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Eli Raridon's Dynasty Stock Rising Following NFL Draft
After recording 32 receptions for 482 yards and zero touchdowns across 12 games as a senior at Notre Dame in 2025, tight end Eli Raridon was selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Raridon is considered a developmental prospect as a receiver but offers three-down potential and graded out as a solid athlete relative to his position at this year's Draft Combine. The Patriots have veteran Hunter Henry firmly atop their tight end depth chart, which could limit Raridon's fantasy upside as a rookie. However, Raridon should be the favorite to earn the TE2 role in New England. With Henry entering his age-32 season in 2026, Raridon could emerge as the tight end of the future for the Patriots if he holds his own in his first NFL season. Raridon is unquestionably a tight end name worth monitoring for dynasty managers heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Michael Trigg Facing Uphill Battle for a Roster Spot in Dallas
After recording 50 receptions for 694 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games as a fifth-year senior at Baylor in 2025, tight end Michael Trigg did not hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft. Trigg signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, so he'll have a chance to earn an NFL roster spot this spring/summer. However, Dallas has one of the deeper tight end rooms in the league, with Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Brevyn Spann-Ford all likely assured of roster spots. Trigg's 84 3/8 wingspan set the all-time record for tight ends at the 2026 Draft Combine, so his measurables offer some intriguing upside. Still, Trigg faces an uphill battle for a roster spot in Dallas and only carries dynasty appeal in the very deepest of league formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Matthew Hibner the Tight End of the Future in Baltimore?
The Baltimore Ravens made an aggressive move in the fourth round of the 2026 Draft, trading up to acquire SMU tight end Matthew Hibner. Across 13 games as a fifth-year senior in 2025, Hibner hauled in 31 receptions for 436 yards and four touchdowns. The Ravens have veteran tight end Mark Andrews firmly atop their depth chart, and they also signed tight end Durham Smythe in free agency. However, Baltimore lost key depth at the position over the offseason, with Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar both departing the team in free agency. Along with Ravens' fifth-round selection Josh Cuevas, Hibner should have a chance to play a prominent role alongside Andrews as a rookie. Andrews is also entering his age-31 season in 2026, so Hibner could emerge as Baltimore's tight end of the future with a solid rookie campaign. In dynasty leagues, Hibner is a name for managers to monitor.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Torkelson Heating Up, Emerging as a Power Bat to Target on the Waiver Wire
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson got off to a brutal start to the 2026 season, failing to hit a home run through his first 86 plate appearances of the year. However, the 26-year-old burst out of his early-season power outage in a big way, going deep in five consecutive games from April 22 to April 26. Across 124 plate appearances overall, Torkelson is hitting .233/.363/.437 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 12 runs scored. While Torkelson's 27.4% strikeout rate limits his batting average upside, his 14.5% barrel rate is indicative of his significant power potential. Torkelson has also walked at a 16.1% clip so far this year, which should help keep his place in the Tigers' lineup secure. For fantasy managers searching for power off the waiver wire, Torkelson is a logical target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Enyel De Los Santos Still the Priority Closer Target in Houston Despite Recent Struggles?
