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Mets Turn to Luke Weaver in Final Frame, Worth Targeting as Closer Handcuff?
New York Mets relief pitcher Luke Weaver got the call to close out his team's first win after losing 12 straight, and the 32-year-old righty earned the win by closing out the Twins. He came on to get the last out of the eighth inning, walking Ryan Jeffers but then retiring Luke Keashall with the bases loaded. The Mets scratched out a run in the eighth, and Weaver struck out the side in the ninth to preserve the win. He's 2-0 on the year now, despite allowing six runs in 10 innings across his 10 appearances. The Mets have continued to publicly stay committed to closer Devin Williams, but if they were to make a change, Weaver would be an obvious candidate to replace him. Weaver isn't a must-add in most formats yet, but if you need a Williams handcuff or are trying to get ahead of a potential move in deep leagues, he's worth watching as a late-inning option if Williams continues to struggle.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Alex Killorn Racks Up Three Points on Special Teams
Anaheim Ducks winger Alex Killorn was a major factor on special teams in Wednesday's 6-4 Game 2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. He notched a goal and an assist on the power play and completed his three-point game with a short-handed assist. The veteran was one of the top offensive performers after starting the series with a scoreless effort in Game 1. Killorn now boasts 80 points (38 goals, 42 assists) in 142 career postseason outings, adding a lot of playoff experience to this young Ducks squad.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Munetaka Murakami Approaching Must-Start Territory?
Chicago White Sox third baseman Munetaka Murakami homered again on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks and has gone yard in five straight contests. The 26-year-old slugger in his first season in the majors is hitting .256 with a .436 wOBA and a 66.7% hard-hit rate through his first 24 games. Murakami has a total of 10 homers on the year with 19 runs scored, 19 RBI, 21 walks, and 32 strikeouts. His power has been a huge boost to the middle of the White Sox lineup, and he has exceeded expectations in his transition from the NPB in Japan. He is definitely worth starting right now for as long as he stays so hot, and it will be fascinating to see if he can maintain this production throughout the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Connor McDavid Finishes Pointless for Second Straight Game
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid finished pointless for a second consecutive contest in Wednesday's Game 2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. A scoring surge late in the season helped the Oilers captain secure his sixth Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's highest scorer, but Anaheim has brilliantly held him in check so far. McDavid has no goals with seven SOG in the series and finished Wednesday's 6-4 loss with a minus-two rating. The superstar forward also had an injury scare in Game 2 when he hurt his ankle, but this isn't expected to bother McDavid in the upcoming games. In Game 3, McDavid will try to avoid his first three-game point drought of the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Is KC Concepcion One of the Highest Value Picks in Dynasty Rookie Drafts?
Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion may profile as a slot-only player to begin his NFL career, but he has both the size and versatility to play across the formation and the game-breaking ability to reward any coach who gets the ball into his hands. With several receiver-needy teams picking at the tail end of the first round, it seems unlikely he will get through Thursday night of the NFL Draft without hearing his name called, and if paired with the right playcaller, he should waste no time in finding the field in a meaningful way. Concepcion is currently slotting in around pick five through seven in single-quarterback dynasty rookie drafts, and without having to spend a top-of-the-board pick on him, his return on investment could be clear and immediate. Concepcion is RotoBaller's dynasty WR37, but the right landing spot could lead to one of the bigger post-draft spikes in the class.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Robert Suarez Locks Down Ninth Inning for Atlanta, Flashing Elite Short-Term Value
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Robert Suarez picked up his second save of the season on Wednesday, allowing one hit but only needing eight pitches to preserve his team's 8-6 win over Washington. Suarez is an outstanding short-term option if you need saves since he'll be filling in for the next few weeks while closer Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) is on the injured list. Suarez had 36 and 40 saves in the last two seasons for the Padres, so he's very comfortable in the role and should be a top option for as long as Iglesias is out. He would be the regular closer on many teams, but he was the team's high-leverage setup man before Iglesias' injury. This season, Suarez has given up just one run in 10 2/3 innings this year with a 1.36 FIP and 11 strikeouts.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Rasmus Sandin Undergoes ACL Surgery
Washington Capitals defenseman Rasmus Sandin (knee) has undergone ACL surgery and will be out for 6-9 months, the team announced. The Swedish blue-liner tore his right ACL in a game against Pittsburgh on April 11. Earlier this week, Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said Sandin's injury will affect the team's offseason plans. After John Carlson was traded to the Anaheim Ducks, Sandin had a larger role late in the season, finishing the campaign with 29 points (five goals, 24 assists), 90 SOG, 127 blocks, and 88 hits in 73 games. Unfortunately, he won't be able to build on it at the start of next season.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Ryan Walker Earns Third Save, Fully Reclaiming Ninth-Inning Role?
