March 22, 2026
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (quadriceps) will play Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves after being listed as probable because of a left quad contusion. The All-Star wing appears set to handle his usual workload after avoiding an absence. Brown has averaged 30.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals over his last five games while logging 36.8 minutes. He remains a must-start in all formats. His availability likely keeps
Baylor Scheierman in a limited bench role, while
Jayson Tatum and
Derrick White should continue leading Boston's offense.
--Brian DailisanSource: Jack Simone
March 22, 2026
Washington Capitals center Ethen Frank (lower body) left Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche after logging only 1:22 of ice time. He suffered a lower-body injury in a collision with a goal post. On Sunday, Frank had his sixth consecutive outing without points, but he has chipped in offensively in a bottom-six role this season. The 28-year-old has totaled 12 goals and 12 assists in 60 outings. The Capitals open a three-game road swing on Tuesday in St. Louis, and it remains to be seen whether Frank will be healthy enough to make the trip.
--Taavi PailkSource: Washington Capitals PR
March 22, 2026
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez (arm) is going to open the season on the 15-day Injured List. Rodriguez is reportedly dealing with general soreness that will keep him sidelined to start the year. He's basically dealing with dead arm that will hopefully only keep him sidelined for the minimum of 15 days.
Jack Kochanowicz and
Ryan Johnson have been named the final two starters with Rodriguez out. Rodriguez hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2024, with him missing all of last season due to elbow issues. When healthy, Rodriguez has posted good numbers, but the arm issues make him difficult to trust as a long-term fantasy option.
--Andy WebbSource: Jack Janes
March 22, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams (hamstring) is expected to play Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers after missing time with a right hamstring strain. The 24-year-old could see his workload managed initially, but he should quickly reclaim a key role next to
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Williams is averaging 17.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.3 steals in 29.1 minutes across 26 games, giving him strong category-league value. His return likely cuts into the minutes of
Cason Wallace,
Aaron Wiggins, and
Isaiah Joe, lowering their short-term streaming appeal in standard formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
March 22, 2026
New Jersey Devils defenseman Brett Pesce (lower body) may have played his final game of the 2025-26 season, Marc Ciampa of the Devils' official site reports. "Pesce is progressing," Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe said Sunday. "I don't have a timeline. He hasn't skated, so it's not imminent. I would call his ability to return questionable for the rest of the season." The 31-year-old has been on the shelf for eight games with a lower-body injury. Pesce is set to finish the season with a career-low seven points (one goal, six assists). He has also logged 45 shots, 80 blocks, and a minus-11 rating in 37 games. In Pesce's absence, Johnathan Kovacevic has played regularly, but he has not been a fantasy factor.
--Taavi PailkSource: Marc Ciampa
March 22, 2026
Houston Astros relief pitcher
Josh Hader (biceps) was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Sunday. The southpaw has been able to throw a few bullpen sessions, but there is no word on when he'll advance to facing hitters. Hader will begin the season on the Injured List while he recovers from a biceps injury. There doesn't seem to be a clear timetable for Hader's return right now, which makes him a risky fantasy closer. He posted a 2.05 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 76:16 K/BB ratio with 28 saves last season. His numbers were solid, but he also ended the season with a left-shoulder strain. Both age regression and injuries should be taken into account when deciding to draft Hader. Once healthy, Hader should resume the closer role, but
Bryan Abreu figures to fill that role until he's ready to go.
--Andy WebbSource: Brian McTaggart
March 22, 2026
New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, Marc Ciampa of the Devils' official site reports. The veteran forward had knee surgery in January, and there was a possibility he would return before the season ended. However, Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe ruled Noesen out for the rest of the campaign on Sunday, as his recovery required an additional procedure. After a career-high 41 points last season, Noesen managed only seven points (three goals, four assists) in 38 appearances this term. The 33-year-old has one season left on a contract that carries a $2.75 million cap hit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Marc Ciampa
March 22, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic will be available for Monday's game against Detroit after the league rescinded his 16th technical foul, removing the automatic one-game suspension. Doncic continues to deliver elite fantasy production, averaging 39.8 points, 5.4 three-pointers, 7.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.6 steals across his last five games while logging 39.2 minutes. He remains a must-start in all formats and a clear first-round value.
Austin Reaves should continue seeing consistent touches as a secondary creator, while
LeBron James remains heavily involved offensively.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
March 22, 2026
Calgary Flames defenseman Yan Kuznetsov (upper body) won't be in action on Sunday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He will sit out a fourth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. The Russian rookie is reportedly close to returning, so it's possible we will see him in Tuesday's matchup with the Los Angeles Kings. Kuznetsov has recorded 12 points (four goals, eight assists), 58 shots, 89 blocks, and 75 hits across 52 games this season. In three games filling in for Kuznetsov, Hunter Brzustewicz has amassed three shots, three blocks, and one hit, but hasn't registered any points.
--Taavi PailkSource: Calgary Flames
March 22, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Kyle Harrison (finger) is currently trending towards being ready for Opening Day. The southpaw was removed from Wednesday's outing due to a blister on his left index finger. He doesn't appear to be in danger of missing Opening Day after throwing a successful bullpen session over the weekend. The Brewers will continue to monitor the situation, as blisters can often be a recurring issue. Barring any setbacks, Harrison seems likely to be ready for the beginning of the regular season. He posted a 4.04 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 38:14 K/BB ratio across six starts last season. The 24-year-old could be an interesting late-round option for fantasy managers looking for pitching depth.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam McCalvy
March 22, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary (upper body) will miss Sunday's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He suffered an upper-body injury in Friday's win over Florida and wasn't on the ice during the morning skate on Sunday. Zary has picked up 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) while delivering 44 hits in 67 games. Tyson Gross is projected to be his replacement in the lineup. The Calgary-born forward will make his NHL debut after signing a two-year entry-level contract out of St. Cloud State University earlier this month. Goss captained the St. Cloud State Huskies this season, posting 18 goals and 41 points in 36 games. He will make his first pro appearance as a member of the fourth line, skating with Martin Pospisil and Adam Klapka.
--Taavi PailkSource: Calgary Flames
March 22, 2026
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Mike Trout (hand) was back in the starting lineup for Sunday's Freeway Series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Trout was removed from Friday's Cactus League contest after getting hit by a pitch on his hand. He was immediately taken out of the game and underwent precautionary X-rays, which came back negative. The Angels gave Trout a day off to rest before he returned to the lineup on Sunday. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about this injury impacting his status for Opening Day. The three-time MVP slashed .232/.359/.439 with 26 home runs and 64 RBI in 128 games last season. His ADP is around 167, which seems fair given Trout has only played over 100 games twice since 2021.
--Andy WebbSource: Jack Janes
March 22, 2026
New York Islanders left wing Anthony Duclair (lower body) won't be available on Sunday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He will sit out a meeting with his former team due to a lower-body injury. Duclair has often been a healthy scratch lately, but he has played in four consecutive games. While he has improved his performance compared to last year, Duclair has still struggled to be effective on a consistent basis. In 60 appearances, he has recorded 12 goals and 15 assists. Kyle MacLean is set to take Duclair's place in the lineup, forcing the Islanders to reshuffle both their second line and second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: New York Islanders
March 22, 2026
Colorado Rockies pitcher
Chase Dollander will begin the 2026 season pitching out of the bullpen, according to manager Warren Schaeffer. Dollander was competing for the final spot in the rotation with
Ryan Feltner during camp. The 24-year-old didn't make the starting rotation after posting a 6.43 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, with seven walks across 14 innings of work this spring. Last season, Dollander registered a 6.52 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and an 82:49 K/BB ratio across 21 starts with Colorado. It doesn't appear that the former first-round pick has made many improvements over the offseason. The Rockies will give Dollander a chance to prove himself out of the bullpen to start the season. There is unlikely to be much fantasy value here with Dollander probably pitching in a long relief or swingman type of role.
--Andy WebbSource: Thomas Harding
March 22, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (lower body) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Islanders will be without Pulock for the fourth time this season. He's made an impact on both ends of the ice, totaling 25 points (three goals, 22 assists), 80 shots, 124 blocks, and 47 hits with a plus-14 rating in 67 games. Adam Boqvist is in line to replace Pulock on Sunday. In 21 outings, Boqvist has recorded zero goals and one assist, making him a non-factor in fantasy hockey. Tony DeAngelo and Scott Mayfield will see increased usage on the right side of the Islanders' defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: New York Islanders
March 22, 2026
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Lodolo (finger) was pulled from his Cactus League start on Sunday due to a blister on his left index finger, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19 (via radio broadcaster Tommy Thrall). Lodolo was clearly dealing with discomfort, as he threw just 10 pitches (four strikes) before exiting. He allowed two runs, including a homer, without recording a single out. It's too early to tell whether the blister might impact his availability for the Reds' opening series against the Boston Red Sox. The Reds' projected No. 2 starter is looking to build on a strong 2025 campaign in which he went 9-8 with a 3.66 xFIP, 8.96 K/9, and 1.78 BB/9. Lodolo currently ranks #30 among starting pitchers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Charlie Goldsmith
March 22, 2026
Cleveland Guardians first baseman
Rhys Hoskins has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. The eight-year MLB veteran was in camp with the Guardians on a minor league contract with a non-roster invite. He appeared in 90 games for the Milwaukee Brewers last year, slashing .237/.332/.416 with 12 home runs, an 11.6% walk rate, a 27.7% strikeout rate, and 109 wRC+. He has posted above-average wRC+ numbers every year throughout his career, as well as this spring. Evidently, the offensive output was enough to earn him a spot on Cleveland's 26-man roster, and he'll have a chance to carve out a large workload as the team's projected designated hitter, batting fifth.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Heyman
March 22, 2026
Colorado Rockies right-handed pitching prospect
RJ Petit (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery with an internal brace on the right elbow, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The operation was performed on Friday by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas, and it will result in Petit missing the entire 2026 regular season. It's a crushing blow for the 6-foot-8 right-hander, who was initially trending toward making his MLB debut this year after being selected off the Detroit Tigers' roster in the Rule 5 draft. He posted a 2.74 ERA with 12.91 K/9 and 3.91 BB/9 across 23 innings at Triple-A last year. The Rule 5 eligibility restrictions will apply to Petit in 2027, when he's activated from the 60-day injured list. In the meantime, Colorado will have another decision to make regarding which pitcher will take Petit's spot on the 26-man roster for Opening Day.
--Andersen PickardSource: Thomas Harding
March 22, 2026
New York Yankees catcher
J.C. Escarra will open the regular season in a backup role behind
Austin Wells, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Ben Rice did appear in Sunday's spring training game behind the dish, but he's expected to spend most of 2026 at first base, leaving Escarra as the natural No. 2 backstop option. The 30-year-old made his MLB debut in pinstripes last year, slashing .202/.296/.333 with an 11.2% walk rate, a 14.3% strikeout rate, and 79 wRC+ across 40 big-league games (98 plate appearances). He didn't have the best batted ball results, but he posted solid discipline numbers and was significantly above average behind the dish with 3.9 framing runs and 3.3 defensive fWAR.
--Andersen PickardSource: Bryan Hoch
March 22, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher
Carmen Mlodzinski has made the starting rotation out of camp, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Manager
Don Kelly said that Mlodzinski will open the year in the No. 3 spot, putting him in line to start on Sunday, March 29, against the New York Mets. Mlodzinski split the last three years between the Pirates' bullpen and rotation, ultimately logging a career-high 99 innings of work last year. Across those 99 frames, he posted a respectable 3.33 FIP with 8.09 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and a 47.5% ground ball rate. If he sticks in the rotation for a while, he could end up commanding some fantasy consideration in deeper leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Colin Beazley
March 22, 2026
The Washington Nationals have acquired infielder
Jorbit Vivas from the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Sean Paul Linan, according to Andrew Golden of The Baltimore Banner. Vivas logged 66 plate appearances as a rookie last season, slashing just .161/.266/.250 with a 7.6% walk rate, a 19.7% strikeout rate, and 52 wRC+. He showed slight improvement at the plate this spring with 85 wRC+. The 25-year-old finds himself near replacement level on defense, splitting time between second and third base. He was out of options, so this move suggests that the Yankees were looking for a way to recoup any sort of trade compensation, rather than simply designating him for assignment. Headed back to New York is Linan, a 21-year-old who signed with the Dodgers out of Colombia back in 2022. He was sent to Washington in last summer's
Alex Call trade. Linan made 19 appearances (15 starts) in the minors last year, posting a 3.22 FIP with 12.34 K/9 and 3.84 BB/9. He impressed in the lower levels of the minors but was roughed up during a brief stint in Triple-A.
--Andersen PickardSource: Andrew Golden
March 22, 2026
Seattle Mariners catcher
Mitch Garver has made the Opening Day roster, according to Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports. He won the backup catcher job over
Andrew Knizner, who is expected to be designated for assignment. Garver, 35, enters his third season with the Mariners and his 10th in the majors. He slashed .209/.297/.343 with 86 wRC+ at the plate last year, and he hasn't posted positive defensive fWAR since 2021 (2.0). Depending on how the Mariners manage
Cal Raleigh's workload, we could see Garver come close to matching his 2025 total of 290 plate appearances. Raleigh played roughly three-quarters of last season behind the dish, with the remaining one-quarter comprising days off or designated hitter appearances.
--Andersen PickardSource: Shannon Drayer
March 22, 2026
The San Francisco Giants have granted the release of left-handed pitcher
Joey Lucchesi, according to Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News. After the Giants signed
Ryan Borucki yesterday, it became clear that Lucchesi would not make the team, so he asked to be released. The southpaw should find an MLB opportunity elsewhere. Not only did he maintain a solid 3.97 FIP over 38.1 innings last year, but he also amassed three innings of work with one earned run, two strikeouts, and zero walks this spring. The 32-year-old will now have a few days to search for a new job before Opening Day arrives on Thursday.
--Andersen PickardSource: Justice delos Santos
March 22, 2026
New York Yankees first baseman/catcher
Ben Rice was deployed behind the plate for the first time this spring on Sunday, per MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Rice is expected to be New York's primary first baseman in 2026, but he came through the minors as a catcher and caught 36 games for the Yankees in 2025. With
Austin Wells locked in as the team's starter behind the plate and
J.C. Escarra on the Opening Day roster as the backup, Rice may not see much time at catcher early in 2026. Still, it's noteworthy that Rice may not be limited to just first base and designated hitter in the minds of the Yankees' decision-makers. With veteran first baseman
Paul Goldschmidt on the roster, Rice may be limited to a big-side platoon role unless the team trusts him to take reps behind the plate against left-handed pitching.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
March 22, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Dontayvion Wicks continues to face an uphill battle to earn consistent volume ahead of the 2026 season. While the departure of
Romeo Doubs in free agency initially seemed like it might lead to more opportunities for Wicks, the latest reporting indicates that 2025 first-round pick
Matthew Golden will benefit most from Doubs' departure. As a result, the Packers are expected to proceed with
Jayden Reed,
Christian Watson, and Golden as their top three receivers, leaving Doubs still buried in a depth role. He didn't do a whole lot to help his case in 2025, catching just 30 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns across 14 games. All of those numbers set new career lows for the Virginia product. Now 24 years old, Wicks is heading into a contract year but remains an unappealing option in most redraft and dynasty leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 22, 2026
A first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect
Justin Crawford has made the team's 2026 Opening Day roster and has a chance to emerge as the Phillies' long-term answer in center field. Across 506 plate appearances at Triple-A in 2025, Crawford slashed .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs, 47 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 46 stolen bases. Crawford posted an exceptionally high 59.4% ground ball rate in the minors last year, so he is almost certain to be a negative in the power categories for fantasy managers. However, the 22-year-old has elite speed. If he can turn enough ground balls into hits to stick in the Phillies' everyday lineup, Crawford could easily rack up 30-plus stolen bases as a rookie. His profile comes with some extreme strengths and weaknesses, but Crawford has a clear carrying tool that makes him an intriguing late-round target for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 22, 2026
The Carolina Panthers have signed tight end and special teamer
Feleipe Franks, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. Franks was a standout quarterback in college, totaling 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions in his final NCAA season at Arkansas in 2020. He also had 31 touchdowns and six interceptions as a sophomore at Florida in 2018. He ended up signing with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent and made one appearance before converting to tight end in 2022. He joined the Panthers in 2024, then returned to the Falcons in 2025. Now, he's back in Carolina for 2026. He has just one catch and two rushing attempts since becoming a tight end, so we expect the vast majority of his contributions to come on special teams next year. He has no fantasy relevance.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jordan Schultz
March 22, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs are a potential landing spot for free-agent defensive end Cameron Jordan, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN.com. Defensive lineman Chris Jones recently posted on social media, floating the idea of the Chiefs signing Jordan, and Taylor confirms Kansas City is indeed a "possible destination." Jordan is nearing the end of his career at 37 years old, but he remained highly productive last season with 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 47 tackles. The 15-year NFL veteran has spent his entire career so far in New Orleans, so a shift to the Chiefs would be quite significant. He'd give Kansas City a clear upgrade on the defensive line, opposite George Karlaftis, especially as the Chiefs look to get back into the NFL playoffs after finishing below .500 last year.
--Andersen PickardSource: Nate Taylor
March 22, 2026
After missing the entire 2024 season with a shoulder injury, Cincinnati Reds second baseman
Matt McLain managed to log 577 plate appearances in 2025. However, the 26-year-old had his struggles at the plate, slashing .220/.300/.343 with 15 home runs, 50 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases. McLain struck out in 28.9% of his plate appearances while also recording a middling 7.7% barrel rate. Now nearly two years removed from his shoulder troubles, McLain is starting to show signs of a breakout. He has dominated Cactus League action to a .529/.571/1.020 slash line with seven home runs across 56 plate appearances. If McLain can get back to the 10.8% barrel rate he posted as a rookie in 2023, he could emerge as a legitimately high-end power/speed threat relative to his peers at second base. McLain's impressive spring should have him rising up draft boards, and he has the type of high-upside profile that could be worth gambling on for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 22, 2026
Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com writes that "it'll be a while" before the Jacksonville Jaguars' backfield dynamic gains any clarity. Jacksonville lost
Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency and replaced him with
Chris Rodriguez Jr., who will compete for the lead-back role with
Bhayshul Tuten. Although it might seem like Tuten has an early leg up on the competition because of his familiarity with the Jaguars' offense, we must also acknowledge that Jacksonville deliberately went out and paid Rodriguez $10 million, so they want to get him involved. He also has a connection to head coach Liam Coen, who was his offensive coordinator at Kentucky in 2021. The Jaguars are no strangers to complicated backfields. They entered last season with no clear frontrunner between Etienne, Tuten, and
Tank Bigsby. The good news is that there are now only two names in the mix, instead of three. Still, it sounds like it will be a while before we gain any clarity in this backfield. Both Rodriguez and Tuten should be viewed as low-end RB3/flex options, and whichever player wins the starting role will jump to the low-end RB2 tier given how strong Jacksonville's offense looked last year.
--Andersen PickardSource: Michael DiRocco
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