March 4, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Egor Demin (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Miami Heat. The rookie guard will miss his third game in a row due to a left foot issue. His next chance to get back on the court will be on Saturday, so fantasy managers should check back then. In the meantime,
Terance Mann figures to draw another start with Demin still sidelined. Mann finished with eight points, two assists, and three rebounds across 27 minutes of action on Tuesday. He should offer some low-end streaming appeal while Demin is out.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 4, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Brandon Ingram (thumb) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Ingram appeared on the injury report with a left thumb sprain after finishing with 31 points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in Tuesday's 111-95 loss to the Knicks. If Ingram is unable to suit up,
Jamal Shead could take on a larger role in the backcourt. The rookie has been an effective backup point guard, and with expanded minutes, he could emerge as a viable streaming option for fantasy managers.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 4, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka faded after a slow start in his rookie NFL season in 2025, but he could have a clear path to his first 1,000-yard season next year with veteran wideout
Mike Evans set to test the free-agent market. Over his first five career games, the 23-year-old 19th overall pick out of Ohio State caught 25 of his 38 targets for 445 yards and five touchdowns. Injuries to Evans, Chris Godwin, and
Jalen McMillan helped Egbuka's cause as one of quarterback
Baker Mayfield's go-to options through the air. Egbuka started to cool off for fantasy managers when Evans, Godwin, and McMillan all returned from their injuries. Still, it was a very successful first year in the NFL for Egbuka, who finished with a 63-938-6 line on 127 targets in 17 regular-season games. He should have an elevated target share with a very high ceiling in fantasy in 2026 if Evans signs elsewhere in free agency.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 4, 2026
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason could be in line for a bigger backfield role with the Vikings next season, with fellow RB
Aaron Jones Sr. set to be either released or traded this offseason. If Jones is off the roster going into the 2026 season, Mason would rise to the top of the RB depth chart, barring offseason additions through free agency or the draft. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Georgia Tech had a career-low 4.8 yards per carry, but he was still very productive as a complementary back to Jones, carrying the ball a career-high 159 times for 758 rushing yards and a career-high six touchdowns in 16 games. Mason also had a career-high 14 catches for 51 yards through the air. We won't have the full picture on Mason's 2026 fantasy football value until after the NFL draft, but right now, his arrow is pointing up.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
March 4, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Kyshawn George (elbow) won't play Thursday against the Utah Jazz. George will miss his second consecutive game due to a sprained left elbow. With George sidelined, 20-year-old rookie
Will Riley should continue to see ample scoring opportunities, while
Tre Johnson and
Bilal Coulibaly are also expected to take on larger offensive roles during Thursday night's matchup in Washington.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 4, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever
Drey Jameson could be a key piece of the team's bullpen in 2026 after injuries have left the staff thin, as
A.J. Puk (elbow) is not expected to return until July and
Justin Martinez (elbow) is targeting an August return. That leaves closing duties to the likes of
Kevin Ginkel and
Paul Sewald, who combined for five total saves last season, as Sewald dealt with a shoulder injury for most of the year and has been less effective since his 34-save campaign in 2023. Jameson may not get a crack at closing duties, but if he does, the right-hander has the stuff to be effective, including a fastball that can touch 99 mph. The former 34th-overall draft pick experienced elbow pain last year that caused him to be shut down in June, but he was able to strike out 19 batters in 12 2/3 innings pitched at Triple-A before that and was healthy enough to pitch again in the Arizona Fall League. The 28-year-old has looked good so far this spring, too, punching out three batters in two innings of work, with his four-seamer topping out at 98.7 mph. Jameson is not rosterable in most fantasy leagues at the moment, but he's a name to keep on the radar should Ginkel or Sewald falter early on.
--Jarod RuppSource: Baseball Savant
March 4, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Brandon Williams (quadriceps) is considered probable for Thursday's game against Orlando. Williams landed on the injury list with a left quadriceps contusion, but it appears to be a minor issue, and he plans to play despite the injury. The 26-year-old has been fairly productive in his last six outings, averaging 16.3 points during that span. However, his role and scoring output could decline once
Cooper Flagg (foot) returns to the lineup.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 4, 2026
San Francisco Giants first baseman
Rafael Devers (hamstring) told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he's feeling much better. "I feel good!" Devers said. He's unsure if he'll be able to play in the team's next Cactus League game on Friday, but this weekend might be more likely for a return. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter was scratched from the spring training lineup last Friday with a hamstring injury and was also shut down from all baseball activities. Devers will still be considered day-to-day until he gets back on the field, but it sounds like he dodged a bullet and should be ready for Opening Day in late March. The three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger hit only .236/.347/.460 in 90 games for the Giants after being acquired in a trade with Boston, but he still finished with 35 homers and 109 RBI in 163 games played. Devers will be playing a full season in one of the more pitcher-friendly parks in baseball, but he's still a top-10 fantasy first baseman with a solid bat and safe floor.
--Keith HernandezSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
March 4, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed reliever
Abner Uribe showed his dominance on Tuesday in an exhibition appearance for Team Dominican Republic against the Detroit Tigers. Uribe struck out all three batters he faced in the outing and threw 11 of his 19 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old's arrow is pointing up after going 3-2 with a career-best 1.67 ERA (2.75 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, career-high seven saves, career-high 90 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 75 1/3 innings pitched out of Milwaukee's bullpen. Uribe's filthy sinker hit 100.7 mph on the radar gun. Last year, Uribe also had a league-leading 37 holds over 75 appearances. In addition to a nasty sinker, Abner also possesses a wipeout slider that really gave hitters trouble in 2025. At worst, he'll be in a committee approach in Milwaukee for saves, and he has more fantasy upside than
Trevor Megill.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 4, 2026
Washington Nationals outfielder
Dylan Crews (thumb) returned to the Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday, starting in center field and batting sixth against Team Venezuela. Crews took three days off after injuring his left thumb during live batting practice in camp on Saturday, but he's good to go now. The 24-year-old went 1-for-9 with two runs scored and an RBI in four spring training games before his thumb injury. A lot was expected of the former second overall pick out of LSU when he eventually got to the big leagues, but that has not been the case so far through two seasons. Crews has a .211/.282/.352 slash line, .634 OPS, 13 home runs, 35 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases in 454 plate appearances over 116 games. An oblique injury caused him to miss significant time in 2025. With better health, fantasy managers should not give up on this power/speed threat. Crews is a post-hype sleeper that could easily be a 20-20 player in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Washington Nationals
March 4, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (foot) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. Flagg could return after missing eight consecutive games due to a left midfoot sprain. The 19-year-old rookie has averaged 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 steals across 49 outings this season. If Flagg remains sidelined,
Brandon Williams and
Ryan Nembhard should continue to handle more playmaking duties. At the same time,
Max Christie,
Khris Middleton, and
P.J. Washington would likely take on increased scoring responsibilities.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 4, 2026
The Cleveland Browns announced on Wednesday that they tendered a contract to exclusive-rights free-agent kicker
Andre Szmyt, among others. In his first year in the NFL, Szmyt made 24 of his 27 field-goal tries and missed just one of his 26 extra-point attempts in 17 games played in Cleveland. The 27-year-old will return to Cleveland for the 2026 season and should be expected to open the regular season as their starting placekicker. Szmyt was dependable for the Browns as a rookie, but he was only the No. 26 kicker in terms of overall fantasy points in a Browns offense that didn't create many scoring opportunities. Szmyt averaged only 5.7 fantasy points per game. He was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 3 in 2025. Szmyt is a solid young kicker, but in 12-team fantasy leagues, you can find better, higher-ceiling options at the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: ClevelandBrowns.com
March 4, 2026
Washington Wizards guard
Trae Young (knee/quadriceps) has been removed from the injury list and is set to make his debut with his new team on Thursday against the Utah Jazz. The 27-year-old star guard has been out of action since Dec. 27 due to a right MCL sprain and a right quadriceps contusion. He sustained the injuries while still playing for Atlanta. Across 10 games this season, he has averaged 19.3 points, 8.9 assists, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 28.0 minutes per contest. The four-time NBA All-Star is in line for a 17-20-minute restriction for tomorrow evening. Still, once Young gets fully acclimated and back to full strength, he should quickly reestablish himself as a high-end fantasy contributor.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 4, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander
Shane McClanahan (triceps) made his first Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies and pitched well, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking none, and striking out one. McClanahan, a two-time All-Star, has not pitched since 2023, first having Tommy John surgery and then missing all of last year with a nerve-related issue in his left triceps muscle. The 28-year-old southpaw is back, though, and he was able to hit 96.7 mph with his fastball on Tuesday while throwing 16 of his 23 pitches for strikes. McClanahan was showing ace potential for the Rays before the injuries started, so there is upside here. However, after missing the last two seasons, workload restrictions will likely limit McClanahan's ceiling in 2026. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 67 fantasy starting pitcher as a late-round flier with upside. His ADP will only continue to rise if he looks good and stays healthy in spring training.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
March 4, 2026
Veteran right-handed reliever
Kirby Yates signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2026 season, and he could be a favorite for save chances to begin the year. Yates will have to earn it this spring, but there is a potential opening at the back end of the Halos' bullpen with both right-handers
Ben Joyce (shoulder) and
Robert Stephenson (elbow) recovering from injuries. The two-time All-Star has 98 saves in his 11-year big-league career. He was an All-Star as recently as 2024 with the Texas Rangers, when he had a 1.17 ERA and 33 saves in 61 2/3 innings pitched. Yates had a career-high 41 saves for the San Diego Padres in 2019 as well, so he has plenty of experience being the guy in the ninth inning. It makes him a sleeper target for saves speculators, but he's coming off a 5.23 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and only three saves with the Dodgers last year, and once Joyce and Stephenson are ready, manager Kurt Suzuki will potentially be looking at a four-reliever committee for saves.
--Keith HernandezSource: Baseball Reference
March 4, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (adductor) is listed as probable for Thursday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. Thompson is dealing with a right adductor contusion and was held out of Tuesday's 117-90 loss to the Hornets. However, the 36-year-old is trending toward a return in Orlando. If Thompson suffers a setback and is unable to suit up, veteran sharpshooter
Khris Middleton could see an uptick in minutes and emerge as a viable streaming option for Thursday's contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 4, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers released tight end
Will Dissly on Wednesday, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. The Chargers also cut offensive guard Mekhi Becton and offensive tackle Savion Washington before the start of the new league year next week. It was mostly a lost season in 2025 for Dissly, who played in only nine games due to injury and caught only 11 of his 16 targets for 97 yards and no touchdowns in his second year in L.A. The 29-year-old tight end missed three weeks with a knee injury and was phased out of the offense in the second half of the year. In his first year with the Bolts, Dissly was much more productive, setting career-highs in catches (50), targets (64), and receiving yards (481) while finding the end zone two times in 15 games played (eight starts). He should be able to latch on with another team as TE depth, but he isn't expected to be on the fantasy radar.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
March 4, 2026
The New England Patriots informed four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver
Stefon Diggs that they are releasing him after the start of the new league year next week, sources told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Patriots will not have to pay Diggs the $6 million option in his contract that was set to become fully guaranteed next Friday. The 32-year-old veteran was New England's top wideout and helped the Patriots get back to the Super Bowl, where they ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Diggs caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards (his seventh 1,000-yard season) and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in his only season with the team. The former fifth-rounder of the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 out of Maryland still has plenty left in the tank, but his new home may not afford him WR1 targets. Meanwhile, the Pats could be setting things up to try to acquire pass-catcher
A.J. Brown from the Eagles.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
March 4, 2026
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Mick Abel turned in his second strong spring performance this past Sunday, allowing no earned runs on one hit and no walks while striking out six over three innings of work. Combined with his spring debut, the right-hander has yet to allow a run and just three hits while walking none so far and striking out a total of 11 through six innings pitched. The former-first round draft pick was consistently throwing his four-seamer over 97 mph in his latest outing, topping out at 98.9 mph and generating six whiffs (55 percent) on 11 swings on that pitch in the process. Abel had a rough go of it during his first taste of the majors last year, posting a gaudy 6.23 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 10 appearances (eight starts) between Minnesota and Philadelphia, although his last start of the 2025 showed what he is capable of, when he struck out nine in six innings of shutout ball. The 24-year-old will likely begin the season with Triple-A, but if he continues to show well, he could be the first name called when the Twins need rotation help. Although he's not draftable in most leagues, Abel is a name to monitor as he's shown flashes of dominance in the minors with a 28.6 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A in 2025.
--Jarod RuppSource: Baseball Savant
March 4, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (hand) has progressed from swings off flips/tee toss to more typical batting practice swings, manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Carroll is recovering from surgery for a broken hamate bone in his right hand, but he appears to be getting close to facing live pitching in camp. If the 25-year-old continues to make good progress and avoids any setbacks, there's still a chance he could be ready to play on Opening Day on March 26 against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-time All-Star and former National League Rookie of the Year bounced back in 2025 after a down year in 2024, slashing .259/.343/.541 with an .883 OPS, career-high 31 home runs, a league-leading 17 triples, 107 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases in 143 games. Carroll's hand injury isn't ideal going into the regular season, and it could sap him of some power, but he's still considered a top-10 fantasy outfielder at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
March 4, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent quarterback
Aaron Rodgers had nothing but good things to say about new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers' former head coach with the Green Bay Packers. "Mike McCarthy is one of the great guys in the league, and he really cares about the players. He's an exceptional human being with a big heart," Rodgers said. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer and four-time MVP also said there's no deadline for him to decide on whether he's returning for a 22nd year in the NFL, and those conversations will be down the line. The relationship between Rodgers and McCarthy soured toward the end of their time together in Green Bay, but McCarthy's presence in the Steel City probably won't be a deal-breaker if Rodgers wants to play another season with the Steelers. Rodgers led Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2025, but if he plays again in 2026, he'll be a low-end QB2 in fantasy with limited upside.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pat McAfee Show
March 4, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton went 0-for-2 with a walk in Tuesday's World Baseball Classic (WBC) game, where the U.S. won 15-1 over the San Francisco Giants squad. Importantly, Buxton also stole a base, showing that his veteran wheels are healthy and ready for the regular season. Despite having played in the most games in 2025 since the 2017 season, the two-time All-Star still missed time due to various ailments, including a concussion, a rib injury, and a knee contusion, resulting in 126 games played in all. Still, it was a very productive campaign, slashing .264/.327/.551 with 35 home runs and 24 steals, culminating in a .367 wOBA and 136 wRC+. Heading into the 2026 season healthy, the 32-year-old looks like a real value at his current draft day price tag, going around pick 95 on Yahoo!, while RotoBaller ranks the 2025 Silver Slugger award-winner at 65 overall.
--Jarod RuppSource: RotoBaller
March 4, 2026
The Carolina Panthers placed exclusive-rights free-agent tenders on wide receivers
Jalen Coker and
Brycen Tremayne on Wednesday, locking them both in for the 2026 season, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Neither Coker nor Tremayne will have the opportunity to negotiate with other teams this offseason. The 24-year-old Coker missed the first six games of last season due to a quadriceps injury, but he still managed to finish second in receiving in Carolina with 33 catches on 43 targets for 394 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in 11 regular-season games in his second year in the NFL. Coker emerged as the team's WR2 behind Offensive Rookie of the Year
Tetairoa McMillan late in the year, catching 19 passes for 244 yards and all three of his TDs in the final five games. He added nine grabs for 134 yards and a score in the Wild-Card playoff loss to the Rams. If Coker can play in a full season, he has true breakout potential as Carolina's WR2.
--Keith HernandezSource: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
March 4, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly (back) is slated to throw a bullpen session on Thursday, per manager Torey Lovullo. The veteran has been on a throwing program, tossing from up to 60 feet as recently as Tuesday, and the bullpen session is the next step in that process. At some point, he'll face live hitters and eventually make his spring debut if he does not experience any setbacks. For now, he's optimistic about being ready for Opening Day, and the 37-year-old is coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which he recorded a 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and struck out 167 batters in 184 innings pitched. A 3.95 SIERA points to some possible regression, and at pick 205 in Yahoo! leagues, he looks a bit pricey, especially given his RotoBaller rank of 262 overall, but if you can scoop him up later than his ADP, the right-hander could be a decent back-end fantasy rotation piece.
--Jarod RuppSource: Steve Gilbert
March 4, 2026
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Cam Schlittler (back/lat) will make his spring debut this Friday in a start against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to manager Aaron Boone. The 6-foot-6 hurler had been dealing with left lat/mid-back discomfort earlier in camp and has been working his way back up to game action. It's good news as the former seventh-round draft pick should be ready for Opening Day, although Boone had previously indicated that Schlittler may not be fully stretched out by then, possibly getting to about 70 pitches early on in the year. The 25-year-old had a breakout campaign in 2025, recording a 2.96 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and a 17.4 percent K-BB% over 14 starts. He's going around pick 128 in Yahoo! leagues, right around his RotoBaller rank of 134, although a slightly diminished ceiling to begin the season may depress his value a bit more.
--Jarod RuppSource: Bryan Hoch
March 4, 2026
Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent wide receiver
Alec Pierce said on the Up & Adams Show on Wednesday that he thinks he's "kind of earned the right to explore free agency. See what's out there." Although the Colts still have the opportunity to negotiate a long-term deal with Pierce before the legal tampering window opens on March 9, the expectation is that the 25-year-old wants to test his value on the open market first. Had the Colts already locked up quarterback
Daniel Jones (Achilles) to a long-term extension, they most likely would have placed the franchise tag on Pierce. There should be plenty of interest in the former second-rounder after he led the Colts in receiving for his first 1,000-yard season in 2025. Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two years as well. He has familiarity and chemistry with Jones already, but it's possible his fantasy ceiling will be higher if he departs in free agency.
--Keith HernandezSource: Up & Adams
March 4, 2026
Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever
Andrew Kittredge (shoulder) is dealing with right-shoulder inflammation in camp, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Manager Craig Albernaz said the team is going to be cautious and that Kittredge is "possibly a low probability" to be ready for Opening Day in late March. It means that Kittredge will most likely open the 2026 regular season on the injured list for the O's. In his lone Grapefruit League appearance, the 35-year-old veteran allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit (a homer) while walking one and striking out one in just one-third of an inning pitched. Kittredge didn't make his season debut last year until late May after having surgery on his left knee, but hopefully, he won't miss that much time in 2026. He had a career-best 30.8% strikeout rate and 5.3% walk rate last year, proving that he still has the skills to succeed as a high-leverage reliever. When healthy, he's expected to be the setup man to closer
Ryan Helsley in Baltimore.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
March 4, 2026
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect
Walker Jenkins (hamstring) was among six players that the team reassigned to minor-league camp on Wednesday, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Jenkins was never realistically expected to make the big-league roster out of spring training, and that was especially true after he suffered a Grade 1 left-hamstring strain last weekend. The 21-year-old is a good bet to make his major-league debut for the rebuilding Twins this year, though. The Twins' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, hit .286/.399/.451 with an .850 OPS, 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 56 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 84 total games at four different minor-league levels in 2025. There's no doubt that Jenkins can hit, but injuries have been an issue for him the last two years. The former fifth overall pick in 2023 might need to prove he can stay healthy over the course of the season before the Twins consider him for a call-up later in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
March 4, 2026
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed quarterback
Connor Bazelak to a one-year, $1.005 million contract on Wednesday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. It's a league-minimum deal for a second-year player, and Bazelak will be an exclusive-rights free agent again next spring. Bazelak, 25, didn't play a single snap for the Bucs last year and spent the second half of last season as the QB3 behind starter
Baker Mayfield and
Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater is a free agent this offseason and probably won't return, but the Buccaneers are expected to bring in another QB to serve as Mayfield's direct backup in 2026. Things will have gone horribly wrong in Tampa if Bazelak is forced to start at all next season.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Greg Auman
March 4, 2026
The Jacksonville Jaguars re-signed tight end
Quintin Morris to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million on Wednesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Morris is an ascending player who appeared in 14 games for the Jags last year in his first year with the team, catching six of his nine targets for 55 yards and one touchdown in 14 regular-season games (five starts). The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Bowling Green has exactly one touchdown in each of his first four NFL seasons (three with the Buffalo Bills). Morris will mostly be a blocking TE again for Jacksonville in 2026 and will be off the fantasy football radar in all leagues unless
Brenton Strange misses significant time with an injury. He has a total of 21 receptions for 201 yards and four touchdowns on 31 targets in 59 total games (nine starts).
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
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