April 8, 2026
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Taylor Ward is enjoying the start to his first season with his new team in 2026 and added four more hits in a 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Ward went 4-for-5 at the plate with three doubles, two RBI, and a run scored. The 32-year-old right-handed power hitter is still searching for his first home run, while he leads the league with nine doubles. The long balls will likely come, but fantasy managers surely aren't complaining about Ward's .383/.464/.574 start with eight additional RBI. Plenty is expected of Ward in his first year in Baltimore after having his first 30-30 season in 157 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025 in his eighth year in the big leagues. Camden Yards won't make it easy on Ward in his attempt to reach 30 homers in a second consecutive season, but he should at least be a strong counting-stat contributor in fantasy while hitting near the top of the O's lineup on a regular basis.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 8, 2026
According to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Spurs guard
Stephon Castle (knee) won't play on Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Castle logged an impressive outing during Monday's win over Philadelphia, bagging a triple-double. Unfortunately, he also hurt his right knee in the contest.
Victor Wembanyama (ribs) will also sit out tonight, so players like Dyaln Harper,
De'Aaron Fox,
Devin Vassell, and
Keldon Johnson could be a lot more involved in the offense.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Jeff McDonald
April 8, 2026
Cleveland Guardians outfielder
Angel Martinez had a big day at the plate in the team's 10-2 blowout win on Wednesday over the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Hitting in the two-hole while playing left field, Martinez went 4-for-5 with a grand slam and a strikeout. The ball was jumping off of Martinez's bat on Wednesday, and it led to his first runs batted in of the season and his first long ball. The 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter came into Wednesday's contest against KC with a .208 average (5-for-24) with a double, three runs scored, and a stolen base in 10 games played for the Guards. Most of Martinez's playing time in Cleveland has come against left-handed pitchers, but he looked good against righties on Wednesday, which could earn him some more playing time going forward if he continues to make loud contact. His grand slam came in the eighth inning off right-hander
Steven Cruz.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 8, 2026
According to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Magic center
Wendell Carter Jr. (nose) is available for Wednesday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 26-year-old has been cleared to play after suffering a nasal fracture in Monday's win over Detroit, exiting the contest after logging just 18 minutes. Despite the injury, Carter is expected to handle his usual minutes. He is averaging 12.1 points and 7.4 rebounds across 29.5 minutes per game in 75 appearances this season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Jason Beede
April 8, 2026
After filing an appeal on his seven-game suspension from Major League Baseball, Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez reached a settlement with the league and will have his suspension reduced to five games, effective immediately, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lopez threw a pitch up and in to Los Angeles Angels outfielder/designated hitter
Jorge Soler in the fifth inning on Tuesday night, and Soler took exception, charging the mound. Lopez and Soler threw haymakers at each other before the benches cleared to break up the brawl at Angel Stadium. With the reduced suspension, Lopez will not end up missing a start early in the year. He'll take the ball next Tuesday against the division-rival Miami Marlins, where he should be started by fantasy managers. The 32-year-old former reliever was a first-time All-Star in 2024 in his first year in Atlanta in his return to a full-time starting role. Lopez made only one start in 2025 due to shoulder issues, but he's healthy again and is off to a fine start in three outings so far, posting a 1.15 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and 13:5 K:BB through three starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
April 8, 2026
Detroit Tigers outfielder
Kerry Carpenter (illness) is feeling better and is starting in right field and batting cleanup for Detroit on Wednesday on the road against the division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander
Bailey Ober, according to MLB.com. Carpenter didn't start in each of the last two games due to a stomach illness, but he was used as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday. Now that the 28-year-old left-handed hitter is feeling better, he'll attempt to dig himself out of an early-season funk at the plate. The former 19th-round pick in 2019 has gone 6-for-32 (.188) with two home runs, six RBI, and three runs scored while walking five times and striking out 16 times in just 38 plate appearances over 10 games played. Carpenter has plenty of experience against Ober, hitting .267 against him with an .886 OPS, a home run, and three RBI in 15 career at-bats, so perhaps this matchup is just what the doctor ordered for the struggling outfielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 8, 2026
Los Angeles Kings winger Andrei Kuzmenko (knee) will be re-evaluated in 7-8 days, Alexander Legget of Mayors Manor reports. The Russian forward is recovering from meniscus surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the regular season in early March. However, it looks like he could have a chance to play in next week's regular-season finale against Calgary. The team could really use his help, having struggled to secure a playoff spot. Kuzmenko has produced 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) across 52 games this term.
