March 18, 2026
St. Louis Blues winger Jonathan Drouin will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames. He exited the lineup for personal reasons last week and has missed the last three games. Drouin is expected to join Dalibor Dvorsky and Otto Stenberg on the third line. Stenberg is also a fresh face in the lineup, with Jonatan Berggren and Oskar Sundqvist making way. Since being acquired from the New York Islanders, Drouin has appeared in two games for the Blues, scoring one goal on two shots. This marks one of only two points he has earned in his last 18 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 18, 2026
According to Ben Anderson of KSL News in Salt Lake City, Utah Jazz guard/forward
Ace Bailey (concussion) is available for Wednesday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bailey missed Sunday's contest against Sacramento while in the league's concussion protocol. If the 19-year-old experiences any setbacks,
Andersson Garcia, who recorded three points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block across 43 minutes on Sunday, would likely be called upon to handle an expanded role once again.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Ben Anderson
March 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said Wednesday that forward/center
Pascal Siakam (knee) is making good progress but still lacks a timetable for a return, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Siakam will miss his seventh straight game tonight due to a right knee sprain. Carlisle thinks the star forward will play again this season, but until then,
Kobe Brown, Micah Potter (triceps), and
Jarace Walker will likely continue to take on expanded roles.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Dustin Dopirak
March 18, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Robinson will be back in the lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports. The 30-year-old was scratched for Tuesday's matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Robinson is on a seven-game scoring slump and has gone pointless in 13 of his last 15 appearances. While he's never been a prolific scorer, Robinson made an impact earlier in the season. He has notched 11 goals and six assists in 53 outings. Robinson will join William Carrier and Mark Jankowski on the fourth line, bumping Nicolas Deslauriers to the press box.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ryan Henkel
March 18, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (lower body) will miss a sixth consecutive game on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ryan Henkel of The Hockey News reports. The veteran rearguard has been progressing, but this game comes too soon for him to be ready to play. His next chance to return will be a matchup with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. Alexander Nikishin will continue to work on the first power-play unit on Wednesday, giving him additional fantasy value. The Russian blue-liner has posted two goals and two assists in five games during Gostisbehere's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ryan Henkel
March 18, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers selected the contract of infielder/outfielder
Santiago Espinal on Wednesday, the team announced. He has earned a spot on the big-league roster to open the 2026 season after hitting .412 (14-for-34) with two home runs, three doubles, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in 14 Cactus League games in spring training. The 31-year-old figures to be in a platoon role at second base to begin the year with
Hyeseong Kim since
Tommy Edman (ankle) could miss the first month of the season. The Dominican was an All-Star back in 2022 with the Toronto Blue Jays, when he hit .267/.322/.370 with seven homers and 51 RBI in 135 games. It's a surprising development for him to make L.A.'s roster after he failed to hit a home run in 114 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025. Espinal has some talent with the bat, but his path to regular playing time in Hollywood is a difficult one.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
March 18, 2026
Nick Friedell of The Athletic reports that Golden State Warriors guard/forward
Moses Moody (wrist) hasn't progressed as well as the team had hoped and he remains without a timetable for return. Moody has missed seven consecutive contests due to a sprained right wrist. The Warriors had hoped he would return during their road trip, which ends March 23, but he is still wearing a brace on his right hand.
Gary Payton II and
Will Richard will continue to take on extra time during Moody's continued absence.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Nick Friedell
March 18, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (lower body) will rejoin the lineup for Wednesday's Metropolitan Division tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins captain has missed 11 games due to a lower-body injury sustained during the Olympic tournament. Crosby will join Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust on the first line and will skate on the first power-play unit. The team will scratch Ville Koivunen to make room for Crosby in the lineup. Even with the time lost to injury, Crosby still leads his team with 27 goals and 59 points in 56 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 18, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center
Naz Reid (ankle) won't play Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. Reid rarely misses time, but a right ankle sprain will keep him sidelined for this contest. The 26-year-old has missed just one other game all season.
Anthony Edwards (knee) will also be out, opening up additional minutes for
Bones Hyland,
Kyle Anderson, and
Joan Beringer. Hyland profiles as a viable short-term streaming option after posting 22 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one steal in 29 minutes against Phoenix on Tuesday.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Timberwolves PR
March 18, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Kyle Harrison (finger) left his Cactus League outing on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels in the third inning at 59 pitches due to a blister on his left index finger, according to Brewers reporter Sophia Minnaert. Before leaving, the 24-year-old southpaw allowed four runs (one earned) while striking out three in 2 2/3 innings of work. It's unclear at this point if Harrison's injury will keep him from being ready for the start of the 2026 regular season late next week. Harrison started last year with the San Francisco Giants before eventually being sent to the Boston Red Sox in the
Rafael Devers trade. He was slightly better in Boston to close out the year and finished with a 4.04 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 38:14 K:BB in only 35 2/3 big-league innings over 11 outings (six starts). Fantasy managers should probably only consider him as a late-round flier with strikeout upside in 15-plus team leagues. If he doesn't win a rotation spot out of spring training, Harrison will likely be a swingman for the Brewers if he's healthy.
UPDATE: Manager Pat Murphy said he doesn't expect Harrison's schedule to be changed by more than a day because of his blister issue.--Keith HernandezSource: Sophia Minnaert
March 18, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Brady Singer (finger) left his Cactus League outing on Wednesday with a blister, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Before being pulled, Singer threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies with two hits allowed, a walk, and three strikeouts. It's unclear if the 29-year-old's blister injury will prevent him from making his first start of the 2026 regular season, which is scheduled to come on March 29 against the Boston Red Sox. In his first full year in Cincy after being acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals, the former 18th overall pick from Florida in 2018 went 14-12 with a 4.03 ERA (3.98 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, and 163:60 K:BB in 169 2/3 innings over 32 starts. Singer pitches in a very hitter-friendly home ballpark and has a modest 22.1% strikeout rate in his six big-league seasons, so he relies heavily on his sinker to keep the ball out of the air. In shallow mixed leagues, fantasy managers should be able to find better upside pitching targets late in drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
March 18, 2026
Shams Charania of ESPN reports that the Milwaukee Bucks want forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) to shut down for the remainder of the season after he was diagnosed Tuesday with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise. Antetokounmpo has pushed back on that plan and wants to return to action. The superstar will be re-evaluated in a week, but for now, he and the organization appear to be at odds over ending his season. Antetokounmpo has already missed 32 games this campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
March 18, 2026
Former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. It's a reunion with new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who coached Dortch the last three years in Arizona. In that time, the 27-year-old pass-catcher caught 90 of his 124 targets for 828 yards and eight touchdowns in 45 games (11 starts). The former undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest was a regular contributor in Arizona's offense, but he was never a priority option for fantasy football managers at any time. The speedy wideout will add depth to Detroit's pass-catching corps and will also be an asset on special teams, as he had 31 kick returns for 811 yards and 16 punt returns for 185 yards in 12 games in 2025. At best, Dortch will be the Lions' WR4 behind
Amon-Ra St. Brown,
Jameson Williams, and
Isaac TeSlaa to begin next season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
March 18, 2026
The Indianapolis Colts announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent wide receiver
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to an undisclosed deal. Westbrook-Ikhine had a career year in 2024 in his final year with the Tennessee Titans, catching 32 of his 60 passes for 497 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games played (nine starts). The 28-year-old spent last season with the Miami Dolphins and came back down to Earth in a big way with only 11 receptions on 20 targets for 89 yards and no touchdowns in 15 games (three starts).
Michael Pittman Jr. is no longer in Indy, but at best, Westbrook-Ikhine will be the team's No. 3 wideout to begin the 2026 campaign behind
Alec Pierce and
Josh Downs. Target-wise, he'd be fourth on the totem pole with tight end
Tyler Warren also in the mix. Expect the former undrafted free agent out of Indiana to battle for the WR3 role with
Ashton Dulin,
Anthony Gould, and
Laquon Treadwell.
--Keith HernandezSource: Indianapolis Colts
March 18, 2026
Detroit Tigers shortstop prospect
Kevin McGonigle is staying in big-league camp on Wednesday rather than playing in the spring breakout game, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. "Their focus is in big-league camp and continuing trying to make an impression, state their case to be part of our puzzle," manager A.J. Hinch said. With just over a week to go until Opening Day next week, McGonigle remains in the Tigers' big-league camp in spring training. The former first-rounder has hit .242 (8-for-33) with two home runs, six RBI, eight runs scored, two stolen bases, and a 7:10 K:BB in 44 plate appearances over 16 Grapefruit League games, and he continues to play well beyond his years. Even if Detroit decides to have the 21-year-old start in the minors, it shouldn't be long before he's contending for starting duties at the 6 in Detroit. McGonigle needs to be stashed in all redraft formats and should already be rostered in dynasty leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
March 18, 2026
Kansas City Royals outfielder
Isaac Collins (back, side) is serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers. It will be Collins' first spring training game since March 10 while recovering from back and left-side tightness. Barring a setback, Collins should be ready for Opening Day at the end of next week. In six Cactus League games before his injury, the 28-year-old switch-hitter went 2-for-18 (.111) with two walks and nine strikeouts in 20 plate appearances. Collins hit .263/.368/.411 with a .779 OPS, nine home runs, 54 RBI, 56 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases in 130 games over 441 plate appearances in his first full big-league season in 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers. In deep-mixed and OBP leagues, Collins is a decent late-round flier with some speed and modest power. He will most likely be in some sort of platoon role in his first year in KC.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kansas City Royals
March 18, 2026
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Golden State Warriors are hopeful that guard
Stephen Curry (knee) will return before the end of March. Curry has been out of action since the beginning of February due to a right knee injury. He's recently ramped up his on-court activity, but it appears the star guard will still be considered week-to-week. The 38-year-old's continued absence will keep the backcourt usage spread across
Brandin Podziemski,
Pat Spencer,
Gary Payton II (lower leg),
De'Anthony Melton and
Will Richard.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
March 18, 2026
Detroit Tigers catcher
Jake Rogers (concussion) has suffered a mild concussion after being struck in the face by his own bat while working in the batting cages, per MLB.com's Jason Beck. Beck reports that Rogers received stitches but that Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said the team expects him to be fine by Opening Day. Across 142 plate appearances in 2025, Rogers slashed .187/.277/.333 with three home runs, 19 RBI, and 14 runs scored. The 30-year-old posted an impressive 10.6% walk rate in 2025 and owns a double-digit barrel rate for his career, but he's also struck out at a 32.1% clip across nearly 1,100 MLB plate appearances. Once healthy, Rogers is expected to serve as Detroit's backup catcher behind
Dillon Dingler. If Rogers ends up missing time to open the season, veteran backstop
Tomas Nido could be the favorite to break camp with the team.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Jason Beck
March 18, 2026
Once considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball, Washington Nationals outfielder
Dylan Crews has struggled to be a consistently productive player early in his MLB career. Across 322 plate appearances in 2025, Crews hit .208/.280/.352 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. At just 24 years old, Crews still has plenty of time to develop into a quality big-leaguer. Crews also has the benefit of playing for. a rebuilding Nationals' squad that should give him plenty of runway for everyday playing time. However, Crews posted an uninspiring 38.7% hard-hit rate in 2025, and it's worth noting that he owns a .634 OPS across 454 career MLB plate appearances. He has the potential for five-category fantasy production if it all comes together, but Crews has yet to prove he can handle big-league pitching and comes with a fair degree of downside risk heading into 2026.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
March 18, 2026
Wide receiver
T.Y. Hilton officially announced his retirement from professional football on Wednesday. Hilton last played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2022 after 10 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. The 36-year-old only appeared in three games for the Cowboys and caught seven of his 10 targets for 121 yards and no touchdowns. In his prime, though, Hilton was one of the best receivers in the game, making four straight Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2017 and having four straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 2013 to 2016 with Indy. The former third-round pick in 2012 out of Florida International had five 1,000-yard seasons in his 11-year career and finished his successful stint in the NFL with a total of 638 receptions for 9,812 yards and 53 touchdowns on 1,086 targets. Hilton led the league in 2016 with 1,448 yards while also catching 91 passes and finding the end zone six times.
