March 21, 2026
Seattle Seahawks tight end
AJ Barner took a major step forward in 2025, and he remains atop the depth chart heading into 2026. During his second pro season, Barner caught 52 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Not only did he post new career-highs in all three categories, but he also held off any sort of rookie breakout effort from fellow tight end
Elijah Arroyo. Coming into the season, it seemed like Arroyo was destined to ascend into the No. 1 role eventually, but that never came to fruition. From a fantasy perspective, Barner emerged as the overall TE14 in PPR leagues. Still just 23 years old, he's trending up in dynasty leagues and could push for a top-12 finish in 2026. The opportunity to buy low on him is running out, but you might still be able to acquire him at a discount if his current manager expects Arroyo to steal some of his volume going forward.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 21, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
Didier Fuentes has made the team's Opening Day roster at 20 years old and will be part of their bullpen, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Fuentes earned the spot by throwing nine shutout innings with no hits allowed, no walks, and 17 strikeouts in three outings in the Grapefruit League. The Colombian hurler will open in Atlanta's bullpen, but don't be surprised if he eventually makes starts for the Braves in 2026, given all the injuries to the likes of
Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow),
Hurston Waldrep (elbow),
AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow), and
Joey Wentz (knee). Per MLB Pipeline, Fuentes is the team's No. 3 prospect. He struggled in his big-league debut in 2025, allowing 20 earned runs on 23 hits (six homers) while walking six and striking out 12 in 13 innings over four starts. Fuentes has a high-90s fastball with deception, giving him plenty of swing-and-miss potential. His secondary pitches are a work in progress. Fuentes is an arm to keep an eye on in mixed leagues going into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
March 21, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Dylan Beavers (quadriceps) has had some tightness in his right quadriceps muscle, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. The issue has caused soreness in his knee. Beavers is feeling better on Saturday and hopes to be ready for Opening Day next week. It's the first time he has experienced this, so he's not 100% sure he'll be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. As a precaution, the Orioles scratched the 24-year-old from the Grapefruit League lineup on Friday. If anything, the O's will exercise caution with their young outfielder, so don't be surprised if he starts on the injured list or in the minors. The former 33rd overall pick in 2022 out of Cal Berkeley made his major-league debut in 2025 and went 25-for-110 (.227) with four home runs, 14 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 137 plate appearances. Beavers has clear 20-20 potential at the next level as a regular, but the Orioles have a crowded outfield picture, and Beavers will most likely be in some sort of platoon initially.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
March 21, 2026
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Cedric Tillman has been an appealing long-term dynasty option ever since being drafted in 2023, but given that he still hasn't broken out, managers are starting to lose patience. Tillman had plenty of opportunities to produce when healthy last year, filling the undisputed No. 2 role behind
Jerry Jeudy. The quarterback play admittedly wasn't great, but Tillman's overall volume and production were still disappointing, all things considered. He ultimately played in 13 games last year, catching 21 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns. Across three years in the league, he has ranked as the WR118, WR90, and WR98. Tillman is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and could be worth dropping in dynasty leagues, especially as managers are forced to make tough roster crunch decisions with rookie drafts approaching.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 21, 2026
New York Mets veteran left-hander
Sean Manaea has not been included on the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Anthony DiComo. The Mets will roll with
Freddy Peralta,
David Peterson,
Nolan McLean,
Clay Holmes, and
Kodai Senga as their starting five to kick things off in 2026. Manaea will piggyback off one of the starters the first time through the rotation. The 34-year-old southpaw has displayed diminished velocity this spring, although Manaea has downplayed it. In his three Grapefruit League starts, Manaea has allowed four earned runs on seven hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out nine in 9 2/3 innings of work. He had a late-career resurgence in 2024 in his first year in New York with a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 184:63 K:BB in 32 starts, but injuries and inconsistency returned last year, when he went 2-4 with a career-worst 5.64 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 75:12 K:BB in only 60 2/3 frames. Without a rotation spot to begin the year, Manaea becomes more of a high-risk, low-reward late-round flier for rotation depth in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
March 21, 2026
Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs continues to produce impressive results while handling a large workload. He has been the overall RB6 and RB13 in fantasy football through two seasons in Green Bay, and he shows no signs of slowing down in 2026. Last year, Jacobs totaled 929 rushing yards, 282 receiving yards, and 14 total touchdowns across 15 games. Injuries were the biggest concern for the veteran, as a lingering knee injury forced him to miss two games and also limited his efficiency near the end of the year. When healthy, though, he looked like a mid-range RB1, consistently posting higher efficiency numbers and getting multiple goal-line opportunities each game. Moving forward, Jacobs remains in a favorable role to produce. The Packers allowed
Emanuel Wilson to walk in free agency, leaving minimal competition in this backfield. Green Bay could still add a ball-carrier via a trade or the draft, but for now, Jacobs has the backfield all to himself.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
March 21, 2026
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora officially announced on Saturday that infielder
Marcelo Mayer will break camp as the team's starting second baseman, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. This was the expectation all along after Boston recently named
Caleb Durbin as the starting third baseman. Mayer, 23, beat out
Nick Sogard for starting duties at the keystone to open the 2026 season. The former fourth overall pick in 2021 is currently hitting .214 (6-for-28) with a homer, two RBI, four runs scored, eight walks, and eight strikeouts in 11 Grapefruit League games this spring. Mayer made his MLB debut in 2025 and appeared in 44 games, slashing .228/.272/.402 with a .674 OPS, four home runs, 10 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 136 plate appearances. The left-handed hitter gets a boost as a late-round upside stash in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues with the news for his middling power and speed at a middle-infield position. As Mayer begins his first full major-league season, his ideal fantasy value comes as a developing dynasty/keeper middle-infield asset.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Ian Browne
March 21, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates have discussed a possible long-term contract extension with shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin, a source told Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. Griffin is MLB Pipeline's consensus top prospect in baseball, and even though he hasn't had his 20th birthday yet, he could be the team's Opening Day starting shortstop next week. Talk has been around a deal for as long as nine years and more than $100 million, according to Mayo's source. If Griffin starts on Opening Day, he'd be the first teenager to make his MLB debut on Opening Day since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989. Griffin is hitting just .206 (7-for-34) in 13 Grapefruit League games, but he has an .859 OPS with four homers and nine RBI, and he has impressed his teammates with his raw power and maturity. He made it look easy at three minor-league levels in 2025, slashing .333/.415/.527 with 21 homers and 65 steals. It was just the fifth 20-60 season in minor-league history. Griffin might just be one of those generational talents that don't come around too often. Even if he doesn't start the year in the majors, Griffin is going to produce for fantasy managers in all formats in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jonathan Mayo
March 21, 2026
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher
Andrew Kittredge (shoulder inflammation) said that he'll open the season on a rehab assignment in Triple-A Norfolk, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. He'll land on the 15-day injured list, but he expects a minimum stay and should be activated as soon as he's eligible. Kittredge noted that he'll be in Baltimore for Opening Day before reporting to Norfolk. An injury-related absence of any sort is not ideal, but fans and fantasy managers should be encouraged that Kittredge's ailment isn't too serious. He'll be back in action very soon, looking to build on a 2025 campaign in which he posted a 3.06 FIP with 10.9 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9. He projects as a high-leverage setup option in Baltimore this year, pitching late in the game before the O's turn to
Ryan Helsley.
--Andersen PickardSource: Andy Kostka
March 21, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman
Gavin Lux (shoulder) is absent from Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Minnesota Twins. Manager Kevin Cash said that Lux's right shoulder is "cranky," but the team is monitoring his status and expects him to return to the lineup on Sunday. The 28-year-old has put together a disappointing spring, slashing just .222/.222/.278 with a 38.9% walk rate and 18 wRC+ across six games. Lux projects as the Rays' starting second baseman on Opening Day, mostly because he posted a respectable 102 wRC+ in the majors with the Reds last year. At this point, it doesn't sound like the shoulder discomfort will sideline Lux beyond the weekend, so we should expect to see him in the lineup when the Rays kick off the regular season against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ryan Bass
March 21, 2026
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Seiya Suzuki (knee) has resumed light throwing and hitting, according to the team's injury and transaction tracker on MLB.com. Suzuki is working his way back from a PCL sprain that he suffered during the World Baseball Classic. The Cubs have directed Suzuki to begin these light baseball activities to determine whether he should be placed on the injured list. At this point, it seems probable that he'll miss Opening Day, even if he ends up avoiding an IL stint. That's tough news for the Cubs, who were expecting to pencil him into the No. 4 spot in their lineup as the everyday right fielder. Once he returns to action, the 31-year-old will look to build on a 2025 campaign in which he delivered a career-high 32 home runs and 103 RBI. Despite the injury blip, Suzuki still ranks as the #27 outfielder in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: MLB.com
March 21, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder
Justin Crawford has been informed that he made the Opening Day roster, according to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com. Crawford is regarded as one of the premier prospects in the Phillies' farm system, and his promotion to the majors comes after he spent the entire 2025 season in Triple-A. In the minors last year, he slashed a whopping .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs, 46 stolen bases, an 11.5% walk rate, an 18.0% strikeout rate, and 135 wRC+. His stats came back down to earth against MLB-caliber pitching this spring, but he still posted a respectable .277/.320/.383 slash line in spring training. Crawford represents the long-term future of the Phillies' outfield, and we wouldn't be surprised to see him start in center field on Opening Day.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kiley McDaniel
March 21, 2026
New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez (back) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against the Washington Nationals, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Alvarez exited early on Thursday, and he was kept out of the lineup entirely on Friday. While Mets fans and fantasy managers initially held their breath given Alvarez's injury history, it turns out that the catcher was just dealing with back tightness, and the team wasn't too worried about his status going forward. Indeed, he's already back in action after missing less than two days. Alvarez will look to pick up where he left off last year, when he slashed .256/.339/.447 with 11 home runs and 124 wRC+. He projects as the Mets' everyday catcher, batting ninth.
