April 3, 2026
Washington Commanders tight end
Ben Sinnott patiently waited behind
Zach Ertz throughout his first two years in the NFL. Even though Ertz is now a free agent, Sinnott isn't going to get his opportunity to break out quite yet. The Commanders signed
Chig Okonkwo to be their No. 1 tight end last month, leaving Sinnott as a minimal receiving threat in the No. 2 role. As the No. 2 tight end last year, Sinnott was held to just 11 catches, 114 yards, and one touchdown -- and most of that production came after Ertz went down with a torn ACL. Sinnott lacks standalone value behind Okonkwo and might not even get onto the fantasy radar if Okonkwo misses time. Managers are starting to get pessimistic that Sinnott will ever amount to anything in fantasy football, despite him being a second-round draft pick. There could be a glimmer of hope for dynasty managers if Sinnott ends up on a different team, but he's not projected to hit free agency until after the 2027 season.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Sam Darnold has been a top-13 fantasy option in each of the last two seasons. In 2025, the Super Bowl champion racked up 4,048 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Darnold has not missed a game in back-to-back seasons (2024 with the Vikings and 2025 with the Seahawks). In fantasy football, he has benefited from the presence of
Justin Jefferson or
Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the last two years, respectively. Under contract through 2027, Darnold will now have at least two more years of Smith-Njigba at his disposal, keeping him in the low-end QB1 or high-end QB2 range. Most dynasty managers will find themselves in a position to hold Darnold this offseason. Selling high is an option, but the lack of name value or rushing upside will probably result in trade offers that don't quite live up to his value. Therefore, he's worth holding, since he still offers low-end QB1 appeal even if other managers won't offer QB1 value in trades.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Jerry Jeudy is coming off a frustrating 2025 season in which he caught just 50 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns. Despite being healthy for all 17 games as the Browns' No. 1 receiver, he finished as just the WR52 in PPR leagues. Part of the blame can be attributed to the poor quarterback play of
Shedeur Sanders and
Dillon Gabriel, but we still would have expected Jeudy to see enough volume to consistently get on the fantasy radar. This is nothing new for Jeudy, unfortunately. The former first-round pick has ranked as the WR47 or lower in five of his NFL seasons. He has just two top-45 finishes. We can expect more of the same in 2026 as Jeudy returns to an offense led by either Sanders or
Deshaun Watson. Managers can't justify dropping him in dynasty leagues as long as he's the Browns' No. 1 receiver, but he's certainly not worth starting in fantasy lineups. He's worth holding for now in hopes that you can trade him after a flukey big week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Houston Astros closer
Josh Hader (biceps) touched 90 mph in his latest bullpen session, something the 31-year-old said he's never done before in a bullpen. It's definitely an encouraging sign as the southpaw works his way back from a bicep injury. The Astros are taking it slow with him, but the 6-foot-3 hurler remains on track for a return sometime in May. Although he dealt with a shoulder injury last season, he was his usual dominant self when he was on the mound, pitching to a 2.05 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 29.1 percent K-BB% while notching 28 saves for Houston in 52 2/3 innings pitched. The veteran should be stashed away in all leagues until his return. In the meantime, the six-time All-Star's replacement has been
Bryan Abreu, who has been shaky at best, allowing at least one run in each of his three appearances thus far, with a 2.57 WHIP, although he does have six strikeouts in just 2 1/3 IP.
