March 20, 2026
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell informed catcher/designated hitter
Moises Ballesteros on Friday that he will be on the team's Opening Day roster, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. Most of Ballesteros' playing time is expected to come as the Cubbies' designated hitter as he heads into his first full major-league season, but he will also provide depth at catcher behind
Carson Kelly and
Miguel Amaya. The 22-year-old Venezuelan left-handed hitter went 17-for-57 (.298) with two homers and 11 RBI in his first 20 major-league games at the end of last season and then went 11-for-31 (.355) with two homers, eight RBI, and four runs scored in 11 Cactus League games this spring to convince the powers that be that he should be on the Opening Day roster. Ballesteros can swing the bat, but his fantasy value will be limited if he cannot regain catcher eligibility in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
March 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward
Austin Reaves (hip) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Magic due to left hip soreness, his first injury concern since February. If he sits,
Jake LaRavia,
Rui Hachimura, and
Luke Kennard could see increased minutes. LaRavia logged 18 minutes with five points, one three-pointer, six rebounds, one assist, and one block in the last game, making him a possible deep-league streamer.
Luka Doncic would likely handle more playmaking duties, while
LeBron James could also see a slight usage increase. Reaves remains a must-start if cleared.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Mavericks after missing two of the last three contests due to a left ankle sprain.
Jordan Miller could remain in the starting lineup if Leonard sits after posting 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and one steal in 37 minutes Thursday, giving him deep-league streaming appeal.
John Collins, who finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, and
Derrick Jones Jr., who added 22 points, may also absorb extra usage. Leonard remains a must-start when active, though managers should monitor his status closely.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Washington Wizards guard
Trae Young (quadriceps) will miss Saturday's game against the Thunder, marking his third straight absence after suffering a quad contusion earlier this week.
Bub Carrington should continue starting at point guard and remains a short-term fantasy add after posting 10 points, one three-pointer, six rebounds, and four assists in 35 minutes last game, though managers should expect some inefficiency and turnovers.
Bilal Coulibaly and
Will Riley (adductor), if available, could also take on larger offensive roles with Young sidelined.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Terance Mann (illness) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the New York Knicks. He was a late addition to the injury report due to an illness. It appears to be significant enough to hold him out of Friday's game. Mann has only been playing minutes in the teens lately anyway. His absence won't mean too much for the Nets' overall rotation.
Drake Powell,
Nolan Traore, and
Ben Saraf should absorb the extra minutes. At this point in the season, the Nets are giving their younger players more looks, so Mann won't be an ideal option.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
San Jose Sharks winger Tyler Toffoli (lower body) won't suit up on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has been ruled out after suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday's loss to Buffalo. Toffoli is a big loss for the Sharks, as he's the team's third-highest scorer. Across 67 games, Toffoli has tallied 18 goals and 26 assists. Toffoli's absence will force Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky to reshuffle his top line and first power-play unit. Philipp Kurashev looks likely to re-enter the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the last two games. On a scoring line, Kurashev could have a fantasy impact, totaling 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in 41 outings this term.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Andrew Wiggins (toe) will miss Saturday's game against the Rockets, extending his absence to eight straight contests as he remains without a clear return timeline. His continued absence should keep
Pelle Larsson in the starting group after he logged 33 minutes with 11 points, two rebounds, and five assists in his last start, making him a fringe option in deeper leagues.
Tyler Herro and
Norman Powell should continue carrying the scoring load, while
Bam Adebayo maintains his steady all-around role.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Detroit Pistons guard
Marcus Sasser (hip) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Sasser will miss the second leg of this back-to-back set due to right hip soreness. He finished with two points and five assists across 14 minutes during Thursday's game. His absence should mean an uptick in playing time for
Daniss Jenkins,
Caris LeVert, and
Duncan Robinson. Jenkins is expected to play heavy minutes going forward with
Cade Cunningham (lung) sidelined indefinitely. He should be able to offer solid streaming value alongside LeVert and Robinson.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Cedric Coward (personal) is out Friday against the Celtics after being added late to the injury report. The rookie has been logging steady minutes in a starting role, so his absence opens up wing opportunities.
Walter Clayton Jr. could see added run after posting four points, two rebounds, and four assists in 20 minutes off the bench last game.
Rayan Rupert could also enter the streaming mix in deeper leagues if he gets the start, while
Jaylen Wells may take on a bit more of the scoring load.
--Brian DailisanSource: gary washburn
March 20, 2026
Los Angeles Kings right wing Joel Armia (back) is expected to rejoin the lineup on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. The Finnish forward has missed 10 games due to a back injury. He is projected to link up with Alex Turcotte and Scott Laughton on the third line. With four short-handed goals, Armia is tied for second in the league this season. Overall, he has produced 10 goals and 20 points in 53 appearances. Armia and the Kings face a tough test on Saturday against a team that has lost just three times since February, recording back-to-back shutouts.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Golden State Warriors center
Quinten Post (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons. The Warriors have decided to hold out Post during the front end of this back-to-back set.
Al Horford (calf) is also sidelined, so the Warriors will rely on
Draymond Green and
Kristaps Porzingis at the center spot. Possibly,
Omer Yurtseven gets involved as well, but he's unlikely to play enough to warrant streaming. Post figures to return for Saturday's game, but fantasy managers will need to check back for another update.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Minnesota Wild forwards Kirill Kaprizov (lower body) and Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't be available on Saturday against the Dallas Stars. Kaprizov will skip a second consecutive game, while Eriksson Ek will be absent for a third straight contest. Both players are considered day-to-day, so they could be available on Tuesday when Minnesota faces the Tampa Bay Lightning. Marcus Johansson, Danila Yurov, and Matt Boldy are expected to make up the first line against Dallas. Skating with an elite scorer like Boldy elevates both Johansson's and Yurov's fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
New York Knicks forward/center
Karl-Anthony Towns (personal) will play Friday against the Nets after briefly carrying a questionable tag. Towns continues to play at a high level, averaging 24.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 three-pointers across his last five games in 32.4 minutes. He remains a strong source of scoring and rebounding while providing out-of-position assists.
Mitchell Robinson should continue handling a smaller supporting role off the bench. Towns remains locked into lineups as a clear must-start during the fantasy playoffs.
--Brian DailisanSource: James L. Edwards III
March 20, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Ziaire Williams (foot) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the New York Knicks. Williams will shake off the questionable tag and suit up despite dealing with left foot soreness. The Nets are shorthanded right now, so Williams will likely be asked to play an expanded role. Over the last three games, Williams is averaging 7.0 points and 1.3 steals across 20.2 minutes per game. Williams isn't anything more than a low-end streaming option in deep leagues right now.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Colorado Avalanche forward Ross Colton (upper body) is not ready to rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. He will be out of action for a fifth consecutive game due to an upper-body injury. Colorado's frontline will also remain without Gabriel Landeskog (lower body) and Artturi Lehkonen (upper body), though Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar expects the injured trio to return during the team's four-game road trip, which begins on Friday night. With several forwards on the shelf, Nicolas Roy will skate on the second line against Chicago, giving him more fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Los Angeles Angels shortstop
Zach Neto (undisclosed) left Friday's Cactus League game against the Chicago White Sox after being hit by a pitch, but he's fine, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Neto was hit by a pitch in the first inning and stayed in to run the bases before being replaced with a pinch-hitter his next time up. The 25-year-old also suffered a wrist sprain last weekend, which kept him out for a few days. Neto is fully expected to be ready for Opening Day next week as he looks to continue to establish himself as one of the best shortstops in the game. In his third major-league season with the Halos last year, Neto turned in a .257/.319/.474 slash line with career-highs in OPS (.793), home runs (26), and runs scored (82) in 128 games played. It was his second straight 20-20 season for fantasy managers after hitting 23 homers and stealing 30 bases in 2024. Neto is the real deal and is RotoBaller's No. 5-ranked fantasy shortstop.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
March 20, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Ben Saraf (foot) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the New York Knicks. Saraf is back in the mix after sitting out Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a foot issue. The rookie guard figures to resume his role as the backup point guard to
Nolan Traore. He has been playing better lately, with 10 points or more in four straight games. Saraf could be someone worth looking at as a streaming option in deep leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Calgary Flames defenseman Yan Kuznetsov (upper body) will sit out a third consecutive game on Friday night against the Florida Panthers. The Russian rookie is dealing with an upper-body injury. Kuznetsov has made a big impact on defense, ranking fourth on his team with 89 blocks and dishing out 75 hits. Offensively, he has contributed four goals and eight assists in 52 outings. Hunter Brzustewicz will continue to fill in for Kuznetsov, but he has been anonymous since entering the lineup. Over the last two games, Brzustewicz has recorded zero points, one shot, one block, two penalty minutes, and a minus-one rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they reassigned right-handed pitching prospect
JR Ritchie to minor-league camp. Even with the Braves dealing with more injuries to their starting rotation, Ritchie will open the 2026 campaign in the minors. The 22-year-old former 35th overall pick in 2022 made his case in spring training, allowing three earned runs on just two hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out 14 in 12 Grapefruit League innings over four appearances. If Ritchie continues to pitch well at Triple-A Gwinnett in 2026, he should be called up at some point to make his major-league debut with the Braves. Per MLB Pipeline, Ritchie is Atlanta's No. 2 prospect. He made strides last year in three minor-league levels to post a 2.64 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 140:54 K:BB in 140 innings over 26 starts. Ritchie has a diverse arsenal that includes a two-seam and four-seam fastball, a changeup, a slider, a curveball, and a cutter. He's a name to monitor in deep-mixed leagues in 2026, while he's a high-upside stash in NL-only and dynasty/keeper formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
March 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers center
Ivica Zubac (ribs) will officially miss the rest of the 2025-2026 regular season, according to Dustin Dopriak. Zubac won't play again after suffering a fractured rib during Wednesday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. The big man was acquired at the trade deadline in a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. Sadly, Zubac was only able to suit up in five games for the Pacers this season. The Pacers aren't playing for anything but lottery odds, so they'll give Zubac plenty of time to rest and recover.