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Ryan Walker earned his third save of the season on Wednesday night, issuing a walk but recording three outs to preserve his team's 3-0 victory. Walker seems to be back in the main closer role for the Giants and has picked up two saves in the last two days. On the season, he has worked 11 innings in 11 games with 12 strikeouts and four earned runs allowed for a 3.27 ERA and 3.78 FIP. Walker is the only pitcher on the Giants with more than one save, with Erik Miller and Blade Tidwell also earning a save earlier this year. Miller and Tidwell could cover occasionally, but it seems that Walker has stepped back in as the team's primary closer. While he isn't an elite option, he should be a solid source of saves if you need a bullpen boost.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Can Makai Lemon Become the Fantasy WR1 of the 2026 Draft Class?
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon is expected to hear his name called early on Thursday's opening night of the NFL Draft, with few pundits anticipating him getting past the New York Jets at pick No. 16. Lemon played over 75% of his collegiate snaps out of the slot, and historically, slot-only receivers to earn that type of early draft capital have not translated cleanly to fantasy. In Lemon's case, though, he plays much bigger than his verified 5'11", 192-pound size, and as a bona fide target-earner, he has the nuance and creativity to both create separation before and add yards after the catch. There is a reason he is most commonly compared to Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown, a player whose fantasy value has grown right alongside his evolving usage. While Carnell Tate comes into the NFL having never been the primary receiver on his own team, and Jordyn Tyson's injury history is extensive, Lemon may have the easiest time overcoming his own perceived flaws, and he has a realistic possibility to emerge as the fantasy receiver to roster from the 2026 draft class.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luis Pena Taken to the Hospital During Wednesday's Contest
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Luis Pena is "fine" and recovering after a medical scare on Wednesday night. The top prospect was taken by ambulance to the hospital after overheating in the dugout. The game was stopped and ultimately called in the eighth inning after the emergency, but Pena "Sounds like he's fine according to our docs," according to Brewers GM Matt Arnold. Peña was administered IV fluids and is doing better. The 19-year-old is the No. 2 prospect in the team's system according to MLB Pipeline and is hitting .372 with a home run and six stolen bases in his first 12 games this season for the High-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. While this was a scary situation and could cost him a few days, it seems as if there will be no long-term effects on Pena's season.
Source: Adam McCalvy
Source: Adam McCalvy
What Kind of Fantasy Ceiling Can Be Expected From Fernando Mendoza?
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been the anticipated first overall pick for months, and on Thursday night, when the 2026 NFL Draft opens, the Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion will officially become a Las Vegas Raider. The Raiders have made moves all offseason to set their young investment up for long-term success. New head coach Klint Kubiak is fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks, and the team made Tyler Linderbaum the highest-paid center in NFL history. Vegas also signed veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who should allow Mendoza some runway to learn behind the scenes. In the right atmosphere, which the team has clearly made strides to build around him, Mendoza has the play style, size, and makeup to enjoy a long and successful NFL career. How that translates to fantasy impact may be a different story. While he is a capable runner in got-to-have-it situations, Mendoza will not reliably add fantasy points with his legs, which is why he is not even locked in as a top-two selection in superflex rookie drafts. While the Raiders appear to be getting a player who can grow into the face of the franchise, he will enter the league as RotoBaller's dynasty QB16, and his fantasy ceiling may ultimately top out as a midrange QB2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Payton Tolle Confirmed to Start on Thursday
Boston Red Sox pitcher Payton Tolle will start on Thursday, as expected, as the Red Sox try to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Yankees in Boston. Tolle was held out of his last start in Triple-A in anticipation of his promotion, and he'll get a chance to earn his spot in the rotation over the next few weeks. In his three starts in Triple-A this season, Tolle gave up five runs in 15 innings while piling up 19 strikeouts. He threw five scoreless innings with six strikeouts in his most recent start for the Worcester Red Sox against the Columbus Clippers. Last season, Tolle pitched 16 1/3 innings in the majors with a 6.06 ERA, 6.26 FIP, and 19 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings. He has high strikeout upside, and the 23-year-old lefty will be an important young pitcher to watch while he fills in for the injured Sonny Gray (hamstring) for the next few weeks.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Jeremiyah Love Will Leave NFL Draft as Unquestioned 1.01 Pick in Rookie Drafts
With several running back-needy teams selecting within the first 10 picks of the NFL Draft, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love will not have to wait long to hear his name called on Thursday night. Considered by many to be the top overall talent in the class, Love has been linked to the Giants, Commanders, Titans, and most recently the Cardinals, who pick at third overall. Historically, running backs receiving top-10 capital in the NFL Draft have seen immediate fantasy success, and Love should be no exception. In a class with no other can't-miss offensive prospects, Love is deserving of the first overall pick in rookie drafts of all formats, and having yet to take an NFL snap, he is already RotoBaller's dynasty RB4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Paolo Banchero Finishes Game 2 Loss With 18 Points
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero was quiet offensively in Wednesday's 98-83 Game 2 loss to the Detroit Pistons, recording 18 points. He went 7-for-17 from the field and 4-for-8 at the line as Orlando scored 21 or fewer points in three of four quarters during a rough outing. Additionally, Banchero's efforts included a team-high eight assists, six rebounds, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes. After a strong regular-season series against the Pistons, Banchero has been limited to 20.5 points in the playoffs. Next, the 23-year-old star has a pair of home games to build momentum.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Cade Cunningham Notches 27 Points, 11 Assists in Slow-Burning Win
Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham led his squad to a 98-83 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, finishing with a 27-point, 11-assist double-double. He made nearly 58 percent of his field-goal attempts, adding six rebounds, one steal, and one block to his line. On the negative side, the Pistons star committed a game-high seven turnovers and was just 1-for-6 from three-point range. Still, this was another excellent outing from Cunningham, who now boasts five double-doubles through his first eight career postseason games. Detroit fans will want to see more of the same as the series shifts to Orlando this weekend.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Devin Booker Settles for 22 Points in Game 2
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker scored 22 points in Wednesday's 120-107 Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, adding seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal to his line. He also had five turnovers in 40 minutes. Booker went 50.0 percent from the field, but the Thunder limited him to only 14 attempts. The Suns' leader couldn't get anything to drop from downtown, going 0-for-3. So far in the series, Booker has averaged 22.5 points per game and must do a lot more after being part of two clear defeats. He will hope to hit top gear in front of home support on Saturday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dillon Brooks Leads Suns With 30 Points Wednesday Night
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Dillon Brooks was his team's leading scorer in Wednesday's Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, racking up 30 points with a 12-for-23 effort from the field. He finished 5-for-9 from deep and had five rebounds with one assist in 38 minutes. Brooks stood out on offense as Devin Booker and Jalen Green combined for only 43 points. Although Brooks produced an efficient performance on Wednesday, the Suns are likely to go down in four games in the first round if they have to rely on him offensively. The team must get more out of Booker and Green, especially with Grayson Allen remaining a DNP-CD in Game 2.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Chet Holmgren Productive on Both Ends Wednesday
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren scored 19 points and blocked a game-high four shots in Wednesday's 120-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns. He finished two rebounds shy of a double-double, making seven of his 12 field-goal attempts with a 3-for-6 record from deep. Holmgren already has six blocks in the series and has chipped in well on the offensive end, posting 17.5 points per game. Phoenix has been without its starting center, Mark Williams (foot), making things easier for the Thunder's frontcourt on both ends. Isaiah Hartenstein also narrowly missed a double-double on Wednesday, recording nine points and 10 rebounds.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Notches 37 Points in Game 2 Win
Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 37 points in Wednesday's 120-107 win over the Phoenix Suns. The reigning MVP also had the most assists in the game with nine, along with five rebounds and one steal in 38 minutes. After struggling from the field in the series opener, Gilgeous-Alexander improved his efficiency to 52.0 percent on Wednesday night, sinking two of five from beyond the arc. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.0 points and 8.0 assists through the first couple of postseason games. The Thunder's dependence on him could grow going forward, depending on Jalen Williams' (hamstring) status for the rest of the series.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jalen Williams Aggravates Hamstring Injury
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) is looking at another spell on the sidelines. He appeared to have aggravated a left hamstring injury midway through the third quarter in Wednesday's Game 2 win over Phoenix. The team plans to re-evaluate Williams in the next couple of days before providing an update. Before his early exit, Williams tallied 19 points, one rebound, four assists, and one steal in 23 minutes. The 2025 All-Star has battled injuries throughout the year, making only 33 appearances during the regular season. If Williams misses time, the defending champions have several options to replace him in the first unit, including Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Arvell Reese Could Generate Trade Interest in the Top 10 of NFL Draft
