April 14, 2026
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said that he doesn't envision more traditional starts for right-hander
Grant Taylor this year, according to Josh Frydman of WGN News. At best, Taylor might work up to three innings in the future as an opener. The 23-year-old is sort of in a transition phase in 2026 as the White Sox slowly work to ramp him back up as a full-time starting pitcher for next year. Taylor has made seven appearances this year (four starts) and has allowed just one earned run on six hits while walking two and striking out 10 in 8 1/3 innings pitched. He had a 4.91 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 54 strikeouts, 15 walks, and his first six career saves in 36 appearances (two starts) over 36 2/3 innings last year in his first year in the majors. Taylor has looked pretty solid so far in 2026, but his fantasy upside will be capped with an innings limit of around 100 planned for this year. Durability issues and workload concerns make him a shaky saves option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: WGN News - Josh Frydman
April 14, 2026
Boston Red Sox first baseman
Triston Casas (abdomen, knee) is dealing with an abdominal strain and will be shut down until he feels better, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The good news is that Casas' abdominal strain is not related to his rib-cage issue from two years ago, according to manager Alex Cora. Once Casas is feeling better, he'll have to go through a spring training-style buildup, so it's going to be a while before we see him back in the big leagues. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger only made it through 29 games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending patellar tendon tear. Casas hit only .182/.277/.303 with three homers and 11 RBI in those 29 games, too. In 132 games in 2023 in his first full season in the majors, Casas hit .263 with 24 home runs and 65 RBI in 502 plate appearances, but injuries have wrecked his last two seasons.
Willson Contreras is locked in at first base for the BoSox now, so when Casas is finally ready to make his 2026 debut, he could be battling for at-bats in the designated-hitter role.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
April 14, 2026
Max Homa turned things around at the Masters Tournament. The American golfer finished tied for ninth and netted his first Top 10 of 2026. Overall, it had been a solid season but consecutive missed cuts threatened to snowball. Instead, Homa gained a whopping 3.27 strokes overall. The last time he did that was at the 2024 Masters (3.34). However, the RBC Heritage might be a different story. Homa has struggled at the event including three straight outside Top 40 results plus a missed cut. Hilton Head does not seem to suit Homa so it may be wise to fade any top result bets for this week anyway.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
April 14, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Jaxson Hayes (foot) intends to play in Game 1 against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, Corey Hansford of Lakers Nation reports. The big man missed the final four regular-season games due to a foot injury, but he was back at practice on Tuesday. "Feeling a lot better," Hayes told reporters. "It was nice getting a few days off, especially with my job, I jump a lot and run a lot. So it's hard for me to rest something like that. So getting those days off was much-needed, very helpful." He added that he wasn't worried about missing the start of the postseason. Hayes has occasionally outperformed starting center
Deandre Ayton late in the season, and his role may grow during the playoffs. Across 66 regular-season outings, he averaged 7.5 points and 4.1 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: Corey Hansford
April 14, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Fernando Tatis Jr. is starting in right field and will bat in the two-hole for the Friars for Tuesday's series opener against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander
Bryan Woo at Petco Park, according to MLB.com. The Padres moved Tatis to second base in the last two games of the four-game series against the Colorado Rockies over the weekend, and he went 5-for-9 at the plate with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base in those two games to break out of a little early-season funk as a hitter. The 27-year-old Dominican All-Star is hitting .242 (15-for-62) on the season with six RBI, six runs scored, and four stolen bases in 16 games played. Tatis is still searching for his first home run of the season. If he were to play enough games at the keystone to pick up second base eligibility, it would make Tatis more valuable to fantasy managers. He'll look to keep it up offensively on Tuesday against Woo, whom he's hitting .333 against with a 1.333 OPS, two home runs, and two RBI against in nine career at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 14, 2026
Imaging on Houston Astros right-hander
Tatsuya Imai's right arm came back clean and "positive," according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros will try to increase his arm strength before Imai resumes throwing. The 27-year-old is definitely struggling in his adjustment from Nippon Professional Baseball to Major League Baseball. The Astros placed him on the 15-day injured list on Monday with right-arm fatigue just three starts into his career in the big leagues. And in his first three starts (8 2/3 innings), Imai has struggled, allowing seven earned runs on seven hits while walking 11 and striking out 13. It's certainly not what fantasy managers were envisioning for Imai to begin his Astros tenure in 2026. The good news, though, is that Imai isn't dealing with any structural damage, and it's still early in his first year in MLB. Don't expect a quick return to Houston's starting rotation, though, as the Astros look to build up his arm strength, which will take time.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
April 14, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson is likely to remain part of the team's core in 2026-27. On Tuesday, Pelicans executive Joe Dumars announced that the team is not interested in trading the 2019 first-overall pick. "I'll get those calls," Dumars said. "And even when you say 'no' to people, like, 'No, we're not moving Zion,' within two hours it's out that you've had conversations about trading Zion. Listen, we have no intentions of doing that. We're going into the offseason looking forward to Zion coming back next year and playing great again next year." Williamson endured another injury-plagued season in 2025-26, making 62 appearances. He averaged 21.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals. The two-time All-Star has two seasons remaining on a five-year,$193 million contract.
--Taavi PailkSource: Reuters
April 14, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Johni Broome (knee) will remain sidelined for Wednesday's play-in tilt against the Orlando Magic. The 23-year-old rookie is recovering from a midseason knee surgery. He has been listed as out for Wednesday's game, but Broome could become an option for Philadelphia during the postseason after practicing fully on Tuesday. During the regular season, Broome made only 11 appearances before suffering a right knee lateral meniscus tear in late February while playing in the G League.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers forward/center
Trendon Watford (illness) is considered probable for Wednesday's action against the Orlando Magic. Philadelphia is likely to have Watford available for the Play-In Tournament game. However, it's unclear whether Watford will be part of the rotation. He has been used sparingly in April, averaging 4.7 minutes across three appearances.
Joel Embiid's (abdomen) absence may give Watford some role in the frontcourt, but he probably still won't play enough to make a big impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Texas Rangers outfielder
Wyatt Langford (quad) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Athletics. Langford is returning after missing the last three games due to a minor quad issue. Luckily, Langford was able to avoid a trip to the Injured List and only missed a few contests. The Rangers will ease him back into action by placing him at designated hitter against southpaw
Jeffrey Springs on Tuesday. It has been a slow start to the season for Langford, but hopefully he can turn it around now that he's fully healthy. Fantasy managers should make sure to get him active in their lineups ahead of first pitch.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
April 14, 2026
Phoenix Suns forward
Royce O'Neale (knee) and center
Mark Williams (foot) are available to suit up for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Portland Trail Blazers. O'Neale sat out Sunday's regular-season finale due to a knee issue, while Williams was given the night off for rest. Both players have been cleared and are expected to see increased usage in tonight's matchup.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Orlando Magic small forward
Jett Howard (ankle) is considered questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. The 22-year-old sprained his left ankle late in the regular season, missing the last five games. According to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel, Howard was limited to movement work and didn't take any contact during Tuesday's practice. Considering this, it wouldn't be surprising to see Howard miss another game. However, Orlando should cope with his absence, as Howard contributed only 5.5 points and 1.6 rebounds in 12.6 minutes per game during the regular season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte (back) is a late scratch from Tuesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Marte was pulled out of the lineup minutes before first pitch. There should be another update on his status following Tuesday's game, but for now, his injury is being called lower back tightness. Fantasy managers should consider Marte as day-to-day until another update is provided.
Ildemaro Vargas will take over at second base and bat in the leadoff spot against left-hander
Trevor Rogers.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
April 14, 2026
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Nick Pivetta (elbow) was placed on the 15-day Injured List, retroactive to April 13. Pivetta will head to the shelf after being lifted from Sunday's start against the Colorado Rockies due to elbow stiffness. The Padres are calling the injury right elbow inflammation, but he'll likely undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Alek Jacob has been recalled from Triple-A El Paso. Jacob should provide bullpen depth with
Matt Waldron set to replace Pivetta in the rotation. Waldron hasn't pitched this season, but is scheduled to start against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The 29-year-old should be viewed as a risky streaming choice for that one.
--Andy WebbSource: San Diego Padres
April 14, 2026
Orlando Magic forward
Jonathan Isaac (knee) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's play-in contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. Isaac practiced on Tuesday but didn't do any contact work, which doesn't bode well for his chances of returning to the lineup. Orlando was without Isaac for 21 of the last 22 regular-season games. Even when in the lineup, Isaac has been limited to 10.0 minutes per game this season. His defensive ability would be an asset to the team, but in general, the 28-year-old isn't a major loss.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Detroit Tigers infielder
Colt Keith (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Fantasy managers don't need to panic as this appears to be a rare rest day for Keith. The Tigers will opt to go with
Javier Baez at shortstop and
Kevin McGonigle at the hot corner with tough lefty
Cole Ragans on the mound for Kansas City. The expectation is that Keith will be back in the lineup on Wednesday. Keith has been great with the bat, slashing .340/.375/.472 through 15 games this season.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
April 14, 2026
Phoenix Suns forward
Dillon Brooks (hand) is available for Tuesday's Play-In Game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Brooks sat out of the Suns' final regular-season contest on Sunday versus Oklahoma City due to injury management. However, he is good to go for tonight's matchup in Phoenix. Since returning from a fractured left hand that required surgery, the 30-year-old Canadian saw action in six regular-season games, averaging 14.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists across 28.5 minutes.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
San Francisco Giants outfielder
Harrison Bader (hamstring) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Bader has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue since Spring Training. It's unclear if he tweaked it recently or if this is just a routine maintenance day. The ongoing hamstring injury could explain his slow start to the season. Bader is slashing .115/.145/.192 through 15 games this season. Fantasy managers should monitor this situation in case Bader does end up on the Injured List.
Jared Oliva will cover center field and bat ninth versus right-hander
Brady Singer on Tuesday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
April 14, 2026
Houston Astros first baseman
Christian Walker (leg) is in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Walker appears to be back to 100 percent after missing a game over the weekend due to a leg issue. Since returning to the lineup, Walker is 0-for-6 over the last two games. He'll bat fifth and cover first base ahead of Tuesday's contest. Walker has struggled with only five hits in his last seven games. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can get him active, but Walker won't be an ideal DFS option for Tuesday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: Houston Astros
April 14, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Pelle Larsson (leg) is available for Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets. The 25-year-old has been cleared to suit up after he was previously listed as probable due to a right lower-leg contusion. Larsson averaged 11.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists across 70 regular-season outings and should be productive off the bench for the Heat during tonight's clash.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
April 14, 2026
Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (upper body) is a game-time decision for Tuesday's tilt against the Winnipeg Jets. An upper-body injury has kept Marino sidelined for two games. However, he has a chance to return against Winnipeg after skating in a regular jersey on Tuesday morning. Marino boasts a team-best plus-39 rating and has set a new scoring record this season, with 35 points (four goals, 31 assists) in 78 games. Dmitri Simashev has played in the last two games but will likely make way for Marino if he's ready to return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 14, 2026
According to Khobi Price of The California Post, Los Angeles Lakers guard
Austin Reaves (oblique) is expected to be sidelined at least one more week due to a Grade 2 left oblique muscle injury.
Luka Doncic (hamstring) will also remain on the shelf indefinitely due to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and both players are at risk of missing the first round of the playoffs versus Houston. In the meantime,
LeBron James will continue to carry an increased offensive workload while
Rui Hachimura and
Marcus Smart are in line to see an uptick in scoring opportunities.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Khobi Price
April 14, 2026
Houston Astros left-handed closer
Josh Hader (biceps) threw live batting practice at Daikin Park on Tuesday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Hader was sitting at 91 to 93 mph on the radar gun on Tuesday while throwing 20 pitches. He has been sidelined since early in spring training with left-biceps tendinitis, so he still has some boxes to check before he's cleared to make his 2026 season debut in Houston. The 32-year-old veteran and six-time All-Star still needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but barring any setbacks once he's pitching in games, he could rejoin the big-league bullpen before the end of April. The Astros could really use Hader back at the end of games, too, as their bullpen has been scuffling without him. Hader is more risky than ever as a fantasy closer this year coming off his biceps injury -- he also had shoulder issues late last year -- and he will most likely be eased back in when he comes off the IL. He should still be stashed in all fantasy leagues, though, and he proved last year that he's still plenty dominant when he's healthy.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
April 14, 2026
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (hip) will return to action on Tuesday against the New York Islanders, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports. The Russian netminder underwent a hip procedure in December and was declared "probably out for the year." Yet Kochetkov will make his comeback in Carolina's regular-season finale after having a conditioning stint in the AHL. Before injuring his hip, Kochetkov had a fine start to the season. He holds a 6-2-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average, a .899 save percentage, and one shutout. On Tuesday, Kochetkov faces an out-of-form team that has gone 1-6-0 to end the year, scoring just once in the last two games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Walt Ruff
April 14, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Tuesday that they placed catcher
Gabriel Moreno (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 11) with a strained left oblique and selected the contract of catcher
Aramis Garcia from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Garcia will serve as the No. 3 backstop option in Arizona behind
James McCann and
Adrian Del Castillo with Moreno sidelined. Moreno left the team's game early last Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies with what the team was initially calling lower-back tightness. The 26-year-old will be eligible to return from the IL on April 21, but because he's dealing with an oblique injury, Moreno likely won't make it back to the big leagues until May. McCann is doing the catching for right-hander
Merrill Kelly on Tuesday and will bat seventh in the lineup. Moreno can't seem to stay healthy, playing in over 100 games just once in his first four years in the majors. In 13 games this year before going on the IL, he had gone 11-for-40 (.275) with no homers, five RBI, and six runs scored in 45 plate appearances.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
April 14, 2026
Calgary Flames right wing Matvei Gridin (illness) will rejoin the lineup on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. He wasn't available for Sunday's matchup with Utah due to illness. Gridin has been among Calgary's best performers late in the season, tallying 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in his last 18 appearances. Overall, he has scored six goals and 19 points in 35 games this season. The 20-year-old Russian looks like an exciting talent and will get some much-needed experience under his belt during the final week of regular-season action. He's set to play a big role on Tuesday, with Matt Coronato (undisclosed) sidelined.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
April 14, 2026
Kansas City Royals left-hander
Cole Ragans (thumb) has been cleared to make his next start on Tuesday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, according to MLB.com. Ragans left his previous start early against the Cleveland Guardians last week when he was hit by a comebacker on his thumb in the first inning, but thankfully, it didn't turn out to be a serious injury. The 28-year-old former first-rounder in 2016 is 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, and 15:6 K:BB in 10 2/3 innings over his first three starts in 2026, and it won't get any easier in his fourth outing on Tuesday night against the Tigers. Ragans' pitch count isn't expected to be limited at all on Tuesday, but he'll certainly be riskier in fantasy baseball lineups in his first start after his thumb injury against a strong lineup. Ragans can bounce back in 2026 if he can stay healthy, as he's just one year removed from striking out 223 batters with a 3.14 ERA in 32 starts in 2024, when he was a first-time All-Star.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 14, 2026
New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (undisclosed) will miss Tuesday's season finale against the Carolina Hurricanes. The team announced that Pulock has recently played through several injuries. With the team now out of the playoff race, Pulock can drop out of the lineup to focus on his health. The 31-year-old will finish the campaign with 27 points (three goals, 24 assists) in 76 outings, marking his best offensive return in six seasons. Defensively, he contributed a team-high 147 blocks. Isaiah George will replace Pulock on defense, making his fourth appearance of the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: New York Islanders
April 14, 2026
San Francisco Giants infielder
Luis Arraez (wrist) is back at second base and is batting second for the Giants in Tuesday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander
Brady Singer at Great American Ballpark, according to MLB.com. Arraez suffered a wrist contusion when he collided with Orioles rookie outfielder
Dylan Beavers on Saturday, which caused him to miss Sunday's series finale. After an off day on Monday, the veteran left-handed hitter is ready to return, and he'll be greeted by a familiar pitcher. The 29-year-old Venezuelan is hitting .421 with a .924 OPS and a home run in 19 career at-bats against Singer, so it's a good matchup for him to return to following a minor injury. The three-time All-Star and three-time batting champion puts bat to ball often with one of the shortest swings in the big leagues, but he lacks any kind of game-changing power or speed. In his first 15 games with the Gigantes in 2026, Arraez is hitting a cool .304 (17-for-56) with no homers, six RBI, six runs scored, and two steals in 63 plate appearances.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
April 14, 2026
The Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres are among two of the teams eyeing free-agent right-hander
Lucas Giolito early in the 2026 season, league sources told The Athletic. The Cubs' pitching depth is already decimated by injuries, with left-hander
Matthew Boyd (biceps) on the injured list and right-hander
Cade Horton (elbow) out for the entire season. High-leverage relievers
Phil Maton (knee) and
Hunter Harvey (triceps) are also sidelined. The Padres' interest in Giolito could be complicated by the final stages of the team's ongoing sale process. However, the Padres might have more urgency to acquire a player like Giolito after right-hander
Nick Pivetta was forced to leave his last start with right-elbow stiffness. The Cubs project Giolito, 31, as more of a back-of-the-rotation starter, and it's unclear exactly when he'd be ready to pitch in a major-league game after missing all of spring training and part of April. The former first-rounder said recently that he's throwing around 75 pitches in his bullpen sessions. He went 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA over 26 starts for Boston last year and declined a $19 million mutual option after last season to become a free agent. He's been met with an extremely cold market.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney, Kein Rosenthal, Dennis Lin, and Sahadev Sharma
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