Jun 29, 2026, 3:31 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) isn't doing any baseball activities at this time and is unlikely to be activated from the 10-day injured list when the Dodgers' next homestand starts on Thursday, July 2, against the division-rival San Diego Padres, according to MLB.com. Initially, the Dodgers thought that Smith would be able to avoid a trip to the IL, but instead he's been on the shelf since June 11 with inflammation in his neck. The 31-year-old veteran backstop even received a cortisone injection in his neck, which doesn't appear to have helped much. At this point, it's unlikely that we'll see the three-time All-Star back in L.A.'s starting lineup before the mid-July All-Star break. Before getting hurt, the former 32nd overall pick in 2016 out of the University of Louisville was slashing .249/.338/.382 with a .720 OPS, six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored, numbers that aren't up to Smith's high standards. Rushing has been a short-term fill-in for fantasy managers in two-catcher leagues, but he's hit .220 (13-for-59) with two homers, five doubles, six RBI, eight runs, seven walks, and 19 strikeouts in 18 games played in June.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 29, 2026, 3:26 PM ET

The New York Yankees announced on Monday that they placed right-handed reliever David Bednar on the paternity list and recalled right-handed reliever Jake Bird from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. Bednar will now be away from the Yankees for up to three days and will most likely miss their three-game series against the visiting Detroit Tigers that starts on Monday. With Bednar away from the team for few days this week, right-hander Fernando Cruz will likely be first up for saves for the Yankees if the situation arises in the ninth inning for manager Aaron Boone. The 31-year-old Bednar has gone 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA (2.67 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, 16 saves, 40 strikeouts, and 12 walks in his 35 innings out of New York's bullpen in 2026 in his first full year in the Bronx. The two-time All-Star is currently tied for seventh in the majors with his 16 saves in 33 appearances in his eighth year in the majors.--Keith Hernandez
Source: New York Yankees

Jun 29, 2026, 1:10 PM ET

ESPN's Rich Cimini writes that New York Jets rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was the team's most impressive rookie during spring workouts, "all but solidifying a spot in the three-receiver package." Cooper has proven to be a smooth route-runner who has adjusted nicely to an NFL-style offense. Cimini thinks that the first-rounder (30th overall) will be even better when the pads come on during training camp due to his physical style and run-after-the-catch abilities. In his final season with the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025, Cooper caught 69 passes for 937 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 16 games, and he led the Big Ten with 21.2 yards per reception in his junior year in 2024. Because of his ability to line up anywhere on the football field, Cooper has the potential to become New York's WR2 sooner rather than later in his first year in the NFL behind Garrett Wilson, who is returning from a season-ending knee injury in 2025. The upside is clear with Cooper, but in an offense being led by quarterback Geno Smith, who led the NFL in interceptions with the Las Vegas Raiders last year, consistency could be a glaring issue. RotoBaller currently has Cooper ranked as the No. 57 fantasy WR as he heads into his first year in the NFL.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini

Jun 29, 2026, 12:58 PM ET

New York Jets rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) missed organized team activities and minicamp after having hernia surgery that stemmed from an injury in college, but the Jets said they were aware of it during the pre-draft process earlier this year. Sadiq is expected to be ready for training camp this summer, although he'll be a bit behind, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich envisions the University of Oregon product as a mismatch because of his speed and explosiveness, so he should have a role in his first year in the NFL alongside second-year TE Mason Taylor. The 16th overall pick in this year's NFL draft is an athletic freak at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds and will be a popular selection in rookie-only dynasty/keeper leagues, but fantasy managers in redraft formats might want to temper expectations a bit in an offense with veteran quarterback Geno Smith leading the charge. At RotoBaller, Sadiq is ranked as the No. 17 fantasy TE. There's obvious pass-catching upside due to his athleticism, but there are plenty of questions as to how involved he'll be every week.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini

Jun 29, 2026, 12:53 PM ET

Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins has agreed to a new three-year, $64 million contract with the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Wiggins had a $30 million player option for the upcoming season that he has opted into, meaning the extension is worth $34 million in new money. The Heat are in the middle of a roster upheaval, trading for former NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. As it stands now, Wiggins is the third scoring option behind Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. The 31-year-old averaged 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 stocks per game in his first full season in Miami.--Andrew Ball
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN

Jun 29, 2026, 12:45 PM ET

The Buffalo Bills attempted to upgrade quarterback Josh Allen's receiving corps this offseason by acquiring wide receiver DJ Moore from the Chicago Bears, and NFL.com's Nick Shook suggests that Moore could be the missing link between the Bills and an AFC Championship appearance. "Just really getting to know him, we're locker mates, and to have that relationship that we already have, it's a pretty seamless fit. I'm excited to continue to get to work with him. He's going to be a huge help for us this next season and seasons to come," Allen said. The Bills have lacked an experienced, proven wideout since they traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans before the 2024 season. Moore will combine with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Tyrell Shavers, Joshua Palmer, and Gabe Davis in his new digs in 2026. The 29-year-old Moore had the worst season of his career in 2025, catching just 50 passes for 682 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. With less competition for targets in Buffalo, he should be in the mix for a bounce-back season in 2026. Fantasy managers should target him as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3/flex in upcoming drafts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook

Jun 29, 2026, 12:44 PM ET

Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe is staying with the franchise, agreeing to a new two-year, $20 million contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Nets front office previously declined Sharpe's $6.25 million team option to secure the longer, more lucrative deal. The 24-year-old set career-best marks in points (8.7), rebounds (6.7), assists (2.3), and steals (1.1), while shooting 60.1% from the field. Sharpe is also in line for a bigger role, with center Nic Claxton heading to Chicago in a previously agreed-upon trade that won't officially be finalized until July 6th.--Andrew Ball
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN

Jun 29, 2026, 12:38 PM ET

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury while rehabbing his foot on May 6. He threw a bullpen session on June 27, but his right shoulder didn't feel great, so the Royals will re-evaluate him in the coming days, according to MLB.com. Estevez initially went on the 15-day injured list on April 1 with a foot injury, but he was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 15 with a right rotator-cuff strain in his shoulder. It's unclear exactly what is wrong with the 33-year-old Dominican veteran now, but he's unlikely to come off the IL to rejoin the Royals' bullpen before the All-Star break next month, and depending on what the team finds this week, Estevez could be out well into the second half of the season. Right-hander Lucas Erceg was the next man up for saves in KC with Estevez hurt early in April. Erceg has 12 saves, but he has since been booted from the closer's role in favor of Alex Lange, who has converted all seven of his save opportunities in June. It's becoming harder to justify holding Estevez in fantasy baseball leagues as we near the end of the first half. He's currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 29, 2026, 12:34 PM ET

Toronto Raptors forward Sandro Mamukelashvili is declining his $2.8 million player option for next season to become a free agent, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 27-year-old is fresh off the best campaign of his professional career, averaging 11.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 21.9 minutes per game. He finished 10th in Sixth Man of the Year voting. Mamukelashvili is rumored to be a hot commodity in this free-agent class as a stretch four with back-to-back seasons converting over half of his field goal attempts.--Andrew Ball
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN

Jun 29, 2026, 12:22 PM ET

It's been a consistent effort for Blades Brown over on the Korn Ferry Tour, with finishes of T13 and T17 in his last two starts. He gets another PGA Tour opportunity this week in Illinois for the John Deere Classic. Even with the step up in competition, it hasn't fazed the 19-year-old, as he's played well when given the chance. Brown has shown tremendous ball striking ability all season, averaging 0.693 strokes gained on approach over his last three starts on the premier circuit. He'll need to be sharper around the greens and place a premium on playing from the fairway, but he's ultimately proven that he's ready to compete now. It's hard to pass up on him this week, since his limited presence out there keeps his pricing low. Take advantage of his underdog status while it's possible.--Todd McGill
Source: Data Golf

