January 8, 2026
Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher
Lyon Richardson was sent to Triple-A after passing through waivers. Richardson has spent his entire professional career with the Reds, since joining them in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft. Richardson made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign, but logged his highest workload this past summer. In 2025, the Jensen Beach HS product posted a 4.54 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP across 37 2/3 innings. He struck out 30 hitters but served up a hefty 21 free passes. Through 32 innings with Triple-A last season, Richardson held a similar 4.22 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP. Managers should expect Richardson to operate in a relief role at Louisville to open the season and contend for a low-leverage role in the major league bullpen.
--Andy SmithSource: Cincinnati Reds
January 8, 2026
The Colorado Rockies have claimed right-handed pitcher
Keegan Thompson. The 30-year-old right-hander signed a contract with the Reds earlier this offseason but was designated for assignment in late December. Thompson began his MLB career with the Chicago Cubs and was selected in the third round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Auburn. During his debut season, Thompson posted a 3.38 ERA with a 1.48 WHIP across 53 1/3 innings. This past season, Thompson enjoyed his most productive campaign, posting a strong 2.67 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP across 30 1/3 innings of relief. He added two saves as well. Given his solid production last summer, managers should expect Thompson to carve out a role in Colorado, serving as a middle relief option or potentially in a high-leverage situation.
--Andy SmithSource: Cincinnati Reds
January 8, 2026
The Chicago Cubs have claimed left-handed pitcher
Ryan Rolison off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Rolison, a former first-round pick, made his MLB debut with the Rockies last summer. Across his first 42 1/3 innings in the big leagues, the southpaw posted a hefty 7.02 ERA with a 1.77 WHIP. During this stint, he tallied just 25 pinchouts and allowed 20 walks. While he generated groundballs at a promising 48.6% rate, he posted a high 5.74 xERA with a 9.5% barrel rate. Through 115 career innings at Triple-A, Rolison has posted a 5.32 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Given his struggles in the majors last season, managers should not expect Rolison to have a significant role in the Chicago bullpen if he can crack the Opening Day roster.
--Andy SmithSource: Bruce Levine
January 7, 2026
Free-agent right-hander
Michael Lorenzen and the Colorado Rockies agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract on Wednesday evening that includes a $9 million club option for the 2027 season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The 34-year-old Lorenzen will serve as a starter for the Rockies this year. After a disappointing 2025 campaign with the Kansas City Royals, Lorenzen's fantasy appeal will dip even further in 2026 with the move to one of the worst teams in the league in one of the worst pitchers' parks in Coors Field. The veteran right-hander went 7-11 this past season with a 4.64 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts with 39 walks in 141 2/3 frames over a career-high 26 starts. The one good thing going for Lorenzen with his move to Denver is the fact that he should have a long leash in Colorado's starting rotation. He improved his strikeout and walk rates in KC, but he struggled with home-run allowance, something that will need to change quickly in 2026 if he's going to be a matchup-based streaming option for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
January 7, 2026
The Miami Dolphins are going into the second phase of their search for a new general manager and will be conducting in-person interviews this week, sources told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The four candidates that will be interviewed are Los Angeles Chargers assistant GM Chad Alexander, Green Bay Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, San Francisco 49ers director of scouting and football operations
Josh Williams, and interim GM Champ Kelly. The Dolphins have been clear that they aren't firing head coach Mike McDaniel following a disappointing 2025 season, although things could be changing quickly on that front following the Baltimore Ravens' surprising firing of head coach John Harbaugh on Tuesday. Miami fired previous GM Chris Grier on Halloween. There are still a lot of moving parts to Miami's front office and coaching situation early this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 7, 2026
ESPN's Peter Schrager writes that Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur's name keeps coming up, although he can't be requested for an interview yet, when offensive head-coaching candidates are being mentioned for this cycle. Schrager also mentions Rams assistant Nate Scheelhaase as a name with "legit buzz" around the league. The 35-year-old interviewed for offensive-coordinator jobs with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year. LaFleur has been L.A.'s offensive coordinator since 2023, and the Rams have had one of the best offenses in the league the last two seasons. They currently rank second in yards per play (6.2) and first with 46 passing touchdowns as they head into a Wild-Card matchup this Saturday against the Panthers. Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula is also expected to get looks for head-coaching openings this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Peter Schrager
January 7, 2026
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is scheduled to interview for the Baltimore Ravens' head-coaching job on Thursday, a league source told NFL insider Josina Anderson. It will be a busy week for Joseph, whose Broncos are on a first-round bye in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. He will also interview for head-coaching jobs with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, and with the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday. The 53-year-old will interview with the Arizona Cardinals on Friday. Joseph is in high demand, and he has previous head-coaching experience in Denver from 2017-18. The Broncos have had one of the league's best defenses the last two years under Joseph, but in Baltimore, if he were to get the job, he'd have huge shoes to fill following John Harbaugh's 18-year run as the head coach. The primary objective for the Ravens is getting two-time MVP quarterback
Lamar Jackson right after a disappointing 2025 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Josina Anderson
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers tight end
Oronde Gadsden has been inconsistent down the stretch, but he still exceeded expectations as a fifth-round rookie. Gadsden brought in 49 catches (69 targets) for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. The Syracuse product had a historic stretch early in the season once he earned a full-time role in Week 6, posting his most receiving yards ever by a rookie tight end over a four-game span. He also became the first rookie tight end with four straight games of 65 or more receiving yards. Gadsden's production faded down the stretch, as he averaged just two catches (3.3 targets) for 26.2 yards per game with one touchdown over the final six weeks. Gadsden is a risky option for Sunday night's Wild-Card game against the New England Patriots, with New England being a slightly favorable matchup for opposing tight ends, allowing the 11th-most catches per game (5.7) and the 12th-most yards (57.1).
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Atlanta Hawks are trading guard
Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for
CJ McCollum and
Corey Kispert. The 2018 No. 5 overall pick has been a reliable fantasy producer since entering the National Basketball Association. In 493 regular-season contests, he's averaged 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 35.1% from deep. Young's three-point percentage has dipped in recent years. He's also had issues staying healthy and taking care of the ball. However, this is still a fantastic acquisition by the Wizards, although it's unknown how Young's presence will impact the production of up-and-coming players like
Kyshawn George,
Alexandre Sarr, and
Tre Johnson, among others.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
January 7, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte finished his third season with 33 catches (46 targets) for 551 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games. The 23-year-old wideout was one of the most explosive receivers in the league and had a dynamic downfield connection with quarterback
Drake Maye, leading the league with 12.24 yards per target (minimum 40 targets). With how well-distributed New England's passing attack has been this season, Boutte's target volume hasn't been high enough for consistent fantasy production, with eight targets being his season high, which occurred back in Week 1. He projects as a boom-or-bust option in a tough matchup in Sunday's Wild-Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers, who allowed the ninth-fewest PPR points to receivers in the regular season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
Across 16 games this season, Chicago Bears tight end
Cole Kmet hauled in 30 of his 48 targets for 347 yards and two touchdowns. Kmet has taken a back seat to rookie
Colston Loveland as the primary receiving tight end, posting his fewest catches and yards since his rookie season. Still, the 26-year-old remains a key piece of Chicago's dynamic offense this season, logging the third-highest snap share (70.4%) on the team. Kmet has recorded two receptions in five straight games to close the season, and he remains a low-ceiling option for Saturday's Wild-Card game against the Green Bay Packers. The impending return of receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) won't be good news for Kmet's potential target share on Saturday night.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
