January 21, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect
Arjun Nimmala will participate in major league spring training as a non-roster invite, according to an announcement from the team. Nimmala peaked at High-A in 2025, but he's regarded as one of the top young players in Toronto's farm system. In fact, he is listed as the Blue Jays' No. 2 prospect in the latest rankings from FanGraphs. The 2023 first-round pick posted an underwhelming .224/.313/.381 slash line with a 10.1% walk rate, 21.4% strikeout rate, and 92 wRC+ across 120 High-A games last year. He also slugged 13 home runs and stole 17 bases. FanGraphs lists power as Nimmala's best attribute, while assigning below-average grades to his speed and hit tools. They project that he'll make his MLB debut in 2028.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mitch Bannon
January 21, 2026
The New York Mets have designated right-handed pitcher
Cooper Criswell for assignment, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Criswell spent all of 2025 in the Red Sox' organization, and while he mainly pitched at the Triple-A level, he did log 17.2 innings of work in the majors across seven appearances (one start). He posted a 3.57 ERA in the majors, but his FIP was staggeringly higher at 5.17. Across 65.2 innings at Triple-A, he racked up 9.3 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 while surrendering ground balls at a 49.4% clip. The Mets had claimed Criswell off waivers from the Red Sox in December after Boston designated him for assignment. He's out of options, and now, his latest DFA is the corresponding 40-man roster move after New York acquired
Freddy Peralta and
Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers.
--Andersen PickardSource: Anthony DiComo
January 21, 2026
The New York Mets have acquired right-handed pitcher
Tobias Myers in a four-player trade, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Shortstop prospect
Jett Williams and pitching prospect
Brandon Sproat are headed to the Brewers, while Myers joins All-Star pitcher
Freddy Peralta in the package headed back to New York. Myers is 27 years old and has bounced around several organizations, including the Orioles, Rays, White Sox, Guardians, and Giants, but his only major league action has come with the Brewers. He split last season between Triple-A and the majors, posting a 3.92 FIP, 6.8 K/9, and 2.7 BB/9 with the big-league club. He allowed just 0.9 HR/9 but had a concerning 36.2% ground ball rate. Myers was solely used as a starter in Triple-A, but most of his MLB appearances came out of the bullpen, and he'll likely remain in a relief role with the Mets if he makes the 26-man roster out of Spring Training.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired starting pitching prospect
Brandon Sproat from the New York Mets in a four-player trade, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Starter
Freddy Peralta and reliever
Tobias Myers are headed to the Mets, while Sproat joins shortstop prospect
Jett Williams in the package headed back to Milwaukee. Sproat is 25 years old and was the Mets' second-round pick in 2023. The University of Florida product spent most of last season at Triple-A, but he did make his MLB debut and found himself starting four games for the big-league club. Over those four starts, he posted a 2.80 FIP with 7.4 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. He enjoyed similar success over a larger sample size at Triple-A -- including 8.4 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, and an impressive 53.2% ground ball rate -- but his FIP was markedly higher (4.18). Sproat has always been a starter in pro baseball, and while the Mets reportedly floated the idea of using him as a multi-inning reliever in 2026, the Brewers' willingness to acquire him in this trade indicates that Milwaukee likely plans to insert him into its rotation. After all, they have a spot to fill after shipping Peralta away. Before Wednesday's trade, Sproat ranked as the #141 starting pitcher in RotoBaller's fantasy baseball draft rankings for 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired shortstop prospect
Jett Williams from the New York Mets in a four-player trade, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Starter
Freddy Peralta and reliever
Tobias Myers are headed to the Mets, while Williams joins starting pitching prospect
Brandon Sproat in the package headed back to Milwaukee. Williams is 22 years old and was the Mets' first-round pick in 2022. He spent last season in Double-A and Triple-A, and he struggled adjusting to Triple-A pitching. Through 34 games there, he slashed .209/.285/.433 with a 9.3% walk rate and 23.2% strikeout rate. Still, he finished the year with an overall 136 wRC+ thanks to the success he had at Double-A. The 5-foot-7 infielder finished the 2025 minor league season with 17 home runs and 34 stolen bases. FanGraphs grades Williams' future value at a 50, with speed and power being his best attributes. Although he primarily plays shortstop, he offers defensive versatility with significant experience at second base and in center field. Prior to the trade, FanGraphs projected that he would make his MLB debut in 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the New York Mets have acquired right-handed pitcher
Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for top infield prospect
Jett Williams and right-handed pitching prospect
Brandon Sproat. Passan noted that another big-league pitcher is expected to head to New York in this return. Peralta is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, where he logged 176 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.70 ERA with a stellar 1.08 WHIP. He struck out hitters at a 28.2% clip, placing him within the 84th percentile among qualified pitchers. While his walk rate (9.1%) was high, Peralta generated a stellar .206 xBA and a 34.5 hard-hit rate. Managers should expect Peralta to open the 2026 season at the top of the Mets' rotation and carry solid SP2 upside in all leagues. In Milwaukee, Sproat should have an opportunity to compete for a job in spring training, while Williams will likely report to Triple-A. However, this transaction should open a spot in the rotation for either
Logan Henderson or
Chad Patrick to begin the regular season.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
January 21, 2026
Updating a previous report, the New York Mets are in serious talks to acquire right-hander
Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade, according to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated. Infield prospect
Jett Williams would be one of the pieces going to Milwaukee. A report earlier suggested that the Mets were hesitant to part with either pitching prospect
Jonah Tong or
Brandon Sproat, but the two sides appear to be working on it and could come to an agreement soon. The 29-year-old Peralta won a career-high 17 games in 2025 for the Brew Crew while holding a 2.70 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 204:66 K:BB in 176 2/3 innings over 33 regular-season starts. Peralta was a bit lucky with a .243 BABIP and 85.5% left-on-base percentage, and a move to Queens and to the tough NL East wouldn't be ideal for fantasy purposes, but he'd still be a top-20 starting pitcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Pat Ragazzo
January 21, 2026
The Athletic's Evan Drellich writes that Major League Baseball owners are "raging" in the wake of All-Star outfielder
Kyle Tucker's four-year, $240 million deal to join the back-to-back World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Drellich adds that it's now "a 100 percent certainty" that MLB owners will push for a salary cap, according to a person briefed on ownership talks. The Dodgers already had the highest payroll in the sport before adding Tucker, and they project to have a payroll over $400 million in 2026. Only three other teams are expected to have a payroll over $300 million. The Miami Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays both project to be under $100 million. Owners must still decide what salary floor and ceiling they want to propose at next month's owners meeting. When it comes to implementing a salary cap in baseball, the players are likely to be the biggest hurdle, as they have historically been willing to miss many games to avoid a cap system.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Evan Drellich
January 21, 2026
So far, the New York Mets have been unwilling to meet the Milwaukee Brewers' asking price for right-hander
Freddy Peralta, sources told Michael Marino. The Mets quickly ended a discussion with the Brewers about Peralta when right-hander
Jonah Tong's name briefly came up. The Brewers also submitted an offer of right-hander
Brandon Sproat and infielder
Jett Williams, and the Mets are unwilling to pay that price. Williams is ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, while Tong is No. 4, and Sproat is No. 5. It would be a lot for New York to give up for the 29-year-old Peralta, who could essentially be a one-year rental -- he will be a free agent after the 2026 season. Peralta is considered highly unlikely to reach a contract extension with the Brew Crew, making him one of the most attractive starting pitchers on the trade market this winter.
--Keith HernandezSource: Michael Marino
January 21, 2026
One week after claiming him off waivers from the Atlanta Braves, the Minnesota Vikings designated infielder
Vidal Brujan for assignment on Wednesday to make room on the 40-man roster for second baseman
Tristan Gray, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Brujan was once a top-100 prospect in the Tampa Bay Rays' system, but he's now 27 years old and has hit only .199 in 261 major-league games with five different teams. The switch-hitting Dominican infielder played with the Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, and Athletics in 2025, going 22-for-87 (.253) with no homers, eight RBI, two steals, and 14 runs scored in just 60 games. About the best thing going for Brujan is his defensive versatility, as he can play second base, shortstop, third base, and the outfield. He'll be in contention for a bench role if another team claims him off waivers
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
January 21, 2026
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Wednesday that Gus Bradley is the favorite to replace Robert Saleh as the defensive coordinator, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. "I'm going to say it's a wide net, but Gus is the obvious one to everybody, and us, too. We will go through the whole process and the requirements we want to do, too. Hope it's sooner than later," Shanahan said. Saleh took the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching job. Bradley worked with the Indianapolis Colts for three years before serving as the assistant head coach in San Fran in 2024. Saleh did a commendable job with the 49ers' banged-up defense this year, which means Bradley will have high expectations, especially since he's already been a DC with four different NFL teams, spanning 10-plus years.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bay Area News Group - Cam Inman
January 21, 2026
The Buffalo Bills interviewed offensive coordinator Joe Brady for their head-coaching job on Wednesday, according to Alaina Geztenberg of ESPN. Brady has been the team's offensive coordinator for the last two seasons, which makes him an obvious candidate to replace Sean McDermott, who was fired on Monday after nine seasons at the helm. Before being promoted to the OC role in Buffalo, Brady was the team's quarterbacks coach in 2022 and 2023, so he has plenty of experience working with quarterback
Josh Allen. In Brady's two seasons calling the plays, the Bills averaged 30.6 points per game in 2024 (second-most) and 28.3 points (third-most) in 2025. They ranked third in yards per game this season with 378.2. In addition to the Bills, Brady also interviewed for head-coaching jobs with the Falcons, Raiders, Cardinals, and Ravens.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
January 21, 2026
Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end
Elijah Arroyo (knee), who remains on Injured Reserve, was a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to John Boyle of Seahawks.com. Arroyo landed on IR after injuring his knee in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons, and he's missed each of the last five games. Now that he's practicing in full, though, he could be activated off IR and play in the NFC Championship tilt this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 22-year-old second-rounder out of Miami wasn't a major factor during the regular season, so fantasy managers probably should avoid using him in playoff lineups if he returns this weekend. In 13 regular-season games, Arroyo had 15 receptions on 26 targets for 179 yards and only one touchdown.
AJ Barner is still the TE to use in fantasy despite his donut in the Divisional Round win over the 49ers.
--Keith HernandezSource: Seahawks.com - John Boyle
January 21, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Cade Stover's (knee) MRI exam showed no damage to his ACL, a league source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 Sports. Stover was unable to make much happen after fellow tight end
Dalton Schultz (calf) left the Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots before getting hurt himself in the fourth quarter. The 25-year-old caught one of his three targets for only two yards. The good news is that Stover should be a full-go for training camp in the summer and for Week 1 of the regular season in the fall. In his second year in the league, the former fourth-rounder caught just 12 passes for 76 yards and no touchdowns on 16 targets in nine regular-season games. As long as Schultz is healthy going into the start of the season, Stover won't be fantasy relevant. He had a 15-133-1 line in 15 games in 2024 in his rookie campaign.
--Keith HernandezSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
January 21, 2026
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that surgery "went well" for quarterback
Bo Nix (ankle), according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Nix had surgery for a broken bone in his right ankle that he suffered at the tail end of Saturday's overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round. The 25-year-old had one of his best games of the season, too, going 26-for-46 for 279 passing yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. The Broncos haven't given a timetable for Nix's recovery, but we'd be surprised if he wasn't ready to go for the start of the 2026 campaign, where he'll easily be a top-12 fantasy QB. With Nix out for the AFC Championship this weekend against the visiting New England Patriots, the Broncos will go with backup
Jarrett Stidham, who hasn't started a game in the NFL since 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
January 21, 2026
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores signed an undisclosed contract extension to stay with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. If Flores doesn't receive a head-coaching job this cycle, he will be back in 2026 to coach the Vikings' defense. His best chance to land another head-coaching job will be with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he has also interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens. The last two seasons in Minnesota, the Vikings' defense has been in the top 10 in points allowed. The 44-year-old spent 15 seasons on head coach Bill Belichick's coaching staff with the New England Patriots and won four Super Bowl rings. Flores then coached the Miami Dolphins for a couple of seasons before serving as the linebackers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After that, he joined Minnesota, where he's been for the last three years.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 21, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels re-signed third baseman
Yoan Moncada to a one-year, $4 million deal on Wednesday, sources told Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Moncada, 30, will return to the Angels for a second season despite disappointing with a .234/.336/.448 slash line in 2025 with 12 home runs, 35 RBI, and 39 runs scored in 84 games and 289 plate appearances. As has been the story for most of Moncada's MLB career, he missed most of the year with ankle, knee, and hand injuries. In his 10 years in the big leagues, the Cuban switch-hitter has played in over 100 games only four times. Moncada has hit 20-plus long balls just once in his career, back in 2019 with the Chicago White Sox. His last full season was in 2021, so fantasy managers certainly need to bake in missed time for Moncada's 2026 profile. Moncada should be avoided in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
January 21, 2026
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Philadelphia Eagles' vacant offensive-coordinator position is not viewed as an attractive opening around the league. "I think coordinators on this list are aware that navigating Philly is difficult, and it's not the easiest place to step into--especially if you're looking for a successful few years," Russini said. Neither former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel nor former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll wanted the job, and the Eagles reportedly were willing to give them both "full autonomy" over the offense, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Eagles fired Kevin Patullo after one year in the role, but they're having a difficult time bringing in some of the top names on their wish list. The latest candidate to emerge is former Kansas City Chiefs OC Matt Nagy after he lost out on the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching gig.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
January 21, 2026
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, according to Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Franklin played only 13 offensive snaps in last weekend's win over the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round of the playoffs and wasn't targeted at all before suffering a hamstring injury. Fellow wideout
Pat Bryant (concussion) also departed early, and both receivers are now questionable to play in the AFC Championship on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Even if Franklin plays this weekend and Bryant is held out, Franklin's fantasy stock is down heading into championship weekend now that backup quarterback
Jarrett Stidham is taking over for the injured
Bo Nix (ankle). Franklin averaged only 8.3 half-PPR points per game in the regular season and is shaping up as an extremely risky fantasy option this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
January 21, 2026
Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas (calf) is questionable for Thursday's meeting with the Wizards. The veteran big man suffered a right calf strain during the win over the Toronto Raptors on New Year's Eve. He was initially projected to be sidelined for at least four weeks. While that may remain the case, the questionable tag seems to indicate Valanciunas might be back sooner than anticipated. With
Nikola Jokic (knee) on the shelf, the Nuggets could certainly use Valanciunas's services as soon as possible. In the meantime,
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will presumably continue handling things in the middle, with
Zeke Nnaji getting around 15-20 minutes of work from off the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 21, 2026
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones (upper body) was replaced on Team USA's Olympic roster by Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Jones suffered an upper-body injury in the 2026 Winter Classic on Jan. 2, and the Panthers won't have him back until after the Olympics. Earlier this week, Florida moved Jones to long-term Injured Reserve. Jones has made an impact on both ends of the ice, recording 24 points (six goals, 18 assists), 78 shots, 47 blocks, and 38 hits in 40 appearances. With Jones out, Uvis Balinskis has been promoted to the first power-play unit, giving his fantasy value a big boost. The Latvian blue-liner had a three-game point streak last week, which included two power-play points.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 21, 2026
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver
Pat Bryant (concussion) is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, according to DenverBroncos.com's Aric DiLalla. Before leaving against Buffalo, the 23-year-old third-rounder out of Illinois caught all three of his targets for 32 yards. It's good to see Bryant practicing, but it's worth noting that Bryant also suffered a concussion in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missed the following week. He still needs to be cleared by an independent neurologist and is up in the air to be available for the AFC Championship versus the New England Patriots.
Troy Franklin (hamstring) was also injured last weekend, so
Marvin Mims Jr. may serve as Denver's WR2 again as the Broncos look to get back to the Super Bowl.
--Keith HernandezSource: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
January 21, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard
Christian Braun (ankle) remains out on Thursday versus the Washington Wizards. There hasn't been any real indication he's nearing a return, although the team certainly isn't looking to rush things regarding his recovery. While Braun continues to work his way back,
Jalen Pickett is expected to stay in the starting lineup, with the 26-year-old averaging 10.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 44.2% shooting from behind the arc in 11 starts this season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 21, 2026
Denver Broncos running back
J.K. Dobbins (foot) was listed as a limited participant in his return to practice on Wednesday, according to Aric DiLalla of DenverBroncos.com. Dobbins' 21-day practice window has been opened, but he remains on Injured Reserve. The 27-year-old has not played since Week 10 due to a Lisfranc foot injury that required surgery. He has a chance to be active this Sunday for the AFC Championship against the New England Patriots, but Dobbins is probably more doubtful than probable for this weekend, at least until he upgrades to a full practice. At the time of his injury, the Broncos weren't expecting Dobbins to contribute again this season. Dobbins was on pace for a career season with 772 rushing yards and four touchdowns before his injury. If he returned on Sunday, it would probably be in a limited role alongside rookie
RJ Harvey and
Jaleel McLaughlin.
--Keith HernandezSource: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla
January 21, 2026
Calgary Flames forward Martin Pospisil (undisclosed) will make his first appearance of the season in Wednesday's matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Slovakian forward suffered an undisclosed injury in a preseason game. On Tuesday, Calgary activated Pospisil from long-term Injured Reserve, and he practiced on a line with Adam Klapka and Ryan Lomberg. Last season, Pospisil was tied for third in the league with 301 hits and posted 25 points (four goals, 21 assists) in 81 appearances. He will struggle to make a fantasy impact on the fourth line, but managers should monitor him in case Pospisil moves up the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (knee) is questionable for Thursday's game against Charlotte. He's missed seven contests because of his latest ailment, a right knee contusion. However, even if the 24-year-old isn't back for this one, the questionable designation at least suggests he's trending in a positive direction. If Suggs suits up, he'll probably see limited action. That may last for at least a few games. As a result,
Anthony Black should remain even more relevant for fantasy managers while Suggs works his way back to form.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 21, 2026
Vancouver Canucks center Teddy Blueger (lower body) has been cleared to play on Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals. He will be available after sitting out 43 games due to a lower-body injury. Blueger was hurt in a game against the Capitals on Oct. 19. Wednesday's contest will mark only his third appearance of the season. Blueger is expected to fill the third-line center role, flanked by Liam Ohgren and Conor Garland. Both wingers have scoring talent, boosting Blueger's fantasy value. However, managers shouldn't expect much from the Canucks, who just posted a new franchise record with 11 consecutive losses.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (lower body) was activated from Injured Reserve, paving the way for him to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The power forward has been out for eight games due to a lower-body injury. Wilson has had a wonderful 2025-26 campaign, posting a team-high 22 goals and sharing the overall scoring lead on the squad with 42 points in 41 games. He also has an outstanding plus-20 rating. Wilson returns in a great spot, taking on a team that has lost a franchise-worst 11 games in a row. Ivan Miroshnichenko is projected to make way for Wilson in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Washington Capitals
January 21, 2026
New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (shoulder) is facing a lengthy absence after the team placed him on long-term Injured Reserve on Wednesday. The move is retroactive to Monday, when Hughes injured his shoulder in a matchup against the Calgary Flames. A player on long-term Injured Reserve is required to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Hughes' absence began on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. Brett Pesce and Jonas Siegenthaler led the blue line in ice time against Edmonton, while Dougie Hamilton logged the most power-play time. Johnathan Kovacevic took Hughes' spot in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 21, 2026
Colorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (upper body) will rejoin the lineup on Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. The Russian forward didn't play in Monday's win over the Washington Capitals after sustaining an upper-body injury in a car accident. Fortunately, Nichushkin has made a quick recovery and should fill his normal duties against Anaheim. Colorado uses Nichushkin on the second line and the second power-play unit. He has tallied 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 38 games this season. In January, Nichushkin has been slumping, finishing scoreless in six of seven appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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