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
April 17, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers reliever
Abner Uribe notched his first save of the season in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. The right-hander needed just 12 pitches to dispatch Toronto in the top of the ninth, throwing eight of them for strikes and striking out one batter. With
Trevor Megill's recent struggles, Milwaukee's closer has been moved to a setup role, leaving the door open for others to compete for save opportunities. With seven saves and a 30.2 percent strikeout rate last season, Uribe certainly fits the bill. Although his strikeout rate is down somewhat to start the year (25.8 percent), the 6-foot-3 fireballer has walked just one batter (3.2 percent) in eight innings pitched. However, it doesn't appear to be Uribe's job alone at the moment, as
Angel Zerpa was called upon to shut the door for Milwaukee on Thursday, earning his second save of the season. Nevertheless, Uribe's profile likely gives him the edge as Zerpa owns an opponent batting average of .324 and just a 4:4 K:BB in 10 innings of work. The 25-year-old Uribe is available in almost 40 percent of leagues for managers looking to collect saves.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
April 17, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Andy Pages had a breakout season in 2025, but so far is on pace to outproduce that campaign in the early going of 2026. With two hits in his latest contest, the right-handed slugger now has hit safely in 14 of 18 games, with nine multi-hit performances included in there. In all, it has produced a .409/.451/.697 slash line with five home runs, 20 RBI, 10 runs scored, and three steals. His .502 wOBA and 220 wRC+ both rank in the top three in all of baseball. An unsustainable .512 BABIP and xwOBA that is more than 125 points lower (.376) than his actual wOBA point to eventual regression, but for now, he's hot. Although a slowdown will come at some point, the 25-year-old should continue to have success over the course of the season and is looking like one of the biggest draft-day values of 2026.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
April 17, 2026
Chicago Cubs right-handed closer
Daniel Palencia (oblique) was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 14) on Friday with a left-oblique strain, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. It's yet another injury for Chicago's pitching staff, which has been decimated early in the 2026 season. The 26-year-old Palencia has yet to allow a run for the Cubbies so far this year in five relief innings, recording a save, two walks, and five strikeouts along the way. However, he'll now likely have to miss more than two weeks with his oblique injury. In the meantime, right-hander
Ben Brown figures to see the majority of save chances for the Cubs with Palencia on the shelf. Palencia hadn't pitched since last Sunday, and now we know why. High-leverage relievers
Phil Maton (knee) and
Hunter Harvey (triceps) are also on the IL right now. In addition to Brown,
Caleb Thielbar could see some save opportunities in Chicago.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
April 17, 2026
Arizona Cardinals veteran quarterback
Jacoby Brissett is not attending the team's first phase of their offseason program and is asking for a contract extension that would pay him as a starter, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Brissett is set to make $9.06 million in 2026 and has only $1.5 million in guaranteed money. He's looking for more security, and the Cardinals appear willing to address it. The 33-year-old took over for
Kyler Murray in Week 6 of last year after Murray suffered a foot injury, and he went on to have a career year, completing 64.9% of his 485 pass attempts for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 14 games played (12 starts) for the Cards. Murray is now in Minnesota, and Brissett is expected to enter the 2026 campaign as the starter under new head coach Mike LaFleur. Brissett was a valuable QB2 streamer, especially in superflex leagues last year, but in an offense that should be more balanced under LaFleur, fantasy managers should temper expectations with Brissett.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
April 17, 2026
The Houston Texans and All-Pro edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. agreed to a blockbuster three-year, $150 million contract extension on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes $134 million guaranteed to make Anderson the league's highest-paid non-QB ever. The deal also includes a rare no-trade clause. The 24-year-old is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL after he was taken third overall by Houston in the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama. Anderson has had double-digit sacks in each of the last two seasons and finished last year with a career-high 54 tackles (35 solo), a career-high 12 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 23 QB hits, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) in 17 regular-season starts. He was a big reason the Texans had the top-ranked defense in the NFL in 2025, and he finished as the No. 6 defensive lineman in IDP fantasy formats. Anderson finished second behind Myles Garrett in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
April 17, 2026
New York Mets rookie outfielder
Carson Benge is starting in right field and is hitting leadoff for Friday's series opener in Chicago at Wrigley Field against the Cubs and right-hander
Edward Cabrera, according to MLB.com. With Benge moving up to leadoff, shortstop
Francisco Lindor will drop down to the three-hole for the struggling Mets lineup. New York heads into Friday's action on an eight-game losing streak without star outfielder
Juan Soto (calf). Benge, 23, hit a home run in his major-league debut on Opening Day, but it's been downhill since then. The former 19th overall pick in 2024 out of Oklahoma State is hitting just .151/.237/.226 with a homer, three RBI, five stolen bases, five runs scored, six walks, and 15 strikeouts in 59 plate appearances over his first 16 MLB games. Hitting leadoff will give him a fantasy boost, but it probably won't last for long, with Soto expected to come off the IL at some point next week for the Mets.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 17, 2026
