RADIO
Seth Lugo Leaves Early After Taking a Liner Off his Head on Wednesday
Kansas City Royals veteran right-hander Seth Lugo (head) was involved in a scary scene at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday night against the visiting Texas Rangers, when he took a 106.6 mph line drive off his head off the bat of outfielder Brandon Nimmo, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Lugo got up quickly, but he had a sizeable lump on his forehead immediately and was pulled from the game as a precaution. The 36-year-old will be sent for concussion tests, at which point we'll have a better idea of whether he'll need to miss time. The good news is that Lugo was able to get up quickly, but that doesn't mean he won't be forced to go on the injured list. Before leaving, Lugo allowed an earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out two in 3 1/3 innings of work. Lugo is rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues because he has a strikeout rate under 20%, but in deeper leagues, he can still be useful as a matchup-based streamer. He entered his start on Wednesday with a 3.91 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 64:24 K:BB in 76 innings over 13 starts.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Ronald Acuna Jr. Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain, manager Walt Weiss told Jesus Cano of The Athletic. Acuna is on the IL for the second time this year with the same injury, but the Braves don't believe that it is as bad as Acuna's strain in May, which kept him out for just over two weeks. All in all, it's good news for the 28-year-old former MVP. Barring a setback as he rehabs, Acuna could be back with the Braves before the All-Star break in mid-July. In the meantime, Mauricio Dubon and Eli White could share playing time in right field in Atlanta, with Dubon being the more attractive deep-league waiver-wire pickup. Acuna, a five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner, should be stashed in all leagues, even though he's performing under his career levels so far in 2026 with a .251/.373/.421 slash line, seven homers, 22 RBI, 15 steals, and 31 runs scored in 195 at-bats.
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Source: The Athletic - Jesus Cano
Alec Pierce Gives Timetable for His Return
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) didn't participate in OTAs or minicamp practices while he recovers from surgery. Pierce underwent a clean-up procedure on his ankle that has been bothering him for years. Pierce hasn't been on the field yet, but believes he'll be ready to go at some point during training camp. The Colts are going to play it safe and make sure Pierce is 100 percent ready before getting him back into the mix. The expectation is that Pierce will have no lingering effects from this ankle problem that has plagued him since 2024. Despite not being fully healthy, Pierce still finished with over 1,000 receiving yards this past season. He signed a massive $114 million extension with the Colts and is expected to be a focal point in the offense moving forward.
Source: colts.com
Source: colts.com
Cardinals Not Ready to Name Starting Quarterback
Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur recently mentioned that he's not ready to name a starting quarterback yet. He continued by saying his main focus is on the team staying on track. The assumption is that Jacoby Brissett would begin the season as the starting quarterback. Brissett is currently sitting out of workouts while he awaits a new contract with the organization. If the team decides to move forward without Brissett, rookie Carson Beck and Gardner Minshew II would be competing for the starting job. As of this moment, Brissett is the best option out of the bunch, but we'll see if the two sides agree on a new deal.
Source: Bo Brack
Source: Bo Brack
Injured-List Stint "Most Likely" for Will Smith
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith's neck injury is progressing, but manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that an injured-list stint is "most likely," according to Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times. "We'll have to make that decision at some point in time tonight after the game," Roberts said. The 31-year-old veteran backstop was out of the starting lineup for a fourth straight game on Wednesday at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates and appears headed for an IL stint despite the Dodgers initially believing that his neck injury wasn't very serious. For however much longer Smith is out of action, Dalton Rushing will serve as the Dodgers' starting catcher. Smith, an All-Star in each of the last three seasons, hasn't been quite as productive as one of the top hitting catchers in fantasy, as he currently is sporting a .249/.338/.382 slash line with a career-worst .720 OPS, six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 201 plate appearances across 52 games played. Rushing is worth a look for fantasy managers in need of a short-term upgrade at the position. In limited action, he's been better than Smith, going 30-for-105 (.286) with eight long balls, 21 RBI, and 19 runs scored.
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Source: Los Angeles Times - Maddie Lee
Pirates Place Oneil Cruz on Injured List With Hand Fracture
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 8) with left-hand fourth and fifth metacarpal non-displaced fractures and recalled outfielder Billy Cook from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Cruz initially injured his left hand while sliding in Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves, and he's expected to be out for a month, which means he probably won't return until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Jake Mangum made another start in center field for the Pirates on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he figures to become a lineup regular going forward, at least against right-handed pitchers. The 27-year-old Cruz should not be dropped in any traditional fantasy formats while he's sidelined. He has one of the quickest bats in baseball and makes some of the loudest contact when he connects, not to mention his high-end speed on the basepaths. Through 64 games in 2026 in his sixth year in the big leagues, Cruz is slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 homers, 44 RBI, 21 stolen bases, 45 runs scored, and a league-leading 98 strikeouts in 283 plate appearances.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Chris Olave Still Recovering From Blood Clot
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said that the team has kept wide receiver Chris Olave (illness) out of team drills this offseason because he's still recovering from the blood clot that kept him out late last season, according to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Olave missed two games late in the year, but the former 11th overall pick in 2022 out of Ohio State still managed to record a career-high 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 100 receptions in 16 starts for the Saints in his fourth year in the NFL. The 25-year-old quickly developed chemistry with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough in 2025 in Moore's pass-happy offense, and his arrow will be pointing up again in 2026 as long as his blood-clot issue doesn't linger going into training camp and the start of the 2026 regular season early in September. The Saints have more weapons on offense around Olave in rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson and running back Travis Etienne Jr. out of the backfield, but he should still at least be considered a low-end WR1 in fantasy drafts this year.
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Matthew Paras
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Matthew Paras
Brent Rooker Out Again on Wednesday, Managing Knee Soreness
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (knee) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day on Wednesday in Las Vegas against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers due to knee soreness that the team is managing, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Manager Mark Kotsay said the A's will wait to see how Rooker feels during Thursday's off day before potentially deciding on whether to place him on the injured list. With Rooker out again on Wednesday, Carlos Cortes will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat in the cleanup spot, with Lawrence Butler starting in right field and hitting sixth against Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat. It's been a pretty rough season for the 31-year-old Rooker so far. The two-time right-handed slugger enters Wednesday's action with a .200/.281/.389 slash line, .670 OPS, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 180 at-bats in 2026. He has looked better in seven games in June, going 6-for-25 (.240) with two homers, a double, three RBI, and five runs scored, but now he might be headed for a stay on the IL.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Garrett Crochet's Lat Strain Worse Than Originally Thought
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (lat) told The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham that his lat strain "is a lot worse than what we thought," and he has "no idea" when he might be cleared to throw again. When Crochet initially went on the 15-day injured list in late May, he was diagnosed with a low-grade lat strain. That diagnosis was apparently wrong, and now it's looking like we may not see the talented southpaw back in Boston's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 26-year-old has since been placed on the 60-day injured list. Crochet still deserves to be stashed in all traditional fantasy leagues, but his return is no longer around the corner. The two-time All-Star was as advertised in Beantown in 2025 in his first year with the team, going 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA (2.89 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and a league-high 255 strikeouts in a league-best 205 1/3 innings over 32 games. Things have not gone as planned in Year 2 in Boston, though, as he currently has a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37:11 in just six starts.
Source: The Boston Globe - Peter Abraham
Source: The Boston Globe - Peter Abraham
Pelicans Attempting to Trade Up in Draft
The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly attempting to trade up into the draft lottery ahead of this year's draft, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Pelicans traded up into the lottery last season and selected center Derik Queen. It's unclear who the Pelicans are targeting, but they should have the assets to get a deal done if they want to. That means, Trey Murphy III, Herbert Jones, and Yves Missi could all be available in a potential deal. Jones is one of the league's most coveted two-way players, so he'd likely be the centerpiece of any trade-up deals. The Pelicans are likely just feeling out the waters, but maybe they'll make a big move to jump up ahead of draft day.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Jalen Coker has Been the Best Offensive Performer for Panthers at OTAs
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker is having a "strong offseason program" and has "arguably been the most consistent offensive performer in front of media during OTAs and minicamp so far," according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. The third-year wideout is making routine plays and "getting open with relative ease." The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross has played in only 22 games due to injuries in his first two years in the NFL, but when on the field, he's been a key contributor for quarterback Bryce Young, catching a total of 65 passes on 89 targets for 872 yards (13.4 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. Last year's first-rounder, Tetairoa McMillan, is the Panthers' clear WR1, but Coker is making a strong case to be the WR2, even with Xavier Legette still in town. The 6-foot-3, 213-pounder has the size, strength, leaping ability, and strong hands to excel all over the field. If he can stay on the field all year, Coker has true breakout potential, and he won't cost much on draft day. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 50 fantasy WR for 2026.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Chiefs Add Two Years to Patrick Mahomes' Deal
The Kansas City Chiefs are adding two years to quarterback Patrick Mahomes' (knee) contract on Wednesday, tying him to the franchise through the 2033 season at a value of $504.75 million, making it the first NFL deal valued at over a half-billion dollars, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The landmark deal gives the 30-year-old signal-caller an average salary of $64 million per year, which seems wild after he tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15 in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers last year. Mahomes has obviously done a lot for the organization already, though, and he has been taking part in seven-on-seven drills during mandatory minicamp this week as he works towards being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in a Monday night showdown versus the division-rival Denver Broncos. It's unclear if he'll be a full-go for the start of training camp at the end of July, but barring a setback, we would bet that Mahomes will be ready for Week 1 this fall. For fantasy purposes, though, with a questionable supporting cast at receiver and while coming off a major knee injury, it would be wise for fantasy managers to treat Mahomes as more of a high-end QB2 target than as the high-end QB1 that he's been in years past.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Wizards to Host AJ Dybantsa for a Visit
The Washington Wizards will host potential No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa for a visit this week. The expectation is that the Wizards are going to select Dybantsa with the first pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. The organization has mentioned they'd be willing to trade the pick, but that seems unlikely unless someone offered them a blockbuster deal. The BYU forward is the consensus first overall pick, so it's hard to imagine the Wizards going in any other direction at this point. They've already met with other top prospects such as North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. This seems like the Wizards are just doing their due diligence as they prepare to select Dybantsa in the upcoming weeks.
Source: New York Times
Source: New York Times
Jake McCarthy Scratched on Wednesday With Illness
Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy (illness) was scratched from the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the visiting Chicago Cubs at Coors Field due to an illness, according to the team. Troy Johnson will make the start in right field for the Rockies and will bat seventh against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. McCarthy is under the weather, but he could be back in the lineup as soon as Thursday's series finale in Denver against Chicago. The 28-year-old speedy left-handed hitter has seen an increase in playing time in the past month with both Mickey Moniak (ankle) and Brenton Doyle (oblique) on the injured list, and he's taken advantage, hitting .282 (49-for-174) with four home runs, 27 RBI, 22 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 56 games in his first year with the Rockies. McCarthy has been especially hot recently, going 18-for-59 (.305) with two homers, four doubles, eight RBI, 10 runs, and two steals in 14 games since May 24. If you need speed in deeper leagues, McCarthy is worth a look off the waiver wire.
Source: Rockies Club Information
Source: Rockies Club Information
Warriors Hosting Yaxel Lendeborg for Workout
The Golden State Warriors will host pre-draft workouts for prospects Yaxel Lendeborg, Kylan Boswell, and Felix Okpara on Friday. The Warriors currently hold the 11th overall pick during the upcoming NBA Draft. All of these prospects seem to be legitimate options for the team at their current draft position. While these are older prospects, they could potentially make an impact right away in Golden State. Draymond Green isn't getting any younger, so Lendeborg could be a good option for a team like Golden State. This past season, Lendeborg averaged 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 30.2 minutes per game in 40 contests at Michigan. He could be a fit for the Warriors, assuming Lendeborg is still on the draft at that point.
Source: Mark Medina
Source: Mark Medina
Kel'el Ware Could Fetch a First-Round Pick
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware could be a potential piece in a trade for Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. The Heat would likely need to give up a massive package to acquire the superstar forward from Milwaukee. That deal might start with either Tyler Herro or Ware as the centerpiece. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald believes that Ware could fetch a first-round pick by himself. Ware is coming off a solid second season with the Heat. He averaged 11.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks across 22.1 minutes per game in 77 contests. The Bucks don't exactly need a player like Ware with Myles Turner and Bobby Portis on the roster. They could potentially flip Ware for draft capital, but at that point, trading for Herro would make more sense. The Heat have no interest in trading Ware, but he's one of the few young pieces that the team could include in a blockbuster trade.
Source: Miami Herald
Source: Miami Herald
Miles Bridges Could be Available This Summer
Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges was the subject of trade rumors this past season. There was speculation that Bridges would be moved at the trade deadline. That didn't happen, but Bridges still might end up being moved ahead of this year's draft. The veteran forward is heading into the final year of his deal and has a $22.8 million cap hit for next season. The Hornets hold two first-round picks and might be able to use one of those and Bridges to move up in the draft. Last season, Bridges averaged 171. points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists across 31.0 minutes per game in 77 contests. It wouldn't be shocking to see Bridges playing in another uniform next season, but his fantasy value will be dependent on where he lands.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Source: Sports Illustrated
Colt Emerson Out Again With Back Spasms, Likely to Avoid Injured List
Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Cole Emerson (back) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles due to back spasms, but he took swings in the cages and is feeling a little bit better, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Emerson is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list. Cole Young is making another start at the 6 and is batting leadoff, with Miles Mastrobuoni starting at second base and hitting eighth against Orioles right-hander Brandon Young. It will be the third straight game that Emerson will start on the bench due to back spasms, but he could return to the starting nine as soon as Thursday's series finale at Camden Yards. With J.P. Crawford (hand) on the IL right now, Emerson will be Seattle's preferred option at shortstop when he recovers from his back injury. In his first 62 major-league at-bats, the 20-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 has hit .242 (15-for-62) with four home runs, five doubles, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored across 69 plate appearances. Emerson is one of the more intriguing young infield prospects in the majors.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Daulton Varsho Still Sidelined With Wrist Injury
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) is missing a fifth straight game on Wednesday against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies due to a left-wrist injury, according to MLB.com. Myles Straw is making another start in center field and is batting eighth against Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. An MRI exam on Varsho's wrist came back negative on Tuesday, so he should be considered day-to-day with a good chance to return in Friday's series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees after a scheduled day off for Toronto on Thursday. Varsho entered Tuesday's game against Philly off the bench as a pinch-runner and recorded a stolen base in a win over the Phils. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder hasn't really moved the needle all that much for fantasy managers in 2026, producing a .256/.331/.408 slash line, .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, five stolen bases, and 27 runs scored across his 211 at-bats. Straw has hit .333 with three RBI in nine career at-bats against Luzardo, but he's still an easy fade in DFS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Max Scherzer Officially Activated and Starting on Wednesday
The Toronto Blue Jays announced that they reinstated veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm, ankle) from the 15-day injured list, and he will start Wednesday night's game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Not only is Scherzer not nearly as dominant as he was in his prime, but he has battled injuries continuously over the last couple of seasons. The future Hall of Famer is back in Toronto's starting rotation, though, and he will look to tame the surging Phillies in his first big-league start since April 24. Scherzer has been sidelined with right-forearm tendinitis and also battled inflammation in his left ankle. The three-time Cy Young winner only got up to 3 2/3 innings and 73 pitches in his final minor-league rehab assignment last week, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to have a very long leash on Wednesday night at the Rogers Centre. We recommend fading the 41-year-old veteran after he recorded a 9.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 10:8 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings over his five starts for the Blue Jays earlier this year.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Will Smith Missing Fourth Straight Game With Neck Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) is missing a fourth straight game on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, according to MLB.com. Dalton Rushing will make another start behind the dish and catch right-hander Shohei Ohtani while batting eighth against Pirates right-hander Jared Jones. Manager Dave Roberts initially said that Smith's neck injury was not serious, but with each passing day that he remains out, the possibility of him landing on the injured list increases. The good news is that the 31-year-old veteran backstop did some throwing and took batting practice in the batting cage before Tuesday's win over Pittsburgh. Check back to see if Smith is feeling good enough to play in Thursday's series finale against the Bucs. The three-time All-Star could be starting to slow down offensively in his eighth year in the big leagues, as he enters Wednesday's contest with a disappointing .249/.338/.382 slash line with a career-low .720 OPS, six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in his 52 games played in 2026.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Is Mick Abel a Top Stash Candidate as he Begins a Rehab Assignment?
Minnesota Twins right-hander Mick Abel (elbow) is starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. The 24-year-old has been out since late April with right-elbow inflammation, but he will return to game action on the farm and should be back in Minnesota's starting rotation by the end of the month. He is scheduled to throw three innings or around 50 pitches in his first rehab start on Wednesday with the Saints, meaning he will likely need at least one or two more starts in the minors before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list. The former first-rounder in 2020 by the Philadelphia Phillies has only appeared in four games (three starts) for the Twins in 2026, posting a 3.98 ERA (2.76 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and 10 starts across 20 1/3 innings pitched. Because of his strikeout upside and guaranteed rotation spot with the Twins this year, Abel is worth a look as a stash candidate as he nears a return to the big leagues. Abel is currently rostered in only 13% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Samuel Basallo Sitting for Third Straight Game on Wednesday
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (wrist) is sitting out of a third straight game on Wednesday versus the visiting Seattle Mariners due to left-wrist discomfort, per MLB.com. With fellow catcher Adley Rutschman (hamstring) also out for a third straight contest, Sam Huff is doing the catching for right-hander Brandon Young and will bat ninth against Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Basallo is dealing with a bony growth in his left wrist and is considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday to see if he's available for the series finale against Seattle at Camden Yards. The 21-year-old left-handed slugger also missed some time recently with an abdominal injury, so he's been a bit banged up lately. In his first full season in the majors in 2026, the Dominican backstop is slashing a solid .263/.327/.475 with an .801 OPS, nine home runs, nine doubles, 27 RBI, and 25 runs scored for the O's across his 56 games and 199 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adley Rutschman Remains Sidelined With Hamstring Injury
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday at Camden Yards against the visiting Seattle Mariners. With Samuel Basallo (wrist) also missing another contest, Sam Huff will make another start behind the dish and catch right-hander Brandon Young while batting ninth against Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Rutschman is sitting out a third straight game due to left-hamstring tightness, and he's currently considered day-to-day. Check back on Thursday to see if Rutschman is ready to return for the series finale against the M's. The two-time All-Star switch-hitter has picked it up at the plate so far in June, going 9-for-25 (.360) with a homer, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI, and five runs scored in six games to boost his season slash line to .267/.343/.489 with an .832 OPS and eight home runs. Hopefully, his hamstring injury doesn't interrupt his hot streak at the dish.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Patriots Unlikely to Re-Sign Stefon Diggs
The New England Patriots are unlikely to re-sign veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, according to Evan Lazar of the team's official website. "Right now, I don't think that that's something that I think we're exploring, but I would never say no," head coach Mike Vrabel said. Diggs was the team's leading receiver last year and helped the Pats get back to the Super Bowl, catching 85 of his 102 targets for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts, but New England cut him this offseason for salary cap purposes, then signed Romeo Doubs in free agency and acquired Pro Bowler A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles on June 1. The four-time Pro Bowler has seven 1,000-yard seasons to his name in 11 NFL seasons, but he remains unsigned in early June. Diggs' 2026 fantasy value will obviously depend on where he ultimately lands, but it won't be back in New England. The Commanders, Chiefs, Ravens, and Falcons appear to be his most likely landing spots as he heads into Year 12 in the league. Diggs is currently ranked as the No. 62 WR for 2026 at RotoBaller while he continues to look for a new squad to play for.
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Source: Patriots.com - Evan Lazar
Tetairoa McMillan Hoping to be Ready for Training Camp
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (ankle) said he's feeling good now and is hoping to be ready for the start of training camp at the end of July, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. McMillan was initially tagged with a foot injury and missed some of organized team activities as a precaution, but he took part in the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday despite dealing with some ankle soreness this offseason. It doesn't sound like a very serious issue at all for the 23-year-old, who was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025 after the Panthers took him eighth overall out of the University of Arizona. McMillan was held out of workouts on Wednesday, likely as a precaution. All signs are pointing to the young pass-catcher being a full-go for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. As Carolina's clear WR1 for QB Bryce Young, he'll be a popular WR2 target this year with upside for more if he takes the next step in Year 2. In his first 17 NFL starts a year ago, McMillan caught 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets to finish as a top-15 wideout in half-PPR scoring.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Tucker Kraft Expects to Play in Week 1 With No Restrictions
Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) said he expects to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September without a pitch count, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. The 25-year-old suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his knee last year and has not been taking part in organized team activities, but he's expected to return to the field for training camp this summer and be ready for the start of the upcoming campaign. How much Kraft can do at camp will ultimately decide whether he's a full-go for Week 1, so we'll keep a close eye on his progress going into late July. The former third-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of South Dakota State was well on his way to a breakout in 2025 before injuring his knee, catching 32 of his 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in just eight starts for the Packers. Despite coming off a major knee injury, RotoBaller has Kraft ranked as the No. 5 fantasy TE for 2026. He'll be a high-risk/high-reward TE selection, and his cost will continue to rise if he looks good during camp.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Braves Put Ronald Acuna Jr. on the Injured List With Strained Hamstring
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and selected the contract of infielder Rowdy Tellez to the major-league roster in a corresponding move. It's the second time this year that Acuna has been on the IL with the same injury, and he missed just over two weeks back in May with a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain. The injury occurred the second time on Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox, when Acuna was attempting to beat out a ground ball to third base in the fourth inning. He came up limp just before reaching the first-base bag and eventually hobbled off the field with a trainer. Fantasy managers shouldn't just assume that Acuna will miss another two weeks this time around. In his absence, both Mauricio Dubon and Eli White could see additional playing time in the Braves' outfield. Although the former MVP isn't producing up to his normal All-Star standards in 2026, Acuna should still be held in an IL spot in all traditional fantasy leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Mets Recall 20th-Ranked Prospect Jonathan Pintaro
The New York Mets recalled their No. 20 prospect, right-handed pitcher Jonathan Pintaro, from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, according to MLB Pipeline. Pintaro, 28, made two relief appearances for the Mets earlier this year and tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen with no hits allowed, one walk, and three strikeouts. The former undrafted free agent made his big-league debut in 2025 and allowed two earned runs with two walks and a strikeout in just two-thirds of an inning in one relief appearance. The 6-foot-2, 235-pounder has gone 2-0 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 38:13 K:BB with one save in 31 1/3 relief innings over 19 appearances at Syracuse in 2026. The converted starting pitcher throws a mid-90s fastball from a low three-quarters arm slot, which has allowed lefties to feast off of him. Pintaro has also had trouble throwing strikes consistently, which is something he'll obviously need to change if he wants to stick around in Queens. In a likely multi-inning relief role for New York, Pintaro has very little fantasy appeal.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Willy Adames Out on Wednesday With Lower-Half Injury
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (lower body) is sitting out for just the second time all year on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals due to some lower-body pain that he felt on Tuesday, manager Tony Vitello told John Shea of The San Francisco Standard. When asked for a specific area of pain, Vitello said, "knee to hip." It doesn't sound like a serious issue, so with a scheduled day off on Thursday as well, Adames could be back for Friday's series opener at Oracle Park against the Chicago Cubs. Casey Schmitt, who is having a breakout campaign for the Gigantes in 2026, is starting at shortstop and will bat leadoff on Wednesday in the series finale against Nationals left-hander Foster Griffin. The 30-year-old Adames has been a disappointment in his second year in the Bay Area after clubbing 30 homers and driving in 87 in 160 games last year, as he enters Wednesday's action with a .234/.281/.431 slash line with 11 homers, 29 RBI, and a 28.1% strikeout rate. Adames has gone hitless in his last four games and has gone 6-for-34 (.176) with three homers, a double, six RBI, and six runs in nine games so far in June.
Source: The San Francisco Standard - John Shea
Source: The San Francisco Standard - John Shea