Jun 29, 2026, 12:21 PM ET

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has declined his $27.7 million player option and will become a free agent, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Green is expected to be back with the Warriors, the only team he's played for in his NBA career. However, with his contract now off the books, Golden State can better add high-profile names to the roster. The Warriors are rumored to be targeting Anthony Davis in a trade with the Wizards and free agent LeBron James. If those transactions come to fruition, then the Warriors could bring Green back, albeit likely on a pay cut. The 36-year-old averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists last season.--Andrew Ball
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN

Jun 29, 2026, 12:11 PM ET

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine has opted into his $49 million player option for the upcoming season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The decision was a no-brainer for the 31-year-old, who wouldn't command anything financially close to that number on the open market. LaVine scored 19.2 points per game last season, his lowest average since the 2017-2018 season. He also only appeared in 39 games, undergoing surgery on his shooting hand before the All-Star break. LaVine, alongside veterans DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, should be openly available for trade as the Kings attempt a franchise reset. Still, the market for LaVine doesn't appear to be there.--Andrew Ball
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN

Jun 29, 2026, 12:09 PM ET

New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien (elbow) was diagnosed with a Grade 3 hip-flexor strain, and he will be out four to six weeks at a minimum, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Semien tried to play through the injury until it severely limited his movement. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor had a Grade 1.5 to 2 flexor strain and missed 28 days. The 35-year-old Semien had been showing signs of decline offensively in recent years, but playing through injury in 2026 in his first year in New York had really tanked his numbers. In 80 games (318 plate appearances) in his 14th year in the majors, the three-time All-Star hit .214/.271/.341 with a career-worst .613 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, 30 runs scored, six stolen bases, and a 21.4% strikeout rate, which is his worst mark since 2017 with the Athletics. There's no guarantee Semien will bounce back in the second half for the last-place Mets if he can return fully healthy in the second half. For the foreseeable future, Brett Baty will serve as the team's primary option at the keystone in Queens.--Keith Hernandez
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman

Jun 29, 2026, 12:02 PM ET

Miami Marlins catcher/first baseman/designated hitter Liam Hicks (back) took part in a full day of baseball activities on June 26 and is swinging without limitations and can catch. If Hicks continues to make progress, MLB.com suggests he's likely to come off the 10-day injured list when he's first eligible on Tuesday. Hicks was put on the IL on June 21 with a lower-back strain, but it looks like fantasy managers will get him back this week. The 27-year-old left-handed-hitting Canadian backstop has had a breakout in his second season in the big leagues, slashing .278/.359/.472 with an .831 OPS, 13 home runs, 53 RBI, 40 runs scored, and a stolen base across 73 games played and 288 plate appearances in 2026. For fantasy purposes, it's the perfect time for managers to get Hicks back, with Miami in Colorado and Sacramento at Coors Field and Sutter Health Park, respectively -- two of the most hitter-friendly parks in the league. In 16 games in June before his back injury, Hicks had gone 18-for-58 (.310) with two homers, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, and 13 runs scored. Get ready to plug him back into all starting fantasy lineups this week.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 29, 2026, 11:53 AM ET

Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden has declined his $42.3 million player option for the upcoming season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The decline sets up Harden and the Cavs to agree to a new, longer contract. Cleveland went all-in on the 36-year-old last season, acquiring Harden in a mid-season deal that included Darius Garland. The 11-time All-Star averaged 20.5 points and 7.7 assists for Cleveland during the regular season, and helped the Cavaliers reach the Eastern Conference Finals, despite inconsistent play in the postseason. Cleveland appears poised to run it back for a first full season with the Harden-Donovan Mitchell backcourt.--Andrew Ball
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN

Jun 29, 2026, 11:52 AM ET

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that All-Star outfielder Aaron Judge (ribs) is still taking things slow, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Judge is coming up on four weeks on the 10-day injured list due to a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side, but it doesn't sound like he will be ready for more testing at that point. The 34-year-old former MVP was placed on the IL on June 5, and at the time, the Yankees said Judge would be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. It sounds like the Yankees don't plan on re-evaluating him for another couple of weeks, so fantasy managers definitely cannot expect the slugger to return before the All-Star break in mid-July. The former first-rounder in 2013 out of California State University, Fresno, is an obvious must-stash while he heals, but fantasy managers may not get him back until early August in a best-case scenario. We'll have a better idea on a timeline for a return once he resumes baseball activities. Judge has hit .248 (53-for-214) with 17 homers, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 2026 in his 11th year in the majors. With Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Trent Grisham (hamstring) still on the IL as well, Jasson Dominguez will continue to be an everyday player in the outfield in the Bronx.--Keith Hernandez
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips

Jun 29, 2026, 11:45 AM ET

Atlanta Braves infielder/outfielder Mauricio Dubon has never had much power or speed in his seven-plus years in the big leagues with four different teams as a utility player, but he has recently become more attractive off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues as a short-term boost during his hot streak with the Braves. Dubon has hit .267/.316/.421 with a .738 OPS in 78 games across 314 plate appearances with Atlanta so far this year, and he's only three home runs away from setting a new career high in that category. The 31-year-old veteran from Honduras has been excellent in 22 games (89 plate appearances) in June, going 26-for-84 (.310) with five long balls, five doubles, 14 RBI, 12 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Dubon is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he's gone 11-for-29 (.379) with a homer, four doubles, an RBI, five runs, and a stolen base. He sits in just the 11th percentile in hard-hit rate and 25th percentile in barrel rate, but he rarely strikes out (85th percentile in K rate) and should continue to play regularly with Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) on the injured list. Most importantly, Dubon is eligible at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, and he's rostered in only 39% of Yahoo leagues. Ride the wave in deeper fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jun 29, 2026, 11:27 AM ET

Chicago White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth is quietly hitting .276 (83-for-301) in his second year in the major leagues for a resurgent White Sox club in 2026. Meidroth hit .253/.329/.320 with only five home runs, 23 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 54 runs scored in 122 games (505 plate appearances) in 2025 in his rookie season. He's only stolen two bases in his 80 games so far in 2026, but the 24-year-old former fourth-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2022 out of the University of San Diego already has a career-high six homers in 339 plate appearances. In 23 games and 97 plate appearances in June, Meidroth has gone 26-for-89 (.292) with a homer, three doubles, nine RBI, and 11 runs scored. The problem with adding Meidroth off the waiver is that he currently has an elevated 24.8% strikeout rate (up from 14.3% last year), and his walk rate is nearly identical to what it was last year at 8.6%. His xBA of .227 and xwOBA of .282 point to serious regression since he's not making nearly as much contact as he did in 2025. Meidroth might be in play as a short-term middle-infield boost while he's hot, but his underlying metrics say that it's not going to last. He's rostered in only 30% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jun 29, 2026, 11:11 AM ET

Boston Red Sox infielder Caleb Durbin has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball recently, and he went 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI, a run scored, two stolen bases, and a strikeout in the team's 5-4, 10-inning win at Fenway on Sunday to help Boston complete a four-game sweep over the division-rival New York Yankees. Durbin's overall numbers in 2026 in his second year in the majors (first with the BoSox) don't look very enticing from a fantasy standpoint, as he's hitting just .230/.283/.381 with a .664 OPS, six home runs, 34 RBI, 30 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 75 games and 267 plate appearances. However, he has become a strong waiver-wire addition in fantasy leagues of late due to his hot streak at the plate, and he's eligible at both second and third base in most leagues. In his last 11 games, Durbin has gone 17-for-39 (.436) with three home runs, eight RBI, and four stolen bases. Durbin had 11 homers and 18 RBI in 136 games in his rookie campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025, and he's Boston's starting third baseman. He's available in 70% of Yahoo leagues right now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 29, 2026, 11:04 AM ET

