January 17, 2026
Several teams have reached out to the Cincinnati Reds in hopes of acquiring one of their top pitchers, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. While a source noted that teams doubt the Reds would entertain a trade offer for their top arms like
Hunter Greene,
Nick Lodolo, or
Andrew Abbott, a depth pitcher like
Brady Singer could very well be on the trade block. Currently, the Reds have several budding arms in their system who appear poised to take on a full-time role on the MLB roster in the near future. Last season, Singer struggled in his debut campaign in Cincinnati, posting a 4.03 ERA with a 1.24 WHIP across 1692/3 innings of work. While former top prospect
Chase Burns appears poised to earn a spot in the starting rotation, Singer could block other young arms like
Rhett Lowder and
Chase Petty. Managers should pay close attention to the Cincinnati rotation in spring training, as many roles appear up for the taking.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Baltimore Orioles are among the clubs that have shown interest in free agent right-handed pitcher
Justin Verlander. Rosenthal noted that the 43-year-old is still receiving interest from several clubs, but given his connection with Orioles GM Mike Elias, the Orioles appear to be among the favorites to land him. However, given that the Orioles are still actively pursuing starting pitching, they could look to pivot to an option with more upside, according to Rosenthal. Last season, Verlander logged 152 innings with the San Francisco Giants and held a 3.85 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP. He struck out only 137 hitters and generated a 37th percentile 4.24 xERA under the hood. Given his decreasing strikeout production and high ratios, Verlander would only be worth targeting in deep 15+ team/AL-only formats if he were to sign with the Orioles.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 17, 2026
Cincinnati Reds second baseman
Matt McLain has added 12 pounds in the offseason as he has focused on getting stronger. The former 17th overall pick has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his two-year MLB career and is eyeing a "fresh start." McLain made his debut in 2023 but missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a rib and shoulder injury. In 2025, McLain appeared in a career-high 147 games but struggled at the plate, posting a .220/.300/.343 line with 18 doubles, 15 home runs, and 18 stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a low .290 xwOBA. This was a stark drop from the promising .290/.357/.507 line he held during his debut campaign in 2023. Managers should keep a close eye on his status during camp, as the young infielder does possess five-category upside when on the field.
--Andy SmithSource: Charlie Goldsmith
January 17, 2026
According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, New York Mets third baseman
Brett Baty is expected to play numerous positions, including left field. On Friday, the team signed infielder
Bo Bichette, who is now slated to take over the everyday role at third base, shifting Baty into a super-utility role. While Baty may struggle to find at-bats in the infield, he could carve out a role in the New York outfield that traded
Brandon Nimmo this offseason and failed to sign
Kyle Tucker. Throughout his MLB career, Baty has only made one appearance in left field, but is expected to earn opportunities there during camp. Last season, the 26-year-old held a .254/.313/.435 line with 13 doubles and a career-best 18 home runs across 130 contests. While Baty's short-term fantasy value did take a hit following Bichette's signing, he could eventually carve out a role in the outfield. For now, he is best left for deeper redraft formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Jon Heyman
January 16, 2026
Buffalo Bills veteran wide receiver
Brandin Cooks was traded from the New Orleans Saints to Buffalo late in the 2025 season. In his five regular-season games with the Bills, Cooks caught five of 11 targets for 114 yards. The 32-year-old deep threat has seven receptions on 11 targets for 159 yards in the last two games against the Eagles and Jaguars, though. He caught three of five targets for 58 yards in the Wild-Card win over the Jaguars, with most of his yardage coming on a 36-yard pickup. Cooks relies on chunk gains deep down the field, which could be a problem against a solid Denver Broncos' defense in the Divisional Round on Saturday. The Bills will need Cooks to step up, though, with both
Gabe Davis (knee) and
Tyrell Shavers (knee) out with torn ACLs. Denver's defense gave up the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to WRs during the regular season and tied with the Eagles for the fewest TDs allowed at six.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jayden Higgins could be the team's leading receiver and target earner in their Divisional Round matchup on Sunday versus the New England Patriots, with top wideout
Nico Collins (concussion) sidelined by a concussion that he suffered in Monday night's Wild-Card win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 23-year-old was Houston's third leading WR during the regular season with 41 catches, 525 yards, and six touchdowns on 68 targets over 17 games. Higgins was tied for the team lead in TDs with Collins. He was outside the top-50 wideouts in half-PPR fantasy points per game in his first NFL regular season, but the bump in role against New England should be enough to make Higgins a more attractive fantasy streamer in postseason leagues. The Patriots' defense isnt' the greatest matchup, but Higgins has scored in two of the last three games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin took a pretty big leap forward in his second NFL season in 2025, catching 65 passes on 104 targets for 709 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games after posting a 28-263-2 line in 16 games as a rookie in 2024. Franklin was the team's second leading receiver this year behind
Courtland Sutton, and his six TDs also ranked second. The 22-year-old was tied for 46th among all WRs at 8.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game, though, and he wasn't as productive late in the year when rookie
Pat Bryant began to see a bigger role next to him in the passing game. In the last two regular-season games, Franklin caught only four passes for 17 yards, although the Broncos' offense didn't have to do much to handle KC and L.A. with most of their starters resting. Against the Bills in the Divisional Round, a defense that allowed the seventh-fewest half-PPR points per game to receivers, Franklin will be a low-cost, low-end fantasy WR in playoff formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix set a new career high with 3,931 passing yards in his second year as the Broncos' full-time starting QB, but he had four fewer touchdown passes in the same number of games (17). The 25-year-old ran for fewer yards (356), too, while scoring one more TD (five). Nix heads into the playoffs after a first-round bye in the Wild-Card round to face the Buffalo Bills, and he does so with little momentum after two vanilla performances to close out the regular season in wins over the Chiefs and Chargers, in which he didn't go over 182 passing yards with one total touchdown. The Oregon product had back-to-back 300-yard games before that, though, and Denver will most likely be forced to open up their offense on Saturday. Nix finished as the QB7 in overall fantasy points in 2025, but he'll be on the lower end of QB options in playoff formats against a Bills defense that allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing passers during 17 regular-season games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Chicago Bears rookie running back
Kyle Monangai had a strong first year in the NFL despite being a seventh-round selection out of Rutgers. Monangai had 169 rushing attempts for 783 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, adding 18 catches for 164 yards on 30 targets through the air. The 23-year-old was at his peak in 2025 from Weeks 9-13, going for 405 rushing yards and four TDs on 79 carries. Since then, though, Monangai has double-digit carries in just two of six contests, and he has had single-digit carries over the last four games. He had eight carries for only 27 yards in the Wild-Card win over the Green Bay Packers, and he had only six carries for 14 yards in Week 18 against Detroit. Monangai has been on the field for 40-45% of the offensive snaps the last six games, but he'll be a low-end RB option in fantasy playoff lineups this weekend against a Los Angeles Rams' defense that allowed the third-fewest rushing TDs (six) to RBs all year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Chicago Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams was a top-10 fantasy signal-caller in his second year in the NFL, and although it wasn't always pretty, he has his team one win away from the NFC Championship. Williams led the Bears back from down 21-3 at halftime to beat the Green Bay Packers on Wild-Card weekend, throwing for a season-high 361 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. The 24-year-old has gone over 300 passing yards in two of the last three games and has tossed six touchdown passes to three interceptions in that span. Williams has an uncanny knack for extending plays outside the pocket and finding open receivers down the field in the second half with games hanging in the balance. Even though inclement weather is expected in Chicago on Sunday for the Divisional Round against the Los Angeles Rams, the former first overall pick will have top-three QB upside in fantasy against a Rams defense that has looked a lot more vulnerable late in the year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) is considered questionable for the first leg of a back-to-back on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. On Thursday, Grant ended a 14-game absence against the Atlanta Hawks, and the team understandably doesn't want to overwork the veteran so soon after his return. If Grant shakes off the questionable tag and plays, there's a strong chance he will sit out Sunday's contest against the Sacramento Kings. Due to Grant's health issues,
Sidy Cissoko has seen increased minutes, starting five consecutive games. Cissoko should still play a significant role even if Grant remains in the lineup, as
Deni Avdija (back) is likely to miss the Lakers game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said "nothing is impossible" regarding wide receiver
A.J. Brown's future with the Philadelphia Eagles. Rapoport adds that if the Eagles want to trade Brown this offseason, they can certainly do so, although they'd be taking a salary cap hit. "It's hard to find great players in the NFL, and A.J.'s a great player," general manager Howie Roseman said when asked if he'd be open to trading Brown. The 28-year-old pass-catcher had seven touchdown receptions during the regular season for the third straight year with the Eagles, and he also reached the 1,000-yard mark for the fourth straight season and sixth time in seven NFL seasons. However, he didn't exactly see eye to eye with either quarterback
Jalen Hurts or head coach Nick Sirriani, and the Eagles might prefer a divorce as they look to turn around their struggling offense in 2026. Depending on who the team's next offensive coordinator is, Brown's fantasy prospects next year might look better if he's not in Philly.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 16, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Jrue Holiday (calf) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Holiday recently ended a lengthy injury absence and has played in three consecutive games. However, Portland has a back-to-back scheduled for this weekend, and it's likely the veteran guard will sit out at least one of the games.
Caleb Love's fantasy stock has been on the rise lately and would get a further boost with Holiday's absence.
Rayan Rupert may also log additional minutes in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is considered probable for Saturday's action against the Washington Wizards. While Gordon remains on the injury report, the probable tag suggests he will be cleared to make a sixth consecutive appearance. Saturday's matchup is a juicy one for Gordon, who has logged 30-plus minutes in each of the last three games. He has averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over that stretch.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Denver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray (ankle, illness) is probable for Saturday's clash against the Washington Wizards. Despite dealing with an ankle sprain and an illness, Murray has posted back-to-back 30-point games and is expected to make a third consecutive appearance on Saturday. Washington allows the second-most fantasy points to point guards, so this could be another special outing for Murray. Should Murray have a setback and miss Saturday's game,
Jalen Pickett would become a more appealing fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
San Francisco 49ers tight end
Jake Tonges will be a legitimate top-five TE option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues for the Divisional Round on Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks, following
George Kittle's torn Achilles tendon in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The last time Kittle sat out with an injury on Dec. 28 in the win over the Chicago Bears, Tonges had seven catches on nine targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. He also had seven grabs on a season-high 11 targets for 41 yards and a score back in the Oct. 2 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams when Kittle was out due to injury. The Niners will be facing a stout Seattle defense that held them to just three points in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but their D did allow the 11th-most half-PPR fantasy points per game to TEs during the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard
Stephon Castle (illness) is in danger of missing Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the team listed him as questionable on the injury report. The 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year is battling an illness, which could force him out of the lineup for the first time since Dec. 8. Castle just notched his seventh double-double of the season, building on his impressive rookie year with a strong sophomore campaign. If Castle is unavailable against Minnesota,
Dylan Harper and
Lindy Waters III are likely to see increased playing time.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum split time more evenly with backfield mate
Kyren Williams down the stretch of the regular season, and that near-even timeshare continued in the Wild-Card win over the Carolina Panthers last Saturday. Corum had 11 carries for 45 yards and added two catches on two targets for 13 yards. Meanwhile, Williams had 15 total touches. The 25-year-old Michigan product has had double-digit carries in five of his last six games, and even if Williams is the lead back on Sunday in the Divisional Round against the hosting Chicago Bears, Corum should see enough of a role to make him a low-end starting RB option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues. Expected inclement weather in Chicago could also force both teams to run the ball more, which would lead to more work for Corum. During the regular season, the Bears' defense allowed the 10th-most rushing yards (1,772).
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Keon Ellis (knee) won't be in action on Friday night against the Washington Wizards. Ellis was a late addition to the injury report due to a knee problem, and the team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. It has been a frustrating season for Ellis, who has had an inconsistent role with the Kings. After logging 20-plus minutes regularly at the start of the month, Ellis was limited to only five minutes in Wednesday's win over the New York Knicks.
Dennis Schroder is set to return from his suspension on Friday and will take Ellis's spot in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
New England Patriots tight end
Hunter Henry showed up on this week's injury report with a knee injury, but he was ultimately cleared and shouldn't have any limitations in Sunday's Divisional Round matchup against the Houston Texans. Henry finished the regular season as the second-leading receiver for the Patriots with 87 receptions for 768 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns in 17 games. The 31-year-old veteran has developed a nice chemistry with second-year quarterback
Drake Maye. Henry has cleared 50 receiving yards in each of the last two games and has scored in three of the last four contests, including last week's Wild-Card win over his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers. The Patriots head into the Divisional Round with a matchup against the top-ranked Texans' defense, though, and could find it difficult to move the ball consistently. The poor matchup makes Henry a midrange TE for fantasy playoff lineups this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 16, 2026
Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Initially, there was hope Eason could return from a three-game absence when the team listed him as questionable on the injury report. Unfortunately, he will miss at least one more game with a right ankle sprain, as Houston has now officially ruled him out.
Josh Okogie has a larger role without Eason, but he hasn't been a productive fantasy contributor. Eason's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward
Deni Avdija (back) is listed as doubtful for a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Avdija is having a big season, but unfortunately, he injured his back in a recent game against the New York Knicks. He is now likely to sit out a third consecutive game.
