Jun 12, 2026, 9:45 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitching prospect River Ryan enjoyed a much-needed bounce-back effort at Triple-A Oklahoma City this past week. On Wednesday evening, Ryan tossed four innings of one-run ball while striking out seven hitters with only one free pass. This was a nice showing for the right-hander, who was coming off the worst outing of his young season, where he allowed a season-worst four runs and seven hits to Round Rock back on June 4. Ryan spent some time on the 7-day injured list earlier this season, but has since returned to Triple-A and has looked quite comfortable. Across 25 innings since returning from injury, Ryan has posted a 2.16 ERA with a 30:5 K:BB, with three of these walks coming in his worst showing. With both Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell on the IL on the MLB roster and starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski exiting early on Thursday night, Ryan has a clear path to return to the majors before the end of June, making him a prime stash target among pitchers.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 12, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Minnesota Twins top infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper continues to showcase elite upside at the Triple-A level and is on the verge of his MLB debut. Over his last 15 contests at St. Paul, the budding infielder has carried an elite .325/.425/.581 line with a 1.005 OPS. During this stretch, Culpepper has gone deep five times and swiped four bags. Overall, the 23-year-old has looked quite comfortable during his first stint at the top club of the minor leagues, posting a .268/.372/.489 slash line with 10 doubles, 14 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and an impressive 49:35 K:BB. Seeing him not only maintain his five-category profile but also show a strong eye at the plate has made him an elite stash option among hitting prospects. Given that Minnesota has lacked much production in the middle of their infield, Culpepper appears to be on a trajectory to debut before the end of June.--Andy Smith
Source: MiLB.com

Jun 12, 2026, 9:36 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza spent most of minicamp working with the third-team offense, as he did during organized team activities. While praising him for his work ethic and attitude, head coach Klint Kubiak has made it clear that the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft will not just be handed starting reps. With veterans Kirk Cousins and Aidan O'Connell still ahead of him on the unofficial depth chart, the next month and a half before teams gather again for training camp will be a critical stage in Mendoza's development. An opportunity to lead the second-team offense should come early in camp, but from there, Mendoza will need to continue demonstrating growth to push for a starting job that will need to be earned rather than assumed. While the playmakers in Vegas are not necessarily a deep group outside of tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, it's clear the team is doing all it can to set Mendoza up for long-term success, and at RotoBaller's dynasty QB17, he is worthy of an early selection in superflex rookie drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 12, 2026, 9:28 AM ET

After missing the media-accessible portions of organized team activities, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III has been a full-go at this week's mandatory minicamp, and the reigning rushing king told reporters on Wednesday that one of his goals for 2026 is to take better care of the football. Cook fumbled six times in 2025, with three resulting in turnovers, after putting the ball on the ground only once in 2024, resulting in a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns. If Cook can help to keep more drives alive and resulting in points, the fantasy ceiling rises even higher for a player who has also caught 109 passes over the past three seasons. With Joe Brady moving from offensive coordinator to head coach, there's a natural expectation that he will lean on his three-time Pro Bowl running back during the transition, and with a fourth straight top-12 fantasy finish a very realistic possibility, the 26-year-old Cook is RotoBaller's dynasty RB7.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Alec White & Maddy Glab

Jun 12, 2026, 9:26 AM ET

Vegas Golden Knights winger Pavel Dorofeyev scored both of his team's goals in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Early in the game, Dorofeyev set a new franchise record with his fifth power-play goal in this year's playoffs. He also became the first Vegas player with four multi-goal games in a single postseason. These were his first points of the Finals. Dorofeyev started the postseason red-hot, but he found himself on a six-game point drought before Thursday's contest. The Golden Knights will be desperate for another big performance from Dorofeyev in Sunday's elimination game. Despite his slump, the Russian forward sits second on his squad with 12 goals in 21 playoff games and has collected 16 points.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 12, 2026, 9:16 AM ET

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere contributed two power-play assists on Thursday in a 4-2 Game 5 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Gostisbehere helped Andrei Svechnikov pick up a pair of goals, recording his second multi-assist game in the Finals. He has finished back-to-back games with power-play assists. After converting only 12.5 percent of power-play chances in the first three rounds, Carolina has improved to 37.5 percent in the Finals, with Gostisbehere playing a vital role in the increase. The veteran rearguard has amassed 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 18 games during the postseason run, including nine points with the man advantage.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 12, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

Five-time All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) has not played in an NFL game in almost nine months, and with minicamps around the league concluding ahead of the annual summer break, the 10-year veteran remains unsigned. Hill suffered a severe leg injury that left him with multiple ligament tears and a dislocated knee, and it does not seem as if he's ready to join a team anytime soon. Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, recently spoke with Miami-based sportscaster Josh Moser and told him that Hill "is still in the midst of a rigorous recovery and rehab", adding that there is no set timetable for his return. Hill, who has racked up more than 12,000 yards and 90 touchdowns in his 10-year career, has a goal of earning the Comeback Player of the Year Award, according to Rosenhaus, but should he return for an 11th season, it sounds as if it could come as a mid-season signing rather than a training camp pickup. At 32 years old, Hill has fallen to RotoBaller's dynasty WR82.--Patrick McGrath
Source: Josh Moser

Jun 12, 2026, 9:09 AM ET

Carolina Hurricanes winger Andrei Svechnikov scored two power-play goals in Thursday's 4-2 Game 5 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals. He netted a 2-1 go-ahead goal in the second period and extended Carolina's lead to three with another strike in the third. Svechnikov became only the second player in franchise history to record multiple power-play goals in a single playoff game, joining Eric Staal. The Russian forward has been big with the man advantage in the Finals -- all four of his points have come on the power play. Vegas has killed off only 62.5 percent of penalties against Carolina. Svechnikov and his squad will look to exploit that weakness again in Game 6 on Sunday.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 12, 2026, 9:01 AM ET

Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers recorded a hat trick of assists as the team grabbed a 3-2 series lead in the Stanley Cup Finals on Thursday with a 4-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. He became only the 12th player in NHL history to register back-to-back three-point games in the Finals. It was an eventful evening for Ehlers, who also received four penalty minutes for a pair of delay-of-game penalties. Throughout the Finals, Ehlers has been a driving force for the Hurricanes, posting three goals and five assists in five contests. He has averaged a point per game in the playoffs, contributing seven goals and 10 assists in 17 outings.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

Jun 12, 2026, 8:53 AM ET

Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson (arm) is expected to miss the rest of the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Bill Price of NHL.com reports. The Swedish veteran sustained an apparent arm injury in Thursday's Game 5. "He's not going to be with us probably," Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella said postgame. "We've got to find a way to fill that void. Not just with one guy, but as a team." In the playoffs, Karlsson has been part of a productive second line, earning nine points (three goals, six assists) in 15 games. An early end to the playoffs will be frustrating for Karlsson, who was also limited to 14 regular-season games due to a lower-body injury.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Bill Price

Jun 12, 2026, 8:38 AM ET

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov has captured the 2025-26 Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP. He narrowly beat out Edmonton's Connor McDavid in the voting, finishing 10 points ahead. Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon was third. Kucherov won his second Hart Trophy, having received his first seven years ago. He earned 130 points (44 goals, 86 assists) in 76 games. While McDavid had eight more points, Kucherov's play in 2026 was in a league of its own. He posted 79 points (26 goals, 53 assists) in 41 games since the calendar flipped, with no other player reaching even 70 points. Kucherov isn't getting any younger, but he remains a top-tier fantasy contributor and will go after a fifth consecutive 100-point year next season.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jun 12, 2026, 12:34 AM ET

Center Aaron Brewer and the Miami Dolphins agreed to a three-year, $52.5 million contract extension on Wednesday that includes $37 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal makes Brewer one of the highest-paid centers in the NFL. The 28-year-old initially went undrafted out of Texas State before eventually latching on with the Tennessee Titans and spending his first four years in the NFL in Nashville. Brewer has spent the last two years in Miami, where he has missed just one game. In terms of total contract value, he's the fifth-highest paid center and the third-highest paid center in terms of average annual value ($17.5 million). The deal more than doubles the value of the three-year, $21 million deal he signed with Miami as a free agent in 2024. Since joining the Dolphins, Brewer has the 10th-best pass-block win rate of any qualified center in the NFL, and he has allowed just seven sacks in 1,127 pass-blocking snaps. It's a big win for the Dolphins' new braintrust and new quarterback Malik Willis.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Jun 12, 2026, 12:28 AM ET

