March 20, 2026
Free-agent defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (foot), who continues to rehab a foot injury, "fully intends" to play in 2026, his agent, David Mulugheta, told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Twenty-six teams have reached out to Wilkins so far and are waiting for him to be ready to play. The 30-year-old interior defensive lineman played in only five games with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 before being released last year after he signed a five-year, $110 million deal in March of '04. Wilkins ended up filing a grievance against the Raiders, who claim that he refused to get surgery on his foot after they recommended it. It was a messy situation, but he's on the open market and likely to sign with a team sooner than later this offseason so that he can begin preparations to return in 2026 this fall. The former 13th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2019 out of Clemson has 22.5 career sacks in six seasons (86 games) and can provide a team in need of interior D-line help some valuable experience. Wilkins had a career-high nine sacks in 17 games with Miami in his final year with the team in 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 20, 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Seattle Seahawks restricted free-agent wide receiver
Jake Bobo to an offer sheet on Friday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The Seahawks now have five days to decide on whether to match the offer. If they don't match it, Bobo will head to the AFC South. The 27-year-old pass-catcher has 34 catches on 44 targets for 323 yards and three touchdowns in 45 games (three starts) in Seattle in his first three years in the NFL, including a 17-yard touchdown catch in the NFC Championship game win over the Los Angeles Rams. Bobo has also been a key member of the Seahawks' special teams unit and their best blocking receiver. He had a career-low two grabs for 20 yards in 11 regular-season games in 2025 and has yet to be an asset in fantasy football leagues. A move to Jacksonville would not help Bobo's chances of seeing more work on offense in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
March 20, 2026
The San Francisco 49ers did not pick up All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams' $10 million option bonus on Friday, which would have prorated over four years against the salary cap, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Instead, the money joins Williams' $22 million base salary for the 2026 season, and his new salary cap hit becomes $46.3 million. It's not tied to any guaranteed money, and his cap hit is expected to be reduced while the two sides continue to work on a new contract. The 37-year-old former fourth overall pick remains one of the league's best left tackles despite his age. Williams is a 12-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro. The 49ers certainly want to retain him to protect quarterback
Brock Purdy's blind side, but they are also aware that he's no spring chicken anymore and is nearing the end of his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi
March 20, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option for wide receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba on Friday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. As Schefter mentions, this is a precursor to a much larger contract extension that the Seahawks and Smith-Njigba will be working on after the 24-year-old won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 in his second season in the league and helped the Seahawks win Super Bowl LX. The former 20th overall pick in 2023 out of Ohio State made his second straight Pro Bowl and led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards during the regular season while adding 119 receptions and 10 touchdowns. JSN displayed excellent chemistry with quarterback
Sam Darnold in 2025 and was nearly impossible to stop by opposing defenses because of his quickness and yards-after-the-catch ability. After his outstanding season, Smith-Njigba will be one of the first receivers off the board in fantasy football drafts later this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 20, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander
Cristopher Sanchez will start on Opening Day for the Phillies on Thursday, March 26, against the Texas Rangers and right-hander
Nathan Eovaldi, according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Sanchez will get the nod with right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) opening the season on the injured list. The 29-year-old Dominican left-hander earned the Opening Day nod by leading the league with an 8.0 WAR while going 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA (2.55 FIP), 1.06 WHIP, and 212:44 K:BB in 202 innings over 32 starts in his fifth year in the big leagues. Sanchez was a first-time All-Star in 2024, too, as he began to establish himself as a high-end fantasy starting pitcher on one of the better teams in baseball. He was one of just three starters in 2025 to work at least 200 innings. Sanchez has taken the leap and is now a top-five fantasy starting pitcher going into the 2026 campaign. Fantasy managers will start him with confidence in his first outing of the year against Texas.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
March 20, 2026
The Atlanta Braves officially named left-hander
Chris Sale as their Opening Day starter for next week against the Kansas City Royals, according to Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It will be Sale's second straight Opening Day start with Atlanta and the seventh of his career. The 36-year-old veteran southpaw has plenty of experience leading a starting staff and will do so again to open the 16th year of his MLB career. The nine-time All-Star and former National League Cy Young winner is a high-risk, high-reward No. 1 fantasy baseball starter with a career 30.7% strikeout rate and 5.8% walk rate. Sale is no stranger to injuries, which makes him a high-risk starter, but he's been lights-out the last two years in Atlanta, going 25-8 with a 2.46 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 390 strikeouts and 71 walks in 303 1/3 innings over 50 outings (49 starts). If you draft Sale early in upcoming fantasy drafts this weekend, you'll want to make sure you have plenty of starting pitching depth.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Gabe Burns
March 20, 2026
Athletics first baseman/outfielder
Tyler Soderstrom (knee) is starting in left field and will bat cleanup for the A's in Friday's Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs. Soderstrom was hit by a pitch on the knee on Thursday in a spring training game, but he'll be right back in the lineup on Friday and should be just fine for Opening Day next week. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger is one of the A's interesting young hitters in a hitter-friendly ballpark in Sacramento. The former 26th overall pick in 2020 broke out in 2025 with a .276/.346/.474 slash line, .820 OPS, 25 home runs, 93 RBI, 75 runs scored, and even eight stolen bases in 624 plate appearances and 158 games played in his third season in the major leagues. Adding to his fantasy intrigue is the fact that he'll have first base and outfield eligibility in 2026. Soderstrom is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 fantasy outfielder and as the No. 11 fantasy first baseman. His power from the left side plays in all formats as a regular middle-of-the-order hitter for the A's.
--Keith HernandezSource: A's Communications
March 20, 2026
Athletics outfielder
Lawrence Butler (knees) is making the start in right field and will bat leadoff in Friday night's Cactus League game against the Chicago Cubs. Butler made his spring training debut on Tuesday as the designated hitter but will now return to the outfield after having surgery on his left knee in the offseason. The 25-year-old has also battled tendinitis in his right knee. Butler broke out in 2024 with 22 homers and 18 RBI in 125 games in his first full season in the major leagues before slashing .234/.306/.404 with a .710 OPS, 21 home runs, 63 RBI, 22 stolen bases, and 83 runs scored in 152 games played in 2025. He obviously has the potential to put up another 20-20 season in the bandbox in Sacramento, but ultimately, his 2026 value will depend on how his knees hold up over the course of the season. RotoBaller has Butler ranked as the No. 41 fantasy outfielder because of his power/speed upside, but plenty of swing and miss and injury concerns make him more volatile than others around the same price.
--Keith HernandezSource: A's Communications
March 20, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Friday that they optioned right-handed pitching prospect
George Klassen to minor-league camp. Klassen, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, allowed five earned runs on nine hits (three homers) while walking five and striking out 10 in 11 2/3 innings over his four Cactus League appearances. At Double-A Rocket City and Triple-A Salt Lake in 2025, Klassen had a 5.22 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 134 strikeouts and 47 walks in 108 2/3 innings over 25 starts. The 24-year-old right-hander has some intriguing stuff with a dominant fastball and a couple of nasty breaking pitches, but the Angels want to see him have some more success on the farm before they bring him up to the big-league starting rotation. It was encouraging to see Klassen cut his walk rate last year as well. He's a power pitcher with a heater that reaches triple digits. Klassen should make his major-league debut in 2026, but for now, he's a high-upside pitching stash in AL-only and keeper leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Angels PR
March 20, 2026
Los Angeles Angels right-hander
Alek Manoah (finger) is dealing with a fingernail issue in camp, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. It's unclear if Manoah will be ready for Opening Day next week, but the 28-year-old hasn't really done enough to win a starting rotation spot with the big-league club after allowing 16 earned runs on 23 hits (five homers) while walking 14 and striking out 13 in 15 1/3 innings pitched over his five Cactus League starts in spring training. Whether Manoah makes the Angels' Opening Day starting rotation will probably depend on the health of
Grayson Rodriguez's right arm. Manoah, a former first-rounder by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 out of West Virginia, was an All-Star in 2022 and was third in the American League Cy Young voting before completely falling apart in 2023. He also dealt with arm issues and only made five major-league starts with Toronto in 2024 before not pitching at all in the big leagues last year. Manoah is a major dice roll in deeper leagues who needs to show more consistency and that he belongs back in the big leagues before managers in mixed leagues take him seriously again.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
March 20, 2026
Miami Marlins outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) was pulled from Friday's Grapefruit League game early with right-hamstring tightness, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Stowers missed one to two weeks earlier this spring with a strained hamstring, so it looks like he's suffered a setback with less than a week until Opening Day. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger injured his hamstring in late February and finally made his return to the outfield in spring training last weekend. It's unclear exactly how serious his injury is, but at this point, it would be a surprise if he doesn't start the 2026 season on the injured list. It puts a damper on Stowers' 2026 fantasy value after he broke out in 2025 to the tune of a .288/.368/.544 slash line with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs, and five stolen bases in 117 games. He was Miami's lone All-Star representative and has a bright future ahead of him with intriguing batted-ball metrics. Stowers deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats, but injury concerns aren't going away.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
March 20, 2026
Wide receiver
DJ Chark announced on his social media on Friday that he is retiring from professional football, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Chark was originally drafted in the second round (61st overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2018 NFL draft out of LSU. The 29-year-old spent the first four years of his NFL career in Duvall, catching 147 of his 265 targets for 2,042 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in 43 games (30 starts). His lone Pro Bowl season came in 2019 with Jacksonville, when he had a career year with 73 catches, 1,008 yards, and eight touchdowns in 15 games played. After his time with the Jags, Chark spent the final three years of his career with the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers, combining for 69 catches for 1,058 yards and nine touchdowns on 128 targets over 33 total games. Chark signed with Atlanta at the start of training camp last year but was released in August. He finishes his seven-year NFL career with 216 catches, 3,100 yards, and 24 total touchdowns in 76 games (51 starts).
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
March 20, 2026
Cleveland Guardians outfielder
George Valera (calf) is "highly likely" to start the 2026 regular season on the injured list, per MLB.com's Zack Meisel. Valera suffered a strained left calf earlier this month and will not be ready for Opening Day next week. The 25-year-old was competing for a spot on the team's Opening Day roster in spring training and went 7-for-24 (.292) with a homer, four RBI, four runs scored, two walks, and seven strikeouts in his 10 Cactus League games this spring. Valera earned his first call to the big leagues in 2025 and went 9-for-41 (.220) with two home runs, five RBI, seven runs scored, seven walks, and 13 strikeouts in just 16 games played in the final month of the regular season. When healthy, Valera could be back at Triple-A Columbus early in the 2026 season. He has plenty of competition for playing time at the big-league level between outfield and designated hitter, making him merely a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues right now.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Zack Meisel
March 20, 2026
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Hunter Gaddis (forearm) is "highly likely" to begin the 2026 regular season on the injured list, according to Zack Meisel of MLB.com. Despite being cleared to throw live batting practice in camp earlier this week, the 27-year-old probably isn't going to be ready for Opening Day next week after he began feeling forearm tightness in early March. When healthy, Gaddis has earned high-leverage opportunities at the back end of Cleveland's new-look bullpen. He had a 1.57 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 14 walks in 74 2/3 innings in 2024 and posted a 3.11 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, his first three career saves, and a career-high 73 punchouts in 66 2/3 innings of work out of the bullpen in 2025. Gaddis finished third with 34 holds in 2024 and second last year with 35. When he's past his forearm injury, he'll absolutely be in play in holds leagues again this year as a reliable setup man in front of closer
Cade Smith.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Zack Meisel
March 20, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center
Naz Reid (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers, marking his second straight absence.
Kyle Anderson could continue to see extra run after putting up eight points, three rebounds, six assists, and one steal in 22 minutes last game, giving him some deep-league appeal for assists from a forward spot. Rookie big
Joan Beringer may also see a limited run after grabbing seven rebounds in nine minutes.
Rudy Gobert should continue handling the bulk of the center workload. Reid remains roster-worthy if he can return soon.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
New York Yankees outfielder
Jasson Dominguez was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Dominguez was having a strong spring training at the plate, but he just got caught in a numbers game for the major-league roster with all of
Aaron Judge,
Giancarlo Stanton, and
Trent Grisham healthy and ready for Opening Day next week. The 23-year-old that they call The Martian will surely be up in the big leagues at some point in 2026, but starting in the minor leagues is now what his fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues were expecting. The Dominican outfielder hit .342 (13-for-38) with three home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases in 42 plate appearances over 13 Grapefruit League games. In his first full big-league season in 2025, Dominguez hit .257/.331/.388 with a .719 OPS, 10 homers, 47 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases in 123 games played. His redraft stock is obviously way down, but Dominguez remains a high-upside stash candidate in deeper leagues as a toolsy outfielder with plenty of upside if he can ever find regular playing time in the Bronx or elsewhere.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
March 20, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
GG Jackson II (knee) has been ruled out Friday against the Celtics after being downgraded from doubtful due to left knee soreness. His absence should keep
Taylor Hendricks and
Olivier-Maxence Prosper in larger roles. Hendricks delivered 13 points with six steals and three blocks in 24 minutes off the bench last game, giving him strong category streaming appeal, while Prosper added 19 points and three three-pointers in 23 minutes as a starter. Both are worth a look as fantasy options with Memphis thin in the frontcourt.
Jaylen Wells could also take on a bit more offensive responsibility.
--Brian DailisanSource: Grizzlies PR
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
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