April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (knee) will suit up for Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. Allen returned from a right knee injury late in the regular season, but the team elected to keep him out of the final two games.
Evan Mobley (calf), who was rested for the regular-season finale, will also be back. Cleveland's twin towers face a big battle against
Jakob Poeltl,
Sandro Mamukelashvili, and
Collin Murray-Boyles. Allen faced the Raptors only once during the regular season and struggled, settling for six points and eight rebounds in a 126-113 loss on Nov. 13.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Toronto Raptors. The seven-time All-Star sat out Cleveland's last two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Mitchell has built a reputation as an outstanding postseason performer, averaging 28.3 points through 63 career playoff games. However, things might not go smoothly for him in the first-round series, as Toronto did a good job defensively against him during the regular season. In two games against the Raptors, Mitchell made only 34.2 percent of his field-goal attempts, averaging 24.0 points.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. He didn't play in New York's final two regular-season games to manage an ankle injury. Robinson has done a good job as a backup big man all season, and Atlanta knows firsthand how effective he can be. The 28-year-old made two appearances against the Hawks during the regular season, notching 7.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 steals in 19.0 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (ankle) will play in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. He hurt his left ankle during the final week of the regular season and sat out Sunday's loss to Charlotte. Fortunately, Anunoby won't have to miss the postseason opener, as the team hasn't included his name on the injury report. In three regular-season clashes, Anunoby posted two double-doubles against the Hawks, averaging 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.7 steals. This matchup seems to suit Anunoby, and he could be one of the stars of the series.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle) will be active on Saturday in Game 1 against the Atlanta Hawks. The star guard has managed an ankle injury late in the season and didn't play in Sunday's loss to the Charlotte Hornets, but the team has removed him from the injury report ahead of the playoff opener. During the regular season, Brunson struggled to make three-pointers against the Hawks but was still productive on offense, averaging 29.3 points and 7.7 assists across three meetings. The three-time All-Star has regularly elevated his game in the postseason, and the Knicks will go as far as he takes them in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Thomas Bryant (calf) will remain out on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. He suffered a left calf strain late during the regular season and won't be in the lineup for a fifth consecutive game. Bryant has practiced in a limited capacity this week, so it's possible he can return later in the series. With Bryant unavailable,
Larry Nance Jr. returned to the rotation for the final few regular-season games, but he isn't expected to see much action in the playoffs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Toronto Raptors point guard
Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's playoff opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He exited Toronto's regular-season finale early due to a tight right hamstring. The team considers him day-to-day. If Quickley isn't available on Saturday,
Jamal Shead and
Ja'Kobe Walter will compete for a starting role. Between the two, Shead has been more productive as a starter, recording averages of 11.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.3 steals this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 17, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) is expected to play on Friday against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The Latvian veteran remains questionable on the injury report, but he appears ready to play through right ankle soreness. After struggling late during the regular season, Porzingis opened the Play-In Tournament with a strong performance on Wednesday, notching 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and one steal in 28 minutes against the Clippers. Due to his ankle issue, Porzingis might have a lighter workload on Friday night, leaving more playing time for
Al Horford and
Gui Santos.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
April 17, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (abdomen) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's Game 1 against the Boston Celtics, The Athletic's Tony Jones reports. "I'm just worried about Sunday, and I know he's not playing in that one. So I'm just trying to put together a great game plan for Sunday," 76ers head coach Nick Nurse told reporters on Friday. Embiid hasn't played since April 6, missing the last three regular-season games and one Play-In Tournament game after undergoing an appendectomy.
Adem Bona finished the regular season as Philadelphia's starting center, while
Andre Drummond also had an expanded role.
