Jun 11, 2026, 4:59 PM ET

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle) is coming off a frustrating first year with the team, in which he missed five regular-season games due to an ankle injury. The 26-year-old wasn't relevant at all in fantasy football, catching a career-low 22 passes on 37 targets for 303 yards and no touchdowns across 12 regular-season games (eight starts). However, Palmer is "feeling a lot better" this offseason and is optimistic he'll be better in his second season in Buffalo in 2026. He worked off to the side during organized team activities but has been back on the field during mandatory minicamp this week. The former third-round pick (77th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2021 out of the University of Tennessee averaged 12.6 yards per catch and had 182 receptions for 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns on 282 targets in 58 games in his first four years in the league with the Bolts. Palmer surely has bounce-back potential after being banged up in 2025, but with the addition of receiver DJ Moore to the fold as a deep threat in the Bills' offense, it's hard to imagine him having a consistent enough role to excite fantasy managers going into the start of the 2026 season this fall.--Keith Hernandez
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Alec White and Maddy Glab

Jun 11, 2026, 4:53 PM ET

Texas quarterback Arch Manning was one of the most hyped-up quarterbacks in recent memory heading into last season, but as a first-year starter, he had plenty of struggles, especially early in the season. However, Manning turned the corner in the second half of the year, averaging 286.2 passing yards per game, scoring 19 touchdowns, and throwing five interceptions over his final six games. He faced the No. 9, No. 5, No. 3, and No. 18-ranked teams during that stretch. Wide receiver Ryan Wingo is back in Austin, and the program brought in former Auburn star wideout Cam Coleman, forming one of the best wide receiver duos in the country. Running transfers Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State) should give the rushing attack a much-needed boost after last year's rough showing on the ground. With a full season under his belt and an improved supporting cast, Manning could live up to the Heisman Trophy hype in his fourth year in Austin.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jun 11, 2026, 4:50 PM ET

According to Ben Standig of Last Man Standig, Washington Commanders second-year running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (undisclosed) is missing valuable repetitions during organized team activities this offseason due to a soft-tissue injury. It's unclear what exactly Croskey-Merritt is dealing with or whether he'll be ready to return for the team's mandatory minicamp that runs from June 16-18. Bill has the opportunity to become Washington's clear lead back in Year 2 in 2026, but to do so, he'll need to improve his ball security and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols, and Jerome Ford slot in behind Croskey-Merritt in Washington's RB room, but JCM is the only one of the group with a realistic chance for lead-back duties. The 25-year-old former seventh-rounder out of the University of Arizona worked his way into a big role in his first NFL campaign in D.C., rushing for 805 yards and eight touchdowns on 175 carries while adding nine receptions for 68 yards. Because he won't be guaranteed a three-down role, though, fantasy managers should target JCM as more of an RB3/flex in drafts this fall.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Last Man Standig - Ben Standig

Jun 11, 2026, 4:46 PM ET

Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy was one of the biggest breakout stars of the 2025 campaign, accumulating 1,567 rushing yards, 177 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns. Though Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. have moved on to LSU, the Rebels hired former Ole Miss co-offensive coordinator John David Baker to run their offense this season. And more importantly, star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is back in Oxford. Baker has familirary with what Kiffin and Weis were dialing up over the last few seasons, and the threat of Chambliss as a passer and runner should keep defenses honest, setting Lacy up for another productive season. Lacy was a first-team All-American in his first year as a starter, and a big season in 2026 should put him in the RB1 conversation in the 2027 NFL Draft.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jun 11, 2026, 4:35 PM ET

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (wrist) is doing the catching for right-hander Kyle Bradish in Thursday's series finale at Camden Yards and will bat fifth against Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo, per MLB.com. Basallo has been dealing with a bony growth on his left wrist and was held out of the starting lineup for each of the last three games. It's something that he could deal with going forward, but for now, the left-handed slugger will return to the O's lineup for the series finale against Seattle. The Dominican backstop will return to a .263/.327/.475 line with an .801 OPS, nine home runs, 27 RBI, and 25 runs scored in his 179 at-bats in his first full year in the majors. Basallo has been much better against right-handers this year, going 36-for-133 (.271) against them with eight of his nine home runs on the year. The young catcher has struggled so far in June, though, with just two hits in 22 plate appearances over eight games.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 4:29 PM ET

