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Edwin Uceta to Miss First Few Months of 2027 After Shoulder Surgery
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right shoulder in October and will miss at least the first couple of months of the 2027 season, president of baseball operations Erik Neander told Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Uceta was set to enter the 2026 campaign as Tampa's primary ninth-inning option, but that all changed when he dealt with a right-shoulder impingement and never pitched for the Rays at all last season. Bryan Baker ended up taking over closing duties for Tampa and led all of baseball with 41 saves and a 1.44 ERA to help the team get back to the World Series, where they lost in five games to the Milwaukee Brewers. Uceta will now miss the start of next season as well, and when he returns, he will most likely be relegated to a high-leverage setup role in front of Baker. The 28-year-old Dominican hurler combined to go 12-3 with a 2.98 ERA (2.98 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, six saves, 160 strikeouts, and 35 walks in 117 2/3 relief innings over 100 appearances out of the bullpen in his first two seasons for the Rays in 2024 and 2025. There is no guarantee that Uceta will be as dominant a high-leverage bullpen arm when he returns from his shoulder issues.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Dejounte Murray Off the Injury Report for Wednesday
New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (personal) is off the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz after missing the last three contests following the birth of his son. The 30-year-old is averaging 17.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.0 steals in 32.3 minutes through four appearances. Murray's return should push Herbert Jones back to the bench and take some of the playmaking burden off Jeremiah Fears, who handed out 13 assists against Sacramento last week. Jordan Poole (ankle) is also probable, so Fears could see his touches come down with New Orleans getting healthier in the backcourt.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Peyton Watson Ruled Out Again on Wednesday
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) will miss a second straight game Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Watson dealt with the same hamstring last season, when a strain and later aggravation kept him out for stretches and sidelined him for Denver's entire first-round playoff series. The 24-year-old is averaging 10.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks through six starts, though he has made just four of 24 attempts from deep. Meleek Thomas scored 17 points in his first career start Monday and could remain in the starting mix while Watson and Jaylon Tyson (ankle) are out.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Not Expected Back in the Bronx
ESPN's Jorge Castillo writes that both New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and outfielder Trent Grisham "are as good as gone" for next season, so the Yankees will need to figure out second base and center field. Chisholm was one of the notable names this year not to be given a $23.15 million qualifying offer, so the Yankees will not receive draft-pick compensation when he leaves in free agency. Chisholm was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2025 in his first full season with the Bombers, clubbing 31 home runs, driving in 80 runs, and stealing 31 bases in only 130 regular-season games, but he could not match that production in his seventh year in the big leagues. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger struggled to a .231 batting average (109-for-471) with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, and a 29.5% strikeout rate in 532 regular-season plate appearances, but he did manage to steal a career-high 41 bases. On the open market this offseason, Chisholm will be one of the most coveted power/speed threats among position players, but a move away from New York's short porch in right field could hurt his overall power ceiling in fantasy baseball.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Coby White Likely Available on Wednesday
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets due to injury management. White made his season debut Monday after missing the first seven games, finishing with seven points and three assists in 16 minutes against Detroit while playing under a restriction. His workload should gradually increase, which keeps Dennis Schroder involved off the bench for now. Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is also probable to debut Wednesday, giving Charlotte another scoring option alongside White, who remains the Hornets' primary ball-handler following LaMelo Ball's offseason departure.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Teoscar Hernandez an Obvious Trade Candidate for Dodgers
ESPN's Buster Olney writes that veteran outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is the Los Angeles Dodgers' most obvious trade candidate this offseason as they look to reshape their position-player group to get younger and more athletic. As Hernandez gets older and his defensive skills decline, there is no place for him at designated hitter in L.A., with the presence of Shohei Ohtani. Not only does Hernandez's defense in left field continue to decline, but he was also a disappointment at the plate in 2026 after signing a three-year, $66 million contract with the Blue last offseason. The 34-year-old Dominican native saw a sharp drop in power and hit .267/.334/.425 with a .759 OPS, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 66 runs scored, five stolen bases, 135 strikeouts, and 42 walks in 125 games played and 491 plate appearances during the regular season. The two-time All-Star hit a combined 58 home runs and drove in 188 runs during the regular season in his first two years with the Dodgers while helping them win back-to-back championships. The writing is on the wall for Hernandez to be traded away, which would be a big hit to his fantasy value.
Source: ESPN - Buster Olney
Source: ESPN - Buster Olney
Jalen Johnson Questionable for Wednesday Against the Wizards
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Washington Wizards after sitting out Monday's win over Indiana. Johnson sprained his ankle Saturday against New Orleans and is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.9 assists while shooting 42.1 percent through seven games. CJ McCollum took on more of the playmaking Monday and handed out 12 assists, while Luguentz Dort stepped into the starting lineup and knocked down four threes on his way to 14 points. If Johnson sits again, McCollum should remain heavily involved as a creator, with Dort a strong candidate to stay in the first unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Yankees Plan to Bring Giancarlo Stanton to Spring Training
There has been speculation as to whether the New York Yankees would cut oft-injured outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton this offseason, but YES Network's Jack Curry said that the Yankees will bring Stanton to spring training next year to see what he has left in the tank. If the 36-year-old five-time All-Star and former MVP struggles in spring training or is still injured, the Yankees could move on then. He is entering the final year of his 13-year, $325 million deal with the Yankees and is owed $15 million in 2027 ($10 million buyout), with a $15 million club option for the 2028 season, which is expected to be declined. General manager Brian Cashman said that Stanton finished the 2026 season healthy, but he managed to play in only 24 games in his 17th year in the league while slashing .256/.302/.422 with a .724 OPS, three home runs, 14 RBI, eight runs scored, and a 29:6 K:BB in 96 plate appearances. In 2025, Stanton played in only 77 games. Stanton has become a major injury liability and could find himself on the free-agent market early next year if he cannot get back on the field and stay there.
Source: YES Network - Jack Curry
Source: YES Network - Jack Curry
MLB Proposes Delaying Salary Cap Until 2028
Major League Baseball proposed postponing the implementation of a salary cap until the 2028 season on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, as the current collective bargaining agreement approaches its Dec. 1 expiration. The league has pressed forward with its pursuit of a cap and floor despite the Players Association voicing its objection to any cap. The $258.2 million cap and $180.2 million floor that MLB projected for 2028 were higher than the $245.3 million and $171.2 million numbers that the league proposed as its original cap-and-floor offer for 2027. MLB also proposed giving $282 million in competitive balance tax proceeds to players in cash payments, according to sources. Union officials have said that players would lose more than $1 billion over the life of the league's proposal if they agreed to a cap. The last time MLB formally proposed a cap-and-floor system in 1994, players went on strike for 232 days, and the World Series was canceled. Under the 2028 cap-and-floor projections, 12 teams, including the World Series champion Milwaukee Brewers, would need to increase their payrolls to reach the floor. Eight teams carried payrolls that would have been in excess of the ceiling. The MLBPA has proposed maintaining the current framework of the league's financial system while increasing spending, and the union has also asked for a surge in the minimum salary from $780,000 to $1.5 million and free agency for players 30 and older after five years of major-league service, not six.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Kon Knueppel Upgraded to Probable Versus Nets
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is probable to make his season debut Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. The 21-year-old has missed Charlotte's first eight games after suffering a hamstring strain during offseason workouts. Knueppel averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists as a rookie while becoming the first first-year player to lead the NBA in three-pointers with 273. Charlotte may ease him back after the long layoff, but his return gives the offense another proven shooter alongside Brandon Miller. Sion James could move back to the bench once Knueppel rejoins the starting group.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Josh Hart Questionable for Wednesday
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Chicago Bulls with soreness. Hart finished Monday's win over Brooklyn with eight points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 27 minutes before fouling out. The 31-year-old has scored in single digits in four straight games, but he is still averaging 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals through seven appearances. If Hart sits, Landry Shamet and Miles McBride would both be candidates to enter the starting lineup, with Shamet coming off a season-high 22 points Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
James Conner Won't Come Off Injured Reserve This Week
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said that veteran running back James Conner (foot) will not come off Injured Reserve to play against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in Week 9, per Darren Urban of the team's official website. Arizona's backfield is suddenly very thin after the team placed rookie first-rounder Jeremiyah Love (ankle) on IR this week, and with Bam Knight in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the overtime upset of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. Tyler Allgeier will be the Cardinals' lead back this weekend in Seattle, with Evan Hull and Jerome Ford set to back him up. Although the 31-year-old Conner will not be back this week, the Cardinals still think he has a chance to return in 2026 as he continues to work his way back from a right-foot injury that limited him to three games last year. The next step is for Conner to return to practice, but it does not look like that is going to happen this week. His next chance to make his season debut will come in Week 10, when the Cardinals take on the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. When/if Conner returns to Arizona's backfield, he is expected to be a change-of-pace option and not a candidate for a heavy workload.
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Alexandre Sarr Could Miss Second Straight Game
Washington Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Hawks after missing Monday's win over Orlando. The 21-year-old is averaging 9.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 25.3 minutes through six appearances, down from 16.3 points and 2.0 blocks last season. Deandre Ayton started in Sarr's place Monday and would be a strong candidate to do so again if Sarr remains sidelined. With Anthony Gill (back) questionable and Tristan Vukcevic (hip) out, Ayton could continue seeing added frontcourt minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Brian Thomas Jr. of Interest "for a Lot of Teams"
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. "has been the area of interest for a lot of other teams." There are several receiver-needy NFL teams out there that have been shopping around for pass-catchers with the Nov. 10 trade deadline quickly approaching -- the Kansas City Chiefs are one of those teams -- and Thomas could be a target. What is unclear is whether the contending Jaguars would actually move the former first-rounder from LSU as they look to take the next step as a Super Bowl hopeful from the AFC. The 24-year-old has been the WR3 in 2026 in Duval behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers and has yet to exceed 40 receiving yards through seven games, but he found the end zone in the Week 8 win over the division-rival Indianapolis Colts and is starting to see more reps. Thomas' dynasty and single-year fantasy value have tanked since his strong rookie year (87-1,282-10 line), but a change of scenery to a contender could jolt him back into fantasy relevance. Fantasy managers need to keep an eye on Thomas' situation with this year's trade deadline coming next Tuesday.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Payton Pritchard Questionable for Wednesday Versus Bucks
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (shoulder) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks with a contusion. The 28-year-old played through the issue Monday in Houston but struggled, finishing with four points on 0-for-7 shooting in 30 minutes. Pritchard is averaging 13.4 points and 3.4 assists off the bench while shooting 31.0 percent from three. With Jayson Tatum (rest) also questionable and Devin Carter (illness) out, Derrick White could take on more ball-handling if Pritchard sits, while Baylor Scheierman could also pick up additional minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