--Taavi PailkSource: Tony Jones
April 17, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander
Richard Fitts (lat) underwent season-ending surgery to address the right-lat strain that put him on the injured list in the minor leagues recently, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Fitts is expected to be fine in the long-term, but he'll obviously miss the rest of this year and can be dropped in any single-year fantasy leagues. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut with the Boston Red Sox in 2024 and went 2-5 with a 3.97 ERA (5.02 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks in 65 2/3 innings in 15 appearances (14 starts) in 2024 and 2025 in Beantown. Depending on how Fitts' rehab goes, there's the potential for him to be delayed early in the 2027 season, too. He came to St. Louis in the trade that sent veteran righty
Sonny Gray to Boston. Fitts, who probably needs to add to his fastball/slider arsenal, is probably a back-end starter for St. Louis down the road, at best.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
April 17, 2026
After topping 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2024, Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. struggled through a down year in 2025. The 31-year-old missed five games due to injury and finished the year with just 747 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns on 160 touches. While Jones Sr. was still Minnesota's nominal starter in the games he was healthy for, the team largely split carries between him and
Jordan Mason. At this point in their respective careers, Mason profiles as a more reliable short-yardage back, which could leave Jones Sr. limited to third-down and pass-catching duties. Jones Sr.'s production should benefit from the Vikings' offense having more overall stability in 2026 after the signing of veteran quarterback
Kyler Murray. Still, Jones Sr.'s dynasty value is firmly trending in the wrong direction, given his age and the split backfield in Minnesota.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) will play on his minor-league rehab assignment on Friday night, according to Craig Mish of Sports Grid. The team's medical staff will talk with Stowers after the game to see how he feels, but it sounds like his return could be imminent if all goes well. Stowers, who was Miami's lone All-Star representative in 2025, has yet to play in 2026 due to a right-hamstring strain that he suffered late in spring training in March. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger has just two hits in 15 at-bats with six strikeouts and no walks in his three rehab games to this point, but fantasy managers shouldn't really be concerned with that. When reinstated from the IL, Stowers will operate as the Marlins' starting left fielder. If he's somehow available on your league's waiver wire, scoop him up immediately. Stowers hit .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 117 games last year in his first full season in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Grid - Craig Mish
April 17, 2026
After spending the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers, wide receiver
Romeo Doubs signed a four-year contract with the New England Patriots as a free agent this past March. The 26-year-old posted solid but unspectacular numbers with the Packers in 2025, recording 55 receptions for 724 yards and seven touchdowns on 85 targets. With New England, Doubs profiles as the team's WR1 and could have a chance to break 100 targets for the first time in his career. The Patriots have other quality wideouts in
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins, and
Kyle Williams, but Doubs figures to be locked into every-down playing time, given the team's sizable investment in him. He may not carry high-end fantasy upside, but Doubs has established a solid production floor, and his dynasty value is rising after the move to New England.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (concussion) will not be activated from the seven-day injured list in the next day or two, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Manager Craig Albernaz said that O'Neill still has some boxes to check before he rejoins the major-league roster. O'Neill is still in the league's concussion protocol and will not be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible on Saturday. Hopefully, he can rejoin the team at some point early next week. With both O'Neill and first baseman/designated hitter
Ryan Mountcastle (foot) out with injuries, both
Dylan Beavers and
Leody Taveras have seen more playing time for Baltimore. Beavers, a 24-year-old former first-rounder in 2022 out of Cal, is the better long-term fantasy play over Taveras. Beavers is hitting .233 (10-for-43) with a homer and five RBI in his first 14 games in 2026. When healthy, O'Neill is a lineup regular for Baltimore and has power upside left after clubbing 31 long balls in 2024 with the Boston Red Sox in 113 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
April 17, 2026
Veteran running back
Isiah Pacheco had a disastrous year in his final season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025. Across 13 games, the 27-year-old recorded 563 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 137 touches. Pacheco signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Lions in free agency, where he will serve as the RB2 behind star Lions back
Jahmyr Gibbs. Pacheco's star has fallen quite a bit in recent seasons, as he's failed to average four yards per carry since 2023 and has missed 14 games over the past two years due to injury. Still, Detroit is a solid landing spot for his fantasy value. Former Lions back
David Montgomery scored 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons in a role similar to the one Pacheco will likely fill in 2026. Additionally, any injury to Gibbs would immediately vault Pacheco into the RB1 role in Detroit. In dynasty formats, Pacheco could be a decent buy-low target for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Colorado Rockies infielder
Willi Castro (hand) remains out for Friday's series opener at Coors Field against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, per MLB.com.
