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Joe Espada Set to Interview for Mariners Manager Job
The Seattle Mariners are set to interview current Houston Astros manager Joe Espada for their managerial vacancy, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. While Espada is currently employed by Houston, Rome reports that his future with the organization is "in doubt" as his contract expires at the end of October. Espada has been the manager of the Astros since the start of the 2024 season. Houston has reached the playoffs twice under his watch, but they've failed to win a postseason game and have also seen their regular-season record get worse every year. The Mariners parted ways with former manager Dan Wilson shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 season. Seattle won just 76 games this year, but the team has plenty of returning talent. If Espada gets the Mariners job, he will be under pressure to win immediately in Seattle.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Yankees Could Look to Trade Luis Garcia Jr.?
New York Yankees first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. could be a trade candidate this offseason, speculates Joel Sherman of The New York Post. The Yankees acquired Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals at the 2026 trade deadline. The 26-year-old had a breakout season in 2026, hitting .277/.309/.521 with 30 home runs, 92 RBI, 69 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 543 plate appearances split between New York and Washington. However, the Yankees have a potential logjam between first base and designated hitter. Ben Rice is locked into one of the two spots, and New York may look to deploy oft-injured outfielders Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge at DH more frequently in 2027. Sherman reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks were also in on Garcia Jr. at the trade deadline and could be potential trade partners for the Yankees over the winter.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Shohei Ohtani Will Be in Dodgers' Game 3 Lineup
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will be in the team's lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Ohtani played through knee and biceps issues for a significant portion of the second half of the regular season. The 32-year-old hit just .245 with eight home runs across 212 plate appearances after the All-Star break, and his struggles have continued into the postseason. Across 24 plate appearances in October, Ohtani has just three hits, none of which have gone for extra bases. With the Dodgers down two games to zero against Milwaukee, they will need more out of Ohtani to mount a comeback and continue their bid for a third straight World Series title.
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Source: California Post - Jack Harris
Jauan Jennings is Worth Stashing Amidst Trade Rumors
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings has not been able to find much success with his new team. Heading into the Week 6 bye, Jennings has recorded two receptions for nine yards with zero touchdowns. The Vikings were without Jordan Addison (hamstring) this past weekend, and Jennings still only managed one target. Recently, Ian Rapoport mentioned that Jennings is a name to watch ahead of the trade deadline. He hinted that the San Francisco 49ers could be a potential fit, given their history with Jennings and a need for another wide receiver. Fantasy managers who are willing to be patient with Jennings should consider stashing him, given recent trade rumors.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kyle Williams is Getting More Involved
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams made his biggest contribution of the season during last week's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The 23-year-old hauled in all three of his targets for 91 yards and a touchdown in the win. His biggest play came on a 34-yard pass from quarterback Drake Maye in the second quarter. The expectation is that Williams is going to see an expanded role in the offense with A.J. Brown (ankle) and Mack Hollins (calf) on the Injured Reserve. It looks like the Patriots are finally beginning to trust Williams more in the offense. Fantasy managers in deep leagues who are looking for help should consider adding Williams ahead of the Week 6 matchup against the New York Jets.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Isaiah Bond Could See Expanded Role
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Isaiah Bond could be looking at a larger role in the offense moving forward. In Week 5, Bond hauled in three of his seven targets for 74 yards during the loss to the New York Jets. Before this game, Bond had only two receptions for 12 yards on the season. He saw a larger role because KC Concepcion (concussion) was forced to exit early. It's unclear at the moment if Concepcion is going to be ready to play against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6. If he remains out, Bond could see a high target share again this upcoming weekend. Fantasy managers in deep leagues who are seeking help at wide receiver should consider adding Bond.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Ziaire Williams Ruled Out Again on Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ziaire Williams (foot) will miss Tuesday's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, per Jovan Buha. Head coach JJ Redick said Williams remains day-to-day with a foot contusion. The 25-year-old hasn't played since starting the preseason opener, when he scored 13 points on 4-for-6 shooting and hit all three of his attempts from deep in 21 minutes. Williams is competing for one of Los Angeles' open starting spots, so Friday's finale against Denver could be important if he's cleared. Matisse Thybulle and Jake LaRavia remain in the mix for those wing minutes.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Efton Chism III is Gaining Value After Another Solid Performance
New England Patriots wide receiver Efton Chism III has been seeing a bigger role in the offense with multiple wideouts landing on the Injured Reserve. Right now, the Patriots are without both A.J. Brown (ankle) and Mack Hollins (calf), which has led to an increased workload for Chism. This past weekend, Chism hauled in five of his six targets for 57 yards in the win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Both the yardage and receptions were a season-high for Chism. The expectation is that he'll continue seeing more balls thrown his way with the Patriots being limited on offensive contributors. Fantasy managers in deep leagues that are looking for help at wideout should consider snagging Chism.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Luka Doncic Resting Tuesday Versus Golden State
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (rest) will sit out Tuesday's preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, with head coach JJ Redick confirming that the 27-year-old is simply getting the night off. Doncic has scored 44 points across two preseason appearances against Sacramento after averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.7 rebounds last season. With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, Doncic should remain at the center of everything Los Angeles does offensively. Friday's preseason finale against Denver could give him his first game action alongside Walker Kessler (finger) before the Oct. 21 opener.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Jerry Jeudy is Interesting Stash Option
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is someone worth looking at on the waiver wire ahead of Week 6. This past weekend, Jeudy hauled in three of his seven targets for 19 yards during the loss to the New York Jets. The seven targets were a season-high for Jeudy, who has struggled to get involved at times. The Browns could be looking his way more frequently with KC Concepcion (concussion) uncertain for the Week 6 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. According to Jordan Schultz, the Browns are attempting to move Jeudy ahead of the trade deadline. The 27-year-old is an intriguing stash option, given a possible bigger role or move elsewhere soon.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Walker Kessler Set to Make Preseason Debut Tuesday
Los Angeles Lakers center Walker Kessler (finger) will make his preseason debut Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors in Las Vegas, head coach JJ Redick confirmed, per The Athletic's Jovan Buha. The 25-year-old missed the first three exhibitions after jamming his left pinky on the backboard during training camp. Kessler also played only five games last season before undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left shoulder. He averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks in 2024-25, and the Lakers have missed that kind of rebounding and rim protection while he's been sidelined this preseason. If he gets through Tuesday without a setback, he should be on track to start the Oct. 21 opener against Golden State.
Source: Jovan Buha
Source: Jovan Buha
Dylan Cardwell Sidelined at Least Two Weeks
Sacramento Kings forward/center Dylan Cardwell (calf) will miss at least two weeks with a left calf strain, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The second-year big man developed soreness after the Oct. 8 preseason game against the Lakers, and imaging confirmed the injury. With Maxime Raynaud (knee) also sidelined, Sacramento will be short on center depth for its Oct. 21 opener against the Clippers. Cardwell averaged 5.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes across 44 games as a rookie. Domantas Sabonis should soak up most of the center minutes early, while Precious Achiuwa figures to see more time up front and could help on the boards in the short term.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Payton Pritchard Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Celtics
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has agreed to a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension with a mutual option for 2029-30, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The new deal begins in 2028-29 because Pritchard still has two years remaining on his current contract. The 2025 Sixth Man of the Year is coming off career highs of 17.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across 79 games, including 50 starts. His Opening Night role remains unsettled after Boston brought him off the bench in its first near-full-strength preseason lineup. Still, Jaylen Brown's departure leaves more offense available, and Pritchard should remain heavily involved whether he starts or leads the second unit.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Authorities to Delay Release of Josh Jacobs Video
The Hobart-Lawrence Police Department announced on Tuesday that they are delaying the release of video evidence in Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs’ case, according to WBAY. Jacobs was accused of assaulting his girlfriend during a fight back in May. A Brown County Court judge lifted an order in September that temporarily kept evidence in the Jacobs case from public view. The decision came after Jacobs' ex-girlfriend filed a request to permanently seal evidence related to the criminal case against Jacobs. The 28-year-old pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges, and the NFL placed him on the commissioner's exempt list, where he remains. The NFL has been trying to obtain video from the May 23 altercation between Jacobs and his girlfriend, which it would use to continue its investigation. Jacobs remains on the commissioner's exempt list until further notice, with MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson splitting the workload in Green Bay's backfield in the meantime. The good news for fantasy managers who have been holding Jacobs is that his time spent on the exempt list (five weeks so far) may count as time served if the NFL eventually issues a suspension.
Source: WBAY
Source: WBAY
Patrick Surtain II Trending Towards Missing Week 6
Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (ankle) and safety Talanoa Hufanga (ankle) have not practiced yet this week and are trending towards not playing on Thursday Night Football in Week 6 against the visiting Seattle Seahawks, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Surtain tweaked his ankle in the Week 4 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and was held out of Sunday's Week 5 victory over the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. Hufanga, meanwhile, left Sunday's game in L.A. with an ankle injury of his own and did not return. It looks like Denver's secondary will be short-handed without both Surtain and Hufanga on a short week, which is bad news against the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks and star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (ankle). The good news is that neither Surtain's nor Hufanga's ankle injuries are considered long-term issues, so they could be back and ready for the Week 7 game on Sunday, Oct. 25, against the Arizona Cardinals on the road. Starting cornerback Riley Moss (ribs) might also be unavailable on Thursday against Seattle.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
