RADIO
Michael Soroka Activated on Wednesday
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his team's game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The 29-year-old had been sidelined by a shoulder injury since August 22. Soroka has pitched well when healthy this season, entering play on Wednesday with an 8-4 record, 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts across 95 1/3 innings (18 starts). However, Soroka was used out of the bullpen on Wednesday and may not work as a traditional starter down the stretch of the season. With Arizona battling tooth and nail for a Wild Card spot in the National League, the team may be looking to build him back up to a full starter's workload at the big-league level. If/when Soroka rejoins the Diamondbacks starting rotation, he profiles as a quality starting pitcher option for fantasy managers down the stretch.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Emeka Egbuka Logs Full Practice on Wednesday
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) was able to log in a full practice session on Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, it sounds like Egbuka is going to be ready to go for the Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Egbuka has been dealing with a lingering toe injury for several weeks. Finally, it sounds like Egbuka is fully healthy and ready to go ahead of the season opener. He'll likely be a focal point in the Bucs passing offense with Mike Evans no longer on the team. Egbuka is a high-end WR2 heading into a favorable matchup versus the Bengals shaky defense.
Source: Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: Paul Dehner Jr.
Maikel Garcia Slated to Start Rehab Assignment on Thursday
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, per a team announcement. It's been a bit of a lost year so far for Garcia, who has been limited to just 309 plate appearances in 2026 due to hamstring and hand injuries. However, it appears that the 26-year-old is working towards a return before the end of the regular season. Across 666 plate appearances in 2025, Garcia hit .286 with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. Upon his return from a hamstring injury, Garcia may not be overly aggressive on the basepaths. Still, he profiles as an asset for fantasy managers as a run producer and a source of batting average when he's on the field.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
A.J. Brown Ruled Out for Remainder of Week 1 with Ankle Injury
According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's contest. Brown exited the game in the third quarter due to an ankle injury. After suffering the injury, the star wideout was seen limping off the field. Prior to exiting, Brown brought in three of his four targets for 26 yards. For the remainder of the game, managers should expect Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and Kyle Williams to lead the passing game. Managers should pay close attention to his status leading up to their Week 2 tilt against the Steelers.
Source: Andrew Callahan
Source: Andrew Callahan
Alvin Kamara is Back at Practice
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee) returned to practice as a limited participant on Wednesday, according to Mike Garafolo. Kamara is finally back in the mix after being sidelined most of camp due to a sprained MCL. It sounds like there is a chance that Kamara is cleared to play in Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Detroit Lions. Once healthy, Kamara is expected to be the co-starter alongside Travis Etienne Jr. this season. The veteran back can still make an impact on the field, but the presence of Etienne does hurt his overall value. Etienne would be a borderline RB1 if Kamara is out, so fantasy managers should stay tuned for more information.
Source: Mike Garafolo
Source: Mike Garafolo
Willson Contreras Set to Begin Rehab Assignment on Friday
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Friday, per Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Contreras has been on the 10-day injured list since late August, but it appears he is making progress toward a return and could be back with Boston on Sunday or Monday. Contreras was having an excellent season before the injury, hitting .274/.384/.516 with 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 517 plate appearances. Once he returns to the big leagues, Contreras profiles as a must-start first base option for fantasy managers.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Kenyon Sadiq Posts Full Practice Session on Wednesday
New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq (groin) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice. The first-round rookie is trending towards making his NFL debut versus the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Sadiq missed part of the offseason while recovering from hernia surgery. He was able to get through a full practice session to begin the week, which is a great sign for his status ahead of Week 1. Mason Taylor is likely going to start, so Sadiq will probably have a smaller role behind him. It might take some time before Sadiq begins making an impact in New York.
