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Giants Managing Multiple Injuries for Andrew Thomas
The New York Giants are wisely managing offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (foot, shoulder) this spring as he works his way back from multiple injuries, according to Art Stapleton of The North Jersey Bergen Record. Thomas is working through a Lisfranc foot injury, and his shoulder has also been "barking" this offseason. The 27-year-old offensive lineman is being smart about it, but the irony is that Thomas is doing more now than he has in recent seasons, and he took part in the team's first two OTA practices this week. In addition to his foot and shoulder injuries, Thomas ended last year on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury. The former fourth overall pick in 2020 out of Georgia only made 13 starts for the G-Men in 2025 in his sixth season in the league, and he's played in 29 games over the last three years due to injuries. Barring another injury or a setback with his foot or shoulder, Thomas should be ready to go in Week 1 on Sunday Night Football against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys.
Source: The North Jersey Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
Source: The North Jersey Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
George Lombard Jr. Worth Stashing Due to High Walk Rate in Minors?
New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. has posted mixed results at the plate since his promotion to Triple-A, but there's no denying that he's an on-base machine. Lombard has walked more than he's struck out in Triple-A, and he also has more walks than hits. He's slashing .178/.362/.205 at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with zero homers, four steals, a 20.2% walk rate, and a 18.1% strikeout rate. We'd like to see a little more power, but it's also a small sample size. Between Double-A and Triple-A combined this year, he has four homers and eight steals. The impressive on-base percentage and decent steals total could make him an intriguing stash in deeper fantasy baseball leagues. His MLB debut isn't imminent, as he's played just 19 games in Triple-A, but there's definitely long-term upside here. He ranks #27 among shortstop prospects in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Ward Loses 10 Pounds in the Offseason
Tennessee Titans second-year quarterback Cam Ward has looked noticeably slimmer during OTA practices this week, and he said he lost around 10 pounds in the offseason after weighing 219 pounds in 2025 in his first year in the NFL, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. "I think it'll help me with durability," Ward said. "Just being faster, getting up in the pocket, and trying to play my speed. I watch my diet more, continue to have more cardio, just work on my body, just now here and when I'm away from the building." The 23-year-old was taken first overall by the Titans in last year's draft out of the University of Miami, and he was the team's starter from Day 1. He ultimately struggled in his first NFL campaign, completing 59.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions to finish as the QB22 in fantasy scoring. Ward also focused on strengthening his right shoulder after injuring it in the regular-season finale in January. He is perfectly healthy now and has looked good throwing the football during offseason workouts. The hope is that Ward will take a step forward in his sophomore season under new play-caller Brian Daboll with an improved supporting cast around him. Fantasy managers should target Ward as a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues with upside.
Source: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
Source: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
Edwin Arroyo a Top Hitter to Stash Ahead of MLB Debut?
Cincinnati Reds shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo hit his 10th homer of the season at Triple-A on Thursday, and he's getting closer to making his MLB debut. Arroyo is having a fantastic season at the plate, posting a career-best .348/.408/.604 slash line with 10 homers, eight steals, a 8.3% walk rate, a 15.1% strikeout rate, and 159 wRC+. He's walking less than ever before in his minor league career, and he has also delivered more home runs and steals. This is truly a breakout year for the infield prospect, and it's coming at the right time as he pushes for a promotion to the majors. With 46 Triple-A games under his belt, it seems like Arroyo is ready for the next level. With a potential debut coming in June, Arroyo is absolutely on the stash radar in fantasy baseball, especially because he offers both speed and power.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yusei Kikuchi Hopes to Return in the Second Half of the Season
Los Angeles Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (shoulder) said earlier this week that he's set to start his throwing program soon after being diagnosed with left-shoulder inflammation in early May, and he's hopeful that he can return in the early part of the second half of the season, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Kikuchi was placed on the 15-day injured list after leaving his start early after two innings on April 29 with shoulder discomfort. Surgery was never considered an option despite receiving a second opinion from a personal doctor. Kikuchi believes that he can return by late July. Fantasy managers won't be in a rush to pick Kikuchi up off the waiver wire -- he's currently rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues -- after the 34-year-old southpaw had a 5.81 ERA with 33 strikeouts, 14 walks, and three homers allowed in 31 innings over seven starts before his shoulder injury. Managers have quickly forgotten that Kikuchi was an All-Star for the second time in his career in Anaheim in 2025, registering a 3.99 ERA with 174 K's in 178 1/3 innings pitched. UPDATE: The Angels moved Kikuchi to the 60-day injured list on Friday.
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Trevor Story has Hernia Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-10 Weeks
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (hernia) underwent surgery to fix a sports hernia, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Story said last week that surgery would require six to 10 weeks to recover. The Red Sox placed the veteran shortstop on the 10-day injured list last weekend. Boston has been mixing and matching at the 6 with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio with Story out, and that should now continue for the foreseeable future. The 33-year-old two-time All-Star is no stranger to long-term injuries, although he did manage to play in a career-high 157 games for the BoSox last year, slashing .263/.308/.433 with a .741 OPS, 25 home runs, 96 RBI, 31 stolen bases, and 91 runs scored in 654 plate appearances. It's looking like another lost season in 2026, however, and he was hitting just .206 (34-for-165) with three homers, 19 RBI, four steals, and 16 runs scored in 41 games before getting injured. With the news of his hernia surgery, it's hard to recommend holding Story in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Logan Webb Expected to Return After Friday's Rehab Start
San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb (knee) said that his bullpen session went well on Tuesday and plans on making his minor-league rehab start on Friday with Triple-A Sacramento, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Webb expects to return to the Giants' starting rotation after just one rehab appearance. Webb is nearing a return to the big leagues after landing on the 15-day injured list on May 9 due to right-knee bursitis. If San Fran clears the veteran right-hander to rejoin their rotation next week, he'd be in line to start on Wednesday at home against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star allowed a season-high six earned runs in just four innings against the San Diego Padres in his last time out on May 5 and has an ERA above 5.00 through his first eight starts of the season, so fantasy managers should be hesitant to throw him right back into the fire if he returns next Wednesday against the Snakes, who rank 11th in baseball with a .711 OPS.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Hunter Brown to Make a Rehab Start on Sunday at Double-A
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Hunter Brown (shoulder) will make a minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Double-A Corpus Christi, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It will be Brown's first game action since last pitching on March 31 against the Boston Red Sox. He's currently on the 60-day injured list with a right-shoulder strain and won't be eligible to return to the big-league starting rotation until the end of May. Most likely, we won't see Brown back with the Astros until early June, but it could depend on how he fares during his rehab assignment. The 27-year-old former fifth-round pick in 2019 out of Wayne State broke out and was an All-Star for the first time in his career in 2025, going 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA (3.14 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 206:57 K:BB in 185 1/3 innings over 31 starts. Brown has quickly developed into a front-line starter and shouldn't be floating around on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues. In his first two starts this year before injuring his shoulder, he had allowed only one earned run with 17 K's and six walks in 10 2/3 frames.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Jose Caballero Expected to Return on Friday
New York Yankees infielder Jose Caballero (finger) is scheduled to come off the 10-day injured list on Friday for the start of a big series against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Caballero has healed quickly from a fractured right middle finger and should take over the primary duties at shortstop in the Bronx from Anthony Volpe. The speedy 29-year-old didn't go on a minor-league rehab assignment, so he might have to knock off some rust at the plate upon his return. The native of Panama doesn't offer fantasy managers much power at all -- he's never had more than nine home runs in a single season in his three full years in the big leagues -- but his elite speed on the basepaths makes him worth rostering in most leagues. Caballero has two 40-plus-steal campaigns and is currently slashing .259/.320/.400 with a .720 OPS, four homers, 13 RBI, 13 steals, and 18 runs scored in his first 41 contests in 2026 in his first full year with the Yanks. He's rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues, so he's worth a pickup if you need speed.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Roman Anthony Dealing With Sprained Ligament in his Finger
Boston Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said on WEEI on Friday that outfielder Roman Anthony (finger) is dealing with a sprain in a ligament on the base of his right ring finger, according to Rob Bradford. The Red Sox placed Anthony on the 10-day injured list with what was previously being called a right-wrist spain, but the injury has now been clarified as a finger sprain. The 22-year-old former top outfield prospect resumed swinging a bat on Monday but felt more soreness, which prompted the Red Sox to shut him down from baseball activities for the time being. It's unclear exactly when Anthony will resume baseball activities or when he might be cleared to come off the IL, but fantasy managers should be ruling out a return before June. Despite his disappointing start to his first full year in the big leagues, Anthony should remain stashed in all fantasy baseball leagues. The left-handed-hitting Masataka Yoshida should continue to benefit from more playing time, but he's hitting just .258 (23-for-89) on the year with no home runs, six RBI, and eight runs scored in his 33 games played. UPDATE: There is no new tear for Anthony, and it simply remains a pain-tolerance issue, according to interim manager Chad Tracy.
Source: WEEI - Rob Bradford
Source: WEEI - Rob Bradford
Josh Jung a Priority Addition in Fantasy Leagues?
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung has emerged as a high-end waiver wire addition in fantasy baseball as he continues to swing a hot bat. Now in his fifth MLB season, Jung is slashing with a .309/.365/.474 slash line, five home runs, a 7.3% walk rate, a 14.6% strikeout rate, and 138 wRC+. He's posting career-best marks in nearly every offensive category, but his most significant improvement has been the strikeout rate. His 25.2% strikeout rate last year was a career-low, and he's on pace to blow that out of the water with a 14.6% mark so far in 2026. The sample size has been large enough to suggest that he'll be able to maintain his offensive success over a full season. As a result, he's a very intriguing waiver wire target in fantasy baseball. As it stands, Jung is available in 57% of leagues, and he ranks as the #16 third baseman in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Abner Uribe Emerging as Primary Closer, a Must-Add in Fantasy Leagues?
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Abner Uribe has emerged as the team's go-to option in save situations, and he remains one of the most appealing closers on the waiver wire in fantasy baseball. Uribe and Trevor Megill opened this year competing for save situations, and while both players have underperformed expectations, manager Pat Murphy has been turning to the former in leverage spots. In the Brewers' most recent save situation on Tuesday, Megill pitched the seventh and earned the hold, while Uribe got the save in the ninth. Through 20 games (18.1 innings) this year, Uribe owns a 3.59 FIP with 9.33 K/9, 3.44 BB/9, 0.98 HR/9, and a 43% ground ball rate. Compared to last year, his strikeouts and ground balls are down, while his walks and home runs are up. With that being said, his 3.48 xFIP is lower than his ERA, xERA, and FIP, suggesting he's been a bit unlucky and is due for some better luck going forward. He has five saves this year, and we expect him to build on that number in no time, especially with the Brewers winning 62% of their games. Still available in 44% of leagues, Uribe should be a priority target for closer-needy managers in fantasy baseball leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jared Jones Carries Elite Stash Upside Ahead of Looming Activation
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) holds must-stash upside in all standard leagues ahead of his looming return from the 60-day injured list. Jones has not been on an MLB mound since his 2024 rookie season after undergoing an internal brace procedure last season. However, Jones has recently moved his rehab assignment up to Triple-A Indianapolis, which puts him on the verge of returning to the big leagues. Jones began his rehab assignment in the lower levels, where he tossed 10 innings with a near-perfect 0.90 ERA and an 11:1 K:BB. In his first rehab outing with the top club in the system, Jones tossed 4 1/3 innings while striking out seven hitters. Jones is set to make his fifth rehab outing on Saturday, which could set him up to return to the big leagues as early as next week. He should be viewed as a must-stash candidate in all formats ahead of Week 9.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Matt Shaw Placed on Injured List with Back Tightness
Chicago Cubs utility player Matt Shaw (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with mid-back tightness, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. Shaw is expected to miss several weeks. In a corresponding move, top infield prospect Pedro Ramirez was promoted to the majors. Shaw owns a modest .242/.291/.400 slash line with three homers this year, but he had been struggling lately with a 0-for-14 skid. The 24-year-old has mostly come off the bench this season, playing a variety of positions. So far this year, he has played all three outfield spots, as well as first, second, and third base. The right-handed hitter was rostered in just 5% of fantasy leagues before his injury, and his roster share could decrease if managers aren't willing to wait for him to return from the IL.
Source: Jesse Rogers
Source: Jesse Rogers
Cubs Promote Prospect Pedro Ramirez to Majors, Worth an Add Off Waiver Wire?
Chicago Cubs infield prospect Pedro Ramirez has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa. Ramirez has been on the 40-man roster since last November, but he hasn't appeared in a big-league game yet, so his next appearance will be his MLB debut. Signed out of Venezuela in 2021, Ramirez is a 22-year-old infielder capable of playing second and third base. Prior to his promotion, he owned an impressive .312/.395/.547 slash line with nine homers, 40 RBI, 19 steals, a 10.7% walk rate, a 16.3% strikeout rate, and 136 wRC+ across 43 games at Triple-A. He was recently listed as a hitter honorable mention in RotoBaller analyst Eric Cross' list of prospects to stash in fantasy baseball redraft leagues. As a switch-hitter, Ramirez could find his way into the lineup against pitchers of either handedness. That gives him an advantage for playing time and, paired with his power/speed combo, makes him an intriguing waiver wire target in fantasy baseball.
Source: Jesse Rogers
Source: Jesse Rogers
JJ Bleday a Priority Option for Power Upside?
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday has emerged as a solid power-hitting option for fantasy managers on the waiver wire. Over his last seven games, Bleday is 9-for-29 with two home runs, eight RBI, one walk, and five strikeouts. In total this season, he owns a .299/.402/.636 slash line with six homers, 20 RBI, a 15.2% walk rate, a 15.2% strikeout rate, and 178 wRC+. He's having the best season of his career (by far), but fantasy managers haven't quite come around, as he's still rostered in just 40% of leagues. That means that managers in 60% of leagues have the opportunity to add Bleday and his impressive bat off the waiver wire. It's a worthwhile move, as Bleday has been consistently productive all year long. He has a decent schedule coming up, too, with three games against the Cardinals, whose pitchers have the 12th-worst ERA and the second-fewest strikeouts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Louis Varland a Must-Roster Closer in Toronto?
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Louis Varland allowed a run in his most recent appearance on Wednesday against the New York Yankees for the first time since April 25 against the Cleveland Guardians, but he still held on for his sixth save of the season and struck out two hitters in an inning of work. The 28-year-old has been reliable for manager John Schneider in the closer's role since taking over for Jeff Hoffman, going 2-1 with a 0.70 ERA (1.27 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, his first six career saves, 37 strikeouts, and nine walks in 25 2/3 relief innings for the Blue Jays. Although Varland gave up a run to the Yankees this week, he has given up just two earned runs in his 25 2/3 frames all year and should be attracting more interest off the waiver wire in fantasy leagues from managers who need more saves. Right now, Varland is available in 31% of Yahoo leagues and is firmly entrenched as Toronto's ninth-inning arm.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
A.J. Ewing a Top Source for Five-Category Potential
New York Mets rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing, the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, has gotten his MLB career off to a nice start in Queens, hitting .276 (8-for-29) with a homer, a triple, four RBI, six runs scored, two stolen bases, eight walks, and 11 strikeouts in his first 10 games across 39 plate appearances. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter not only offers five-category upside for fantasy managers short and long term, but he also has eligibility at outfield and second base in Yahoo leagues, making him an even more attractive prospect to roster in 2026 and beyond. The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder could develop more power eventually, but right now, that's probably where he's the weakest. Ewing excels at making contact at the plate, though, and he's a plus-plus runner on the basepaths and in the outfield. Ewing can spray the ball all over the field and will continue to play regularly in New York's outfield with Luis Robert Jr. (back) not any closer to a return from the injured list. Ewing is currently rostered in 41% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Tucker Kraft a Top Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) has emerged as a glaring trade target in dynasty leagues amid his recovery from last season's torn ACL. Kraft is reportedly ahead of schedule, and while it's still too early to tell if he'll be ready for Week 1, the 25-year-old said it's his goal to play in the season opener. Once Kraft gets back to 100% and is healthy enough to play in a game, he should re-establish himself as a top-five tight end in fantasy football. He was the top-scoring tight end in fantasy football from Week 1-8 last year, before he ultimately tore his ACL in Week 9. Because of his youth and productivity, Kraft is a high-end tight end in dynasty rankings, but managers can acquire him at a slight discount because of the injury. We'd encourage managers to send out trade offers now, because his price will go up as he gets closer to making his return. He currently ranks as the TE7 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cedric Tillman Falling Out of Favor in Cleveland
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman was once viewed as a potential dynasty sleeper, but his long-term upside has deteriorated after the Browns made a variety of roster moves under new head coach Todd Monken. Most notably, the Browns drafted KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston to play alongside Jerry Jeudy, dropping Tillman to fourth (or lower) on the wide receiver depth chart. Given that no Browns receiver finished higher than WR52 last year, it's hard to envision a path to short-term or long-term fantasy relevance for Tillman if he is indeed the No. 4 receiver. It's a bit too early to drop Tillman, though, especially as there continues to be buzz about a potential trade. If Tillman is traded and gets a fresh new start somewhere else, his quarterback situation could improve and his dynasty value could rise. He ranks as the dynasty WR101 and is worth holding in most leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tanner Scott Deserves to be Rostered in More Fantasy Leagues
Even though Will Klein picked up the save on Tuesday in a 5-4 win over the division-rival San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tanner Scott is still the closer to roster in L.A. with Edwin Diaz (elbow) out for the foreseeable future. Scott picked up his first win of the year on Tuesday against the Friars, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings while walking one and striking out two. The 31-year-old southpaw hasn't allowed a run since April 24 against the Chicago Cubs and has thrown 8 1/3 scoreless innings since then with two hits allowed, two walks, 11 strikeouts, one sin, and three saves. Scott was used in a critical moment before the ninth inning in his most recent outing on Tuesday with the game on the line in a 4-4 ballgame, so he's not in any danger of falling out of favor for save chances for the Dodgers. Diaz isn't close at all to a return, so Scott is going to get plenty more save opportunities for one of the best teams in baseball. Somehow, he's only rostered in 47% of Yahoo leagues. Scott had a rough first year in L.A. in 2025, but he has a 1.37 ERA, 0.61 WHIP, four saves, and a 20:3 K:BB in his 19 2/3 innings in 2026.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Emmett Johnson the Handcuff to Roster in Kansas City?
Kansas City Chiefs running back Emmett Johnson will open his career in a depth role, but his every-down skill set makes him an intriguing handcuff in case prized free agent signing Kenneth Walker III misses any time. Johnson doesn't have game-changing speed, but he does have a proven track record as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher in the Big 10. He led the conference with 1,451 rushing yards as a redshirt junior in 2025, and he also impressed with 370 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns. Walker is currently the Chiefs' every-down back, and Emari Demercado or Brashard Smith could rotate in as change-of-pace options. However, we question whether Demercado or Smith is capable of handling an every-down role if Walker goes down. Johnson could be better suited for that workload, making him an appealing dynasty stash at a low cost. He projects as a late second-round pick in 2026 rookie drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Could Dynasty Managers Sell High on Devaughn Vele Early in the Season?
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele entered this offseason as one of the biggest sleepers in dynasty fantasy football leagues, but his long-term outlook took a hit after the NFL Draft. The draft potentially dropped Vele from second to fourth in the Saints' receiver room, as New Orleans spent a first-round pick on Jordyn Tyson and a fourth-round pick on Bryce Lance, who could be their Rashid Shaheed replacement. With that said, rookies often take a little while to acclimate to the NFL, presenting an opportunity for Vele to have some short-term value and emerge as a potential sell-high candidate. If Tyson and Lance don't start right away, Vele could spend a few weeks as quarterback Tyler Shough's No. 2 option in the passing game (behind Chris Olave). That won't last long, but a few weeks of high target shares could give managers a brief window to sell high on Vele. The 28-year-old is available to be added in 47% of leagues, so managers would be wise to add him now in a low-risk move. If he produces early in the season, he could be traded for a decent rookie pick. If not, then he can merely be dropped -- no harm, no foul.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Bazzana Holding his Own, Worth a Look on the Waiver Wire
Cleveland Guardians rookie second baseman Travis Bazzana debuted to plenty of fanfare on April 28 after the Guards took the Australian infielder first overall in 2024 out of Oregon State, and the highly-regarded prospect has quickly made his mark in the majors. The 23-year-old left-handed-hitting second baseman has gone 21-for-73 (.288) in his first 21 big-league contests, adding two home runs, nine RBI, seven stolen bases, and 10 runs scored across 88 plate appearances. Bazzana isn't going to be a major asset for fantasy managers in the power department, but his advanced approach at the plate is already paying dividends as Cleveland's starting second baseman of the future. The 5-foot-11, 199-pounder has been especially hot in his last eight games, going 13-for-32 (.406) with a homer, three RBI, and three runs scored in his 33 plate appearances. Fantasy managers in need of a boost in on-base percentage at the second base position should look no further than Bazzana, who is currently available in over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Brenen Thompson a Perfect Fit for Chargers, Rising in Dynasty Leagues?
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Brenen Thompson is a very appealing name for managers in dynasty fantasy football leagues. While the Chargers have a somewhat crowded, young receiver room, there's an opportunity for Thompson to carve out a role in his rookie year and serve as a key receiving threat long-term. Thompson offers blazing speed and the ability to stretch the field for the Chargers. Head coach Jim Harbaugh compared the rookie to Tyreek Hill, which is very exciting when you consider that the Chargers' current offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel, was Hill's head coach in Miami. We're not necessarily saying that Thompson will replicate Hill's back-to-back WR2 finishes from 2022 and 2023, but rather, we're encouraged by what seems like a real commitment to targeting Thompson downfield quite often. Even if it takes him a little while to adjust to the NFL in his rookie season, his ability to speed by defenders makes him a perfect fit for a pass-heavy system led by strong-armed quarterback Justin Herbert. Given his long-term upside as a WR3/flex or better, he's a steal at his current ranking as the WR94 in dynasty leagues. Dynasty managers are strongly encouraged to take a flier on Thompson in the late second or early third round of 2026 rookie drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Twins to Promote Gabriel Gonzalez to Majors, Worth an Add Ahead of Debut?
The Minnesota Twins are calling up outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez to the majors on Friday, according to Milb Central. Gonzalez is considered the Twins' No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he'll come up from Triple-A St. Paul to temporarily take the roster spot of infielder Tristan Gray, who is on paternity leave. The 22-year-old Venezuelan outfielder gets his first big-league call-up despite hitting just .216 (38-for-176) with a .294 on-base percentage, .392 slugging percentage, .686 OPS, eight home runs, 21 RBI, and 27 runs scored in 44 games across 197 plate appearances with the Saints this year. Gonzalez has walked 18 times and struck out 39 times. The 5-foot-10, 165-pounder has plenty of improvement to do as far as his plate discipline goes, needing to cut back on his chase rate at the plate. Fantasy managers should ignore Gonzalez for now, even in AL-only leagues, since there is a good chance he'll be sent back to St. Paul in a few days when Gray returns from paternity leave.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Is Jonathan Taylor Still a High-End Dynasty Option?
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was playing at an elite level for most of last year, but his production took a hit after quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury. Taylor ranked as the RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. We could see Taylor return to that level in 2026, as Jones is projected to be healthy for Week 1. Additionally, the Colts might adopt more of a run-heavy approach in 2026 after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. The good news for Taylor is that the Colts didn't bring in any major competition, so the backfield should belong to him once again. If he can stay healthy, he projects to average 20+ touches per game. There's both short-term and long-term appeal, as Taylor is still just 27 years old and ranks as the overall RB6 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quinn Priester Gives Up Five Runs in Latest Rehab Start
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (shoulder) was hit around again during his minor-league rehab outing on Thursday with Triple-A Nashville, giving up five earned runs on five hits while walking three and striking out two in three innings of work to take his third loss in the minors for Nashville. In his previous rehab appearance at High-A Wisconsin last weekend, Priester surrendered seven runs in just 1 1/3 innings pitched. Although he was a bit better on Thursday, his velocity was still down a few ticks as he tries to work his way back from thoracic outlet symptoms in his hand and shoulder. It's unclear how many more rehab starts Priester will need before potentially coming off the 15-day injured list for his 2026 season debut with the Brewers, but right now, he doesn't appear to be close to being major-league-ready. The 25-year-old former first-rounder by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2019 had his best year in the big leagues in 2025 in his first year in Milwaukee, but he doesn't appear to be the same pitcher right now. Priester is rostered in only 17% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Luis Severino Bounces Back With 10-Strikeout Outing Against Angels
Athletics right-hander Luis Severino had a get-right matchup on tap on Thursday night against the floundering last-place Los Angeles Angels, and he took advantage of it. Although Severino came away with a no-decision in the team's 3-2 win, he had a strong performance on the mound, allowing only two earned runs and three hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out a season-high 10 for a quality start to lower his season ERA to 4.23. The 32-year-old veteran hurler induced 18 swings and misses on the night at Angels Stadium and reached seven innings for just the second time this year. The only runs that Severino allowed came on a two-run home run to Nolan Schanuel in the first frame. It was a nice bounce-back performance after he gave up a season-high five earned runs and 10 hits in six innings his last time out on May 16 against the San Francisco Giants. Severino now has three quality starts in 2026 and has given up two or fewer runs in five of his last six starts. His next matchup is scheduled to come against the division-rival Seattle Mariners, who rank 20th in MLB in OPS (.694).
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Stowers Extends Hitting Streak to Five Games With Two-Homer Performance
Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers extended his hitting streak to five games in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Braves by going 2-for-4 with two solo home runs to boost his season average to .228 and his OPS to .694. It was Stowers' first multi-homer game of the 2026 campaign after he did it an astonishing five times during his breakout 2025 season. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has gone 6-for-18 (.333) with two homers, a double, five RBI, and five runs scored during his current five-game hitting streak, and fantasy managers are really hoping that this is the start of Stowers hitting more like he did last season. So far in his second full season in Miami, the former second-rounder of the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of Stanford has struggled to a .228/.328/.366 slash line with a .694 OPS, only three home runs, eight RBI, 15 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 101 at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
