February 3, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers star closer
Edwin Diaz will pitch for Puerto Rico in this year's World Baseball Classic, three years after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the tournament, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Diaz tore the patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating a victory back in 2023 over the Dominican Republic. He signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers as a free agent this offseason and will enter 2026 as one of the top closers off the board in fantasy baseball drafts. Since 2018, Diaz has 201 saves, which is fourth-most in the majors. The 31-year-old veteran converted 28 of his 31 save chances and had a sharp 1.63 ERA with 98 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings last year for the New York Mets. As one of the most dominant closers in the game with the back-to-back World Series-champion Dodgers, the sky is the limit for Diaz in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
February 3, 2026
Atlanta Falcons president of football
Matt Ryan was non-committal on Tuesday to
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) being the team's starting quarterback in 2026, according to Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Penix suffered a torn left ACL last November and is currently recovering after having surgery. He is expected to be out anywhere from nine to 12 months. The 25-year-old completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine games in 2025 in his first full year as the starter, with the Falcons going 3-6 in his starts. Penix was the eighth overall pick out of Washington in 2024. New head coach Kevin Stefanski has been complimentary of Penix since taking the job, but his health and status as the starter will be a big question mark going into training camp and the start of the 2026 regular season this fall. Penix's fantasy stock is down, and his lengthy injury history -- he's torn his ACL three times -- is a big reason why.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
February 3, 2026
The Detroit Pistons have acquired shooting guard
Kevin Huerter in a three-way trade with the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Huerter has spent the past two seasons with the Bulls, averaging 11.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 26 minutes per game. With Huerter heading to Detroit, he should have a smaller role given the Pistons' depth at the shooting guard position. His path to fantasy value likely involves an injury or another move that opens more minutes for him to contribute. For the Bulls, newly acquired
Jaden Ivey and
Isaac Okoro should benefit from Huerter's departure.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
The Chicago Bulls have acquired former All-Star guard
Mike Conley in a three-way trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons. Conley has spent the past four seasons in Minnesota, starting 173 of 215 games and averaging 9.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. This season, he has started just nine of 44 games and has averaged a career-low 18 minutes, prompting his trade to Chicago. With
Coby White involved in trade rumors, Conley will compete for minutes with
Ayo Dosunmu,
Tre Jones, and
Jaden Ivey, who was acquired from the Pistons in this three-way trade. Conley remains outside fantasy relevance at this point, while this move clears enough salary for Minnesota to target a big-name piece at this trade deadline.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
The Minnesota Twins announced on Tuesday that they claimed right-hander
Jackson Kowar off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Kowar was designated for assignment by Seattle last week after the team acquired
Jhonny Pereda from the Twins. The 29-year-old former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2018 out of the University of Florida had his 2025 season cut short by a right-shoulder impingement. Before his injury, he had a 4.24 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17 innings for the M's out of the bullpen. Kowar will most likely begin the 2026 campaign in the minors as organizational relief depth for Minnesota. In his four major-league seasons (three with the Royals), Kowar has posted an ugly 8.21 ERA (5.96 FIP), 1.93 WHIP, 90 strikeouts, and 58 walks in 54 outings (eight starts) over 91 innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Twins
February 3, 2026
Third-year forward
Taylor Hendricks is being traded from the Utah Jazz to the Memphis Grizzlies, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Hendricks is one of the seven assets moving to Memphis, alongside
Walter Clayton Jr.,
Kyle Anderson,
Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks for
Jaren Jackson Jr.,
John Konchar,
Jock Landale, and
Vince Williams Jr. Although he struggled to find consistent playing time in Utah, the trade brings new signs of life to Hendricks' career. The 22-year-old has shown flashes of potential, and now joins a depleted frontcourt in Memphis. Jackson and Landale were two healthy big men, with
Zach Edey (ankle) and
Brandon Clarke (calf) injured. There could be plenty of playing time for Hendricks on the now-tanking Grizzlies.
--Andrew BallSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
The Chicago Bulls have acquired guard
Jaden Ivey in a three-way trade between the Detroit Pistons and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ivey has played in 33 games this season, averaging 8.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in under 17 minutes per game. The fourth-year guard has regressed significantly from his strong 2024 campaign, and injuries and lackluster play have limited his role dramatically. The trade should boost Ivey's value, as he should be fighting for a starting spot with the Bulls, with trade rumors swirling around
Coby White. Fantasy managers should look to add Ivey if he's available in their leagues, as he appears likely to have more playing time in Chicago than in Detroit.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies center
Jock Landale will soon be a member of the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 30-year-old is part of the trade that will send
Jaren Jackson Jr.,
John Konchar, and
Vince Williams Jr. to Utah for
Walter Clayton Jr.,
Kyle Anderson,
Taylor Hendricks,
Georges Niang, and three first-round picks. Landale goes from being a frequent starter in Memphis to an extremely crowded frontcourt in Utah. He'll compete with Jackson,
Lauri Markkanen,
Jusuf Nurkic, and
Kyle Filipowski for minutes, with veteran
Kevin Love also in the mix. There's potential for Utah to make another trade to clear up frontcourt minutes, but if that doesn't happen, Landale's fantasy basketball stock takes a big hit. He was previously averaging a career-best 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in Memphis.
--Andrew BallSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that outfielder
Cam Smith will play some center field in spring training, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Reports this offseason have suggested that Smith isn't a lock for an Opening Day roster spot, but adding versatility in center field definitely will help his cause. The 22-year-old former first-rounder played well defensively in right field in 2025 in his first year in the big leagues while also slashing .236/.312/.358 with a .671 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 134 games played. The 22-year-old was brought up to the big leagues quickly, which makes his struggles less surprising. Smith carried a 27.8% strikeout rate, 90 wRC+, 6.9% barrel rate, and 45.1% ground-ball rate. Because of the possibility that Smith will start the 2026 season at Triple-A Sugar Land, he's a very risky investment in single-year fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
February 3, 2026
Two-time All-Star power forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. is on the move. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Grizzlies and Jazz have agreed to a trade that sends Jackson to Utah, along with
John Konchar,
Jock Landale, and
Vince Williams Jr., for
Walter Clayton Jr.,
Kyle Anderson,
Taylor Hendricks,
Georges Niang, and three first-round picks. Jackson joins a Utah team that is signaling plans to be competitive next season. As for this season, however, the Jazz have shown a tendency to rest players with the most minor of injuries, so JJJ could find himself on the end of the bench in street clothes more often than fantasy basketball managers prefer. On days he is active, he'll start in the frontcourt alongside
Lauri Markkanen and
Jusuf Nurkic, should Utah go big, or could be called upon to start at the five.
--Andrew BallSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
The Miami Marlins announced that they claimed right-hander
Garrett Acton off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday and designated outfielder
Victor Mesa Jr. for assignment in a corresponding move. Acton, 27, made his major-league debut with the Athletics in 2023 and only threw one inning in relief for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025. He spent most of last year at Triple-A Durham, where he pitched to a 3.68 ERA with 71 strikeouts and 27 walks in 58 2/3 innings pitched. Acton will now compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot with the Marlins in spring training, but he'll likely open the year at Triple-A Jacksonville. Mesa made his big-league debut in 2025 with the Fish and went 6-for-32 (.188) with a homer in only 16 appearances. He was much better at Triple-A, though, slashing .303/.374/.513.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Marlins
February 3, 2026
New Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken said on Tuesday that he will call the offensive plays in 2026 in his first year as an NFL head coach, according to Camryn Justice of WEWS. Monken also said that it's to be determined if quarterback
Shedeur Sanders will be the team's starter under center. Former Baltimore Ravens run-game coordinator Travis Switzer will serve as the Browns' offensive coordinator, but he won't be in charge of calling plays. Monken coordinated some strong offenses in Baltimore over the last three seasons, but he won't have two-time MVP QB
Lamar Jackson in his move to Cleveland. Sanders,
Dillon Gabriel, and
Deshaun Watson (Achilles) should compete for the starting QB job this summer, but the Browns are also expected to bring in another signal-caller. Monken will definitely have his work cut out for him.
--Keith HernandezSource: WEWS - Camryn Justice
February 3, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said the team wants to get to know and understand switch-pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje better before making any determinations about his switch-pitching future, according to Brenden Schaeffer of St. Louis Sports Central. However, the Cardinals see Cijntje's upside similar to how the Seattle Mariners did. Before the M's traded the 22-year-old to the Cardinals on Monday in the deal that sent
Brendan Donovan to Seattle, they were mainly going to have him focus on pitching from the right side in spring training. "Broadly speaking, we do think the course that they were going to take is a good one," Bloom said. Cijntje was much more effective as a righty than as a lefty in the minors in 2025. The Mississippi State product is likely to begin at Double-A Springfield in 2026, and he's projected as a mid-rotation talent whenever he reaches the big leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Sports Central - Brenden Schaeffer
February 3, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said on Tuesday that infielders
Thomas Saggese and
Freddy Fermin could play into the competition in the outfield during spring training, according to Brandon Kiley of 101 ESPN. Entering the mix in the outfield would give Saggese a better path to more playing time, but he hasn't spent any time in the outfield yet in his professional career. The 23-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Texas Rangers in 2020 debuted in the majors in 2024 but played in only 18 games. Last year in 82 games (295 plate appearances), Saggese hit .258/.299/.342 with a .641 OPS, two home runs, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored, and three stolen bases for the Red Birds. Saggese still has time to develop, but he has so far disappointed with an elevated strikeout rate and limited power. His 44.1% hard-hit rate and 90.2 average exit velocity give hope that he can build on his offensive performance in 2026, but consistent playing time could be hard to come by.
--Keith HernandezSource: 101 ESPN - Brandon Kiley
February 3, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals infielder
Nolan Gorman will have "plenty of opportunity" this year to make an impact, according to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. "It's a big year for him... He should have plenty of opportunity this year. We've seen it (before). He has power everywhere. He can drive the baseball to any part of the field... He knows this is a big opportunity (for him)," Bloom said. The Cardinals have two openings on the infield going into spring training at third base and second base after they traded both
Nolan Arenado and
Brendan Donovan this offseason. The 25-year-old Gorman is expected to take over at the hot corner, with infield prospect
JJ Wetherholt having a clear path at the keystone. We know there is power in Gorman's bat after he hit a career-high 27 homers in 2023, but he has struck out 35% of the time the last two seasons while hitting 33 combined homers. If Gorman can lower his strikeout rate in 2026, he could be a nice sleeper source of power with regular playing time.
--Keith HernandezSource: 101 ESPN - Brandon Kiley
February 3, 2026
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier did not live up to preseason expectations in 2025, throwing for just 1,927 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions in nine games. However, the redshirt senior was dealing with abdominal and torso injuries that reportedly limited his core strength and mechanics. His 2024 season was far more productive, as the veteran tossed for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions after replacing
Jayden Daniels in Baton Rouge. Once viewed as a potential top-20 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Nussmeier now has a third-round projection. That said, the 2026 rookie quarterback class is lacking depth, as Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Alabama's Ty Simpson appear to be the only first-round locks. Fresh off a Senior Bowl MVP appearance, Nussmeier could be pushed into the second round if he performs well during the pre-draft process. If that happens, he should be expected to see starting playing time at some point in his first few seasons in the NFL. Four of the last five quarterbacks selected in Round 2 (
Tyler Shough,
Will Levis,
Jalen Hurts, and
Drew Lock) have had their shots at the starting role. If Nussmeier falls to Round 3 or 4, his chances to see the field early in his career diminish greatly.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: MockDraftDataBase.com
February 3, 2026
The Colorado Rockies signed former Athletics catcher
Kyle McCann to a minor-league deal on Tuesday with a non-roster invitation to spring training, major-league sources told Thomas Harding of MLB.com. McCann will head to Colorado to give the Rockies additional catching depth. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop did not play in the majors at all last year after making his MLB debut with the A's in 2024. In his first 54 big-league games that season, McCann hit .236/.318/.371 with a .690 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBI, and 13 runs scored in 157 plate appearances. He split last season between Triple-A Las Vegas and the Mexican League. McCann will not be on the fantasy baseball radar in 2026 and is fully expected to begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
February 3, 2026
The Houston Astros and third baseman
Isaac Paredes avoided an arbitration hearing by settling on a one-year, $9.35 million deal on Tuesday, a source told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Both sides met in the middle after exchanging figures last month. The 26-year-old's fantasy stock is down heading into the 2026 campaign, as he might not have a path to an everyday role in his second year in Houston. Paredes slashed .254/.352/.458 with 20 home runs, 53 RBI, and 53 runs scored in 438 plate appearances over 102 games played. A hamstring injury was the reason why he didn't play a full season, and he wasn't 100% percent when he returned in the final month. In addition to Paredes not having a clear path to a starting role in 2026, there's a chance he's not ready for Opening Day as the Astros bring him along slowly. A trade out of town would most likely be the best thing for Paredes' fantasy value.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
February 3, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Aaron Nesmith (hand) will be sidelined for his team's Tuesday matchup with the Jazz due to a left hand strain. The team also ruled out
Andrew Nembhard (back),
Pascal Siakam (rest), and
Bennedict Mathurin (rest), so it's hard to know if Nesmith's injury is something that will cost him time going forward or not. He has scored at least 14 points in each of his last five games, and he's establishing himself with a regular role in the lineup. Without so many starters on Tuesday, the team will likely lean heavily on
Ben Sheppard,
Johnny Furphy,
Jarace Walker, and
Quenton Jackson to help fill minutes and production on the wings.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 3, 2026
Athletics pitching prospect Jamie Arnold, the 11th overall pick in 2025, added a cutter and a kick changeup to his arsenal this offseason while working at Driveline in the offseason, according to Jesus Cano of Baseball America. The 21-year-old southpaw also features a mid-90s fastball, slider, and splitter. Arnold stands at 6-foot-1, 188 pounds and has a strong track record in college from his time at Florida State, where he was a top-two ACC pitcher in consecutive seasons. His fastball-slider combination was already pretty devastating, but now with a more diverse arsenal, he's a name to monitor in dynasty/keeper leagues entering the 2026 campaign. Arnold has drawn comparisons to
Chris Sale due to his lower arm slot from the left side. Depending on how he performs in the minors this year, Arnold could make his big-league debut this summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball American - Jesus Cano
February 3, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) will not play on Tuesday, as the team listed him as out due to lower back injury management. Nembhard played 32 minutes against the Rockets on Monday, finishing with seven points and eight assists in the team's four-point defeat. He has dished out at least eight assists in six straight games and has been running the offense with lots of efficiency. Without him and
T.J. McConnell (knee) on Tuesday,
Quenton Jackson,
Kam Jones, and
Ethan Thompson could all get work at point guard, with Thompson and Jackson probable on their two-way contracts. Without Nembhard,
Pascal Siakam (rest),
Bennedict Mathurin (rest), and
Aaron Nesmith (hand), the Pacers will provide elite value for DFS value plays and streaming options against the Jazz on Tuesday night.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 3, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam (rest) will not play Tuesday night against the Jazz when his team closes out a back-to-back set. Siakam played 33 minutes on Monday against the Rockets and had 27 points, five assists, and four rebounds. He's been carrying the load for the Pacers' offense this season, and he's one of several key starters getting Tuesday's game off. In his absence,
Jarace Walker,
Jay Huff, and
Micah Potter (hip, questionable) could get more work at power forward, with
Isaiah Jackson getting more work at center. It will definitely be a makeshift rotation for the Pacers on Tuesday, but the replacement players should bring DFS and streaming value in a favorable matchup against Utah.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 3, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Bennedict Mathurin (rest) will not play on Tuesday when his team finishes their back-to-back with a home game against the Jazz. Mathurin has played four games since returning from a three-week absence due to a thumb injury, and he played 34 minutes and chipped in 25 points in Monday's close loss to the Rockets. Mathurin's minutes restriction seems to be lifting, and he should be able to continue his return to a full workload on Friday in Milwaukee. It's good news for his future availability that this is being listed as rest and not injury management. Since Mathurin is one of many Pacers getting the night off on Tuesday,
Ben Sheppard,
Quenton Jackson, Jerace Walker, and
Ethan Thompson will all likely get big minutes.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 3, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Noah Clowney (back) has been upgraded to available for his team's Tuesday night home game against the Lakers. Clowney has missed the last five games with a lower back sprain, and he could play limited minutes in his return. He was averaging 13.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 blocks in 29 minutes per game across his first 43 games this season, and he'll likely regain his spot in the starting lineup while pushing
Danny Wolf back to the bench. The 21-year-old Clowney has flashed lots of upside and potential, but he is still inefficient and unrefined at times. As the Nets play out the rest of this season, they'll probably continue to give him all the work he can handle to evaluate his role going forward.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 3, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (personal) was downgraded from questionable to doubtful on Tuesday before his team's game against the Atlanta Hawks. He looks likely to miss his third straight game away from the tea. In the games he missed,
Myron Gardner and
Simone Fontecchio each picked up a start. Since Miami is also without
Tyler Herro (ribs), but
Davion Mitchell was able to return on Sunday. Without Powell, though,
Pelle Larsson,
Jaime Jaquez Jr., and
Bam Adebayo will continue to carry more work in the offense. The matchup is a good one for the Heat, so if Powell is ruled out, those other options could be great lineup options on Tuesday.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 3, 2026
Free-agent pitcher
Eduardo Salazar signed a minor-league deal with the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The right-hander has a foreign team inquiry clause. The 27-year-old Venezuelan right-hander appeared in 30 games out of the bullpen for the Washington Nationals in 2025 and pitched to a rough 8.38 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, and 23:16 K:BB in 29 innings. Salazar made his debut in the big leagues back in 2023 with the Cincinnati Reds and had an 8.03 ERA (11 earned runs allowed in 12 1/3 innings). In his three seasons in the majors with the Nationals, Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers, Salazar has a 5.99 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, and weak 16% strikeout rate in 70 2/3 relief innings. Salazar is unlikely to make Minnesota's Opening Day roster and should serve as organizational relief depth if he sticks around.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
February 3, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers guard
James Harden is working with his current team to line up a trade that sends the veteran guard to a new home before the trade deadline this Thursday. According to Chris Haynes of NBA on Prime, the Clippers have ramped up conversations with the Cleveland Cavaliers regarding a package that would be built around
Darius Garland heading to the Clippers. Both teams are motivated to execute the deal relatively soon, so it could be one of the first major deals to go down in the next few days. Harden would join forces with
Donovan Mitchell,
Evan Mobley, and the rest of the Cavs, who are looking to make a push in the Eastern Conference. Harden missed the Clippers' last two games for personal reasons, and he may have already played his last game in an LA uniform if this deal gets finalized. Harden has averaged 25.4 points, 8.1 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 three-pointers made in 35.4 minutes per game in his 44 games so far this season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Chris Haynes
February 3, 2026
Free-agent reliever
Daniel Robert re-signed a minor-league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training camp, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Robert missed the final month of the 2025 season with a forearm strain, and it's uncertain if he'll be limited at all for the start of spring training in a couple of weeks. The 31-year-old veteran right-hander made only 15 appearances in relief for the Phillies last year and gave up seven runs (six earned) on 11 hits (two homers) while walking 10 and striking out 15 in 13 innings pitched. He debuted in the big leagues in 2024 with the Texas Rangers, but threw only 5 2/3 frames of relief. Robert was originally a 21st-round selection by the Rangers in 2017 out of Auburn. He won't carry any fantasy value into the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
February 3, 2026
Cleveland Guardians left-hander
Joey Cantillo has plenty of experience pitching in relief, but MLB.com's Tim Stebbins writes that Cantillo will compete for a rotation job in spring training. In 13 starts (67 innings) for the Guardians in the second half of last season, Cantillo had a solid 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 72 strikeouts, and 28 walks. The 26-year-old southpaw will primarily be competing with pitching prospect
Parker Messick for one of the final spots in the rotation in camp. If Messick impresses more, Cleveland can just slide Cantillo back into a relief role. He had a 3.81 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 21 outings out of the Guardians' bullpen in 2025. Although he may have had some luck as a starter to close out the year, Cantillo did have a 25.9% strikeout rate and 10.8% walk rate while holding hitters to a .214 average. As more of a swingman than a locked-in starter, Cantillo can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
February 3, 2026
As time goes on and Scottie Scheffler continues to wreak havoc on the rest of the PGA Tour roster, the question of whether you take him or literally anyone else becomes the weekly discussion. He's so good in every area that if he shows up firing on all cylinders, everyone else is playing for second place. This feeling can't be felt more than at TPC Scottsdale (or Augusta), as he won back-to-back in 2022 and 2023 and averages a sickening +2.897 total strokes gained over his last 20 rounds. There isn't any other explanation needed. If you believe in a third victory for the 29-year-old, he's in your lineup without question.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
RADIO