The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese is expected to garner "significant trade interest" if he's still available at No. 4 or No. 5 overall in this year's 2026 NFL draft, which kicks off on Thursday night. The New Orleans Saints, who hold the No. 8 overall pick, are a team that might be interested in trading up within the top 10 picks of the first round for Reese. Rapoport also mentions the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that is also looking for an edge rusher and who have been rumored to be trying to trade up with the Arizona Cardinals for the No. 3 overall pick. Reese has the potential to be a game-changing edge rusher at the next level for any team that ends up taking him in the top 10 picks of this year's draft. He had seven sacks in his three-year collegiate career at Ohio State, and he totaled 34 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 10 tackles for loss in 14 games in his final season as a Buckeye in 2025.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Colts Targeting a Training Camp Return for DeForest Buckner
The Indianapolis Colts are targeting training camp for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner's (neck) return to the field after he had surgery on his neck in 2025, according to JJ Stankevitz of Colts.com. "He's in a really good spot," general manager Chris Ballard said. Buckner originally injured his neck in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he returned for just one game in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. As long as the 32-year-old veteran doesn't have any setbacks with his neck in training camp this summer, he should be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. Buckner is a former seventh overall pick in 2016 out of Oregon, and he's made three Pro Bowl teams while being named a first-team All-Pro once, so if he's fully healthy, he'll be a big part of Indy's defensive line. He had only four sacks in 10 games last year, but Buckner has racked up 71.5 sacks over 10 NFL seasons with the Giants and Colts.
Source: Colts.com - JJ Stankevitz
Source: Colts.com - JJ Stankevitz
Michael Harris II Continues to Heat Up With Two-Homer Game on Wednesday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II has been seeing the ball well of late, and that continued in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the division-rival Washington Nationals in D.C. Harris led the charge by going 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI to raise his season average to .296 and his OPS to .880. In his last 10 games, Harris is slashing .412/.459/.882 with five home runs, nine RBI, and a stolen base in 37 plate appearances. There aren't many hitters in baseball more locked in than Harris right now. Wednesday's performance was Harris' seventh multi-homer game of his career. The 25-year-old third-rounder in 2019 can be streaky and inconsistent for fantasy managers, but he had his first career 20-20 season in 2025, and he can still be plenty valuable in all leagues for his power/speed skills in a strong Braves lineup. Harris has stolen exactly 20 bases in three of his four full major-league seasons. While he's on fire at the dish, keep him locked into your starting fantasy lineups everywhere.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Francisco Lindor Leaves Wednesday's Game Early With Calf Tightness
The New York Mets announced that shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) was removed from Wednesday's game early against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field with left-calf tightness. Lindor's injury came on the same day that the Mets reinstated star outfielder Juan Soto (calf) from the 10-day injured list. The 32-year-old veteran did go 2-for-2 before he injured his calf while running the bases in the fourth inning. The Mets will have Lindor undergo an MRI exam on Thursday, so we should have a better idea of how much time he'll miss at that point. Like most of the Mets' hitters early on in 2026, Lindor has struggled at the plate in the first month-plus of the season. He entered Wednesday's game batting .209 (19-for-91) with two home runs, four RBI, 13 runs scored, and two stolen bases, but one of his homers came on Tuesday night. If Lindor's calf injury is serious enough to send him to the IL, Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien would both be options to move to the 6 for the Mets.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
David Bednar Working Around Frequent Traffic on the Bases Early in 2026
Through his first 9 2/3 innings (10 games) of 2026, New York Yankees closer David Bednar has pitched to a 3.72 ERA and 1.76 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and six saves. While the 31-year-old has blown just one save and does not appear to be in any danger of losing the ninth-inning role for the Yankees, Bednar has not been particularly sharp. His 10.9% walk rate is the worst mark of his career, and his average fastball velocity is down from 97.1 mph to 95.9 mph. Some of Bednar's struggles can be chalked up to his .429 opponent batting average on balls in play, which seems likely to regress closer to his career mark of .296 over a larger sample. Still, it's worth noting that Bednar is allowing more contact this season and is also allowing a 61.5% ground ball rate, both of which could result in an elevated opponent BABIP. Before 2026, Bednar had never allowed a ground ball rate higher than 44.1% over the course of a full season. Bednar remains a quality closer option for fantasy managers, but his unorthodox early-season production could be worth monitoring.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eugenio Suarez's Slow Start to 2026 a Sign of Age-Related Decline?
