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
April 3, 2026
Minnesota Twins' right-handed reliever,
Cole Sands, appeared in his second game of the 2026 season on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals and allowed his first run of the season, and more concerningly from a fantasy standpoint, was deployed in a non-save situation. He was brought in to start the eighth inning with the Twins up 2-0 in that contest.
Justin Topa ended up getting the save for the Twins in the ninth, while
Taylor Rogers came in to record the last out of the eighth inning, as Sands was only able to record the first two outs of the inning after allowing two hits and the earned run on 11 pitches, nine of which were strikes. From a fantasy standpoint, this opens up the possibility that the Twins will not deploy this bullpen conventionally, where Sands will be guaranteed to pick up most, if not all, ninth-inning opportunities after recording a save in the Twins' first win in Baltimore, and they will be deployed depending on matchup and where the opponents are in their lineup, which hinders Sands' fantasy value as a true closer. Sands' fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on this situation as the season progresses.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
New York Giants tight end
Theo Johnson had a breakout campaign in 2025, catching 45 passes for 528 yards and five touchdowns. He finished Year 2 in the NFL as the overall TE18 in fantasy football (PPR), and he firmly established himself not only as the Giants' top tight end but also as one of
Jaxson Dart's favorite targets. The bad news for Johnson is that he probably won't be Dart's top target in 2026.
Malik Nabers (knee) is returning from a torn ACL, giving Dart a superstar receiver worthy of 175 targets. We also expect newcomers
Calvin Austin III and
Darnell Mooney to have decent roles in the passing game. Meanwhile, running backs
Cam Skattebo (ankle) and
Tyrone Tracy Jr. will handle their fair share of volume. Finally, Johnson faces competition within his own position group after tight end
Isaiah Likely followed head coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore to New York. With so many mouths to feed, it's hard to imagine that Johnson will be able to fetch another 70+ targets and 40+ receptions in 2026. He is immensely talented, but the state of the offense will likely drop him to the low-end TE2 or high-end TE3 tier next year. He's a hold in most dynasty leagues, or a potential sell if you can find someone who still believes in his fantasy outlook long-term. Johnson has fallen to #34 among tight ends in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Chicago Bears running back
Kyle Monangai had an impressive rookie season, and he's pushing to take on even more opportunities in his second pro campaign. A glaring Year 2 breakout candidate, Monangai finished last season with 783 rushing yards, 164 receiving yards, and five touchdowns across 17 games, despite not carving out a significant role until Week 7. From Week 7-18, he ranked as the overall RB23 in PPR leagues. The 23-year-old was able to produce at such a high level despite operating as the backup to
D'Andre Swift. Both backs had strong seasons, and Swift consistently served as the lead back over Monangai, other than the one game he missed in Week 9. This Ben Johnson-led Bears offense showed that it can support two fantasy-relevant running backs, and we don't expect that to change in 2026. Going forward, Monangai should carve out an even larger role in his second pro season. In fact, he's probably going to get a chance to prove that he deserves to be the Bears' every-down back after Swift's contract expires next offseason. Even after his strong season and RB30 finish, Monangai continues to be an intriguing buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues. He currently ranks #28 among running backs in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings, but there's no disputing that he has top-12 upside long-term.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Minnesota Twins' right-handed pitcher
Taj Bradley has performed well through two starts this season, throwing 10 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing eight hits, one earned run, four walks, 12 strikeouts, and posting a 0.87 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Bradley has shown flashes in the pan throughout his first couple of seasons at the big league level with the Tampa Bay Rays before being dealt to Minnesota this past offseason, but has not been able to consistently string starts together throughout his four-year MLB career. So much so that it resulted in a trip to Triple-A last season with the Rays organization. Pitching for the Twins, who are currently 2-4 to start the season, likely aren't going to be serious contenders in 2026, which will likely give Bradley a longer leash to see what he can really do, considering he's 25-years young, making him worth a waiver-wire add because of his potential strikeout upside. In his first season in MLB back in 2023, Bradley posted a 28.3 percent strike rate. Bradley's next turn in the rotation is lining up to be a much tougher matchup against their other AL Central opponent, the Detroit Tigers, early next week.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown has solidified himself as one of the most talented and consistent players in dynasty fantasy football. He has finished as the overall WR3 for three consecutive seasons, catching 117 passes for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025. In addition to being consistent in terms of fantasy points, he has also been dependable health-wise. St. Brown hasn't missed a game since 2023, and in total, he has been sidelined just twice during his five-year career. The 26-year-old has shown that he,
Jameson Williams,
Jahmyr Gibbs, and
Sam LaPorta can all co-exist in a high-octane Detroit offense. St. Brown continues to be a flashy target in dynasty trades. You won't be able to get him at a discount, but you can also rest assured that he'll continue to produce at an elite level once he's on your roster. He currently ranks #6 among wide receivers in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, positioning him firmly in the second tier at his position.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy continues to be an unappealing option in dynasty fantasy football leagues. Worthy played in 14 games last season, amassing just 42 catches, 532 yards, and one receiving touchdown. He finished the year as the overall WR59, which was a significant step backward from his WR33 finish as a rookie in 2024. His rookie season showed that he's capable of being a top-36 fantasy receiver, but whether he'll actually be able to reproduce that type of campaign in the future remains uncertain. There was a perfect opportunity for Worthy to break out as
Rashee Rice missed nine games due to suspension and injury, but the Texas product failed to live up to expectations. Going forward, there are rumblings that Rice may be suspended again. Worthy averaged 12.8 fantasy points (PPR) per game when he was healthy and Rice was suspended last year, but as soon as Rice came back, Worthy's fantasy production dwindled. The 22-year-old still projects as the No. 2 receiver in Kansas City long-term, and that's not good for his dynasty outlook. He currently ranks #50 among receivers in RotoBaller's latest dynasty rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
April 3, 2026
Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane once again rewrote the history books with a three-point effort in Thursday's 4-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming the NHL's all-time leading scorer among American players. The former MVP scored Detroit's game-winning goal and contributed two assists, including one on the power play. Earlier this season, Kane surpassed Mike Modano as the top-scoring U.S.-born player. Now, he's also ahead of Brett Hull on the all-time scoring list. Hull was born in Canada but represented the United States. Kane has scored 1,393 points (506 goals, 887 assists) in 1,362 career games. On Thursday night, he reached the 50-point mark for this season, boasting 14 goals and 36 assists through 60 outings. Kane has turned back the clock recently, tallying two goals and six assists during a four-game point streak.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 3, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Elias Salomonsson is in concussion protocol, head coach Scott Arniel told reporters after Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars. Salomonsson was on the ice for two of the Stars' goals but left the action midway through the second period. The 21-year-old couldn't complete the game after a hit from Stars forward Jason Robertson. Winnipeg will likely be without Salomonsson for Saturday's trip to Columbus. Salomonsson, a second-round draft pick from 2022, has made his first 32 NHL appearances this season. He has registered five points (one goal, four assists), 37 SOG, 27 blocks, and 50 hits. Jacob Bryson and Ville Heinola are the options to replace him in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
April 3, 2026
Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Noah Schultz has looked sharp to begin the campaign at Triple-A and could contend for his MLB debut much sooner than expected this season. The southpaw has appeared in two Triple-A games (one start) and logged nine innings while allowing just one run. He has walked only two hitters and racked up 10 punchouts. This is an excellent sign for his development as the budding ace struggled in his first taste of Triple-A in 2025, logging a hefty 9.37 ERA with a 1.96 WHIP over a short 16 1/3-inning stint. He spent most of the 2025 season with Double-A Birmingham, where he held a 3.34 ERA with a modest 1.59 WHIP over 56 2/3 innings. If Schultz can continue to improve his command and enjoy steady production, he should debut in the coming months.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Lardis injured his left hand late in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Jack Bushman of Chicago Hockey Now reports. Teammate Teuvo Teravainen hit him on the hand with a shot. Lardis netted Chicago's lone goal of the game five minutes into the third frame. The 20-year-old rookie has totaled 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 35 games this season. He has lit the lamp four times in his last seven appearances, but it's unclear whether he will get a chance to maintain his form on Saturday against Seattle. If he's healthy enough to play, Andrew Mangiapane (upper body) might be an option to fill in for Lardis. The veteran has been out for a couple of weeks but is traveling with the team.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jack Bushman
April 3, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect
Jett Williams fell just short of making the Opening Day roster out of camp, but should be in the mix to earn the call to Milwaukee in the near future. Williams was the centerpiece of one of the prominent trades this offseason that sent
Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets. Williams was competing alongside
Joey Ortiz,
Luis Rengifo, and
David Hamilton for a role at either the hot corner or shortstop on the MLB roster, but was unable to find a role. Williams enjoyed a hot start with Triple-A Nashville, tallying at least one hit in each of his first three games, but he has gone hitless over his last two. Last summer, he looked quite comfortable at Double-A, posting a .281/.390/.477 line with a .867 OPS, before posting a low .718 OPS at Triple-A Syracuse. Given that Ortiz held a low .230 AVG over 149 games last season and Hamilton has opened the campaign going 2-for-12, Williams should make his MLB debut sooner, rather than later.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect
Joshua Baez was in the mix to break camp with the MLB roster but ultimately fell short in the competition. He was instead optioned to Triple-A Memphis to begin the 2026 regular season. Over his first five games at the top level of the minor leagues, the former 54th overall selection has gone 6-for-22 with two doubles and a stolen base. Last summer, Baez held his own over 117 games shared between High-A and Double-A. During this combined stretch, the No. 87-ranked prospect in the sport (per MLB.com), held a strong .287/.384/.500 line with 20 home runs and an impressive 54 stolen bases. Currently, St. Louis is relying on
Nathan Church and
Jordan Walker in their corner outfield spots while
Lars Nootbaar (heel) remains on the 60-day IL. If either struggles for a longer period, Baez will likely get the call. He is worth stashing in deeper five-outfielder leagues given his high-end five-category skill set.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Utah Mammoth forward Jack McBain (lower body) left Thursday's 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken in the second period, Catherine Bogart of the Mammoth's official site reports. His night at the office ended after he had logged exactly nine minutes of ice time. McBain has been Utah's ironman, not missing a single game this season, so he must be desperate to avoid his first absence on Saturday night against Vancouver. The 26-year-old is fourth in the NHL with 271 hits and has tallied 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 75 games. Utah carries Liam O'Brien as an extra forward, and he could suit up for the first time in two months on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: Catherine Bogart
April 3, 2026
Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Hagen Smith has looked sharp to begin the season at Triple-A and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. The White Sox opted to send their former fifth overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft to Triple-A Charlotte to open the 2026 regular season. Over his first two outings (logging three innings in both), Smith has allowed just three runs (only two earned) while striking out nine with just one walk. His command was a blemish on his production last season as he allowed a hefty 56 free passes over a 75 2/3-inning stint with Double-A Birmingham. However, during this stint, Smith flashed his elite strikeout upside, totaling 108. If the young southpaw can continue to lower his walk rate, he should claim a spot in the rotation over
Erick Fedde or
Davis Martin in the near future.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven (upper body) played only a couple of minutes in Thursday's win over the Buffalo Sabres. He took a puck to the head/neck area early in the first period. Kleven's role has recently increased at the back for Ottawa, as the blue line has been stretched incredibly thin. While Jake Sanderson (upper body) appears to be nearing his return, the Senators are still set to finish the campaign with a makeshift backline. Due to injuries, Jordan Spence's fantasy stock has received a major boost. On Thursday, he extended his point streak to four games with an assist while logging 30:48 of ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
April 3, 2026
San Francisco Giants first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge continues to make a strong case to return to the major leagues in the near future. After a modest showing in spring training where the former 16th overall pick posted a low .225 AVG, the Giants opted to send him to Triple-A Sacramento to further his development. However, over his first five contests, Eldridge has posted a strong .278/.500/.333 line with a double and a 6:5 K:BB. The young slugger made his MLB debut in the second half of the 2025 campaign but held a low .107 AVG with a .476 OPS over a brief 10-game stint. Additionally, Eldridge carries high-end stash value as the Giants have not had consistent production at first base, especially when
Rafael Devers serves as the DH. Currently,
Casey Schmitt has taken on first base duties and has gone hitless in four of his seven starts. Given his high-end raw power and clear path to playing time, Eldridge carries high-end stash priority in all leagues ahead of Week 2.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) made an early exit against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. The Swedish veteran saw only 7:03 of ice time and was ruled out for the rest of the game after the second period. Ekman-Larsson has totaled 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 73 games this season, but he has cooled off noticeably since the Olympics. In his last 15 appearances, Ekman-Larsson has finished scoreless 12 times. Troy Stecher, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday, could get an opportunity to rejoin the lineup this weekend if Ekman-Larsson is forced to miss additional time.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
April 3, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitching prospect
Brody Hopkins is worth viewing as a deep-league stash candidate early in the 2026 regular season. Hopkins is considered the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system and the No. 85-ranked overall in the sport, per MLB.com. The 24-year-old spent the entire 2025 campaign with Double-A Montgomery and logged 116 innings to the tune of a 2.72 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. During this stint, Hopkins struck out 141 hitters while walking 60. Given this steady production, the Rays moved Hopkins to Triple-A Durham at the start of the 2026 regular season. In his first outing, Hopkins logged four innings and allowed one run, two hits, and posted a 5:3 K:BB. If he can continue to improve his command, Hopkins may compete for an MLB debut before the All-Star break. His strikeout upside makes him an intriguing target for those in deeper formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Faulk suffered a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Max Smith of Detroit Hockey Now reports. He left the game during the second period, finishing with 10:49 of ice time. The veteran blue-liner had his 12th outing with the Red Wings. Since moving to Motor City, he has recorded three points (one goal, two assists), 15 SOG, 23 blocks, and 17 hits. The severity of Faulk's injury is unclear, but he should be considered questionable for Saturday's meeting with the New York Rangers. Travis Hamonic could get back into the lineup for the first time since Feb. 4, but he doesn't have fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Max Smith
April 2, 2026
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher
Jose Quintana (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Thursday, retroactive to Monday. The veteran southpaw allowed two earned runs across 4.1 innings of work during his season debut on Sunday. He appears to have suffered a right hamstring strain during that start, which will knock him out for a few weeks. The severity of the injury is unknown right now, so it's unclear if Quintana will need any longer than the 15 days on the IL. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Valente Bellozo has been recalled to take Quintana's spot in the starting rotation. Neither pitcher figures to offer much upside in terms of fantasy value, so Quintana can likely be dropped for a healthy arm.
--Andy WebbSource: Patrick Lyons
April 2, 2026
Colorado Rockies outfielder
Mickey Moniak (finger) is expected to be activated from the Injured List ahead of Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Rockies made some moves on Thursday, but still have an open roster spot ahead of this contest. With that being said, it seems likely the Rockies are keeping that open to activate Moniak before game-time. The 27-year-old has missed the first six games of the season due to a sprained finger. He'll hopefully be ready to go for the home series opener, but fantasy managers should check back ahead of first pitch. Last season, Moniak slashed .270/.306/.518 with a career-high 24 home runs and 68 RBI in 135 games with the Rockies. He could offer value in mixed leagues, but Moniak isn't a must-have player.
--Andy WebbSource: Patrick Lyons
April 2, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Ryan Rollins (hip) is probable for Friday's contest against the Boston Celtics. He is expected to return from a one-game absence.
AJ Green and
Andre Jackson Jr. will lose playing time to Rollins, who has been Milwaukee's most productive player late in the season. The 23-year-old has averaged 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.8 steals over his last five outings. If he's cleared to play, Rollins should once again be a focal point of Milwaukee's offense, though Boston held him to just five points in their last meeting.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. It appears the veteran right-hander is feeling under the weather, so he'll be pulled from this start, but shouldn't need to be placed on the Injured List.
Luinder Avila has been recalled from Triple-A Omaha to make the start on Friday night. Avila registered a 1.29 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 16:6 K/BB ratio across 13 relief appearances with the Royals last season. The 24-year-old has been mainly working as a starter in the minors, but he still might not pitch deep into this game. The rest of the Royals' starters will remain the same, with
Seth Lugo on Saturday and
Kris Bubic on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Anne Rogers
April 2, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center
Bobby Portis (wrist) will miss a sixth straight game on Friday against the Boston Celtics. He is struggling to shake off a wrist injury, and since Milwaukee has nothing left to play for, it wouldn't be surprising to see Portis sit out the rest of the regular season.
Pete Nance has carved out a regular spot in the rotation during Portis' absence. He impressed with a 23-point outing on Wednesday against Houston, but it's unlikely he will be able to repeat that performance on Friday, especially with
Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) and
Myles Turner (ankle) back in the fold.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday in Phoenix. Strider is currently working his way back from an oblique issue that has kept him sidelined since the end of Spring Training. If everything goes well, Strider should be cleared to face live hitters next. He'll likely need a few weeks to ramp up activities and build up stamina before rejoining the Braves rotation. There's a chance that Strider is ready to rejoin the Braves' rotation by the end of April, but there's no exact timetable at the moment. The right-hander should be stashed on the IL in most fantasy formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Chad Bishop
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