Sidy Cissoko has been starting during Avdija's absence, but he faces extra competition for playing time after
Jerami Grant returned to the lineup on Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks. While Grant made his comeback in a bench role, he could be an option to start sooner rather than later. Players like Grant,
Jrue Holiday, and
Shaedon Sharpe have more offensive usage with Avdija out.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (knee) has landed on the injury report with a questionable designation ahead of Saturday's favorable fantasy matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Only five teams have allowed more fantasy points to centers than the Trail Blazers, but Ayton may have to sit this one out due to a sore left knee.
Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) is also questionable for the game, meaning
Maxi Kleber and
Drew Timme could be the Lakers' lone natural options at center. The team may also turn to
Rui Hachimura and
Jarred Vanderbilt to fill out some of the minutes at the five position.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers point guard
Luka Doncic (groin) has been ruled out for Saturday's tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. The NBA's leading scorer is dealing with soreness in his left groin and will sit out at least one game. This is the front end of a back-to-back for the Lakers, so it's possible Doncic is simply getting some time off to rest.
LeBron James' offensive usage will increase on Saturday, and
Deandre Ayton (knee) may also get more scoring opportunities if he shakes off a questionable tag.
Kobe Bufkin and
Gabe Vincent are the prime candidates to fill in for Doncic in the starting unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward/center
Domantas Sabonis (knee) has been officially listed as available for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Reports of Sabonis' return began circulating earlier this week, and the team listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. Sabonis hasn't played since Nov. 16, so he could have a limited workload against Washington. Even so, the Lithuanian star could be in for a big night, as Washington has given up more fantasy points to centers than any other team this season. Sabonis' return will be a blow to
Maxime Raynaud's fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Detroit Pistons point guard
Cade Cunningham (wrist) is on the injury report with a probable tag ahead of Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Cunningham returned from a right wrist injury in Thursday's win over the Phoenix Suns and is expected to make a second consecutive appearance. It's possible Cunningham was still bothered by the injury to his shooting hand against Phoenix, as he managed only 10 points with a very poor 3-for-16 efficiency. Detroit's star man salvaged his fantasy line a bit with 11 assists. If Cunningham suits up on Saturday, he'll be expected to bounce back in a much more favorable matchup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder/outfielder
Konnor Griffin is among the Pirates' invites to big-league spring training this year, according to the team. Per MLB Pipeline, Griffin is considered the top prospect in baseball in 2026. The 19-year-old turned heads in his first year in the minors for the Bucs in 2025, hitting .333/.415/.527 with a .941 OPS, 21 home runs, 94 RBI, 117 runs, and 65 stolen bases in 122 combined games with Single-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro, and Double-A Altoona. Depending on how he looks in spring training, Griffin has a real chance to be the first teenager to debut in the big leagues since
Juan Soto in 2018. Griffin is expected to compete for the starting shortstop job this spring. Griffin is a premium all-around athlete with plus-plus speed, and he certainly has the looks of a future fantasy superstar, potentially as early as 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Pirates
January 16, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) won't be available on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will be forced to miss a second straight game due to a left knee sprain. Miami has also lost
Davion Mitchell (shoulder) from the rotation, increasing the fantasy value of
Pelle Larsson,
Kasparas Jakucionis, and
Simone Fontecchio. On Saturday, the team could also be without
Tyler Herro (toe, ribs), who is listed as questionable. However, this will be a tough matchup for the Heat against the NBA's top-ranked defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe, ribs) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Recently, Herro returned from a toe injury, and he is now also dealing with a rib contusion. Miami's backcourt is already missing
Davion Mitchell (shoulder). As a result,
Kasparas Jakucionis could jump into the first unit on Saturday. The Lithuanian rookie contributed 12 points and eight assists in a bench role on Thursday night against the Boston Celtics. There are also additional minutes available for
Dru Smith and
Pelle Larsson, who moved to the starting lineup on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
NFL sources familiar with the Philadelphia Eagles' organizational mindset think that they might draft a quarterback this spring, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. Current QB
Jalen Hurts, who has three years remaining on his five-year, $255 million extension, likely isn't going anywhere anytime soon, especially given owner Jeffrey Lurie's regard for him. After winning Super Bowl MVP honors a year ago, Hurts has been the source of much internal frustration, including from teammates other than receiver
A.J. Brown. The 27-year-old ran the ball less in 2025, lessening his impact as a dual threat, and he also has limitations because of his lack of willingness to operate under center, an aversion to pre-snap motion, an inability to make quick post-snap reads, and a reluctance to try intermediate and in-breaking passes. Silver suggests that Hurts needs to be "pushed beyond his comfort zone," which could be done by drafting a QB and with a new voice at offensive coordinator.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael Silver
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