February 12, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher
Trevor Megill functioned as his team's primary closer in 2025, recording a 2.49 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 60 strikeouts, six wins, and 30 saves across 47 innings pitched. The 32-year-old has largely been a standout reliever since joining Milwaukee in 2023, recording 162 strikeouts and 51 saves across 128 innings (129 games). However, Brewers right-hander
Abner Uribe established himself as a dominant high-leverage option in 2025, posting a 3-2 record with a 1.67 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 90 strikeouts, and seven saves across 75 1/3 innings pitched. Heading into 2026, it appears as though Milwaukee could choose to deploy both Megill and Uribe in the ninth inning, operating without a single traditional closer. With a current average draft position of pick 120, Megill is typically coming off the board somewhere around RP10. Fantasy managers may be wise to avoid Megill at that cost, as he will be hard-pressed to return number one closer value if he consistently loses out on saves to Uribe.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (knee) will not suit up for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. He's set to miss his second straight contest due to right knee soreness. With Ayton sidelined,
Jaxson Hayes is expected to draw another start, while
Maxi Kleber should handle increased minutes off the bench. In his starts this campaign, Hayes has averaged 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Dallas has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, making this a favorable matchup for the Lakers' frontcourt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Dave McMenamin
February 12, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander and manager Kevin Cash said the team intends to work with a closer-by-committee approach in 2026, per Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay News. Using multiple relievers in the ninth inning is something Cash has done with regularity in previous years, although veteran right-hander
Pete Fairbanks logged 27 saves for Tampa Bay in 2025. However, Fairbanks signed with the Miami Marlins in free agency this past winter, and it does not appear as though the Rays intend to name a single successor for the closer role. Right-handers
Edwin Uceta and
Griffin Jax, as well as lefty
Garrett Cleavinger, could be the most likely high-leverage relief candidates in Tampa Bay. Uceta racked up 103 strikeouts across 76 innings pitched for the Rays in 2025, while Jax recorded 10 saves for the Minnesota Twins in 2024. Cleavinger has eight saves over the past two seasons with Tampa Bay and might be the best lefty option Cash has at his disposal. Fantasy managers may see value from multiple different pieces of the Rays bullpen throughout 2026, but likely should not expect one dominant source of saves in Tampa Bay.
--Will BradySource: 10 Tampa Bay News - Evan Closky
February 12, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays beat writer Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay News reports that he expects Rays outfielder
Jacob Melton to start the 2026 season in Triple-A, based on comments by Rays manager Kevin Cash and President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander on Thursday. Tampa Bay acquired Melton from the Houston Astros in December as part of a three-team trade that saw the Rays send out second baseman
Brandon Lowe, outfielder
Jake Mangum, and relief pitcher
Mason Montgomery. The 25-year-old Melton got his first taste of big-league action in 2025, slashing .157/.234/.186 with zero home runs, seven RBI, seven runs scored, and seven stolen bases across 70 plate appearances with the Astros. His Triple-A numbers were significantly better, as he posted a .945 OPS with 12 stolen bases across 150 plate appearances. However, it appears as though interested fantasy managers may have to wait on Melton's arrival in Tampa Bay. If Melton does indeed begin the year in the Minors, the Rays will likely deploy a combination of
Cedric Mullins,
Jake Fraley,
Chandler Simpson,
Jonny DeLuca, and
Justyn-Henry Malloy in their outfield spots.
--Will BradySource: 10 Tampa Bay News - Evan Closky
February 12, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays beat writer Evan Closky of 10 Tampa Bay News reports that he expects Rays shortstop
Carson Williams to start the 2026 season in Triple-A, based on comments by Rays manager Kevin Cash and President of Baseball Operations Erik Neander on Thursday. A 2021 first-round pick, Williams made his Major League debut in late August 2025. However, the 22-year-old struggled mightily in 106 plate appearances, hitting .172/.219/.354 with five home runs, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Williams struck out in 41.5% of his big-league plate appearances, which is only marginally worse than the 34.1% strikeout rate he posted across 451 plate appearances last season at Triple-A. If Williams does indeed open the season in the Minors,
Taylor Walls would likely open the year as Tampa Bay's starting shortstop. Walls is known as one of the best defenders in the game, but has hit .195 with 22 total home runs across over 1,500 MLB plate appearances.
--Will BradySource: 10 Tampa Bay News - Evan Closky
February 12, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested an interview with Houston Texans passing-game coordinator Cory Undlin for their defensive-coordinator job, a source told Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns interviewed Atlanta Falcons' defensive passing-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg for the DC job on Wednesday. Cleveland was hoping to keep Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator, but he resigned after being passed over for the head-coaching gig. Whoever takes over the Browns' offense will have plenty to work with, namely Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The 54-year-old Undlin has been in Houston since 2023 after following head coach DeMeco Ryans from San Francisco. He worked under Schwartz with the Eagles from 2016 to 2019 as a defensive backs coach and also worked on the Jaguars' staff alongside new Browns head coach Todd Monken from 2009 to 2010.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
February 12, 2026
Despite being utilized mostly in a reserve role, New York Yankees utility man
Jose Caballero has emerged as one of MLB's most prolific base-stealers in recent years. Across 126 games split between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays in 2025, Caballero stole 49 bases, his second straight season with at least 44 steals. With Yankees shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) expected to start the year on the injured list due to offseason shoulder surgery, Caballero appears ticketed for an everyday role in New York early on in 2026. The 29-year-old should not be expected to provide much fantasy value with his bat, as he hit .236/.339/.347 with five home runs, 36 RBI, and 52 runs scored across 370 plate appearances in 2025. However, with everyday playing time, Caballero could be a game-changing source of speed for fantasy managers. With a current average draft position of pick 222, Caballero could be a multi-position eligible sleeper to target, particularly in the early part of the season.
--Will BradySource: rotoballer
February 12, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring former Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy as their assistant head coach, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The 53-year-old spent four years as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and will be an experienced addition to first-time head coach Klint Kubiak's staff in 2026. McCoy went 27-37 in his time with the Chargers before serving as an offensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos in 2017 and the Arizona Cardinals in 2018. He then was the Jacksonville Jaguars' quarterbacks coach for three seasons before he was hired by the Titans last year as a senior offensive assistant. McCoy will be Kubiak's right-hand man next season and will also have input on the offense, although Kubiak plans to call the plays. He will also help in the development of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be the first overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
February 12, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (rest) will not play on Thursday against the Bucks in the second game of his team's back-to-back set before the All-Star break. Hartenstein played only 18 minutes on Wednesday in the Thunder's blowout win in Phoenix, producing eight points, six assists, and four rebounds. Despite the light workload, he'll get Thursday off, with
Jaylin Williams in a great spot to step up in his place.
Kenrich Williams could also be in the mix more, and the team could also go with more small-ball lineups against Milwaukee.
Jaylin Williams is the main value to target for streaming and DFS usage while Hartenstein is sidelined.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 12, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams (hamstring) missed 10 straight games from Jan. 19 to Feb. 7 and left Wednesday's game after aggravating the injury. Williams will miss at least Thursday's game, but the team could be cautious to try to get him back for their playoff push. Williams,
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen), and
Isaiah Hartenstein (rest) will all be absent from Thursday's favorable matchup against the Bucks, leaving lots of potential production available for
Jaylin Williams,
Aaron Wiggins,
Cason Wallace,
Isaiah Joe, and
Alex Caruso.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 12, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Deni Avdija (lower back injury management) is uncertain to play on Thursday night in Utah after being listed as questionable for the second game of his team's back-to-back. Avdija had a huge night with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists on Monday in a win over the 76ers, but he only managed 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists on Wednesday in a loss to the Timberwolves. He has been critical to the Trail Blazers success and is having a breakout season, but he has been dealing with some back issues over the last few weeks. If the team opts to give him Thursday off,
Vit Krejci and
Sidy Cissoko would pick up more work, especially with
Shaedon Sharpe (calf) missing a fourth straight contest.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 12, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand) is already working out with a cast on his right (non-throwing) hand after he had surgery to fix a broken hamate bone on Wednesday, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "I'm not surprised. That's how he's wired. He had surgery yesterday morning, and 24 hours later, he's out there working. It's who he is. There's a process, and there's a plan for him," manager Torey Lovullo said. A timetable for Carroll's return is unclear right now, but the D-backs are hoping that he'll be ready to go around Opening Day at the end of March. In the meantime,
Jordan Lawlar could see playing time in center field for Arizona, with
Alek Thomas moving to right field. Carroll's injury certainly drops his fantasy value going into upcoming drafts, but fantasy managers should still consider him a top-25 player since he might not have to miss much time.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
February 12, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that outfielder
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) won't be ready for Opening Day in 2026, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. "He said Opening Day to me yesterday when I saw him. That's how good he's feeling. It is not gonna be Opening Day, I can assure you that. Where that is, we don't know yet," Lovullo said. Gurriel, 32, tore his right ACL late in the 2025 season and had surgery in September, which means he will most likely miss at least the first couple of months of the 2026 campaign. Before his season-ending injury, the Cuban outfielder hit .248/.295/.418 with a .713 OPS, 19 home runs, 80 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 500 at-bats. He was on pace to set career marks across the board before his injury, but now fantasy managers in mixed leagues can ignore him since he could miss most of the first half.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
February 12, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (rest) will not play in his team's final game before the All-Star break. He played on a minutes limit on Wednesday, producing 19 points in 21 minutes in his team's win over the Kings, but he'll rest on Thursday on the second night of the team's back-to-back.
Keyonte George (ankle) and
Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) are also out for Thursday, which will leave plenty of playing time and usage for
Kyle Filipowski,
John Konchar, and
Brice Sensabaugh. It will be a makeshift rotation, to be sure, but there should be value from the Jazz players available since the Trail Blazers are also playing for the second day in a row.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 12, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (ankle) will miss a third straight game as his team finishes their back-to-back with a home game against the Trail Blazers on Thursday. George has played just once in Utah's last six contests, spraining his right ankle in his first game back after missing three games with a left ankle sprain. In his continued absence on Thursday,
Isaiah Collier will continue to get an expanded workload and be a great play in all fantasy formats. The Jazz will likely continue to manipulate their rotation in unusual ways to improve their draft stock, but their young players, like Collier, and some of their recent acquisitions from Memphis, like
John Konchar and
Vince Williams Jr., should get plenty of playing time with George and
Lauri Markkanen (Rest) out on Thursday.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 12, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies are releasing veteran outfielder
Nick Castellanos, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The Phillies were unable to swing a trade for Castellanos, who is owed $20 million in 2026, so they ultimately decided to dump him and eat the money. The 33-year-old two-time All-Star should latch on elsewhere before the start of the 2026 season, but it's hard to envision him being a standout fantasy asset. Castellanos regressed even more in 2025 in his fourth and final season in Philly, slashing .250/.294/.400 with a .694 OPS, 17 home runs, 72 RBI, 72 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 147 games played. He was still useful for his counting stats because of the volume as a regular in one of the best lineups in baseball, but he lost his everyday role halfway through the year. Castellanos' hard-hit rate continues to fall each year, and he's among the worst defensive outfielders in the game. Wherever he lands, it will likely be in a platoon role.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
February 12, 2026
New York Yankees right-hander
Cam Schlittler (back) has "felt a tweak here and there" and is dealing with mid-back inflammation in camp, manager Aaron Boone told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The Yankees will keep him off the mound for now, but Schlittler will continue to throw. The 25-year-old should be considered day-to-day, and his back injury could keep him from pitching in Grapefruit League games in spring training initially. Schlittler earned a spot in the Yankees' Opening Day rotation in 2026 after recording a 2.96 ERA with 84 strikeouts and 31 walks in 73 regular-season innings last year. The Yankees are also dealing with injuries to other key members of the starting unit, so if he's healthy, Schlittler should be locked into a spot to begin the season. Schlittler was impressive in his rookie campaign, but regression could be coming unless his secondary pitches improve to help complement his fastball/cutter combination.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
February 12, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kyle Williams flew under the radar for most of his rookie season, catching just 10 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Williams' underproduction wasn't necessarily due to a lack of talent, as the third-round pick has made big plays throughout his college career and early in his NFL career. Rather, he was buried on the depth chart behind players like
Stefon Diggs,
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins, and even
DeMario Douglas. New England doesn't have any impending free agent wide receivers, but Williams still has the potential to climb up the depth chart entering his second season. Year 2 is a common time for young receivers to make a major leap, so we wouldn't be surprised if Williams contributes at a much higher rate in 2026. It's a bit too early to invest in the Washington State product in redraft leagues, but he's a solid, affordable dynasty buy heading into the offseason.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
San Francisco 49ers running back
Brian Robinson Jr. spent all of 2025 as the handcuff behind
Christian McCaffrey. Now, he'll hit free agency with an opportunity to find a larger role elsewhere. We can't rule out a return to San Francisco, but given that Robinson is a three-time 700-yard rusher, he'll presumably get offers from teams looking to make him their 1B running back, rather than a true backup. Robinson's lone season on the West Coast resulted in a modest 400 rushing yards, 25 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. From a fantasy perspective, his 2026 outlook will heavily depend on where he ends up. He was a top-30 fantasy running back with the Commanders in both 2023 and 2024, so he could get back onto the weekly flex radar if he splits touches with another running back in an average or above-average offense.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand) had surgery on Wednesday on his hand after breaking the hamate bone on his right (non-throwing) hand while taking a swing during live batting practice on Tuesday, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. It's not clear how long Carroll will be out, but in a best-case scenario, he could return to action around Opening Day in late March. He will not be able to play for Team USA in next month's World Baseball Classic. The 25-year-old has been a key player for Arizona since making his MLB debut in August of 2022, winning National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2023 while helping the team get to the World Series. The two-time All-Star hit .259/.343/.541 with an OPS+ of 140 in 2025 while leading baseball with 17 triples. Carroll's fantasy stock takes a bit of a hit with this news, but he's still considered a top-25 overall player at RotoBaller since he might not miss much time at all to begin the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Steve Gilbert
February 12, 2026
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt has enjoyed a career resurgence over his last two years with the team. In 2025, he appeared in all 17 games, rushing for 611 yards and eight touchdowns while sharing the backfield with
Isiah Pacheco. The veteran running back also added 143 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, and he finished the year as the overall RB31 in full-PPR leagues. Hunt now has 1,658 scrimmage yards over his last two seasons, as well as a whopping 25 touchdowns over his last three seasons. Hunt, an impending free agent, will be 31 years old when the 2026 season gets underway. His efficiency has tailed off, and he's no longer a workhorse back. However, he has shown that he can continue to be a scoring threat while contributing as both a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher. We wouldn't be surprised to see Hunt re-sign with the Chiefs, but no matter where he ends up, he could sneak into the top 36 running backs for fantasy football drafts. His dynasty outlook isn't quite as favorable, though, as he's definitely in the final stages of his career.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
The Minnesota Twins acquired left-handed reliever
Anthony Banda from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday in exchange for international bonus money, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. The Dodgers designated Banda for assignment. In a corresponding move, the Twins designated pitcher
Jackson Kowar (shoulder) for assignment. The 32-year-old Banda pitched well in relief for the Dodgers the last two seasons, posting a 3.14 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, two saves, and 111:52 K:BB in 114 2/3 innings. The Twins have one of the more unsettled bullpens in baseball as they rebuild, so Banda should be in line for a pretty significant high-leverage role and could rack up plenty of holds in his first year in Minnesota. In his nine-year MLB career, Banda has a 4.44 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, three saves, and a 21.5% strikeout rate in 233 1/3 regular-season innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
February 12, 2026
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Elic Ayomanor had a solid season for a fourth-round pick. By the end of the year, he had established himself as a top Titans pass-catcher along with
Chimere Dike. Ayomanor and Dike, both rookies, stepped into larger roles after
Calvin Ridley (leg) broke his fibula mid-season. The former caught 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns across 16 games (14 starts). He ultimately ranked as the overall WR52 in full-PPR scoring, but he finished the year on a hot streak with 10 catches, 145 yards, and one touchdown over his final three games. It was encouraging to see Ayomanor flash upside, especially given how poorly the Titans' offense performed in 2025. If the unit (and specifically quarterback
Cameron Ward) can take a step forward next year, Ayomanor could become a weekly fantasy option. He'll face some competition, though. In addition to Dike, the Titans will likely welcome back Ridley, and they could also draft a receiver.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Thursday that they avoided salary arbitration with catcher
William Contreras by signing him to an undisclosed one-year deal with a club option for the 2027 season. Contreras' downtick in production last year most likely had to do with the fact that he played through a fracture in his left middle finger. The 28-year-old backstop slashed .260/.355/.399 with a .754 OPS, 17 home runs, 76 RBI, 89 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 150 games (659 plate appearances). Contreras had surgery on his finger in the offseason, but he's expected to be a full-go for Opening Day this year, and fantasy managers should still consider him a top-five catcher. The two-time All-Star will see plenty of volume and has high-end power at the shallow catching position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Brewers
February 12, 2026
The Cleveland Guardians are finalizing a two-year minor-league deal with free-agent right-hander
Ben Lively (elbow) on Thursday, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Lively had Tommy John surgery last June. The 33-year-old veteran is in camp with Cleveland this spring and will continue to rehab from UCL reconstruction and a flexor-tendon repair. The Guardians aren't expecting Lively to contribute much in 2026, if at all. The former fourth-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2013 out of the University of Central Florida only made nine starts for the Guards last year, but looked good when he was healthy, posting a 3.22 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 15 walks in 44 2/3 innings. Lively had a 3.68 ERA with 147 K's and 64 walks in 195 2/3 innings in his two seasons with Cleveland. He will not be a fantasy asset in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
February 12, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Tre' Harris struggled to produce in his depth role as a rookie. Typically fourth on the depth chart, he finished the year with 30 catches, 324 yards, and one touchdown. However, he should have more opportunities during the 2026 season. For starters,
Keenan Allen is a free agent, and all signs point to him playing elsewhere next year (or retiring). Not only will Allen's impending departure bump Harris up to third on the depth chart, but the Ole Miss product should also take over a lot of the veteran's vacated targets. In addition to stepping into a larger role, Harris could be auditioning for an eventual jump to the No. 2 receiver role behind
Ladd McConkey. Current No. 2 receiver
Quentin Johnston has a fifth-year option for 2027. If the Chargers choose to decline that option, Johnston will play out his final year under contract while the coaching staff evaluates whether Harris is capable of filling his role in 2027. That's still a while down the road, but in the short term, managers should expect Harris to take a significant leap in 2026. He's a strong dynasty hold, and he'll generate some late-round appeal in redraft leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed right-handed reliever
Paul Sewald to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Thursday, pending a physical, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Sewald was Arizona's closer in 2023 and had a career-high 34 saves that year, but he lost the role the following year before pitching with the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers last season. The 35-year-old veteran only threw 19 2/3 innings in 2025 due to injuries and posted a 4.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, two saves, 20 strikeouts, and six walks in 22 appearances with Cleveland and Detroit. The D-backs will be thin in the bullpen to begin the 2026 campaign with both
Justin Martinez (elbow) and
A.J. Puk (elbow) on the shelf, which could open the door for the declining Sewald to see some save opportunities. At best, he'll be a desperation source of save chances for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
February 12, 2026
Free-agent infielder/outfielder
Enrique Hernandez announced on his Instagram account on Thursday that he is re-signing an undisclosed one-year deal to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hernandez won't be ready for the start of the 2026 season after having left-elbow surgery this offseason. When the 34-year-old veteran returns, he'll resume his role in L.A. as a super-utility bat that mostly sees action against left-handed pitchers. Kike hit just .203/.255/.366 with a .621 OPS during 92 regular-season games for the Blue last season, adding 10 home runs, 35 RBI, and 30 runs scored in his 256 plate appearances. The Puerto Rican veteran has barely hit over the Mendoza Line the last two years in L.A., but he's been much more clutch during the postseason while helping the Dodgers win back-to-back World Series titles. Hernandez is a glue guy in L.A.'s locker room, but he won't be on the fantasy radar.
--Keith HernandezSource: FanSided.com - Robert Murray
February 12, 2026
Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson had an underwhelming season as the team endured poor quarterback play and inconsistency at the position. Hockenson played 15 games in 2025, starting all of them. He caught 51 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns, posting the lowest receiving yards total and fantasy points per game mark since he was a rookie. He ultimately finished as the overall TE26 in full-PPR leagues. Although it's fair to blame the trio of
J.J. McCarthy,
Carson Wentz, and
Max Brosmer for Hockenson's frustrating year, that doesn't mean he'll magically bounce back in 2026. McCarthy is due back as the Vikings' quarterback next season. Interestingly, Hockenson also struggled with
Sam Darnold as his quarterback in 2024, so he really hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy tight end since
Kirk Cousins quarterbacked the Vikings in 2023. Hockenson is under contract for two more years, but the Vikings have a potential out this offseason. If Minnesota releases Hockenson post-June 1, they would create $15.96 million in cap space while taking on $5.34 million in dead money. It certainly wouldn't hurt the Vikings to keep the veteran tight end to help support McCarthy's development, but we also wouldn't be surprised to see the team's next general manager capitalize on this opportunity to create cap space.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 12, 2026
The Denver Post's Kyle Newman writes that someone would probably have to get injured for Colorado Rockies outfield prospect
Zac Veen to break camp with the major-league team. The Rockies are pretty set in the outfield right now with
Brenton Doyle,
Mickey Moniak,
Jordan Beck, and Jack McCarthy, which leaves Veen on the outside looking in as things currently stand. In a 12-game cup of coffee for his major-league debut last year, the 24-year-old former ninth overall pick struck out 37.8% of the time over just 37 plate appearances before being sent back to Triple-A Albuquerque. Veen also hasn't exactly stood out in the upper levels of the minor leagues with a 94 wRC+ last year and discouraging batted-ball metrics. Speed is probably his biggest asset right now, with the potential to steal 20-plus bags at the next level if he has a full-time role. If he's back in the big leagues at some point in 2026, it will likely be in a part-time role, and he probably won't be an impact bat in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Denver Post - Kyle Newman
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