February 13, 2026
The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they agreed to a two-year minor-league deal with left-hander
John Means (Achilles). It feels like ages ago when Means was an All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 in his second major-league season. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw didn't see the mound in the big leagues at all in 2025 and has made just 10 starts since the beginning of the 2022 season due to various injuries. Means was recovering from his second Tommy John surgery last year and will miss all of the 2026 campaign as well due to a torn Achilles that he suffered in the offseason. The Royals will keep Means around going into next season in hopes that he can put his injury woes behind him for good. Fantasy managers in all formats should take a wait-and-see approach with Means in 2027.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kansas City Royals
February 13, 2026
Detroit Tigers second baseman
Gleyber Torres (groin) should be ready to go on Opening Day this year after the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold reported in December that Torres had been cleared for all baseball activities. The 29-year-old had sports-hernia surgery in October after playing injured in the final month of the regular season and into the playoffs. He accepted the team's one-year, $22.025 million qualifying offer for the 2026 campaign and will reprise his role as the team's starting second baseman as they look to get back to the postseason. In his first year in Motown, the Venezuelan infielder was named an All-Star for the third time in his career while hitting .256/.358/.387 with a .745 OPS, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs, and four stolen bases in 145 regular-season contests. Torres doesn't have a high ceiling in fantasy, but he should have a stable floor in an improved Tigers lineup. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 22 fantasy second baseman.
--Keith HernandezSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
February 13, 2026
The Athletic's Zack Meisel wrote in December that Cleveland Guardians first baseman
Kyle Manzardo added 14 pounds of muscle since the end of the 2025 season. The Guardians want him to hold up better physically and be a candidate for more reps at first base in 2026. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 out of Washington State played in 142 regular-season games last year in his first full year in the big leagues, hitting .234/.313/.455 with a .768 OPS, 27 home runs, 70 RBI, 47 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 531 plate appearances. Manzardo appeared in 84 games as the designated hitter while manning first base 55 times. He'll be a legitimate late-round source of power and should start at first base more often with
Carlos Santana no longer around. If Manzardo can improve against lefties -- he hit just .186/.253/.419 against them -- he'll have true breakout potential in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
February 13, 2026
Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak finished with a goal and an assist as Czechia beat France 6-3 at the Milano Cortina Olympics on Friday. Pastrnak and Czechia were shut out by Team Canada on Thursday, but the offense got going in Friday's game. Only 5:56 into the game, Pastrnak assisted on Martin Necas' power-play goal, and he tied the game at three in the second period after France had scored three quick goals to take the lead. Pastrnak is on track for his fourth consecutive 100-point campaign with the Bruins and is also expected to finish among the top scorers in the Olympics. Next, he will face Team Switzerland on Sunday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 13, 2026
San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini made it two goals in two games at the Olympics on Friday, helping Team Canada to a 5-1 victory over Switzerland. Celebrini potted Canada's third goal early in the second period to make it 3-1, becoming only the third teenager to score in consecutive games in an Olympic tournament featuring NHL players. It's not easy to stand out on a stacked Canada squad, but Celebrini has been one of the leading players on the team. Across the first two games, he has recorded two goals, one assist, six shots, and a plus-four rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 13, 2026
Los Angeles Kings left wing Kevin Fiala (lower body) left Switzerland's 5-1 loss to Canada on a stretcher on Friday. He appeared to injure his left leg late in the third period during a collision with Canada's Tom Wilson. Fiala, who has posted 40 points (18 goals, 22 assists) in 56 games with the Kings this season, finished scoreless on Friday. He had one assist in Thursday's 4-0 victory over France. This looked like a serious injury, and Fiala was transported to the hospital after the game. His Olympic tournament could be over, and the injury might also prevent him from playing for the Kings when the NHL season resumes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 13, 2026
Seattle Mariners right-hander
Bryan Woo said he turned down an invitation to pitch for Team USA in this year's World Baseball Classic as he looks to reach the 200-inning mark in 2026, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. The former sixth-round pick out of Cal Poly in 2021 had a breakout 2025 campaign with Seattle, going 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA (3.47 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with a career-high 198 strikeouts and 36 walks in 186 2/3 innings pitched over 30 starts. It was nice to see Woo make 30 starts after some of his early career injury woes, and even though he's healthy this spring, the Mariners might ease him into Cactus League action. Woo led Seattle's rotation in innings, K's, WHIP, and ERA while posting a 128 ERA+, putting him in the running to start on Opening Day in 2026. He's a starting pitcher on the rise in a very favorable pitching environment at T-Mobile Park. Consider him a top-15 fantasy starting pitcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
February 13, 2026
The San Francisco Giants announced on Friday that they agreed with free-agent reliever
Rowan Wick (elbow) on an undisclosed one-year deal with a club option for the 2027 season, according to Justice delos Santos of MLB.com. Wick will miss the entire 2026 season after having Tommy John surgery in November of last year. The 33-year-old right-hander has not appeared in the major leagues since 2022 with the Chicago Cubs, and he last pitched in the U.S. in 2023 at Triple-A Iowa. Wick has pitched in Japan in Nippon Professional Baseball the last two years and had a sharp 1.13 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, and 58:13 K:BB in 47 2/3 innings in 2025 before having TJ surgery. The Canadian reliever made his big-league debut in 2018 with the San Diego Padres, and he holds a career 3.82 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 20 saves, 160 K's, and 66 walks in 146 relief outings in his five MLB seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Justice delos Santos
February 13, 2026
Free-agent infielder
Luis Rengifo agreed to an undisclosed one-year major-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Rengifo, 28, will give the Brewers a super-utility option in 2026 with the ability to play multiple positions on the infield and in the outfield. The Venezuelan struggled in his seventh and final season with the Los Angeles Angels last year, batting .238/.287/.335 with a .622 OPS, nine home runs, 43 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 147 games over a career-high 541 plate appearances. Rengifo has never been much of a power hitter at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds (his career high in homers is 17), but he did hit .300 with 24 stolen bases in Anaheim in 2024. The switch-hitter has dual eligibility at second and third base and could bounce back with Milwaukee as a utility man, although he can probably be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
February 13, 2026
New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez said that he lost around eight or 10 pounds in the offseason by focusing on his nutrition, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. Alvarez also worked with director of hitting Jeff Albert and will be keeping the batting stance he re-adopted after returning from his demotion to Triple-A Syracuse in 2025. The 24-year-old Venezuelan backstop was sent to the minors to work on his swing last year, and after he returned, he hit .276/.360/.561 with eight home runs in his final 40 games. The Mets are hoping that he can pick up where he left off this year. Alvarez finished 2025 with a .256/.339/.447 slash line, .787 OPS, 11 home runs, 32 RBI, and 32 runs scored in 76 games with the Mets. He suffered a torn UCL in his right thumb in August and also missed the first few weeks with a left-hand fracture. Durability concerns are obvious, but he's a starting catcher with plenty of pop in a strong Mets' lineup. Alvarez will be a low-cost No. 2 fantasy catcher with plenty of bounce-back appeal.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Laura Albanese
February 13, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks are hiring former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Zachary Orr as their inside linebackers coach, sources told Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS Sports. Orr will reunite with Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald, who preceded him as the Ravens' defensive coordinator. Orr had the opportunity to take the same position with the Dallas Cowboys, but he chose to join the defending Super Bowl-champion Seahawks. He also interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers' defensive-coordinator position this offseason after former DC Jesse Minter was hired as the Ravens' new head coach. Before becoming a coach at the NFL level, Orr spent nine seasons in the college ranks before joining the Arizona Cardinals in 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: DLLS Sports - Clarence Hill Jr.
February 13, 2026
The Las Vegas Raiders requested to interview Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach and passing-game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive-coordinator job, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Raiders will interview Pleasant on Friday. In addition to the Raiders, Pleasant has interviewed for the same job with the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns this cycle. Pleasant joined the Rams in 2023 as their defensive backs coach before being promoted to assistant coach. He played safety at Wisconsin from 2005 to 2008 before getting into coaching. Before joining the Rams, Pleasant had coaching stints with the Browns, Commanders, Lions, and Packers. The Rams' defense finished in the top 10 in points allowed in 2025 and also ranked 12th in yards per attempt allowed under Pleasant.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 13, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks will interview Arizona Cardinals passing-game specialist Conner Senger for their offensive-coordinator position, a source told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The 30-year-old interviewed for the Chicago Bears' offensive-coordinator job recently, in addition to other QB coaching jobs. If the Seahawks don't give Senger the job, the Cardinals plan to retain him under new head coach Mike LaFleur. Senger has been coaching for the Cardinals since the 2022 season. Seattle is looking for a new OC after Klint Kubiak left to become the head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders following the Seahawks' Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. In addition to Senger, Seahawks assistant coaches Andrew Janocko, Jake Peetz, Justin Outten, and Mack Brown are in contention for promotions to OC.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
February 13, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to hire former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Schaub as their new QBs coach, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Schaub played in the NFL from 2004 to 2020 and made 93 career starts with the Houston Texans, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens. He threw for a league-high 4,770 yards on a league-high 583 passing attempts in 2009 with the Texans. The 44-year-old was an offensive analyst for the Falcons in 2023, but this will be his first coaching job in the NFL as he joins new head coach Mike LaFleur's offense in Arizona. LaFleur was on Atlanta's staff from 2015 to 2016 when Schaub was the backup for
Matt Ryan. It's unclear exactly what direction the Cardinals will go in at the QB position going into next season, as they've been rumored to be looking to trade
Kyler Murray (foot).