Fresh off a 49-homer campaign in 2025, veteran third baseman/designated hitter Eugenio Suarez agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Cincinnati Reds before the 2026 season. The 34-year-old hasn't quite gotten his power bat working through his first 100 plate appearances this year, as he's hitting .231/.300/.363 with three home runs, 11 RBI, and 10 runs scored. Suarez's barrel rate is down from 14.3% to 8.6%, while his hard-hit rate currently sits at a career-worst 20.7%. Suarez has a long history as both a prodigious and streaky power hitter, so it's too early for fantasy managers to panic. He also has the benefit of playing his home games in the hitter-friendly environment of Cincinnati, so he could easily get hot as the weather starts to heat up. Still, signs of age-related regression for Suarez are worth monitoring as he enters his mid-thirties. The Reds also have several potentially capable corner infield/designated hitter options, so Suarez could eventually start to lose some playing time if his production remains merely middling.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax Remains Difficult to Trust Amidst Prolonged Struggles
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax got off to a disastrous start to the 2026 season, allowing five earned runs across his first four outings (two innings pitched). The 31-year-old has stabilized his numbers to some degree since then, posting scoreless outings in five out of his last seven appearances. Still, Jax owns an 8.00 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP across nine innings pitched on the year. Jax's strikeout rate is down from 35% to 22.7%, while his 15.9% walk rate is more than double his 7.4% rate from 2025. The Rays' closer job remains largely up for grabs with the news that reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) experienced a setback in his recovery from a shoulder injury. Jax could eventually work his way back into the ninth-inning mix, but his early-season struggles make him very difficult for fantasy managers to rely on with any degree of confidence.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Didier Fuentes Being Demoted to Triple-A After Disastrous Outing
Atlanta Braves right-hander Didier Fuentes was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his first MLB start against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. However, the 20-year-old struggled against the Nats, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in just three innings of work. After the game, Atlanta announced that Fuentes is being sent back down to Triple-A, with Braves pitching prospect JR Ritchie taking his place on the roster. On the bright side, Fuentes showed off his swing-and-miss stuff by recording seven strikeouts against Washington. The young flamethrower will almost certainly get another chance to crack the Atlanta rotation at some point in 2026. Still, for now, it appears as though the organization wants him to continue to refine his arsenal in the minors. Fuentes will regain waiver-wire appeal if and when he gets called back up, but he can probably be cut in the majority of redraft formats.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Kenley Jansen Earns Sixth Save on Wednesday, Re-Emerging as a High-End Closer?
Detroit Tigers closer Kenley Jansen picked up his sixth save of 2026 on Wednesday in his team's 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Jansen allowed two walks and a hit but worked around the traffic in a scoreless ninth inning. The 38-year-old is off to a strong start to his first season in Detroit, as he's worked to a 1.35 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with eight strikeouts and six saves across his first eight appearances (6 2/3 innings). Jansen may not be able to bring the same level of dominance he once did at his peak, but the veteran right-hander has proven that he is still capable of consistently recording high-leverage outs. As long as he can stay healthy, Jansen should continue to be a reliable source of saves for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jo Adell Sacrificing Power for Contact Early in 2026?
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell was one of the breakout success stories of the 2025 season, hitting 37 home runs in 573 plate appearances. Through his first 112 plate appearances of 2026, the 27-year-old is hitting .269/.313/.375 with three home runs, 15 RBI, 12 runs scored, and one stolen base. Adell's power hasn't quite been where it was in 2025, as his barrel rate is down from 17.2% to 5.1%. Adell may be sacrificing power for contact, as he's also cut his strikeout rate from 26.4% to 19.6%. While Adell would be able to hit for both power and average in an ideal world, fantasy managers would likely prefer him to rediscover his 30-homer form. If he can get back to hitting the long ball consistently while holding some of his contact gains, Adell could put together his most complete MLB season to date.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