--Taavi PailkSource: Alexander Legget
April 8, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Jaden McDaniels (knee) will play on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic. McDaniels is set to return after missing six consecutive contests due to left knee patella tendinopathy and a bone bruise. Despite
Anthony Edwards (knee),
Julius Randle (hand),
Ayo Dosunmu (rest),
Mike Conley (rest) and
Rudy Gobert (rest) all sidelined, the Timberwolves will likely remain cautious with McDaniels, keeping his minutes restricted tonight in Orlando.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Chicago Cubs right-hander
Colin Rea will enter the team's starting rotation and make the start on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, according to MLB.com. Rea is going to get a chance to prove he deserves a rotation spot with
Matthew Boyd (biceps) and
Cade Horton (elbow) on the injured list (Horton is done for the season). The 35-year-old veteran has made two appearances in relief so far in the early going in 2026, allowing three earned runs on eight hits while walking one, striking out eight, and picking up a save in 6 1/3 innings. Rea has a 19.3% strikeout rate in his career and will likely be limited from a pitch-count perspective on Wednesday in his first start of the year, so we wouldn't recommend him as any kind of streamer against the Rays. At best, Rea will probably end up being a matchup-based streamer in deep fantasy leagues for however long he remains in Chicago's starting rotation.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 8, 2026
Detroit Red Wings forward Mason Appleton (upper body) won't play on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ted Kuflan of the Detroit News reports. He will miss a fourth consecutive game with an upper-body injury and might be unavailable for the rest of the regular-season slate. Appleton has recorded 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 65 games with 63 SOG and 89 hits. Detroit has also just lost Michael Rasmussen (lower body), so Carter Mazur and Dominik Shine could see regular action until the end of the regular season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ted Kulfan
April 8, 2026
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will likely come back with the team after their weekend series in Tampa, and he could "potentially" be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment at some point next week, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. Volpe played through a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder for the majority of last season before undergoing labrum surgery last October. He has been working out at extended spring training in Florida. If Volpe can avoid any setbacks with his surgically repaired shoulder in minor-league games, he could make his 2026 debut with the Yankees in late April or early May. Until then, the speedy
Jose Caballero will continue to see most of the playing time at the 6 in the Bronx. The 24-year-old Volpe is a career .222/.283/.379 hitter in his three big-league seasons, but he had a 20-20 season as a rookie in 2023, and he's stolen 70 bases in 472 regular-season games played, making him useful as middle-infield depth for fantasy managers in mixed leagues when he's healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Erik Boland
April 8, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams (hamstring) is available to suit up for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Williams will return to the floor after he was held out for hamstring injury management during Tuesday's victory over the Lakers. He finished with 20 points, five rebounds, one assist and two steals across 29 minutes in his last outing against the Clippers on December 18. With the 24-year-old forward back in action,
Ajay Mitchell will likely see less playing time this evening as the team's rotation adjusts to accommodate Williams' return to the lineup.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Tony DeAngelo (lower body) is expected to be available on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Rachel Luscher of the Islanders' official site reports. He has missed six games due to a lower-body injury but returned to practice on Wednesday, skating with Adam Pelech. The Islanders' playoff hopes are hanging by a thread, and DeAngelo's creative spark could help the team end a four-game skid. He is third on the team with 28 assists and has collected 33 points in 72 appearances. DeAngelo has recorded an assist in both of his encounters with the Maple Leafs this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Rachel Luscher
April 8, 2026
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough called it a "possibility" that outfielder