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler is slashing just .204/.290/.311 with five home runs, 21 RBI, 29 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 76 games so far in 2026. His slow start to his fourth year in the big leagues with the A's has caused him to be dropped in many fantasy baseball leagues. However, he had another two-hit game in the team's loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, and he's hitting an even .300 (18-for-60) with two home runs, four doubles, seven RBI, 12 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 23 games across 66 plate appearances in June. Fantasy managers shouldn't forget that the 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder had his first 20-20 season in 2025 with 21 homers, 63 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 152 games played. The year before, in his first full season in the majors, Butler came two steals shy of his first 20-20 season, so the power/speed profile is definitely there. It hasn't been the year he had hoped for through the first three months, but there is still time for Butler to turn things around, and fantasy managers could find worse power/speed gambles off the waiver wire. Butler is currently rostered in only 35% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 29, 2026, 10:55 AM ET

The Athletics have been going with a closer-by-committee approach late in games, with right-handed reliever Elvis Alvarado in the mix alongside lefty Hogan Harris and right-hander Mason Barnett. However, only fantasy managers desperate for saves in deeper leagues should even consider snagging Alvarado off the waiver wire right now. The 27-year-old Dominican is currently 3-3 on the year with a 5.64 ERA (4.53 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, his first two career saves, 27 strikeouts, and seven walks in his 22 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He has tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and no walks in his last two appearances against the last-place Los Angeles Angels, but before that, Alvarado had a stretch of allowing five runs (four earned) for an 8.44 ERA with no walks, five strikeouts, three losses, and a blown save in 5 1/3 innings pitched. After blowing his latest save chance against the San Francisco Giants on June 24, Barnett was entrusted by manager Mark Kotsay to close out the game the following day. Alvarado just hasn't been consistent enough in high-leverage situations in his second year in the big leagues, and if he continues to struggle, he could fall out of the closer committee in Sacramento entirely.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jun 29, 2026, 10:32 AM ET

Shane Van Gisbergen was the top favorite to win the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway even before the race began. Van Gisbergen started the race from sixth and quickly made his way towards the front in the first stage. However, he did not have enough speed to get past Ty Gibbs in the first stage. Instead, SVG went to pit road just before the end of the stage, while Gibbs stayed out of pit road to win the first stage. Van Gisbergen did move through the field far enough to end the first stage in seventh and score four stage points. He cycled to the lead in the second stage and dominated it without much competition until he headed to pit road before the end of the stage. Similarly to the first stage, SVG was far enough to move back into seventh before the end of the second stage and earn four more stage points. In the final stage, Van Gisbergen cycled back to the lead and never looked back, outside of a green flag pit stop in the middle of the stage. Chase Briscoe emerged as a contender against SVG in the closing laps as Van Gisbergen was struggling with lap traffic and the handling of his car. However, Briscoe did not have enough time to get past Van Gisbergen before the checkered flag, meaning that Van Gisbergen would win over Briscoe at Sonoma for the second year in a row. With his second victory of the 2026 season, Van Gisbergen moves up to 14th in the regular season standings after 18 races.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: NASCAR.com

