April 18, 2026
Even before signing a three-year, $27 million contract with the Washington Commanders, tight end
Chig Okonkwo was a popular breakout candidate as he hit free agency after four promising seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Despite never finishing higher than TE22 in Half-PPR formats, Okonkwo's 4.52 speed and ability to gain yards after the catch are rare for the position, and many fantasy managers were banking on an improved situation where his skills could be put on display with regularity. He appears to have found that with the Commanders. When quarterback
Jayden Daniels was fully healthy in 2024, his 78.2% on-target throw rate ranked 12th in the league as a rookie. Okonkwo never saw a quarterback finish inside the top 25 in that regard during his time in Tennessee, but he was still able to top 50 receptions in each of the last three seasons. The Commanders are expected to add pass-catchers in the upcoming NFL Draft, but as it currently stands, the talent gap between eight-year veteran
Terry McLaurin and the rest of the room is notable, providing Okonkwo plenty of space to slide in as the secondary option in the passing game. He is currently TE20 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, but it's extremely possible he is still being slept on.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
April 18, 2026
Colorado Rockies outfielder
Mickey Moniak is off to a strong start to the 2026 season, hitting .261/.300/.630 with five home runs, nine RBI, seven runs scored, and one stolen base across his first 50 plate appearances of the season. So far, the 27-year-old is backing up the power breakout he experienced in 2025, when he hit 24 home runs in 461 plate appearances with the Rockies. The lefty-swinging Moniak is still seeing most of his playing time against right-handed starting pitching, which limits his overall counting stat upside. He's also striking out at a 26% clip, so his batting average could come down over the course of the season. Still, Moniak has proven he can be effective in a platoon role and should be rostered in most fantasy leagues.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 18, 2026
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball recorded 23 points (7-for-17 on field goals, 3-for-8 from three, and 6-for-6 on free throws), five assists, and two rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday's Play-In loss to Orlando, ending the Hornets' season. Ball averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 28.0 minutes across 72 games, maintaining strong per-game production despite reduced minutes. His usage remains secure entering next season, with offense flowing through him.
Brandon Miller and
Miles Bridges should continue handling secondary scoring roles alongside Ball's playmaking.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA
April 18, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Jordan Goodwin recorded 19 points (7-for-11 on field goals, 4-for-7 from three, and 1-for-1 on free throws), nine rebounds, two assists, and six steals in 34 minutes during Friday's win over Golden State, helping Phoenix secure the West's eighth seed. Goodwin averaged 12.6 points, 3.0 three-pointers, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.0 steals over his last five games, showing multi-category upside. His defensive production and rebounding give him DFS value if minutes hold, though his role could shift if
Grayson Allen (hamstring) returns.
Devin Booker and
Jalen Green continue to lead usage, limiting Goodwin's scoring ceiling.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA
April 18, 2026
Orlando Magic forward/center
Paolo Banchero recorded 25 points (9-for-17 on field goals, 2-for-6 from three, and 5-for-8 on free throws), five rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block in 33 minutes during Friday's Play-In win over Charlotte, sending Orlando into the playoffs as the East's eighth seed. Banchero averaged 20.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 6.8 assists over his last five games with a 30.7 usage rate, continuing to drive the offense. His all-around role keeps him firmly in play for DFS despite a tougher matchup against Detroit, while
Franz Wagner should continue handling a steady secondary role.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA
April 18, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Jalen Green delivered 36 points (14-for-20 on field goals, 8-for-14 from three), six rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals in 40 minutes during Friday's win over Golden State, sending Phoenix into the playoffs as the West's eighth seed. Green has now scored at least 35 points in back-to-back games and is averaging 22.2 points over his last five outings. His scoring-heavy profile boosts his DFS ceiling, but a first-round matchup against Oklahoma City introduces efficiency risk.
Devin Booker should continue sharing primary usage, while
Dillon Brooks provides secondary wing support.