--Andersen PickardSource: Anthony DiComo
March 21, 2026
Boston Red Sox second baseman
Kristian Campbell has been optioned to Triple-A Worcester, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Campbell will require some additional development in the minors before the Boston front office is comfortable recalling him to the majors. The young infielder made his MLB debut last spring after making the Opening Day roster. He got off to a hot start but then quickly settled down, posting a .223/.319/.345 slash line with a 27.4% strikeout rate and 86 wRC+ across 67 games. He spent the rest of the 2025 season in Triple-A, not only working on his swing at the plate, but also improving his defensive versatility by getting reps at first base and in left field. Campbell produced a quiet spring this year (.645 OPS and 67 wRC+), so he didn't do enough to earn an Opening Day roster spot. Instead, he'll head back to Worcester while fellow infielder
Marcelo Mayer slots in as the Red Sox' primary second baseman.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chris Cotillo
March 21, 2026
The Seattle Seahawks announced on Friday that they exercised cornerback Devon Witherspoon's fifth-year option, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. The Seahawks have tried to work out an extension this offseason with the former first-rounder from 2023. OverTheCap.com projects Witherspoon's fifth-year option for 2027 to come in at around $21.2 million since he's made the Pro Bowl three times. He has a strong case to be the position's highest-paid player if he reaches an extension with Seattle. The 25-year-old has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons after Seattle took him fifth overall in 2023 out of Illinois. Witherspoon has a total of 249 tackles (170 solo), 4.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, nine QB hits, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), seven pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in his 43 games (42 starts) for the Seahawks. He was a big reason Seattle's defense was one of the best in the league in their run to a Super Bowl championship last season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
March 21, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against San Antonio as he continues to deal with right ankle injury management. Indiana could again be thin across the rotation with multiple players carrying questionable tags, which may lead to more minutes for
Kobe Brown and
Jalen Slawson (G League) if available. Brown finished with eight points, two three-pointers, and one steal in 20 minutes in the last game and could be a deep-league option. Slawson posted 17 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 37 minutes and would carry streaming appeal if cleared.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 21, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (calf) is questionable for Saturday's game against San Antonio and could miss a fourth straight contest. Indiana's backcourt is dealing with multiple injuries, with
T.J. McConnell (hamstring),
Ben Sheppard (ankle), and
Quenton Jackson (calf) also questionable, which could force rotation adjustments.
Kam Jones could see increased usage after posting 14 points, four three-pointers, nine assists, and two steals in 27 minutes in his last start. He could be a deep-league streaming option if more minutes open up.
Jarace Walker and
Pascal Siakam (knee) may also take on more scoring depending on availability.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 21, 2026
Utah Jazz guard/forward
Brice Sensabaugh (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Philadelphia, marking his second straight absence. Utah remains shorthanded, which should keep
Ace Bailey and
Cody Williams in prominent offensive roles. Bailey is coming off a 33-point outing with seven three-pointers, nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 34 minutes and looks like a strong fantasy play while the Jazz are depleted. Williams added 23 points and five assists in 27 minutes and remains a viable deep-league option.
Kyle Filipowski could also see steady usage in the frontcourt.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 21, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Grayson Allen (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against Milwaukee and could miss a third straight contest. His absence would likely keep extra minutes available for
Collin Gillespie, who finished with 24 points, six three-pointers, six assists, and two steals in 34 minutes in the last game. Gillespie could be a solid short-term streaming option for points and three-pointers if he remains in the starting lineup.
Ryan Dunn could also see steady bench minutes after posting five points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes.
Devin Booker should continue handling primary scoring duties.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 21, 2026
Phoenix Suns forward
Royce O'Neale (knee) is doubtful for Saturday's game against Milwaukee and is in danger of missing his second straight contest. That could keep
Jordan Goodwin in the starting unit after he finished with five points, eight rebounds, and three steals in 35 minutes in the last game. Goodwin could be worth a look in deeper leagues for rebounds and defensive stats if he sees similar minutes again.
Devin Booker and
Jalen Green should continue leading the offense.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 21, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (back) is expected to miss Saturday's game against Atlanta after exiting Friday's loss to Detroit early, finishing with five points, three rebounds, and two blocks in 11 minutes. His absence could open short-term streaming value in deeper formats.
Omer Yurtseven posted eight points, six rebounds, and two assists in 21 minutes Friday and could see another workload bump.
