March 16, 2026
Washington Nationals outfielder
James Wood entered Monday's Grapefruit League action in spring training hitting just .074 (2-for-27) in 11 games played. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger has not hit a home run, has driven in three, scored two runs, walked five times, and struck out 10 times in 32 plate appearances. It's worth noting, but fantasy managers shouldn't put too much stock into Wood's small spring training sample size. Remember, he was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his first full season in the majors, slashing .256/.350/.475 with an .825 OPS, 31 home runs, 94 RBI, 87 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 689 plate appearances over 157 games played. However, Wood did also lead the league with 221 strikeouts. The young outfielder has elite raw power and uses the entire field, making him one of the higher-upside fantasy outfielders going into just his second full MLB season. RotoBaller has Wood ranked as its No. 12 outfielder. Don't let his slow spring cause you to devalue him in upcoming drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
March 16, 2026
Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever
Raisel Iglesias should be considered a shaky low-end No. 1 fantasy closer going into the 2026 season after a notable bullpen addition for Atlanta this offseason and following an inconsistent 2025 campaign. Iglesias had a strong 85.3% save share for the Braves last year and racked up 29 saves in 67 1/3 innings pitched in his 11th year in the big leagues. The 36-year-old veteran converted on 21 of his 22 save chances and had a stingy 1.34 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 10 walks in his last 40 1/3 innings, but he really struggled early on and held a 6.00 ERA into June. With the addition of All-Star closer
Robert Suarez in free agency, the Braves surely won't hesitate to give Suarez the ninth-inning role in 2026 if Iglesias falters again like he did in the first half of last season. RotoBaller has Iglesias ranked as the No. 10 fantasy closer. If you take him, landing Suarez later in your draft would be ideal.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
March 16, 2026
Texas Rangers outfielder
Wyatt Langford might be primed for a breakout season in 2026 in his third year in the league. Going into Monday's Cactus League action, the 24-year-old was hitting .481/.548/.1.000 with a ridiculous 1.548 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, nine runs scored, four walks, and four strikeouts in 31 plate appearances over 11 games played. The former fourth overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida has played in exactly 134 games in both of his two MLB seasons so far. In 268 total games, he's hit .247/.335/.423 with a .758 OPS, 38 home runs, 136 RBI, 147 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases in 1,130 plate appearances. Langford had his first 20-20 campaign last year despite three separate trips to the injured list due to oblique injuries. Durability is certainly a question, but when healthy, there's no debating that Langford's high-end power/speed upside makes him a top-15 fantasy outfielder. Fantasy managers will be hoping that he can carry over his hot hitting this spring into the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
March 16, 2026
Washington Nationals right-hander
Cade Cavalli, who will start on Opening Day on March 26 against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, continues to boost his fantasy baseball stock going into the 2026 season with a strong spring performance. Cavalli, 27, has allowed just an unearned run on one hit while walking two and striking out nine in nine innings over his three Grapefruit League starts. The former first-round pick in 2020 out of the University of Oklahoma made his major-league debut in 2022 (one start), but he didn't return to the majors until 2025 after multiple setbacks following Tommy John surgery in 2023. In his 10 starts last year, he went 3-1 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.48 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 15 walks in 48 2/3 innings. Not only did Cavalli look solid in his return in the second half of 2025, but he also displayed better velocity than before his right-elbow surgery. With strong results this spring, Cavalli's fantasy ADP is on the rise as an intriguing late-round flier for starting pitching depth in mixed leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
March 16, 2026
Detroit Tigers infield prospect
Kevin McGonigle continues to impress in spring training as he looks to break camp with the major-league team on Opening Day in less than two weeks. McGonigle went 1-for-3 with a home run, four RBI, and two walks in Monday's 13-6 Grapefruit League win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The 21-year-old former first-round pick in 2023 has looked mature beyond his years at the plate and on defense this spring for Detroit. Offensively, McGonigle is sporting a strong 1.063 OPS with two home runs, 10 walks, and six strikeouts in 16 Grapefruit League games. It's unclear whether he'll actually make the Tigers' Opening Day roster, but even if he doesn't, McGonigle will push to make his major-league debut sooner rather than later. He proved last year that he's one of the best hitting prospects in baseball, and MLB Pipeline has him ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect, behind only the Pirates'
Konnor Griffin. McGonigle's stock continues to rise, and he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 fantasy shortstop for 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 16, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam (knee) has been tagged as doubtful on the injury report for Tuesday's clash against the New York Knicks, indicating he is unlikely to return to the lineup. The Cameroonian has been out of action for four games due to a right knee sprain. Indiana has almost the entire team on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's contest, making it impossible to project how the rotation will look. That said,
Jarace Walker is healthy and has been a bigger part of the offense in the games Siakam has missed. Additionally,
Kobe Brown and
Jalen Slawson are poised to receive increased opportunities because the team lacks options at the No. 4 spot.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 16, 2026
Patrick Cantlay finished tied for 32nd at last week's PLAYERS Championship and will now prepare for this week's Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida. Cantlay has had mixed results so far this season, missing the cut twice in six starts. However, he also has two top-15 finishes. Cantlay is playing in the Valspar Championship for the first time since 2017, when he finished second. Over the past 12 months, Cantlay ranks in the 97th percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because over 41% of approach shots came from this distance at last year's Valspar Championship.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 16, 2026
Keegan Bradley finished tied for 50th at last week's PLAYERS Championship, and that was followed by a missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. Bradley gained strokes for only the second time in 2026 last week and has lost strokes on approach in four of his six starts. Bradley has had inconsistent performances to start the year and has missed the cut in three of his six starts. Over the past 12 months, Bradley ranks in the 41st percentile in greens in regulation percentage on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Valspar Championship, over 41% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
March 16, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Monday that they reassigned outfield prospect
Zyhir Hope to minor-league camp, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Hope was always a long shot to break camp with the big-league squad out of spring training, especially after hitting just .167 (6-for-36) with no homers, two doubles, five RBI, seven runs scored, three walks, and 12 strikeouts in 39 plate appearances over 20 Cactus League games in spring training. The 21-year-old is expected to begin the 2026 campaign at Double-A Tulsa after hitting .266/.376/.428 with an .804 OPS, 13 home runs, 80 RBI, 69 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases in 127 games with High-A Great Lakes and Tulsa in 2025. Hope played in only six games for Tulsa. Despite standing at only 5-foot-10, 193 pounds, he has impressive raw power from the left side. The Dodgers' No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is likely to spend all of 2026 in the minors before potentially debuting in the Show in 2027. For now, he's strictly a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues for his power/speed upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
March 16, 2026
The Chicago White Sox announced on Monday that they reassigned left-handed pitching prospect
Hagen Smith to minor-league camp. Smith will begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Charlotte, but he figures to make his major-league debut with the Pale Hose at some point this year. The 22-year-old southpaw spent all of last year working at Double-A Birmingham, going 3-3 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 108:56 K:BB in 75 2/3 innings pitched over his 20 starts. The former fifth overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Arkansas was considered one of the highest-floor starting pitchers of his draft class, but his inability to throw strikes so far in the minors has been worrisome. Elbow soreness early last year also caused Smith to miss six weeks. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder still has a dominant fastball/slider combination, but he's going to need to throw more strikes if he's going to be successful at the major-league level. Smith is strictly a dynasty/keeper-league stash for now.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chicago White Sox
March 16, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks point guard
Kevin Porter Jr. (knee) will rejoin the lineup on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He skipped the second leg of a back-to-back on Sunday versus Indiana to manage a knee issue. Earlier this month, Porter Jr. missed four games due to right knee synovitis. In his last appearance, Porter Jr. made an impact all over the court, finishing a 122-99 loss to Atlanta with 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block. On Tuesday night, Porter Jr. could be the primary offensive option for the Bucks, as
Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) is hurt and may miss the game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 16, 2026