After rushing 145 times for 749 yards and catching 30 passes for 213 yards (13 total touchdowns), former Boston College running back Turbo Richard decided to take his talents to Bloomington. He joins the defending College Football Playoff National Champions, and he could be one of the sport's breakout stars in 2026. With Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black out of town, Richard has the opportunity to earn a featured role in Indiana's offense, though the team returned Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr. from last year's squad. Richard is a do-it-all back with tackle-breaking ability, and he'll surely be in the spotlight as a junior thanks to his name and the program he is set to play for.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jun 11, 2026, 4:26 PM ET

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (hamstring) is back in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryan Woo, serving as the designated hitter and batting third in the order, per MLB.com. Rutschman will return to the O's lineup after missing the last three games with tightness in his left hamstring. The 28-year-old switch-hitter has been swinging the bat much better of late, going 13-for-42 (.310) with a homer, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored in his last 11 games since May 27. Overall, the former first overall pick out of Oregon State is slashing .267/.343/.489 with a career-best .832 OPS, eight home runs, 36 RBI, and 25 runs scored in 48 games across 204 plate appearances in his fifth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers will want to get the two-time All-Star back into their starting lineups now that he's been cleared of his hamstring injury. In three career at-bats against Woo, Rutschman has a home run and two RBI.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 4:24 PM ET

UCF quarterback Alonza Barnett III was brought in from James Madison to help turn the program around in the second tenure of the Scott Frost era in Orlando. Barnett is fresh off leading James Madison to a College Football Playoff appearance and has a 21-6 overall record as a starter. The fifth-year senior tallied over 5,000 passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards, and 71 total touchdowns in two seasons as JMU's starter. UCF is expected to be among the worst teams in the Big 12, but heroic quarterback play can flip the script in a hurry. Barnett is one of the top transfer quarterbacks to watch in 2026.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jun 11, 2026, 4:17 PM ET

Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (back) is starting at shortstop and will bat ninth for Seattle in Thursday's series finale against the hosting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Kyle Bradish at Camden Yards, according to MLB.com. Emerson didn't play in any of the last three games due to a bout with back spasms, but he's feeling good enough to play on Thursday. The 20-year-old infield prospect is one of the most intriguing young power/speed threats in baseball, although he won't carry a ton of DFS appeal at the bottom of the Mariners' batting order in his return. In his first 19 games in the big leagues, Emerson has gone 15-for-62 (.242) with four home runs, five doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored across 69 plate appearances. He will play regularly for the M's at the 6 with J.P. Crawford (hand) on the injured list currently. Emerson has only five walks and 21 strikeouts early on, so he'll need to make more contact to capitalize on his potential.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 3:57 PM ET

Ex-NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was denied parole almost five years after he killed a woman in a car crash in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to The Associated Press. Ruggs, who was the Las Vegas Raiders' first-round pick in 2020, drove his sports car at speeds up to 156 mph on Nov. 2, 2021, and slammed into a car, killing driver Tina Tintor and her dog, Max. Prosecutors at the time said Ruggs' blood-alcohol level taken within the required two hours after the crash was 0.16%. He pleaded guilty in May of 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Ruggs was sentenced in August of 2023 to a three- to 10-year prison sentence. He'll go before the parole board again three months before his Aug. 24, 2027, mandatory parole release date. The 27-year-old was the 12th overall pick in 2020, and he caught 50 of his 79 targets for 921 yards and four touchdowns in 20 games (19 starts) in his only two years in the league.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Associated Press

Jun 11, 2026, 3:15 PM ET

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (shoulder), who had been pitching in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, has been returned from his minor-league rehab assignment and remains on the 60-day injured list, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Priester hasn't really had any luck trying to battle through symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, and this could be the final straw before the Brewers have him undergo season-ending surgery. The 25-year-old's velocity has been way down, and he's had trouble commanding the baseball while pitching in the minor leagues. In eight rehab starts in the ACL and for High-A Wisconsin and Triple-A Nashville, Priester has allowed 28 earned runs on 22 hits (one homer) while walking 24 and striking out only 18 in 16 innings pitched. It's unclear what the next step is for Priester, but it's beginning to look more and more unlikely that he'll be able to help Milwaukee out in 2026. He's rostered in just 13% of Yahoo leagues and can probably be cut in more formats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy

Jun 11, 2026, 3:11 PM ET

Washington Nationals corner infield prospect Yohandy Morales continues to produce at Triple-A Rochester, drawing a walk, stealing a base, and scoring a run in his latest contest despite going 0-for-3 at the plate. For the season, the Nats' 28th-ranked prospect is slashing a robust .336/.414/.584 with 14 home runs and three steals. The former second-round draft pick is set to blow past his home run total from last season (15), and has seen almost a six percent drop in strikeout rate year-over-year while maintaining a solid 10.7 percent walk rate. The 6-foot-3 slugger owns a 92.3 percent average exit velocity (EV) this season (90th percentile) and a max EV of 113.1 mph (93rd percentile), along with a 12.4 percent barrel rate and 52.9 percent hard-hit rate, so he's got some fantasy-friendly power potential. However, despite having the ability to play either corner infield spot or designated hitter, there isn't a current path to playing time on the MLB roster, so it may take an injury to get him to the majors. Regardless, managers in deep leagues looking for a sneaky source of home runs and counting stats should consider stashing the 24-year-old ahead of an eventual call-up.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 3:07 PM ET

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette said he lost seven to nine pounds in the offseason and is now down to 221 pounds, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Legette also said he's tried to "bulletproof" his hamstrings after previously having issues with them. The 25-year-old, who was the 32nd overall pick in 2024 out of South Carolina, has failed to live up to his lofty draft capital in his first two years in the NFL in Carolina. Legette has totaled 84 receptions on 148 targets for 860 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 31 regular-season games (25 starts). His production took a dip last year, too, as he finished with a 35-363-3 line on 64 targets across 15 regular-season contests. Last year's first-rounder, Tetairoa McMillan, looks like the real deal, and Jalen Coker appears primed to be a breakout candidate in his third year as the team's WR2. That leaves Legette battling with John Metchie III and rookie Chris Brazzell II for targets as the Panthers' WR3. In standard 12-team fantasy leagues in 2026, Legette should go undrafted.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person

Jun 11, 2026, 3:01 PM ET

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes has been a big-time power bat in the minors for the last few seasons, belting 21 home runs in 2024 and another 32 a season ago, but at his current pace, the 6-foot-5 slugger could even outdo last season's total. The left-handed hitter is in the midst of a home run barrage at Double-A Arkansas, blasting six long balls in his last eight games alone, while batting .394 (13-for-33) over that stretch, which has also seen an improved strikeout rate of 17.9 percent over that span (27.8 percent for the season). The native of Cuba's recent run of production has pushed his batting average to .240 with a strong 12.7 percent walk rate and an outstanding .904 OPS. The strikeouts will likely remain part of his profile (career 27.1 percent in the minors), which could limit his batting average, but he's helped offset that with a strong walk rate (career 14.8 percent), and the power is legit. Montes could be ticketed for Triple-A soon, and if the 21-year-old can continue to develop his hit tool, a late-season debut in the majors is a possibility.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 3:00 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tony Santillan has put together arguably his worst MLB season so far in 2026, recording a 5.88 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 25 strikeouts across 26 innings. However, with Reds closer Emilio Pagan (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain, Santillan has two saves on the year and may be Cincinnati's preferred option in the ninth inning. There are major red flags in Santillan's profile that fantasy managers should be aware of before buying in. The 29-year-old's average fastball velocity is down from 96.2 miles per hour in 2025 to 94.6 mph in 2026, and his K-BB rate has dipped from 15.3% to 10.3%. He's also allowed nine home runs (3.12 HR/9) on the year and pitches in one of the most homer-friendly home parks in all of baseball in Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park. Fantasy managers in desperate need of saves may still have use for Santillan, but his profile is riddled with risk.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 11, 2026, 2:57 PM ET