Jay Huff should move into the starting five for the remainder of the season. Given the Pacers' injuries, Huff figures to play a significant role and should offer fantasy value in most formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Dustin Dopriak
March 20, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 32-year-old has been in excellent form this season, but unfortunately, Carolina has only been able to use Gostisbehere in 45 games due to various health issues. He has recorded 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists), 98 shots, and 50 blocks. Mike Reilly will continue to play until Gostisbehere returns. He has produced two assists in six games since joining the lineup. Alexander Nikishin will remain on the first power-play unit, aiming to take another step closer to 30 points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers named right-hander
Jacob Misiorowski as their Opening Day starter this year on Thursday, March 26, against the Chicago White Sox. The hard-throwing right-hander made his major-league debut in 2025 and is now heading into his first full big-league season at the top of Milwaukee's starting rotation. Misiorowski got off to a strong start in his first taste of the majors before slowing down late in the year, but all in all, it was a success. He went 5-3 with a 4.36 ERA (3.62 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 87 strikeouts and 31 walks in 66 innings pitched over 15 appearances (14 starts). The 23-year-old was even better in the postseason in 12 innings, posting a 1.50 ERA for the Brew Crew. Misiorowski's elite strikeout upside alone makes him worth using as a No. 3 fantasy starter in all formats, despite his inexperience at the major-league level. In 7 1/3 Cactus League innings this spring, Miz has three earned runs allowed, three walks, and 12 K's in two appearances.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Brewers
March 20, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (illness) will play on Friday against the Carolina Hurricanes. He was initially questionable for the game after being away from the team on Thursday due to illness. Rielly has a chance to post his fifth consecutive 40-point campaign in 2025-26. He has tallied 33 points (nine goals, 24 assists) through 66 appearances, firing off 124 shots on goal and blocking 92 shots from opponents. However, Toronto's No. 1 defenseman has been in an offensive slump lately, going scoreless in eight of his last nine games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Dylan Beavers (knee) was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees due to right-knee discomfort, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. It's unclear if Beavers will undergo any testing on his injured knee, but when we know more about the severity of it, we'll pass it along. For now, the 24-year-old should be considered day-to-day and in danger of missing the start of the 2026 regular season next week. Beavers, a former first-rounder in 2022 out of Cal Berkeley, made his MLB debut in 2025 and went 25-for-110 (.227) with four home runs, 14 RBI, 16 runs, and two stolen bases in just 35 games. He slashed .304/.420/.515 with 18 home runs and 23 steals in 94 games at Triple-A Norfolk last year and has easy 20-20 potential at the next level if/when he becomes an everyday player in Baltimore. If he's at the big-league level early in 2026, Beavers will most likely sit against left-handed pitchers. MLB Pipeline has Beavers ranked as Baltimore's No. 2 prospect and the No. 69 prospect in all of baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
March 20, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Brady Singer (finger) says the blister on his index finger is back to normal and said he's "right back on regular schedule," according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that Singer will pitch in an exhibition game on Monday in Milwaukee against the Brewers. The Reds pulled Singer early from his Cactus League game on Wednesday due to the blister, but there's nothing to worry about heading into the start of the 2026 regular season next week. In his first season in Cincy in 2025, Singer went 14-12 with a 4.03 ERA (3.98 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with a 163:60 K:BB in 169 2/3 innings over 32 starts. Not only does Singer, who is a ground-ball pitcher, pitch in a pretty hitter-friendly environment, but he doesn't have a ton of strikeout upside with a 22.1% strikeout rate in his six big-league seasons. Singer is best used to round out starting rotations in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues with more of a stable floor as a late-round flier.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
March 20, 2026
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Mike Trout (hand) underwent a precautionary X-ray on his hand on Friday, but it came back negative, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Trout was hit by a pitch in Friday's Cactus League game against the Chicago White Sox in his first plate appearance. The 34-year-old veteran stayed in the game to run the bases but was later pulled and sent for precautionary tests. With X-rays negative, the future Hall of Famer will be just fine for Opening Day next week. The three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star came into Friday's game hitting just .219 (7-for-32) with no homers, four doubles, two RBI, one run scored, three walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 Cactus League games. Trout was a lock for a first-round fantasy selection for years on end, but he's now ranked as RotoBaller's No. 43 outfielder because of his inability to stay healthy in recent seasons. Since the start of the 2021 season, Trout has played in over 100 games just twice. He had 26 homers in 556 plate appearances in 2025, but his injuries have taken their toll.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
March 20, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect
Andrew Painter has been told that he has made the team's 2026 Opening Day roster, as expected, according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Painter will start the Phillies' fifth game of the season on Tuesday, March 31, against the division-rival Washington Nationals. That will be the 22-year-old's major-league debut as well. Painter was a high-end pitching prospect from the day the Phillies took him 13th overall in 2021. Unfortunately, his 2023 and 2024 seasons were wiped out due to Tommy John surgery. Painter began to work his way back last year in the minors and looked good, but he ultimately never made the leap to the big leagues. Painter's stuff has been on point this spring, and he allowed three earned runs while walking only one and fanning five in 7 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. The sky is the limit for Painter as he embarks on his first major-league season, but he'll need to be pitching well early on to keep his rotation spot when
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) is ready to return at some point next month.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
March 20, 2026
The Tampa Bay Rays optioned right-hander
Joe Boyle to the minors on Friday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Boyle was competing for a spot in Tampa's bullpen to begin the 2026 regular season, but he'll instead start at Triple-A Durham after posting a 3.72 ERA and 1.65 WHIP with eight walks and 16 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings over his four Grapefruit League appearances this spring. The strikeout upside with the 26-year-old is apparent, but the Rays want him to go down to the farm to get stretched out as a starter. In addition to building stamina, Boyle will work on commanding his electric stuff on the mound. The former fifth-rounder by the Cincinnati Reds in 2020 out of Notre Dame spent the first two years of his MLB career with the A's before posting a 4.67 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and 28 walks in 52 appearances in 2025 in Tampa in 13 outings (nine starts). Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can leave Boyle on the waiver wire for the time being.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Rays - Marc Topkin
March 20, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Friday that shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) will swing a bat in the next two days, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Pena's status for Opening Day next week is up in the air after he fractured the tip of his right ring finger while fielding a ground ball for Team Dominican Republic in an exhibition game for the World Baseball Classic two weeks ago. The 28-year-old has been doing baseball activities, though, and he'll take an important step this weekend by swinging the bat again. How Pena feels after swinging will likely determine if he'll be in Houston's starting lineup on Opening Day. If Pena isn't ready, which seems likely,
Carlos Correa will slide over to the 6, while
Isaac Paredes will step in at third base. Pena is a low-end No. 1 starting shortstop in fantasy. He provides a solid counting-stat floor and has 20-20 potential, having stolen exactly 20 bases each of the last two years and reaching a career-high 22 homers in his rookie season in 2022. Pena's finger injury this spring shouldn't drastically affect his fantasy stock going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
March 20, 2026
San Francisco Giants outfielder
Harrison Bader (hamstring) is considered day-to-day with left-hamstring tightness, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. It doesn't sound like something overly serious, but with the Giants' 2026 regular season starting next Wednesday against the New York Yankees, it's something to watch with Bader. Right now, manager Tony Vitello is optimistic that the veteran outfielder will be ready for Opening Day. The Giants will most likely have the 31-year-old skip their final Cactus League game on Saturday to make sure he's good to go next week. Bader will be an everyday player in San Fran in 2026 after setting career-highs in home runs (17) and OPS (.796) in 146 combined games with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies in 146 games played. He also added a modest 11 steals and 54 RBI. Bader was fortunate to post the numbers he did when considering his below-average batted-ball metrics. Fantasy managers should expect regression at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park in 2026. RotoBaller has Bader as the No. 81-ranked fantasy outfielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
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