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle, neck) is questionable for Tuesday's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Brunson produced 29 points and nine assists against the Pacers on Friday night, but he may have to sit out Tuesday's rematch due to ankle and neck injuries. Brunson's absence would create additional playing opportunities for
Jose Alvarado,
Jordan Clarkson, and
Landry Shamet. Additionally,
Karl-Anthony Towns will be expected to be much more active on the offensive end. Towns has averaged 28.2 points and 14.0 rebounds in five games without Brunson this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 16, 2026
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson was much more effective as a pass-catcher than as a traditional RB in his first year in the NFL in 2025. Sampson played in 15 games (two starts) and had 175 carries and no touchdowns on 65 rushing attempts (2.7 yards per carry). As a pass-catcher, he caught 33 of 40 targets for 271 yards and two touchdowns. The 21-year-old fourth-round selection out of the University of Tennessee figures to have a similar role in 2026 as a pass-catching specialist behind starter
Quinshon Judkins. Sampson should have a slightly bigger role as well with
Jerome Ford out of town, but in a Browns offense that could once again struggle given their less-than-ideal situation at quarterback, Sampson will mostly be a late-round handcuff option for Judkins' managers in single-year PPR leagues. Sampson is a bit more attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues as a hold for depth purposes.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 16, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (oblique) has been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets. He will miss a 10th consecutive game due to a right oblique strain. According to 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, Embiid has resumed basketball activities. This suggests that the former MVP shouldn't be too far from returning. However, he still needs a bit more time to recover, giving
Andre Drummond and
Adem Bona a chance to impress against
Nikola Jokic. Drummond had a big 17-rebound performance on Sunday against Portland when he returned from a three-game absence. The veteran outperformed Bona and may have earned himself a starting spot for Tuesday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 16, 2026
Houston Texans wide receiver
Jaylin Noel's production didn't jump off the page in his first year in the NFL in 2025, but he was versatile for the Texans and should enter Year 2 with a bigger role on offense. The 23-year-old third-round pick last year out of Iowa State mostly operated as Houston's No. 5 wideout and finished with 26 receptions on 35 targets for 292 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). He also carried the ball six times for 12 yards. On special teams, Noel returned 29 kickoffs for 799 yards and 31 punts for 335 yards. His dynasty value in fantasy football leagues is on the rise as he gets ready for his second season in the NFL, and Noel should have a bigger role in the passing attack with
Christian Kirk leaving in free agency. How big a role Noel has could be directly affected by whether
Tank Dell (knee) makes a successful recovery from a career-threatening knee injury he suffered in 2024. With Dell likely being eased back into the fold, Noel could be the Texans' No. 3 pass-catcher behind
Nico Collins and
Jayden Higgins.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 16, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (knee) will miss the team's upcoming three-game road trip, P.J. Ziegler of FOX 8 reports. Due to right knee tendonitis, he will sit out a sixth consecutive game on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. In Allen's absence,
Thomas Bryant's workload has slightly increased, while
Keon Ellis has made back-to-back starts. After impressing in his season debut on Sunday against Dallas,
Max Strus is also a candidate to see some action in the starting unit until Allen returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: P.J. Ziegler
March 16, 2026
In his 13th NFL season in 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers, wide receiver
Keenan Allen caught 81 of his 122 targets for 777 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (three starts). Allen finished second on the team in receiving yards, behind only second-year wideout
Ladd McConkey. The 33-year-old six-time Pro Bowler spent the first 11 years of his NFL career with the Chargers before spending the 2024 campaign with the Chicago Bears. He returned to L.A. last year and caught touchdown passes in the first three games before tailing off and going over 50 receiving yards just once in his final 10 regular-season games. Now a free agent, it's currently unclear whether Allen will even continue his career in the NFL. If he does, he won't be much more than a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex option for fantasy managers, depending on his landing spot. If Allen doesn't re-sign with the Bolts, he could decide to hang up his cleats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 16, 2026
Washington Wizards point guard
Trae Young (quadriceps) has been ruled out for the rest of Monday's game against the Golden State Warriors. He will miss the final quarter due to a right quadriceps contusion. Young sustained the injury in the third quarter after colliding with Warriors guard
Will Richard. During the closing moments, Washington's backcourt will also be without
Bub Carrington, who was ejected after receiving two technical fouls.
Sharife Cooper and
Tre Johnson will take on larger roles. Before leaving early, Young amassed 21 points, two rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block in 21 minutes. The Wizards will likely head into Tuesday's game against the Detroit Pistons without Young.
--Taavi PailkSource: Washington Wizards
March 16, 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Drake London played in a career-low 12 games in 2025 due to a knee injury, but he still managed to catch 68 passes for 919 yards and seven touchdowns on 112 targets in his fourth year in the NFL. That was good enough for him to finish as the WR17 in half-PPR scoring. Had the 24-year-old not been injured, he was on track for a career-best season while working with both quarterbacks
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and
Kirk Cousins. The former eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of USC has had at least 866 receiving yards in his four NFL seasons and will enter the 2026 campaign as Atlanta's clear WR1 in a new offense run by head coach Kevin Stefanski. On talent alone, London has clear WR1 upside in fantasy, but he could make for more of a volatile No. 2 given the uncertainty as to whether Penix will be ready for the start of the season. London's fantasy stock will surely take a hit if it's
Tua Tagovailoa under center for the Falcons in Week 1 this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 16, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward/center
John Collins will be a starter in Monday's contest against the San Antonio Spurs. Law Murray of The Athletic reports. He will replace
Kawhi Leonard (ankle), who was injured in Saturday's loss to Sacramento. Collins has also faced health issues lately, returning from a seven-game absence on Saturday. He was a regular starter before exiting the lineup and has posted 13.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game as a member of the first unit. Leonard's absence is also likely to increase the offensive usage of
Darius Garland and
Bennedict Mathurin.
--Taavi PailkSource: Law Murray
March 16, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed reliever
Orion Kerkering (hamstring) will pitch in a minor-league game on Tuesday, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Kerkering is ready to make his first appearance in a game this spring after throwing a successful live batting practice session in camp over the weekend. The 24-year-old is recovering from a Grade 1 right-hamstring strain, but barring a setback, he has time to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season at the end of this month. The hard-throwing former fifth-rounder in 2022 out of the University of South Florida struggled with command in 2025, walking 27 batters in 60 relief innings during the regular season. He also went 8-4 with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and the first four saves of his big-league career. Kerking also had 19 holds for the Phillies. He'll only be appealing in fantasy in leagues that count holds in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
March 16, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher
Gabriel Moreno (forearm) will start throwing next week, and manager Torey Lovullo feels strongly that Moreno will be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic. Moreno has been dealing with right-forearm inflammation, but an MRI exam over the weekend ruled out any structural damage. The 26-year-old's arm injury affects him more when he throws than when he hits, too, so fantasy managers shouldn't have to be too worried about his status for the start of the 2026 regular season. Still, it's a reminder that the Venezuelan backstop is more of a No. 2 catcher in fantasy leagues than a starter, as he's played in over 100 games just once in his four MLB seasons. Despite hitting a career-high .285 (79-for-277) in 83 games in 2025, Moreno still didn't reach double-digit home runs and only drove in 40. He missed two months due to a fractured right index finger. The good news is he was hitting well to close out the year.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Jose M. Romero
March 16, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers reassigned infield prospect
Jett Williams to minor-league camp on Monday, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. We recently posted that Williams has been putting up video-game numbers in Cactus League play this spring with a .364 batting average, .500 on-base percentage, .636 slugging percentage, and a 1.136 OPS, but apparently it wasn't enough to convince the team's brass that he should start on the big-league roster for Opening Day. It was pretty much a done deal that the 22-year-old would begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Nashville when he missed over two weeks this spring with a left-quadriceps injury. Still, Williams turned heads at the plate during the Cactus League and could make his big-league debut sooner rather than later this year if he continues to swing the bat this well in the minors. The former 14th overall pick in 2022 has intriguing power/speed potential at a premium position after hitting .261/.363/.465 with 17 homers, 52 RBI, and 34 stolen bases in 130 minor-league games in 2025. Williams is Milwaukee's No. 3-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
March 16, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Craig Porter Jr. (groin) will be sidelined for the next one to three weeks after imaging confirmed a left groin strain. Porter averages just 18 minutes per game and was already outside the fantasy radar in most formats. His absence should not materially impact Cleveland's rotation, with
James Harden and
Donovan Mitchell handling most backcourt usage.
Dennis Schroder and
Keon Ellis could see marginal minutes increases, though neither gains meaningful fantasy appeal from this injury. Porter can remain on waivers in standard leagues.
--Brian DailisanSource: Cleveland Cavaliers
March 16, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Russell Westbrook (foot) is off the injury report and available for Tuesday's game against the Spurs after sitting out Sunday. The veteran has averaged 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists, and 2.2 steals over his last five games and remains a strong fantasy hold for managers needing assists and steals. His return should push
Killian Hayes back into a smaller reserve role, while
Malik Monk (ankle) could see slightly less ballhandling if active. Westbrook should continue seeing steady usage alongside
DeMar DeRozan in the starting unit.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 16, 2026
Texas Rangers catcher
Kyle Higashioka (back) returned to the Cactus League lineup on Monday against the Chicago White Sox, doing the catching while hitting seventh in the batting order. Higashioka had not played since suffering a back injury in spring training on March 5. Now that the 35-year-old veteran backstop is back in action, he should have no problems being ready for Opening Day later this month, barring a setback with his back. Higgy split catching duties in 2025 with
Jonah Heim in his first year in Texas and finished with a .241/.291/.403 slash line, .693 OPS, 11 home runs, 47 RBI, 33 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 94 games and 327 plate appearances. In 2026, he'll be splitting catching duties with
Danny Jansen in Texas. Unless Jansen misses time with injury, Higashioka will likely be the team's No. 2 catcher, leaving his upside limited in fantasy. His 17-homer season in 2024 with the Padres will most likely end up being his best MLB season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Texas Rangers PR
March 16, 2026
Houston Rockets forward/center
Alperen Sengun (back) is out for Monday's game against the Lakers, with veteran center
Clint Capela moving into the starting lineup. Capela finished with nine points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks in 22 minutes off the bench in his last game and shapes up as a short-term rebounds and blocks streamer.
Amen Thompson and
Kevin Durant could also see slight usage increases with Sengun's 27.1 percent usage rate unavailable. Capela is better viewed as a short-term category streamer, while Sengun remains a clear hold once healthy.
--Brian DailisanSource: Lachard Binkley
March 16, 2026
Texas Rangers third baseman
Josh Jung (groin) returned to the team's Cactus League lineup on Monday against the Chicago White Sox, playing third base and batting sixth in the order. An adductor strain had kept Jung out for all of March until Monday. Barring a setback, the 28-year-old right-handed slugger should be ready to go for Opening Day later this month. There's no arguing that Jung has a high-upside power stroke, but he's risky in fantasy baseball drafts because he's had a lot of trouble staying healthy so far in his four years in the majors. The former eighth overall pick out of Texas Tech in 2019 played in a career-high 131 games in 2025 and hit .251/.294/.390 with a .684 OPS, 14 home runs, 61 RBI, 53 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 511 plate appearances. Jung has easy 20-homer power over a full season if he can stay off the injured list. His injuries last year led to a disturbing drop in his batted-ball metrics.
--Keith HernandezSource: Texas Rangers PR
March 16, 2026
Miami Heat center
Bam Adebayo (calf) carries a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Tuesday's clash against the Charlotte Hornets. He is experiencing tightness in his right calf, and Adebayo might miss his first game of 2026 as a result. Without Adebayo,
Kel'el Ware would have a much bigger role in the frontcourt, while
Myron Gardner or
Simone Fontecchio could get a chance to start. On the offensive side,
Norman Powell and
Tyler Herro would handle a larger load.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 16, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Javon Small is inactive for Monday's game against the Bulls, while rookie guard
Walter Clayton Jr. (ankle) returns to the starting lineup. Clayton recorded 14 assists in 34 minutes in his last start and could offer deep-league value for assists if his minutes hold. Small had averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.4 steals across his last five NBA appearances but remains off the fantasy radar while inactive.
Cam Spencer and
Rayan Rupert could also pick up extra backcourt minutes, though both are risky streaming options due to uncertain roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
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