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) is expected to practice next week at mandatory minicamp, head coach Sean Payton told Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Nix did a walkthrough before Thursday's practice, which is an encouraging sign for his availability next week. The 26-year-old fractured his right ankle at the end of the team's Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills and had surgery in late January. Nix also had a cleanup procedure on his ankle in late April, but he's trending in the right direction to participate in minicamp next week and for the start of training camp at the end of July. For what it's worth, Payton thinks that Nix will be "completely clean, mobility-wise" once he returns to the field in preparation for his third year in the NFL. The former 12th overall pick out of the University of Oregon in 2024 has thrown for 7,706 yards, 54 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in 34 regular-season games in his first two years in the league, adding 786 rushing yards and nine rushing scores. Nix has been a top-10 fantasy QB in each of his first two seasons, but coming off ankle surgery, there is some concern he won't be as effective as a runner, especially with Payton looking to make the offense more balanced. Nix's dual-threat abilities give him RB1 upside, but in fantasy drafts, managers should target him as more of a low-end QB1/high-end QB2 in 2026. UPDATE: ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Nix will be involved in low-impact, light work during minicamp next week. The goal is for him to do more extensive work at training camp in August.--Keith Hernandez
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens

Jun 11, 2026, 2:51 PM ET

Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins will get his next shot at proving his recent run of success is for real when he takes the mound for Triple-A Durham on Thursday night in Nashville against a formidable lineup made up of hot-hitting Brewers prospects. Over the right-hander's last six appearances, he's pitched to a 1.42 ERA while striking out 32 batters across 25 1/3 innings pitched. The Rays' top pitching prospect had an issue walking batters for most of the season, even during his recent success, but has improved considerably over his last two appearances, recording a 16:3 K:BB in 10 IP. If that is the trend going forward, the 24-year-old's momentum should carry him to a major league debut in the coming weeks. With his strikeout upside and the control problems hopefully a thing of the past, the 6-foot-4 hurler has emerged as a solid stash candidate in deeper leagues, so managers will want to keep an eye on his progress, starting Thursday night.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles), who is just over six months removed from rupturing his right Achilles tendon on Dec. 7, has so far been limited to seven-on-seven drills during organized team activities this offseason, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. However, head coach Shane Steichen said the 29-year-old signal-caller is expected to resume taking part in 11-on-11 drills in training camp next month. "It's my back leg, my push leg," Jones said, explaining the importance of his right Achilles. "There's a strength component. I think there's still work to be done," Jones conceded. "I wouldn't say I'm all the way there at this point." The Colts aren't rushing Jones back, but barring a setback this summer, he looks to be on track to be ready for the Week 1 2026 regular-season opener on Sept. 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. Jones was playing great in 2025 in his first year in Indy before tearing his Achilles, completing 68% of his pass attempts for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. However, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Jones as a QB2 after the Colts traded away his top wideout this offseason in Michael Pittman Jr. Remember, the Colts' offense will continue to run through running back Jonathan Taylor.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd

Jun 11, 2026, 2:47 PM ET

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno has once again dealt with injuries this season, landing on the 10-day injured list in mid-April due to an oblique strain. However, the 26-year-old has been productive when healthy, hitting .266/.345/.434 with five home runs, 22 RBI, 22 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 165 plate appearances. Moreno's 11.2% barrel rate and 46.6% hard-hit rate are both career-bests, and he's maintained above-average contact ability with an 18.2% strikeout rate. The ability to stay healthy will likely always be a concern for Moreno, who has yet to log more than 380 plate appearances in any of his MLB seasons. Still, he's undoubtedly a viable starter in two-catcher fantasy formats. In leagues where he remains on the waiver wire, Moreno should be a priority target for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 11, 2026, 2:37 PM ET

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (ankle) got a late start to his rookie season in 2025 and then suffered a dislocated right ankle and fractured fibula in Week 16, putting an end to his first year in the NFL. Judkins averaged just 3.6 yards per carry on his 230 rushing attempts for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in his 14 starts, also adding 26 catches for 171 yards as a pass-catcher. Per the Akron Beacon Journal's Chris Easterling, the former second-rounder (36th overall) out of Ohio State has looked more physical, confident, and aggressive during offseason workouts with his ankle/leg injury in the rearview mirror. New head coach Todd Monken said it looks like Judkins has "got his confidence back, his explosion." With a mostly new offensive line in tow in 2026, the Browns view Judkins as part of their core, and he should be their unquestioned RB1 in his sophomore campaign. Cleveland's offense is a big question mark considering their QB situation, but with better health, Judkins should continue to rise as a low-end RB2 target in fantasy drafts with upside.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Akron Beacon Journal - Chris Easterling

Jun 11, 2026, 2:36 PM ET

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has started to turn it on over his last two starts with Triple-A Memphis, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out 15 across 12 scoreless innings. The 25-year-old's overall line for the season is less appealing, as he's pitched to a 4.01 ERA with a 15.8% walk rate across 51 2/3 innings (12 starts). Still, Mathews is considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the Cardinals' system and could be proving that he's figured something out with his recent performance. With St. Louis in the thick of the National League playoff picture and searching for high-end starting pitching at the big-league level, it could be only a matter of time before Mathews is called up for his MLB debut. In deeper leagues, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Mathews off the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: MLB Pipeline

Jun 11, 2026, 2:34 PM ET

New York Yankees pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange was effective in his latest start out of the bullpen for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out three batters in 2 2/3 innings pitched. The hard-throwing Dominican recently transitioned to a reliever, with the expectation that the big league club could leverage him in that same role. As a starter, the Yankees' fourth-ranked prospect held a 4.41 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 17.5 percent K-BB% in 49 IP, but through two relief appearances, he's posted a 1.35 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 25.9 percent K-BB%, so the move appears to be working out for now. The right-hander's strikeout potential is what makes him intriguing for fantasy, but a move to middle relief has dealt a blow to his worthiness as a stash candidate. Only those managers in very deep leagues desperate for strikeouts should consider stashing him, especially since it may come at the cost of WHIP due to his control issues.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 2:26 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III reached base three times in his latest contest, collecting a hit and two walks, which is what he's done for most of the season. The Dodgers' 10th-ranked prospect is hitting .313 with a phenomenal .424 on-base percentage thanks to a strong 15.6 percent walk rate. Not only that, the former first-rounder has clubbed 16 doubles, two triples, and 18 home runs en route to a .621 slugging percentage, which is seventh-best in all the minors for players with at least 200 plate appearances, while his 60 runs scored and 55 RBI are both top 10 totals. The 23-year-old has done enough to earn a promotion to the big leagues, he just needs a spot to open up on the major league roster, and then he should get his shot. Look for that to happen in the coming weeks, and with his powerful bat in the second-best run-producing lineup in baseball (5.37 runs/game), there's good reason to stash the left-handed slugger in most fantasy leagues.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 2:25 PM ET

Across 212 plate appearances in 2026, Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran is hitting .292/.346/.453 with four home runs, 35 RBI, 27 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 27-year-old is outperforming his underlying metrics at the plate, as he's benefitted from a .375 batting average on balls in play despite posting an underwhelming 38.9% hard-hit rate. Still, Duran's ability to play basically any position other than pitcher, catcher, and center field makes him an incredibly valuable asset to the Rangers and allows him to find everyday playing time while cycling around the diamond. Even if Duran's batting average comes down a bit as his BABIP regresses, he should still provide relatively balanced five-category production for fantasy managers. With his multi-positional eligibility, Duran should be a priority waiver wire target for deep-league fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 11, 2026, 2:17 PM ET

After opening 2026 in a bench role, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Nathaniel Lowe has emerged as a near-everyday player and a key piece of his team's lineup. Across 166 plate appearances on the year, Lowe is hitting .252/.337/.497 with nine home runs, 25 RBI, and 16 runs scored. The 30-year-old's .497 slugging percentage is the best mark of his career and a marked improvement from the .381 SLG he posted across 609 plate appearances in 2025. Lowe's power surge is backed up by his 13% barrel rate, his highest since 2020. He's also made a concerted effort to get the ball in the air, as his 14.1-degree average launch angle is by far the steepest of his career. Between the changes he's made at the plate, his playing time situation, and his hitter-friendly home park in Cincinnati, Lowe is emerging as a power bat to target on the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 11, 2026, 2:13 PM ET

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark continues to hold his own at Triple-A, though he is not excelling to the point where a call-up to the majors feels like it is right around the corner. The Tigers' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 7) is just 10-for-49 (.204) over his last 13 games, but on the bright side, three of his four home runs came during that stretch, and he also maintained an 11:12 BB:K over that span. For the season, the former third-overall draft pick is slashing .253/.341/.382 with four home runs, 12 steals, and solid walk (11.2 percent) and strikeout rates (16.7 percent). The organization has made it clear they are in no rush to bring him up to the majors, and if he is not hitting well, then his debut could be delayed a bit longer than previously anticipated. Look for the 21-year-old to earn a promotion this season, but it might be sometime after the All-Star break. With a skillset that could make him a five-category contributor, though, the left-handed hitter is still one of the top bats to stash in most fantasy leagues.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 11, 2026, 2:08 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled outfield prospect Esmerlyn Valdez, according to MLB Pipeline. Valdez is the ninth-ranked prospect in the Pirates system and has hit three home runs in his last four games at Triple-A. The 22-year-old got a brief run with Pittsburgh in early May and hit two home runs in five games, but he also struck out nine times in 18 plate appearances. Valdez has showcased big-time power upside during his time in Triple-A this season, hitting .255/.388/.526 with 13 home runs, 38 RBI, and 33 runs scored across 237 plate appearances. He's kept his minor league strikeout rate to a manageable 21.5% in 2026, but he's struggled with swing-and-miss in the past. Fantasy managers should not expect Valdez to help them with batting average or speed, but his power potential could still make him an appealing waiver wire target.--Will Brady
Source: MLB Pipeline

Jun 11, 2026, 1:57 PM ET

The Denver Broncos and head coach Sean Payton agreed to a new five-year contract on Thursday, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Payton has led the Broncos to the third-most wins in the NFL over the last two years, including an appearance in the AFC Championship game last year. Owner Greg Penner now has both Payton and general manager George Paton under contract through the 2030 season. The 62-year-old Payton had two years remaining on his current contract, with the new five-year deal replacing the old contract. In his third season at the helm in Denver, Payton led the Broncos to a 14-3 regular-season record. The team has gone 32-19 during his three seasons at the helm, increasing their win total each season. The Broncos sent a 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder to the New Orleans Saints in 2023 to hire Payton, with the team also receiving a 2024 third-round pick in the deal. It's safe to say that the trade has worked out for Denver, as they head into Payton's fourth season in 2026 with playoff aspirations once again.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Jun 11, 2026, 1:38 PM ET

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) was seen working out at organized team activities on Thursday. Irving is being worked back in slowly this offseason after having shoulder surgery, but he looked good on Thursday while catching passes at OTAs while doing other work as well. Although he might not be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of next month, all signs point to the 23-year-old back being ready at some point this summer and for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. The former fourth-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Oregon impressed with a 1,000-yard season and eight touchdowns on 207 carries while adding 47 receptions for 392 yards as a pass-catcher in 17 games as a rookie, but he played in only 10 games in 2025 due to injury and finished with 588 rushing yards and one touchdown for the Bucs. Irving's fantasy stock has fallen a bit going into his third year in the league because of durability concerns as he learns a new offense. Newcomer Kenneth Gainwell is also likely to steal valuable pass-catching reps from him. He still has clear RB2 upside if he can stay healthy, but Irving has fallen to No. 26 in RotoBaller's RB rankings for the 2026 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jun 11, 2026, 1:27 PM ET

When asked if wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee) will be ready for the start of training camp in late July, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, "I think he will be. He gets out [of jail] next week. We'll see where it goes. He'll be back up here and working." Rice has had another rough offseason, violating his probation and being sentenced to 30 days in jail due to a positive test for marijuana. In addition to ongoing legal trouble, the 26-year-old had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to remove loose bodies, keeping him out of organized team activities this offseason. It sounds like Rice's knee surgery won't prevent him from being ready for a Monday night affair in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season against the division-rival Denver Broncos, but another potential suspension hanging over his head has caused him to fall to No. 22 in RotoBaller's WR rankings for the upcoming campaign. The former second-round pick in 2023 out of SMU is KC's clear WR1 when he's available, but he's played in just 12 games in the last two seasons due to suspension and injury. Rice showed his true upside in 2023 in his rookie year, catching 79 of his 102 targets for 938 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (eight starts).--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor