Victor Hedman Won't Play Against Oilers
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (illness) will sit out Saturday's matchup with the Edmonton Oilers. The Lightning captain made an early exit against Vancouver on Thursday due to illness and is still feeling under the weather. His next chance to return will be on Sunday when the Lightning cap off their four-game road trip against the Calgary Flames. Emil Lilleberg (face) will take Hedman's spot in the lineup on Saturday night. The 25-year-old will be back in action after missing eight games with a facial fracture. Hedman has made only 33 appearances this season, so Tampa Bay shouldn't have any issues coping with his absence. Darren Raddysh will take on the leading role on the blue line.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Gleyber Torres Clear to Return on Monday
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (back) "will be good to go" for Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Colorado Rockies, according to Rogelio Castillo of Tigers ML Report. Torres had been scratched from the Tigers' lineup on Saturday due to lower back tightness, but it sounds like the injury isn't serious and won't require him to miss any additional time. All in all, this bodes well for Torres' availability on Opening Day against the San Diego Padres. He has been a productive hitter for the entirety of his MLB career, including 2025, when he slashed .256/.358/.387 with 16 homers, a 13.5% walk rate, a 16.1% strikeout rate, and 113 wRC+. In addition to being the Tigers' starting second baseman, Torres projects as the club's No. 2 hitter this year.
Source: Rogelli Castillo
Source: Rogelli Castillo
Cade Cavalli Wraps Up Stellar Spring Training
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli concluded a terrific stretch of spring training games on Saturday. Cavalli tossed five shutout innings with three hits, zero walks, and one strikeout against the New York Mets. His final Grapefruit League stat line includes four starts, 14 innings, one run, zero earned runs, four hits, two hit batters, one walk, and nine strikeouts. Outside of the low strikeout rate, it was a phenomenal spring for Cavalli, who will start for the Nats on Opening Day after MacKenzie Gore was traded away. In his first real taste of MLB action last year, Cavalli made 10 starts with a 3.93 xFIP, 7.44 K/9, 2.77 BB/9, and a 54.8% ground ball rate. He ranks #77 among starting pitchers in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Burrows Avoids Injury, Clear to Begin Season
Houston Astros starting pitcher Mike Burrows (calf) exited Saturday's Grapefruit League contest after a ground ball deflected off his lower left leg. Burrows told Chandler Rome of The Athletic that the ball hit his left calf, and he will be fine. It sounds like Burrows exited the game as a precaution, and the decision was made easier by the fact that he had already thrown 77 pitches. The right-hander remains in line to break camp as a key piece of the Astros' starting rotation. He is currently projected as the club's No. 4 starter, putting him on track to make his season debut Sunday, March 29, against the Los Angeles Angels. Burrows is coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which he went 2-4 with a 3.86 xFIP, 9.09 K/9, and 2.91 BB/9 across 23 outings (19 starts).
Source: Chandler Rome
Source: Chandler Rome
Emmet Sheehan Makes the Starting Rotation
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan has been informed that he made the Opening Day rotation, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. This does not come as much of a surprise, as Sheehan started 12 of his 15 appearances last season and also made two starts this spring. He was highly effective over his 15 outings last year, posting a 2.93 FIP with 10.92 K/9 and 2.70 BB/9. Ardaya notes that Sheehan's exact spot in the rotation hasn't been confirmed, but we would project him in the No. 4 role ahead of Roki Sasaki. If so, that role would be temporary, as he'd presumably fall back a slot when Blake Snell (shoulder) returns to action. We wouldn't be surprised to see the Dodgers roll out a six-man rotation once that happens.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
Source: Fabian Ardaya
Merrill Kelly Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly (back) will open the season on the 15-day injured list, manager Torey Lovullo told Alex D'Agostino of Diamondbacks on SI. The move was widely expected, but now confirmed by the Snakes' skipper as he announced the team's Opening Day rotation. Kelly entered camp as the Diamondbacks' projected No. 1 starter before dealing with the back issue. Now, he'll open the year on the IL. Lovullo didn't offer a timetable for his return, but the starter could pitch in a game as soon as April 7, if the team chooses to backdate his IL placement. Missing only 12 days would be a decent outcome for Kelly, who is looking to build on an impressive 2025 campaign that included a 3.76 FIP, 8.17 K/9, and 2.35 BB/9.
Source: Alex D’Agostino
Source: Alex D’Agostino
Konnor Griffin Assigned to Minor-League Camp
The Pittsburgh Pirates have assigned top infield prospect Konnor Griffin to minor league camp earlier on Saturday. The top prospect in the sport was in serious consideration to crack the Opening Day roster but will instead begin his 2026 campaign in the minor leagues. Even though he has yet to take a Triple-A at-bat, Griffin held his own in camp and was nearly named the team's Opening Day shortstop. Across 16 spring training games, the former first-round pick held a modest .173 AVG but hit four long balls with one stolen base. Last summer, Griffin made his professional debut and held an elite .333/.415/.527 line with 21 home runs and an eye-catching 65 stolen bases across 122 contests split between Low-A, High-A, and Double-A. Fantasy managers should expect Griffin to potentially begin the regular season with Triple-A and may only need a brief taste before reaching the Steel City. He is a top stash candidate in all formats ahead of Opening Day.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Jake Ferguson Tails Off Late in 2025
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson opened the 2025 season as a premier fantasy option, but his productivity declined near the end of the year. After ranking as the overall TE1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 through Week 7, he dropped to the overall TE22 spot over the remainder of the season. He had a particularly poor showing over the final four weeks of the season, during which he had just seven catches and ranked 23rd among tight ends in fantasy points. Ultimately, Ferguson just couldn't carve out a consistent role while buried behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens in the pecking order. He also lost opportunities when the team decided to run the ball and feed Javonte Williams. All three of those skill players are back for 2026, making it tough to predict any sort of improvement for Ferguson. He's too dependent on targets to confidently draft as a top-eight fantasy tight end. Instead, he's a high-end TE2 who will deliver some mid-to-low TE1 outings from time to time. His name value makes him an appealing sell-high candidate in PPR leagues, especially since his finish as the overall TE5 masks his late-season struggles.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Shedeur Sanders Set to Face Competition Ahead of 2026
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders finished the 2025 season as the team's starter, but that doesn't mean his job is guaranteed for 2026. Sanders is expected to face competition at the quarterback position as Deshaun Watson (Achilles) rejoins the offense. Watson hasn't played since Week 7 of the 2024 season, but he's expected to compete with Sanders for the starting role during training camp. On one hand, the Browns' lofty investment of multiple first-round picks in Watson would presumably give him an advantage in the competition. On the other hand, he's coming off an injury, hasn't played in a season and a half, and didn't play particularly well even when he was healthy. Sanders didn't have a great rookie season by any means, either, posting a measly 56.6% completion rate with just seven passing touchdowns and 11 turnovers. This will be a very interesting position battle to monitor, and Sanders will have to deliver a strong summer to win the job over Watson.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Braxton Ashcraft Has Late-Round Sleeper Appeal Heading into 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Braxton Ashcraft put up quality numbers across 26 games (eight starts) in his first taste of the big leagues in 2025, posting a 4-4 record with a 2.71 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts across 69 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old appears to be locked into a full-time rotation role heading into 2026, and he could be on the verge of a breakout campaign. Across 13 1/3 innings this spring, Ashcraft has recorded 16 strikeouts while allowing just one walk. He also did a nice job limiting hard contact in his MLB appearances in 2025, allowing just a 38.5% hard-hit rate and posting a 0.39 HR/9. For fantasy managers searching the late rounds of drafts for starting pitchers with upside, Ashcraft could be a name to target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyreek Hill Remains a Free Agent
Free agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) remains unsigned as the end of March approaches. Hill was cut loose by the Miami Dolphins as the organization underwent a major restructuring. Hill and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa were both released, and the team also fired head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier. Although the move was less about Hill's performance and more about his fit within the organization's vision for the future (plus his salary), it's worth noting that his productivity has declined, and he is past his peak. He dropped to WR18 with 959 yards in 2024, and he totaled just 21 catches, 265 yards, and one touchdown through four games before tearing his ACL last year. On a positive note, Hill's agent recently said that the receiver will be ready for Week 1 iin 2026, so he should be ready to contribute as a play-making perimeter receiver right away. Depending on where he signs, he could still be a valuable fantasy option as a low-end WR2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Is Didier Fuentes Worth Stashing Through the Early Portion of 2026?