Kyle Stowers (hamstring) will play first base this year, possibly as early as his minor-league rehab assignment, according to Kevin Barral of Fish On First. Stowers is approaching a rehab assignment after going through a workout on Wednesday. The left-handed slugger has never appeared at first base as a professional, but it could be a way for the Fish to keep him healthy for the long run. A right-hamstring strain forced Stowers to the 10-day injured list to begin the 2026 season. The 28-year-old former second-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of Stanford was the Marlins' lone All-Star representative in 2025 after a breakout campaign that saw him hit .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five steals in 117 games played. Durability is a major concern, but Stowers deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues as he looks for an encore in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Fish On First - Kevin Barral
April 8, 2026
San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday against the Edmonton Oilers, Curtis Pashelka of The San Jose Mercury News reports. After missing time due to an upper-body injury, Klingberg has been a healthy scratch for a couple of games. He last played on March 24. The 33-year-old has appeared in 54 contests this season, recording 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists), 79 SOG, 61 blocks, and 46 hits. Early in the campaign, Klingberg was an effective player for the Sharks, but he's been struggling since the turn of the year. Across his last 11 appearances, Klingberg has made it on the score sheet just two times. Shakir Mukhamadullin will make way for Klingberg in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Curtis Pashelka
April 8, 2026
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) won't dress for Wednesday's matchup with the New York Rangers, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports. He left the morning skate early due to a lower-body injury. Since Buffalo carries three goaltenders, Lyon wasn't expected to dress anyway on Wednesday. But his injury could force Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff to rethink his plans for the final few regular-season games. Lyon has been impressive in 2025-26, posting a 20-10-4 record, a 2.77 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage, and three shutouts. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is scheduled to start on Wednesday, with Colten Ellis serving as his backup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Matthew Fairburn
April 8, 2026
According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, Minnesota Timberwolves center
Rudy Gobert (rest) won't play against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. The 33-year-old big man will have the backend of a back-to-back set off to rest after closing with five points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks across 33 minutes in Tuesday's 124-104 win over Indiana.
Anthony Edwards (knee),
Julius Randle (hand),
Ayo Dosunmu (rest) and
Mike Conley (rest) will also miss tonight's contest.
Naz Reid and
Joan Beringer are slated to have expanded frontcourt workloads this evening.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Jon Krawczynski
April 8, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (middle body) will return from a one-game absence on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The Swedish veteran wasn't available for Saturday's contest against L.A. due to a minor middle-body injury. He is expected to take Troy Stecher's spot on the blue line for Wednesday's game. Ekman-Larsson has been one of Toronto's better players during a disappointing season, totaling 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 73 outings. However, he has gone cold offensively late in the season, finishing scoreless in 12 of his last 14 appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 8, 2026
Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin hasn't yet decided whether the 2025-26 campaign will be his final NHL season. "We're going to make a decision in the summer," Ovechkin said in an interview posted by the team on social media. The Capitals captain is finishing up a five-year, $47.5 million contract. Despite turning 40 in September, Ovechkin has continued to produce for fantasy managers, scoring 31 goals and 61 points in 78 games. He is only the fourth player in NHL history to score 30-plus goals in a season at age 40 or older.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever
Edwin Uceta (shoulder) will pitch one inning on Friday and on Sunday for Double-A Montgomery on a minor-league rehab assignment before being sent to Triple-A Durham to build his arm up further, according to Ryan Bass. "I'm hopeful just before May 1," manager Kevin Cash said on a possible return timeline. "He didn't have a spring training, so he's gonna get built out, and then it'll kind of decide how we want to navigate."