--Keith HernandezSource: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
February 13, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals are expected to retain defensive coordinator Nick Rallis under new head coach Mike LaFleur, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Rallis was the defensive coordinator under previous head coach Jonathan Gannon for the last three seasons, and he will remain in Arizona under LaFleur in 2026. The 32-year-old was the youngest DC in the NFL when he was hired by the Cardinals three seasons ago. Although Gannon shouldered most of the blame, the Cardinals had one of the worst defenses in the league under Callis in two of the last three years. Arizona's defense allowed the fourth-most points per game (28.7), the sixth-most total yards per game (357.7), the ninth-most passing yards per game (230.8), and the eighth-most rushing yards per game (126.9) under Callis during the regular season in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz
February 13, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs pleaded not guilty on Friday to felony strangulation and other criminal charges stemming from an alleged dispute with his personal chef, according to ESPN. According to court records, the chef told officers that she and Diggs argued about the money he owed her for her work. During a Dec. 2 encounter at his home, she said Diggs "smacked her across the face" and "tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck." Diggs' attorney said he "categorically denies these allegations." "He is completely innocent. He will be completely exonerated," Diggs' attorney, Mitchell Schuster, said. The 32-year-old wideout is next scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing on April 1. In his first year in New England in 2025, Diggs helped the Pats reach the Super Bowl, finishing the regular season as the WR18 in half-PPR scoring with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He should be one of quarterback
Drake Maye's top targets again in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
February 13, 2026
ESPN's Brooke Pryor reports that she gets the sense that Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent quarterback
Aaron Rodgers is "more likely to come back than not" in 2026. The Steelers probably want an answer sooner rather than later from Rodgers, especially with the scouting combine coming up in a few weeks. The difference between this year and last year is that Pittsburgh has QB
Will Howard on the roster after they drafted him in the sixth round in 2025.
Mason Rudolph is also in the QB room, but new head coach Mike McCarthy is apparently a big fan of Howard and laid out plans to develop the young QB during his head-coaching interview. Rodgers led Pittsburgh to the playoffs and threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 16 regular-season games in his first year with the team, but he finished as the QB19 in fantasy in what was an underwhelming offense. If Rodgers returns to the Steel City for a 22nd NFL season, he'll be a low-end QB2 again with a limited ceiling for fantasy purposes.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
February 13, 2026
Federal prosecutors said that Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever
Emmanuel Clase and co-conspirators used coded language to discuss pitch-rigging plans, according to The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov and Zack Meisel. Clase received a text message hours before a game against the Reds on May 18 of last year that read, "Throw a rock at the first rooster in today's fight." Unsealed court documents on Friday also allege that Clase engaged in an illegal sports gambling scheme during the 2024 postseason. It was all part of an alleged effort by Clase and others to rig pitches during Guardians games for over two years. Co-conspirators netted winnings of at least $450,000, and Clase and teammate
Luis L. Ortiz allegedly received kickbacks for their involvement. Clase and Ortiz were placed on non-disciplinary leave last July amid allegations of sports gambling, and they remain on leave and are not permitted to report to spring training.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mike Vorkunov and Zack Meisel
February 13, 2026
It sounds like the Chicago White Sox view catcher
Kyle Teel as their everyday catcher. "We do view Teel as an everyday guy. But at the catching position, we know that doesn't mean you're actually in there every day. It's a demanding role. And Edgar is a guy that we like the bat against lefties, so there's DH opportunities for him. He's going to be able to catch, too, so there should be plenty of at-bats for those guys," manager Will Venable said when asked about splitting at-bats for Teel and
Edgar Quero in 2026. Teel, a 23-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop, made his major-league debut last year and held his own with a .273/.375/.411 slash line, .786 OPS, eight home runs, 35 RBI, 38 runs scored, and even three steals in 78 games played in Chicago. Teel didn't look great against left-handed pitchers, but he's clearly the team's preferred catcher, and the rest of his profile makes him an attractive low-end starting catching target with upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sox Showdown - Noah Phalen
February 13, 2026
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough confirmed that right-hander
Chris Paddack will be part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald. The first three spots in Miami's rotation are locked down with
Sandy Alcantara,
