February 12, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that he thinks outfielder
Jordan Walker could steal more bases in 2026, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It might be a make-or-break year for Walker, who has stolen only 18 bases in 279 games in his first three seasons in the big leagues. The former first-rounder is surprisingly fast despite standing 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, and the Cardinals could give him more opportunities to run this year. The 23-year-old is still young, but so far, he's been a bust at the major-league level, slashing .240/.302/.378 with a .680 OPS, 27 home runs, 112 RBI, 107 runs, and a 26.9% strikeout rate. Walker's 66 wRC+ in 2025 ranked 270th out of 277 qualifying hitters, although he did make loud contact along the way. There have been positive reports about Walker's swing changes this offseason. Taking a chance on Walker will be cheap if you're hoping for a post-hype breakout.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
February 12, 2026
The Kansas City Royals announced on Thursday that they acquired right-hander
Mitch Spence from the Athletics in exchange for right-hander AJ Causey. In a corresponding move, the Royals moved right-hander
Alec Marsh (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Spence, 27, will be battling for a spot in KC's bullpen in spring training after posting a bloated 5.10 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with one save, 66 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 84 2/3 innings over 32 appearances (eight starts) in 2025 in Sacramento. He wasn't much better the year before for the A's in his major-league debut, going 8-10 with a 4.58 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 126:44 K:BB in 151 1/3 frames covering 35 appearances (24 starts). With minor-league options remaining, Spence will most likely open the 2026 season at Triple-A Omaha as pitching depth for the Royals.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kansas City Royals
February 12, 2026
The New York Mets placed right-hander
Tylor Megill (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday to make room for new outfielder
MJ Melendez on the 40-man roster, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Megill will miss the entire 2026 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in September of last year. The 30-year-old veteran stepped up in the Mets' starting rotation in 2025 with both
Sean Manaea and
Frankie Montas injured, and he went on to go 5-5 with a career-best 3.95 ERA (3.43 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 33 walks in 68 1/3 innings over 14 starts. Megill even had two starts with 10-plus strikeouts, but he landed on the IL in June with a right-elbow sprain and never pitched again. He has a career 4.46 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 435:163 K:BB in 409 2/3 innings over his 88 outings (81 starts) with the Mets over five seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
February 12, 2026
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring in January, according to Charlie Goldsmith. Encarnacion-Strand is on a running progression in camp and may be forced to miss the first few Cactus League games. The 26-year-old is off to a bad start in spring training after struggling to the tune of a .208/.234/.377 slash line with a .610 OPS, six home runs, 19 RBI, and 13 runs scored in just 36 games played in 2025 in his third year in the big leagues. He was eventually sent down to Triple-A Louisville on July 12 and never made it back to Cincy. CEH's plate discipline was awful, and it didn't improve much down on the farm, as he struck out nearly 25% of the time. He has 21 home runs in his three years in the big leagues, but his 27.1% strikeout rate and high chase rate haven't helped his cause. Barring a strong spring training, Encarnacion-Strand could find himself back at Louisville to begin the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
February 12, 2026
Kansas City Royals right-hander
Seth Lugo (back) was seen throwing a bullpen session at camp on Thursday, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. It's good to see the veteran hurler throwing again after he was shut down for the final month of last season due to a nagging back injury. Lugo doesn't have any restrictions this spring and mentioned that he wants to use his fastball more in early counts in 2026. The 36-year-old started the year off strong last season but really struggled down the stretch (likely due to his back) to finish with a 4.15 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 125 strikeouts in 145 1/3 innings pitched over 26 starts in his second year in KC. Lugo could bounce back in 2026 with better health, but nobody should be expecting another career year from him at this stage of his career, especially with a 21.1% strikeout rate since the start of 2024. The heavy workload may be catching up to him after he transitioned to a full-time starting role three years ago.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
February 12, 2026
Washington Nationals catcher
Keibert Ruiz (concussion) has been cleared from concussion restrictions after dealing with head injuries last year, according to Jessica Camerato of MLB.com. Now healthy, Ruiz enters spring training this year in a competition with No. 2 overall prospect
Harry Ford, who was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in December, for the starting role in D.C.
Riley Adams and
Drew Millas will be battling for a backup role. The 27-year-old Ruiz was initially hit by a pitch in the head in late June of last year, which limited him to 68 games played. The Venezuelan backstop hit .247/.277/.318 with a career-worst .595 OPS, only two home runs, 25 RBI, and 19 runs scored in 267 plate appearances. Ruiz is hard to strike out, but when he makes contact with the baseball, it's usually weak. He might open the year as the Nats' starting catcher, but he also grades out poorly defensively, and it's only a matter of time before Ford takes over.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jessica Camerato
February 12, 2026
Seattle Mariners infielder
Ryan Bliss (knee, biceps) was part of a full infield workout at second base at spring training on Thursday, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. It's a promising sign for Bliss after he missed most of last year with significant meniscus and biceps injuries. The 26-year-old only appeared in 11 games at the big-league level in 2025 with Seattle, going 7-for-35 (.200) with a homer, three RBI, and two stolen bases. Bliss had surgery on his biceps last April and then tore his meniscus in September. The former second-round pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2021 out of Auburn hit just .222/.290/.397 with a .687 OPS, two home runs, nine RBI, 10 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 71 games for the M's in his rookie campaign in 2024. Bliss will be competing at the keystone this spring, but in all likelihood, he'll begin the year as infield depth at Triple-A Tacoma.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
February 12, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Lars Nootbaar (heels) will be a couple of days delayed in reporting to camp due to his rehab, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Nootbaar is in a spot in his progression where he's running on an altered-gravity treadmill, and the Cardinals have not had one delivered yet to their spring training facilities. The 28-year-old had surgery on both of his heels in early October of last year. We should have a better idea of Nootbaar's timetable for a return when he reports to camp, but as of now, it's looking likely that he won't be ready for Opening Day in late March. In addition to playing through heel issues, Nootbaar missed three weeks with a rib-cage injury and finished with a mediocre .234/.325/.361 slash line, career-low .686 OPS, 13 homers, and 48 RBI in 135 games. Nootbaar has teased fantasy managers with his batted-ball metrics, but his health has not cooperated.
--Keith HernandezSource: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
February 12, 2026
It's a foregone conclusion that the Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver
George Pickens this offseason after his breakout 2025 season. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wonders if the Cowboys would be willing to slap the franchise tag on Pickens and then turn around and trade him. Dallas acquired the 24-year-old from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a third-rounder, so in theory, the Cowboys could entertain the idea of flipping Pickens for a potential second-rounder. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has shown in the past that he's not afraid of trading star players (see Micah Parsons just last year) for high-end draft capital. Alongside
CeeDee Lamb, though, Pickens took Dallas' offense to another level in 2025, and he finished with a career-high 1,429 yards, 93 receptions, and nine touchdowns in 17 games. If Pickens stays in Dallas in 2026, he'll be a strong WR1 target in fantasy football drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 12, 2026
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Seattle Seahawks could use the franchise or transition tag on impending free-agent running back
Kenneth Walker III this offseason, even though the franchise tag would pay Walker around $14 million in 2026. The 25-year-old went Beast Mode in Seattle's three postseason games this year, carrying the ball 65 times for 313 yards and four touchdowns while adding nine catches for an additional 104 yards. The former second-rounder had 27 carries for 135 yards in the Super Bowl LX win over the New England Patriots and was named MVP. Walker made himself a lot of money for the 2026 season with his playoff exploits. It sounds like the Seahawks want to keep him around. He has been solid in his four years with Seattle, but lower-body injuries have been an issue. With
Zach Charbonnet (knee) returning in 2026, there will be bust potential for Walker coming off the high of his postseason performance.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Mike Garafolo
February 12, 2026
Texas Rangers right-handed reliever
Nabil Crismatt (elbow), who is in camp with the Rangers on a minor-league deal, will have right-elbow surgery and will not pitch for Team Colombia in this year's World Baseball Classic, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. It's unclear exactly what kind of surgery Crismatt will have, but at the very least, he'll probably miss several months. The 31-year-old veteran joined the Rangers in the offseason after going 3-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and nine walks in 34 innings over eight appearances (five starts) for the Arizona Diamondbacks last year. The six-year MLB veteran won't be guaranteed to resurface in the big leagues with the Rangers this year once he's recovered from his elbow surgery. In his six MLB seasons, Crismatt has a 3.71 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 187:63 K:BB in 211 innings pitched with four different clubs.
--Keith HernandezSource: DLLS Sports - Jeff Wilson
February 12, 2026
Miami Marlins catcher
Agustin Ramirez, who is ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 4 fantasy backstop after a strong rookie campaign, is working to improve his defense behind the plate as he heads into his sophomore campaign in 2026, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. Offensively, Ramirez hit .231 with a .700 OPS, 21 home runs, 33 doubles, 67 RBI, 72 runs scored, and 16 steals over 136 games (71 at catcher). He was the first rookie catcher in MLB history to hit at least 20 homers and steal 15 bases, and just the sixth Marlins player to do it. However, his mark of minus-14 defensive runs saved ranked second-worst among 31 catchers with at least 600 innings caught. He had just an 8.8% caught-stealing rate and 19 passed balls. Ramirez spent time in the offseason working on his mobility, but if he cannot improve defensively, he could become more of a full-time DH with catching prospect
Joe Mack right behind him. For his bat alone, though, Ramirez is very attractive in fantasy in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Herald - Jordan McPherson
February 12, 2026
The Athletic's Mitch Bannon writes that Toronto Blue Jays outfielders
Nathan Lukes and
Davis Schneider will likely form a platoon in left field in 2026. Lukes, who hits from the left side, will be on the strong side of the platoon. The 31-year-old veteran has handled right-handers pretty well since the start of the 2023 season, slashing .266/.330/.421 with all 13 of his home runs against them. Lukes was hard to strike out, but he also had a ground-ball rate of over 45%, so he probably won't provide a ton of pop, especially in a platoon. Schneider, 27, hits from the right side, but he was actually better against right-handed pitchers last year while slashing .234/.361/.436 overall with a .797 OPS, 11 home runs, and 31 RBI in 82 regular-season games played. He has a limited skill set and is mostly useful to the Blue Jays for his defensive versatility. Neither Lukes nor Schneider should be rostered in shallow mixed leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
February 12, 2026
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington started the 2026 Olympics in outstanding form, recording a 26-save shutout in a 5-0 win over Czechia on Thursday. The 32-year-old became only the fourth Team Canada goaltender to post a shutout in an Olympic game featuring NHL players, joining Carey Price, Roberto Luongo, and Patrick Roy. Binnington has struggled with the Blues this season, going 8-17-6 in 30 starts with a 3.65 goals-against average and a .864 save percentage. However, he has a much stronger team in front of him at the Olympic tournament and has always performed well for his country. On Thursday, Binnington improved to 13-4 with Team Canada, recording his third career shutout on the international stage.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 12, 2026
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid tallied three assists as Canada routed Czechia 5-0 on Thursday. In his Olympic debut, McDavid tied Team Canada's record for most assists in a single game at an Olympic tournament involving NHL players. McDavid set up Macklin Celebrini for the opening goal in the first period and added assists on third-period goals by Nathan MacKinnon and Nick Suzuki. MacKinnon scored on the power play. Additionally, McDavid produced a game-high six shots on goal, twice as many as any of his teammates. The Oilers captain has been dominant in the NHL for years and looks set to crush it on the international stage as well.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 12, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Addison Barger will play most of his games in right field in 2026, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Meanwhile,
Nathan Lukes and
Davis Schneider will likely form a platoon in left. Barger split his time almost evenly between the outfield and third base in his second year in the big leagues with Toronto in 2025, but the Jays have a bigger need in the outfield now that
Anthony Santander (shoulder) is injured again. How much he plays against lefties will be the big question after he slashed an unremarkable .217/.270/.337 against southpaws last year. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter limped to the finish line and finished with a .243/.301/.454 slash line with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four steals in 460 at-bats during the regular season. Barger was a postseason hero, finished third on the team in homers, and regularly hit the ball on the screws when he made contact. He has a solid floor in at least the strong side of a platoon, and there is breakout potential if he can improve against lefties.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
February 12, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey (undisclosed) was limited to 7:10 of ice time in Team Canada's 5-0 win over Czechia on Thursday. Canada opened the Olympic tournament with a comfortable win but lost Morrissey to an undisclosed injury. He took only one shift in the second period. Morrissey has been ever-present for the Jets this season, recording 42 points (10 goals, 32 assists) in 56 appearances. Travis Sanheim, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday, is likely to play in Friday's matchup with Switzerland if Morrissey isn't available. Meanwhile, Shea Theodore could see more ice time after starting Thursday's game as the seventh defenseman.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 12, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers center
Robert Williams III (knee) has been downgraded to out for Thursday's game against the Jazz. Williams logged five points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 12 minutes Wednesday and remains on a light workload when active. His absence solidifies
Donovan Clingan's role as the primary center and could open a few backup minutes for
Yang Hansen. Hansen has totaled six points and five rebounds across his last five appearances, limiting him to emergency depth in deep leagues.
--Brian DailisanSource: Trail Blazers PR
February 12, 2026
Miami Marlins left-hander
Braxton Garrett was reaching 95 mph during his live batting practice in spring training this week, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Garrett is coming along nicely early in camp after missing all of last year following an internal-brace procedure on his left elbow in December of 2024. The 28-year-old southpaw has no restrictions in spring training previously sat in the low-90s with his four-seam fastball, so he's apparently throwing hard post-surgery. Since the start of the 2022 season, Garrett posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 280 strikeouts and 57 walks in 284 2/3 innings over 55 outings (54 starts), laying the foundation for an intriguing fantasy arm. He's going to have workload restrictions this year because of his long layoff, which means he won't have a ton of upside in mixed fantasy leagues, but managers in NL-only formats need to take notice.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 12, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Deni Avdija (back) has been downgraded to out for Thursday's game against the Jazz. Avdija logged 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes Wednesday but struggled to 21 percent shooting on 14 attempts. His absence opens usage on the wing, with
Vit Krejci a clear beneficiary after posting 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 20 minutes.
Sidy Cissoko could also see an expanded run.
Jrue Holiday and
Jerami Grant should shoulder more offensive responsibility, while Avdija remains a hold if this proves short-term.
--Brian DailisanSource: Trail Blazers PR
February 12, 2026
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (hamstring) will miss at least two weeks of action, according to Shams Charania. Sarr was diagnosed with a right hamstring strain on Thursday. He sat out during Wednesday's game and will miss the upcoming Rising Stars exhibition on All-Star weekend. At least the All-Star break is almost here, so Sarr might only miss a few games coming out of the break. The assumption is that
Tristan Vukcevic and
Anthony Gill will be asked to step up in the rotation while Sarr is out. Vukcevic has been playing well enough lately to roster in certain formats until Sarr returns.
--Andy WebbSource: Shams Charania
February 12, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward
Naji Marshall (foot) has been upgraded to probable ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Marshall was initially tagged as questionable on the injury report due to a left foot strain. He appears to be feeling better now and is likely going to suit up for Thursday's game. He figures to see a larger role in the rotation with
Cooper Flagg (ankle) out for this game. Marshall finished with 31 points, four rebounds, and two assists across 36 minutes of action on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of tip-off, but they should be able to get Marshall active in their lineups on Thursday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 12, 2026
Former Atlanta Braves right-hander
Ian Anderson (shoulder) tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder on Christmas Eve and underwent season-ending surgery on Jan. 13. Anderson will remain on the free-agent market and will not pitch at all in 2026. He is scheduled to pick up a baseball in late summer or early fall, with the goal of signing with a team for the 2027 campaign. Anderson has fallen a long way since being taken third overall in the 2016 draft by the Braves. He made his return to a big-league mound last year with the Los Angeles Angels for the first time since 2022, but he wasn't good, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) on 17 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out eight in only 9 1/3 relief innings. With another serious injury setback, Anderson will merely be hoping to sign a minor-league deal with a team in 2027.
--Keith HernandezSource: Lindsay Crosby
February 12, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks center
Myles Turner (calf) will not play Thursday against the Thunder. Turner posted five points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 31 minutes in his last outing. With
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) also sidelined, Milwaukee's frontcourt minutes are up for grabs.
Jericho Sims started on Wednesday and delivered 17 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes, making him a strong short-term streamer for rebounds and field goal percentage.
Bobby Portis and
Ousmane Dieng should also benefit, while
Pete Nance could pick up some minutes, but his role is too inconsistent to rely on in most formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Milwaukee Bucks
February 12, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward
Caleb Martin (ankle) has been downgraded to doubtful ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was tagged as questionable to start the day after tweaking his ankle during Tuesday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. There's now a good chance that Martin is unable to go for the final game before the All-Star break. The Mavs are already without
Cooper Flagg (ankle), so losing Martin as well will hurt.
Klay Thompson and
Khris Middleton both figure to see larger roles in the rotation, assuming Martin is unable to go. Thompson is the better option between the two, but both should have streaming value for this small slate on Thursday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 12, 2026
Baltimore Orioles shortstop
Gunnar Henderson left Orioles camp on Thursday due to a personal matter and will return on Sunday, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Henderson should still be ready for the start of Grapefruit League action in spring training, and he'll be hoping to bounce back after regressing in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues. The 24-year-old All-Star admitted that he played through a nagging shoulder injury last year, which was likely responsible for his dip in power -- he dropped from 37 long balls in 2024 to just 17. Henderson slashed .274/.349/.438 with a career-low .787 OPS, but he still managed 68 RBI, 85 runs scored, and a career-best 30 stolen bases in 154 games played. An intercostal strain suffered in spring training last year also played a part in Henderson getting off to a slow start. Fantasy managers everywhere are expecting Henderson to bounce back in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
February 12, 2026
Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder
Noelvi Marte will get some work in center field in spring training, even though
TJ Friedl is expected to get most of the starts in center this year, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. Marte didn't make his pro debut in the outfield until last July, and he definitely experienced some growing pains. However, the 24-year-old Dominican made a quick transition and is expected to be the team's primary right fielder in 2026 after moving from third base last year. In his third year in the big leagues in 2025, Marte hit .263/.300/.448 with a .748 OPS, career-high 14 home runs, 51 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 90 games over 360 plate appearances. It was a very nice bounce-back campaign after he struggled mightily in 2024 when he returned from a PED suspension. Marte has 20-20 potential with eligibility at third base and the outfield. Don't sleep on him in what could be a very potent Reds' batting order.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
February 12, 2026
Forward/center
Jeremy Sochan is expected to sign with the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, per ESPN. San Antonio moved on after Sochan fell out of the rotation amid a crowded frontcourt. In 28 games this season, he averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 68.8 percent at the line, a sharp dip from last season's 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds. He projects as a low-usage reserve behind
OG Anunoby and
Karl-Anthony Towns, limiting fantasy appeal to deep formats only.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 12, 2026
Cincinnati Reds first baseman
Sal Stewart won the "best shape of his life" contest for the team in December, as he had already dropped 26 pounds from his listed 6-foot-1, 224-pound frame, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Stewart is confident that he'll still have plenty of power despite playing at a lighter weight, and he has a clear path to regular playing time between first base and designated hitter with
Spencer Steer primarily playing left field. The 22-year-old looked much more athletic in the offseason after trimming down, and he'll be looking to build on his first 18 games in the big leagues last year, when he hit .255 (14-for-55) with five home runs, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored. Stewart is a particularly intriguing dynasty/keeper asset because of his ability to hit for power while also maintaining solid hard-hit and strikeout rates.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
February 12, 2026
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is expected to play for the Rebels in 2026 after he was granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, barring them from stopping Chambliss from being eligible for a sixth collegiate season. The preliminary injunction hearing took place in Pittsboro County, Mississippi, on Thursday. He is now eligible until the lawsuit is fully litigated, which will likely be after the 2026 college football season. This is a major development for Ole Miss, which will now get back its veteran who threw for 3,937 yards, rushed for 527 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns en route to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. With Chambliss expected back, freshman Deuce Knight will presumably take on the backup role, and Ole Miss should be a contender in the SEC once again under first-year head coach Pete Golding.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3Sports
RADIO