Source: New York Jets
Source: New York Jets
Adley Rutschman Received Cortisone Injection, Expected to Return on Friday
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) received a cortisone injection in his right elbow on Monday and that the team expects him to be back in the lineup on Friday, per Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. It's not yet clear exactly what Rutschman is dealing with in his elbow, but it appears that the 28-year-old will likely be managing the issue in the immediate future. Across 359 plate appearances split between the Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles this season, Rutschman is hitting .237/.315/.424 with 12 home runs, 56 RBI, and 39 runs scored. Rutschman has been on a hot streak in recent games despite the elbow injury, logging seven hits and three home runs across his last 24 plate appearances. Without him, Boston has deployed both Connor Wong and Mickey Gasper behind the plate.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Freddie Freeman Out of Dodgers Lineup on Wednesday Due to Knee Issue
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that first baseman Freddie Freeman (knee) is dealing with a right-knee issue, per Fabian Ardaya. The Dodgers deployed Freeman as designated hitter on Tuesday, and the 36-year-old is out of the team's lineup completely on Wednesday. Freeman has put together another strong season in 2026, hitting .297/.375/.473 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 72 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across 600 plate appearances. However, Freeman has been slumping of late. He's logged just one hit in his last 20 plate appearances and has just one home run across 192 plate appearances since the All-Star break. With Freeman sidelined on Wednesday, Dodgers utility man Kike Hernandez is starting at first base and batting ninth in the team's matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Breece Hall Logs Full Practice Session on Wednesday
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (groin) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice session. As expected, Hall is a full-go to begin the week ahead of Sunday's Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Hall suffered a groin injury late in camp, but the 25-year-old has been making good progress lately. Barring any setbacks, Hall should be active and ready to go for the season opener. He projects to be a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside, assuming the Jets can put together a half-decent offensive line. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of Sunday's game, but it sounds like Hall should be ready to play in the season opener.
Source: Rich Cimini
Source: Rich Cimini
Shohei Ohtani Out of Dodgers Lineup on Wednesday, IL Stint "On the Table"
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) "didn't feel great" after a swing on Monday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Per Ardaya, Roberts also said that a stint on the injured list for Ohtani "is on the table." The Dodgers have already announced that Ohtani will likely be shut down from pitching for the rest of the season as he battles nagging knee and biceps injuries. However, it appears that the 32-year-old may need some time off from hitting before the postseason as well. Ohtani has put together another excellent year at the plate, hitting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 596 plate appearances. However, he's hit just .246 with a .799 OPS since the All-Star break and has one hit across 14 plate appearances in September. With the Dodgers locked into a postseason berth, the team will likely be cautious with Ohtani throughout the rest of the regular season.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Rome Odunze is Listed as Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice. After sitting out on Tuesday, Odunze was back on the practice field on Wednesday. Odunze is currently considered day-to-day while he deals with a calf injury. It seems that his status for the Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers is up in the air. Fantasy managers don't need to panic yet, with two more days to get upgraded to full in practice. The Bears would likely need to rely on Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland more in the passing game if Odunze is unable to go.
Source: Bears PR
Source: Bears PR
A.J. Brown Questionable to Return with Ankle Injury
According to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) is questionable to return with an ankle injury on Wednesday night. In the third quarter, Brown was seen holding his ankle after attempting to catch a pass. Shortly after, the star wideout was seen limping off the field and spent time in the medical tent. Before exiting, Brown caught three of four targets for 26 yards in his Patriots debut. While he remains out, managers should expect Romeo Doubs to slide into the No. 1 pass-catching role and second-year wideout Kyle Williams to see an uptick in snaps.
Source: Ben Volin
Source: Ben Volin
Zay Flowers Limited During Wednesday's Practice
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Flowers is still working his way back after missing a couple of weeks due to a lower-body injury. Flowers still has two more chances to be upgraded to full practice ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. It sounds like Flowers is trending towards playing on Sunday, but hamstring issues tend to linger. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Thursday and Friday for more updates on Flowers. If he's active, Flowers is a low-end WR1 who is a must-start in all fantasy formats.
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Source: Baltimore Ravens
Sam Darnold is Ruled Out with Hip Injury
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (hip) has been ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's Week 1 contest against the New England Patriots. Darnold suffered a hip injury while taking a sack during the opening drive of the game. The 29-year-old will officially miss the rest of this game while he undergoes further testing on his hip. Drew Lock has taken over under center for the rest of this game and possibly longer. Fantasy managers will need to wait until the testing is completed, but they might need to look for another quarterback if Darnold misses an extended period of time. Without Darnold, Lock would likely start in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