Eury Perez, and Paddack. The 30-year-old veteran joined the Marlins last week to little fanfare after going 5-12 with a 5.35 ERA (5.03 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 112 strikeouts and 37 walks in 158 innings over 33 appearances (28 starts) with the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. Paddack allowed a league-high 94 earned runs on 166 hits. He wasn't much better the two previous seasons with the Twins, and if he continues to pitch poorly in 2026 with the Fish, a move to the bullpen won't be far off. Opposing hitters continue to tee off against Paddack, as he's allowed 45 long balls the last two years. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere, even in NL-only formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Herald - Jordan McPherson
February 13, 2026
The Chicago Cubs are finalizing a multi-year guaranteed major-league deal with free-agent right-handed reliever
Shelby Miller (elbow), sources told Robert Murray of FanSided.com. Miller only pitched in 11 games last year for the Milwaukee Brewers after they acquired him in a midseason trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks before tearing the UCL in his right elbow and having Tommy John surgery. The Cubs will be hoping that the 35-year-old can successfully return in 2027 and provide a quality bullpen arm for them. Before his elbow injury, Miller was solid for Arizona in 37 relief appearances, recording an ERA under 2.00 with a 0.96 WHIP, a career-high 10 saves, 40 strikeouts, and 11 walks in 36 1/3 innings pitched. Miller has been a high-end relief arm during his 13 seasons in the majors, posting a 4.04 career ERA with 789 strikeouts in 921 2/3 innings with nine different teams. He obviously won't be in the mix in fantasy in 2026 since he'll likely miss the entire season.
--Keith HernandezSource: FanSided.com - Robert Murray
February 13, 2026
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Roman Anthony will play for Team USA in this year's World Baseball Classic if he passes a physical in spring training, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Anthony will be a replacement for injured Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand). The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is heading into his first full season in the big leagues in 2026 after slashing an impressive .292/.396/.463 with an .859 OPS, eight home runs, 32 RBI, 48 runs scored, and four stolen bases last year in his first 71 MLB games. Anthony is likely to hit leadoff for the BoSox against right-handers this year, and RotoBaller considers him a top-15 fantasy outfielder. An oblique strain cut his season short at the end of last season, but he's fully recovered and will be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback during the WBC. Anthony joined Ted Williams as the only Boston players to have 20-plus extra-base hits and 25-plus walks in their first 52 career games.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
February 13, 2026
Detroit Tigers infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle was seen working out at third base in camp on Friday, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. McGonigle is only 21 years old, but he's ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 2 overall prospect going into the 2026 season because of his advanced hit tool. The former first-rounder in 2023 hit .305/.408/.583 with a .991 OPS, 19 home runs, 80 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 88 games between Single-A Lakeland, High-A West Michigan, and Double-A Erie last year to earn himself an invite to major-league spring training this year. He can play third, second base, and shortstop, although his clearest path to playing time with Detroit this year is at the 6. The lefty-hitting infielder doesn't have impressive raw power or speed, but he's been extremely consistent and could become the Tigers' starting shortstop by this summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
February 13, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals switch-pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje warmed up from both sides during a bullpen session in camp on Friday and is "definitely going to try to keep throwing from both sides," according to Tamar Sher. Before the Cardinals acquired Cijntje from the Seattle Mariners in the trade that sent
Brendan Donovan to Seattle, the M's said they were going to have the 22-year-old focus on pitching from the right side. Although Cijntje was shelled from the left side in the minors, the Cardinals aren't going to pull the plug on him as a left-hander just yet. The former 15th overall pick in 2024 out of Mississippi State had a combined 3.99 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 120:51 K:BB in 108 1/3 innings over 26 outings (23 starts) at High-A Everett and Double-A Arkansas last year. If Cijntje's control continues to suffer, the Cards will likely end the switch-pitching experiment, but for now, it's TBD. He could develop into a mid-rotation starter for St. Louis in a year or two.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tamar Sher
February 13, 2026
New York Mets right-hander
Jonah Tong said that his focus in spring training this year is to "further develop his offspeed pitches," according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. Tong was confident in his fastball and changeup, and "I want to make sure I have the same level of confidence in my other two offerings." The 22-year-old is trying to improve his slider, curveball, and cutter to make him a more well-rounded pitcher as he enters his first full MLB season in 2026. The former seventh-rounder in 2022 made his big-league debut last year and struggled in five starts (18 2/3 innings), allowing 20 runs (16 earned) on 24 hits (three home runs), but he was able to strike out 22 hitters while walking nine. Tong was amazing in the minors, though, posting a 1.43 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 179 K's, and a 52.9% ground-ball rate in 22 starts. He will certainly need to improve his secondary offerings over a full season in the big leagues, and some critics are worried about his durability because of his slight frame at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. Tong checks in as RotoBaller's No. 84 starting pitcher for 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Laura Albanese
February 13, 2026
New York Yankees right-hander
Gerrit Cole (elbow) said he's still targeting a June return, give or take some days, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Cole said his estimated timeline of 14 to 18 months hasn't changed since his Tommy John surgery with an internal brace in March of last year, so that could get him back at some point in May "on the earlier side." Manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday that the 35-year-old former Cy Young winner could pitch in Grapefruit League games at the end of camp if he keeps progressing. Cole has been throwing since last August and should progress to live batting practice in a couple of weeks. The six-time All-Star will be a wild card in 2026 for both the Yankees and fantasy managers. Expecting him to immediately return to ace form wouldn't be wise. RotoBaller has Cole ranked as the No. 87 starting pitcher this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
February 13, 2026
Atlanta Falcons running back
Tyler Allgeier continued to carve out standalone value in his role behind
Bijan Robinson throughout the 2025 season. Allgeier had his ups and downs, making it difficult to know when to start or sit him. His role wasn't exactly matchup dependent or even game script dependent, so he spent most of the season as a risky RB3/flex in a boom-or-bust role. However, on a positive note, he played all 17 games and finished with yet another solid stat line. He rushed for 514 yards and eight touchdowns on 143 carries, posting a new career-high in touchdowns as he vultured a lot of Robinson's goal-line work. He also caught 14 passes for 96 receiving yards. Allgeier ranked as the overall RB39 in PPR leagues, and he has now posted a top-43 finish in each of his four NFL seasons. Robinson's steady availability has left Allgeier in a backup role, but it's worth noting that he's arguably the most valuable fantasy handcuff and would jump to the top-12 range if Robinson were to miss time. Between his modest standalone value and his upside as Robinson's backup, Allgeier will continue to be a solid fantasy option for 2026. In dynasty leagues, he's a "hold" for most managers, but he's an important "buy" for managers with Robinson on their roster.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Terrance Ferguson took a while to get going, but he finally found a groove near the end of his rookie campaign. He had just five catches through the first four weeks, operating as the third or fourth option on the depth chart behind
Tyler Higbee,
Colby Parkinson, and sometimes
Davis Allen. However, he saw his snap share jump to a season-high 78% in Week 15, and over his next three games, he totaled six catches for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns. With Tyler Higbee headed for free agency, it seems like Ferguson has a real chance to step up as the Rams' 1B tight end alongside Parkinson next year. It may be a bit early to pursue him in redraft leagues, but he's trending up as an intriguing buy in dynasty formats.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 13, 2026
The Cincinnati Reds are signing free-agent first baseman
Nathaniel Lowe to an undisclosed non-roster deal on Friday, sources told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Lowe joins the Reds on a minor-league deal and will compete for an Opening Day roster spot in spring training after hitting a disappointing .228/.307/.381 in 153 regular-season games last year with the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox. However, the 30-year-old veteran slugger did manage to clear the fences 18 times while driving in 84 runs and scoring 64 times. Even if Lowe performs well in Cactus League games, he'll be hard-pressed for regular playing time in Cincinnati in 2026 as long as both
Eugenio Suarez and
Sal Stewart are healthy. Suarez and Stewart are projected to split time at first base and designated hitter for the Reds. Lowe will provide Cincy with more pop from the left side without a clear path to regular playing time.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
February 13, 2026
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud took another step backward in 2025, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,014 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 14 regular-season games. He was also tripped up in the playoffs. Houston took down Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round, but then, Stroud threw four interceptions on a 42.6% completion rate in the Texans' elimination against the Patriots. Stroud was the overall QB11 despite missing two games as a rookie in 2023, but he fell to QB18 in 2024 and QB21 in 2025. The former No. 2 pick is still expected to have his fifth-year option picked up, but he needs to re-find his rookie form and prove that he's worthy of being the Texans' franchise quarterback long-term. He certainly has the weapons needed to produce;
Nico Collins is a budding superstar,
Dalton Schultz took major strides last season,
Jaylin Noel and
Jayden Higgins had big rookie seasons, and
Tank Dell (knee) is presumably nearing a return. Stroud is worth holding in dynasty leagues right now, but he's a bit too risky to "buy low."
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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