RADIO
Justin Steele to Throw Bullpen on Sunday
Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) is set to throw a bullpen in Chicago in front of the team's pitching coaches on Sunday. This will give the team a chance to get a good, hard look at the 31-year-old as he continues to work hard toward returning to the mound for the Cubs in 2026. From there, it has been decided that he will throw at least one more outing for Triple-A Iowa, at which time a decision will likely be made regarding what lies ahead. Over three rehab appearances thus far, Steele has thrown 5.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on 10 hits. The good news is that he has recorded six strikeouts and has not walked any batters, backing the fact that he is still working through some rust. If and when he does return this year, it will be as a reliever, as there is not enough time for him to build himself back up to a starter's workload. As such, his fantasy value is minimal.
Source: Jared Wyllys
Source: Jared Wyllys
Jerry Jeudy Should Stay on Benches in Week 1
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy enters Week 1 with a starting job, but not much fantasy security. He drew 106 targets last season and turned them into 50 catches for 602 yards and two touchdowns. Harold Fannin Jr. actually led Cleveland with 107 targets, and now first-round rookie KC Concepcion Jr. and second-rounder Denzel Boston are both starting too. That leaves Jeudy fighting for work in an offense led by Deshaun Watson, which is enough to make Sunday's matchup with Jacksonville hard to trust. The Jaguars allowed 3,707 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns last season, but they also picked off 22 passes. RotoBaller has Jeudy at WR77 for Week 1, and its current start-sit guidance recommends Cleveland's receivers only in deeper leagues with multiple flex spots. Jeudy may still see enough snaps to matter, but there are too many questions about the target split and quarterback play. He should stay on the bench in most leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chargers D/ST Highly Ranked in Week 1 Matchup vs. the Cardinals
The Los Angeles Chargers' D/ST is a highly recommended fantasy option for managers in Week 1 due to a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The Chargers unit finished just outside the top 12 D/ST and averaged 6.5 points per game last year. The Cardinals offense had the fifth-most sacks and 13th-fewest offensive touchdowns last season. They switched to a pass-first offense when they let Jacoby Brissett take over and often found themselves in pass-heavy situations because of trailing late in games. The Chargers D/ST is RotoBaller's D/ST2 ahead of a favorable outing and can be comfortably inserted into lineups in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
KC Concepcion Has Upside Flex Appeal in Week 1
Cleveland Browns wide receiver KC Concepcion has a little more Week 1 appeal than the usual rookie making his NFL debut. Concepcion is already listed as a starter, and the Browns have spent much of the summer finding ways to get the ball in his hands. He only played once in the preseason, catching three passes for 27 yards while adding a 14-yard rushing touchdown and a 31-yard punt return. Head coach Todd Monken said Friday that Concepcion will handle all of Cleveland's punt returns against Jacksonville and made it clear the rookie has earned the coaching staff's trust. Cleveland took Concepcion 24th overall after he caught 61 passes for 919 yards and nine touchdowns at Texas A&M last season. There is still risk with Deshaun Watson under center and Jerry Jeudy, Denzel Boston and Harold Fannin Jr. also competing for touches. RotoBaller has Concepcion at WR61 for Week 1. He is not a must-start yet, but managers in deeper leagues can use him as an upside WR4 or flex.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rays Calling Up Top Pitching Prospect Brody Hopkins
The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Brody Hopkins to the big leagues from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Per MLB Pipeline, Hopkins, 24, is ranked as Tampa's No. 7 overall prospect and their top pitching prospect. The former sixth-round selection by the Seattle Mariners in 2023 from Winthrop University has gone 4-8 this year for the Bulls with a 5.17 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and 122:92 K:BB in 94 innings across 31 appearances (19 starts). The numbers obviously do not look great on the surface, but Hopkins had been pitching great recently for Durham in a relief role, where he will likely continue in his first taste of the major leagues. Hopkins gets the call to Tampa after throwing six straight shutout innings out of the bullpen at Triple-A, and he will look to stay hot with the Rays. For fantasy purposes, Hopkins should be ignored in single-year formats with the regular season wrapping up at the end of September.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Esmerlyn Valdez Placed on Injured List With Hamstring Strain
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) on the injured list on Saturday with a strained left hamstring. The 22-year-old outfielder injured himself on Friday while trying to beat out a ground ball in the sixth inning. He came up limping and was helped off the field. A day later, he was placed on the injured list, keeping him out of action for at least 10 days. The severity of the injury is not yet known, but given the timing, there is a chance that this ends his season. If he doesn't return in 2026, he will finish with 17 home runs over 72 games played, which should keep him in consideration as a late-round draft pick heading into the 2027 draft. In his absence, Jake Mangum should once again be considered as an injury replacement for the Pirates and receive additional opportunities. He has some fantasy appeal, as he has posted a .283/.340/.369 slash line this season with 23 stolen bases over 122 games played.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Freddie Freeman Back in Saturday's Lineup
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (knee) is starting at first base and is batting in the two-hole for Saturday's contest on the road against the Miami Marlins and right-hander Tyler Phillips, according to MLB.com. Freeman is back in action after missing the last two games with some minor soreness in his right knee. Although the veteran first baseman's knee injury is not expected to impact him the rest of the season, it is worth watching after he has struggled at the plate in seven games so far in September, going 3-for-22 (.136) with a homer, three RBI, five walks, and nine strikeouts. Fantasy managers will be hoping that Freeman, who turns 37 years old on Saturday, can turn it around in the final few weeks of the season when it matters most. The Dodgers will need the former MVP and 10-time All-Star even more with Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) on the injured list. On the year, Freeman has hit a strong .297 (156-for-525) with 16 homers, 66 RBI, 72 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his 17th major-league season. Get him back into your starting lineup against Phillips, whom Freeman has hit .750 against with three RBI in just four career at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Denzel Boston a Risky Flex in NFL Debut
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Denzel Boston will make his NFL debut Sunday against Jacksonville with a starting spot already in hand. The rookie is listed alongside Jerry Jeudy and KC Concepcion Jr., and Cleveland liked him enough to take him 39th overall after a 62-catch, 881-yard, 11-touchdown final season at Washington. Boston also made plenty of contested catches during camp. The preseason did not give us much to work with, though. He caught one pass for 15 yards across three games. Jacksonville allowed 25 passing touchdowns last season, but the Jaguars also picked off 22 passes, and Deshaun Watson is not exactly lifting the outlook for Cleveland's receivers right now. RotoBaller has Boston at WR70 for Week 1, while its current start-sit guidance recommends keeping the Browns' wideouts to deeper leagues with multiple flex spots. Boston is worth rostering because the role could grow quickly. For Sunday, fantasy managers should keep him on the bench unless they are digging deep for a flex.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cameron Dicker Has Favorable Week 1 Matchup vs. the Cardinals
Los Angeles Chargers placekicker Cameron Dicker will be a strong fantasy asset on Sunday in a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The 26-year-old was the K4 overall and averaged 10 points per game last season. Dicker will now be tied to an explosive offense with a new offensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel. McDaniel has orchestrated some of the league's best offenses in recent years that have translated to big numbers on scoreboards at times. With a revamped offense, Dicker could see an uptick in production this season. He rolls into Week 1 as RotoBaller's K2 with a favorable matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Dicker could find himself trotting on the field often if the offense gets in a rhythm early.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jack Flaherty Throws Two Simulated Innings
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (forearm) threw a two-inning simulated game on Saturday, embarking on what could be the final hurdle before returning to the mound for the Tigers. The 30-year-old has missed the last six weeks because of right forearm flexor inflammation but has made significant strides as of late. Flaherty himself said that he felt great after this outing and is ready to get back on the mound. Whether or not that happens in the coming days remains to be seen, but the fact of the matter is that he is nearing the end of his time on the sidelines. Fantasy managers should be ready to add him to their rosters where possible, but be cognizant of the fact that he may be working out of the bullpen or on a pitch count.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Quinshon Judkins Better Left on the Bench in Week 1
Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins opens the season in a rough spot against Jacksonville. Judkins is first on Cleveland's depth chart after running 230 times for 827 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games as a rookie, so the early-down work should still be there. The matchup is the problem. Jacksonville led the NFL by allowing only 85.6 rushing yards per game last season and did not allow any opposing player to run for more than 75 yards. Cleveland is also a sizable road underdog, which could work against Judkins if the Browns have to throw. Dylan Sampson handled more of the obvious passing-down work last season, and that matters in this kind of game script. The Browns will also start five new offensive linemen, with rookie Austin Barber replacing the injured Teven Jenkins at right guard. RotoBaller has Judkins at RB23 for Week 1, but this is a week to look elsewhere if a solid alternative is available. His volume keeps him usable in deeper leagues, but the ceiling looks limited.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jac Caglianone Missing his Sixth Straight Game
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) will sit out for a sixth straight game on Saturday at Fenway Park against the hosting Boston Red Sox, per MLB.com. John Rave will make yet another start in right field for the Royals while batting seventh against Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez. Caglianone has been slow to recover from a flexor strain in his left elbow, but the Royals continue to say that he is day-to-day, so the left-handed slugger could have an opportunity to return for the series finale in Boston on Sunday. It is a terrible time for the 23-year-old former first-rounder to miss time with an injury during the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. Caglianone has developed into a must-start asset in fantasy leagues for his power in what has been a strong first full season in the big leagues in 2026. He came into Saturday's action slashing .283/.331/.494 with an .825 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 474 at-bats. Cags tore the cover off the ball in 24 games in August, hitting .411 (39-for-95) with six home runs, eight doubles, 26 RBI, 17 runs scored, and three steals.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Justin Verlander Faces Live Batters
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hamstring/hip) took a big step forward in his injury progression on Saturday by facing live batters prior to the team's game against the Colorado Rockies. This marks the first time that the 43-year-old has faced live hitters since he went on the Injured List very early in the season. It is worth noting that the batters who stood in the box did not take any swings, but the fact that they were there marks a significant step in the right direction. Verlander is hoping to cap off his career with one final start on the final weekend of the season. With the Tigers almost out of playoff contention and with potentially nothing to play for, that feels like the perfect sendoff to one of the game's greats. From a fantasy perspective, he is only worth consideration if he does, in fact, return, but there's no guarantee that he makes it back in time to pitch again.
Source: Jason Beck
Source: Jason Beck
Jahan Dotson Atlanta's No. 2, but Not On Flex Radar in Week 1
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson will be Atlanta's No. 2 receiver on Sunday for the team's Week 1 road matchup against the Steelers. While that can be a potentially fantasy-friendly role on many teams, the former first-rounder could realistically be the fourth option, likely behind Drake London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson in the receiving hierarchy. Additionally, with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush under center in Week 1 for Atlanta, that could mean that a very quiet game could be in store for the Penn State product. The 26-year-old projects as the No. 90 wide receiver overall this week at RotoBaller, and with the Falcons having one of the lowest implied point totals in Week 1 (17.5), he's off of the Flex radar altogether.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona State Loses Starting Right Guard
Arizona State has seen one of its starting offensive linemen suffer what appears to be a significant injury during a matchup with Texas A&M. Right guard Wade Helton was carted to the sideline after going down during the second quarter of Saturday's contest, according to On3's Pete Nakos. DevilsDigest.com provided additional context, posting to its X account, "Cannot put weight on right leg as he's being assisted off the field." Helton played 10 games as a freshman for the Sun Devils a season ago and helped them rush for a whopping 249 yards during a 70-7 win over Morgan State a week ago. Rob Lapuaho has replaced Helton at right guard. Lapuaho was on the Arizona State scout team a season ago.
Source: Pete Nakos/On3
Source: Pete Nakos/On3
