February 20, 2026
Anthony Hernandez will look to extend his win streak when he takes on former middleweight champion Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC Houston on Saturday. Since losing to Kevin Holland back in 2020, Hernandez has been on a tear, winning eight fights in a row. Hernandez was last seen in the Octagon in August 2025 at UFC Vegas 109, where he extended his win streak by scoring a fourth-round submission victory over Roman Dolidze. DraftKings sees Hernandez as a big favorite with a salary of $9,100.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 20, 2026
Former middleweight champion Sean Strickland will look to get back in the win column when he takes on Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston on Saturday. Strickland originally earned the middleweight belt with a unanimous decision win over Israel Adesanya in 2023, but lost it in his first title defence against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 in Toronto. He was last seen in action in February 2025 at UFC 312, where he lost a unanimous decision to Du Plessis after being dominated for five rounds. DraftKings sees Strickland as a big underdog with a salary of $7,100.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 20, 2026
According to Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com, Arizona Diamondbacks infielder
Jordan Lawlar has looked quite comfortable in his move to center field. Peicoro noted that the early impressions are quite positive and that the former top prospect is getting "quick jumps" and is "showcasing his strong arm" in his position. With the Diamondbacks having a crowded infield due to the emergence of
Geraldo Perdomo and the trade for
Nolan Arenado, Lawlar's best chance of seeing everyday at-bats is now in the outfield. Last summer, Lawlar appeared in just 28 games with the Diamondbacks and posted a .182/.257/.288 line. However, across 91 career games at Triple-A, Lawlar has looked quite productive, posting a .328/.414/.576 line with 18 home runs and 24 stolen bases. Managers in deeper leagues should continue to monitor his progression in camp, as he could become the team's center fielder over
Alek Thomas.
--Andy SmithSource: Nick Piecoro
February 20, 2026
New York Yankees third baseman
Ryan McMahon tweaked his batting stance in the offseason to "unlock" more power. McMahon had one of the widest batting stances last season compared to other major league hitters, which likely played a role in his disappointing season. After posting a .722 OPS with a .242 AVG back in 2024, McMahon's production took a dip in 2205, as he posted a much lower .693 OPS with a .214 AVG. Additionally, the 31-year-old saw his strikeout rate climb to 32.3%, a stark jump from the 28.7% he posted back in 2024. Despite his struggles, McMahon continued to hit the ball very hard, as evidenced by his 50.5% hard-hit rate and 12.1% barrel rate. The coaching staff hopes this slight tweak to his stance helps him return to his pre-2025 level of production. McMahon is a name to watch in camp as he figures to be the team's primary third baseman and could hold some sneaky power upside batting in a favorable park for left-handed hitters.
--Andy SmithSource: Garry Phillips
February 20, 2026
Uros Medic will look to extend his win streak when he takes on Geoff Neal in the co-main event of UFC Houston on Saturday. Known for his aggression, explosiveness and knockout power, Medic enters this bout with back-to-back first-round victories. Medic was last seen in action in November 2025 at UFC Vegas 111, where he finished Muslim Salikhov via first-round TKO. Prior to that, he finished Gilbert Urbina via first-round knockout. DraftKings sees Medic as the underdog with a salary of $7,500.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 20, 2026
Houston Astros designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez could see time in left field, given Houston's current outfield situation. Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported that manager Joe Espada has noted that Alvarez will see time in left field this season, but it is still unclear how often. Alvarez has only eclipsed the 50-game mark in the outfield twice in his career and is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 campaign. While it is expected he sees most of the time at DH, given Houston's lack of answers in the outfield, the slugger could find himself on defense more than expected. Currently,
Cam Smith,
Joey Loperfido, and
Zach Cole are expected to compete for the starting corner spots, but none have shown any sustained production in the big leagues. Alvarez played in only 48 games last summer but held an elite .988 OPS from 2022 through 2024. While the 28-year-old only has utility eligibility on most platforms, this recent update suggests he may gain outfield eligibility much sooner than expected, which would significantly boost his fantasy value.
--Andy SmithSource: Chandler Rome
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam (personal) will miss Friday's rematch with Washington after sitting out Thursday's contest as well. His next opportunity to return comes Sunday against Dallas. With Siakam sidelined and
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) also out, Indiana has leaned heavily on
Jarace Walker, who logged 30 minutes and delivered 19 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in the first meeting with Washington.
Micah Potter added 14 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes. Walker is a must-stream in all formats, while Potter profiles as a viable deep-league add until Siakam returns.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony East
February 20, 2026
Colorado Rockies first base prospect
T.J. Rumfield is in competition for the team's starting first base role, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. The Rockies enter spring training without a clear answer at first base and expect to have several players competing for the role. Rumfield was shipped to the Rockies earlier this winter by the New York Yankees in exchange for right-hander
Angel Chivilli. Last summer, Rumfield spent his entire campaign with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and held his own, posting a .285/.378/.447 slash line with 31 doubles, 16 home runs, and a 108:75 K:BB. He is expected to be in the mix for the starting job alongside
Edouard Julien,
Blaine Crim, and fellow prospect
Charlie Condon. If he were to carve out a role, Rumfield may have some sleeper appeal in deeper formats playing at Coors Field.
--Andy SmithSource: Patrick Saunders
February 20, 2026
Geoff Neal will look to get back in the win column when he faces off against Uros Medic in the co-main event of UFC Houston on Saturday. His résumé includes victories over established names in the division, including heavy-handed Vicente Luque and former lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos, but Neal hasn't been able to stay consistant and it could be said that he's in dire need of a win as he is 3-1 in his last four fights. Neal was last seen in action in August 2025 at UFC 319, where he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Carlos Prates. DraftKings sees Neal as the favorite with a salary of $8,700.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 20, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guards
Ty Jerome (calf) and
Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) have been ruled out for Friday's matchup against Utah. Expect
Cam Spencer,
Javon Small, and
Jahmai Mashack to pick up the slack in the backcourt while the usual ball handlers sit. Spencer logged 22 minutes with nine assists and one steal in a Feb. 11 loss to Denver, while Mashack posted nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in 22 minutes. Small last played Feb. 9, recording eight points, two 3-pointers, and two steals in 21 minutes. Spencer profiles as the safest deep-league assist streamer, while Mashack offers multi-category upside in expanded run.
--Brian DailisanSource: Grizzlies PR
February 20, 2026
Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher
Jonathan Cannon is in contention for one of the final roles in the starting rotation. Cannon made his MLB debut back in 2024 for the White Sox and logged 124 1/3 innings to the tune of a 4.49 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. During this stint, Cannon showed minimal strikeout upside, tallying just 91. In 2025, the Georgia product took a further step back, posting a much higher 5.82 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP across 103 2/3 innings. He struck out just 86 hitters at a low 18.5% rate and held a modest 8.2% walk rate, a slight increase from the 7.7% walk rate he posted as a rookie. However, given Chicago's current lack of pitching depth, Cannon could still play a prominent role despite his rough 2025 season. Given his lack of strikeout potential, Cannon should only be viewed as a desperation streaming option in 15+ team leagues if he were to earn a spot.
--Andy SmithSource: Scott Merkin
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic (hamstring) is not listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Clippers after missing four contests before the All-Star break. He saw limited action during All-Star weekend and could have his workload managed in his first Lakers appearance since Feb. 5. In his last five games, Doncic averaged 26.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 3.6 3-pointers in 28.4 minutes, carrying a 37.6 percent usage rate. He remains a must-start in all formats, though managers should monitor minutes.
Austin Reaves and
LeBron James may see slightly reduced on-ball volume with Doncic back.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 20, 2026
According to Gary Phillips of The New York Daily News, Yankees starting pitcher
Gerrit Cole (elbow) is set to face live hitters on Friday. Cole has been throwing bullpen sessions during the early stages of camp and is now set to take the next step in his recovery. The Yankee ace has been on the shelf since undergoing Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last March. However, seeing him already face live hitters suggests he may not miss much of the 2026 season. Earlier in camp, reports indicated that Cole could return as early as May, and given this update, he remains on track to do so. In 2024, Cole logged 99 innings with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. The previous season, Cole took home the AL Cy Young as he logged 209 innings to the tune of an elite 2.63 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP. While Cole remains sidelined early on, managers should expect prospects
Elmer Rodriguez and
Carlos Lagrange to compete for a role on the MLB roster.
--Andy SmithSource: Gary Phillips
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (knee) is not listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Clippers after missing two contests before the All-Star break. With the roster back to full strength, Ayton is expected to reclaim his starting role, pushing
Jaxson Hayes to the bench. Over his last five games, Ayton has averaged 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 27.5 minutes, offering steady rebounding with modest usage behind
Luka Doncic and
LeBron James. He profiles as a mid-tier center hold, while Hayes loses short-term streaming appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 20, 2026
Surging Melquizael Costa will look to extend his win streak when he takes on extremely durable Dan Ige on the main card of UFC Houston on Saturday. Costa was last seen in the Octagon in December at UFC Vegas 112, where he extended his win streak by knocking out Morgan Charriere with a headkick. The last time he lost was to Steve Garcia back in December 2023, but since then, Costa has won five consecutive fights. DraftKings sees Costa as the favorite with a salary of $8,900.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 20, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger) will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after undergoing a procedure to correct a finger issue. The veteran wing closes the year averaging 8.4 points, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes across 51 games. His absence opens steady perimeter minutes in a thin rotation.
Cam Spencer logged 22 minutes with nine assists and one steal in a Feb. 11 loss to Denver, while
Jahmai Mashack produced nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in the same contest.
Walter Clayton Jr. (calf) is another candidate for an expanded run once his injury subsides. Spencer profiles as the safest deep-league assist streamer.
--Brian DailisanSource: Grizzlies PR
February 20, 2026
According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect
Elmer Rodriguez is set to start their spring training opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday afternoon. Rodriguez has had an impressive start to camp and could be making a strong case to begin the season in the major leagues, with
Gerrit Cole and
Carlos Rodon both on the shelf. Last summer, the No. 97-ranked prospect on MLB.com began the season with High-A but was able to reach Triple-A later in the second half. At High-A, Rodriguez logged 83 2/3 innings with a 2.26 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. At Double-A, Rodriguez continued to find success, tossing 61 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.64 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 74:20 K:BB. However, over his lone five innings at Triple-A, Rodriguez allowed four runs. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should keep a close eye on his status in camp, as he could carry some short-term value if he breaks camp with the MLB roster.
--Andy SmithSource: Chris Kirschner
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) will sit out Friday's matchup against Washington after turning his ankle in the first half Thursday. With Nesmith sidelined and
Pascal Siakam (personal) also away from the team, Indiana is thin on the wing.
Kobe Brown stepped into an expanded role and logged 33 minutes in the previous loss to Washington, producing 12 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one block, and two 3-pointers. His game log has been volatile, but the path to minutes is clear, making him a deep-league streamer.
Jarace Walker and
Ben Sheppard should also see stable workloads.
--Brian DailisanSource: Scott Agness
February 20, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitching prospect
Hunter Barco appears to be on the outside of the team's initial five-man starting rotation. The southpaw is expected to be in the mix for the final rotation spot but appears to be trending toward opening the season as a reliever or back at Triple-A. With
Paul Skenes,
Bubba Chandler,
Mitch Keller, and
Braxton Ashcraft locked into the top-4 spots, Barco will have to compete for the No. 5 job alongside
Jose Urquidy. While Urquidy spent all of the 2024 season and the majority of 2025 on the shelf working his way back from Tommy John, he has much more MLB experience than that young left-hander. From 2020 through 2022, Urquidy held a 3.71 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP across 301 innings. While Barco could make a strong case in camp, given his lack of experience, the Pirates may turn to the veteran. However, if Urquidy stumbles out of the gate, Barco would emerge as a sneaky stash candidate in deeper formats. Last summer, Barco logged just three innings with the Pirates but did not allow a run while posting a 3:0 K:BB.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Devin Booker (hip) will not return to Thursday's game against San Antonio after exiting late in the second quarter. He finished with five points and one rebound in nine minutes before being ruled out. If the issue lingers, there is a clear usage vacuum behind his 30.2 percent rate and 34.0 minutes per game.