New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter (ankle) suffered what sources are classifying as a minor ankle sprain during practice on Monday, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. As a precaution, Carter was held out of offseason practice for the rest of the week, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. He had a tight wrap on his ankle on Wednesday and did not participate in the team's walkthrough. The good news is that the second-year linebacker was not in a walking boot, and the goal is for him to be ready for the start of training camp next month. The 22-year-old former third overall pick last year out of Penn State should be fine for the start of his second season in the NFL in 2026, and both he and the Giants will be looking for him to take the next step as a pass-rushing linebacker. In his first year in the league in 2025, Carter finished with 43 tackles (25 solo), four sacks, seven tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries across 17 games (six starts).--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

Jun 12, 2026, 12:24 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his level of concern with two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani's knee injury is "not high," and that he feels good about Ohtani being back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Chicago White Sox, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Ohtani first felt something in his knee/hamstring area after a stolen base attempt on what ended up being a foul ball earlier in Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Roberts said the decision to pull Ohtani from the game early was him being proactive. The Dodgers will see how the four-time MVP feels on Friday, but the expectation is that he'll be available to play. Before leaving the eventual 8-6 win, the Japanese superstar went 2-for-2 at the plate with his 13th home run of the year, two runs scored, and two walks to boost his season average to .305 and his OPS to .964. Ohtani got off to a slow start offensively by his standards to begin 2026, but he has rebounded nicely and continues to be one of the best hitters in the game.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris

Jun 12, 2026, 12:16 AM ET

Colorado Rockies backup catcher Brett Sullivan was productive at the bottom of the Rockies' batting order in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the visiting Chicago Cubs at Coors Field, going 3-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs to boost his season average to .231 and his OPS to .664. It was the first multi-homer game of Sullivan's career, and the 32-year-old veteran backstop is now up to three home runs on the season in 33 games played. With the strong performance in the series finale, Sullivan nearly doubled his career home run total, as he entered play on Thursday with only three homers in his first 75 major-league games since debuting in 2023 with the San Diego Padres. He entered Thursday with a weak .207/.247/.310 slash line, a .558 OPS, one homer, and nine RBI in his 94 plate appearances this year in his first season in Denver. Sullivan will continue to see infrequent starts behind stud starting catcher Hunter Goodman, so fantasy managers should continue to ignore him in all formats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 12, 2026, 12:11 AM ET

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (arm, back) fared well in his minor-league rehab start on Thursday with Double-A Binghamton, allowing an earned run on a solo home run while walking one and striking out five in six innings to pick up the victory for the Rumble Ponies. Senga was originally scheduled to make his fourth rehab start on Tuesday, but he was scratched due to ulnar-nerve irritation in his right arm. Not only did Senga still get on the mound this week, but he delivered his best rehab performance so far on Thursday evening, throwing 51 of his 75 pitches for strikes. It's unclear what will be next for the 33-year-old Japanese native, but most likely, the Mets will want to see him make at least one more start down on the farm before considering him an option to rejoin the big-league rotation. In five starts in 2026 before going on the 15-day injured list, Senga gave up 21 runs (20 earned) while walking 13 and striking out 23 in 20 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues can afford to take a wait-and-see approach with Senga, who is currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milb.com

Jun 11, 2026, 10:52 PM ET

Baltimore Orioles infielder Coby Mayo has fallen into a cold spell at the plate recently. Over the last week, Mayo is 3-for-21 at the plate, but fantasy managers shouldn't run away. Over the last 10 games, Mayo has smacked four of his nine home runs on the season. The 24-year-old is struggling right now, but the power potential is legitimate. The O's are likely going to stick with Mayo through this slump and let him get everyday at-bats at the big league level. There isn't a ton of value right now, but Mayo could be someone worth stashing in deep leagues as a potential power source.--Andy Webb
Source: Baseball Reference

Jun 11, 2026, 10:45 PM ET

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martin Perez was supposed to take the mound against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. That game was postponed due to weather. Instead, Perez is expected to take the mound for the series opener against the New York Mets on Friday. The veteran southpaw is an intriguing streaming option given his recent success. Over the last three starts, Perez owns a 3.45 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, with nine strikeouts over 15.2 innings of work. He also has strong career numbers against the Mets, with a 3.09 ERA across 43.2 innings against the Mets in his career. The lack of strikeouts will likely keep his overall ceiling lower, but Perez remains a fairly trustworthy option at the moment.--Andy Webb
Source: Baseball Reference

Jun 11, 2026, 10:37 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) was outstanding on the mound during his rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Thursday. Bieber tossed six shutout innings, allowing five hits, while striking out four batters. This was his second rehab start, and Bieber was much more successful during this outing. The right-hander threw 62 pitches, so the Jays will likely want to increase that number before activating him off the Injured List. The expectation is that Bieber will need at least one more rehab start before rejoining the Jays roster. He has been sidelined all season while rehabbing an elbow injury. Bieber is looking like a strong stash candidate with his return to the mound on the horizon.--Andy Webb
Source: milb.com

Jun 11, 2026, 10:29 PM ET

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Nolan Jones was acquired by the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. In exchange, the Guardians will receive $250,000 in international bonus pool money. This season, Jones has slashed .275/.385/.460 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, and three stolen bases in 52 games at Triple-A Columbus. Jones is a former second-round pick of Cleveland from the 2016 draft. Jones blasted 20 homers during the 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies. Since then, Jones hasn't been able to have the same type of success at the big league level. He'll report to Triple-A Charlotte and will hopefully earn his way to the big league roster at some point.--Andy Webb
Source: Chicago White Sox

Jun 11, 2026, 10:20 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wrobleski took a line drive off his leg during the fifth inning of this game. After a visit from manager Dave Roberts, Wrobleski would exit the game. The southpaw has been diagnosed with a right hamstring contusion. Before leaving, Wrobleski allowed four earned runs on six hits with one strikeout over 4.2 innings of work. It's unclear at the moment if Wrobleski will be ready in time for his next start. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status shortly. UPDATE: Roberts said after Thursday's game that Wrobleski is expected to be fine for his next scheduled start against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays next Wednesday, per the Los Angeles Times' Maddie Lee.--Andy Webb
Source: Kirsten Watson

Jun 11, 2026, 10:10 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Ohtani exited the game in the top of the seventh inning due to left knee inflammation. Before leaving the game, Ohtani was 2-for-2 at the plate with a home run, one RBI, and two walks. Santiago Espinal took over the designated hitter spot for Ohtani for the rest of this game. Ohtani did have left knee surgery in 2019, so it's unclear if that has anything to do with this. The Dodgers should give an update on his status soon. For now, fantasy managers should consider Ohtani as day-to-day until further notice. UPDATE: The California Post's Jack Harris reports that Ohtani's knee injury is not considered serious, and he has a strong chance to be in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Chicago White Sox.--Andy Webb
Source: Kirsten Watson

Jun 11, 2026, 9:53 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader (knee) was able to get up some kicks as he works his way back into the mix. Shrader is currently recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 5 of last season. He knocked down 3-of-5 field goal attempts during a recent practice session. He'll be competing with Blake Grupe for the starting kicker job this upcoming season. Grupe connected on all five of his kicks, so Shrader could have a tough challenge ahead of him. Despite some struggles, it's quite amazing that Shrader is even attempting field goals around eight months after surgery.--Andy Webb
Source: Kevin Bowen

Jun 11, 2026, 9:41 PM ET

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (knee) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Miller is taking part in minicamp and 11-on-11 reps, but remains limited while he recovers from ACL surgery. He suffered a torn ACL in October of last year and is still not 100 percent healthy quite yet. When healthy, Miller will be competing for snaps with Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr. in the backfield. He has played a limited role in the backfield during his first three seasons with the Saints. Miller could be a viable depth option, but he is unlikely to be a trustworthy fantasy option.--Andy Webb
Source: louisanasports.net

Jun 11, 2026, 9:31 PM ET

Former NFL linebacker Darron Lee has been indicted on a murder charge. Prosecutors are seeking a first-degree murder conviction for the death of his partner. The first-degree murder charge carries a life sentence, but it's undecided if they will pursue the death penalty against Lee. He currently remains in the Hamilton County Jail without bond. Lee is a former first-round pick of the New York Jets who also played with the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills between 2016-2020.--Andy Webb
Source: Rich Cimini

