long shot to find the end zone in back-to-back weeks.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
January 28, 2026
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold (oblique) was listed as a limited participant on the team's Wednesday practice estimation, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Darnold suffered a left-oblique injury in practice leading up to the Divisional Round win over the San Francisco 49ers, but he ended up playing. The 28-year-old wasn't really needed in the 41-6 blowout win, but he bounced back for fantasy managers in the NFC Championship victory over the Los Angeles Rams to throw for a season-high 346 yards and three touchdowns on 25-for-36 passing. Darnold has plenty of time to rest his oblique before the Super Bowl showdown against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Feb. 8. Seattle is the favorite over New England, and Darnold's oblique injury shouldn't be an issue at all as he looks for his first Super Bowl ring.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
January 28, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen), who was activated from Injured Reserve last week, was listed as limited on Wednesday's estimated injury report, according to Patriots.com. The Patriots are bringing Hollins along slowly following his IR stint, but he should have no problem suiting up for the Super Bowl versus the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 8. The 32-year-old wideout returned in the AFC Championship against the Denver Broncos on Sunday for the first time since getting injured in Week 16, and he caught both of his targets for a team-leading 51 yards. Offense was hard to come by on a snowy afternoon in the elevation in Denver, as quarterback
Drake Maye threw for under 100 yards. Hollins had 550 receiving yards and only two touchdowns on 46 receptions during the regular season. He'll be a boom/bust deep threat for Maye in the Super Bowl against a very good Seattle secondary.
--Keith HernandezSource: Patriots.com
January 28, 2026
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye (shoulder) was listed as a limited participant on the team's estimated injury report on Wednesday, according to the team's official website. Maye appeared to injure his right (throwing) shoulder in the AFC Championship game win over the Denver Broncos, but all signs point to him being fine to play in the Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Feb. 8. Head coach Mike Vrabel downplayed the injury, and the 23-year-old second-year signal-caller will have an extra week to heal up. Maye, who is in the MVP conversation in just his second year in the NFL, has not been as good in his first three playoff games as he was during the regular season, when he threw for 4,394 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight picks in 17 games. His completion percentage is down from a league-best 72% to 55.8% in the playoffs, and he's also fumbled six times (three lost) and taken a league-high 15 sacks. Maye should be healthy enough to play on Super Sunday, but he'll be facing another difficult test against a strong Seahawks defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: Patriots.com
January 28, 2026
Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix (ankle) said he will be back to training in four to six weeks after a quick surgery on a simple bone break in his right ankle that he suffered in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills, according to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. The Broncos really missed Nix in their 10-7 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. Nix won't end up missing any time in the offseason, though, so he should be fully healed in time for organized team activities this spring. In his second full season in the NFL, the 25-year-old Oregon product completed 63.4% of his pass attempts for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 starts. Nix led the league with 612 pass attempts and also seven game-winning drives. He added 356 rushing yards and five scores on 83 rushing attempts. Nix was the overall QB7 for fantasy managers and will be in play as a midrange QB1 target in 2026 as he heads into his third NFL season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel
January 28, 2026
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve and will start Wednesday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Czechia netminder has been out for six games while dealing with a lower-body injury. Across 28 prior starts this season, Vladar has posted a good 16-7-4 record. While he hasn't yet registered a single shutout, the 28-year-old has limited opponents to 2.46 goals while producing a .905 save percentage. The Blue Jackets are on a 6-1-0 run and scored eight goals in their last outing, making this a tough game for Vladar's return to the net.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 28, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has been out for six games due to an upper-body injury. Jake Christiansen will make way for Mateychuk in the lineup. It's been a good sophomore campaign for Mateychuk, as the 21-year-old has tallied 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists) in 44 outings while blocking 63 shots. He will join Ivan Provorov on the second defensive pairing, and the two will be part of the second power-play unit as well. Forward Miles Wood (upper body) will also re-enter the Blue Jackets lineup on Wednesday after missing 12 games, giving the in-form team a further boost.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 28, 2026
Because he missed almost the entire second half of the 2025 season due to a left rotator-cuff strain, Kansas City Royals left-hander
Kris Bubic (shoulder) is the No. 62-ranked starting fantasy pitcher at RotoBaller going into 2026. It's unclear if Bubic will be ready for the start of the regular season, but he was cleared to start throwing in November. Before his shoulder injury last year, the 28-year-old southpaw was in the midst of a breakout campaign, going 8-7 with a 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 116:39 K:BB in 20 starts over 116 innings pitched. Bubic only threw 30 1/3 innings in relief for KC in 2024, and his arm simply couldn't handle the volume increase. He doesn't have high-end velocity, but Bubic makes up for it with a diverse arsenal and excellent location that he uses to keep hitters off balance. If he's ready for the start of the 2026 season, Bubic could be a nice late-round value pick in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
January 28, 2026
Ottawa Senators center Stephen Halliday (upper body) won't play in Wednesday's matchup against the Colorado Avalanche. The 23-year-old had a fantastic game on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights with two goals and one assist, but Halliday also sustained an upper-body injury during the contest. He is considered day-to-day, with Halliday's first chance to return coming on Saturday night against the New Jersey Devils. Xavier Bourgault is expected to replace Halliday in the lineup after he was recalled from the minors. Having been almost a point-per-game performer in the AHL this season, Bourgault will get an opportunity to play in the NHL for just the second time in his career.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 28, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (lower body) will miss a third consecutive game on Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators. He suffered a lower-body injury a week ago and is considered day-to-day. Colorado has been hopeful that Colton will return at some point during the team's current four-game road trip. There are two more stops on the trip: Thursday in Montreal and Saturday in Detroit. With Colton and Gabriel Landeskog (upper body) on the shelf, Victor Olofsson has received an opportunity on the first line. Meanwhile, Taylor Makar has slotted into the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 28, 2026
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews (upper body) will sit out an 11th consecutive game on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators. He remains day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Toews' next chance to return will be on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. With him out, Sam Malinski has been accompanying Cale Makar on the first defensive pairing. The Cornell University product, who signed a four-year extension earlier this week, has also seen some power-play time. However, Malinski has been in an offensive slump this month, making it on the score sheet just twice in 11 appearances. Overall, he has notched a career-high 24 points (three goals, 21 assists) in 50 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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