New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto (calf) is progressing with his baseball activities and is "still on track" to return from the 10-day injured list next week, but the Mets will want to do a supplemental MRI exam to ensure that Soto is OK before activating him, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. Soto landed on the IL with a right-calf strain, but he's made good progress and could be back for fantasy managers at some point next week. The Mets have really struggled mightily offensively without the 27-year-old four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner, as they currently rank second-to-last in baseball with a .617 team OPS. In his first 31 at-bats before going on the IL, Soto was hitting a cool .355 (11-for-31) with a homer, five RBI, and three runs scored. Obviously, fantasy managers everywhere will want to get Soto back into their starting lineups immediately next week when he's reinstated.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Laura Albanese
April 17, 2026
Outfielder Garret Anderson, who is a member of the Los Angeles Angels' Hall of Fame, died at the age of 53 on Friday, according to ESPN. No cause of death was given. Anderson played 15 of his 17 major-league seasons with the Angels after he was drafted by them in the fourth round in 1990. Anderson was a three-time All-Star in his 17 big-league seasons and ultimately finished with a .293/.324/.461 slash line, .785 OPS, 287 home runs, 1,365 RBI, 80 stolen bases, and 1,084 runs scored in 2,228 regular-season games. Anderson also won two Silver Slugger awards, was a Home Run Derby champion, and was part of the Angels' 2002 World Series champion squad. The smooth left-handed swinger was fourth in the American League MVP voting in 2002. Following his playing career, Anderson served as a television analyst for Angels broadcasts. RotoBaller offers its condolences to Anderson's family and friends at this difficult time.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
April 17, 2026
New York Mets infielder
Jorge Polanco (Achilles, wrist) is in a "better place" with his Achilles bursitis on Friday, but now he's dealing with a right-wrist issue, manager
Carlos Mendoza told Max Goodman of NJ.com. The Mets are waiting for MRI results on Polanco's wrist. Although his Achilles bursitis is not considered serious, Polanco could land on the 10-day injured list this weekend. He is not in the starting lineup for the second straight game on Friday as the Mets get set to take on the hosting Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. With
Jared Young also on the shelf with a torn meniscus in his left knee,
MJ Melendez could see the majority of starts at designated hitter for the Mets against right-handed pitchers until Polanco can return.
Brett Baty is starting at first base and batting eighth on Friday against Cubs right-hander
Edward Cabrera. Polanco, who has a history of lower-body injuries, is hitting just .179 (10-for-56) to start his Mets tenure.
--Keith HernandezSource: NJ.com - Max Goodman
April 17, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers have done their homework on this year's quarterback class, including Alabama signal-caller
Ty Simpson, but ESPN's Brooke Pryor doesn't expect them to take a QB at No. 21 overall in the first round next Thursday night. The Steelers "continue to believe" that veteran free-agent QB
Aaron Rodgers will return for another season in 2026. Instead, they could take the best player available at that position late in the first round among wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, or any spot in the secondary. There is no consensus player (or even position) for the Steelers in the first round this year. The front office addressed some of the team's most glaring needs (receiver, cornerback, and safety) in free agency and the trade market this offseason. Overall, Pittsburgh has 12 draft picks this year, including four Day 2 selections. If the Steelers do take a QB in this year's draft, it could come in Rounds 2 or 3.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
April 17, 2026
Chicago Cubs right-hander
Cade Horton (elbow) had Tommy John surgery on Thursday and will need 15 to 16 months of recovery, according to Taylor McGregor of the Marquee Sports Network. Horton needed a full right-elbow reconstruction. He will miss the rest of the 2026 campaign and most likely the first half of next season as well. The 24-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2022 out of Oklahoma can obviously be dropped in all redraft fantasy baseball leagues, but he should be held in dynasty/keeper leagues. Horton looked solid in his first 23 big-league appearances (22 starts) in 2025, going 11-4 with a 2.67 ERA (3.58 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, and a 97:33 K:BB in 118 innings pitched during the regular season. He had allowed only two earned runs on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in his two starts this year before being shut down with elbow/forearm issues. The good news for the Cubbies' starting rotation is that veteran left-hander
Matthew Boyd (biceps) should return to the team sooner rather than later.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network - Taylor McGregor
April 17, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Braydon Fisher will serve as the opener for the team in Friday's series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Left-hander