Across 11 1/3 innings so far in 2026, Houston Astros reliever Enyel De Los Santos has pitched to a 5.56 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and three saves. With Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) on the 60-day injured list due to a biceps injury, De Los Santos has been pressed into a more prominent role in the Houston bullpen. The 30-year-old's overall line is inflated by a couple of three-earned-run outings, but he's three-for-three on save chances this season. The Astros also lack a great alternative for De Los Santos, and Hader is not eligible to return from the IL until late May at the earliest. Currently posting just an 11.8% K-BB rate, De Los Santos is far from a prototypical closer. Still, he looks like the arm to target in Houston for fantasy managers in desperate need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seranthony Dominguez Remains a Worthy Closer Option in Chicago
Across 13 innings so far in 2026, Chicago White Sox closer Seranthony Dominguez has pitched to a 4.15 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and seven saves. The 31-year-old is prone to the occasional blow-up outing, as he's logged three appearances this season where he's allowed at least two runs. Dominguez owns both an elevated walk rate (15.5%) and an elevated HR/9 (2.08), a dangerous combination for his ERA. Still, the veteran right-hander has struck out 27.6% of the batters he's faced so far this season and remains locked in to the ninth-inning role in the White Sox bullpen. He's also currently riding a bit of a hot streak, as he's allowed just one earned run since April 16. In any league where he may have been dropped, Dominguez should be targeted on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Daylen Lile Offers High-Floor Appeal as a Waiver Wire Target
Across his first 144 plate appearances of 2026, Washington Nationals outfielder Daylen Lile is hitting .260/.326/.389 with three home runs, 14 RBI, 20 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 23-year-old has established himself as the everyday left fielder in Washington and regularly bats in the middle of his team's lineup, which has helped him rack up counting stats. With above-average walk and strikeout rates of 9% and 18.1%, Lile brings quality plate skills to the table that should provide him with a stable production floor. He also batted .299 in 351 plate appearances for the Nationals in 2025, so Lile could offer some batting average upside for fantasy managers. He may not stand out in any one area, but managers in need of a steady outfielder may want to consider targeting him on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Finnegan in Line for More Save Chances in Detroit?
Detroit Tigers reliever Kyle Finnegan is off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, pitching to a 0.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 12 strikeouts across 15 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old also earned his first save of the season on Thursday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in Detroit's 5-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. Veteran Kenley Jansen has been the primary closer in Detroit for most of the year. However, Jansen has struggled of late, blowing two consecutive save chances while allowing two home runs and four earned runs. Should the Tigers look to go in a different direction, Finnegan would be a logical choice. Finnegan recorded 66 saves over two years with the Washington Nationals in 2023-2024 and has 113 career MLB saves to his name. The Tigers may simply be giving Jansen a breather before turning back to him, but Finnegan could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trey Gibson Set to Make MLB Debut with Orioles on Sunday
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that pitching prospect Trey Gibson will get the start on Sunday against the New York Yankees, per Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. It will be the MLB debut for the 23-year-old Gibson, who is ranked as Baltimore's best pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline. Across 24 2/3 innings (six starts) with Triple-A Norfolk so far this season, Gibson is 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts. His K-BB rate is an unimpressive 11.4% in a small sample this year, but he posted a stellar 23.7% K-BB rate across 120 1/3 minor league innings in 2025. With Orioles starters Trevor Rogers (illness) and Dean Kremer (quad) both currently on the 15-day injured list, Gibson should have a runway to prove himself in the majors and could be worth targeting off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Griffin Canning Activation Seems Imminent
San Diego Padres pitcher Griffin Canning (Achilles) is likely to be activated on Sunday to make his 2026 debut at home and against the Chicago White Sox. The 29-year-old right-hander suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in June 2025, missing the remainder of the season as a result. Before that, he had found success as part of the New York Mets' rotation, posting a 3.77 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 16 starts. Since the start of the 2026 season, the veteran has been working his way back and has made five rehab outings across various minor league levels. He is someone who should be rostered in the deepest leagues, with the potential for production similar to last season.
