February 20, 2026
Detroit Tigers right-hander
Sawyer Gipson-Long (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in camp on Friday, according to Evan Petzold of MLive.com. Gipson-Long is battling through a left-oblique injury in spring training, but barring a setback, he should be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 28-year-old missed all of the 2024 season after having Tommy John surgery, and he returned last year to record a rough 7.18 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and only six walks in 31 1/3 innings pitched over eight appearances (three starts) at the big-league level. He also dealt with some neck problems last year, so injuries have been an issue. For now, Gipson-Long is off the fantasy baseball radar in single-year leagues, and he'll likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Toledo. However, when healthy, he throws strikes and can generate whiffs with his offspeed pitches.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLive.com - Evan Woodbery
February 20, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander
Drew Rasmussen, who has been named the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, is a pretty good bet to see a career-high in innings pitched this year, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen exceeded expectations in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery in 2025, going 10-5 with a 2.76 ERA (3.84 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 127:37 K:BB in 150 innings over 31 starts to become a first-time All-Star. For obvious reasons, the Rays closely monitored the 30-year-old's workload, and he still set a new career high in innings. Rasmussen has already had three serious elbow surgeries, dating back to his college days, but barring an injury this year, he should easily surpass the 150-inning mark he set in 2025. With more volume comes higher fantasy upside for Rasmussen, who is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 44 fantasy starting pitcher in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
February 20, 2026
After a record-breaking rookie campaign in 2024, Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Brock Bowers battled through injury and a less-than-ideal offensive environment in 2025. Across 12 games, Bowers recorded 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns on 86 targets. The 23-year-old suffered a knee injury in Week 1 that he battled through for multiple months before finally being shut down and ending the season on Injured Reserve. However, Bowers should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season. The Raiders could also have an improved team around him, as the team appears likely to select University of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the number one overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft. Las Vegas also made coaching staff changes, bringing in former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their new head coach. With renewed health and a better supporting cast, Bowers should return to elite fantasy tight end status in 2026 and beyond.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish reports that Seattle Mariners right-hander
Bryce Miller (elbow) has no pain in his right elbow and has two improved breaking pitches this spring. Miller is "excited to pitch a full season" and to help the Mariners "go even further" in 2026. The 27-year-old did not need surgery to have bone spurs in his elbow removed despite going on the injured list two separate times last year due to elbow problems. It's great news, but Miller goes into the 2026 campaign with a little more risk. Miller struggled in his third year in the big leagues, most likely due to his elbow issues, going 4-6 with a career-worst 5.68 ERA (5.17 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP with 74 strikeouts and 34 walks in 90 1/3 innings over 18 starts. It was promising that he had a 2.51 ERA in the playoffs in a small sample size, as well as the fact that he's feeling 100% in camp. Miller will slowly start to rise up draft boards as a bounce-back candidate if he can avoid further elbow injuries.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
February 20, 2026
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle rebounded from a down 2024 season in 2025, recording 64 catches for 910 yards and six touchdowns on 100 targets across 16 games played. After fellow Dolphins wideout
Tyreek Hill (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4, Waddle took over as the team's undisputed WR1 for the remainder of the year. Miami released Hill earlier this week, so Waddle profiles as the team's lead pass-catcher once again heading into 2026. The Dolphins will have a different look in 2026, as the team fired former head coach and play-caller Mike McDaniel and is reportedly looking to trade quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa as well. The changes around Waddle muddle his fantasy outlook a bit, but could also be a good thing for the 27-year-old as he heads into his sixth NFL campaign. In dynasty formats, Waddle re-established his value in 2025 and could be in line for the best year of his career in 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that outfielder
Brandon Nimmo will be ramped up slowly in spring training, like he always does, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Nimmo is unlikely to play in any Cactus League games until March. The Rangers acquired Nimmo in a trade from the New York Mets in the offseason, and he's expected to replace
Josh Smith as the team's primary leadoff hitter in 2025. The 32-year-old lefty hitter batted in the heart of the Mets' order last year, so he will lose out on valuable RBI opportunities, but he should be an excellent source of runs with the move to the top of the order in Texas. Nimmo is also a great asset in fantasy leagues that count on-base percentage, considering his career .350 OBP. He had career highs in homers (25) and RBI (92) last year at the expense of some OBP. Despite battling nagging injuries over the years, Nimmo has played in 150-plus games for four straight years. He's a good bet to steal double-digit bases for the third year in a row if he's past his plantar-fasciitis issues. Nimmo is ranked as the No. 36 fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
February 20, 2026
After a down year in 2024, Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Travis Etienne Jr. rebounded with arguably the best season of his career in 2025. Across 17 games, the 27-year-old recorded 1,399 scrimmage yards and 13 touchdowns on 296 touches. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry, his best mark since his rookie season in 2022, and set a career high with six receiving touchdowns. Etienne Jr. will now hit free agency and could command a lucrative, multi-year pact on the open market. Without knowing for sure where Etienne Jr. will be playing, it's difficult to determine his fantasy value for 2026 and beyond. If he remains in Jacksonville, he may end up splitting touches with Jaguars back
Bhayshul Tuten. Etienne Jr. may see a larger workload elsewhere, but he could also land in a less favorable offensive environment. Still, Etienne Jr re-established his fantasy value in 2025 and profiles as a quality starting running back option in dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that outfielder
Wyatt Langford won't play in a Cactus League game until a few days in, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Langford is fine physically, but the Rangers are slowly ramping him up this spring. The 24-year-old power-hitting outfielder dealt with an oblique injury in spring training last year and ended up going on the injured list three separate times for the injury during the 2025 regular season. He is Texas' everyday left fielder and should be considered a top-20 fantasy outfielder for his blend of power and speed. The former fourth overall pick out of the University of Florida in 2023 hit .241/.344/.431 with a .775 OPS, 22 home runs, 62 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases in 573 plate appearances over 134 games in his second MLB season last year. If Langford can stay healthy over a full season, he has easy top-10 potential as an outfielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
February 20, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Mack Hollins has mostly been a journeyman throughout his career, playing for six different teams across eight NFL seasons. The 32-year-old established a consistent role with New England in 2025, hauling in 46 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns on 65 targets, his most productive statline since the 2022 season. Hollins is known as one of the NFL's best run-blocking wide receivers, which helps him stay on the field despite his limited pass-catching ability. The veteran wideout is under contract with the Patriots for the 2026 season and should continue to play a role with the team. However, New England could look to shift more playing time towards young wideouts
Kayshon Boutte and
Kyle Williams, both of whom flashed upside at different points in 2025. Even if Hollins sees a significant snap share again in 2026, he's never recorded 60 catches or 700 receiving yards in a season and carries limited upside for fantasy managers in dynasty leagues
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Pablo Lopez (elbow) will have season-ending Tommy John surgery next Wednesday, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. This was the expectation after it was announced earlier this week that Lopez suffered a tear in his right UCL. Fantasy managers can now officially cross the 29-year-old off their 2026 draft boards, and he might not be ready for the start of next season either, depending on how his rehab goes. It's a massive blow to a rebuilding Twins team, as they will be without their ace all year. His injury could open up a rotation spot for right-hander
Zebby Matthews, who has struggled so far in two major-league seasons.
Joe Ryan,
Bailey Ober,
Simeon Woods Richardson, and
Taj Bradley are the other starters that should be locked into Minnesota's Opening Day rotation.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
February 20, 2026
Across 16 games as a rookie in 2025, Chicago Bears tight end
Colston Loveland recorded 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns on 82 targets. Loveland's season-long numbers are strong, but the 21-year-old truly took off down the stretch of the season. Including the playoffs, Loveland hauled in 39 catches for 500 yards and three scores on 63 targets over his final seven contests. Loveland showed off an improved chemistry with Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams, and could be primed for a superstar breakout in his second NFL season. Between wide receivers
DJ Moore,
Rome Odunze, and
Luther Burden III, Chicago has plenty of capable pass-catchers who could provide significant target competition for Loveland. Still, the young tight end should be a focus of his team's offense and could dominate playing time at his position in 2026 if the Bears move on from veteran tight end
Cole Kmet over the offseason. Loveland profiles as an elite fantasy tight end in dynasty formats after his rookie campaign.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) recently underwent foot surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot. Despite suffering the injury in Week 16, Allen finished the 2025 season without missing a game and is expected to recover long before the start of 2026. The 29-year-old posted another excellent campaign in 2025, completing a career-high 69.3% of his pass attempts for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Allen also remains one of the NFL's best rushing quarterbacks, as he logged 579 yards and 14 touchdowns with his legs, his third straight season with at least 500 rushing yards and 12 rushing scores. Provided he can make a full recovery from his current foot injury, there's little reason to think Allen will slow down heading into his age-30 season in 2026. The Bills also appear likely to prioritize adding pass-catching help around Allen over the offseason after the team's wide receiver corps underperformed throughout this most recent year. Allen remains an elite fantasy quarterback option in both redraft and dynasty formats heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, running back
Saquon Barkley tallied nearly 2,300 yards from scrimmage and finished third in the NFL MVP voting while leading his team to a Super Bowl ring. While Barkley was still an impact player in 2025, he wasn't able to reach anywhere near the same heights in his second season in Philadelphia. Across 16 games played, Barkley recorded 1,413 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 317 touches. After averaging a ridiculously efficient 5.8 yards per carry in 2024, Barkley logged a much more pedestrian 4.1 yards per carry in 2025. As he enters his age-29 season in 2026, it's fair to wonder how much Barkley still has left in the tank. Including the postseason, the veteran back has logged over 800 touches over the past years. The Eagles' strong offensive line also took a step back in 2025, although the team did get some positive news on star right tackle Lane Johnson, who recently announced he plans to return for another season in 2026. In the short term, Barkley remains one of the top running back options in fantasy football. However, his dynasty stock is trending in the wrong direction due to the possibility of age-related decline.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Across 17 games played in 2025, Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Malik Washington hauled in 46 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets. The 25-year-old also showed an ability to make an impact in the running game, recording 17 carries for 110 yards and a score. Washington's role in Miami grew after star Dolphins wide receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Miami released Hill earlier this week, so Washington may enter 2026 as the team's WR2 alongside star wideout
Jaylen Waddle. However, the Dolphins will have an altered offensive infrastructure in 2026, as former head coach and play-caller Mike McDaniel has been replaced, and quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly on the trade block. Washington has also been a highly inefficient wide receiver to this point in his career, averaging just 7.5 yards per reception. His dual-threat ability gives him some fantasy intrigue, but Washington's dynasty value is neutral at best after his modest output in 2025.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Jose Berrios, who has been the team's Opening Day starter in three of the last four seasons, is "once again looking like the pitcher who built the reputation as one of the most reliable workhorses in the sport," according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Despite Berrios' dip in velocity at the end of last year and a trip to the injured list, he's locked into Toronto's rotation. "José is fully healthy. He's looked sharp," manager John Schneider said. "His stuff is back to where it was probably two years ago in terms of velocity and his breaking ball. He changed his breaking ball a bit to make it a little bigger, so I love that guys are trying to evolve a bit, too." The 31-year-old Puerto Rican is looking to bounce back after throwing only 166 innings in 2025 -- his fewest since 2017 with the Twins. Berrios might not have the velocity to blow hitters away anymore, and the mileage on his arm is a concern, but if he can limit walks and keep the ball in the yard more, a bounce-back could be coming.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
February 20, 2026
A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars running back
LeQuint Allen Jr. established himself as his team's RB3 as a rookie. Allen Jr. played a minimal role on offense, recording 148 scrimmage yards on 33 touches across 17 games played. The 21-year-old's path to playing time was blocked by the Jaguars' strong running back tandem of
Travis Etienne Jr. and
Bhayshul Tuten. However, Etienne Jr. is set to hit free agency this spring and may not be back in Jacksonville in 2026. Tuten flashed high-end upside in 2025 and would likely take over the Jaguars' RB1 role should Etienne Jr. sign elsewhere in free agency. Still, Allen Jr. could be in line for a significant playing time increase and might establish himself as Jacksonville's primary third-down and receiving back in his second NFL season. In dynasty formats, Allen Jr. might be worth stashing until the backfield picture in Jacksonville becomes clearer.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
MASN Sports' Brendan Mortensen writes that Baltimore Orioles infielder
Blaze Alexander is likely to be the team's starter at second base on Opening Day, with
Jackson Holliday (hand) starting the year on the injured list after having surgery to remove the hamate bone from his hand. Mortensen mentions
Jeremiah Jackson and
Weston Wilson as other options at the keystone until Holliday returns. Once Holliday comes off the injured list, Alexander will be an option for at-bats at third base, with
Jordan Westburg (elbow) out through April due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. The O's acquired the 26-year-old from the Diamondbacks in a trade this offseason after he hit .230/.323/.383 with seven home runs and four steals in 74 games last season. Alexander will mostly be in a utility role in his new digs, but with more playing time coming early in the year, his fantasy stock in AL-only leagues is on the rise.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Brendan Mortensen
February 20, 2026
A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals running back
Tahj Brooks played a minimal role on offense in his first professional season. Across 16 games, the 23-year-old recorded just 54 yards from scrimmage on 17 total touches. Bengals running back
Chase Brown has logged nearly 600 touches over the past two seasons combined and is locked in as the RB1 in Cincinnati for at least 2026, blocking Brooks off from significant playing time. The Bengals also have steady veteran back
Samaje Perine under contract for the 2026 season. Perine recorded 469 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns across 15 games with Cincinnati in 2025, and his reputation as a solid pass blocker and receiver should keep him secure in the team's third-down role. Post 2026, Brooks could have a pathway to more playing time in Cincinnati. However, it appears unlikely that he will have a chance to prove himself in the short term, barring an injury to Brown or Perine. Brooks' value in dynasty formats should be trending downward after his quiet rookie campaign.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
The Detroit Tigers have paused shortstop
Trey Sweeney's (shoulder) throwing activities in camp due to a right-shoulder strain, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Sweeney's injury doesn't mean he won't be ready in time for Opening Day in late March, but it definitely hurts his chances of winning a big-league roster spot out of camp. The 25-year-old has struggled to hit at the big-league level since debuting with the Tigers in 2024, slashing .202/.261/.313 with a .573 OPS, 10 home runs, 49 RBI, and a 124:33 K:BB in 445 plate appearances. He's probably fourth in the pecking order at shortstop this spring, behind prospect
Kevin McGonigle,
Javier Baez, and
Zach McKinstry. Sweeney doesn't have enough power at the plate to be a realistic fantasy option, and he looked overmatched offensively in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
February 20, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander
Jared Jones (elbow) is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Friday in camp and will face designated hitter
Marcell Ozuna and outfielder
Oneil Cruz, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It's a significant development since it will be the first time that Jones will face hitters since having surgery on his right elbow last May. The 24-year-old won't be an option for the Pirates' starting rotation or for fantasy managers until at least late May, but he continues to make progress in his rehab. Among all of Pittsburgh's promising young arms, it might be easy for Jones to get lost in the shuffle after his elbow injury. In his MLB debut in 2024, Jones was impressive, going 6-8 with a 4.14 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 132 strikeouts and 39 walks in 121 2/3 innings over 22 starts. Because Jones won't have a full season in 2026 and he'll likely be on a strict workload, he'll only be a late-round flier to stash in fantasy drafts, at best.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
February 20, 2026
A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts running back
DJ Giddens failed to make much of an impact in his rookie season. Across nine games played, the 23-year-old recorded 26 carries for 96 yards and failed to reach the end zone. Giddens struggled to crack the Colts' active roster on game days for a sizable portion of the season, with veteran backs
Tyler Goodson and
Ameer Abdullah serving as the team's primary backups behind star running back
Jonathan Taylor. As long as Taylor remains healthy, it will be difficult for any other Colts running back to see the field consistently. Giddens also did not record a single reception and earned just two targets in his rookie season, so he may not be positioned to play a complementary third-down role alongside Taylor. Giddens could be given a larger opportunity to prove himself in his second NFL season, but his dynasty value is trending in the wrong direction after his quiet rookie year.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
As part of a wide-ranging discussion about lineup construction with St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol on Friday, the Belleville News' Jeff Jones reports that shortstop prospect
JJ Wetherholt's name was "bandied about as an option at leadoff." It's looking more likely that Wetherholt will not only be on the team's Opening Day roster, but he could potentially be at the top of the batting order. After the offseason trades of
Nolan Arenado and
Brendan Donovan, the 23-year-old has a clear path to the second base job, with
Nolan Gorman moving to third base. MLB Pipeline's No. 5 overall prospect slashed a strong .306/.421/.510 with 17 home runs and 23 stolen bases in 109 games at Double-A Springfield and Triple-A Memphis last year. Wetherholt has never been a big power bat, but he can easily hit 15 homers in his first year in the big leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
February 20, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Kendre Miller (knee) had his 2025 season cut short after he suffered a torn ACL in Week 7. Before getting injured, the 23-year-old had recorded 223 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 52 touches across seven games played. A third-round pick by New Orleans in 2023, Miller appeared in just 14 games and recorded 454 total yards from scrimmage in his first two years in the NFL. His 2025 injury was an unfortunate setback, as Miller had just begun to carve out a real role in the Saints' backfield alongside veteran New Orleans back
Alvin Kamara. Given the timing of Miller's injury, he should have a chance to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. However, he will have to fight for touches with Kamara and 2025 sixth-round rusher
Devin Neal, as well as anyone else New Orleans brings in over the offseason. Fantasy managers in dynasty formats may want to downgrade Miller's value heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
February 20, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that right-handed reliever
Riley O'Brien (calf) will be shut down for the next few days, and it will take a couple of weeks for him to ramp up, according to Brian Murphy of MLB.com. O'Brien is expected to miss the upcoming World Baseball Classic for Team South Korea, but he can always be added back to the roster, depending on his recovery from what is being called a mild right-calf strain. The 31-year-old veteran still has plenty of time to get himself right before Opening Day in late March, but if he has any further setbacks, his availability could be in question. O'Brien is in the mix for saves in St. Louis in 2026 after he posted a sharp 2.06 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, his first six career saves, 45 K's, and 22 walks in a career-high 48 innings last year. He'll primarily be competing for save opps at the back end of the Cards' bullpen with
JoJo Romero and
Matt Svanson.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian Murphy
February 20, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Chandler Simpson (hamstring) is dealing with a tight left hamstring and will not play in at least the first several Grapefruit League games in spring training, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson continues to do on-field work, so it doesn't appear to be a very serious injury. Still, it's something to watch carefully for the 25-year-old, whose game is mostly based on speed. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of the Georgia Institute of Technology made his major-league debut last year and slashed .295/.326/.345 with a .671 OPS, zero home runs, 26 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 44 stolen bases in 441 plate appearances over 109 games. With no power and a below-average glove, there isn't a ton of room for error for the speedy Simpson. Because Simpson is mainly a stolen base contributor, he has a limited ceiling as a No. 4 fantasy outfielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
February 20, 2026
The Kansas City Royals announced on Friday that they agreed to a minor-league contract with free-agent catcher
Elias Diaz. The Royals expect him to join their major-league camp next week. Diaz, a former All-Star game MVP, will provide the Royals with extra catching depth going into the 2026 season behind
Salvador Perez and
Carter Jensen. The 35-year-old Venezuelan veteran backstop will most likely begin the year at Triple-A Omaha if he's still with the team. Diaz slashed .204/.270/.337 with a .607 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, and 34 runs scored in 106 games with the San Diego Padres in 2025 while splitting time behind the plate with
Martin Maldonado for most of the year. His batting average and strikeout rate (26.1%) were the worst marks of his career, although he has an above-average glove on defense. Diaz is going to need some injuries to find playing time in KC.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kansas City Royals
February 20, 2026
Atlanta Falcons president of football
Matt Ryan and new general manager Ian Cunningham are non-committal on whether quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) will be the guaranteed starter when he returns from the torn left ACL he suffered last November, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. "I've been up at the facility the last three weeks, and Michael's been in there attacking that, and he's in a good space right now, so we're excited about where he is. But certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster," Ryan said. The previous front office and coaching staff were adamant that Penix was their guy. But after a serious knee injury and poor results in 2025 prior to his injury, the new front office is taking more of a wait-and-see approach. The 25-year-old says he expects to be ready for Week 1 and is eager to prove he's the guy, but time will tell if Atlanta brings in serious competition for him via a trade, free agency, or the draft. Questions about Penix's durability have significantly lowered his dynasty stock.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
February 20, 2026
The Los Angeles Rams are promoting passing-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Scheelhaase interviewed for five head-coaching jobs during this hiring cycle, but he'll stay with the Rams and take over OC duties after Mike LaFleur left to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams are also making quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone the co-offensive coordinator/QBs coach. The 35-year-old Scheelhaase is one of the brightest young offensive minds in the NFL and is with a team with lots of offensive firepower now that we know MVP quarterback
Matthew Stafford is coming back for another season. It's a promotion for Scheelhaase for the second straight year, but the expectation is that head coach Sean McVay will continue to call the offensive plays. Scheelhaase could very well leave the Rams next offseason for a head-coaching gig.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
February 20, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told Arizona Sports on Thursday that top outfield prospect
Ryan Waldschmidt is a "very talented player" and is going to determine his own timeline on when he'll help the big-league club. "He is coming. He's emerging ... he's got a lot going for him," Lovullo said. The 23-year-old, considered the No. 59 overall prospect in baseball, is in big-league camp and is competing for significant playing time in left field to begin the 2026 season with
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last September. Waldschmidt has experience at all three outfield positions .289/.419/.473 with an .892 OPS, 18 home runs, 78 RBI, 114 runs, and 29 stolen bases in 134 games at High-A Hillsboro and Double-A Amarillo last year. Even when Gurriel is ready to return, Waldschmidt could take over everyday duties in center field in Arizona in 2026. His elite bat speed, plus wheels, and advanced plate discipline make him a name to watch in redraft fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports
February 20, 2026
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora made it clear that it's not a guarantee that infielder
Marcelo Mayer will be on the team's Opening Day roster, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Cora said Mayer "needs to earn" a job on the Opening Day roster and needs to "show some things this spring." Specifically, the skipper said Mayer "needs to be better offensively than he was in the majors last year." The 23-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2021 struggled in his first taste of the majors in 2025, hitting .228/.272/.402 with a .674 OPS, four homers, 10 RBI, and a 41:8 K:BB in 136 plate appearances. Mayer is still a good bet to be on the Opening Day roster at either second or third base, but the BoSox will make him work for it. There is a buy-low opportunity for fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues going into Mayer's first full season in the big leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
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