Eric Lauer, not Fisher, is who fantasy managers will want to consider starting in this matchup at Chase Field in Arizona. Fisher, however, has been lights-out so far for Toronto in eight relief appearances, as he's sporting a 0.93 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 9 2/3 innings of work. The most pitches Fisher has thrown in an outing in 2026 is 32, so he's unlikely to work more than an inning or two on Friday in the desert. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will probably want to avoid Lauer, too, as he's gone 1-2 so far this year with an ugly 7.82 ERA (6.48 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 12 K's and nine walks in 12 2/3 innings over his first three starts. The Diamondbacks currently rank 20th in team OPS in the early going at .687.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
April 17, 2026
Eighteen NFL teams are expected to attend Arizona State wide receiver
Jordyn Tyson's (hamstring) workout on Friday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Tyson, who is projected to be a first-round pick next Thursday night, is holding his own individual workout for teams at Arizona State. The 21-year-old did not run at the scouting combine in February or during the Sun Devils' pro day earlier in the offseason due to a hamstring injury. Tyson also dealt with several injuries in college, so scouts want to get another look at him before the 2026 NFL draft kicks off next week. Even though Tyson has an injury history, he could be in play as the first receiver off the board in the first round next Thursday night. He had 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 75 receptions in 2024 at Arizona State and finished up with a 61-711-8 line in nine games in his final season with the Sun Devils in 2025. In addition to his hamstring injury, Tyson also tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL in his knee in 2022 and fractured his collarbone in 2024.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
April 17, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz has shut down trade rumors surrounding wide receiver
Quentin Johnston, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. "There's a lot of rumors out there on Twitter," Hortiz said. "And I can tell you this, I have made zero calls about Quentin, and I've had zero calls regarding Quentin." The Chargers are still discussing the decision on whether to pick up Johnston's fifth-year option, which would pay him $18.1 million fully guaranteed in 2027. L.A. must decide before May 1. Hortiz and head coach Jim Harbaugh have supported Johnston all along, which was evident after they traded
Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears after Johnston's poor rookie season. The 24-year-old former 21st overall pick in 2023 out of TCU has rewarded the team's faith, going over 700 receiving yards in each of the last two years while scoring eight times each season in 29 total regular-season games. He led the Bolts in TDs and had a career-high 735 yards over 14 games in 2025. With Allen unlikely to return in 2026, Johnston should once again be a focal point through the air for quarterback
Justin Herbert in his fourth NFL campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
April 17, 2026
New York Mets infielder
Jorge Polanco (Achilles) is not ready to rejoin the starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, according to MLB.com. Bretty Baty will make the start at first base and is batting eighth, while
MJ Melendez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth for the Mets against Cubs right-hander
Edward Cabrera. Polanco continues to deal with Achilles bursitis early in the 2026 season, his first with the Mets, and will miss a second straight game going into the weekend. If he continues to be bothered by the injury, the Mets could place Polanco on the 10-day injured list. It could be a big reason why the 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitting veteran is hitting just .179 (10-for-56) so far with just one home run, two RBI, three runs scored, five walks, and 11 strikeouts in his first 14 games. Polanco has a history of lower-body injuries, so this is definitely not ideal for the Mets or Polanco's fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 17, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Ramon Laureano is the team's leadoff man "until further notice," manager
Craig Stammen told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. The skipper cited Laureano's quality of at-bats wherever he's hit in the lineup so far this season, whether it's first or "seventh, eighth, whatever, when I was dumb, putting him lower in the lineup." Laureano's fantasy baseball will be at its highest if he can stay in the leadoff spot for the Friars all season. The 31-year-old veteran Dominican outfielder has earned it, hitting .290/.355/.551 with a .906 OPS, four home runs, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases so far in the 2026 campaign in his 69 at-bats. Not only does Laureano bring quality at-bats to the leadoff spot in SD, but he's a gritty player who also has been spectacular with his glove in left field for SD. He's currently riding a six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 9-for-23 (.391) with two homers, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI, and seven runs scored.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
April 17, 2026
Chicago White Sox catcher
Kyle Teel (hamstring) will be with the team in Sacramento for their series against the Athletics and will then report to Triple-A Charlotte to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Monday, per MLB.com. Teel's last recovery component will be running at 100% after he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right-hamstring strain. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Teel should be back with the Pale Hose in early May. Teel has yet to make his 2026 debut because of his hamstring injury, but when he does, he should see the majority of playing time behind the dish in Chicago. Until then,
Edgar Quero and
Reese McGuire will continue to split the catching duties for the White Sox. Teel was a 14th overall pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2023 out of Virginia, and he hit .273/.375/.411 with a .786 OPS, eight homers, 35 RBI, 38 runs, and three stolen bases in 78 games in his rookie campaign in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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