Jun 29, 2026, 10:31 AM ET

Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing ended up becoming one of the main contenders for the race win in this weekend's Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Briscoe started the race from seventh, but made up a few positions during the first stage to reach the top five until his first pit stop on lap 23. Considering that his first pit stop was before the end of the stage, he fell back a couple of positions and just missed out on stage points, as he placed 11th at the end of stage one. In the second stage, Briscoe shuffled back up to the front and ran inside the top three through most of the stage until his second pit stop on lap 53. This pit stop was also just before the end of the stage, but Briscoe rallied back to place ninth before the stage ended, giving him two stage points. In the final stage, Briscoe once again moved back to the top three after the stage break, with others hitting pit road. On what would be the final restart of the day, Briscoe moved up to second and spent the rest of the race chasing down Shane Van Gisbergen. Van Gisbergen struggled with his car's handling in the closing laps, and Briscoe mounted a charge to take the win from him. However, Briscoe could not make a move in time as SVG held on to win, and Briscoe settled for second. This marked the second year in a row in which Briscoe finished as the runner-up to Van Gisbergen at Sonoma. After 18 races this year, Briscoe is now 11th in the regular-season standings after 18 races.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: NASCAR.com

Jun 29, 2026, 10:30 AM ET

Ty Gibbs had plenty of speed in Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, leading to a new career-best finish at the site in the Cup Series. As the polesitter for the race, Gibbs began the race from first and showed plenty of speed early. The No. 54 Toyota driver went on to lead every lap in the first stage and win it, earning 10 stage points. In the second stage, Gibbs pitted during the stage break and fell back to the middle of the pack. He spent the entire stage regaining positions, but cycled back to the lead on lap 53 as others went to pit road before the end of the stage. Gibbs then went on to win the second stage and earn 10 further stage points. In the final stage, Ty Gibbs went to pit road during the stage break, was shuffled back into the field, and spent most of the stage moving back to the front. After a clean green flag pit stop, Gibbs went from the back half of the top 10 and up to third at the end of the race, but was too far behind Shane Van Gisbergen and Chase Briscoe to compete for the win. This was Gibbs' first career top-5 finish in the Cup Series at Sonoma, and he now moves to fourth in the regular-season Cup standings after 18 races. --Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: NASCAR.com

Jun 29, 2026, 10:29 AM ET

Denny Hamlin's performance in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway had promise but ended with an underwhelming result. Hamlin began Sunday's Cup Series race from ninth and displayed solid speed compared to the rest of the field in the earlier stages. The No. 11 Toyota driver ran inside the top 10 through most of the first stage until he went for a pit stop on lap 23. After the pit stop, Hamlin ended the first stage in 12th with no stage points. In the second stage, Hamlin regained positions after others went to pit road during the stage break and moved back into a top-10 spot. He continued to run there through the stage until he pitted again before the end of the second stage. Hamlin went on to finish the second stage in 14th, earning no stage points for the day. In the middle of the final stage on lap 64, Hamlin was bumped by Carson Hocevar and spun off the track. Although he was able to keep going, there were no further cautions, and Hamlin struggled to regain positions. Ultimately, the spin was the main contributing factor to his underwhelming finish of 26th. However, with Tyler Reddick having steering issues and finishing 36th, Hamlin now has the regular-season points lead for the first time this year, as he is now one point ahead of Reddick after 18 races this season.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: NASCAR.com

Jun 29, 2026, 10:28 AM ET

Tyler Reddick had high hopes for a good performance in the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, but car problems derailed his day. Reddick started Sunday's race from the 11th position but struggled with the speed and handling of his car early. During the first stage, Reddick continued to lose positions at the start, and by the end of the first stage, he placed 30th and failed to earn stage points. By the end of the first stage, Reddick's car had completely lost power steering, and during the stage break, Reddick stopped on pit road while his team repaired and diagnosed the steering issues. After the repairs, Reddick was six laps down from the rest of the field and spent the rest of the race riding around and hoping for cautions to get back to the lead lap. By the end of the race, Reddick remained in the 36th and final position of the field and finished four laps down. As a result of this finish, Reddick is now exactly one point behind Denny Hamlin for the regular-season points lead, as he is second in the standings for the first time in the 2026 season after 18 races.--Sean Engel - RotoBaller
Source: NASCAR.com

Jun 29, 2026, 10:04 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Jared Jones has struggled through six starts since returning from the UCL surgery he underwent in May of 2025, pitching to the tune of a 5.76 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and nine walks in 25 innings pitched. It's expected that one is to struggle from an injury like he suffered; however, the 24 year old second round pick in 2020 has been a highly viewed pitching prospect for the Pirates after he had a nice rookie campaign in 2024, where he had a 4.14 ERA (3.97 xERA) and really strong strikeout and swing and miss numbers (26.2 percent strikeout rate and 30.2 percent whiff rate). So far through his six starts in 2026, his fastball velocity remains elite (97th percentile); however, his strikeout rate is down (22.7 percent), and he's getting hit hard (90.3 mph average exit velocity and 40.8 percent hard-hit rate), all while demonstrating average control (8.2 percent walk rate). Additionally, Jones has only worked five innings once and is averaging only four innings per start, so he is being handcuffed a bit by pitch count and is inefficient. All this to say, Jones has tremendous upside, and while he is not necessarily a must-start at this time, he is still a strong person to roster that can be useful down the stretch as he continues to ramp up from his return from injury.--Nicho Roessler
Source: MLB.com

Jun 29, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles traded for running back Tank Bigsby after Week 1 of the 2025 season, and while much of his contribution from that point forward came in the return game, a full offseason with the team could have the fourth-year back in line for primary backup responsibilities behind Saquon Barkley in one of fantasy's most valuable handcuff roles. The rest of the Eagles' running backs room features a diverse set of skills from Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce, and Elijah Mitchell, but at 6'0" and 213 pounds, Bigsby is perhaps best equipped to handle the closest to a full workload should the 29-year-old Barkley miss extended time. That size could also help to keep Barkley fresh throughout the year by potentially taking a handful of between-the-tackles runs off his plate each game, a consideration that should be made with the three-time Pro Bowler having handled more than 800 touches over the past two seasons. Should new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion opt to sprinkle in more touches for Bigsby, the former Jaguar could find a sliver of standalone value, but even as strictly injury insurance, Bigsby is a high-value dynasty stash and worthwhile trade target behind an aging bell cow with a history of durability concerns, in one of the league's run-heaviest offenses.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 29, 2026, 9:53 AM ET

The Colorado Rockies have seven games at Coors Field this week, and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who has struggled this season with a .209/.255.330 slash line, should have an opportunity to get hot at the plate with the Rockies playing in the hitter-friendly ballpark all week. While Tovar has been useless in fantasy in 2026, he is still a career .251 hitter with a .701 OPS in his five seasons with the Rockies. Unfortunately, under the hood, Tovar has been just as bad as his surface-level stats: .278 xwOBA and .220 xBA, but fantasy Managers who are in a pinch at their middle infield position may want to look Tovar's way at least this week, to see if a week-long home stretch can get him going. Tovar is not necessarily someone fantasy managers should be blowing all their FAAB on, but more of a look if injuries are catching up to their team or you are looking for a deep-sleeper hitter for Week 15.--Nicho Roessler
Source: MLB.com

Jun 29, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Hollywood Brown finished as the fantasy WR24 in his final season with the Ravens in 2021, but he has not since cracked the top 40. In signing a one-year deal with the Eagles this offseason, he finds himself on his fourth team in six seasons, on a depth chart that could prevent him from seeing an every-down role. At 29 years old, the aging speedster has likely lost a step since running an unofficial 4.27-second 40-yard dash at his 2019 Pro Day, and at only 5'9" and 170 pounds, the Eagles could opt to put the bigger, stronger Dontayvion Wicks in A.J. Brown's vacated X-role opposite three-time 1,000-yard receiver DeVonta Smith. Closer to the inside, Brown could be further boxed out by 2026 first-round pick Makai Lemon, leaving him in more of a situational role unlikely to translate to consistent fantasy production. At RotoBaller's dynasty WR103, Brown is by no means a sought-after trade target, but he could still carry enough name recognition to throw in as a finishing piece to a larger deal.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller