March 27, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard/forward
Isaac Okoro (knee) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As expected, Okoro is cleared to play after being listed as probable on the injury report. He made his return to the court after a seven-game absence on Wednesday. Okoro finished with 13 points and two rebounds across 23 minutes of action in that one. The expectation is that he'll have a similar role on Friday. This season, Okoro is averaging 9.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 26.9 minutes per game. He could offer deep league streaming value, but Okoro can be ignored in most fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle) will be in action on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been upgraded from probable to available. Jaquez Jr. has been dealing with a right ankle sprain lately, making only a limited impact. He hasn't played more than 19 minutes in either of the last two games, averaging 11.0 points. On Friday, Jaquez Jr.'s productivity could increase, as Cleveland allows the ninth-most bench points in the NBA.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Chicago Bulls center
Guerschon Yabusele (ankle) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Yabusele missed Monday's game due to a left ankle sprain, but was able to play on Wednesday. He finished with 11 points and four rebounds across 22 minutes during Wednesday's contest. He figures to play a slightly larger role with fellow big man
Nick Richards (elbow) unavailable for Friday's game.
Patrick Williams should also benefit in terms of playing time, but Yabusele has more upside in terms of fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (knee) will return to action on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. He has been cleared to play after missing 10 games due to a knee issue. The veteran big man has been named a starter for Friday's contest, but Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson plans to limit his playing time to 20 minutes.
Keon Ellis will drop to the bench, reducing his fantasy value.
Thomas Bryant's playing time is also likely to take a hit with Allen's return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Chicago Bulls center
Nick Richards (elbow) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Richards is unavailable here after an elbow injury limited him to nine minutes during Wednesday's contest. Without Richards, the Bulls will need to lean on
Guerschon Yabusele and
Patrick Williams. Between the two, Yabusele is the better streaming choice for Friday's slate. He finished with 11 points and four rebounds across 22 minutes on Wednesday. The 30-year-old offers enough scoring upside to warrant looking at in deep leagues as a streaming choice on Friday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Atlanta Hawks center
Jock Landale (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. Landale was a late addition to the injury report and will ultimately suit up due to a shoulder issue. His next chance to play will come on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status ahead of that game.
Mouhamed Gueye is expected to have an expanded role behind
Onyeka Okongwu on Friday. Gueye will likely see minutes in the teens, but it probably won't be enough to warrant streaming him in most fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
There has been "growing optimism" that Baltimore Ravens two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike (neck) will return to the NFL, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Madubuike suffered what was believed to be a career-threatening neck injury last year and only appeared in two games in 2025 before being placed on Injured Reserve. The 28-year-old former third-rounder (71st overall) in 2020 out of Texas A&M was a Pro Bowler in both 2023 and 2024, combining for 99 tackles (59 solo), 19.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 50 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 34 starts. It's unclear exactly when Madubuike will be able to return to the football field, but if he's available to play in 2026, it would be a big boost for the Ravens' defensive line. Baltimore's pass rush was poor last season, as they were tied with the Cardinals and Panthers for the third-fewest sacks (30) in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
March 27, 2026
New York Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand will be in the net against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports. The 23-year-old will make his second career appearance. Garand has gotten his opportunity with Jonathan Quick (upper body) unavailable for a third straight game. He enjoyed a solid debut on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets, finishing a 3-2 shootout loss with 35 saves. Garand has a favorable matchup on Friday against the third-worst offense in the NHL. Chicago has averaged only 2.57 goals per game this season, while generating a league-low 1,759 SOG.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mollie Walker
March 27, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Aaron Nesmith (back) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. As expected, Nesmith will play through his lower back pain. It shouldn't be something that impacts his ability on the court. The 26-year-old has been producing solid numbers as of late. Over the last eight games, Nesmith is averaging 17.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 30.1 minutes per game. He's usually reliable enough to be trusted as a low-end streaming option. He has finished with 14 points or more in five of his last six games.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Obi Toppin (back) has been upgraded to available ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Toppin will shed the questionable tag and suit up despite dealing with back pain. This minor injury shouldn't impact his ability to play his regular role in the rotation. This season, Toppin is averaging 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 17.0 minutes per game. The 27-year-old is a solid contributor, but his overall upside is limited, with him only playing minutes in the teens. Toppin remains a deep league fantasy option, but doesn't offer a ton of upside outside of that.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Buffalo Sabres center Noah Ostlund (upper body) won't play on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports. He hasn't joined the team for pregame warmups after being regarded as a game-time decision. Ostlund is nursing an upper-body injury and didn't practice on Thursday. The 22-year-old Swedish native has had a good rookie campaign, with 11 goals and 27 points in 60 appearances. Tanner Pearson will replace Ostlund in the lineup, making only his second appearance for the team since being acquired from Winnipeg at the trade deadline.