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Didier Fuentes has made the team's Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen. The 21-year-old was dominant in Grapefruit League action, recording nine shutout innings with 17 strikeouts, zero walks, and zero hits. While Fuentes will open the year in the bullpen, all 13 of his minor league appearances in 2025 came as a starter. The Braves are already thin in the rotation as they deal with injuries to key starters such as Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) and Hurston Waldrep (elbow). If Atlanta faces further injury or underperformance from any of its current starters, it would not be a surprise to see Fuentes stretched out for a return to the rotation. Depending on league size and format, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing Fuentes through the early portion of the season in case he earns a quick promotion from middle relief to the starting rotation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dean Kremer Optioned to Minor-League Camp on Saturday
The Baltimore Orioles optioned starting pitcher Dean Kremer to minor league camp on Saturday, per Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com. Kremer's demotion comes as a bit of a surprise, as the 30-year-old has made 106 starts over the past four seasons for Baltimore and was expected to open 2026 at the back end of the team's rotation. However, veteran right-hander Zach Eflin has turned heads with his performance in Spring Training and may have bumped Kremer off the roster. Across 171 2/3 innings (29 starts) in 2025, Kremer recorded an 11-10 record with a 4.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 142 strikeouts. Given his experience and track record of reasonable effectiveness, Kremer will almost certainly get another shot in the big leagues at some point this season. However, his fantasy value is built on his ability to eat innings, so his stock is obviously following this news.
Source: BaltimoreBaseball.com - Rich Dubroff
Source: BaltimoreBaseball.com - Rich Dubroff
Brock Bowers Set for a Major Quarterback Upgrade?
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is expected to receive a major quarterback upgrade this offseason. The Raiders traded away quarterback Geno Smith, opening the door for them to draft projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. While Mendoza's success in the NFL is far from guaranteed, he offers more upside than any quarterback Bowers has played with before. A potent passer could be exactly what Bowers needs to reclaim the top spot in the dynasty fantasy football rankings. Trey McBride closed the gap on Bowers last year, but Vegas' tight end is still an elite fantasy threat. He had 64 catches, 680 yards, and seven touchdowns across just 12 games last year, averaging 14.7 fantasy points per game in PPR formats. If he can put up those numbers with Smith as his quarterback, he can easily jump to a tier of his own with Mendoza at quarterback and offensive-minded head coach Klint Kubiak running the show. Given that he's due for improvement in 2026, Bowers might be worth buying in dynasty leagues. However, make no mistake about it -- he's not going to come cheap.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Konnor Griffin Survives Latest Round of Pirates' Roster Cuts
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin survived the team's latest round of cuts from its MLB roster, per Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. With less than a week remaining before the team's opener on Thursday against the New York Mets, Griffin breaking camp with the big-league club is starting to look more and more likely. The 19-year-old is widely considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and he dominated minor league pitching to a .333/.415/.527 slash line with 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases across 563 plate appearances in 2025. However, Griffin did not reach Triple-A and has just 98 Double-A plate appearances to his name. If he opens 2026 as the starting shortstop in Pittsburgh, he'll likely experience some early-season growing pains as he adjusts to big-league pitching. Still, Griffin carries sky-high upside with the potential to deliver five-category production for fantasy managers as soon as this season.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Mack Hollins Still Trending Up in New England?
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins had a strong 2025 season, and he remains a key piece of the passing attack ahead of 2026. Hollins has quietly put together back-to-back impressive campaigns. Between 2024 with the Bills and 2025 with the Patriots, he tallied 77 catches, 928 yards, and seven touchdowns. He was the overall WR58 last year, despite missing the final two games of the regular season due to injury. The veteran receiver fended off any sort of rookie breakout for Kyle Williams, and he also leapfrogged DeMario Douglas on the depth chart. Pretty early into the season, Hollins had already established himself as the Patriots' No. 3 receiver behind Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. He remains in a similar role going forward, as the Patriots' only offseason move at the position was releasing Diggs and replacing him with Romeo Doubs. We expect Williams to see more targets next year, but Hollins should still be the clear No. 3 receiver, especially after earning the trust of head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye. He's an intriguing buy-low option in dynasty leagues because he only costs a late-round pick in trades, yet offers potential WR3/flex value on a weekly basis, especially in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Logan Allen Optioned to Triple-A Columbus
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Logan Allen was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Allen lost out on a job battle for the final spot in the Cleveland rotation to Guardians prospect Parker Messick. The 27-year-old Allen threw 156 2/3 innings (29 starts) for the Guardians in 2025, posting an 8-11 record with a 4.25 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts. Allen has made 73 starts over the past three seasons for Cleveland, so he represents trusted pitching depth who will likely be the first option to rejoin the rotation if one of the Guardians current starters goes down with an injury. However, Allen owns an uninspiring 19.5% strikeout rate and an inflated 1.44 WHIP across 379 1/3 career big-league innings. Even if he eventually makes it back to Cleveland this season, his fantasy appeal is limited.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Parker Messick Will Open 2026 in the Guardians' Rotation
Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Parker Messick will open the season with the big-league club and in the starting rotation, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Messick made his MLB debut in 2025 and pitched well in a seven-start sample, recording a 3-1 record with a 2.72 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts across 39 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old lefty logged just a 23% strikeout rate in his first taste of the big leagues, but he logged a significantly more impressive 29.1% strikeout rate across 98 2/3 innings at Triple-A in 2025. Now that he officially has a rotation spot in Cleveland locked down, Messick has late-round sleeper appeal and could shoot up draft boards in the final few days before the start of the 2026 season.
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Source: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
Is Grant Holmes an Undervalued Source of Strikeouts Heading into 2026?
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Grant Holmes had his 2025 season cut short after he suffered a partially torn UCL in his elbow in late July. However, the 29-year-old opted against surgery and is reportedly fully healthy and ready to go heading into 2026. Before getting injured last season, Holmes pitched to a 4-9 record with a 3.99 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 123 strikeouts across 115 innings (21 starts). Command was an issue for the right-hander, as he logged an inflated 11% walk rate. However, Holmes showed an ability to miss bats with a 25% strikeout rate, and he's logged 16 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings so far this spring. With Braves starters Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) and Hurston Waldrep (elbow) both going down in Spring Training with elbow injuries, Holmes should be locked into a spot in the Atlanta rotation. Holmes carries significant injury risk himself, but he could be a quality late-round source of strikeouts for fantasy managers to target in drafts heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington a Breakout Candidate Going into Year 3?
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has a real opportunity in 2026 to be a sleeper breakout receiver for fantasy managers in both single-year and keeper leagues as part of the Dolphins' offensive rebuild. Miami has a new front office and coaching staff, and they have gutted their previous offensive regime this offseason by cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and receiver Tyreek Hill (knee) and trading Jaylen Waddle. They signed for Dallas Cowboys wideout Jalen Tolbert, but as of now, Washington projects as the team's WR2 as he heads into his third year in the NFL. Some fantasy managers were hoping the former sixth-rounder would step up in Hill's absence last year, but he only managed 46 catches on 65 targets for 317 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games played. Washington's fantasy arrow is definitely pointing up in dynasty/keeper leagues right now due to the increased volume he's likely to see in 2026, but it remains to be seen if he can take advantage of it and develop solid chemistry with new quarterback Malik Willis.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jeremy Pena Will Swing a Bat for the Second Straight Day on Saturday
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) will swing a bat for the second straight day on Saturday, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Pena's status for Opening Day remains up in the air as he works his way back from a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger. However, it appears as though the 28-year-old is progressing well and may not be far off from returning to game action, even if he is not on the field for Houston's opener against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday. Pena is coming off an excellent 2025 season in which he hit .304/.363/.477 with 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across 543 plate appearances. Once healthy, he will be locked into an everyday role at the top of the Astros' lineup. Should Pena miss time, Houston would likely shift third baseman Carlos Correa over to his natural position at short and insert veteran infielder Issac Paredes into an everyday role at third base.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Mike Gesicki a Bounce-Back Candidate in Third Year in Cincy
