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Eli Willits Makes Debut At Double-A Harrisburg
Washington Nationals 18-year-old shortstop prospect Eli Willits made his debut at Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday and has gone 1-for-8 in his first two games at his new minor league level with an RBI in each of his first two contests. Willits is known as a speedster and has 60 stolen bases combined between three levels of the minors. The switch hitter also has 13 combined home runs with 72 RBI and 100 runs scored. Willits was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and is top prospect in the Nationals system. He has the looks of a future league winner in the category of stolen bases. His stolen base prowess alone makes him worth a dynasty addition . He has a 60-grade hit tool and a 60-grade run tool with 50-grade power. The speed is off the charts and he looks like a future fantasy difference maker.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Cubs Planning to Activate Dansby Swanson Next Weekend
The Chicago Cubs are planning to activate shortstop Dansby Swanson (oblique) for next weekend's series in Cincinnati against the division-rival Reds, manager Craig Counsell told Patrick Mooney of The Athletic on Friday at Wrigley Field. Swanson will first complete a short minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa. He is getting close to returning to the big-league roster for the first time since being shut down with a Grade 2 strained left oblique in the middle of August. The 32-year-old veteran will help the Cubs in their final playoff push for the final nine games or so of the regular season, so he obviously will have a limited impact the rest of the way in fantasy in September. Swanson will be returning to a .216/.300/.404 slash line with a .704 OPS, 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 78 runs scored in his 403 at-bats this year. The two-time All-Star has been a disappointment in pretty much everything but stolen bases, and he has hit just two home runs in the second half of the season for the Cubbies.
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
Arjun Nimmala With Four Homers In Last Four Nights
Los Angeles Angels shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala hit two home runs in Thursday's game for the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas, bringing his total to four homers in the last four games. Nimmala came over to the Angels from the Toronto Blue Jays organization at the trade deadline and has been at Double-A ever since with the Angels. At Rocket City, Nimmala has seven homers and 15 RBI while hitting .240 in 25 games. With Double-A New Hampshire, in Toronto's organization prior to the trade, Nimmala was hitting .279 with four homers and 11 RBI in 33 games. Nimmala checks in as the Angels' top prospect with a 45-grade hit tool, 60-grade power, and 50-grade speed. Nimmala looks like one of many future shortstop stars in the league and is well worth a dynasty-league addition. At age 20, he could still be a few years away from the majors.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Cleared to Play Sunday
After dealing with a groin injury that limited him in both Wednesday and Thursday's practices, Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (groin) has been cleared to play in Sunday's season-opener against the Eagles, according to head coach Dan Quinn. As a seventh-round rookie in 2025, Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and eight touchdowns, ranking as one of the league's most efficient backs on plays run from under center. With new offensive coordinator David Blough expected to call more such plays, and the second-year runner entering the year with a clean bill of health, Croskey-Merritt has Week 1 flex appeal despite a tough opening matchup. While free-agent acquisition Rachaad White is expected to see much of the Commanders' passing-down work, Croskey-Merritt still profiles as the team's early-down back and should stay involved as long as the game remains close, making him RotoBaller's RB35 for Week 1.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Jalen McMillan Considered Doubtful for Season Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee) is listed as doubtful for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. In addition to McMillan, third-string running back Sean Tucker (hamstring) is doubtful to play. The 24-year-old McMillan had been a limited practice participant this week, but the Bucs apparently did not see enough progress to clear him for the regular-season opener this weekend. He missed extensive time in training camp and all of the preseason, potentially opening the door for impressive rookie wideout Ted Hurst III to take over the WR3 role from McMillan early on this year. With McMillan unlikely to play against Cincy, Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. will have higher fantasy ceilings, and Hurst will get his chance to make his mark early. McMillan, a third-rounder in 2024, found the end zone eight times as a rookie, but he played in only four games a year ago due to a serious neck injury he suffered in the preseason. Staying healthy has been an issue. He is rostered in only 14% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Andrew Fischer Sets Minor-League Home Run Record
Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Andrew Fischer hit a home run on Thursday night and, in doing so, set the record for most homers in a minor-league season this century with 47. Fischer has split time this season between High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi, hitting 20 and 27 homers respectively at each stop along the way. He has combined for 47 homers with 113 RBI and a .272 batting average, along with 103 runs scored. Fischer is the No. 5 prospect in the Milwaukee system and boasts 65-grade power with a 40-grade hit tool. So Fischer has consistently shown off the power stroke but has some work to do to get his entire bat up to speed. The left-handed hitter is 22-years-old and has power galore for future fantasy teams. He still could be a few years away from a big-league debut, but is worth claiming in dynasty formats.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jose Delgado Set To Headline Noche UFC 4 Card
Jose Delgado will look to extend his win streak when he takes on Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 4 on Saturday. Delgado, who is a late replacement for Yair Rodriguez, was last seen in action in July at UFC Oklahoma, where he defeated Austin Bashi via unanimous decision. Prior to his fight with Bashi, Delgado edged out a split decision win over Andre Fili. DraftKings sees Delgado as a massive underdog with a salary of $6,900.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Jonathon Brooks Set to Play in Week 1
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (groin) does not have an injury designation on Friday and will play in the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Things were trending this way with Brooks practicing all week, but now it is official. The 23-year-old former second-round pick in 2024 from Texas will be playing in just his fourth NFL game after tearing his ACL twice since entering the NFL. Carolina's backfield hierarchy is a bit unclear going into the season opener, but both Brooks and Chuba Hubbard should have sizeable roles in 2026. The Panthers talked Brooks up during training camp and the preseason, causing him to rise on fantasy draft boards, and as long as he stays healthy, he should be a weekly RB3/flex option with upside if he can finally stay healthy in the NFL. Both Brooks and Hubbard should be viewed as RB3/flexes for a difficult Week 1 matchup against the Bears' defense.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Josiah Hartshorn Set For Promotion to Double-A
Chicago Cubs first base prospect Josiah Hartshorn was reportedly called up to Double-A Knoxville after the High-A South Bend Cubs' season ended in a playoff loss on Thursday. Hartshorn hit .297 in 300 at bats with South Bend this season and hit 18 homers and had 85 RBI with 12 stolen bases. Hartshorn is the top overall prospect in the Cubs' system and has a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and 45-grade speed. Hartshorn had a very productive 2026 season and the switch hitter is only 19 years old. Look for him to continue his upward trajectory and while it might take a few more years for him to reach the big leagues, he is a very enticing target in dynasty formats. He showed off his power this season and was even a stolen base threat, making him a full five-category force for future fantasy leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Patriots Placing A.J. Brown on Injured Reserve
The New England Patriots are placing wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Friday due to the high-ankle sprain that he suffered in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks, which will sideline him for a minimum of four games, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that Brown is expected to miss at least four weeks because of his ankle injury, so it makes sense that the Pats would put him on IR to open up a roster spot while he recovers. It is an ominous sign for the start of the 29-year-old's tenure in New England after the Pats sent a first-rounder to the Philadelphia Eagles for him in the offseason. The former second-rounder caught three of his four targets for 26 yards on Wednesday in Seattle before spraining his ankle. Fantasy managers must stash Brown in an IR spot for now and hope that he can hit the ground running and renew his connection with quarterback Drake Maye when he returns. In the meantime, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, and Kyle Williams will all be asked to step up in the passing game, as well as tight ends Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Emeka Egbuka Cleared to Play in Week 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (toe) is a full-go for Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Egbuka was considered up in the air for the season opener after spraining his toe in training camp in August, but he has been practicing in full with the team all week and is ready to go. It is worth noting that Jalen McMillan (knee) is considered doubtful, which should open up more targets for Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., and rookie Ted Hurst III. Egbuka had been trending down in fantasy with Week 1 approaching because of his toe injury, but now that he is fully cleared and McMillan is expected to sit out, he is trending back up as a strong WR2 in a game that is expected to feature plenty of points. Make sure that Egbuka is in your starting lineup for Week 1 this weekend against Cincy.
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Source: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
Jean Silva Set For Noche UFC 4 Main Event
Jean Silva will look for his second consecutive win when he faces off against Jose Delgado in the main event of Noche UFC 4 on Saturday. Silva was originally scheduled to take on former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez, but Rodríguez withdrew from the fight due to injury and was replaced by Delgado. Silva was last seen in action in January at UFC 324, where he returned to the win column by defeating Arnold Allen by unanimous decision. DraftKings sees Silva as a massive favorite with a salary of $9,300.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Joseph Morales Set For Noche UFC 4 Co-Main Event
Joseph Morales will look to extend his win streak when he faces off against former two-time flyweight champion Brandon Moreno in the co-main event of Noche UFC 4 on Saturday. Morales was last seen competing in November 2025 at UFC Vegas 111, where he extended his win streak by finishing Matt Schnell via first-round submission. Prior to that, he made his UFC debut on UFC 319 against Alibi Idiris. DraftKings sees Morales as a slight favorite with a salary of $8,300.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Tee Higgins Cleared for Week 1 Against Tampa
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Tee Higgins (heel) is good to go for Sunday's Week 1 season opener versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. The Bengals announced last week that Higgins was dealing with a minor heel injury that was never expected to put him in danger of missing the start of the 2026 season. Fantasy managers need to have the 27-year-old locked into their starting lineups for this weekend's matchup against the Bucs. Higgins was a first-time Pro Bowler for the Bengals last season, catching 59 of his 98 targets for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns in 15 games played. He has not had a 1,000-yard season since 2022, but Higgins has remained productive when he has been on the field, and he has scored 21 touchdowns combined in the last two seasons in Cincy. Higgins has had issues staying on the field for a full season, but when he is out there, he has a strong floor as a high-end WR2 for fantasy managers, even in the shadow of star wideout Ja'Marr Chase.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
Ja'Marr Chase Good to Go for Week 1
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (knee) is good to go for the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Chase suffered a hyperextended knee during the late stages of training camp and was limited from practice work until practicing in full on Wednesday, which signaled that the 26-year-old was looking good to play this weekend. That is now confirmed, so fantasy managers need to have Chase locked into all starting lineups to kick off the regular season on Sunday. The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro has hit the 1,000-yard mark in all five of his NFL seasons with the Bengals and is poised for a sixth this year if he stays healthy. Chase led the league in 2024 with 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, and he has scored an incredible 54 times in 78 games so far in his NFL career. If quarterback Joe Burrow stays healthy for another full season, Chase is the odds-on favorite to finish as the overall WR1 in fantasy football.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
