February 20, 2026
New York Mets first base/outfield prospect
Ryan Clifford has continued to improve as a defender in the outfield. Clifford has spent most of his time in the minor leagues as a first baseman but has been shifted to the outfield to provide more versatility ahead of his eventual MLB debut. Last summer, Clifford spent most of his time with Double-A before earning a look at Triple-A in the second half. Across 139 total games, the 22-year-old logged 70 of the starts at first base and 53 coming in the outfield. He held a cumulative .237/.356/.470 line with a .526 OPS, 23 doubles, and 29 round-trippers. While Clifford is nearing his MLB debut, managers should expect him to begin the season at Triple-A to further improve his skills in the outfield. However, given New York's current lack of outfield depth, especially in right field, Clifford could be in contention to join the MLB roster much sooner than expected.
--Andy SmithSource: Tim Britton
February 19, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of someone to step up behind wide receiver
DK Metcalf, and second-year wideout
Roman Wilson was expected to make a major leap in Year 2. That did not happen, as the 24-year-old former third-rounder out of Michigan finished the 2025 campaign with just 12 receptions on 21 targets for 166 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games played (four starts). Wilson was a healthy scratch in four of the team's final six regular-season games, and he finished eighth on the team in receiving yards. The Steelers will head into the 2026 season with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy and with questions as to whether future Hall of Fame quarterback
Aaron Rodgers will return. Pittsburgh will most likely look for additional receiver help in free agency, which will not help Wilson's cause as he seeks to become more involved on offense in 2026. In dynasty leagues, Wilson is a clear cut candidate.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
DeMario Douglas had a disappointing third year in the NFL, even though his team advanced all the way to the Super Bowl. The 25-year-old pass-catcher had career lows in catches (31), targets (46), and receiving yards (447) while scoring just three touchdowns for the second straight season in 17 regular-season games. Quarterback
Drake Maye was in the running for MVP honors in his second season, but Douglas just couldn't stand out in a crowded receiving corps that also included
Stefon Diggs,
Kayshon Boutte,
Mack Hollins, and rookie
Kyle Williams. His 447 receiving yards were fifth on the team, and he added seven carries for 21 yards on the ground. Douglas will be in a contract year in 2026, but with all of the above-mentioned receivers returning to New England, it's hard to envision Douglas becoming a strong weekly fantasy football option.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington was more productive on offense in his rookie campaign in 2024 in two fewer games than he was in 17 regular-season contests in 2025. The 25-year-old former sixth-round pick out of the University of Texas caught just 18 passes for 171 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets in his sophomore season in an explosive Rams offense. On special teams, he returned 17 kickoffs for 434 yards. Even though
Cooper Kupp left, the addition of
Davante Adams in L.A. left very few targets for Whittington and
Tutu Atwell. Whittington has a total of 40 catches on 53 targets for 464 yards and no touchdowns in his first 32 NFL games (nine starts), and nothing points to him having a drastically bigger role going into the 2026 season, barring significant injuries to either Adams or
Puka Nacua. In dynasty leagues, Whittington is a cut candidate.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
Green Bay Packers impending free-agent running back
Emanuel Wilson once again served in a backup role to starter
Josh Jacobs in 2025, finishing his third year in the NFL with 496 rushing yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 125 rushing attempts through 17 regular-season contests. The 26-year-old added a career-high 15 receptions on 17 targets for 99 yards through the air. Wilson will be a restricted free agent in March, and if he returns to Green Bay, he'll likely be the top backup option again, depending on the health of
MarShawn Lloyd. In his first start of the year in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings with Jacobs sidelined, Wilson ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, rewarding fantasy managers who used him as a plug-and-play RB2. If he returns to the Packers in 2026, Wilson will probably need an injury to Jacobs to become a weekly fantasy option at RB.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
February 19, 2026
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever
Lucas Erceg (shoulder) has been throwing off the mound in camp, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. Erceg should be fully healthy for Opening Day in late March after he was shut down in mid-September last year due to a right-shoulder impingement. The Royals' setup man finished his first full year in KC in 2025 with an 8-4 record, career-best 2.64 ERA (3.49 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, two saves, 22 holds, 48 strikeouts, and 18 walks in 61 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old had a career-high 14 saves with the Athletics and Royals in 2024, and he saw a huge dip in strikeout rate from 28.5% to a career-low 19.3% last year. Injuries -- he also dealt with back and foot issues -- may have been the reason for his drop in K rate and velocity. With better health in 2026, Erceg could bounce back in the strikeout department while being a valuable contributor in holds leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
February 19, 2026
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that first baseman
Justin Foscue will get some reps in the outfield this spring, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Foscue is trying to increase his versatility defensively to try to win a bench/utility role with the Rangers out of spring training. The 26-year-old former 14th overall pick out of Mississippi State University in 2020 made his major-league debut with the Rangers in 2024, but he only played in 15 games and went 2-for-42 (.048) with two walks and 18 strikeouts. Foscue appeared in just four games with the Rangers last year and had one hit in nine plate appearances. In his five minor-league seasons, he has slashed .272/.376/.491 with an .867 OPS, 79 home runs, 320 RBI, and 29 steals in 445 games. Foscue has been unable to make the transition to the majors, and his ceiling could be as a bench player in Texas.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
February 19, 2026
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Julian Aguiar (elbow) is among the group of arms competing for the fifth and final starting rotation spot in spring training to begin the 2026 season. Aguiar is competing with
Chase Burns,
Rhett Lowder, and
Brandon Williamson. The 24-year-old former 12th-round pick in 2021 out of Cypress College is the team's No. 16 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he missed all of last year after having Tommy John surgery in October of 2024. Aguiar is a full-go in camp this spring, but the fact that he missed all of last year due to injury likely means he'll be opening the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Louisville. In his big-league debut with the Reds in 2024, Aguiar struggled to a 6.25 ERA with 19 punchouts and 12 walks in 31 2/3 innings over seven starts. Fantasy managers can ignore him in single-year leagues for now.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
February 19, 2026
The Pittsburgh Pirates appear "willing to afford" infielder
Jared Triolo the opportunity to win the starting third base job in 2026 now that
Ke'Bryan Hayes and
Isiah Kiner-Falefa are out of town, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Triolo's glove is elite, and he won the National League Gold Glove as a utility player in 2024. Third base is the most natural of the half-dozen positions Triolo has played in the minors and majors, but it remains to be seen if he can hit enough to win the job. The 28-year-old had a .227/.311/.356 slash line with seven homers and 24 RBI in 107 games in 2025, which included a demotion to the minors in July when he was hitting just .158. He hit .315 with an .889 OPS in August, though, and finished strong at the plate. Triolo has a career 87 wRC+ in just over 1,000 career plate appearances, so from a fantasy perspective, he'll really only be worth a roster spot in NL-only leagues if he wins the starting third base job.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
February 19, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free-agent right-handed reliever
Yency Almonte to a minor-league deal on Thursday, a source told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Almonte, who pitched for the Dodgers from 2022 to 2023, was sent to the Chicago Cubs in the trade that also included first baseman
Michael Busch. He had a 3.45 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, one save, and a 20:8 K:BB in 15 2/3 relief innings in Chicago in 2024, but didn't pitch at all in the big leagues last year due to shoulder injuries. The 31-year-old veteran had a nice 1.86 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and 10 walks in 19 1/3 relief innings in the minors in 2025 with High-A South Bend and Double-A Knoxville. Almonte, originally drafted in the 17th round in 2012 by the Los Angeles Angels, has a career 4.44 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, three saves, and a 22.5% strikeout rate in seven major-league seasons. He'll operate as relief depth for the Blue if he sticks around in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
February 19, 2026
Miami Marlins right-hander
Janson Junk (ankle) was diagnosed with a Grade 1 mild ankle sprain, which is "probably the best-case scenario," he told Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The Marlins were not concerned enough after Junk had X-rays to make him go for an MRI exam. "I'm not concerned that this is gonna be a multi-week thing," Junk said. Even without tweaking his ankle during a spring training drill on Tuesday, the 30-year-old was a long shot to win a spot in the team's Opening Day starting rotation. The former 22nd-round selection by the New York Yankees in 2017 out of Seattle University threw a career-high 110 innings in Miami last year, going 6-4 with a 4.17 ERA (3.14 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 77 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 21 outings (16 starts). It will be hard for Junk to repeat his miniscule 2.9% walk rate, and he'll most likely be a long-relief arm for the Marlins, limiting his fantasy upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
February 19, 2026
Golden State Warriors guard
Stephen Curry (knee) will be re-evaluated in 10 days as he continues to deal with a persistent right knee injury, and he is expected to miss at least five more games. Curry has not played since Jan. 30, leaving a 33.5 percent usage rate absent from the lineup. In the most recent loss to San Antonio,
Brandin Podziemski logged 16 points in 36 minutes, while
De'Anthony Melton added 17 points and five threes in 25 minutes.
Pat Spencer saw 31 minutes. Podziemski and Melton profile as strong short-term holds, with
Draymond Green likely seeing more playmaking duties.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 19, 2026
When asked about infielder
Jordan Westburg (elbow, oblique), Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias only confirmed his oblique injury on 105.7 The Fan on Thursday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Elias said he will have something to share "very, very soon" when asked about reports of Westburg dealing with an elbow injury in addition to an oblique ailment. The Baltimore Banner's Andy Kostka reported on Thursday that Westburg recently underwent imaging on his elbow, which is why he's still not doing baseball activities in camp. The O's have not given a timetable on Westburg, and it's beginning to look like he won't be ready for Opening Day in late March. Westburg's combination of contact skills and power makes him an intriguing infield depth option in fantasy leagues, but injuries continue to be an issue.
Coby Mayo could become the everyday starter at third if Westburg is out for an extended period of time. Stay tuned.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
February 19, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Grayson Allen (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against San Antonio after being ruled out with a right ankle sprain. Allen had just returned from a knee issue before landing back on the injury report, creating another rotation shift on the wing. In the last game against Oklahoma City,
Jordan Goodwin logged 28 minutes and finished with 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two threes, while
Royce O'Neale posted 12 points and four threes in 24 minutes. Goodwin is a viable short-term streamer, and O'Neale gains value in three-point formats alongside
Devin Booker.
--Brian DailisanSource: Amanda Pflugrad
February 19, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy signed a new three-year contract on Thursday that includes a club option for the 2029 season, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Murphy is well-deserving of the extension after winning back-to-back National League Manager of the Year awards. The 67-year-old skipper had big shoes to fill when he replaced Craig Counsell two years ago, but he has more than exceeded expectations. Before being named the manager in Milwaukee, Murphy was the bench coach for Counsell from 2016 to 2023. He became the first Brewers manager to win Manager of the Year in 2024. The Brew Crew set a franchise record with 97 wins last year and a third straight division crown despite being under .500 in the final week of May. In his two years as manager of the Brewers, the team has gone 190-134 during the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
February 19, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Ajay Mitchell (abdomen) will be sidelined for at least one more week and is set for re-evaluation, remaining out alongside
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) and
Jalen Williams (hamstring). The absence keeps Oklahoma City's backcourt thin. Over the last five games,
Isaiah Joe has averaged 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.4 threes in 28.1 minutes, while
Cason Wallace has posted 11.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes.
Aaron Wiggins has added 10.8 points and 1.6 steals in 24.8 minutes. Wallace is the safest hold, with Joe and Wiggins viable category streamers.
--Brian DailisanSource: Brandon Rahbar
February 19, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Shane Bieber (forearm) is making progress in camp, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "Biebs isn't that far behind. Biebs is feeling good. He's out to [throwing at] 120 feet. Hopefully, in the next week to two weeks, he's getting off the mound and starting his progression," manager John Schneider said. It's good news for Bieber, but the Blue Jays already said that the 30-year-old veteran will begin the 2026 season on the injured list as he recovers from right-forearm fatigue. Bieber is expected to start throwing bullpen sessions within the next two weeks. Barring a setback as he ramps up, it might not be long before he's able to make his 2026 debut in his first full season in Toronto. He didn't debut last year until late August while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37 K's in his seven regular-season starts. Bieber was a Cy Young winner in the shortened 2020 season and has a track record of being an ace, but fantasy managers can't realistically expect him to return to those levels. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 95 starting pitcher in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
February 19, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Cedric Coward (knee) won't play on Friday versus Utah. The rookie has had a quality inaugural campaign, averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He also hasn't missed many games. Unfortunately, Coward will be sidelined for a second-straight contest due to a hyperextended right knee. His next chance to get back on the floor will be on Saturday in Miami. With that said,
Jahmai Mashack will likely remain in the starting lineup, with the 23-year-old averaging 8.5 points and 4.0 steals in two starts this season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 19, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Santi Aldama (knee) remains out for Friday's meeting with Utah. He has been battling a nagging knee injury, costing him the previous four games leading up to the All-Star break. It appears he might be back on Saturday in Miami. However, while Aldama is out of commission,
Kyle Anderson will likely handle things in the middle to begin the game.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, coming off 14-point, five-rebound effort in the loss to the Denver Nuggets ahead of the All-Star break, remains in line for additional minutes and scoring chances, especially with so many names listed on the injury report for the Grizzlies.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 19, 2026
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Thursday that left-hander
Shota Imanaga is throwing his fastball harder this spring, which is mostly a "product of his hamstring being healthy," according to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network. Counsell thinks Imanaga's hamstring injury last year "created some bad mechanical issues while the pitcher compensated for the injury." The 32-year-old Japanese southpaw was an All-Star in his first year in the U.S. in 2024, going 15-3 with a 2.91 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 174:28 K:BB in 29 starts (173 1/3 innings). Imanaga carried that over into the first half in 2025, posting a 2.65 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 12 starts before the All-Star break. After a hamstring injury caused him to miss two months, his ERA jumped ot 4.70 with a 1.04 WHIP in the second half. He was even worse in a small sample size in the playoffs, but now back to full health, Imanaga is a clear bounce-back candidate in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network - Bruce Levine
February 19, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Jalen Williams (hamstring) is scheduled to be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks, extending his absence after aggravating the injury earlier this month. With Williams sidelined and
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) also out, perimeter minutes remain available. Over his last five games,
Cason Wallace has averaged 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes, while
Aaron Wiggins has posted 10.8 points and 1.6 threes in 24.8 minutes.
Alex Caruso is adding 1.0 steals in 19.4 minutes. Wallace profiles as the safest hold, with Wiggins and Caruso viable deep-league streamers.
--Brian DailisanSource: Brandon Rahbar
February 19, 2026
San Francisco Giants left-hander
Carson Whisenhunt was consistently hitting 96-97 mph during his simulated game in camp on Thursday, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. Whisenhunt's average fastball velocity last year was at 92.6 mph, so it's a notable development early in spring training as he heads into his second major-league season. The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2022 out of East Carolina University made five starts in his big-league debut in 2025 and allowed 14 runs (13 earned) in 23 1/3 innings (5.01) ERA while walking 12 and striking out 16. Whisenhunt will most likely start the 2026 season at Triple-A Sacramento to continue his development. Command and control were both issues in his small sample size with the Giants last year. His future in the big leagues could be in the bullpen if those issues don't improve.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
February 19, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week and is set to miss additional time after sitting out since Feb. 3. With the All-Star sidelined alongside
Ajay Mitchell (abdomen), Oklahoma City's backcourt minutes are wide open. Over his last five games,
Isaiah Joe has averaged 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 3.4 threes in 28.1 minutes, while
Cason Wallace has produced 11.0 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes.
Jared McCain added 13 points in 24 minutes last game. Joe and Wallace are strong streamers, with
Chet Holmgren likely absorbing added usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: Brandon Rahbar
February 19, 2026
Utah Jazz center
Jusuf Nurkic (nose) won't play on Friday versus Memphis. The veteran is listed as out on the injury report due to injury management purposes, so he'll likely be back on Monday in Houston. In the meantime,
Kyle Filipowski will presumably remain in the starting lineup. Filipowski is coming off a solid 15-point, nine-rebound, six-steal effort in the loss to the Trail Blazers ahead of the All-Star break.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 19, 2026
Kansas City Royals outfielder
Lane Thomas (foot) said on Thursday that he's fully healthy this spring after he had surgery to fix plantar fasciitis in his right foot last September, according to Sports Radio 810. Thomas was a total bust for the Cleveland Guardians last year due to injuries. He was limited to only 39 regular-season games and hit .160/.246/.272 with a .518 OPS, four home runs, 11 RBI, 10 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 142 plate appearances in his seventh year in the majors. Despite the lost season, the 30-year-old veteran could see most of the playing time in left field for the Royals in 2026 after signing a one-year, $5.25 million deal in December. The previous two seasons with the Washington Nationals and Guardians, Thomas hit .255/.312/.439 with a .751 OPS, 43 homers, 149 RBI, and 52 steals in 286 games, so there is bounce-back potential if he's fully healthy. At the very least, he could be a sneaky waiver-wire pickup for his speed.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Radio 810
February 19, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (ankle) remains out for Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The 22-year-old missed three games because of a left ankle injury at the beginning of February. While he returned for the matchup with the Orlando Magic on February 7, he tweaked his right ankle and will now miss his fourth-straight contest. It's unknown how close George is to returning to the floor, although it's certainly realistic to assume he could miss more games moving forward.
Jusuf Nurkic (nose) also won't suit up on Friday, meaning
Lauri Markkanen,
Ace Bailey,
Isaiah Collier, and
Brice Sensabaugh should receive extra scoring opportunities on the offensive end.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 19, 2026
Toronto Raptors forwards/centers
Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) and
Sandro Mamukelashvili (rib) are available for Thursday's game against Chicago, but their upside hinges on minutes in a crowded frontcourt with
Jakob Poeltl active. Over his last five games, Murray-Boyles averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks in 25.7 minutes, flashing category juice if the workload holds. Mamukelashvili posted 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.8 threes in 25.3 minutes across that span. Both carry deep-league appeal, yet Poeltl's presence caps ceilings, leaving
Scottie Barnes as the safest frontcourt play.
--Brian DailisanSource: Blake Murphy
February 19, 2026
San Diego Padres right-hander
Randy Vasquez has an "inside track" to one of the final starting rotation spots in San Diego to begin the 2026 season despite the recent additions of
German Marquez and
Walker Buehler, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell.
Nick Pivetta,
Michael King, and
Joe Musgrove are locks. Vasquez, 27, likely earned himself a rotation spot to begin the year with his solid 2025 showing, in which he went 6-7 with a 3.84 ERA (4.85 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP with a career-high 78 strikeouts and 52 walks in 133 2/3 innings over 28 appearances (26 starts). While Vasquez was a solid back-of-the-rotation arm for the Friars, fantasy managers in deeper leagues should expect some regression due to his 5.51 xFIP and 5.44 SIERA. His 4.6% K-BB% was the third-lowest mark in the league among pitchers with at least 130 innings. Vasquez is outside of RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitchers in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
February 19, 2026
After starting games for both the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, veteran quarterback
Joe Flacco enters 2026 as an unrestricted free agent. The 2008 first-round draft pick, who has now started for six different teams, recently turned 41, but he has no plans to retire anytime soon. While a handful of teams could be in the market for a bridge quarterback when free agency opens in March, Flacco will likely find more suitors as one of the most reliable backups in the league. He has expressed a willingness to resign with Cincinnati to play behind
Joe Burrow, which, outside of a starting role, might be his most valuable landing spot from a fantasy perspective. Flacco finished as a QB1 in four of his six starts with the Bengals, including a stretch of three straight weeks inside the top five, while Burrow has missed meaningful time in three of his first six seasons. As such, Flacco is worth holding through the offseason in superflex dynasty leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
February 19, 2026
Boston Red Sox right-hander
Kutter Crawford (knee, wrist, illness) is in the mix for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to begin the 2026 season, but MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo also reports that he "could start the year on the injured list." Crawford is behind the other starting candidates at spring training and has not faced hitters yet, and a bout with the flu delayed his progress early in camp as he works his way back from knee and wrist injuries that cost him the entire 2025 season. The 29-year-old led the team with 33 starts two years ago and was an All-Star candidate after having a 2.89 ERA in his first 11 starts. Crawford finished the 2024 campaign with a 4.36 ERA, 175 strikeouts, and 51 walks over 183 2/3 innings. Especially since he's behind due to the injuries he dealt with last year, Crawford is off the fantasy radar in single-year leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
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