--Keith HernandezSource: T.Y. Hilton
March 18, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Logan Henderson (elbow) is scheduled to pitch two or three innings in a game on Friday, per Brewers beat writer Sophia Minnaert. Henderson experienced some elbow soreness in early March but seems to have avoided a major injury. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut in 2025 and dominated in a small sample size, recording a 3-0 record with a 1.78 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings (five starts). Henderson's spring injury setback likely means he will open the season in the Minors as he builds up to a full starter's workload. Milwaukee also has a stockpile of MLB-quality pitching depth, which could delay Henderson's return to the big leagues even further. However, the young right-hander should be able to force his way to the Majors sooner rather than later if he can stay healthy and pitches as he did in 2025.
--Will BradySource: Sophia Minnaert
March 18, 2026
The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reassigned left-handed pitching prospect
Robby Snelling to minor-league camp. Snelling, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, just couldn't win an Opening Day roster spot out of spring training while competing with left-hander
Braxton Garrett and right-hander
Janson Junk for the final two starting rotation spots. The 22-year-old southpaw will have to wait to make his major-league debut, but he doesn't have a ton left to prove down on the farm, so fantasy managers should expect him in the big leagues in 2026 sooner than later. Snelling had a 7.56 ERA in Grapefruit League play over four outings (8 1/3 innings), but he did strike out 13 batters while walking four. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has a high floor with a fastball that showed more velocity in 2025. Snelling also features a slider, sweeper, and changeup. Stash him in dynasty/keeper leagues as a potential mid-rotation starter.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Marlins
March 18, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Quinn Priester (wrist) is slated to throw a bullpen on Saturday and is targeting an April return to the big-league mound, per Brewers beat writer Sophia Minnaert. Priester is battling a nerve issue that has caused issues in his right wrist, but the team is hopeful he will be able to avoid surgery. The 25-year-old was a breakout success in 157 1/3 innings for Milwaukee in 2025, posting a 13-3 record with a 3.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. Priester's subpar 20.2% strikeout rate limits his fantasy appeal, but the young right-hander has demonstrated he can be a productive pitcher against MLB hitters and should have a spot in the Brewers' rotation once he returns from injury. With Priester sidelined to open the year, left-hander
Kyle Harrison and right-hander
Brandon Sproat appear likely to open the season in Milwaukee's rotation.
--Will BradySource: Sophia Minnaert
March 18, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect
Jesus Made earned an invitation to big league camp this spring after cruising through three levels of the minor leagues last year with a .285/.379/.413 slash line, nine home runs, and 47 steals in 115 games, finishing the year in Double-A as an 18-year-old. The Dominican slugger was reassigned to minor-league camp earlier this month, and although a 2026 debut with the Brewers is unlikely, it isn't out of the question. The soon-to-be-19-year-old has some of the highest-rated hit, power, and speed tools (fielding, too) in the minors and has risen to MLB's No. 3 prospect overall. The 6-foot-1 phenom will likely begin the year at Double-A, and even if a 2026 MLB debut ends up not being in the cards, he's likely to have an impact in 2027, so keen fantasy managers would be wise to keep tabs on his progress this year.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
March 18, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Brandon Woodruff (lat) is scheduled to throw four innings on Thursday, per Brewers beat writer Sophia Minnaert. The 33-year-old's status for Opening Day is officially up in the air as he works his way back from a lat injury. However, he could be on track to be part of the team's early-season plans if he can make it through the rest of his ramp-up period unscathed. Woodruff missed all of 2024 and the first three-plus months of 2025 with a shoulder injury. He was excellent upon his return last season, pitching to a 3.20 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 83 strikeouts across 64 2/3 innings (12 starts) before suffering a season-ending lat strain in September. Woodruff comes with significant health concerns at this point in his career, but the veteran right-hander also carries high-end fantasy upside.
