February 1, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher
River Ryan (elbow) said that he has gained 30 pounds as part of his rehab from Tommy John surgery, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ryan has been sidelined since 2024, when he made 12 starts between the majors and minors. We don't have official confirmation that he'll be ready for Opening Day in 2026, but the team previously said that he'll go through a normal build-up process during spring training. Barring any setbacks during that process, he should be ready to handle a full workload by the season opener. During his first and only taste of big-league action in 2024, Ryan allowed just three earned runs over 20.1 innings (four starts), pitching to a 3.36 FIP with 7.97 K/9, 3.98 BB/9, and a 50% ground ball rate. There's not really a spot for him in the Dodgers' projected six-man rotation, but he should be the first player called upon when a current starter suffers an injury.
--Andersen PickardSource: Fabian Ardaya
February 1, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani has decided that he will not pitch in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, according to manager Dave Roberts. Ohtani will still play for Team Japan, slotting into the lineup as their designated hitter. Roberts said that the Dodgers would have been open to Ohtani pitching, but that won't happen because he is only going to be covered by the league's third-party injury insurance as a hitter and not as a pitcher. Less strain on Ohtani's arm might work out better for Los Angeles in the long run, anyway. The 31-year-old didn't throw a pitch in 2024 due to elbow surgery, and he was limited to just 47 innings on the mound across 14 starts. He was as dominant as ever, pitching to a 1.90 FIP with 11.87 K/9, 1.72 BB/9, 0.57 HR/9, and a 41.4% ground ball rate. He said that he will be healthy to start the 2026 season, making him the consensus 1.01 pick in fantasy baseball draft rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
February 1, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Darius Garland (toe) will not play Sunday against Portland as he continues to recover from a Grade 1 right big toe sprain and awaits re-evaluation. His absence keeps
Donovan Mitchell in a usage-heavy role and continues to open minutes for
Jaylon Tyson, who has averaged 16.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists over his last five starts.
Lonzo Ball has struggled with efficiency and remains unreliable. Cleveland is still integrating newly acquired
Keon Ellis and
Dennis Schroder, leaving Tyson as the most stable short-term fantasy option.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 1, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Brandon Williams (lower leg) exited Saturday's game against Houston after suffering a contusion and did not return. Williams collided with
Reed Sheppard and was clearly limited before heading to the locker room, though he was efficient in a brief stint, posting 13 points in nine minutes. His status moving forward is unclear, putting Dallas' backcourt depth in focus.
Ryan Nembhard is the next man up for short bursts if Williams misses time, while
Cooper Flagg would absorb added ball-handling. Williams remains a watch-list player only in deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Christian Clark
February 1, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
P.J. Washington (head) exited Saturday's loss to Houston after sustaining a head contusion and did not return. He logged 25 minutes before leaving, finishing with nine points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal, leaving his status uncertain for Tuesday's matchup against Boston. If Washington misses time, Dallas would lean more heavily on
Naji Marshall and
Daniel Gafford in the frontcourt. Marshall has averaged 19.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over his last five starts, while Gafford offers steady rebounding and efficient scoring.
Caleb Martin could see more minutes, though his fantasy value remains volatile.
--Brian DailisanSource: Mavs PR
February 1, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Chicago Bulls acquired center
Dario Saric from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for two second-round picks as part of a three-team deal. The thirty-one-year-old saw limited action in Sacramento, appearing in five games and averaging 8.3 minutes. Even with
Nikola Vucevic resting at times and
Zach Collins (toe) and
Jalen Smith (calf) dealing with injuries, Saric is far from guaranteed consistent minutes. The uncertainty surrounding his role makes him too risky to consider outside the deepest fantasy formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 1, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Sacramento Kings acquired forward
De'Andre Hunter from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for guards
Dennis Schroder and
Keon Ellis. Hunter fills a wing need for Sacramento after falling out of Cleveland's rotation. The twenty-eight-year-old averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 three-pointers in 26.2 minutes this season. His fantasy outlook improves if
Keegan Murray (ankle) remains sidelined, though
DeMar DeRozan's presence and
Malik Monk's usage cap consistency. With Sacramento potentially still active on the trade front, the added uncertainty keeps Hunter in the hold range rather than a clear breakout add.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 1, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired guard
Dennis Schroder from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward
De'Andre Hunter, with
Keon Ellis also included in the deal. Cleveland has been searching for backcourt stability with
Darius Garland (toe) battling injuries, giving Schroder a path to early minutes. The thirty-two-year-old averaged 12.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in 26.4 minutes with Sacramento, though his role fluctuated. Schroder could handle short-term playmaking duties, but a crowded rotation featuring
Donovan Mitchell,
Jaylon Tyson, and
Sam Merrill caps his ceiling, keeping him more useful as a deep-league assist streamer.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 1, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers acquired guard
Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward
De'Andre Hunter, with
Dennis Schroder also heading to Cleveland as part of the deal. Ellis struggled to find consistent opportunities in Sacramento, where a crowded backcourt kept him on the fringe of the rotation. Cleveland values his point-of-attack defense, but his fantasy outlook remains shaky given the Cavaliers' guard and wing depth. If
Darius Garland (toe) continues to miss time, Ellis could see spot minutes, though
Sam Merrill and
Jaylon Tyson are already holding steady roles, limiting Ellis to deep-league consideration.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
January 31, 2026
The Boston Red Sox have signed catcher
Matt Thaiss to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. Thaiss figures to compete for the backup catching gig in camp. The 30-year-old slashed .218/.349/.288 with one home run and 16 RBI in 60 games between the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays last season. Thaiss is a former first-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels during the 2016 draft. He has been given multiple chances at the big league level, but has never been a consistent hitter. He'll likely serve as organizational depth to begin the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Chris Cotillo
January 31, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Fernando Tatis Jr. recently admitted that his offensive struggles were mainly mechanical last season. He feels that he's made the correct adjustments and that the 2026 season will be special for him. Tatis says his head is in the right place and his best seasons are ahead of him. On paper, Tatis really didn't struggle during the 2025 season. He slashed .268/.368/.446 with 25 home runs, 71 RBI, and 32 steals in 155 games. He produced a 5.9 WAR, so if that's a down year, then fantasy managers should be excited to see what Tatis can do in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: 97.3 The Fan
January 31, 2026
San Diego Padres outfielder
Jackson Merrill said that he's feeling more comfortable heading into his third season. He continued by saying the experience as helped, and he has developed a lot of mental strength. Merrill played in 156 games during his rookie campaign, but spent a ton of time on the injured list during his sophomore season. The 22-year-old made three trips to the injured list during the 2025 season, which led to only 115 games played. It sounds like Merrill is going to be better prepared physically for the challenges of playing a 162-game season. When healthy, Merrill is a stud, so hopefully the Padres can keep him on the field in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Annie Heilbrunn
January 31, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to keep right-hander
Ben Casparius in a relief role this upcoming season. Recently, Casparius told Fabian Ardaya that he anticipates coming into camp as a relief pitcher. The right-hander pitched in multiple roles last season, but figures to serve mainly as a reliever in 2026. Last season, Casparius finished with a 4.64 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 71/21 K/BB ratio in 46 games (three starts) with the Dodgers. Casparius also registered two saves and finished six games as well. The versatility of the 26-year-old is a great thing to have, as not every team has those kinds of pitchers. Unfortunately, Casparius will have limited fantasy value if he's strictly used as a middle reliever.
--Andy WebbSource: Fabian Ardaya
January 31, 2026
The San Francisco Giants have signed infielder
Luis Arraez to a one-year deal on Saturday. The two sides have agreed on a one-year deal worth $12 million for the upcoming 2026 season. It sounds like the plan is for Arraez to play full-time at second base. Last season, Arraez mainly played first base with the San Diego Padres. Arraez could potentially move to first base or designated hitter if
Bryce Eldridge struggles and needs to be sent down. The addition of Arraez is going to reduce the playing time of
Casey Schmitt, who was expected to play second base to begin the season. In 2025, Arraez slashed .292/.327/.392 with eight home runs, 61 RBI, and 11 steals in 154 games with the Padres. The 28-year-old is an excellent contact hitter who doesn't strikeout much, but the Giants won't get much power or speed from him.
--Andy WebbSource: Jorge Castillo
January 31, 2026
Anaheim Ducks right wing Troy Terry (upper body) practiced on Saturday and is set to return to action on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Derek Lee of The Hockey News reports. The Ducks still need to activate Terry from Injured Reserve to get him into the lineup. An upper-body injury has kept Terry sidelined for 11 games. Despite his multi-week absence, Terry leads the Ducks with 29 assists and has 13 goals in 43 outings. He is set to slot into the second line and the second power-play unit on Sunday. The Ducks' attack could also get Mason McTavish (upper body) back against Vegas.
--Taavi PailkSource: Derek Lee
January 31, 2026
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (elbow) practiced on Saturday and is expected to rejoin the lineup for Sunday's Stadium Series matchup against the Boston Bruins. The star blue-liner has been out since Dec. 9 due to an elbow procedure. Incredibly, the Lightning have lost just five of 23 games without Hedman. Darren Raddysh has stepped up in a major way in defense. With Hedman returning, Raddysh will have to settle for a lesser role, but he will remain an attractive fantasy piece due to his offensive ability.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 31, 2026
Washington Capitals forward Connor McMichael (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve and is considered week-to-week. The 25-year-old missed his first game of the season on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes and won't return to action until after the Olympics. The injury will ruin McMichael's attempt to register his second consecutive 50-point campaign. In 55 outings, he has contributed eight goals and 23 assists. Ethen Frank moved to the third line as McMichael's replacement on Saturday. McMichael's exit from the lineup also opens up power-play time, as he averages the sixth-most power-play time on his team (1:37).
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) has been ruled out for four weeks. The veteran suffered a fractured foot and was placed on Injured Reserve ahead of Saturday's contest against the New York Rangers. It's unfortunate to see Letang dealing with another injury, but at least it came at a good time. Due to the Olympic break, Letang may end up missing only four games. Recently, Letang sat out his first two games of the season due to an upper-body injury. Connor Clifton replaced Letang in the lineup on Saturday, while Ryan Shea joined the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
January 31, 2026
New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (illness) missed the morning skate and will be a game-time decision for Saturday's matchup against the Ottawa Senators. He is battling an illness and could sit out his first game of the season. In 54 contests, Hischier has contributed 18 goals and 23 assists. The Devils have already ruled out Jack Hughes (lower) for Saturday, and Hischier's absence would leave the team thin at center. Dawson Mercer and Cody Glass (undisclosed) are expected to play larger roles on Saturday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes (lower body) will miss Saturday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. He remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury sustained Thursday against the Nashville Predators. Dawson Mercer will move into the top six on Saturday, and there could be further changes among the forward group, depending on Nico Hischier's (illness) status. Cody Glass (undisclosed) will return from a one-game absence and could also have an expanded role against Ottawa.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 31, 2026
Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark will be between the sticks on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. This will be his first outing since Dec. 27. Ullmark only recently rejoined the Senators after being away from the team for personal reasons. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner has posted a 14-8-5 record this season, with a 2.95 goals-against average, a .881 save percentage, and one shutout. He has a favorable matchup on Saturday against a banged-up Devils team, which ranks 28th in the league with a 2.61 goals-for average.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ottawa Senators
January 31, 2026
Indianapolis wide receiver
Michael Pittman Jr. carries an expected $29 million salary cap hit into 2026, but the Colts could clear all but $5 million by cutting him before the new league year. With
Alec Pierce coming off his first 1,000-yard campaign and set for unrestricted free agency, the belief around Indianapolis is that the team will prioritize him over the 28-year-old Pittman. With the 12-plus games played by
Daniel Jones before his season-ending Achilles injury arguably representing the pinnacle of quarterback play that Pittman has seen in his six-year career, the always steady, but never explosive, receiver could still have more to show. While he's never come close to delivering on his former top-ten dynasty ranking, his value could once again spike if he lands in the right situation.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 31, 2026
Detroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta was on a 17-game pace of 76 receptions for 924 yards and six touchdowns before a back injury prematurely ended his season. Expected to be healthy for the 2026 season, LaPorta should see heavy involvement in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing's tight end-friendly system. With Petzing calling plays in Arizona for the past three seasons, Cardinals tight end
Trey McBride has emerged as a fantasy superstar. While target competition in Detroit will be significantly stronger than McBride faced in the desert, LaPorta already has a TE1 season under his belt and is an obvious dynasty buy until his market recovers to its pre-injury form.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 31, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander
Blake Snell said his shoulder continued to bother him through the World Series last fall, but it wasn't anything that required more than physical therapy and rest, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Snell will be slow-played this spring. "That's the plan," Snell said when asked if he would be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw only made 11 starts in 2025 in his first year with the Dodgers after missing four months with left-shoulder inflammation. He acknowledged that he was exhausted after making five starts and a relief appearance in the postseason last fall, which makes him a risk/reward No. 2 fantasy baseball starter entering his second year in Hollywood. Snell has high-end strikeout upside (career 11.2 K/9), but durability is a concern, as he's made 30 starts just twice in his 10 big-league campaigns. RotoBaller has Snell ranked as the No. 16 starting pitcher in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
January 31, 2026
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Keon Coleman hasn't played a game since mid-January, but perhaps no player has had a rougher transition into the offseason. After a disappointing sophomore season that saw him catch 38 passes for 404 yards and four touchdowns, Coleman's name was front and center as the Bills transitioned from long-time head coach Sean McDermott to former offensive coordinator Joe Brady. With Bills owner Terry Pegula publicly insinuating that Coleman's second-round selection in the 2024 draft was not unanimously agreed upon in the draft room, he put general manager Brandon Beane and new head coach Brady in a position to do damage control. Coleman had already seen his dynasty value tumble throughout 2025, as he was made a healthy scratch on multiple occasions, but it currently sits at an all-time low, making him a nearly impossible sell.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 31, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Philadelphia 76ers forward
Paul George was issued a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA's anti-drug policy. The multi-time All-Star has accepted full responsibility, stating "he made the mistake of taking an improper medication" due to mental health issues. George has averaged 16.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 steals throughout the campaign. He's also missed 20 games, mostly to recover from offseason surgery on his left knee. The 35-year-old isn't as productive as he once was, although he is still a reliable fantasy performer. With that said, the time away may actually benefit him, considering he will now have more time to rest any lingering injuries. While George is off the floor,
VJ Edgecombe,
Tyrese Maxey, and
Joel Embiid should all get additional offensive opportunities. The same can be said for
Kelly Oubre Jr. and
Quentin Grimes, who will presumably receive even more minutes moving ahead.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
January 31, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) said that his shoulder has felt good for a couple of weeks, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. He is expected to start throwing bullpen sessions next week, and he also said that he's dropped 15 pounds over the last year. Graterol feels good physically, and he's expected to be fully ready for the start of spring training in just a couple of weeks. The 27-year-old did not pitch for the Dodgers at all last season after having labrum surgery in November of 2024. In his last full season in 2023, Graterol was excellent, posting a 1.20 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, a career-high seven saves, 48 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 67 1/3 innings. He won't be on the fantasy radar in most leagues entering the 2026 campaign, but if he stays healthy, he could return to a high-leverage setup role and attract interest in leagues that count holds.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
January 31, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani said he will be ready to pitch from the start of the 2026 regular season, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. When asked about his workload for Team Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Ohtani said that it will be up to "how my body feels." No matter what, he will be fully ready to serve as the designated hitter in the WBC. The 31-year-old, who has been named MVP in three of the last four seasons, is a living legend for the Dodgers and has helped them win back-to-back World Series in his first two years with the team. Ohtani is much more valuable in fantasy baseball as a hitter, but his value is on the rise as a pitcher, especially since he is in line for a full season on the mound. He made only 14 starts for L.A. on the mound in 2025, posting a 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 62:9 K:BB in 47 innings. Ohtani could have his innings monitored early on in 2026, but if he stays healthy all year, he should be a high-end rotation arm for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
January 31, 2026
New York Giants sophomore running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. saw his total touches and yards per touch drop from Year 1 to Year 2, as he missed some games early, spent time clearly running behind rookie
Cam Skattebo, and never truly established himself as the Giants' lead back until late in the year after Skattebo's season-ending ankle injury. His fantasy value took another hit in the touchdown category, slipping from six total scores as a rookie to only four in 2025. With Skattebo expected to return to full health for 2026 following a devastating ankle injury, the 26-year-old Tracy is likely to be relegated to more of a change-of-pace role and should be viewed as little more than a high-upside handcuff entering his third season.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
January 31, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder
Tommy Edman (ankle) said he had his walking boot removed from his right ankle 2 1/2 weeks ago after having surgery in November, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. It's "possible" that Edman will be ready for Opening Day in late March, but he isn't going to rush back. The 30-year-old switch-hitter almost certainly won't be ready for the start of spring training in a few weeks, and it's unlikely that the Dodgers will push him to be ready for Opening Day. For fantasy purposes, Edman doesn't move the needle all that much and is ranked as the No. 29 fantasy 2B by RotoBaller this year. He played in only 97 games in his second season with the Blue in 2025, hitting .225/.274/.382 with a career-worst .655 OPS, 13 homers, 49 RBI, and 49 runs. His ankle was an issue for most of the year, but even when healthy, he's not much of a power source and has only nine steals in the last two seasons after swiping at least 27 bags the previous three campaigns.
--Keith HernandezSource: Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
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