Jun 11, 2026, 9:23 PM ET

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (leg) was able to take part in his first 7-on-7 practice. This is great news, as Ridley is returning from a broken fibula that he suffered during Week 11 of last season. Ridley was running routes and is moving well in practice right now. The expectation is that Ridley will be fully ramped up in time for training camp. The veteran wideout is going to have to fight for targets in a much more crowded receiving corps in Tennessee. The Titans added Wan'Dale Robinson through free agency and selected Carnell Tate with the fourth overall pick during the NFL Draft. His target share will likely take a hit this upcoming season, but the Titans are just hopeful to have him ready for the beginning of the season.--Andy Webb
Source: The Tennessean

Jun 11, 2026, 9:15 PM ET

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) was not seen on the practice field on Thursday. When asked about his absence, head coach Todd Monken said Jeudy isn't practicing due to a hamstring injury. The team wants to be extremely cautious with it being this early in camp. Fantasy managers shouldn't have anything to worry about, as this seems like a minor issue. Jeudy is expected to be the No. 1 wide receiver on the Browns' offense heading into the 2026 season. He's looking to rebound after posting 50 receptions, 602 receiving yards, and two touchdowns with the Browns last season. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates, but Jeudy should be fine going forward.--Andy Webb
Source: Ashley Bastock

Jun 11, 2026, 9:09 PM ET

Free agent guard Terry Rozier pleaded not guilty to newly added sports bribery and honest services wire fraud conspiracy charges, leaving him with not-guilty pleas to all four counts in the federal gambling case, The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov reports. A judge set his trial for Feb. 8, 2027. Prosecutors allege Rozier accepted a bribe to exit a March 23, 2023, game early while with the Hornets, logging just over nine minutes and finishing with five points, four rebounds, and two assists against the Pelicans after averaging 21.1 points per game that season. The NBA placed him on indefinite leave following his October 2025 arrest, and the Heat waived him in April 2026. Rozier's attorney is seeking changes to his release conditions that he argues are hindering a potential NBA return. From a fantasy perspective, Rozier is undraftable in redraft and a roster cut in all but the deepest dynasty formats until his status resolves.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Mike Vorkunov

Jun 11, 2026, 8:47 PM ET

The Sacramento Kings will work out Illinois guard Keaton Wagler next week, Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor reports. The visit lines up with Sacramento's need for a lead guard and its No. 7 pick, a range Wagler is expected to land in after ESPN and The Athletic slotted the consensus All-American around No. 5. The 6-foot-6 combo guard averaged 17.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on strong efficiency while powering Illinois to its first Final Four in 21 years. For dynasty and rookie-draft managers, Wagler profiles as a high-floor bet: his shooting, feel, and playmaking should earn early minutes wherever he lands, with comparisons ranging from Ty Jerome to CJ McCollum. A thin frame and lack of burst cap the ceiling, but a guard-needy Sacramento would hand him a clear runway to production.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Kevin O'Connor

Jun 11, 2026, 8:40 PM ET

The Kansas City Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) are both "leaning into this Week 1 possibility" that he'll be ready to go for the first Monday night game of the 2026 season against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Mahomes has made great progress this offseason while recovering from surgery to fix ACL and LCL tears that he suffered on Dec. 14 last year against the Los Angeles Chargers. The 30-year-old two-time MVP has been taking part in seven-on-seven drills during offseason workouts, but the next step will be for him to be cleared for contact and to participate in 11-on-11 team drills. Running and cutting will be a focal point for Mahomes over the next weeks and months as he attempts to regain his patented mobility. Head coach Andy Reid is optimistic that Mahomes will progress in training camp next month, and Mahomes would like to get a dress rehearsal during the preseason to test his surgically-repaired knee. KC added Justin Fields as insurance at the position, but all signs are pointing to Mahomes being ready for the regular-season opener. Nobody should be doubting Mahomes at this point in his career, but fantasy managers should also be tempering expectations as he returns from a major knee injury. It's best to target Mahomes as a high-end QB2 in 2026 fantasy drafts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler