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Braves to Recall Infield Prospect Jim Jarvis to Major Leagues
Atlanta Braves shortstop Jim Jarvis is returning to the MLB roster for a second stint this season. He played two games for the team in May but has spent most of the year in Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers. In his 76 minor-league games, he hit .313 with six homers and a .392 wOBA. He also racked up 32 stolen bases, the most he has had in any minor league season by a wide margin. He will give the Braves solid infield depth with potential speed production if he gets regular playing time. He hasn't shown a ton of power potential, but typically makes good contact and runs the bases very well. If you're searching for stolen bases and some batting average help in the middle infield, Jarvis can be a solid deep league option.
Source: Grant McAuley
Source: Grant McAuley
Zach Werenski Sticking With Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski isn't going anywhere despite being heavily linked to a trade this offseason. "I want to win and I want to do that in Columbus," Werenski said in a statement. "As I've thought about things and discussed everything with my wife and family, we want to be in Columbus. It has been my home for the past 10 years and I have always been proud to be a Blue Jacket. We have the best fans in the NHL. I love my teammates and coaches and I'm looking forward to doing everything I can to get us back in the playoffs to compete for a Stanley Cup. Don and I are completely aligned on that and are excited about what's to come with our team." The 2026 Norris Trophy winner has two years left on his contract. Werenski has developed into a fantasy stud in Columbus and could become just the sixth defenseman in NHL history to record three consecutive 80-point campaigns next season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
LeBron James Draws Surprise Interest From the 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers have emerged as a surprise suitor for free agent LeBron James, reaching out to gauge his interest, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports. The opening stems from Wednesday's blockbuster, as Philadelphia flipped Paul George to Boston for Jaylen Brown, leaving a gap at power forward between Brown and Joel Embiid that the 41-year-old could fill. James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds across 60 games and remains a multi-category anchor, though slotting behind Tyrese Maxey and Brown would trim the usage that drives his playmaking. The real fantasy variable isn't talent at this point. Entering a record 24th season, his rest schedule and games played will swing his value more than any change of address.
Source: Tony Jones
Source: Tony Jones
Rowdy Tellez Designated for Assignment
Atlanta Braves first baseman Rowdy Tellez was designated for assignment on Thursday morning, and the team promoted Jim Jarvis to add more infield depth and versatility. Tellez agreed to a minor-league deal with Atlanta just before the regular season and joined the MLB squad in early June. He played seven games, mostly serving as a pinch-hitter, and he went 2-for-10 with a home run. The 31-year-old lefty hit 17 homers last season while splitting time between the Mariners and the Rangers. His batting average and defense aren't very exciting, but he does offer enough left-handed power potential off the bench to get attention from another team or to stick in the Braves' system. For fantasy purposes, he isn't a factor unless he gets a full-time starting role somewhere, which seems unlikely.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Can Saquon Barkley Bounce Back to His League-Winning Form?
Even in accumulating more than 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was considered one of fantasy's biggest disappointments in 2025, finishing the year as RB14. Following a historic 2,000-yard campaign in 2024, there was reasonably but one direction to go, and while Barkley's 346 total touches in 2025 were still the sixth most in the league, that number was down almost 140 touches from the previous season. Barkley is now 29 years old, and while durability concerns continue to mount, he no longer carries a top-of-the-draft price tag and could realistically be viewed as a value in his third season with the Eagles. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion projects to run more under-center looks while involving his backs in the passing game, allowing Barkley to play more with a head of steam or out in space. An emphasis on wide-zone runs and an expectation that the team could rely more on 2025 trade acquisition Tank Bigsby could also help keep Barkley fresh throughout the year and help restore some of the explosiveness that showed up far less frequently than in the previous season. At RotoBaller's RB6, Barkley is still a back that fantasy managers can feel good about making their RB1 even if they aren't situated at the top of 2026 draft boards.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaden Schwartz Signs Three-Year Deal With Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche have bolstered their offense by signing Jaden Schwartz, ESPN's Ryan S. Clarke reports. He signed a three-year, $9.75 million contract with the team as an unrestricted free agent. Recently, Colorado traded away Ross Colton and Valeri Nichushkin, leaving several holes to fill on the frontline. Schwartz can help offset some of the offense lost. He's had durability issues in recent years, but Schwartz can make an impact as a scorer and playmaker. In 50 appearances with the Seattle Kraken last season, he contributed 11 goals and 15 assists.
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Source: Ryan S. Clark
Marvin Bagley III Agrees to One-Year Deal With Nuggets
Free-agent center Marvin Bagley III agreed to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal with the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 27-year-old gives Denver another frontcourt option after averaging 10.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 61.8 percent from the field in 20.0 minutes across 60 games between Washington and Dallas last season. Bagley is an efficient rim finisher who can help cover regular-season minutes behind Nikola Jokic, but his fantasy ceiling is capped unless Jonas Valanciunas is moved or Denver opens a clearer backup-center lane. For now, he profiles as injury insurance rather than a bankable nightly role.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Corey Perry Returns to L.A.
Right wing Corey Perry will start another season with the Los Angeles Kings, returning to the team on a one-year, $1 million contract. He can earn an additional $500,000 in performance bonuses. Perry also started the 2025-26 campaign with the Kings, but he was shipped to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the trade deadline for a second-round pick. For a player who turned 41 in May, Perry had a strong year, with 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 72 games. The 2011 MVP has scored more points in only one season this decade. In 2026-27, Perry will aim to reach 1,000 career points. He currently sits on 972 points (465 goals, 507 assists) through 1,464 career games.
Source: Los Angeles Kings
Source: Los Angeles Kings
David Montgomery a Running Back to Target in Zero-RB Builds
For the first time since 2023, Houston Texans running back David Montgomery projects to lead his team in carries. While he's now three years older than the player who finished that season as the RB13, and he no longer has the benefit of Ben Johnson drawing up plays for him, he still boasts tremendous upside for a player routinely slipping outside the first four rounds of 2026 drafts. While his usage has dipped in recent seasons, his efficiency has not. In his three seasons sharing a backfield with Jahmyr Gibbs, who is now comfortably in the conversation of the best backs in the game, Montgomery averaged .87 fantasy points per touch. In Houston, with one of the league's premier defenses allowing for a baseline of neutral or positive game scripts, the eighth-year veteran could see enormous volume. 2025 fourth-round pick Woody Marks was inefficient as a rookie after being thrust into lead back duty and figures to settle into a more natural pass-catching role, leaving the former Lion with the lion's share of the carries. At RotoBaller's RB21, Montgomery profiles as one of this year's safest RB2s but also has the upside to anchor a receiver-heavy build in a zero-RB strategy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Keider Montero Continues Dominant Run, Emerging as Worthy Pitcher to Pick Up?
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher/relief pitcher Keider Montero pitched two shutout innings out of the bullpen to earn a win on Wednesday against the Yankees. It was his first appearance since moving to the bullpen after the return of Jack Flaherty last Sunday. The win helped Montero improve to 5-5 with a 3.31 ERA and 3.80 FIP in his 17 games, 15 of which were starts. He has a 1.52 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings in his last five games and has been very effective at limiting damage. Montero doesn't have a spot in the rotation right now, but he's worth a look in deep leagues since he has worked so well in multiple roles recently. He will be a top pickup option in most standard formats if he moves back to the rotation at some point later in the season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Lightning Sign Ilya Mikheyev to Four-Year Contract
Winger Ilya Mikheyev has linked up with the Tampa Bay Lightning on a four-year, $15.4 million contract. He joins a contender after spending two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. Last term, Mikheyev had his best NHL campaign, amassing 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in 77 games. Impressively, he held a positive plus/minus on a team that finished with the second-worst record in the league. Mikheyev is a versatile forward who can do various jobs for the Lightning, though he's unlikely to spend much time in the top six. For that reason, his real-life value outweighs his fantasy hockey appeal.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Malik Willis Could See His Dynasty Value Rise
As part of a full offensive rebuild that saw them say goodbye to their head coach and playcaller, starting quarterback, and top two wide receivers, the Miami Dolphins signed former Packers backup quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract and have since done a reasonable job of restocking what was at the time a fully barren pass-catching group. Miami spent five of its 13 2026 draft picks on receiver and tight end, and if Willis can keep the offense afloat in his first season at the helm, 2027 promises what looks to be a deep draft class and an outstanding group of potential free agents. Sharing a backfield with De'Von Achane, Willis could provide a usable fantasy floor in 2026 through checkdowns and his own rushing ability, having added an unreal 11.8 fantasy points per game with his legs in his last three starts. If Willis can make it to 2027 with a hold on the starting job, Miami could retool quickly, and his dynasty value could soar, making him a worthwhile investment at his current ranking of RotoBaller's QB25.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Stuart Skinner Moves to Winnipeg on Two-Year Deal
Goaltender Stuart Skinner agreed to a two-year deal worth $7.5 million with the Winnipeg Jets as an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday. The former Oiler will return to Canada after finishing the 2025-26 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Skinner had a 23-17-9 record in his sixth NHL campaign, allowing 2.92 goals with a .888 save percentage and two shutouts. With longtime No. 1 Connor Hellebuyck likely leaving the Jets this offseason, Skinner could have the opportunity to secure the starting job in Winnipeg. However, his inconsistent play makes him hard to trust in fantasy hockey.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Brennan Bernardino Earns First Save for Rockies, Worth Adding in Deeper Leagues
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Brennan Bernardino closed out the Marlins on Wednesday to earn his first save of the year, and he could get more opportunities in the closer committee going forward. Bernardino got one strikeout and retired the Marlins to preserve his team's 6-3 victory. Antonio Senzatela and Jimmy Herget are also in the mix, but Bernardino is the only lefty in the bullpen, meaning he usually gets the highest leverage spots against lefties. Neither Herget nor Senzatela pitched Tuesday, so it's notable that Bernardino got the call over them to lock down the save on Wednesday. He only has this one save for the season, so he's not a sure thing. However, he is worth watching in all formats and picking up in deep leagues where you're desperate for saves.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
John Carlson Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Lightning
Defenseman John Carlson has signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Last week, the Anaheim Ducks traded Carlson's rights to the Carolina Hurricanes, but he couldn't reach a deal with the 2026 Stanley Cup champions. Instead, he will join another Eastern Conference powerhouse. While Carlson will turn 37 next season, his game has aged well. In 2025-26, Carlson recorded 60 points (14 goals, 46 assists) in 71 games, marking the fifth-best offensive output of his 17-year NHL career. Due to the presence of Victor Hedman, Carlson's numbers will likely drop, but he should still enjoy a strong fantasy season.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Oliver Bjorkstrand Joins Rangers on One-Year Pact
Winger Oliver Bjorkstrand has joined the New York Rangers on a one-year, $4.5 million contract. He was an unrestricted free agent after completing a five-year deal that had a $5.4 million cap hit. Bjorkstrand was a 20-goal scorer in each of his first four seasons of the deal, but he suffered a drop in form last term. In 80 appearances with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Bjorkstrand put up only 12 goals and 32 points. He could potentially have a larger role in New York, making him a bounce-back candidate. It's been only two seasons since Bjorkstrand posted his career-high of 59 points.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Christian Walker Departs Early With Back Stiffness
Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (back) was forced from Wednesday night's contest against the Minnesota Twins early at Daikin Park with stiffness in his lower back, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Before he left the game, Walker was 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts. For now, fantasy managers should consider Walker day-to-day. Hopefully, he'll be ready to return to action following an off day on Thursday when the Astros begin a series on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Isaac Paredes moved from third base to first on Wednesday to replace Walker, with Brice Matthews entering the game to play the hot corner. Walker remains a strong source of power in his second year in Houston, as he entered Wednesday's contest with 19 long balls on the year in 359 plate appearances. He's coming off a slow month of June, though, when he went 22-for-103 (.214) with only three homers, six doubles, a triple, 13 RBI, nine runs, nine walks, and 31 strikeouts in 26 games. Paredes is the best bet to play first for the Astros if Walker misses more time with his back injury.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Hurston Waldrep to Start for Braves on Thursday?
MLB.com's Mark Bowman said that Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep would be available out of the bullpen for Wednesday night's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. But if he was not used out of the bullpen, Waldrep would be a candidate to start Thursday's series finale against the Cardinals. Waldrep ended up not being used in a relief role in the team's 5-1 win on Wednesday, meaning he's likely to start Thursday's series finale. The 24-year-old didn't make his season debut with the Braves until last week after having surgery in February to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. He threw two scoreless relief innings with 55 pitches used in an appearance out of the bullpen for Atlanta last week, and now he looks primed to make his first start of 2026 on Wednesday. The former first-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Florida is most certainly worth a waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers looking for starting upside, although he will probably have a short leash if he starts on Thursday. In 10 outings (nine starts) covering 56 1/3 innings in 2025, Waldrep impressed with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and 55:22 K:BB. He's rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Braves Skipping Bryce Elder's Next Turn in the Rotation
The Atlanta Braves will skip right-hander Bryce Elder's next turn in the starting rotation after his velocity was noticeably down in his last start on June 27 against the San Francisco Giants, when he allowed five earned runs on five hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out four in four innings in his sixth loss of the season. The 27-year-old's next scheduled start this Friday against the division-rival New York Mets will go to right-hander Grant Holmes. Elder has a decent 4.01 ERA (3.98 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 30 walks in 98 2/3 innings across 17 starts in 2026, but he has really struggled of late, surrendering 19 earned runs on 27 hits (five homers) while walking five and striking out 12 in 14 innings in his last three starts. If the Braves skip just one of Elder's starts to close out the first half of the season, his next outing should come next week against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his first meeting against the Bucs at home on June 7, Elder allowed only two earned runs in six frames while walking two and fanning four for a no-decision.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Connelly Early Dealing With Posterior Elbow Inflammation
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that left-hander Connelly Early's (elbow) imaging only showed "posterior elbow inflammation in the area that we thought it was... that was kind of the area that he was complaining about last night. So we got some good news there." The Red Sox placed Early on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after he was forced to leave his start early on Tuesday night after four innings against the visiting Washington Nationals at Fenway Park. The 24-year-old southpaw will be out through the All-Star break, but it sounds like he could be ready to rejoin Boston's starting rotation to begin the second half, barring a setback when he resumes throwing. In 17 starts (91 2/3 innings) in the first half of 2026, Early went 7-5 with a 3.44 ERA (4.61 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 93 strikeouts and 34 walks. He was impressive in his MLB debut last year, too, allowing six runs (five earned) while walking four and striking out 29 in just four starts. Fantasy managers looking for rotation help to begin the second half will want to consider adding Early if he's ready to go, and he's only rostered in 54% of Yahoo leagues after his elbow injury.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Brock Bowers Primed for a Monster Bounce-Back Season
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers had a record-setting rookie year with 112 catches, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns with quarterbacks Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell throwing him the football. Last year was a disappointment, though, with Geno Smith running the offense and Bowers missing time with injuries. However, his catch rate stayed steady at 74% in both of his seasons, and his yards per reception went from only 10.7 to 10.6. The former 13th overall pick out of the University of Georgia was targeted slightly less last year, but with new head coach Klint Kubiak coming to town, Bowers' target rate should rise in Year 3. ESPN's Ben Solak suggests that Bowers will be a candidate to win Offensive Player of the Year. A TE has never won the award in NFL history, with Travis Kelce coming the closest in 2020. Not only does Bowers have elite pass-catching talent at the position with a bigger role in the offense expected in 2026, but the QB play in Vegas should be better between veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza. There's a reason RotoBaller has Bowers ranked as the top fantasy TE for the upcoming season, even after a disappointing sophomore showing.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Will the Lions Consider Trading Sam LaPorta?
ESPN's Ben Solak thinks the Detroit Lions should trade tight end Sam LaPorta as they stare at upcoming big contract extensions for him, star running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and safety Brian Branch. The Lions are also carrying sizable second contracts at quarterback (Jared Goff), wide receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown), edge rusher (Aidan Hutchinson), and offensive tackle (Penei Sewell). Gibbs is probably untouchable as one of the best dual-threat backs in the NFL. LaPorta had an eye-popping rookie season with 86 catches, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns, but he's lost some volume in Detroit's passing attack as receiver Jameson Williams has developed into the team's WR2. In the last two years, LaPorta's 25% target per route fell to 19.7%, and Williams has produced more yards per target, yards per route, and explosive receptions per target. The 25-year-old former second-rounder is now the clear fourth target in an explosive Lions offense, which makes him somewhat expendable. Additionally, LaPorta isn't a very strong blocker. Solak predicts that the Carolina Panthers, a team that hasn't had a difference-making pass-catching tight end since Greg Olsen, could come calling if the Lions are willing to listen.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Jonathan Taylor a Trade Candidate?
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor had a whopping 1,139 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns through the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season before quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Indy's offense collapsed after Jones' injury, though, and defenses might not respect Jones as much if he's ready for the start of the 2026 season. With Taylor approaching the last year on his current deal, the Colts will need to decide if they want to give the 27-year-old a third big contract. ESPN's Ben Solak reminds us that Taylor's last contract negotiation with the Colts "got fairly icy." He's now three years older, and if the Colts' season goes south early in 2026 and they see a rebuild coming, a trade could be in the works. JT proved last year that he can still be one of the best RBs in the league despite having plenty of tread on his tires. Solak thinks the Bears and their ascending offense would make perfect sense for Taylor, with D'Andre Swift having not proven to be completely reliable as a go-to RB1.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Myles Garrett Set for Another 20-Sack Season?
ESPN's Ben Solak predicts that Los Angeles Rams pass-rusher Myles Garrett will have a chance to become just the second player since 1982 to record multiple 20-plus-sack seasons. Only 23 players in NFL history have even one 20-sack season. Garrett set a new NFL record in 2025 in his final season with the Cleveland Browns with 23 sacks, and he's only missed one game in the last five seasons. With the move to L.A., Garrett will be surrounded by a better overall group of pass-rushers, which includes defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Byron Young. That doesn't account for the potential for defensive tackle Aaron Donald coming out of retirement. The 30-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler should see more clear pass-rush situations on a Rams team that will be one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl next season. He should have "more ripe opportunities for sacks than ever before." Garrett was already an attractive D-lineman in IDP fantasy formats, but with the move to the Rams and after his record-breaking 2025 season, he'll be the most coveted defensive lineman.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Dan Vladar Inks Five-Year Extension With Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar has signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract extension. He has one more season remaining on a two-year, $6.7 million contract, but the team has decided to reward Vladar after a very good 2025-26 campaign. "Dan exceeded expectations last year," general manager Daniel Briere said. "Not just on the ice but also off the ice too. Tremendous leader, tremendous human being. The way he interacted in the room with the guys, the way he found a way to get them going and wanted more. ... It's more than his play on the ice." Vladar made a career-high 51 starts, going 29-14-7. While he failed to record a shutout, the 28-year-old Czechia netminder allowed only 2.42 goals with a .906 save percentage. Vladar's .937 save percentage at five-on-five was tied for the league lead. He'll be a popular pick in fantasy drafts in the fall.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Dak Prescott a Threat to Throw for 5,000 Yards in 2026?
ESPN's Ben Solak thinks that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has a chance to become the 10th QB to throw for 5,000 yards in a season in 2026. The feat has been accomplished 14 different times by nine different signal-callers -- Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Ben Roethlisberger, Dan Marino, Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, and Jameis Winston. Mahomes was the most recent to do it in 2022. Prescott averaged 306.4 yards per game in 2019 and came just 100 yards shy of the 5,000-yard mark in 16 games. Dallas' offense played fast that year under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, and they were an up-tempo offense last year under head coach Brian Schottenheimer, too. Prescott had a career-high 600 pass attempts in 2025, and the volume should once again be there in 2026 with not much changed about the offense under Schottenheimer. In addition to volume in the passing game, Prescott has one of the best one-two punches in the league at WR in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Prescott lacks rushing upside, but his passing volume alone in an explosive offense makes him a low-end QB1 target in fantasy.
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Solak
Eetu Luostarinen Signs Eight-Year, $40 Million Extension With Panthers
Florida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen has received a major pay bump, signing an eight-year, $40 million contract extension with the team. He will finish a three-year, $9 million deal in 2026-27. The 27-year-old Finnish forward has skated six seasons with the Panthers, notching 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 73 appearances last term. He also had 107 SOG and 121 hits. Luostarinen has been used throughout the lineup, fitting in seamlessly and making solid contributions at both ends of the ice, though his fantasy value isn't very high.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Mookie Betts Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (wrist) was scratched from Wednesday's starting lineup against the Athletics due to wrist soreness, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. The Dodgers are "erring on the side of caution" for now, manager Dave Roberts said. With Betts sitting out, veteran Miguel Rojas made the start at the 6 and was hitting eighth versus A's right-hander J.T. Ginn in the series finale in Sacramento. Betts' injury doesn't appear to be anything serious enough to threaten sending him to the injured list, but fantasy managers will want to check back on Thursday to see if he's active for the series opener on Thursday at Dodger Stadium against the division-rival San Diego Padres. Fantasy managers will also be hoping that the former MVP's wrist injury won't slow him down at the plate after he hit .290 (31-for-107) with five home runs, five doubles, 12 RBI, 17 runs scored, and a stolen base in 26 games (115 plate appearances) during June. The eight-time All-Star has played in only 51 games in 2026 in his 13th year in the league and has hit a mediocre .244/.30/.444 with a .744 OPS, 11 homers, 28 RBI, 31 runs, and one steal in 223 plate appearances.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Nicholas Paul Shipped to Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired forward Nicholas Paul from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday in exchange for goaltender Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick. Paul returns to Ontario after starting his NHL career with the Ottawa Senators. The Lightning decided to cut ties with Paul after his performance declined in 2025-26. Coming off back-to-back 40-point campaigns, Paul managed only 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 51 games. Paul has three years remaining on his contract, which carries a $3.15 million cap hit. The 31-year-old doesn't have much fantasy value, but he could do a decent job for the Maple Leafs on the third line.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Viktor Arvidsson Moves to Detroit
Winger Viktor Arvidsson signed a two-year, $10 million pact with the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday. The Swedish veteran will start a fourth season with a fourth different team. He spent the 2025-26 campaign in Boston, scoring 25 goals and 54 points in 69 games. It was an impressive bounce-back season for Arvidsson, who managed just 27 points (15 goals, 12 assists) in 67 outings with the Edmonton Oilers the previous year. Arvidsson has scored over 200 goals during his 14-year NHL career and could be a top-six option for the Red Wings, making him worth watching for fantasy managers.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
