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Jeff Hoffman Seeing Fantasy Value Fall Amid Rough Stretch
Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman has struggled mightily thus far during the 2026 season, pitching to the tune of a 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP through 9 1/3 innings pitched. Additionally, he has blown three of his five save opportunities so far this season. Blue Jays' manager, John Schneider, stated on Saturday after Hoffman blew the save in Arizona against the Diamondbacks that he (Hoffman) will continue to remain the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. The man behind Hoffman, Louis Varland, has been fantastic so far in the 2026 season, with a 0.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 11 innings pitched. Hoffman appears to have the manager's trust for now, but needs to start converting on his save opportunities if he wants to keep his job as the closer. Hoffman is coming off a career-high 33 saves in 2025.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Carnell Tate Likely the Safest Rookie Receiver in This Year's Class
Ohio State prospect Carnell Tate is expected to be the first wide receiver selected in this week's NFL Draft, and that will likely be the case in many rookie drafts as well. He is a long boundary receiver who moves smoothly and tracks the ball as well as any player in this class, but he has never been the Alpha in his own offense, and his NFL ceiling could top out as a high-end WR2. His physical profile has no glaring weaknesses, but his career target share at Ohio State is historically low for a player of his expected draft capital. Jordyn Tyson may have more pure upside, but his health and durability are legitimate concerns, while Makai Lemon could be the most consistent target-earner, but he projects to see most of his usage out of the slot. The NFL will soon tell us how they feel about these three prospects, and for dynasty rookie drafters picking in the wake of Jeremiyah Love's obvious 1.01 selection, the decision could come down to landing spot, personal preference, and risk tolerance.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Edwin Diaz Implodes in Brief Outing, Velocity Remains Serious Concern
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Edwin Diaz continues to struggle thus far in 2026, following an outing on Sunday where he allowed three earned runs on three hits and walked one without recording a single out against the Colorado Rockies. His velocity remains down compared to last season (95.7 mph compared to 97.2 mph in 2025). In addition, his walk rate is up (15.2 percent compared to 8.7 percent in his career), and his strikeout rate is way down (30.3 percent compared to 39.7 percent in his career). Both of those marks would be career-worst for Diaz. On the season, Diaz has converted four of his five save opportunities, but owns a 10.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP across seven appearances. Alex Vesia has converted both of his save opportunities, and if Diaz continues to stumble, they may turn to Vesia in the short term. It's still likely the Dodgers' long-term plans are to have Diaz close games, which is evident by his three-year, $69 million contract; however, fantasy managers have the right to be concerned about his performance, especially when most signs point towards the regression being understandable with the decrease in control and velocity.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Trent Williams Agrees to Two-Year Extension with 49ers
Three-time first-team All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a two-year, $50 million extension that will keep him under contract through the 2027 season. Making 18 starts across the 2025 regular season and playoffs, all at 37 years old, Williams was still one of the most dominant blockers in the league, finishing the year with his twelfth Pro Bowl selection while being named a second-team All-Pro. The deal does not necessarily preclude San Francisco from using an early pick at the position in this week's NFL Draft, as Williams will turn 38 before the start of his 16th professional season, and the depth behind him is serviceable but thin.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Garrett Crochet Continues to Stumble, Should Managers be Concerned?
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet followed up his awful outing on April 13 against the Twins, where he didn't even make it out of the second inning and allowed 10 earned runs, with his second start of the week on Sunday against the Tigers, where he once again struggled mightily. In this outing, he threw only five innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits, two walks, 11 whiffs, and struck out eight. Following this outing, Crochet now has a 7.88 ERA and 1.63 WHIP, with a 25.9 percent strikeout rate. His velocity on his four-seamer has been down about 1/2 mph compared to 2025, and his SwStr percentage is down to 10.7 percent, compared to 13.7 percent last season and 16.2 percent the season before. While there are signs of optimism for positive regression based on his current numbers (5.29 xERA and 3.57 xFIP), they're still well below what most expected from Crochet coming into the season. He has been allowing hard contact across the board, and fantasy managers have every right to be concerned about his performance thus far. At this point, fantasy managers should be holding or receiving a package that returns fair second-round or late first-round value. Crochet is too valuable and provides too much upside to be selling for pennies on the dollar.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Where Does Denzel Boston Slot into Rookie Drafts?
Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston has lost some of his shine throughout the pre-draft process, but he is still a rangy outside receiver with great size and some of the best hands in the class. In the right landing spot, he is capable of making an immediate fantasy contribution as a ball-winner at all levels of the field and a big-bodied red zone weapon. Dynasty managers picking outside the top five in superflex rookie drafts will likely miss out on a chance to select Jeremiyah Love, Fernando Mendoza, or any of the big three wide receivers, but Boston very much belongs in the next tier of prospects with KC Concepcion, Omar Cooper Jr., and Kenyon Sadiq. While the exact order among that group could be shaped by how the late-first and early-second rounds of the NFL Draft play out, Boston is currently RotoBaller's rookie WR4 and the overall WR34 in dynasty rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jeremiyah Love in Play for Cardinals at Third Overall
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to be one of the first names off the board in this week's NFL Draft, and some around league circles believe that could be as early as third overall to the Arizona Cardinals. According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Cardinals have made exploratory calls to move back and acquire additional picks, but if they are unable to find a trade partner, there is a growing belief that the selection could be Love. Even in what would then be a crowded backfield, Love would still be worthy of the first overall pick in dynasty rookie drafts of all formats, including superflex leagues. He split the Notre Dame backfield with Jadarian Price, a player many are calling the second-best running back in the class. In their three seasons together, Love nearly doubled Price's career yardage total, an indicator of how far ahead of the class he truly is. His 40 touchdowns across his past two seasons as a starter paced the FBS, and he has the speed and physicality to win in multiple ways. He catches the ball cleanly and gets upfield with no wasted motion. Love should make an immediate fantasy impact regardless of landing spot, and he is currently RotoBaller's overall RB4 in dynasty rankings.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Louis Varland Emerging as Elite Closer Handcuff in Toronto?
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland has been fantastic so far in the 2026 season, with a 0.00 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and 1.00 WHIP in 11 innings pitched. The Minnesota native, Varland, is currently being deployed as the team's high-leverage setup reliever, and with Jeff Hoffman already blowing three saves in five opportunities, Varland may be emerging as a top handcuff option if Hoffman continues to struggle. Blue Jays' manager, John Schneider, stated on Saturday after Hoffman blew the save in Arizona against the Diamondbacks that he (Hoffman) will continue to remain the team's closer following the game, per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. In addition to the three blown save opportunities, Hoffman also owns a poor 7.71 ERA and 2.04 WHIP through 9 1/3 innings pitched. While Varland doesn't have a history of closing out games, evidenced by his zero saves in his career, he is right up there with Hoffman in terms of having the best stuff in the Blue Jays' bullpen, and in leagues where saves are hard to come by, Varland is someone to keep an eye on.
Source: Baseball Savant
Source: Baseball Savant
Aaron Rodgers' Decision Not Expected Before NFL Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still awaiting word from free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his future, but per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, no decision is expected before the NFL Draft. The two sides went through a similar courtship last offseason before the then-41-year-old future Hall of Famer started 16 games for the Steelers, throwing for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while leading the team to a division title. Pittsburgh's voluntary minicamp opens on Monday, and 2025 6th-round pick Will Howard is expected to lead the first team offense. With this week's NFL Draft taking place in their own backyard, the Steelers hold the 21st and 53rd selections in a year where the quarterback position is thought to fall off precipitously after presumed first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Twins Call Up Kendry Rojas to Make his MLB Debut
The Minnesota Twins, who just got swept at home over the weekend against the Cincinnati Reds, are calling up their No. 10-ranked prospect, Kendry Rojas, from Triple-A. Recent reports have suggested that the Twins have been using Rojas in a hybrid role, as both a reliever and a starting pitcher, as evidenced by his two appearances in 2026: one a start and the other a relief appearance. Last season in the minors, Rojas posted a 4.70 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 69 innings, spread across 19 games and 18 starts. Thus far in 2026, he has not allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings pitched (two appearances and one start). The Twins' bullpen struggled mightily over the weekend, so if Rojas pitches well, he may have a shot at staying with the big league club. From a fantasy standpoint, Rojas should remain on the waiver wire, especially if he is used as a middle reliever.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
A.J. Brown to the Patriots Considered Likely
It remains an open secret that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is likely to be dealt after June 1, a date that needs to be cleared to provide Philadelphia with additional salary cap relief. According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots are still highly interested in acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler. Per Schefter, the teams are expected to resume conversations on or before June 1st, and league-wide belief is that a deal will get done. Brown turns 29 in June and is coming off the worst statistical season since his final, injury-shortened campaign with Tennessee, but even if on the decline, he would still provide a true dominator on the outside for New England and 2025 MVP candidate Drake Maye. How the two teams approach the receiver position in this week's NFL Draft could be a telling indicator of where talks currently stand.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Deni Avdija Posts 30-Point Double-Double in Loss
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija posted 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and two three-pointers in 39 minutes during Sunday's Western Conference first-round loss to San Antonio. He carried the offense early and remained the team's most consistent option, finishing as the lone player to surpass 20 points. Avdija's high usage and all-around production boost his DFS ceiling, especially with limited scoring support. Scoot Henderson provided secondary scoring, while Jrue Holiday handled playmaking duties but struggled to convert efficiently.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Paolo Banchero Leads Magic in Game 1 Win
Orlando Magic forward/center Paolo Banchero recorded 23 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two three-pointers in 37 minutes during Sunday's Eastern Conference first-round win over Detroit. He set the tone early and handled the scoring load, with most of his production coming before the fourth quarter as Orlando stayed in control. Banchero continues to anchor the offense with steady usage, giving him a reliable DFS ceiling. Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane round out the offense, while Banchero's all-around role keeps his production consistent.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jalen Duren Posts Quiet Line in Series Opener
Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren finished with eight points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one block in 33 minutes during Sunday's Eastern Conference first-round loss to Orlando. He played solid minutes but had limited involvement, attempting just four shots and failing to make a consistent impact offensively. Duren's role remains secure, but his DFS value depends on increased usage and activity on the glass. Cade Cunningham continues to dominate touches, while Tobias Harris may take on more scoring responsibility if Duren remains a low-usage option.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Cade Cunningham Erupts for 39 Points in Playoff Opener
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham poured in 39 points with five rebounds, four assists, and three three-pointers in 40 minutes during Sunday's loss to Orlando. He handled the bulk of the offense, scoring consistently and drawing fouls, but had limited support as the Pistons struggled to find efficient offense. Cunningham's high usage gives him a strong DFS ceiling, though assists may be inconsistent if shots aren't falling around him. Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren need to provide more consistent scoring to ease the burden.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Logan Cooley Scores Mammoth's First-Ever Playoff Goal
Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley became the franchise's first-ever playoff goal-scorer in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Mammoth enjoyed a strong start in Vegas, and Cooley put the visitors up with 11 ticks left in the opening frame. Having also factored on Utah's first-ever regular-season goal, Cooley is now one of only six players in NHL history to contribute to a franchise's first regular-season and playoff goal. Cooley's team is a clear underdog in the matchup against the Golden Knights, so he'll need to stay productive throughout the series for the Mammoth to have a chance of surviving the first round.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