Griffin Jax began the 2026 season as Tampa's first option for saves with Uceta sidelined, but he quickly blew two saves and has been surpassed by
Bryan Baker for the time being in the closer hierarchy in Tampa. Uceta, who was one of only five relievers with 100-plus strikeouts in 2025, could quickly become the team's closer once he's activated from the 15-day injured list later this month. The Dominican reliever had a sparkling 1.51 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and five saves in 2024 as well, and is one of the most talented arms in the Rays' bullpen.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ryan Bass
April 8, 2026
Detroit Pistons guard
Cade Cunningham (chest) is expected to play Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks, per Vincent Goodwill of ESPN.com. Despite still carrying a questionable tag, Cunningham should be upgraded to available soon, as he went through shootaround without any issues. The 24-year-old star guard is averaging 24.5 points, 2.0 three-pointers, 5.6 rebounds, and 9.9 assists in 34.4 minutes across 61 games this season.
Daniss Jenkins and
Marcus Sasser would likely lose usage in Cunningham's return.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Vincent Goodwin
April 8, 2026
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Ian Happ (heel) is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday for a second straight night against the Tampa Bay Rays while dealing with a bruised left heel, according to Taylor McGregor of Watch Marquee Sports. Happ is available off the bench, though, which means he should be able to return to action for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates after an off day on Thursday. With Happ out again,
Michael Conforto will start in left field for the Cubbies and will hit eighth against Rays right-hander
Joe Boyle. Although Happ has already gone deep four times in his first 40 at-bats, he only has eight hits in total (.200 batting average) while driving in seven runs and scoring seven runs for the Cubs. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday to make sure that Happ is back in the lineup before returning him to their starting lineups. Conforto has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Boyle.
--Keith HernandezSource: Watch Marquee - Taylor McGregor
April 8, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander
Drew Rasmussen, who is away from the team right now for the birth of his child, could return to the team's starting rotation on Friday against the New York Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 30-year-old was scratched from his scheduled outing against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday after his wife went into labor. At the latest, Rasmussen will rejoin the team on Saturday for the weekend series against the Yankees. After being named an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2025, Rasmussen is off to a good start in 2026 after two starts, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits (two homers) while walking just one and striking out 10 in 10 innings pitched. Rasmussen is looking to take the next step in his seventh year in the big leagues, but he'll have a pretty big challenge on his hands against New York in his third start of the season after he comes off the paternity list.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
April 8, 2026
Kansas City Royals left-hander
Cole Ragans (thumb) "should be good" going forward after suffering a left-thumb contusion in his start on Wednesday versus the Cleveland Guardians, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. It sounds as though the Royals avoided the worst with Ragans after he was hit by a comebacker off the bat of
Jose Ramirez in the first inning. He initially stayed in the game, but his thumb proved to be too stiff for him to continue, so the Royals pulled him as a precaution. The 28-year-old southpaw was charged with three earned runs while walking one and striking out two in just two-thirds of an inning on Wednesday. It's great news for Ragans, who made only 13 starts in 2025 due to injuries after his All-Star campaign in 2024. Ragans struck out 223 hitters in 32 starts for the Royals in 2024, and he's a prime bounce-back candidate this year if he can manage to stay healthy. His next scheduled start will come against the division-rival Detroit Tigers next Tuesday on the road.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
April 8, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez has been suspended for seven games for his role in a brawl with Los Angeles Angels designated hitter
Jorge Soler during Tuesday night's game, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. After Lopez threw a pitch up and in during the fifth inning, Soler charged the mound, with both players throwing haymakers as the benches cleared at Angels Stadium. Both Soler and Lopez will appeal their suspensions, which means they'll be eligible to play until the league hears their suspensions. Lopez will likely end up missing one turn through Atlanta's rotation. Lopez, who only made one start in 2025 due to a shoulder injury, has been great in his three starts this year, allowing four runs (two earned) while walking five and striking out 13 in 15 2/3 frames. The 32-year-old veteran's next scheduled start will come on Monday against the Miami Marlins, so fantasy managers will be hoping his suspension doesn't kick in before that start.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
April 8, 2026
Los Angeles Angels designated hitter
Jorge Soler has been suspended for seven games for brawling with Atlanta Braves right-hander
Reynaldo Lopez on Tuesday night, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Soler took exception to a pitch up and in from Lopez in the fifth inning and charged the mound before throwing punches in a benches-clearing brawl. Until Soler's appeal is heard by the league, he'll be eligible to play for the Angels, including in Wednesday's contest against Atlanta at Angels Stadium. The 32-year-old veteran right-handed power hitter is slated to start in right field and bat cleanup for the Halos in Wednesday's series finale against Braves right-hander
Grant Holmes. To begin his second season in Anaheim, Soler heads into Wednesday's action sporting a .220 average (9-for-41) with two home runs, 10 RBI, and seven runs scored in 12 games played. Keep Soler in your starting lineups for now until his suspension kicks in.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
April 8, 2026
Houston Astros right-hander
Cristian Javier (shoulder) was removed from his start early on Wednesday at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies with "right-shoulder tightness," according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. In his one inning of work before hitting the showers early, Javier allowed an earned run on three hits while walking none and striking out one.
AJ Blubaugh, who took over for Javier in this contest, will be a top candidate to enter Houston's starting rotation if Javier's injury is serious enough to send him to the 15-day injured list. The 29-year-old Dominican is off to a rough start to the 2026 season, as he has allowed 12 earned runs on 10 hits (two homers) while walking nine and striking out only three in 8 1/3 innings in his two starts before Wednesday's outing in Denver. Javier made only eight starts for the 'Stros in 2025 in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024, so injuries have been an issue.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
April 8, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Jake Meyers (side) was removed from Wednesday's game early against the Colorado Rockies with "lower-back tightness," according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Meyers suffered the injury in the second inning and was pulled in favor of
Brice Matthews. For now, fantasy managers should consider Meyers to be day-to-day until we know more. If his injury is significant, Matthews and
Joey Loperfido would both be candidates to see more playing time in center field for Houston. Meyers hit a career-best .292 in 104 games in 2025 for the Astros, but he's mostly a defense-first player in center field. In 11 games to open the year going into Wednesday's contest at Coors Field, Meyers had gone 9-for-37 (.243) with a homer, four RBI, five runs scored, and one stolen base.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
April 8, 2026
Penn State quarterback
Drew Allar struggled with accuracy and played in only six games in 2025 due to a fractured left ankle, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that some NFL scouts still "see major upside" in Allar. He previously garnered first-round buzz thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame and big arm, but it's tough to project where he'll go in the 2026 NFL draft because of his abbreviated final season with the Nittany Lions. "He's my favorite quarterback in the draft outside of Mendoza," an NFL coordinator said. "In the right system, he can be great. He's got everything as far as tools. His footwork is an absolute mess. But improve his footwork, and he can take off. He deserved better than what he got at Penn State." If Allar lands in the right spot with a coordinator that can improve his footwork, Allar could be a nice dynasty/keeper target if you miss out on
Fernando Mendoza or
Ty Simpson.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
April 8, 2026
ESPN's Adam Schefter recently said that he expects Alabama quarterback
Ty Simpson to be a first-rounder in the 2026 NFL draft, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that enough scouts have a second-round grade on him to make him an early Day 2 possibility. Simpson's draft stock is all over the map, as he's expected to go anywhere from No. 10 overall to No. 30 in the first round. The primary concern is his lack of experience, as he didn't become a starter at Alabama until his senior season in 2025. He played well early on last year but struggled late, ultimately finishing with 3,567 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and only five interceptions in 15 games played. Nobody is really expecting Simpson to come in right away in the NFL and be great, and one veteran NFL scout called Simpson "a mix between
Jared Goff and
Mac Jones." Simpson made "a lot of NFL throws" at Alabama, which will help his development at the next level, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues shouldn't expect him to be in play as a starter in 2026, even in superflex leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
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