RADIO
Louis Varland Continues to Provide High-End Closer Production
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland has emerged as one of the best closers in baseball in 2026, pitching to a 1.24 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 33 saves across 72 1/3 innings (66 games). Varland is averaging 98.9 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 31.3% of the batters he's faced this season. The 28-year-old has allowed only two home runs for the entire year and has also blown only one save chance. Varland has been slightly less dominant of late, pitching to a 2.20 ERA and recording fewer than a strikeout per inning since the start of August. Still, the hard-throwing righty looks like an excellent late-inning reliever and remains an elite closer option for fantasy managers heading into the final few weeks of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isiah Pacheco Without a Timetable For a Return, Quickly Losing Value
Detroit Lions running back Isiah Pacheco (back) will miss at least the first four games in 2026, and possibly more if he is not ready by then, as general manager Brad Holmes said that he does not want to put a timeline on it after he was placed on Injured Reserve. With Pacheco injured, Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors will battle for the RB2 role behind superstar Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco was brought over from the Kansas City Chiefs after a disappointing season last year, following a major injury in 2024. Pacheco was one of the more inefficient runners last season, averaging 3.9 YPC, and was 47th in explosive rating and 53rd in yards per touch. Coming into the season, there was some optimism that Pacheco would take over a David Montgomery-like role, but with this injury, he can be dropped to the waiver wire in most standard formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luka Doncic Healthy Heading Into Training Camp
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is healthy heading into training camp after being cleared for full basketball activities in late May, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. A Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered on April 2 cost him the Lakers' final 15 regular-season games and their entire playoff run, which ended in the second round. The 27-year-old skipped Slovenia's FIBA World Cup qualifiers to spend time with his daughters and later hosted Lakers teammates for an August minicamp. Doncic averaged 33.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals across 64 games last season, winning the scoring title. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, more of the offense should flow through Doncic, while Walker Kessler gives him a true lob threat. Availability is the only real fantasy concern on an otherwise elite profile.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
Kevin McGonigle a Steady Five-Category Producer for Fantasy Managers
Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle has had an excellent rookie season in 2026, slashing .273/.373/.420 with 16 home runs, 62 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 635 plate appearances. The 22-year-old has been remarkably consistent for a young player thanks to his elite plate approach, as he's logged nearly as many walks (86) as strikeouts (87) this year. McGonigle profiles as a contact-over-power bat, logging middling barrel (7.0%) and hard-hit (36.4%) rates. However, the young infielder has been hot of late, slugging two home runs in his last 13 plate appearances. Even without a late-season power surge, McGonigle's everyday presence at the top of the Tigers lineup and his balanced production profile make him a high-end infield option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Tonges Ruled Out For the Remainder of the Game Thursday
Matt Lively of CBS reported Thursday evening that tight end for the 49ers, Jake Tonges (knee), has officially been ruled out of Thursday's contest against the Rams. Tonges had to be helped off the field in the second quarter and was ruled out shortly afterward. Prior to exiting, Tonges did not see any targets in the passing game. Luke Farrell is the likeliest candidate to step up into the two tight end sets for the 49ers, behind superstar George Kittle. Fantasy Managers rostering Tonges as a handcuff option will want to monitor his situation over the next few days.
Source: Matt Lively
Source: Matt Lively
Joel Embiid Enters Camp with Health Optimism
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) enters 2026-27 with renewed optimism after telling reporters at his end-of-season news conference that his knee is no longer the main concern. "We figured out the knee. It hasn't been an issue," Embiid said, according to ESPN's Vincent Goodwill. The former MVP has appeared in only 57 of a possible 164 games over the past two seasons, so the injury discount will not disappear. He still averaged 26.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 blocks in 31.6 minutes across 38 games last season. Sixers president Mike Gansey said in August that Embiid is healthy, with the team expected to map out a workload plan. Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joining Tyrese Maxey should lower Embiid's usage burden, but staying on the floor remains the swing factor.
Source: Vincent Goodwill
Source: Vincent Goodwill
Kyle Schwarber Remains an Elite Power Source Amid Current HR Binge
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has been one of the best power hitters in all of baseball once again in 2026, hitting .241/.355/.527 with 44 home runs, 92 RBI, 88 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 632 plate appearances. The 33-year-old battled through a moderate power swoon at the end of August, but he's been red-hot to start September. Across his last 27 trips to the plate, Schwarber has logged seven hits, four home runs, nine RBI, and seven runs scored. The 33-year-old's underlying batted-ball metrics are indicative of his massive power, as he's posted a 17% barrel rate and a 49.5% hard-hit rate on the year. Heading into the final few weeks of the regular season, Schwarber remains an elite source of power for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
De'Zhaun Stribling Ruled Out For the Remainder of the Game Thursday
ESPN NFL reporter Nick Wagoner reported Thursday evening that San Francisco 49ers wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) has been ruled out with an ankle injury after he was taken to the locker room on a cart. Stribling suffered a non-contact injury in the second quarter and immediately fell to the ground and needed help getting off the field. It is currently being ruled an ankle injury; however, fantasy managers will want to keep paying attention to any additional updates as the evening goes on. Prior to exiting, Stribling did not see any targets in his few quarters of action. Demarcus Robinson will likely be next in line for additional targets as Stribling misses time.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Julius Randle Sees Clean Fit in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Nets forward Julius Randle expects his new offensive fit to work because the skill sets around him do not overlap much. "I can do a lot with the ball off the dribble, creating," Randle said at a Skechers event in Brazil, calling Michael Porter Jr. "a great catch-and-shoot guy." The three-time All-Star averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists across 79 games with Minnesota last season, while Porter posted a career-high 24.2 points with 3.4 three-pointers per game. If Randle handles a larger share of Brooklyn's half-court creation, his assists have room to climb, and Porter should see cleaner spot-up looks. Egor Demin averaged 3.3 assists as a rookie, while Mikel Brown Jr. is still developing, so Randle looks like the safest bet to drive the Nets' offense early.
Source: Sharif Phillips-Keaton
Source: Sharif Phillips-Keaton
Wyatt Langford Remains Mired in Extended Second-Half Slump
Across 409 plate appearances in 2026, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford is hitting .241/.330/.435 with 16 home runs, 38 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. Especially considering the hype he once generated as a prospect, the 24-year-old's season-long numbers are underwhelming. However, Langford's production has really taken a turn for the worse of late. After hitting .189 across 120 plate appearances in August, Langford has recorded just four hits across his first 39 trips to the plate in September. Langford's underlying batted-ball metrics are down as well, as he's posted just a 5.1% barrel rate in the second half of the season. While Langford remains a useful fantasy piece due to his potential for five-category production, fantasy managers may not want to find themselves relying on him down the stretch.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Njoku Generating Positive Camp Buzz For Chemistry and Athleticism
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku, who was brought over in the offseason from the Cleveland Browns, has generated positive buzz throughout training camp for his athleticism and chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. Njoku joins a crowded tight end room with Charlie Kolar and Oronde Gadsden. Njoku has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons, playing in only 11 and 12 games over the past seasons after he finished as the TE6 overall in 2023. In 2024, he finished as the TE4 in fantasy points per game, while 2025 was a lost season, as he only had 293 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 33 receptions. While the 30-year-old is getting up there in age, with a new offensive scheme with Mike McDaniel and an improved offensive ecosystem, he profiles as a tight end worth monitoring. He is currently RotoBaller's 37th-ranked tight end, meaning he likely wasn't drafted in many drafts throughout the summer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Steven Adams Eyes Healthy Start with Rockets
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (ankle) appears on track to be ready for the start of the 2026-27 season. "We're tracking that way," Adams told New Zealand's Weekend Sport with Jason Pine when asked in August about his availability, according to ESPN's Michael C. Wright. The 33-year-old underwent season-ending left ankle surgery in January after playing 32 games last season, averaging 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.8 minutes. Adams is not a scoring option, but his offensive rebounding remains the fantasy hook after Houston ranked No. 1 on the offensive glass in both of his first two seasons with the team. Wright also notes the Rockets have ranked in the top three in second-chance points for two straight years. Adams should revive Houston's double-big looks with Alperen Sengun, leaving Clint Capela's path to steady backup minutes less secure.
Source: Michael C. Wright
Source: Michael C. Wright
Jake Tonges Questionable to Return in Week 1 with Knee Injury
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (knee) is questionable to return to his team's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a knee injury, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Tonges did not record a catch or target before exiting the game. The 27-year-old had the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets across 17 games. However, much of Tonges' production came in games where star 49ers tight end George Kittle was sidelined by injury. As long as Kittle remains healthy in 2026, Tonges is unlikely to play a significant role in the San Francisco passing game.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Walker Kessler Enters First Lakers Season Fully Healthy
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (shoulder) said the surgery that ended his 2025-26 season after five games was a long time coming, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Actually, I injured it back in college," Kessler said. "And then I was playing with it for a while. And then last year, it got a little worse." The 25-year-old enters his first season in Los Angeles healthy after signing a four-year, $130 million deal. Kessler was off to a strong start before the torn labrum, averaging 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 blocks on 70.3 percent shooting. As Luka Doncic's preferred lob threat and rim protector, Kessler has a clean path to boards, blocks, and elite field-goal percentage if the shoulder holds up.
Source: Dave McMenamin
Source: Dave McMenamin
De'Zhaun Stribling Carted Off With Non-Contact Lower-Leg Injury
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (lower leg) was forced to exit his team's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams after suffering a non-contact injury to his lower leg, per James Palmer of Bleacher Report. While the team has not yet ruled Stribling out, he was carted off the field and reportedly could not put any weight on his left leg. Stribling did not record a catch or a target before leaving the game. It's a disappointing development for the 23-year-old, who drew rave reviews for his work in training camp and was expected to play a significant role in the 49ers' offense. If he missed time, 49ers wideout Demarcus Robinson could step into a larger role alongside veteran San Francisco wide receivers Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr.
Source: Bleacher Report - James Palmer
Source: Bleacher Report - James Palmer
