February 3, 2026
Xander Schauffele played well at last week's Farmers Insurance Open but disappointingly missed the cut. Schauffele is set to make his second appearance of the 2026 season at this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. Schauffele skipped last year's edition and the 2024 edition but has played well here in the past. He finished tied for 10th in 2023 and tied for third in 2022. Over the past 12 months, Schauffele ranks in the 95th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Collin Morikawa missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii three weeks ago, and that has been his only appearance so far in the 2026 season. Morikawa will need to find his stroke on the greens if he's going to have a chance to compete. He lost 1.62 strokes putting but gained 0.68 strokes on approach at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Morikawa missed the 2025 and 2024 editions of the Waste Management Phoenix Open but missed the cut in his last appearance in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Morikawa ranks in the 95th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Hideki Matsuyama continued to show the excellent form he's been in to start the 2026 season, finishing tied for 11th at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which was followed by a tied for 13th finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Matsuyama has been outstanding with his approach play so far this season, gaining at least 1.25 strokes in both of his starts. Matsuyama has been excellent in his recent appearances at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, finishing tied for 25th in 2025 and tied for 22nd in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Matsuyama ranks in the 97th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because at last year's Waste Management Phoenix Open over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Max Homa missed the cut at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which was disappointing considering how well he's played there in the past and how well he played at the American Express the week prior. Homa hasn't had much recent success at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, missing the cut in 2025 and 2024. Over the past 12 months, Homa ranks in the 48th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Ben Griffin finished tied for 24th at the American Express, and that was followed by a tied for 19th finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii the week prior. Griffin has been excellent around the greens so far this season, gaining over 0.85 strokes in his first tournaments. Griffin has played well at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, finishing tied for 36th in 2025 and tied for 28th in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Griffin ranks in the 53rd percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Harris English secured a T22 finish at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which followed a T27 finish the week prior at the American Express. English was excellent on approach last week, gaining 1.68 strokes, and will need to replicate that form to have a shot at competing at this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. English skipped last year's tournament but finished tied for 17th in 2024. Over the past 12 months, English ranks in the 85th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Wyndham Clark finished tied for 65th at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which was a disappointing finish to the week, especially after coming off a tied for 13th finish at the American Express the week before. Clark lost strokes across the board except off the tee, gaining 0.12 strokes last week. Clark finished tied for 16th in the 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open and tied for 41st in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Clark ranks in the 76th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because at last year's Waste Management Phoenix Open over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Akshay Bhatia missed the cut at last week's Farmers Insurance Open and has missed the cut in each of his first two starts in the 2026 season. Bhatia has lost his stroke putting and on approach in both of his starts. Last week, he lost over 3.50 strokes putting and 0.23 strokes on approach. Bhatia finished tied for 32nd in last year's edition but missed the cut in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Bhatia ranks in the 90th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Free-agent first baseman
Carlos Santana agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, a source told John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. The 39-year-old veteran switch-hitter will join his ninth team as he enters his 17th season in the big leagues. Santana split last season with the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago Cubs and slashed a combined .219/.308/.325 with a career-low .633 OPS, 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 124 games and 474 plate appearances. Santana's ability to switch hit will give him an advantage in a platoon situation at first base, but he'll still likely be on the short side of a platoon with
Pavin Smith at first in the desert in 2026. In his prime, Santana was an excellent source of on-base percentage due to his fantastic knowledge of the strike zone, but he's declined offensively in recent years and is likely in his final big-league season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
February 3, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (injury management) won't suit up Tuesday night when his team continues its West Coast trip with a matchup against the Warriors. His absence follows a season-long trend of sitting out one game of a back-to-back. Although injury management will cost him this game, Embiid has seen a boost in his minutes when active, and it's led to over 30 points in six of his last eight games.
Andre Drummond should pick up another start for the 76ers, as has often been the case when Embiid sits, with
Adem Bona seeing more time on the court.
--Andrew BallSource: Ky Carlin
February 3, 2026
The Boston Celtics have traded guard
Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for center
Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick. Simons was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Celtics last offseason in a deal that included
Jrue Holiday. After averaging over 19 points per game in three straight seasons with the Blazers, Simons regressed in Boston, averaging just 14.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 24 minutes per game this season. While the Bulls appear to be loaded at guard, with
Coby White,
Jaden Ivey,
Ayo Dosunmu, and
Mike Conley Jr. among their options at the position, Simons should see an uptick in offensive production compared to what he delivered in Boston. This move is also fantastic for the short-term outlook for Celtics point guard
Payton Pritchard, who should have more of an offensive impact with Simons out of the picture.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Vince Williams Jr. is being traded to the Utah Jazz, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, as part of the larger deal for
Jaren Jackson Jr. Williams will move west along with Jackson,
John Konchar, and
Jock Landale in exchange for
Walter Clayton Jr.,
Kyle Anderson,
Taylor Hendricks,
Georges Niang, and three first-round picks. Williams should carve out a role in the Utah backcourt, but will play more off the ball with
Keyonte George and
Isaiah Collier dominating playing time at the point guard position. However, when one of those point guards sits, as has often been the case in Utah this season, Williams could be a sneaky spot start in fantasy basketball, just as he was as a member of the Grizzlies.
--Andrew BallSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
February 3, 2026
The Chicago Bulls have traded center
Nikola Vucevic and a second-round pick to the Boston Celtics in exchange for
Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick. Vucevic has spent the past six seasons with the Bulls, averaging 18.1 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in just under 33 minutes per game. The 15th-year center has been rock solid so far this season, ranking just outside the Top-10 among centers in most fantasy formats. With him joining the Celtics, his offensive impact may be limited by
Jaylen Brown,
Payton Pritchard, and
Jayson Tatum, especially once he returns from his Achilles injury. However, this is a much-needed move for Boston, as they add a reliable big man who can shoot from behind the arc and stretch the floor. For the Bulls, centers
Jalen Smith and
Zach Collins should fill the minutes left by the veteran center.
--Nathan HarveySource: Shams Charania - ESPN
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
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