David Pastrnak Finishes Game 1 Loss With Three Points
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak opened his 2026 postseason campaign with a three-point effort in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. With two assists, Pastrnak helped Boston build a 2-0 lead, but the Sabres responded with four unanswered goals in the third period. Pastrnak also had a power-play goal in the final seconds. Combined with the regular season, Pastrnak has now produced four goals and five assists in five meetings with the Sabres this term. Buffalo doesn't seem to have answers for him, but the Czechia star will need more support from his teammates for Boston to get past the opening round.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalen Williams Posts All-Around Line in Game 1
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams recorded 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block in 29 minutes during Sunday's Western Conference first-round win over Phoenix. He contributed across the board and stayed efficient, helping Oklahoma City maintain control in a one-sided game. The blowout limited his minutes, but Williams' balanced production keeps his DFS appeal strong, especially in competitive matchups. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remains the primary option, while Chet Holmgren continues to provide secondary scoring and defensive support alongside Williams.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Tage Thompson Bags Three Points in Postseason Debut
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson made a big impact in his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut on Sunday against the Boston Bruins, registering three points in a 4-3 win. The Olympic champion led Buffalo's comeback charge in the third period, tying the game at two with a pair of goals. He also had an assist on Alex Tuch's empty-net goal, becoming only the second player in franchise history to pick up three points in their postseason debut. At the same time, Thompson matched Buffalo's record for most points scored in a playoff period. This could be a special series for Thompson, who was one of only 10 players with at least 40 goals and 40 assists during the regular season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Devin Booker Delivers in Tough Game 1 Loss
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker finished with 23 points, six rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes during Sunday's Western Conference first-round loss to Oklahoma City. He led the team in scoring and shot efficiently compared to his teammates, but the offense struggled to generate consistent support in a lopsided defeat. Booker remains the focal point with elite usage, keeping his DFS floor stable despite the blowout risk. Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks continue to handle secondary scoring roles, though both need improved efficiency to ease the pressure on Booker.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Victor Wembanyama Drops 35 Points in Playoff Debut
San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama finished with 35 points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 33 minutes during Sunday's Western Conference first-round win over Portland. He led the offense, knocking down five triples while converting efficiently inside and at the line. His peripheral stats were lighter than usual, but the scoring output carried DFS value. De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle handled secondary playmaking, while Wembanyama's usage remains elite, giving him one of the highest ceilings on the slate even if his rebounds and defensive stats don't always follow.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jake Guentzel Records Three Assists Sunday
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel contributed on offense with three assists in Sunday's 4-3 overtime defeat against the Montreal Canadiens. He helped Darren Raddysh bag a power-play goal and set up Brandon Hagel twice, with his second goal also coming on the power play. Guentzel became the second player in Lightning history to record a hat trick of assists in a playoff opener. Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, the 31-year-old star forward also had a negative impact in the game. With 21 seconds remaining in regulation, Guentzel received a high-sticking penalty, and Montreal scored on the ensuing power play early in overtime. In total, there were five power-play goals in this contest, so it appears special teams will play a crucial role in this matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Juraj Slafkovsky Nets Unique Hat Trick in Playoff Opener
Montreal Canadiens winger Juraj Slafkovsky led his team to Game 1 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, contributing three power-play goals in a 4-3 overtime win. The 22-year-old became only the 12th player in NHL history to record a playoff hat trick consisting solely of power-play goals. Additionally, he's now the third Montreal player to complete a three-goal game in the postseason with an overtime winner. Slafkovsky, Slovakia's Olympic star, seems to thrive on big occasions, and it's a matchup that has brought him success throughout the campaign. In four regular-season meetings with the Lightning, Slafkovsky tallied four goals and three assists.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Charle-Edouard D'Astous Hurt in Game 1 Loss
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) exited Sunday's Game 1 loss against the Montreal Canadiens midway through the second period, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. The 27-year-old rookie couldn't finish the contest after drawing a charging penalty from Canadiens forward Josh Anderson. With Tampa Bay's blue line battling all sorts of injuries, D'Astous has stepped up this season, recording 29 points (six goals, 23 assists), 80 SOG, 74 blocks, and 96 hits in 70 regular-season games. In an ideal world, the Lightning would love to get Victor Hedman (personal) back in the lineup for Game 2, but Declan Carlile is the likely replacement for D'Astous if needed.
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Leon Draisaitl Could Be Ready for Game 1 Against Ducks
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (lower body) could return to action on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks, Derek Van Diest of NHL reports. The German superstar didn't play in the final 14 regular-season games due to a lower-body injury. "The way the Edmonton Oilers forward was skating in practice Sunday seemed to indicate he'll be in the lineup for Game 1," Van Diest writes. It was initially feared that Draisaitl would not be healthy for the start of the playoffs. However, he's had a week's worth of practices under his belt and seems to have a strong chance to return on Monday. In two regular-season contests against the Ducks, Draisaitl recorded four assists.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Aidan Miller Nearing Batting Work
Philadelphia Phillies No. 1 prospect Aidan Miller (back) has resumed baseball activities and is expected to begin swinging a bat this week as he recovers from a lower back injury. Miller, the 27th overall pick in the 2023 draft, has yet to make his major league debut but remains one of the organization's top long-term pieces. The young shortstop owns an .817 OPS across his minor league career and has flashed advanced offensive upside. His recovery has moved slowly with limited updates, but Philadelphia will prioritize a full return. There is no official timetable for Miller's next game action.
Source: Todd Zolecki
Source: Todd Zolecki
Sean Murphy Advances Rehab Assignment; Braves Nearing Catching Upgrade
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (hip) will start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday as he continues his rehab assignment for a right hip labral tear. Murphy previously appeared for High-A Rome and is moving closer to a return in the coming weeks if he avoids setbacks. The veteran opened the season on the 10-day injured list and is expected to reclaim regular catching duties once activated. This is Murphy's third season with Atlanta after arriving in a trade from the Athletics. His production dipped last year, as he slashed .199/.300/.409 with a .709 OPS in 94 games. However, a healthy return would give the Braves a needed boost behind the plate.
Source: Chad Bishop
Source: Chad Bishop
Patrick Sandoval Experiences Biceps Discomfort; Red Sox Return Timeline Slips
Boston Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval (biceps) experienced discomfort after struggling in his second rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday, creating another delay in his recovery. Sandoval was scheduled to pitch Sunday, but that outing has been postponed as he returns to Boston for further evaluation. The left-hander has been on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 22 and has yet to make his debut with the Red Sox. With this new setback, he is expected to return no sooner than May, but that timeline may vary as he receives a full evaluation. Sandoval has not appeared in a major league game since 2024 after missing all of 2025 with an elbow injury. He owns a 4.01 career ERA across six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Brent Rooker Resumes Baseball Activity; Athletics Await Key Power Bat
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (oblique) has resumed light baseball activity as he works back from a right oblique strain and is expected to travel with the club for its upcoming road trip to Seattle on Monday. Rooker has been sidelined since April and is targeting a late May return if his recovery continues on schedule. The 31-year-old slugger opened the season slowly, slashing .146/.245/.293 in 12 games before landing on the injured list. Rooker remains one of the Athletics' most important power threats after producing 30 or more home runs in each of the last three seasons. His return should provide a needed boost to the top of the lineup.
Source: Martín Gallegos
Source: Martín Gallegos
Spencer Strider to Move Rehab Assignment to Triple-A
Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (oblique) is expected to make his second rehab start Tuesday for Triple-A Gwinnett as he moves closer to a return in early May. Strider has yet to pitch this season while recovering from a left oblique strain, but his first outing was encouraging. He tossed 3 ⅓ scoreless innings for High-A Rome on Thursday and showed strong command throughout the appearance. The 2023 National League All-Star owns elite strikeout upside when healthy and could provide a major lift for Atlanta's rotation. Strider posted a 4.45 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 23 starts last season, but his fantasy upside remains high once activated.
Source: Chad Bishop
Source: Chad Bishop