Source: Dennis Lin
Source: Dennis Lin
Cole Sands Hit the Injured List
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Cole Sands (forearm) was transferred to the 15-day Injured List on Saturday with a strained right forearm. The 28-year-old struggled in his last appearance, surrendering two earned runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Before that, he had been a reliable source of outs in the Twins' bullpen, recording one save and three holds over 11 appearances. However, with his fastball velocity down nearly two miles per hour compared to last year, it's fair to wonder if he had been dealing with this issue for some time. There is no timeline for his return, as the severity is not yet known, but he will be eligible for activation in 15 days.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Nathan Lukes Resumes Hitting
Nathan Lukes (hamstring) has resumed hitting in the batting cages. The 31-year-old has been in Dunedin at the Toronto Blue Jays' training complex and had a successful session in the batting cage on Friday. This is a significant step forward as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury sustained in late April. While it's encouraging progress, he still has more to complete, including defensive drills, running and sprinting, and pivoting along the basepaths. It's unclear when he will return, but his progress is an encouraging sign that he's on the right track.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
Nick Lodolo on Track to Make One Last Rehab Start
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) has had his rehab assignment moved from Single-A Dayton to Triple-A Louisville. He is set to make one more rehab start on Saturday, with the intention of it being his final outing before making his 2026 season debut for the Reds. After missing time due to a recurring blister, the team determined that his slider grip was causing the issue on his finger. Now that his grip has been adjusted, he feels confident about his return. He last pitched on Sunday, striking out seven batters in just under six innings of work. Barring any unforeseen setbacks in this outing, he should be ready to rejoin the Reds shortly afterward.
Source: Mike Petraglia
Source: Mike Petraglia
Daniel Palencia Expected to be Activated in a Few Days
Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) is back from his minor-league rehab assignment and is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list in the next few days, according to Taylor McGregor of the Marquee Sports Network. Palencia tossed two-thirds of an inning with a strikeout in a scoreless rehab outing with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, and now he's ready to rejoin the Cubs' bullpen for the rest of their series at Wrigley Field this weekend versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cubs could ease the 26-year-old Venezuelan back into the closer's role, but he will eventually take over primary closing duties for the Cubs again now that he's recovered from his lat strain. Palencia had tossed five scoreless innings with a save this year before his injury, and he recorded a career-best 22 saves while striking out 61 in 52 2/3 regular-season innings in his third year in the league in 2025. He should be rostered in all fantasy baseball leagues as Chicago's primary ninth-inning arm.
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Source: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
Nico Hoerner Out on Saturday Due to Neck Injury
Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (neck) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's contest at Wrigley Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to MLB.com. Hoerner was forced from Friday's series opener against Arizona with neck tightness. Fantasy managers should consider Hoerner to be day-to-day for now and check back on Sunday to see if he's good to go for the series finale. Matt Shaw is getting the start at second base on Saturday and will hit eighth against D-backs right-hander Ryne Nelson. Hoerner, a former first-rounder in 2018 out of Stanford, has been great through the first month of the 2026 campaign, slashing .297/.374/.461 with an .835 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 17 runs scored in 32 games across 147 plate appearances as the Cubs' table-setter. It doesn't appear that his injury is serious enough to require an injured-list stint, so hopefully he'll be back in Chicago's starting nine sooner rather than later.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Seth McGowan Likely to be RB3 to Begin his Rookie Season
The Indianapolis Colts added depth for their running back room by taking former Kentucky RB Seth McGowan in the seventh round (No. 237 overall) of this year's NFL draft. The 24-year-old comes with plenty of off-the-field questions and maturity issues, as he was dismissed from Oklahoma's program after he was arrested in 2021. The 5-foot-11, 211-pounder spent a year at New Mexico State before finishing his collegiate career with Kentucky in 2025, where he had 165 carries for 725 yards and a career-high 12 rushing touchdowns in 11 games. He also added 19 catches for 126 yards as a receiver. McGowan is going to need to put his character concerns in the past if he wants to stick around in the NFL as a power back out of the backfield. Going into his first season in the NFL in 2026, McGowan figures to compete with DJ Giddens and Ulysses Bentley for playing time in Indy's backfield behind Pro Bowl starter Jonathan Taylor. McGowan has plenty to prove before fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues use a roster spot on him.