Edouard Julien will start at second base again and bat leadoff for Colorado versus Dodgers right-hander
Tyler Glasnow. Castro has not played since being pulled from Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand. The good news, though, is that X-rays came back negative, and he's considered day-to-day for now. Castro could be back in the lineup as early as Game 2 of the series in Denver on Saturday. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican switch-hitter could be in danger of losing more playing time to Julien at the keystone for the Rockies after starting the year with a .214/.279/.339 slash line, one home run, eight RBI, four walks, and 24 strikeouts in 621 plate appearances over 16 games played. In his career against Glasnow, Julien is hitting .200 with a .533 OPS in just five at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 17, 2026
Veteran running back
Rico Dowdle had a standout year with the Carolina Panthers in 2025, racking up 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches across 17 games. The 27-year-old parlayed his strong season into a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he will likely share lead running back duties with Steelers back
Jaylen Warren. Dowdle is the stronger short-area and goal-line back between the two, which could lead to him earning a larger role in the red zone. However, Warren is a standout pass-catcher, which might lead to a drop-off in Dowdle's fantasy value in PPR formats. Dowdle was able to thrive while paired with Panthers back
Chuba Hubbard in 2025, so he's proven the ability to provide fantasy production in a split backfield. Still, dynasty managers may want to value Dowdle more as an RB3/flex option than a no-doubt starter at the running back position.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Adley Rutschman (ankle), who is on the 10-day injured list with left-ankle inflammation, is running and going through drills and said he's feeling "a lot better," according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Rutschman is pleased with how he's progressing, but he also isn't sure how soon he could be back. He's eligible to return on Tuesday in Kansas City against the Royals. Until Rutschman can return, young catcher
Samuel Basallo will do most of the catching for the O's. Rutschman, a 28-year-old switch-hitting catcher, didn't hit a home run in his first 10 games in 2026 before going on the shelf, but he was batting .294 (10-for-34) at the time of his injury with three stolen bases and three runs scored in 39 plate appearances. He needs to be held onto in all fantasy leagues while he heals up as he looks to bounce back from his worst statistical season in 2025 since he entered the majors in 2022. Young outfielder
Dylan Beavers should continue to see regular at-bats at DH with both Rutschman and
Ryan Mountcastle (foot) injured.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
April 17, 2026
After being acquired from the New Orleans Saints at the 2025 trade deadline, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Rashid Shaheed's production fell off a cliff. Shaheed recorded 15 receptions for 188 yards and zero touchdowns across nine games with Seattle, compared to 44 receptions for 499 yards and two touchdowns across nine games with the Saints. Shaheed saw fewer than three targets per game as a member of the Seahawks and was utilized almost exclusively as a downfield deep-ball threat. Still, Seattle re-signed Shaheed to a three-year contract in free agency. The team could either have larger plans for him in 2026, or it could be satisfied with the production Shaheed provided last season. Star wideout
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is firmly entrenched as Seattle's WR1, leaving Shaheed to fight with wide receivers
Cooper Kupp and
Tory Horton for targets. Shaheed's big-play ability allows him to maintain some fantasy upside, but his dynasty value is fading now that he's out of New Orleans.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota saw more playing time than his team probably would have preferred in 2025, thanks to Commanders QB1
Jayden Daniels' myriad injury issues. Across 11 games (eight starts), Mariota completed 61.2% of his pass attempts for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 32-year-old also impacts the game with his legs, recording 297 rushing yards and a score on 50 attempts. When he gets the chance to play, Mariota's dual-threat ability makes him an appealing streamer option for fantasy managers. Daniels should be fully healthy for the start of the 2026 season, which will relegate Mariota to backup duties. Still, Daniels' considerable injury track record could make Mariota worth rostering as a handcuff quarterback in deep dynasty formats.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
April 17, 2026
The Houston Astros announced on Friday that they transferred left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) to the 60-day injured list. The move was made to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Peter Lambert, who was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land to make the start on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. The move means that Hader now won't be eligible to come off the IL until late May. The dominant 32-year-old southpaw threw his first live batting practice session since being diagnosed with left-biceps tendinitis near the start of spring training, but he still has a ways to go before he'll be ready to come off the IL and return to save duties in Houston. The six-time All-Star has 227 career saves in nine MLB seasons, so he's worth stashing in an IL spot in fantasy leagues until then.
Bryan Abreu was expected to be the favorite for saves early in 2026 with Hader sidelined, but he has really struggled, opening the door for
Bryan King, and most recently,
Enyel De Los Santos.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Astros
April 17, 2026
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Roman Anthony had a disappointing start to the season, slashing .200/.290/.309 with a .272 wOBA and 65 wRC+ over his first 14 games, but there are signs that perhaps he's about to turn it around. The 6-foot-3 slugger is 5-for-10 (.500) over his last three games, including a pair of doubles and more walks (three) than strikeouts (two). Not only that, his average exit velocity (EV) through the first 14 games stood at 90.6 mph, but during this recent three-game hot streak, the left-handed hitter is registering an average EV of 101.7 mph. To put it in perspective, the league's average EV leader,
Nick Kurtz, owns an average EV of 98.3. Hitting .246 with a .330 wOBA overall for the season, Anthony's xBA of .271 and xwOBA of .355 point to brighter days ahead, too, so fantasy managers should remain patient.
--Jarod RuppSource: Baseball Savant
April 17, 2026
Athletics third baseman
Max Muncy has cooled over his last four games, going 1-for-10 (.100) with zero extra-base hits over that stretch. However, that was preceded by an eight-game hit streak in which he went 14-for-34 (.412) with three doubles, a triple, and one home run. This is the type of inconsistency you will see from a player who is striking out at a 38.0 percent clip, yet overall, the former first-round draft pick owns a solid .288/.338/.485 slash line on the year (18 games) with a .365 wOBA and 130 wRC+. The right-handed hitter's batting average may ultimately suffer in the long run, but for managers looking for power, Muncy owns a 97th percentile average exit velocity (95.3 mph) and possesses the highest hard-hit rate in all of baseball (69.2 percent) to go along with a solid 12.8 percent barrel rate, so the extra-base hits should keep on coming. The 23-year-old is eligible at 2B, 3B, and SS on Yahoo!, adding to his fantasy appeal, and can still be had in nearly half of leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Baseball Savant
April 17, 2026
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher
Drew Pomeranz is seeing his fantasy value increase as the Angels figure out how to deploy their bullpen pieces.
Jordan Romano began the season as the Angels closer, but an 8.44 ERA and two blown saves quickly led manager Kurt Suzuki to be noncommittal at best when asked about his closer role.
Kirby Yates (knee) and
Ben Joyce (shoulder) are expected to rejoin the Angels bullpen at some point in the next few weeks, but for now, Pomeranz looks like he could start seeing even higher leverage innings. He's pitched eight innings this season and his five holds put him just two behind the league lead.
Chase Silseth and Pomeranz would likely form a lefty/righty closer committee if the Angels officially remove Romano from the role. Pomeranz is currently rostered in only 4% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues. He can be immediately added in holds leagues, and managers in saves formats should keep an eye on how the Angels use their relievers this weekend against the Padres.
--David A MarcilloSource: RotoBaller.com
April 17, 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars are acquiring defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro from the Atlanta Falcons on Friday in exchange for defensive tackle Maason Smith, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Orhorhoro was a second-round pick (35th overall) by the Falcons in 2024 out of Clemson. The 24-year-old played in just eight games in his rookie season, but he had a bigger role in Year 2 and recorded 25 tackles (12 solo), his first 3.5 career sacks, and six QB hits in 17 games played (eight starts). Smith, meanwhile, was taken by the Jaguars in the second round as well in 2024 out of LSU. The 23-year-old interior defensive lineman had 17 tackles (10 solo), three sacks, and three pass breakups in 11 games (five starts) in his rookie year, and he finished with 15 tackles (four solo) and just one pass breakup in 13 games (two starts) in the regular season in 2025 in Year 2. Both Orhorhor and Smith will be hoping to land bigger roles in their new digs going into their third year in the NFL in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
April 17, 2026
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Mick Abel has strung together two dominant outings after two rough ones to start the season. The right-hander hasn't allowed a run in his last two turns through the rotation, allowing just eight hits and three walks while striking out 16 batters in 13 innings pitched. The former first-round draft pick flashed similar dominance this spring, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and an elite 28.0 percent K-BB% in 22 IP, so it hasn't come from totally out of nowhere. Because of the first two starts of the year that didn't go well, the 6-foot-5 hurler's ERA (3.98) and WHIP (1.57) don't look great on the surface, but don't let that fool you, the 24-year-old looks like he could be on his way to a breakout campaign and is still available in almost 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues. He'll get the scuffling Mets next Tuesday at home in his next start.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
April 17, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays closer
Bryan Baker has already doubled his career total in saves with the four games he has locked down this year. Baker came into the season with one save from the 2022 season and three from last season, split between two teams. He has four this year, putting him two behind the league lead and making him the only Tampa Bay reliever with more than two. While
Griffin Jax has been better of late, his rough start to the season took him out of the closer conversation and opened the door for Baker to take over.
Edwin Uceta (shoulder) is working his way back from an injury and may be competition for Baker, but it seems more likely that he will slide into a setup role, keeping Baker in the ninth inning. Baker is currently rostered in just 22% of Yahoo leagues and should be immediately added in most formats. He's posted a 3.68 ERA (2.65 xERA) with seven strikeouts and two walks in 7 1/3 innings.
--David A MarcilloSource: RotoBaller.com
April 17, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks closer
Paul Sewald is tied with
Mason Miller for the league lead in saves with six. Injuries limited the veteran to just 59 1/3 innings pitched between 2024 and 2025, but he saved 34 games in 2023 while registering a 3.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 22.5 percent K-BB%. The 35-year-old appears fully healthy and currently has much better numbers than in that 2023 season, with a 2.45 ERA, 0.55 WHIP, and an elite 38.5 percent K-BB%, which can largely be attributed to the fact that he has yet to walk a batter this season. The right-hander doesn't light up the radar, with just an average fastball velocity of 91.5 mph (12th percentile), but he's been able to keep hitters off balance and limit traffic. The 6-foot-3 hurler is no Mason Miller when it comes to strikeouts, but at 58 percent rostered compared to Miller's 99 percent, Sewald's rostership should be much higher, and he remains the top target for saves on the waiver wire.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
April 17, 2026
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller thinks that Arizona State wide receiver
Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) will go much higher in the 2026 NFL draft than most people previously expected. NFL teams are comfortable with Tyson's injury history. Miller believes that he could go off the board as early as No. 5 overall, and that he will not be on the board later than the 16th overall pick in the first round next Thursday night. The 21-year-old wideout suffered a hamstring injury in October of last year and then aggravated the injury in his second game back in his final season with the Sun Devils. It's why he didn't run during the scouting combine in February or during Arizona State's pro day, but Tyson is having a workout for interested teams on Friday in which he'll run routes. Despite also tearing the ACL, MCL, and PCL in his knee in 2022, Tyson figures to be one of the first receivers taken in this year's draft. In his final two seasons in college, Tyson produced 136 catches for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns in 21 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Matt Miller
April 17, 2026
Boston Red Sox first baseman
Willson Contreras (back) is starting at first base and is hitting in the two-hole in Friday's series opener against the visiting Detroit Tigers and right-hander
Casey Mize at Fenway Park, according to MLB.com. Contreras suffered from back tightness earlier this week and was held out of Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. With an off day on Thursday, he's feeling much better and will return to the starting nine in Beantown. Fantasy managers will be hoping that his back injury won't affect him at the plate moving forward, as Contreras has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball in the first couple of weeks of the season. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star comes into Friday's action slashing .298/.444/.491 with a .936 OPS, three home runs, 11 RBI, and nine runs scored in 57 at-bats. Contreras has faced Mize just twice in his career and has one hit with a 1.000 OPS. Get him back into your starting lineups.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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