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had a solid showing in 2024 in his first year in Cincinnati, catching 65 of his 83 targets for 665 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games played. The 30-year-old wasn't able to produce at that level in 2025, though, as he finished with 28 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets in just 13 games played. Gesicki missed time with a pectoral injury and was also hurt by quarterback Joe Burrow missing eight games with a turf-toe injury. Gesicki finished as the TE40 in half-PPR scoring. In dynasty/keeper leagues, Gesicki wouldn't be a bad buy-low candidate after a down year in 2025. Burrow typically focuses primarily on his two stud wideouts in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but if healthy, Gesicki could approach his numbers from 2024 in Cincy's pass-happy offense. In redraft fantasy football leagues, Gesicki will be more of a touchdown-dependent TE2 with upside, carrying more appeal in TE-premium formats.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kodai Senga Has Sleeper Potential After His Healthy and Productive Spring
New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga burst onto the scene in his first MLB season in 2023, recording a 2.98 ERA with 202 strikeouts across 166 1/3 innings pitched. However, the 33-year-old has pitched just 118 2/3 innings in the two seasons since then, missing time with shoulder, calf, and hamstring injuries. Senga was still reasonably effective when on the mound in 2025, recording a 7-6 record with a 3.02, 1.31 WHIP, and 109 strikeouts across 22 starts. Still, he struggled with command (11.2% walk rate), and his strikeout rate dipped to 22.6%, a far cry from the 29.1% mark he posted in 2023. This spring, Senga has avoided health issues and may be showing signs of a return to his peak form. The right-hander reportedly touched 99 mph with his fastball and finished the spring with a seven-inning scoreless streak. If Senga can stay on the mound, he may be an undervalued source of late-round strikeouts for fantasy managers heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Legette the Panthers' WR3 Heading into 2026?
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette totaled 35 receptions for 363 yards and three touchdowns on 64 targets in 15 regular-season games (12 starts) in his second year in the NFL in 2025. It was a disappointing line for the 25-year-old former 32nd overall pick in 2024 out of South Carolina after he had 49 catches (84 targets) for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games in his rookie campaign in Carolina. We knew that things could be difficult for Legette in his sophomore year as soon as the Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of last year's NFL draft. He finished as the third leading receiver in 2025 in Carolina behind McMillan and Jalen Coker, who is really emerging as one of quarterback Bryce Young's favorite targets in the passing game. Between McMillan and Coker, there doesn't figure to be a ton of targets left over for Legette going into the 2026 season this fall. Legette is a buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues, but he might need an injury to McMillan or Coker to become more consistently involved like he was in his rookie year.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Zach Eflin Has "Checked Every Box" in Spring Training
Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that starting pitcher Zach Eflin has "checked every box" with his performance in Spring Training to this point, per Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Eflin dominated the New York Yankees in his most recent Spring Training start on Friday, striking out seven batters over 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The 31-year-old battled injuries and ineffectiveness in 2025, posting a 5.93 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 50 strikeouts across 71 1/3 innings (14 starts) for Baltimore. Still, the Orioles re-signed him to a one-year, $10 million contract, and Eflin looks to have assured himself a spot in the starting rotation with his performance this Spring. With a career strikeout rate of 20.5%, Eflin is unlikely to be a reliable source of whiffs for fantasy managers. However, he's very good at limiting walks and posted three consecutive seasons with a WHIP of 1.15 or lower from 2022 through 2024. If he can stay healthy in 2026, Eflin could emerge as a solid innings-eater who is currently undervalued in fantasy drafts.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Rashod Bateman's Dynasty Stock is on Life Support
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman had a career year in 2024 in his fourth year in the league, catching 45 of his 72 targets for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. The Ravens were saying last offseason that they were hoping to get Bateman more involved. It didn't happen, as the 26-year-old former 27th overall pick in 2021 out of Minnesota caught just 19 passes on 38 targets for 224 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. Bateman didn't have much of a chance with quarterback Lamar Jackson struggling with efficiency and multiple lower-body injuries throughout the year. As he looks to bounce back in 2026, Bateman and the rest of Baltimore's offensive skill players will be learning a new offense under a new coaching staff and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. The Ravens haven't made any additions to their WR room this offseason, but they could look to add some pass-catchers in the upcoming NFL draft. Even without much added competition, Bateman is a tough sell as a buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues, and it's looking like his 2024 campaign will be an outlier.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Gleyber Torres Scratched From Lineup on Saturday With Lower-Back Tightness
Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (back) has been scratched from the team's lineup for its Saturday matchup against the New York Yankees due to lower-back tightness, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. While the team could just be playing it safe, it's not a great sign that Torres is dealing with an ailment this close to Opening Day. The 29-year-old logged 628 plate appearances with the Tigers in 2025, hitting .256/.358/.387 with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs scored, and four stolen bases. However, Torres' production dropped off in the second half of the year, as he logged a .659 OPS in the second half while playing through an injury that required sports hernia surgery after Detroit was eliminated from the postseason. Even if Torres can avoid missing time with this back issue, his performance could be something for fantasy managers to closely monitor early in 2026. Should Torres require a stint on the Injured List, Javier Baez and Zach McKinstry could be the favorites to cover second base, and top infield prospect Kevin McGonigle could be assured of an Opening Day roster spot.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Is Paul Sewald a Late-Round Sleeper Saves Candidate in Arizona?