--Jarod RuppSource: Luis Ortiz
April 3, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Justin Fields can be a temporary solution for the team and fantasy managers as
Patrick Mahomes (knee) recovers from his ACL tear. Fields was solid through nine games with the New York Jets last season, amassing 11 total touchdowns, one interception, and three lost fumbles. As the Jets moved on to
Geno Smith as their quarterback, it was clear that they had no place for Fields. Thus, he was dealt to Kansas City, where he might start Week 1 if Mahomes isn't cleared to play. Fields' rushing upside should be put to good use in a Chiefs offense led by Andy Reid and Eric Bieniemy. Bieniemy was the offensive coordinator behind Mahomes' 358 rushing yards in 2022 and
Sam Howell's 263 rushing yards in 2023. Over those two seasons, Mahomes and Howell combined for nine rushing touchdowns. Fields isn't a full-season option in fantasy football, but he has QB1 upside for the first few weeks if Mahomes isn't ready. He's worth a late-round pick for managers who wait until the later rounds to select their primary quarterback.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Chicago White Sox catcher
Kyle Teel (hamstring) had a positive report on his right-hamstring injury, according to Scott Merking of MLB.com. "I feel much better this week, honestly. It's going well. I would say that, like I still don't know exactly when on the timeline I'll be back," Teel said. "From the way I've been feeling, it's been a steady incline. From what everyone who has hamstring injuries tells me, there's going to be a day where it just feels really, really good. That's when you make that big jump. I feel like I'm coming up on that day really soon." The 24-year-old backstop was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right-hamstring strain in mid-March in spring training while playing for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic, which is why he's on the shelf to begin the 2026 regular season. When healthy, Teel is expected to be Chicago's primary catcher. Until then,
Edgar Quero and
Reese McGuire will continue to split the catching duties for the Pale Hose.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
April 3, 2026
FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that Cincinnati Reds left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) will meet the team on their road trip in Texas, at which point they will discuss his blister issues and the next step in his rehab. Lodolo started the 2026 regular season on the 15-day injured list with a blister on his left index finger, and he had to leave his minor-league rehab start early with Single-A Dayton in the third inning on Tuesday. Because of the setback, the 28-year-old southpaw will have a longer stay on the IL to begin the season. The good news is that Lodolo struck out four of the eight batters he faced in his rehab outing on Tuesday, throwing 40 pitches in the process. Depending on how Lodolo's finger recovers, he could still have a chance to make his season debut for the Reds before the end of April. Because of his strikeout upside, Lodolo should be stashed in all fantasy formats while he recovers.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
April 3, 2026
The Colorado Rockies activated outfielder
Mickey Moniak (finger) from the 10-day injured list on Friday, and he will hit third in the team's home opener at Coors Field against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander
Aaron Nola, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Moniak is hitting third in the batting order. The 27-year-old will be making his 2026 season debut after suffering a right ring finger sprain just before the start of the regular season. The former first overall pick by the Phillies in 2016 had a breakout season in 2025 with the Rockies, slashing .270/.306/.518 with an .824 OPS, 24 home runs, 68 RBI, 62 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 461 plate appearances over 135 games played. He definitely receives a boost in hitter-friendly Coors Field in the high altitude in Denver, and he should be a lineup regular for Colorado against right-handed pitchers. Moniak has never faced Nola in his six-year major-league career.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
April 3, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect
Trey Yesavage (shoulder) is scheduled to throw three innings for Single-A Dunedin on Friday, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Manager John Schneider estimated that Yesavage would be back in the majors first, followed by right-handers
Jose Berrios (elbow) and
Shane Bieber (elbow, forearm). The Blue Jays proceeded cautiously with the 22-year-old in spring training after he made a quick rise all the way to the big leagues at the tail end of last season. He put his high-end arsenal on display in the postseason, too, even striking out 12 Los Angeles Dodgers batters in the World Series. Yesavage didn't pitch in any Grapefruit League games before being shut down with a right-shoulder impingement that isn't considered serious. Barring a setback, he should be ready to rejoin the Jays' rotation before the end of April, but his fantasy upside will likely be limited initially as Toronto eases him back and limits his innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet.ca - Ben Nicholson-Smith
April 3, 2026
Washington Nationals outfielder
James Wood admitted that he dealt with nagging knee and quadriceps injuries in 2025, which helps explain why he cooled off so much in the second half, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Wood initially dealt with left-quad tendinitis in spring training last year before recovering and playing well in the first half of the season. "It was just kind of more of a nagging thing. One series I'd feel great, and the next, not so great. So it was just kind of a series-by-series, or week-by-week thing," Wood said. The young left-handed slugger came into the 2026 season fully healthy, but he's hitting .111 with a homer, 12 strikeouts, and a .496 OPS in the early going this year. The difference this year is that Wood believes he's better equipped to handle slumps, and he's not worried about the lower-body injuries that plagued him a year ago. There's no reason to go into panic mode on the 23-year-old just yet.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
April 3, 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays announced on Friday that they placed left-hander
Garrett Cleavinger (calf) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 31) with right-calf tightness and recalled right-hander
Hunter Bigge from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Cleavinger's calf injury could help explain his rough start to the 2026 campaign. The 31-year-old veteran has allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking four and striking out three in just 2 1/3 innings of work over his first three appearances out of the bullpen in Tampa. It remains to be seen how long Cleavinger will be out, but he should have a good chance of returning before the end of April, barring a setback. He entered the season with a chance to have save opportunities, but his poor start and now his injury have hurt his chances in that regard. Cleavinger had a nice 2.35 ERA last year and has eight saves for the Rays over the past two seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: Rays Communications
April 3, 2026
New York Yankees left-hander
Carlos Rodon (elbow, hamstring) said that he is hoping to throw off a mound on Saturday, and that his next outing will likely be in a controlled environment like a live batting practice session, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Rodon hopes to start a minor-league rehab assignment after that if all goes according to plan. The 33-year-old had offseason surgery on his left elbow and recently suffered a minor setback due to right-hamstring tightness. It's not a serious issue, though, and he could be ready to make his 2026 season debut before the end of April if he can avoid another setback once he begins pitching in minor-league games. When healthy, Rodon has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation arm for fantasy managers on one of the best teams in baseball, so he should be stashed in an IL spot everywhere. He was an All-Star for the third time in his career in 2025, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 203:73 K:BB in his 33 starts (195 1/3 innings pitched).
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
April 3, 2026
The Boston Red Sox placed right-hander
Garrett Whitlock on paternity leave on Friday, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Whitlock will be away from the Red Sox for up to three days as he leaves for the birth of his child. The 29-year-old has become a full-time reliever again after he made 23 starts for the BoSox from 2022 to 2024. In his three relief outings so far in 2026 as a late-inning setup man for Boston, Whitlock has thrown three scoreless innings while giving up two hits, walking two, and striking out four. He is the team's primary eighth-inning setup man in front of closer
Aroldis Chapman, and he should once again be a strong source of holds in fantasy formats that count the category. Whitlock settled into a relief role nicely in 2025 and had a career-high 31.1% strikeout rate in the late innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
April 3, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin is batting seventh in his major-league debut on Friday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander
Kyle Bradish, according to MLB.com. It didn't take long for the Pirates to call up the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball after he went 7-for-16 (.438) with three doubles, an RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases in five games on the farm with Triple-A Indianapolis. It's not a big surprise that Griffin is up in the big leagues this early. He hit just .171 (7-for-41) in 16 Grapefruit League games during spring training, but Griffin also had four home runs, nine RBI, and a stolen base. In addition to getting the early-season call-up, the 19-year-old is expected to land a nine-year, $140 million contract extension soon. If he wasn't already, Griffin should be rostered in all fantasy leagues and could make an immediate impact across all categories. If he gets off to a quick start, don't be surprised to see the Pirates move him up in the batting order sooner than later.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 3, 2026
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder
Chase DeLauter (foot) is back in the lineup for Friday's game against the visiting Chicago Cubs and right-hander
Cade Horton, according to MLB.com. DeLauter is serving as the Guardians' designated hitter and will bat second in the lineup. The 24-year-old fouled a ball off his foot in Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but X-rays came back negative, and he'll serve as the DH for the team's home opener on Friday. The former 16th overall pick in 2022 out of James Madison has been a hot early-season waiver-wire pickup because of his high upside and hot start in 2026. Through his first six major-league games, DeLauter has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with four home runs, five RBI, five runs scored, one walk, and seven strikeouts. Fantasy managers who have DeLauter rostered will want to get him back into their lineups this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 3, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton is back in the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Miami Marlins and right-hander
Eury Perez, serving as the DH and hitting fifth in the batting order, per MLB.com. Stanton will be back in action for the Yanks after getting a normal day off on Wednesday. The 36-year-old veteran will be rested occasionally to keep him healthy for the long haul. So far in his first five games of the 2026 season, Stanton has looked good at the plate, going 10-for-20 with a home run, two doubles, four RBI, and two runs scored. Fantasy managers will want to get Stanton back in their lineups against Perez, whom he's gone 2-for-4 against in his career with one RBI and a 1.250 OPS.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 3, 2026
Chris Duncan will look to extend his win streak when he takes on former title challenger Renato Moicano in the main event of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. Duncan was last seen in the Octagon in December at UFC 323, where he defeated Terrance McKinney with a first-round anaconda choke submission. Prior to that, he defeated Mateusz Rebecki via unanimous decision. Duncan is currently on a four-fight winning streak. DraftKings sees Duncan as the favorite with a salary of $8,800.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Detroit Tigers rookie infielder
Kevin McGonigle has been bumped up to leadoff for Friday's game against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander
Michael McGreevy, according to MLB.com. Infielder
Colt Keith will take a seat on the bench for this one. McGonigle, who was considered the consensus No. 2 overall prospect in baseball coming into the season, made the big-league roster out of spring training and has looked mature beyond his years in his first 22 major-league at-bats, going 8-for-22 (.364) with five RBI, four runs scored, three walks, and three strikeouts in his first six games. McGonigle will be starting at third base on Friday for the fourth time, and he's also made three starts at shortstop, so fantasy managers should be able to get dual eligibility out of him in his rookie campaign. If McGonigle continues to perform like he has in the early going, he'll be an absolute steal for fantasy managers who landed him in single-year mixed leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 3, 2026
Former lightweight title challenger Renato Moicano will look to bounce back when he takes on Chris Duncan in the main event of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. At UFC 311, he stepped into the UFC 311 main event against Islam Makhachev at the last minute after Arman Tsarukyan injured his back; however, Moicano suffered a first-round submission loss. More recently, Moicano fought at UFC 317 and suffered a unanimous decision loss to Beneil Dariush. DraftKings sees Moicano as the underdog with a salary of $7,400.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Tabatha Ricci will look to win back-to-back fights when she faces off against former title challenger Virna Jandiroba in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. Ricci was last seen in action in July at UFC Abu Dhabi, where she got back in the win column by finishing Amanda Ribas via second-round TKO. Outside of former two-time titleholder Zhang Weili, who relinquished the title to move up a weight class, there's no leading contender to face newly crowned champion Mackenzie Dern. DraftKings sees Ricci as a slight favorite with a salary of $8,300.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Former title challenger Virna Jandiroba will look to get back in the win column when she takes on Tabatha Ricci in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. Jandiroba was last seen in action in October at UFC 321, where she fought for the women's strawweight belt, but unfortunately for Jandiroba, she wasn't able to capture the title, having lost via unanimous decision to Mackenzie Dern. Looking to rebound from the first title fight setback of her career, Jandiroba enters this fight as a slight underdog with a salary of $7,900 on DraftKings.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Brendson Ribeiro will look to get back in the win column when he faces off against undefeated Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev on the main card of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. Since signing with the UFC, Ribeiro has had six fights inside the Octagon, having recorded two wins and dropping the other four. Ribeiro was last seen competing in September at UFC Paris, where he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Oumar Sy. Prior to that, he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Shamil Gaziev. DraftKings sees Ribeiro as a massive underdog with a salary of $6,300.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev will look to remain unbeaten as he facess off against Brendson Ribeiro on the main card of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. It's safe to say there is a lot of hype around Yakhyaev who enters this fight with a eight fight winning streak. Yakhyaev has needed just a combined 63 seconds to finish his last two fights, having won by TKO and more recently, by submission. DraftKings sees Yakhyaev as the biggest favorite on the card with a salary of $9,900.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Ethyn Ewing will look to extend his win streak when he takes on Rafael Estevam on the main card of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. Ewing made his UFC debut in his last fight back in November at UFC 322, where he defeated Malcolm Wellmaker by unanimous decision. He trains out of CSW Training Center and is currently 9-2 as a pro. DraftKings sees Ewing as the favorite with a salary of $8,600.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Rafael Estevam will look to remain undefeated when he faces off against Ethyn Ewing on the main card of UFC Vegas 115 on Saturday. Estevam earned his UFC contract in 2022 by beating Joao Elias via second-round TKO on Dana White's Contender Series, and since then, he's gone 3-0 in the UFC. He was last seen in action in August at UFC Vegas 108, where he defeated Felipe Bunes via unanimous decision. DraftKings sees Estevam as the underdog with a salary of $7,600.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
April 3, 2026
Boston Red-Sox right-handed pitcher
Johan Oviedo (elbow) was placed on the Injured List Friday morning with a right elbow strain. The length of the IL stint is unknown at this point, as well as the corresponding move, but Oviedo struggled mightily in his first relief appearance of the year against the Houston Astros on March 30, allowing six hits, four earned runs, one walk, and a pair of home runs in three and 2/3 innings of work. It was his only appearance of the season thus far, so the Red Sox must have noticed something with how that outing went to place him on the IL four days later. It is worth noting that his velocity was down two and a half miles per hour in that first outing. Oviedo doesn't have much fantasy value at this time, as he is being deployed as a middle-inning long reliever, making him a drop in all fantasy formats.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Chris Cotillo
April 3, 2026
Atlanta Braves first baseman
Matt Olson was tearing the cover off the ball Thursday night as the Braves dismantled the Arizona Diamondbacks 17-2. Olson was leading the charge for the Braves' offense, going 3-for-5 with three RBI, three runs, a home run, and a walk. His home run came in the first inning off Diamondbacks' starter,
Ryne Nelson. The Braves are now sitting at 5-2 on the season, and Olson is slashing an impressive .321/.367/.571 with one home run, five RBI, five runs scored, and four doubles. Olson remains one of the top options at the first baseman position, and is a must-start in all formats. Additionally, he is a model of consistency, having played in all 162 games for four straight seasons and posting over 685 plate appearances each season, which allows him to continue to rack up counting stats. The Braves finish out the weekend in Arizona, where Olson will face two right-handed pitchers and a left-hander on Sunday.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Diamondbacks beat writer José M. Romero reported on Thursday night that X-rays were negative on Diamondbacks' young star
Jordan Lawlar (wrist), who was hit by a pitch on the wrist Thursday night. He will have an additional CT scan on Friday, but the negative results are encouraging news after he exited early in Thursday's contest. He was starting in left field in this contest and was replaced by
Tim Tawa after the injury. Before exiting, Lawlar hit his first Major League home run, which was a solo shot in the third inning off of Braves' right-hander,
Reynaldo Lopez. Lawlar is off to a good start this season, slashing .333/.400/.556 with one homerun, two RBI, three runs scored, and one stolen base. Fantasy managers will want to wait and hear the news from the CT scan on Friday, but for now, Lawlar should be considered day-to-day.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: José M. Romero
April 3, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte continues to trend up in dynasty leagues ahead of his fourth NFL season. Boutte turned in the best season of his young career in 2025, catching 33 passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns, despite missing three games. He ultimately finished as the WR51 in PPR leagues. This wasn't good enough to consistently get him in fantasy lineups, but it was still the best mark of his career and earned him occasional flex appeal. In terms of dynasty fantasy football, Boutte's outlook is trending up. He entered this offseason as the team's No. 2 receiver, and after the team replaced
Stefon Diggs with
Romeo Doubs, he remains the No. 2 receiver. In fact, he's due for even more targets this season, since Doubs presumably won't take on all 102 of Diggs' vacated targets. Barring an
A.J. Brown trade or a flashy receiver selection in the NFL Draft, Boutte should open 2026 as the No. 2 receiver in New England, giving him WR3/flex upside in this
Drake Maye-led offense. He can still be acquired for cheap, so receiver-needy fantasy managers should consider sending out a trade offer for Boutte in dynasty leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert had the best season of his career in 2025, logging career-high marks in catches (60) and touchdowns (11). He also had 591 receiving yards. Goedert ultimately finished as the overall TE7 in PPR leagues, despite missing two games. His big season earned him a one-year contract extension in Philadelphia, where he's the undisputed No. 1 tight end and should maintain a sizable role, especially around the goal line. Goedert's ceiling could climb even higher if the Eagles trade away wide receiver
A.J. Brown, because the 31-year-old tight end would assume a lot of his vacated targets. The Eagles are also expected to have an improved offense in 2026 under new offensive coordinator
Sean Mannion. The stars are aligning for Goedert to have another top-10 finish in 2026, and there's no disputing that he has top-five upside. However, given that he's 31 and only under contract for one more season, he's worth selling high in dynasty leagues. As it stands, he ranks #22 among tight ends in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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