--Will BradySource: Sophia Minnaert
March 18, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies infielder
Dylan Moore (foot) is dealing with a bruised foot from a foul ball in spring training, manager Rob Thomson told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. It's nothing serious for Moore that will put him in danger of missing Opening Day late next week. Moore, who is pushing for the last bench spot to begin the 2026 regular season, had two hits and a walk in a Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves before being removed in the top of the fifth inning. Speed is the 33-year-old Moore's greatest asset to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. He wasn't able to hit enough in 2025 in 106 games with the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, slashing .201/.267/.374 with a .642 OPS, 11 homers, 25 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. Moore stole a career-high 32 bags in 2024 and has 118 thefts in his seven major-league seasons. Unless injuries in Philly force him into a bigger role, Moore will simply be a speed asset in NL-only leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
March 18, 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles are acquiring veteran quarterback
Andy Dalton from the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2027 NFL draft, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Panthers were expected to move on from Dalton this offseason, especially after adding
Kenny Pickett as
Bryce Young's backup. Now that Philly has the 38-year-old Dalton to back up starter
Jalen Hurts, the Eagles could look to trade current third-stringer
Tanner McKee. The Red Rifle is as experienced as they come as a backup QB. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round in 2011 out of TCU, and he's started 169 of the 179 games that he's appeared in over his 15 years in the league. In the last three years in Carolina, Dalton completed 64.7% of his passes for 1,643 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 13 games (seven starts). Dalton will now back up Hurts in 2026 in his 16th year in the league with his sixth different team.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
March 18, 2026
The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that they optioned first baseman/designated hitter
Abimelec Ortiz to Triple-A Rochester. The left-handed slugger had spent his entire career in the Texas organization before being acquired this offseason in the
MacKenzie Gore trade. He showed well in his first taste of Triple-A pitching in 2025, slashing .283/.388/.565 with nine home runs and a 12.7 percent walk rate in 41 games there. The 24-year-old was just 3-for-22 (.136) in Cactus League play, though, and will have to continue his development with the team's Triple-A affiliate. It's possible the Nats' 24th-ranked prospect debuts later this season, but for now, he's off the fantasy radar.
--Jarod RuppSource: Nationals Communications
March 18, 2026
On Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect
Andrew Painter made what is likely his final spring appearance before the regular season gets underway, twirling four innings of one-hit ball against the Braves, allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out three. The Phils' top pitching prospect had a bumpy outing his last time out (three earned runs), but Wednesday's performance made it three scoreless appearances out of four this spring with an 8:2 K:BB in a total of 11 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-7 hurler is expected to be the team's fifth starter once the regular season begins, and if he lives up to the former hype, the right-hander could remain there for the rest of the season. The former first-rounder struggled to a 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 13.7 percent K-BB% in 106 2/3 innings at Triple-A in 2025, his first time pitching in minor league regular-season games since 2022 after elbow problems and eventually Tommy John surgery cost him all of 2023 and 2024. Most fantasy managers may want to wait and see before rostering the tall right-hander, but proactive managers in deeper leagues with available bench space may consider stashing him in the event his spring success carries over into the regular season.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
March 18, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Matthew Liberatore will get the nod as the team's Opening Day starter in 2026, taking on the Tampa Bay Rays at home on Thursday, March 26. The left-hander was second on the team in wins, quality starts, and strikeouts last season behind
Sonny Gray, who is no longer with the club, so Liberatore will assume the role of ace of the staff. The 6-foot-5 southpaw recorded a 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts in 151 2/2 innings pitched last season, which doesn't really move the needle much for fantasy. The former first-rounder has looked good so far this spring, though, as he's allowed three earned runs in 10 innings of work (2.70 ERA) while registering a 1.00 WHIP and an impressive 14:1 K:BB in his three starts, so perhaps he's ready to take a step forward in 2026. The 26-year-old is going undrafted in most fantasy leagues, owning an ADP of 359, right around his RotoBaller ranking of 341 overall.
--Jarod RuppSource: St. Louis Cardinals
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