Source: Sports Reference
Source: Sports Reference
Caleb Douglas a Low-Upside Dynasty Stash Competing for a Role in Miami
The Miami Dolphins drafted former Texas Tech wide receiver Caleb Douglas in the third round (75th overall) of this year's NFL draft as they looked to restock the cupboard with their WR room following the offseason departures of Tyreek Hill (knee) and Jaylen Waddle. The 22-year-old Douglas spent two years at the University of Florida before finishing off his collegiate career in 2024 and 2025 at Texas Tech, where he combined for 1,723 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns on 114 catches over the last two years. Douglas might have been a reach for the receiver-needy Dolphins, who also took Chris Bell later in the third round. The 6-foot-4, 206-pounder didn't do much with the Gators in his first two years at college, and given his combination of size and speed (4.39-second 40-yard dash), his production in college was a bit underwhelming. The good news is that he has soft competition in Miami in Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, and Tutu Atwell. Still, it might not amount to much in 2026 in an offense that will run through running back De'Von Achane. Douglas' long-term fantasy profile will depend on his connection with new quarterback Malik Willis, but his ceiling could be as a touchdown-dependent, WR4/flex as a big-bodied red-zone threat.
Source: Sports Reference
Source: Sports Reference
Trey Gibson Joining Orioles Taxi Squad
Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitching prospect Trey Gibson is joining the team's taxi squad during their series in New York this weekend against the Yankees, but it's still to be determined if he will join the active roster, sources told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. If activated, Gibson will be making his major-league debut. Per MLB Pipeline, Gibson is the team's No. 3 overall prospect. The 23-year-old former undrafted free agent has gone 2-2 at Triple-A Norfolk this year with a 4.01 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and 12 walks in 24 2/3 innings pitched over his six starts. Gibson could be named the Orioles' starter for Sunday's series finale in the Bronx, which would be a pretty dicey spot for fantasy managers to roll the dice on him in what would be his MLB debut. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder is a power pitcher who has been improving his walk rates in the minors. Gibson has the stuff to generate whiffs and the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter in the big leagues.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Giants "Comfortable" With Francis Mauigoa's Back
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said the team is "comfortable" with former University of Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa's back, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. "Right now, he's fine," Schoen said. The Giants didn't have the same concerns about Mauigoa's back that other teams reportedly did leading into this year's NFL draft, which is why they took him 10th overall in the first round. A herniated disc was discovered in his back at the scouting combine in February that some teams believed would require surgery. The Giants are aware that surgery could eventually be necessary, but they don't think it's a certainty. If Mauigoa's back bothers him in 2026 during his rookie season in the NFL, he could get surgery next offseason. The 20-year-old stands at 6-foot-6 and 329 pounds, and as long as his back doesn't deteriorate, he could be New York's starting right tackle for years to come. If not for his back injury, Mauigoa could have been in consideration as a top-10 pick. The Giants have Jermaine Eluemunor at right tackle right now, so they'll have the luxury of easing Mauigoa in.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Raiders Optimistic About Jermod McCoy's Chances of Playing This Year
The Las Vegas Raiders did extensive homework on former Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy's (knee) injury before taking him in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft, and the team is optimistic about his chances of playing in 2026, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. McCoy could need a procedure on his knee at some point in the future, but the Raiders are hopeful the 20-year-old defensive back can avoid that in the short term. "This felt like John Spytek's draft," one rival executive said about the Raiders. It's considered a good thing after former head coach Pete Carroll's influence was heavy during the draft in 2025. McCoy said his knee currently feels good after he missed all of the 2025 season with the Volunteers after suffering a torn ACL. If not for his knee injury, McCoy was considered a top-10 talent in this year's draft class. The Raiders won't know more about the young cornerback until they get him in their building to work him back into playing shape. If he's healthy come Week 1, McCoy is expected to compete for playing time with Darien Porter and Eric Stokes.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Giants Decline to Pick Up Deonte Banks' Fifth-Year Option
The New York Giants declined to pick up cornerback Deonte Banks' fifth-year option, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN. The option would have put Banks under contract through the 2027 season for $12.633 million. Instead, Banks will fight for playing time in 2026 with second-rounder Colton Hood and free-agent signing Greg Newsome. The 25-year-old former 24th overall pick in 2023 out of Maryland had only 31 tackles (24 solo), two tackles for loss, and five pass breakups in 16 games (six starts) in 2025 in his third year in the league. He's recorded a total of 147 tackles (116 solo), five tackles for loss, two interceptions, 28 pass breakups, and a forced fumble in 45 games (35 starts) in his three years in the league. Banks just has not lived up to the expectations that the G-Men had for him when they took him in the first round three years ago.
