April 9, 2026

Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, and the next step for him will be live batting practice before going out on a minor-league rehab assignment, according to MLB.com. Strider landed on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 regular season due to a left-oblique strain, but he's expected to make his season debut for the Braves before the end of April, barring a setback once he goes on a rehab assignment. The 27-year-old had built up to 61 pitches in spring training last month before injuring his oblique, so he might only need one or two rehab starts before he's cleared to rejoin Atlanta's starting rotation. Strider was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and led the league with 20 wins, but he pitched in only two games last year and ended up having an internal-brace procedure. He's worth stashing in all fantasy leagues while he makes his way back, but decreased velocity this spring has many people skeptical that Strider can regain his pre-injury form.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

April 9, 2026

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) will throw a bullpen session on Thursday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Manager Terry Francona said how aggressive Lodolo gets will be determined by how he's feeling. Lodolo began the 2026 regular season on the 15-day injured list due to another blister issue, and he was forced from his minor-league rehab start last week with a setback of the blister on his left index finger. If the talented southpaw can cut it loose on Thursday, he could be cleared to make another rehab start in the minors. The 28-year-old alumnus of TCU doesn't have a firm timetable to return, but if his bullpen session goes well, he could make his season debut in Cincy's starting rotation before the end of April. Regardless of how long it takes Lodolo to get back to the big leagues, he should be stashed in an IL spot in fantasy leagues for his high-end strikeout upside. In four big-league seasons, Lodolo has struck out 26.2% of the batters he's faced.--Keith Hernandez
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith

April 9, 2026

The Miami Marlins announced on Thursday that they have reinstated right-handed reliever Pete Fairbanks from the paternity list and have optioned right-hander Ryan Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Fairbanks has been away from the team since Monday for the birth of his child, but he's back now and should immediately return to closing duties for the Fish. With Fairbanks away this week, Anthony Bender picked up a save on Sunday, and Michael Petersen notched a save on Wednesday. Fairbanks has allowed three earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out six in his first four innings in 2026 in his first season in South Beach, but he also has two saves in his four appearances. Fantasy managers will want to lock him back into their starting lineups now that he's off the paternity list. If Fairbanks stays healthy, he's a candidate to reach 30 saves for the first time in his career.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Miami Marlins

April 9, 2026

Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. began and finished the 2025 season as New York's primary ball carrier, but from Weeks 2 through 7, it was a healthy Cam Skattebo that dominated touches, both on the ground and in the passing game. The Giants bring in an entirely new coaching staff for 2026, so there is no clear blueprint for the division of labor between Tracy, Skattebo, and Devin Singletary, who also returns after handling 138 opportunities of his own last season. Furthermore, New York has been tied to Notre Dame prospect Jeremiyah Love with the fifth pick in the NFL Draft, though more pressing needs on defense could force them to pass even if he falls to them. Regardless of how the backfield situation plays out, Tracy profiles as a committee back with occasional flex value who can handle a large volume in an insurance role, as evidenced by his 19+ opportunities per game over the final nine weeks of the 2025 season.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

As a rookie in 2025, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike flirted with breaking the NFL's single-season all-purpose yardage record, eventually topping the league with 2,427 yards. He finished in the top three in both kickoff and punt return yardage, while adding an additional 423 yards in the passing game. In the rare fantasy league that rewards points for return yards, Dike is a no-brainer must-roster player and potential league-winner depending on scoring settings. In more traditional leagues, however, his fantasy value may actually be held back by what he offers the Titans on special teams. After proving himself to be such a dynamic weapon in the kicking game, Tennessee's new coaching staff would be wise to keep him in a similar role, with any contributions as a receiver viewed largely as a bonus, almost in the mold of a Kavonte Turpin in Dallas. While both players have shown flashes on offense with their game-breaking speed, there has been no banking on the type of reliable contributions needed to become a weekly starter. The Titans return fellow rookies Elic Ayomanor and Gunnar Helm for 2026 and should see the return of a healthy Calvin Ridley, after the veteran missed missed ten games with a hamstring injury and and a broken fibula that landed him on injured reserve. The team also picks fourth in the upcoming NFL Draft and has regularly been linked to the wide receivers at the top of the board.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Cincinnati running back Chase Brown enters his fourth season with the Bengals, and seemingly his fourth season with lingering questions about his job security. The Bengals pick 10th in the upcoming NFL Draft and recently hosted Notre Dame prospect Jeremiyah Love on an official visit. Most draft analysts believe Love will be gone long before Cincinnati is on the clock, so if that is the case, or if the Bengals opt to address the bottom-dwelling defense that has held them back for years, Brown could emerge as one of fantasy's biggest winners from night one of the draft. A fifth-round selection in 2023, Brown has emerged as one of the most unheralded late-round success stories in recent years, finishing as the RB12 and RB8 over the past two seasons. While games won't be played for another five months, the Bengals appear to be heading into 2026 without any looming contract disputes and with their core of Brown, Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins at full health, which could again make them one of the most potent offenses in the league. Brown enters the final season of his rookie deal, and should Cincinnati elect to wait until the later rounds to add to the running back room, dynasty managers can take that as a vote of confidence for the 26-year-old back who may still be ascending.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Since being selected eighth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has looked like one of the most talented backs in the league. In 2025, that talent translated through his usage and fantasy finish, ending the year as RB2 in PPR formats. His 79 receptions for 820 yards trailed only Christian McCaffrey among NFL backs, while his 858 yards after the catch led the league across all positions. On the strength of his 99 targets in the passing game, he topped 380 opportunities for the second straight year. New head coach Kevin Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees arrive from Cleveland, where Nick Chubb was the clear focal point of Stefanski's early Browns offenses. Former Falcon Tyler Allgeier, who has averaged over 172 opportunities of his own in the three years he shared a backfield with Robinson, has been replaced by Brian Robinson Jr., who handled exactly 100 touches as the primary backup to McCaffrey in San Francisco last season. The former Robinson is still only 24 years old and has yet to miss a game in his professional career. Barring injury, he should continue to rank among the fantasy elite for the foreseeable future.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams' NFL career got off to a rocky start. Injury, suspensions, and one of the league's highest drop rates limited the former 12th overall pick to only 25 catches, 395 yards, and three scores through his first two seasons. Williams has since strung together back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons and scored 15 total touchdowns since 2024, but he likely still has yet to reach his true ceiling. A large part of Williams' turnaround has been gaining his coaches' trust and being used in a wider variety of ways. Rather than just relying on his speed to chase down go balls, Williams has become one of the most dangerous receivers in the league on crosser routes. His work with the ball in his hands has elevated his fantasy value, but he has acknowledged that he needs to get stronger to reliably work through traffic, and he has still been plagued by untimely drops and the occasional disappearing act. Five times in the past two seasons, Williams has been held to fewer than 10 receiving yards, combining for negative yardage across his three worst outings. His nine drops in 2025 marked a career high. Williams is RotoBaller's WR27 in dynasty rankings, but it's likely we've yet to see his best, and it should surprise nobody if that number continues to rise.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is off to a slow start to the season by his lofty standards from the last few seasons. After hitting 20+ homers in each of his first four seasons with a career .357 wOBA, Witt has no homers and just a .298 wOBA in his first 12 games this season. He's hitting a decent .273 but only has one extra-base hit. When he has reached base, he's been very aggressive and is a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen base attempts. His power shortage is concerning, although his hard-hit rate is actually up to 60%, and his average exit velocity is up to 95.2 miles per hour. He's hitting the ball well, but so far, he's not getting the results we've come to expect from the superstar over the last few seasons. If you invested an early pick or a big auction number in Witt, wait for him to come around if possible. He makes a good buy-low candidate if his manager in your league is ready to hit the panic button early in the season.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood has connected on four homers in his first dozen games this season, and he's hitting the ball well despite a .216 batting average. He has cut down on his strikeout rate a bit from last season and has an improved .294 ISO and .370 wOBA. Wood has a 54.5% hard-hit rate and an impressive 21.2% barrel rate so far this year, and his low batting average seems to be mostly bad BABIP luck (.241). Wood has 11 runs scored and 10 RBI in his first 12 games and should continue to be at the heart of the Nationals' run production. The hulking 23-year-old still has room for improvement and continues to deliver strong power and run production numbers. He continues to be a top outfield option in all fantasy formats.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge homered on Opening Day but has had a hard time since then. In his first 11 games of the season, Benge is only 4-for-37 (.108) with three singles to go with that home run. He has contributed four stolen bases, but he has also struck out 12 times for a 28.6% K%. He hasn't had a barrel since that Opening Day dinger, and his hard-hit rate is only 44%. Benge still has speed and plenty of long-term potential, so if you can hold him in deep leagues, I still like his potential to turn things around later in the year. However, in shallow leagues with plenty of strong pickups available on the waiver wire, it may be time to move on from Benge and look to pick him back up later if he gets going.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle has gotten off to a very slow start to the 2026 season. The 27-year-old righty is hitting just .139 (5-for-36) through his first 12 games with no home runs, one double, and 15 strikeouts. His 38.5% K% is up over ten percentage points from last season, and his hard-hit rate has slipped to 42.9% with a 0.0% barrel rate. Doyle does have two stolen bases, but he is not putting the ball in play enough to take full advantage of his speed. With his home games at Coors Field, Doyle will always have the potential to go on a hot streak and be fantasy relevant for a stretch. Still, given his current struggles, he's definitely droppable for now in shallow leagues where waiver-wire options are starting the season in much better form.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (back) could be back in street clothes on Thursday night, as the team has listed him as questionable for a meeting with the Brooklyn Nets. Walker shook off a back injury to end a four-game absence on Tuesday against Minnesota, recording 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. If he plays on Thursday, Walker is expected to see higher offensive usage again, as Indiana will remain without Pascal Siakam (ankle) and Andrew Nembhard (back). Walker's absence would open up more playing time for Obi Toppin, Jalen Slawson, and Kobe Brown (back).--Taavi Pailk
Source: NBA Injury Report

April 9, 2026

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz is coming off back-to-back seasons with 20+ homers and 30+ stolen bases, and he is well on his way to another big season of both power and speed. Through 12 games, he has three homers and three stolen bases, which puts him on pace for over 40 homers and 40 stolen bases. While he may not quite reach those numbers, he remains an elite option at shortstop with those big contributions, even though his .234 batting average leaves lots of room for improvement. His hard-hit rate is up this season, though, so his low average seems mostly due to bad BABIP luck. If his average rises, he'll have even more chances to run and rack up more stolen bases as the season goes on. If he stays healthy, De La Cruz seems on track for another huge season.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Aaron Nesmith (neck) will sit out Thursday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, missing his sixth consecutive game. Health issues have limited Nesmith to just 45 outings this campaign, and there's no point in bringing him back for the final regular-season games. Pascal Siakam (ankle) and Andrew Nembhard (back) are also out, so reserves like Ethan Thompson, Jalen Slawson, and Quenton Jackson will have more prominent roles in a favorable fantasy matchup. Given how poor both defenses have been this season, it should be a free-scoring game.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NBA Injury Report

April 9, 2026

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Crochet was one of the first pitchers off the board in most fantasy baseball drafts, and so far this season, he has looked every bit the ace managers were hoping for. In his three starts, Crochet is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA, 2.60 FIP, and 22 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings. He started the year with six shutout innings in a win over the Reds, got touched up a bit in Houston, but then settled back in to help the Red Sox beat the Brew Crew on Thursday with 6 1/3 strong innings. He has at least seven strikeouts in each start, and is performing like a top-of-the-rotation arm through his first three starts. He'll face the Twins on Monday in Minnesota and would seem to be lined up for a two-start week next week. He's one of the most reliable starting pitchers available and can continue to anchor your rotation in fantasy baseball.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Indiana Pacers guards Andrew Nembhard (back) and T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will remain out on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. Both players exited the lineup at the start of the month and will sit out a fifth consecutive game, as Nembhard is dealing with a back problem and McConnell is managing a hamstring injury. With the two playmakers sidelined, Indiana will continue to rely more on Quenton Jackson, Ethan Thompson, and Kam Jones in the backcourt. Of the trio, Thompson had the best outing in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota, tallying a team-high 17 points. Thompson formed the starting backcourt with Jackson, who finished with nine points, four assists, and one steal.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NBA Injury Report

April 9, 2026

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson has gotten off to a fast start to the season, with four homers in his first 12 games. Henderson is hitting .245 (12-for-49) with three doubles, four homers, six walks, and a stolen base for a .394 wOBA and .306 ISO. Last year, his ISO was just .165 in 154 games with a .339 wOBA. The 24-year-old is clearly healthy and settled into the middle of the Orioles lineup and will continue to be one of the top shortstops in fantasy baseball. Henderson's hard-hit rate is actually a little lower than last year in the early going this season, but his barrel rate is up, which is resulting in the increased power production. Continue to start him in all formats.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

April 9, 2026

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (foot) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. He didn't play on Tuesday night against the Raptors, and it's unclear whether he will be part of the lineup for Thursday's rematch as Smith nurses a sore right foot. The 28-year-old has been highly rated by the organization, but his playing time has dried up recently. Over his last five outings, Smith has averaged just 8.4 minutes per game. Miami won't feel his absence if Smith isn't available on Thursday.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NBA Injury Report

April 9, 2026

Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Toronto Raptors. These teams also played in Toronto on Tuesday, and Powell returned to action after missing four games due to illness. He might now take some time off again because of a sore right groin. Pelle Larsson has benefited from Powell's absence and would be worthy of fantasy consideration if he remains in the starting lineup on Thursday. The Swedish sophomore has posted 12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in a starting role this season.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NBA Injury Report

April 9, 2026

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (back) is listed as questionable for Thursday's clash against the New York Knicks. He must overcome lower-back spasms to avoid his fourth absence of the season. Hauser has been a regular starter for Boston in 2026, averaging 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists since joining the first unit. Payton Pritchard, Baylor Scheierman, and Hugo Gonzalez may all benefit from Hauser's absence on Thursday. Boston's injury situation is definitely something to monitor, as every starter, except for Jayson Tatum, has found their way onto the injury report ahead of Thursday's game.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NBA Injury Report

April 9, 2026

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (toe) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the New York Knicks. The Celtics begin a back-to-back set and have listed four starters as questionable on the injury report. Queta is nursing a right toe sprain. If he can't play against the Knicks, Nikola Vucevic would move into the starting lineup. So far, Vucevic has started only one game for Boston, amassing 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and one block in 26 minutes against Milwaukee on March 2. Luka Garza's playing time would also increase with Queta's absence.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NBA Injury Report

April 8, 2026

Through his first six games of the 2026 season, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge had recorded just three hits in 25 plate appearances while striking out 11 times. While the 33-year-old two-time reigning American League MVP hasn't fully returned to his usual elite form, he's stabilized his early-season stat line by recording seven hits over the first five games of the Yankees' current home stand. Across 48 plate appearances overall this year, Judge is hitting .244/.340/.488 with three home runs, seven RBI, nine runs scored, and one stolen base. As he enters his mid-30's, fantasy managers should be slightly wary of signs of age-related decline for Judge. His 9.1% walk rate is significantly down from the 18.3% walk rate he posted in 2025. Additionally, his 23.1% barrel rate, while still elite, would be his lowest mark since 2021. Still, Judge is showing signs of coming around after a slow start to the year and will likely remain one of the very best hitters in baseball in 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley earned his second win of the season on Tuesday, allowing just one earned run across 6 1/3 innings in his team's 4-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Bradley allowed six hits but did not walk a batter and struck out 10. The 25-year-old former top prospect is off to a strong start to his 2026 campaign, as he's recorded a 1.08 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 22 strikeouts across his first three starts (16 2/3 innings). Bradley is averaging a career-best 97.7 mph on his fastball and has yet to allow a home run, a major development considering he owns an elevated 1.43 HR/9 across 402 career MLB innings. Raw arm talent has never been Bradley's issue, so the young right-hander could finally be putting it all together in his first full season with the Twins. He profiles as a prime waiver-wire target in most fantasy formats.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Buffalo Sabres left winger Zach Benson had two goals as the Sabres defeated the New York Rangers by a score of 5-3 on Wednesday. It was the first multi-goal game of the season for Benson, and it broke a six-game goalless drought for the young forward. Benson now has 12 goals, 39 points, and a plus-21 rating this year in his third NHL season.--Marko23
Source: NHL.com

April 8, 2026

Athletics reliever Joel Kuhnel picked up his first save of 2026 on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 3-2 win over the New York Yankees. The 31-year-old was just recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, but he's already made two high-leverage appearances for the A's. Kuhnel spent the entire 2025 season at Triple-A, bouncing from the Philadelphia Phillies organization to the Yankees'. While Kuhnel's save on Wednesday was just the second of his MLB career, he picked up seven minor league saves in 2025. The Athletics do not have an obvious ninth-inning option currently on their roster, with Mark Leiter Jr., Hogan Harris, and Justin Sterner profiling as Kuhnel's stiffest competition for the closer role. For deep-league managers in need of saves, Kuhnel could be a player to monitor on the waiver wire.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

April 8, 2026

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson was perfect in Wednesday night's 4-0 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He stopped all 21 shots he faced and has now won five of his last six starts. Thompson has been one of the best goalies in the NHL this year with a 2.47 goals against average, .912 save percentage, and a 28-21-6 record.--Marko23
Source: NHL.com

April 8, 2026

Across his first 17 2/3 innings pitched (three starts) of 2026, Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal has recorded a 1-2 record with a 2.55 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts. While Skubal's top-line numbers are still very strong, the two-time reigning American League Cy Young Award winner hasn't quite found his fully dominant form yet this season. After posting strikeout rates north of 30% in each of the past three seasons, Skubal has struck out just 22.5% of the batters he's faced so far in 2026. Still, Skubal has issued just two walks on the year and is averaging 97.6 mph on his fastball, right in line with where he's been in previous campaigns. The 29-year-old will also get a chance to make his first home start of the year in his next time out against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Skubal remains an elite starting pitcher option for fantasy managers in 2026.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

April 8, 2026

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw 61 pitches over 4 1/3 innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, allowing three hits, one earned run, and one walk while striking out six. The 35-year-old is expected to make one more rehab appearance at Triple-A before rejoining the Phillies, putting him on track to make his 2026 debut at some point in the next couple of weeks. Wheeler is working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, which ended his 2025 campaign in August. The hard-throwing righty was his usual dominant self before getting hurt, pitching to a 2.71 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 195 strikeouts and 10 wins across 149 2/3 innings (24 starts). Even coming off a serious injury, Wheeler projects as a high-end fantasy starting pitcher and should immediately be plugged into starting lineups upon his return to the big-league mound.--Will Brady
Source: milb.com

April 8, 2026

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Zach Eflin (elbow) has undergone successful elbow surgery to repair his right UCL and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season, per Robert Murray of FanSided. Eflin exited early from his first start of the year due to elbow discomfort and was recently transferred to the 60-day injured list. Eflin posted back-to-back seasons with at least 160 innings pitched in 2023 and 2024, but he was limited to just 14 starts in 2025 due to multiple back injuries. After signing a one-year contract with Baltimore this past offseason, the 32-year-old is now looking at a completely lost 2026 campaign. With Eflin sidelined, veteran right-hander Dean Kremer could be the favorite to take over as the Orioles' fifth starter. Across 171 2/3 innings for Baltimore in 2025, Kremer posted an 11-10 record with a 4.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 142 strikeouts.--Will Brady
Source: FanSided - Robert Murray