--Brian DailisanSource: ESPN
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets guard/forward
Amen Thompson isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Thompson closed the season on a strong run, averaging 24.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 2.2 steals over his last five games while logging 38.1 minutes. His ability to contribute across categories makes him one of the more stable DFS options on the slate, with production not tied to shooting alone.
Alperen Sengun remains the primary offensive hub, while
Kevin Durant's (knee) status could influence Thompson's usage and scoring opportunities.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets forward/center
Jabari Smith Jr. is not on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Smith averaged 15.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 three-pointers per game this season, and he enters the playoffs in strong form with 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.4 three-pointers over his last five outings in 33.6 minutes. His scoring remains tied to perimeter efficiency, making him a streaky DFS option.
Alperen Sengun continues to command usage inside, while
Tari Eason could absorb minutes if Smith cools.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Houston Rockets forward/center
Alperen Sengun isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's Game 1 against the Lakers after sitting out the regular-season finale. Sengun averaged 17.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 30.8 minutes over his last five games while posting a 26.7 usage rate, reinforcing his role as Houston's offensive hub. His multi-category production makes him a strong DFS anchor with a stable floor and ceiling combination.
Clint Capela is expected to remain in a limited backup role, which should keep his minutes and overall production low.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 18, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes center Logan Stankoven (illness) practiced on Friday. He was situated between his usual linemates, Taylor Hall and Jackson Blake. Walt Ruff noted that nothing appeared out of the ordinary with Stankoven during practice. The 23-year-old was missing from Thursday's practice due to a minor illness. The center moved around the middle six a bit but found a home on the second line during the season. Stankoven is one of Carolina's hottest players going into Round 1 with 11 points in his previous eight contests. This means the second line and power play unit will be 100% for Saturday afternoon against the Ottawa Senators.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: Walt Ruff
April 18, 2026
New York Yankees right-hander
Gerrit Cole (elbow) made his first minor-league rehab start on Friday night with Double-A Somerset, and he allowed three earned runs on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out three in 4 1/3 innings of work. Cole missed all of the 2025 season after having right-elbow surgery last March. The Yankees aren't in any rush to bring the 35-year-old veteran back from Tommy John surgery, and they'll likely ease him back into the big-league rotation when he's eventually activated from the 15-day injured list. Barring a setback during his rehab assignment on the farm, Cole could be back in the Yankees' starting rotation in early May. The former first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 out of UCLA should be rostered in all fantasy leagues as fantasy managers hope the six-time All-Star can recapture the Cy Young form he had in 2023. Cole is currently rostered in 83% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milb.com
April 18, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expects plenty of fireworks in the first round of this year's NFL draft, which begins next Thursday night, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "It should be an entertaining night," Veach said Thursday. "There'll probably be a lot of trades." Most analysts think that Indiana quarterback
Fernando Mendoza will be the only QB taken within the top 10 picks, and it's also a weird draft in that some of the top prospects don't play premier positions. The Chiefs are one of five teams this year that have two first-round selections, so they could be one of the teams trading up or back next Thursday. KC acquired a second first-round pick (29th overall) from the Los Angeles Rams this offseason in the trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
April 18, 2026
Cincinnati Reds left-hander
Nick Lodolo (finger) threw 31 pitches in two simulated innings during live batting practice on Friday, according to MLB.com. He's scheduled to bump up to three innings on Tuesday, April 21. Lodolo has yet to pitch for the Reds in 2026 due to a blister on his pitching hand that he developed right at the end of spring training. The 28-year-old southpaw is building up slowly and could get up to three innings next Tuesday. After that, the former TCU pitcher could get cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. With plenty of boxes left to check, it's unlikely that Lodolo will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list before the end of April. Despite being on the sidelines for the first month of the season, Lodolo is rostered in 90% of Yahoo leagues for his strikeout upside when he's fully healthy. The former first-rounder has fanned 26.2% of the hitters he's faced in his first four years in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 18, 2026
Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever
Kirby Yates (knee) began his minor-league rehab assignment on Friday with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and allowed an earned run on one hit while walking one and striking out two in his inning of work with the Quakes. Yates, who began the year on the 15-day injured list with left-knee inflammation, is nearing his 2026 season debut and could be thrown right into the mix for save chances with right-hander
Jordan Romano blowing back-to-back save opportunities against the New York Yankees in the Bronx earlier this week. Fantasy managers should consider picking up the 39-year-old veteran with his return potentially coming next week. Yates had a rough year with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, but he had 33 saves for the Texas Rangers in 2024, and he's racked up 98 saves over the course of his 11-year MLB career. At the very least, Yates could be a sleeper in holds leagues as a late-inning setup man for the Halos in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Angels PR
April 18, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman
Max Muncy had a big day at the plate in Friday's series opener at hitter-friendly Coors Field in the team's 7-1 win, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI, and a strikeout. Both of Muncy's home runs on the night were of the solo variety. It was his second multi-home run game within the past week, and he's now up to six home runs and seven RBI on the season in his first 18 games played. The 35-year-old veteran left-handed slugger swings and misses a lot and is going to drag your fantasy team's batting average down, but he still has plenty of power and potential to drive in runs in the league's best lineup. Muncy entered Friday's game in Denver with a .220/.313/.424 slash line with a .737 OPS in 67 plate appearances. The more he ages, the more Muncy becomes an all-or-nothing player.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 18, 2026
Seattle Mariners second baseman
Brendan Donovan (undisclosed) left Friday night's game early against the division-rival Texas Rangers at T-Mobile Park with an undisclosed injury, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Donovan was replaced by infielder
Leo Rivas at third base after going 0-for-2 out of the leadoff spot before hitting the showers. We should have an update on the 29-year-old's injury soon. Even if he escapes with a minor injury and is day-to-day, we wouldn't be surprised if he's held out of Game 2 of the series in Seattle on Saturday. Donovan continues to make a lot of contact at the plate in his first year with the M's, as he entered Friday's game slashing .315/.449/.537 with a .986 OPS, three home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 17 games played. Donovan doesn't provide much power, but he's useful for runs, average, and on-base percentage atop a potent Seattle lineup. If he were to miss time moving forward, Rivas could become the team's primary option at the keystone.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
April 18, 2026
Seattle Mariners right-hander
Bryce Miller (oblique) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Miller will likely need the full 30-day allotment on the IL to build up his workload, according to president of baseball operations Justin Hollander. He's scheduled to throw two innings and/or 30 pitches on Saturday. If all goes well, the 27-year-old might be ready to come off the 15-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut near the end of May. Miller took a step forward in his second MLB season in 2024, when he went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 171 strikeouts and 45 walks in 180 1/3 innings over 31 starts, but he was bitten by the injury bug last year and this spring. He only made 18 starts in 2025 and posted a career-worst 5.68 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 74:34 K:BB in 90 1/3 innings. Miller still has a way to go before he's contributing for fantasy managers, and he's rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues currently.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
April 18, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) is already in Arizona and is expected to make his 2026 season debut on Saturday against his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, a source told Francys Romero. Gurriel made a speedy recovery after having surgery for a torn ACL in his right knee last September. It should give fantasy managers cautious optimism for Gurriel upon his return after a major injury toward the end of last season. It's great news for Arizona's lineup, as the 32-year-old veteran should be a regular in left field going forward, although the Snakes could ease Gurriel in. The return of Gurriel is bad news for
Jorge Barrosa's playing time in the desert. Gurriel was a first-time All-Star in 2023, when he hit 24 home runs and 82 RBI while slashing .261/.309/.463 with a 772 OPS in 145 games played. The Cuban outfielder is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues right now, but he deserves some consideration as bench depth in deep-mixed leagues now that his return is imminent.
--Keith HernandezSource: Francys Romero
April 18, 2026
Atlanta Braves third baseman
Austin Riley could be coming out of his early-season slump at the plate after a two-homer performance in the team's 9-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park. Riley went 2-for-5 with two home runs, four RBI, and three strikeouts to raise his average to .240 and his OPS to .734 in the early going in 2026. The 29-year-old right-handed slugger has now hit three home runs in the last two games. He came into Friday's game slashing .229/.316/.329 with a .645 OPS, one homer, nine RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 70 at-bats. The two-time All-Star could finally be starting to heat up, especially in the power department. Injuries have hurt Riley in each of the last two seasons, but before that, he had three straight 30-home run seasons, giving fantasy managers an idea of what kind of power upside he has when he's right.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 18, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Joey Loperfido (quadriceps) left Friday's game early against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park due to right-quad tightness, according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Before leaving the eventual 9-4 loss, Loperfido went 0-for-3 at the plate with one strikeout. He was replaced in left field by
Brice Matthews. For now, fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to consider Loperfido as day-to-day while checking on his status for Game 2 of the series on Saturday. The 26-year-old former seventh-rounder in 2021 out of Duke came into Friday's game hitting .273 (15-for-55) with no home runs, six RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 19 games played and 63 plate appearances. Loperfido is currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues. If he's forced to miss time moving forward with his quad injury, Matthews would most likely be the biggest beneficiary of playing time in left field in Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
April 17, 2026
Houston Astros infielder
Isaac Paredes (legs) had his legs tighten up on him on Friday night against the St. Louis Cardinals at Daikin Park, which is why he didn't hit in the eighth inning, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Paredes came on as a pinch-hitter in the eventual 9-4 loss and went 0-for-2 at the plate with a strikeout before leaving. He was replaced at the hot corner by
Shay Whitcomb. It doesn't sound like a very serious injury, but the Astros could give him a day off on Saturday in Houston for Game 2 of the series against St. Louis. The 27-year-old two-time All-Star has been seeing extra playing time at third base with shortstop
Jeremy Pena on the 10-day injured list with a right-hamstring strain. Paredes hit 20 home runs and drove in 53 runs in just 102 games last year in his first season with Houston, but so far in 2026, he's still searching for his first home run while going 11-for-53 (.208) with six RBI and six runs scored in 64 plate appearances.
Nick Allen would likely see a much bigger role on Houston's infield if Paredes goes on the IL.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
April 17, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Trey Yesavage (shoulder) will make another minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The Blue Jays want Yesavage to be a bit more built up and be 100% sure that he's here to stay in the majors when he makes his 2026 season debut. The Blue Jays were handling Yesavage with kid gloves back in spring training before putting him on the 15-day injured list with a right-shoulder impingement before Opening Day. Veteran lefty Patrick Corbin has looked good so far while filling in for the team's beat-up starting rotation, which may have bought the team a bit more time before bringing Yesavage back. He's allowed eight earned runs with three walks and 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings pitched in his three rehab appearances, and he's on the cusp of rejoining the major-league rotation. Workload restrictions will likely be in place, but Yesavage's high-end upside as a starting pitching prospect makes him stash-worthy everywhere.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
April 17, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho (knee) was removed from the team's game early on Friday night in Arizona against the Diamondbacks with left-knee discomfort, the team announced. Varsho struck out in his only plate appearance before being replaced in center field by
Myles Straw. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder came into Friday's game hitting .266 (17-for-64) with three home runs, seven RBI, eight runs scored, and a stolen base in 18 games played to begin the 2026 season. For now, fantasy managers should consider Varsho to be day-to-day while checking back on his status on Saturday. Most likely, he will not be available to play in the second game of the series at Chase Field against his former team, and if tests on his knee come back with discouraging news, he could land on the 10-day injured list. If Varsho is forced to miss some time with his knee injury, the light-hitting Straw would benefit the most in Toronto in center field.
UPDATE: Varsho is deemed day-to-day.--Keith HernandezSource: Toronto Blue Jays
April 17, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz thinks that both offensive tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) will participate at some point in the team's offseason program, which begins next Monday, according to Eric Smith of Chargers.com. "Yeah, I think they'll be involved in some capacity. Coming back from injuries, you don't rush anything, there's no need to rush it," Hortiz said. "Let them come back, be healthy, the target is for the start of training camp. But I think they'll be out there getting some work." Slater suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in training camp last summer and missed the entire 2025 season, while Alt made the Pro Bowl despite playing in only six games due to a season-ending ankle injury. With both Slater and Alt sidelined for all but six games last season, the protection for quarterback
Justin Herbert really broke down. Having a healthy Slater and Alt in 2026 could be a difference-maker for the Chargers' QB and the entire offense in general under new coordinator Mike McDaniel.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chargers.com - Eric Smith
April 17, 2026
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti looked sharp on the mound during his season debut on Wednesday. He tossed six innings, allowing one run, while striking out 10 batters in the win over the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander did allow four walks, which is concerning, but he was excellent outside of that. Given all the injuries in Houston, Arrighetti figures to remain in the starting rotation for the time being. His next start will come against the Cleveland Guardians, so this should be a more challenging lineup. The strikeout upside is what makes Arrighetti an intriguing fantasy asset. He recorded 171 strikeouts across 145 innings during his last full big league season in 2024. The 26-year-old could be a decent option for fantasy managers needing help with pitching or strikeouts.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
April 17, 2026
Minnesota Twins third baseman
Royce Lewis (knee) will begin a minor league rehab assignment on Saturday at Triple-A St. Paul. The Twins haven't said how long they plan to keep Lewis in the minor leagues. Lewis has been on the Injured List since last Saturday due to a sprained left knee. Barring any setbacks, Lewis should be ready to return when first eligible early next week. This season, Lewis is slashing .222/.378/.444 with two home runs and eight RBI across 12 games. The potential is there for the former-first round pick from 2017. The biggest problem has been keeping Lewis healthy and on the field. Fantasy managers should hold tight with Lewis and hope he'll get back on the field soon.
--Andy WebbSource: Betsy Helfand
April 17, 2026
Miami Marlins third baseman
Graham Pauley (oblique) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Pauley appeared to have tweaked his oblique while dodging a wild pitch during an at-bat in the seventh inning. He was hitless in two plate appearances before exiting the game. The Marlins will give more information on his status following Friday's contest. Often, oblique issues are something that land players on the Injured List, but we'll wait and see the severity of the injury.
Javier Sanoja is the favorite to see increased playing time at the hot corner, assuming Pauley is forced to miss time.
--Andy WebbSource: Craig Mish
April 17, 2026
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Noah Schultz didn't have an ideal beginning to his MLB career. The rookie southpaw allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits, while walking four batters across 4.1 innings of work. The good news is that Schultz struck out four batters and retired five of the last six batters he faced. The 22-year-old figures to get a few turns through the rotation until
Jonathan Cannon (hip) is cleared to return from the Injured List. Fantasy managers who added Schultz should hold onto him and hope for better results his next time on the bump. He's lined up to face the Athletics on Sunday, so we'll see how he does against that young stud lineup. The young southpaw has great strikeout upside, so fantasy managers should just ride the wave with Schultz.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
April 17, 2026
Kansas City Royals catcher
Carter Jensen has been picking it up with the bat recently, and fantasy managers are beginning to notice. Jensen had a recent stretch of play where he hit over .300 with three home runs and five RBI in a six-game span. The power numbers have taken a dip since then, but Jensen is still worth looking at for fantasy managers in need of a catcher. The 22-year-old is slashing .222/.259/.463 with four homers, 10 RBI in 18 games this season. He has been filling in as the designated hitter whenever he's not behind the plate. It's never an easy task finding a viable hitter at the catcher position, but Jensen appears to have good upside.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
April 17, 2026
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Jorge Soler is off to a strong start to the season in the power department. Through 18 games, Soler is slashing .231/.342/.508 with five home runs and a league-leading 18 RBI. The All-Star slugger is currently serving a four-game suspension, but will be back in the mix soon. With that being said, now might be the best time to grab Soler before he returns to the field and continues tearing the cover off the ball. The veteran slugger isn't going to hit for average, and he's going to strike out a ton. The 34-year-old has crushed over 200 career homers and is looking like a sneaky add for fantasy managers seeking power right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Baseball Reference
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