--Taavi PailkSource: Matthew Fairburn
March 27, 2026
Chicago Cubs second baseman
Nico Hoerner's six-year deal has been finalized on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN, and he'll make $141 million. It's the fourth-largest contract ever for a second baseman and will lock up the 28-year-old into the 2030s. Hoerner isn't a big power guy at the keystone, but he plays excellent defense, runs well, and makes plenty of contact at the plate in Chicago. Before Hoerner got his big deal, the Cubs also locked up young All-Star outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year deal earlier this week. Hoerner, a former first-round pick in 2018 out of Stanford, had a career-high of 10 home runs back in 2022, and he has only 36 long balls over his eight big-league seasons. But since becoming a full-time starter at second base in 2022, he has hit .284/.339/.389 with 232 RBI, 333 runs scored, and 123 stolen bases in 592 regular-season games played. Fantasy managers can count on him to get on base, hit for a high average, and score plenty of runs.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
March 27, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers guard
Jordan Miller (back) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Miller is back in the mix after missing Wednesday's game due to back spasms. The second-year guard should resume his regular role on Friday. Over the last seven games, Miller is averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 25.6 minutes per game. The 26-year-old offers enough upside to warrant looking at as a deep league streaming option for Friday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 27, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary (upper body) was back at practice on Friday, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. This was his first practice session since suffering an upper-body injury last week. Zary has missed three games since being hurt. He remains day-to-day, but the fact that he's practicing again indicates that Zary could soon be ready to return to the lineup. The Flames head out next against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday. Zary has notched 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 67 games during his third NHL campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: Pat Steinberg
March 27, 2026
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone, who is on the bench on Opening Day on Friday against the Atlanta Braves and left-hander
Chris Sale, will make starts against left-handed pitchers this year, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Sale is one of the most dominant lefty arms in baseball, though, so the Royals will protect him on Friday and put veteran
Starling Marte in right field. Caglianone struggled in his first taste of major-league pitching in 2025, hitting only .157/.237/.295 with seven home runs, 18 RBI, 18 walks, and 52 strikeouts in 232 plate appearances over 62 games played. He looked better in spring training, though, and the Royals are going to put more on his plate in 2026 in his first full year in the majors. The good news is that the 23-year-old former two-way star didn't have a major problem with strikeouts in his first exposure to the big leagues. However, he'll need to make more consistent contact, and it's not out of the question that he'll return to the minors if he struggles again early on. Long-term, Cags has high-end power potential, and he could have dual eligibility at first base and in the outfield.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
March 27, 2026
Calgary Flames left wing Samuel Honzek (upper body) will not return to action this season, Pat Steinberg of Sportsnet 960 The Fan reports. The 21-year-old suffered an upper-body injury in November, which required surgery. On Friday, he practiced with the team for the first time since getting hurt. However, Calgary won't bring Honzek back into the lineup this season. Honzek is expected to fully recover in time for the 2026-27 campaign. He made 18 appearances in 2025-26, recording four points (two goals, two assists) and 35 hits. The 2023 first-round pick has great potential as a power forward, but he needs to stay away from injuries.
--Taavi PailkSource: Pat Steinberg
March 27, 2026
Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) threw a bullpen session on Friday, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader entered spring training in February with a biceps injury, and he also missed time in 2025 with a shoulder injury, so the veteran closer comes into 2026 with more risk than ever. While the 31-year-old six-time All-Star is throwing, the Astros are not going to rush him, and they hope that he's able to start facing live hitters by the end of April. That means that Hader is unlikely to make his season debut for the Astros and fantasy managers until sometime in May. In the meantime,
Bryan Abreu will be the team's primary ninth-inning closer, boosting his fantasy baseball appeal across all formats. When healthy last year, Hader was still dominant, posting a 2.05 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 28 saves, 76 strikeouts, and 16 walks in 52 2/3 innings pitched. The nine-year veteran has a total of 227 saves in 512 1/3 innings pitched in the big leagues. He should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
March 27, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (upper body) is considered week-to-week after he was injured on Thursday night against the Montreal Canadiens. Severson was hurt late in the game from a hit by Canadiens forward Zachary Bolduc. His absence leaves the Blue Jackets without a defenseman who has been effective on both ends of the ice. With 32 points (eight goals, 24 assists) in 71 games, Severson has enjoyed one of the best offensive campaigns of his career, and the 31-year-old is third on the Columbus roster with 86 blocks. Jake Christiansen or Egor Zamula will compete for a spot in the lineup during Severson's absence. Meanwhile, Denton Mateychuk and Dante Fabbro are candidates for increased ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
March 27, 2026
Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (undisclosed) has returned home after being hurt on Thursday against the New York Islanders, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. The Stars began a four-game road trip on Long Island, but Steel will miss the final three games. It's unclear whether Steel will be available when the team returns home to face the Winnipeg Jets on April 2. The 28-year-old has seen regular top-six action this season, recording a career-high 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 72 contests. Mikko Rantanen (lower body) appears ready to return to action this weekend and will replace Steel in the top six.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Heika
March 27, 2026
Dallas Stars winger Mikko Rantanen (lower body) practiced fully on Friday and could play on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Mike Heika of the Stars' official site reports. The star forward was injured while playing for Team Finland at the Olympics, but he will make a timely return for the Stars, who have lost five of their last six games. Rantanen has averaged the eighth-most points in the NHL this season, tallying 20 goals and 49 assists in 54 outings. His return will end Mavrik Bourque's run on the first line, but he could still maintain a top-six spot after Dallas lost Sam Steel (undisclosed) against the New York Islanders on Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Heika
March 27, 2026
Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder
Christopher Morel (oblique) was scratched from the Opening Day lineup on Friday against the visiting Colorado Rockies due to a left-oblique strain, according to Craig Mish of Sports Grid.
Connor Norby will replace him at first base, and
Owen Caissie will serve as the designated hitter against Rockies left-hander
Kyle Freeland. For now, we'll consider Morel to be day-to-day, but oblique injuries can be tricky, so nobody should be surprised if he eventually lands on the 10-day injured list. The 26-year-old Dominican has plenty of power -- he has 74 home runs in four major-league seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Rays -- but he also has 538 strikeouts in 1,770 plate appearances. In 105 games in 2025 with the Rays, Morel hit .219/.289/.396 with 11 homers, 33 RBI, seven stolen bases, 25 walks, and 109 K's in 305 plate appearances. A return to the 20-homer mark is easily attainable with enough volume in Miami, but he'll really hurt your average with all of his whiffs.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Grid - Craig Mish
March 27, 2026
Arizona State wide receiver
Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) isn't working out at his school's pro day on Friday, but he plans to hold another workout for NFL teams in April when his hamstrings are fully recovered, sources told Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Tyson missed a month with the Sun Devils last year due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in mid-October, and he had a setback with his hammy when he returned for the final two games of the year. In nine games played in 2025, the 21-year-old caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. His career year came in 2024, when he had a 75-1,101-10 line in 12 games played. Durability concerns are real with Tyson, although he could still be a first-round pick in April's draft if he shows well during his workout next month. Tyson broke his clavicle in 2024 and also tore the ACL, MCL, and LCL in his knee back in 2022.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
March 27, 2026
The New York Jets had two of their top decision-makers, general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn, at their private workout with Alabama quarterback
Ty Simpson on Friday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave were also present. The Jets also had dinner with Simpson on Thursday night to get to know him on a personal level. With all that said, Cimini said he would "be a little surprised" if the Jets take Simpson at No. 16 overall in next month's NFL draft because they have so many other needs. New York has three first-round picks in the 2027 draft, so the Jets "do not feel like they are pressured" to take a signal-caller this year.
Justin Fields was a free-agent failure in 2025, and he's already been traded to the Chiefs.
Geno Smith, who was acquired from the Raiders via trade, will most likely end up being a bridge QB before the Jets look to find their next franchise signal-caller in 2027. Simpson, who is considered the second-best QB prospect in this year's class behind Indiana's
Fernando Mendoza, is expected to come off the board in the first round in April.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
March 27, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Jose Berrios (elbow) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session in camp on Friday, manager John Schneider told Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Berrios is on the 15-day injured list to begin the 2026 regular season after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow last week. The Blue Jays are hoping that the 31-year-old can continue to pitch through it, but the problem is that he hasn't appeared in a spring training game in three weeks, so he needs to build his arm back up. The veteran Puerto Rican doesn't have a timetable for when he might make his season debut in Toronto, but barring a setback, it could be possible for him to rejoin the Blue Jays before the end of April. Berrios went 9-5 in 2025 in his fourth full season with the Jays, recording a 4.17 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 138:56 K:BB in 166 innings pitched. Since the start of the 2019 season, Berrios has more innings on his arm than any other pitcher, and all the tread on his tires appears to be catching up with him. Don't be surprised if Toronto moves him into a long-relief role sooner than later in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
March 27, 2026
Houston Astros infielder/outfielder
Brice Matthews will make his 2026 debut on Friday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi at Daikin Park. Per MLB.com, Matthews is starting in center field and will bat ninth in the lineup. With Matthews in the lineup,
Jake Meyers will retreat to the bench against a left-hander. The 24-year-old prospect is expected to serve in a super-utility role for the Astros to begin the year after he saw playing time in center field, left field, and second base during spring training. The former 28th overall pick in 2023 hit .250 (9-for-36) with an .817 OPS, a homer, 10 RBI, six runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 16 Grapefruit League games this spring. Matthews went just 7-for-42 (.167) in a small 13-game sample size in his MLB debut in 2025 with two walks and 20 strikeouts, but he's a high-upside rookie who possesses plus speed and above-average raw power.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
Houston Astros outfielder
Yordan Alvarez, who was in the designated hitter spot on Opening Day on Thursday, will shift to left field on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels and left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi, according to MLB.com. With shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) back,
Carlos Correa is shifting to third base, pushing
Isaac Paredes to DH. Alvarez will bat out of the two-hole. Despite the lefty-on-lefty matchup for Alvarez in Game 2 of the regular season, he should be left in all starting fantasy lineups, as he's hit .357 against Kikuchi in his career with a 1.143 OPS, three home runs, and nine RBI in 28 at-bats. The 28-year-old Cuban went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Thursday's 3-0 loss, but he had what looked to be a no-doubt home run taken away from him when the ball hit the rafters at Daikin Park. Alvarez is a three-time All-Star who had established himself as one of the best all-around hitters in baseball before being limited to only 48 games due to injury in 2025. He could see plenty of time in left field this year (if he's healthy) if the Astros want to keep Paredes' bat in the lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
Right-hander
Shane Baz and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $68 million contract extension on Friday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 26-year-old was acquired in a trade this winter from the Tampa Bay Rays and is set for a big payday after his first fully healthy season in 2025. Baz went 10-12 for the Rays last year with a 4.87 ERA (4.37 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, and 176:64 K:BB in 166 1/3 innings over his 31 starts. The former first-rounder (12th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 had thrown a previous career high of 79 1/3 major-league innings in 2024. He looked good this spring, allowing three earned runs with four walks and 14 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings over three Grapefruit League starts, and his first regular-season start is scheduled to come this Sunday versus the Minnesota Twins. Baz is looking to take the next step as a more consistent starter in Baltimore in 2026. He had 13 outings of two or fewer runs allowed in 2025, and he'll be in a more pitcher-friendly park in Camden Yards.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
March 27, 2026
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that first baseman/catcher
Ben Rice and outfielder
Trent Grisham, who are both out of the starting lineup on Friday against San Francisco Giants lefty
Robbie Ray, will see playing time against southpaws in 2026, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "A lot of it has to do with the first three series, the first nine games -- this (Robbie Ray) is probably the only lefty we're going to see," Boone said. Rice, 27, broke out in 2025 in his first full year in the big leagues and earned more exposure to lefties, hitting .255/.337/.499 with an .836 OPS, 26 home runs, 65 RBI, and 74 runs scored in 530 plate appearances over 138 games played. Against left-handers, Rice went 22-for-106 (.208) with seven of his home runs on the season. The 27-year-old lefty slugger also has catcher eligibility. Rice's fantasy arrow is firmly pointing up in 2026. He went 1-for-4 on Opening night on Wednesday in the win over the Giants.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
March 27, 2026
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena (finger) will bat leadoff in his 2026 season debut on Friday at Daikin Park against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels and left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi, according to MLB.com. Pena wasn't in the lineup in Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Halos after fracturing his finger back on March 4, but he was thankfully able to avoid the injured list to begin the year and will return to the lineup for Game 2. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get him back into their starting lineups. In 12 career at-bats against Kikuchi, Pena has hit .333 with a 1.135 OPS and a solo home run. With Pena back in the fold in Houston,
Carlos Correa will shift back to third base, with
Isaac Paredes moving to designated hitter and the three-hole on Friday. Left-handed slugger
Yordan Alvarez will move out of the DH spot and into left field.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 27, 2026
Golf icon Tiger Woods was reportedly involved in a rollover car crash in Jupiter Island, Florida, early Friday afternoon. As the investigation continues, no details about the accident or Woods' condition have been released by the Martin County Sherriff's Department, though a sheriff's office spokesperson is expected to speak with the media later on Friday. The 15-time major champion had recently competed in the TGL Finals and had been rumored to be considering a return to competitive tournament golf at the upcoming Masters. Woods, who sustained serious leg injuries in a 2021 car crash outside of Los Angeles, has a history of incidents on the road. More updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.
--Joe Nicely - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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