Jordan Goodwin logged 27 minutes off the bench in the 121-94 loss, posting 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, and two 3-pointers, making him a short-term deep-league streamer.
Jalen Green and
Dillon Brooks would also see added shot volume if Booker sits Saturday against Orlando.
--Brian DailisanSource: Amanda Pflugrad
February 20, 2026
Dan Ige will aim to get back in the win column when he faces off against surging Melquizael Costa on the main card of UFC Houston on Saturday. Ige was last seen in action in July at UFC 318, where he lost to Patrício Pitbull by unanimous decision. "50K" hasn't been able to find much consistency as he's been alternating wins and losses since 2023. Ige has gone 11-9 since joining the UFC roster back in 2018. DraftKings sees Ige as the underdog with a salary of $7,300.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
February 20, 2026
Washington Nationals right-handed pitching prospect
Jarlin Susana is a name to watch during spring training. Susana is currently viewed as the team's No. 4 prospect and the overall No. 87 prospect on MLB.com. Susana spent most of his 2025 season with Double-A before being shut down with a lat injury. He began the campaign with High-A and logged nine innings to the tune of a 3.00 ERA with a 16:2 K:BB before his promotion. At Double-A, Susana flashed immense strikeout upside, tallying 79 over a 47 1/3-inning stint. He posted a slightly higher 3.61 ERA with a modest 1.39 WHIP. Before the injury, Susana racked up at least nine punchouts in three of his last four outings and even hit the double-digit mark in two. While the Nationals will likely monitor his workload given his late-season injury, Susana figures to compete for an early promotion to Triple-A, which will open the door for a second-half MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect
Arjun Nimmala added 15 pounds ahead of the start of camp, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. The young infielder reportedly lost significant weight over the 2025 MiLB season, which contributed to his power slump in the second half. Last summer, Nimmala held a promising .840 OPS in the first half with a .266/.356/.484 slash line. However, in the second half, the former 20th overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft posted a much lower .179/.267/.271 line with a .538 OPS. Given that the 20-year-old spent the entire 2025 season with High-A, a strong showing in spring training could earn him a promotion to Double-A to begin the regular season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development as he remains on track for a 2027 MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: Mitch Bannon
February 20, 2026
New York Mets infield prospect
Jacob Reimer focused on his defensive skills at third base during the offseason, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. Reimer has spent time at several positions in the infield throughout his minor league career, but emphasized the hot corner heading into 2026 spring training. Reimer joined the Mets in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Yucaipa HS. Last summer, he spent 61 games at High-A before spending another 61 games with Double-A. Through 122 total games, Reimer held a strong .282/.379/.491 line with an .870 OPS. He hit 17 home runs and swiped 15 bags. Additionally, the young infielder noted that he also emphasized improving his bat speed to increase his power output during the winter. Fantasy managers should expect Reimer to contend for an early ticket to Triple-A this spring.
--Andy SmithSource: Tim Britton
February 20, 2026
New York Mets first base/outfield prospect
Ryan Clifford has continued to improve as a defender in the outfield. Clifford has spent most of his time in the minor leagues as a first baseman but has been shifted to the outfield to provide more versatility ahead of his eventual MLB debut. Last summer, Clifford spent most of his time with Double-A before earning a look at Triple-A in the second half. Across 139 total games, the 22-year-old logged 70 of the starts at first base and 53 coming in the outfield. He held a cumulative .237/.356/.470 line with a .526 OPS, 23 doubles, and 29 round-trippers. While Clifford is nearing his MLB debut, managers should expect him to begin the season at Triple-A to further improve his skills in the outfield. However, given New York's current lack of outfield depth, especially in right field, Clifford could be in contention to join the MLB roster much sooner than expected.
--Andy SmithSource: Tim Britton
February 19, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of someone to step up behind wide receiver
DK Metcalf, and second-year wideout
Roman Wilson was expected to make a major leap in Year 2. That did not happen, as the 24-year-old former third-rounder out of Michigan finished the 2025 campaign with just 12 receptions on 21 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played (four starts). Wilson was a healthy scratch in four of the team's final six regular-season games, and he finished eighth on the team in receiving yards. The Steelers will head into the 2026 season with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy and with questions as to whether future Hall of Fame quarterback
Aaron Rodgers will return. Pittsburgh will most likely look for additional receiver help in free agency, which will not help Wilson's cause as he seeks to become more involved on offense in 2026. In dynasty leagues, Wilson is a clear cut candidate.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
DeMario Douglas had a disappointing third year in the NFL, even though his team advanced all the way to the Super Bowl. The 25-year-old pass-catcher had career lows in catches (31), targets (46), and receiving yards (447) while scoring just three touchdowns for the second straight season in 17 regular-season games. Quarterback
Drake Maye was in the running for MVP honors in his second season, but Douglas just couldn't stand out in a crowded receiving corps that also included
Stefon Diggs,
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins, and rookie
Kyle Williams. His 447 receiving yards were fifth on the team, and he added seven carries for 21 yards on the ground. Douglas will be in a contract year in 2026, but with all of the above-mentioned receivers returning to New England, it's hard to envision Douglas becoming a strong weekly fantasy football option.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington was more productive on offense in his rookie campaign in 2024 in two fewer games than he was in 17 regular-season contests in 2025. The 25-year-old former sixth-round pick out of the University of Texas caught just 18 passes for 171 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets in his sophomore season in an explosive Rams offense. On special teams, he returned 17 kickoffs for 434 yards. Even though
Cooper Kupp left, the addition of
Davante Adams in L.A. left very few targets for Whittington and
Tutu Atwell. Whittington has a total of 40 catches on 53 targets for 464 yards and no touchdowns in his first 32 NFL games (nine starts), and nothing points to him having a drastically bigger role going into the 2026 season, barring significant injuries to either Adams or
Puka Nacua. In dynasty leagues, Whittington is a cut candidate.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
Green Bay Packers impending free-agent running back
Emanuel Wilson once again served in a backup role to starter
Josh Jacobs in 2025, finishing his third year in the NFL with 496 rushing yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 125 rushing attempts through 17 regular-season contests. The 26-year-old added a career-high 15 receptions on 17 targets for 99 yards through the air. Wilson will be a restricted free agent in March, and if he returns to Green Bay, he'll likely be the top backup option again, depending on the health of
MarShawn Lloyd. In his first start of the year in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings with Jacobs sidelined, Wilson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, rewarding fantasy managers who used him as a plug-and-play RB2. If he returns to the Packers in 2026, Wilson will probably need an injury to Jacobs to become a weekly fantasy option at RB.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever
Lucas Erceg (shoulder) has been throwing off the mound in camp, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. Erceg should be fully healthy for Opening Day in late March after he was shut down in mid-September last year due to a right-shoulder impingement. The Royals' setup man finished his first full year in KC in 2025 with an 8-4 record, career-best 2.64 ERA (3.49 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, two saves, 22 holds, 48 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 61 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old had a career-high 14 saves with the Athletics and Royals in 2024, and he saw a huge dip in strikeout rate from 28.5% to a career-low 19.3% last year. Injuries -- he also dealt with back and foot issues -- may have been the reason for his drop in K rate and velocity. With better health in 2026, Erceg could bounce back in the strikeout department while being a valuable contributor in holds leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
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