January 7, 2026
The Kansas City Chiefs have issued a statement regarding allegations posted on Instagram about wide receiver
Rashee Rice, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports. "The club is aware of the allegations on social media and is in communication with the National Football League. We have no further comment at this time." These allegations could result in a second significant off-field suspension for Rice, who served a six-game suspension to open the 2025 season following a hit-and-run incident in April of 2024. The 25-year-old was highly productive as the Chiefs' clear WR1 in eight games this season before being placed on Injured Reserve due to a concussion. Rice ranked 11th in the league in receiving yards per game (71.4) and finished with 53 catches (78 targets) for 571 yards and five touchdowns while adding five carries for 20 yards and another score on the ground.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Matt Derrick
January 7, 2026
The Cleveland Browns have requested permission to interview Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher for their head-coaching job, a source told Mark Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns have also requested to interview Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde as they look to replace Kevin Stefanski, who was fired on Black Monday. The soon-to-be 39-year-old Pitcher started his coaching career with the Colts from 2012-15, where he worked under Browns current general manager Andrew Berry. The former college quarterback at Colgate and Cortland, Pitcher became Cincy's offensive coordinator in 2024 after previously being an offensive assistant since 2016. In Cleveland, Pitcher's first order of business would be deciding the team's starting QB going into 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
January 7, 2026
Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has generated interest from at least nine NFL teams after being fired by the Ravens on Tuesday, a well-placed league source told FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano. Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl in his 18 seasons in Baltimore, has quickly emerged as the top name on the open market for a head-coaching opening. Only six teams are currently looking for a head coach, so there are at least three teams (and possibly more) that are now considering firing their current coach to replace him with Harbaugh. The Miami Dolphins are believed to be one of those teams despite standing by Mike McDaniel at the end of the season. At least one of the expected suitors is playing in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs this weekend. Reports suggested on Wednesday morning that the New York Giants are "all-in" on trying to make Harbaugh their next head coach.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
January 7, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that he will return to the team for a fifth season in 2026, according to Rick Stroud of The Tampa Bay Times. Bowles won't be fired after the Bucs finished 8-9 in 2025 and outside of the playoff picture, but he did acknowledge that there will be some changes to the coaching staff going into next season. In his four seasons as the head coach in Tampa, Bowles has gone 35-33. He helped lead the team to three straight NFC South titles in his first three seasons at the helm. The Bucs started 6-2 this year before losing seven of their last nine games to miss out on the playoffs. Bowles' teams have finished under .500 twice, with his best season coming in 2024 with a 10-7 record. Team brass expressed frustration with Tampa's offense under offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, so he could be on his way out.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
January 7, 2026
The New York Mets are still interested in some of the top free-agent arms, such as lefties
Framber Valdez and
Ranger Suarez, but their focus right now is on "first exploring trades," league sources told Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. The Mets are interested in both rentals and pitchers with team control, putting Tigers lefty
Tarik Skubal, Brewers righty
Freddy Peralta, Nationals lefty
MacKenzie Gore, Royals lefty
Kris Bubic, and Reds righty
Brady Singer in play. New York has plenty of ammunition to get a deal done with one of the top farm systems, and they are also willing to trade infielders
Mark Vientos,
Ronny Mauricio, and
Luisangel Acuna. As of right now,
David Peterson,
Clay Holmes, and
Nolan McLean are all locks for the Opening Day rotation. Expect the Mets to pick up at least one big-name starting pitcher before spring training.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 7, 2026
The Chicago White Sox are in the market for another pitcher on a one-year deal, and they expressed interest in free-agent right-hander
Griffin Canning (Achilles) in late December, league sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon.
Shane Smith,
Davis Martin, and
Sean Burke are already locked into the team's starting rotation for next season. The Pale Hose have added lefties
Sean Newcomb and
Anthony Kay this offseason, but Canning would give them another starting option. The 29-year-old Canning was pitching well for the New York Mets in 2025 before rupturing his left Achilles tendon in late June. He had a 3.77 ERA (4.04 FIP) in 76 1/3 innings over 16 starts. Before his injury, Canning was using his cutter and slider more often while keeping the ball in the yard. His Achilles injury will likely keep him from starting the season on time, which means he'll be off the draft radar in standard-sized leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
January 7, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles designated outfielder
Jhonkensy Noel for assignment on Wednesday to make room on the 40-man roster after claiming outfielder
Marco Luciano off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Noel didn't last long with Baltimore after being claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians earlier this week. The 24-year-old right-handed Dominican slugger has plenty of raw power in his large 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame. Noel clubbed 19 home runs in 136 games in his two seasons with the Guardians, but he also hit under .200 with 115 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 351 plate appearances at the big-league level. Big Christmas will need to prove he can make more contact with the lumber before he's given another extended chance in a corner-outfield spot in the majors.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (calf) won't play on Wednesday against Phoenix, marking his third-straight absence. Only time will tell if he'll be able to get back on the floor when the Grizzlies face OKC on Friday night. However, while Morant is on the shelf,
Cam Spencer remains a must-start for fantasy managers. The 2024 No. 53 overall selection is coming off a strong showing, finishing with 21 points, eight boards, and eight assists in Tuesday's narrow win over the San Antonio Spurs.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Jordan Whittington (knee) missed practice again on Wednesday due to a knee injury, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Whittington was injured in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals and is looking unlikely to be available to play in the Wild-Card playoff matchup on Saturday on the road against the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old hasn't been a fantasy asset all year, though, catching only 18 passes for 171 yards and no touchdowns on 25 targets for the Rams. If Whittington is unable to play this weekend in Carolina, it could open up a few more snaps on offense for the likes of receivers
Xavier Smith, Konata Mumpford, and
Tutu Atwell behind top wideouts
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams (hamstring).
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 7, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee) will play on Wednesday against Utah. SGA struggled shooting the ball in Monday's loss to the Hornets. However, he still had 21 points, six assists, and one block. OKC has lost the last two contests, so Gilgeous-Alexander should have plenty of motivation to produce versus one of the worst defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson (hamstring) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles Daily News' Adam Grosbard. Ferguson injured his hamstring in practice late last week and didn't play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals. The 22-year-old has scored in each of his last two games played with five grabs on eight targets for 87 yards, but he's trending in the wrong direction to suit up on Saturday versus the hosting Carolina Panthers on Wild-Card weekend. Even if Ferguson somehow plays this weekend, he'll be hard to recommend as a TE streamer in playoff formats with
Tyler Higbee (ankle) now back from Injured Reserve. Higbee scored and nearly hit the century mark in his return from IR in the Week 18 season finale.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) was listed as a limited participant again in practice on Wednesday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Higbee missed six games while on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury before he was activated and played in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. The 33-year-old veteran played 64% of the offensive snaps and caught five of his six targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. While Higbee saw fewer snaps than fellow TEs
Colby Parkinson and
Davis Allen, it was, all in all, a very successful return. The Rams are likely just managing Higbee's ankle this week, and he should be active on Saturday to face the Carolina Panthers in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs. Higbee could be on the field more this weekend for a high-scoring Rams offense, putting him in play as a low-end TE1 option in fantasy playoff formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. (illness) is available to play on Wednesday against Phoenix. The Grizzlies are down
Cedric Coward (ankle) and
Ja Morant (calf), among others, so the team couldn't afford another absence. Fortunately, that's not the case with 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. With so many absences for Memphis on Wednesday evening, Jackson should be more productive than usual.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Santi Aldama (ankle) will play on Wednesday against Phoenix. The 24-year-old is coming off a rough showing in Tuesday's narrow win over the San Antonio Spurs, amassing 10 points, shooting 3-for-10 from the field and 1-for-6 from downtown. However, with
Ja Morant (calf),
Cedric Coward (ankle), and
Vince Williams Jr. (knee), Aldama has an excellent chance of turning things around, assuming his ankle cooperates.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore said on Wednesday that tight end Tasom Hill's shoulder injury that he suffered in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons was "just an AC" joint sprain, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. It means that Hill should be fully ready in advance of the 2026 season, whether it be back in New Orleans or somewhere else. The 35-year-old Swiss Army Knife offensive weapon is headed for unrestricted free agency when the calendar flips to March. There's also a chance that Hill decides to hang up his cleats after nine years in the NFL with the Saints. In 13 games played (five starts) in 2025, Hill had 52 rushing attempts for just 114 yards (2.2 yards per carry) and one touchdown on the ground. He added 11 receptions for 91 yards through the air. Hill's fantasy outlook will depend on what team he's playing for if he decides to return for a 10th season, but he'll most likely be off the fantasy radar in 12-team leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: NewOrleans.Football - Mike Triplett
January 7, 2026
Detroit Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) said earlier this week that he's entering the next stage of his rehab from back surgery, and he plans to be fully cleared before the start of training camp at the end of July, according to Richard Silva of The Detroit News. LaPorta played in only nine games in 2025 before suffering a herniated disc in his back against the Washington Commanders on Nov. 9. In addition to his rehab, the 24-year-old will be focused on trying to ink a contract extension with the Lions this offseason. LaPorta burst onto the scene in his rookie year in 2023 with 86 receptions, 889 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. He wasn't quite as good in 2024, but he still had a 60-726-7 line in 16 games. Obviously, LaPorta's production suffered in 2025 due to injury, but he'll be a prime bounce-back candidate at the TE position in 2026 for the Lions.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Detroit News - Richard Silva
January 7, 2026
The Los Angeles Angels claimed outfielder
Wade Meckler off waivers on Tuesday afternoon from the San Francisco Giants. Meckler made his MLB debut last summer with the Giants. During his brief 20-game stint in the big leagues, Meckler held a .232/.328/.250 line with just one double, no home runs, and a 25:6 K:BB. Under the hood, the former eighth-round pick generated a .265 xwOBA with a low 22.6% hard-hit rate. However, at the Triple-A level, Meckler posted a .287/.390/.370 line with 21 doubles, one home run, with 11 stolen bases across an 87-game stint. Given his production at the Triple-A level, Meckler could be in line to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster in Los Angeles.
--Andy SmithSource: Los Angeles Angels PR
January 7, 2026
According to Robert Murray of FanSided.com, right-handed pitcher
Brusdar Graterol has avoided arbitration with the Dodgers and signed a one-year contract worth $2.8 million. Graterol was on the shelf during the 2025 season while recovering from the labrum surgery he underwent in 2024. During that season, he logged only 7 1/3 innings with the Dodgers and posted a 2.45 ERA. However, in 2023, he was a reliable high-leverage option in the Los Angeles bullpen, posting a 1.20 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, with a 48:12 K:BB across 67 1/3 innings. He tallied a career-best seven saves as well. While the 27-year-old does not project to see many save opportunities in 2026 with
Edwin Diaz now in the bullpen, he could find value in deeper leagues that reward holds, pitching for the two-time reigning World Series Champions.
--Andy SmithSource: Robert Murray
January 7, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Keandre Lambert-Smith (hamstring) did not take part in Wednesday's practice, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Lambert-Smith's status for the Wild-Card playoff tilt on Sunday night against the New England Patriots is in question after the 23-year-old pass-catcher hurt his hamstring in Sunday's 19-3 loss to the Denver Broncos. He never returned to the contest. If Lambert-Smith isn't cleared to play this weekend,
Tre' Harris and
Derius Davis could see more time on the field as WR depth behind
Ladd McConkey,
Keenan Allen, and
Quentin Johnston. Lambert-Smith, a fifth-rounder out of Auburn back in April, saw action in only 10 regular-season games in 2025 and caught just five passes for 51 yards and one touchdown for the Bolts. He'll be off the fantasy radar if he's active for the postseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
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