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed right-handed reliever Paul Sewald to a low-cost, one-year deal this past winter. The 35-year-old posted middling results across 19 2/3 innings split between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers in 2025, pitching to a 4.58 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 20 strikeouts. However, Sewald has a history with the Diamondbacks, recording 29 saves across 62 appearances with the team in 2023 and 2024. With top Arizona relievers Justin Martinez (elbow) and A.J. Puk (elbow) both set to open 2026 on the Injured List, Sewald may be the favorite to begin the season as the team's primary closer. While Diamondbacks right-handers Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel have also been mentioned as options to work the ninth inning, neither has as much closer experience as Sewald. If Sewald can pitch well enough to hold on to the job, he could be a sleeper saves candidate that is currently undervalued in fantasy drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
DJ Giddens an Intriguing Handcuff Despite Minimal Standalone Value
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens was a popular selection in rookie drafts last year because of his role behind Jonathan Taylor. Managers saw that Taylor had missed 16 games over the last three seasons and believed that Giddens could end up starting some games if the star running back missed time. The logic was sound, but Taylor ended up having one of the healthiest and most successful seasons of his career, logging 1,963 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns without missing any games. Giddens had 12 carries for 41 yards in Week 1, but he was limited to just six touches over the next six weeks as Taylor played the vast majority of the snaps. The rookie ended up being a healthy scratch for roughly half the season, as Indianapolis rotated him, Tyler Goodson, and Ameer Abdullah in depth roles. Giddens got back into action in Week 18, rushing for 30 carries on eight yards. In games where he played at least one-quarter of the snaps, Giddens averaged 10 touches and 3.55 yards per carry. He wasn't amazing by any means, but he flashed enough upside to suggest that the Colts could turn to him as Taylor's primary backup in 2026. Now, we're back in a familiar situation, with Giddens' fantasy value hinging on Taylor's availability. The Kansas State product should be viewed as an encouraging buy-low option in dynasty leagues this offseason, especially for managers who roster Taylor and want to also add his handcuff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Heston Kjerstad Dealing With Hamstring Strain
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Heston Kjerstad (hamstring) is dealing with a right-hamstring strain, manager Craig Albernaz told Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. Kjerstad injured his hamstring on Thursday and will receive imaging in Baltimore on Sunday. With outfield prospect Dylan Beavers (quadriceps) also dealing with an injury, Baltimore's deep group of outfielders is quickly thinning out ahead of Opening Day next week. Even if the 27-year-old Kjerstad's hamstring injury isn't serious, he may be forced to open the 2026 campaign on the injured list. He hit just .195 (8-for-41) with two home runs, four RBI, four runs scored, one walk, and 11 strikeouts in 13 Grapefruit League games and might not have made the team's Opening Day roster, even if he was healthy. The former second overall pick in 2020 out of Arkansas has been a first-round bust so far, hitting .218/.284/.365 with 10 homers, 36 RBI, and an 88:18 K:BB in 106 games over his three seasons in Baltimore. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues may be starting to lose patience.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
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