Quinten Post (foot), if cleared, is another deep-league option.
Brandin Podziemski and
Gui Santos may also see added usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: Nick Friedell
March 21, 2026
New York Knicks guard/forward
Landry Shamet (knee) left Friday's 93-92 win over Brooklyn in the third quarter and is questionable for Sunday's game against Washington after logging three points, three rebounds, two steals, one assist, and one block in 22 minutes. His absence could open rotation minutes with fantasy playoffs underway.
Jordan Clarkson had nine points in 22 minutes and could be a deep-league option for scoring, while
Mohamed Diawara put up eight points, seven rebounds, and five assists in 20 minutes and is more of a streamer in deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen stopped 26 of 27 shots on goal in Friday's 2-1 regulation loss against the Capitals. The only goal that Allen surrendered came midway through the opening frame, when Capitals forward Ryan Leonard scored his 15th goal of the season to give the team an early lead. The Capitals added an empty-net goal with just under two minutes remaining before the Devils responded with a goal of their own with the extra skater on the ice. Allen has been a serviceable goaltender for streaming purposes across standard leagues for a second consecutive season, with a 2.65 goals against average and .906 save percentage through 30 contests.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson made 30 saves and allowed just one goal in Friday's 2-1 victory against the Devils. Thompson was less than a minute away from earning his third shutout of the season, but Devils forward Jesper Bratt found the back of the net with 41.1 seconds remaining in the third period following the empty-net goal by the Capitals moments earlier. Thompson is an elite option across all fantasy formats with a 2.39 goals against average, a .914 save percentage, and a record of 23-19-5 through 47 appearances.
--Marko23Source: NHL.com
March 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against San Antonio as he looks to return after a six-game absence. His return could lead to fewer available minutes in the frontcourt.
Jarace Walker started the last game and posted 10 points, two three-pointers, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 33 minutes. Walker has been playing well and has provided a boost for fantasy managers with the playoffs underway. Siakam's return would likely cut into his workload. Siakam should be back in starting lineups if active.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard
Stephon Castle (hip) is questionable for Saturday's game against Indiana after missing Thursday's win over Phoenix, a situation that could again open extra minutes on the wing if he remains sidelined.
Devin Vassell returned to the starting lineup and finished with 12 points and two three-pointers in 33 minutes, putting him back on the streaming radar for points and threes, though his role can still fluctuate.
Dylan Harper chipped in five points, six rebounds, and five assists in 27 minutes off the bench and remains a deeper-league option for assists.
Victor Wembanyama and
De'Aaron Fox should continue carrying most of the offensive workload. Castle remains worth holding if he's able to return.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (eye) is questionable for Saturday's game against New Orleans after missing Thursday's win over Chicago, which could again push more offensive work toward the supporting cast if he remains out.
Jaylon Tyson (toe), who is also questionable, drew the start last game and delivered 18 points, two three-pointers, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 23 minutes, putting him on the radar as a streaming option if he plays.
Evan Mobley and
James Harden should continue seeing increased usage if Mitchell sits. Mitchell remains a must-start if cleared.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against Phoenix after missing two of the last three contests with right knee synovitis, which could again open up more work in the backcourt.
Ryan Rollins got the start last game and finished with 15 points, three three-pointers, three rebounds, and five assists in 23 minutes. He has put together a strong season and looks like a solid fantasy option down the stretch with the regular season nearing its end and fantasy playoffs underway.
Cam Thomas added 14 points with four assists in 23 minutes and could remain a scoring option off the bench, while
AJ Green may continue seeing situational minutes for three-point help.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Isaiah Collier (hamstring) will miss Saturday's game against the 76ers, marking his second straight absence and leaving Utah thin at point guard.
Elijah Harkless should continue seeing significant run after posting 23 points and 10 assists in 35 minutes last game, making him one of the more appealing short-term fantasy adds.
Bez Mbeng also saw plenty of minutes and filled the box score, but he looks more like a deep-league option. Newly signed
Kennedy Chandler is worth monitoring if he enters the rotation.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 20, 2026
Chicago White Sox outfielder
Jarred Kelenic was informed on Friday that he will not make the team's Opening Day roster, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. It's a new low point for the former top prospect after hitting .200 (7-for-35) with two home runs, five RBI, six runs scored, three walks, and 10 strikeouts in 38 plate appearances over 12 Cactus League games this spring. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was taken sixth overall by the New York Mets in the 2018 draft. He spent his first three years with the Seattle Mariners before playing for the Atlanta Braves for the last two seasons. Kelenic sports a .211 average with 49 homers, 156 RBI, 161 runs, and 31 steals in 407 total games in his five seasons. Last year, he only played in 24 games for the Braves and hit .167 with two homers. It's getting late for Kelenic to rebound in dynasty/keeper leagues, and you can ignore him entirely in single-year formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
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