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
Jasson Dominguez Back in Yankees Lineup on Saturday
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez (elbow) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth in the lineup for Saturday's game against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Kyle Bradish, according to MLB.com. Dominguez suffered a left-elbow contusion on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers when he was hit by a pitch, which forced him to miss the series opener on Friday against Baltimore. The 23-year-old former top prospect is now back in the lineup this weekend to face Bradish, whom he has gone hitless against in three career at-bats. This will be Dominguez's fourth game in the big leagues this year after being called up from the minors earlier this week when Giancarlo Stanton (calf) went on the 10-day injured list. Dominguez should play regularly while Stanton is out between the outfield and DH. In his first three games this season with the Yanks, Dominguez has gone 1-for-9 at the plate with two strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Daniel Palencia Goes Two-Thirds of an Inning in Rehab Outing
Chicago Cubs right-handed closer Daniel Palencia (lat) made his first minor-league rehab appearance on Friday night with Triple-A Iowa and did not allow a run in two-thirds of an inning while allowing one hit and striking out one. The hard-throwing reliever hit 102 mph on the radar gun during the outing. The Cubs were considering activating him from the 15-day injured list for the start of their three-game weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, but they instead sent him for a rehab outing. After a solid performance at Iowa, Palencia may be activated before the end of the series versus Arizona this weekend. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler should be immediately scooped up off the waiver wire if he's available in your league, as he will return to primary closing duties in Chicago when he's back. Before his lat injury, Palencia had tossed five scoreless innings for the Cubbies with a save and five strikeouts. He's currently rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Henry Davis Goes Deep Twice Out of Nine-Hole for Bucs
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis, who was hitting ninth for the team on Friday against the visiting Cincinnati Reds, finally did some damage offensively to help the Bucs beat their division rivals by a score of 9-1 at PNC Park. Davis went 2-for-3 at the dish with two home runs, three RBI, three runs scored, and a walk. Despite the big game at the plate, the 26-year-old Davis is still slashing only .176/.273/.309 with a .582 OPS, six RBI, 10 runs scored, and a stolen base in 68 at-bats so far in 2026. His two home runs were his first of the year. The two long balls were also his first extra-base hits since back on April 7. Davis has plenty to work on offensively before fantasy managers will want to consider picking him up off the waiver wire, especially since he's expected to continue sharing catching duties in Pittsburgh with Joey Bart. Davis is not rostered at all right now in Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kazuma Okamoto has Two-Homer Game Against Twins
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto had his first career multi-homer game on Friday night to help his team beat the hosting Minnesota Twins by a score of 7-3 at Target Field. Okamoto went 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to boost his season average to .228 and his OPS to .743. Both of Okamoto's home runs on the night came off of Twins right-handed starter Simeon Woods Richardson. There's been some good and bad for Okamoto through his first 31 games in the majors. He now has seven home runs, 18 RBI, and 15 runs scored, and has hit the ball in the air frequently, but he also has 38 strikeouts in 128 plate appearances, which has kept his average low through his first 31 games. When Okamoto has made contact so far in 2026, he's hitting the ball with authority.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Julio Rodriguez Clubs Two Homers in Loss to Royals
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez was at his best on Friday night in the team's 7-6 loss to the visiting Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park. Rodriguez went 2-for-4 at the plate out of the three-hole with two home runs, four RBI, and two strikeouts. The 25-year-old hit two two-run home runs in the contest to double his home run total on the season. J-Rod is beginning to heat up for his fantasy managers, as he now has six multi-hit performances in his last 10 games, including three of his four long balls on the season. He's now batting .262/.333/.400 with a .733 OPS, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 33 games played in 2026. It's nice to see Rodriguez, who has become known as a slow starter, have a game like this now that the calendar has flipped to May. His fantasy managers will be hoping the hot hitting continues to close out the series this weekend in Seattle against KC.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Zavion Thomas' Dynasty Value Being Overinflated by Unexpected Draft Capital?
Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas, one of the fastest players in the 2026 class, was viewed by some as an intriguing late-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts, expected to fall to late-Day 3 in the NFL Draft. However, with the Bears spending third-round capital and making him the 16th receiver off the board, there's now a strong chance he will be overdrafted in those same rookie drafts. Thomas' speed and versatility are likely what drew Ben Johnson to him, but on a depth chart consisting of Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and tight end Colston Loveland, all of whom are under 24 years old, it's difficult to envision Thomas in anything more than a gadget role in either the here and now or foreseeable future. He never topped 502 receiving yards or four touchdowns in any of his four seasons at Mississippi State or LSU, and his career 1.58 yards per route run was one of the lowest marks in the class. Thomas has seen his value spike since the NFL Draft, but with no history or clear path toward repeatable production, he profiles as a frustrating end-of-roster player in any non-best-ball format.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Louis Varland the Primary Closer in Toronto?
While not a save situation, the Toronto Blue Jays used right-hander Louis Varland in the ninth inning of their 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins on Friday night. With Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman recently being removed from the closer role amid persistent struggles, Varland appears to have taken over as the team's new primary option in the ninth inning. The 28-year-old has been dominant across his first 17 innings of 2026, pitching to a 0.53 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and four saves. Varland has now been used in the ninth inning in five consecutive appearances, dating back to April 21. The hard-throwing right-hander owns a ridiculous 43.1% strikeout rate on the year and is averaging 98.4 miles per hour on his fastball. Varland's excellent start to the year has come despite an inflated opponent batting average on balls in play of .406. Once that number regresses closer to his career mark of .316, Varland's numbers could look even better. In any fantasy league where he's not already rostered, Varland is a must-roster closer off the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justice Hill's Role in Question After NFL Draft
Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill was an early offseason winner when the team declined to offer fourth-year speedster Keaton Mitchell a restricted free agent tender, allowing him to sign with the Chargers and removing Hill's biggest competition for passing down work from the roster. Unfortunately for Hill, the Ravens selected Clemson's Adam Randall in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and while at 6'2" and 235 pounds, Randall profiles physically closer to lead back Derrick Henry, he began his college career as a wide receiver, and his clearest path to an early role is through the passing game. Randall's unique background and rare measurables could eventually make him an every-down back, but as long as Henry is on the roster, any early success he finds will be at the expense of Hill. Hill handled only 1.8 carries across his ten games in 2025, but still saw 27 targets. Should that receiving work dry up, he will offer very little in terms of fantasy production, and he becomes an obvious drop candidate, reflected by his current RB102 Rotoballer dynasty ranking.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacob Webb Notches Save on Friday, Emerging as Cubs' New Closer?
Chicago Cubs reliever Jacob Webb picked up his first save of the season on Friday, throwing two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his team's 6-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Across his first 12 2/3 innings of 2026, Webb has pitched to a 4.26 ERA, 1.82 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts. With Cubs right-hander Daniel Palencia (lat) currently on the 15-day injured list due to a lat strain, Chicago has been mixing and matching in the ninth inning in recent weeks. Palencia made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, so he could be nearing a return to the big leagues. Still, Webb may have some short-term fantasy value for deeper-league fantasy managers in need of saves. Palencia had just one save in five appearances before hitting the injured list, so he's not necessarily a lock to see 100% of Chicago's save opportunities once he returns.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
