April 3, 2026
Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane once again rewrote the history books with a three-point effort in Thursday's 4-2 road win over the Philadelphia Flyers, becoming the NHL's all-time leading scorer among American players. The former MVP scored Detroit's game-winning goal and contributed two assists, including one on the power play. Earlier this season, Kane surpassed Mike Modano as the top-scoring U.S.-born player. Now, he's also ahead of Brett Hull on the all-time scoring list. Hull was born in Canada but represented the United States. Kane has scored 1,393 points (506 goals, 887 assists) in 1,362 career games. On Thursday night, he reached the 50-point mark for this season, boasting 14 goals and 36 assists through 60 outings. Kane has turned back the clock recently, tallying two goals and six assists during a four-game point streak.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
April 3, 2026
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Elias Salomonsson is in concussion protocol, head coach Scott Arniel told reporters after Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Dallas Stars. Salomonsson was on the ice for two of the Stars' goals but left the action midway through the second period. The 21-year-old couldn't complete the game after a hit from Stars forward Jason Robertson. Winnipeg will likely be without Salomonsson for Saturday's trip to Columbus. Salomonsson, a second-round draft pick from 2022, has made his first 32 NHL appearances this season. He has registered five points (one goal, four assists), 37 SOG, 27 blocks, and 50 hits. Jacob Bryson and Ville Heinola are the options to replace him in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
April 3, 2026
Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Noah Schultz has looked sharp to begin the campaign at Triple-A and could contend for his MLB debut much sooner than expected this season. The southpaw has appeared in two Triple-A games (one start) and logged nine innings while allowing just one run. He has walked only two hitters and racked up 10 punchouts. This is an excellent sign for his development as the budding ace struggled in his first taste of Triple-A in 2025, logging a hefty 9.37 ERA with a 1.96 WHIP over a short 16 1/3-inning stint. He spent most of the 2025 season with Double-A Birmingham, where he held a 3.34 ERA with a modest 1.59 WHIP over 56 2/3 innings. If Schultz can continue to improve his command and enjoy steady production, he should debut in the coming months.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks left wing Nick Lardis injured his left hand late in Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Jack Bushman of Chicago Hockey Now reports. Teammate Teuvo Teravainen hit him on the hand with a shot. Lardis netted Chicago's lone goal of the game five minutes into the third frame. The 20-year-old rookie has totaled 14 points (nine goals, five assists) in 35 games this season. He has lit the lamp four times in his last seven appearances, but it's unclear whether he will get a chance to maintain his form on Saturday against Seattle. If he's healthy enough to play, Andrew Mangiapane (upper body) might be an option to fill in for Lardis. The veteran has been out for a couple of weeks but is traveling with the team.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jack Bushman
April 3, 2026
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect
Jett Williams fell just short of making the Opening Day roster out of camp, but should be in the mix to earn the call to Milwaukee in the near future. Williams was the centerpiece of one of the prominent trades this offseason that sent
Freddy Peralta to the New York Mets. Williams was competing alongside
Joey Ortiz,
Luis Rengifo, and
David Hamilton for a role at either the hot corner or shortstop on the MLB roster, but was unable to find a role. Williams enjoyed a hot start with Triple-A Nashville, tallying at least one hit in each of his first three games, but he has gone hitless over his last two. Last summer, he looked quite comfortable at Double-A, posting a .281/.390/.477 line with a .867 OPS, before posting a low .718 OPS at Triple-A Syracuse. Given that Ortiz held a low .230 AVG over 149 games last season and Hamilton has opened the campaign going 2-for-12, Williams should make his MLB debut sooner, rather than later.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect
Joshua Baez was in the mix to break camp with the MLB roster but ultimately fell short in the competition. He was instead optioned to Triple-A Memphis to begin the 2026 regular season. Over his first five games at the top level of the minor leagues, the former 54th overall selection has gone 6-for-22 with two doubles and a stolen base. Last summer, Baez held his own over 117 games shared between High-A and Double-A. During this combined stretch, the No. 87-ranked prospect in the sport (per MLB.com), held a strong .287/.384/.500 line with 20 home runs and an impressive 54 stolen bases. Currently, St. Louis is relying on
Nathan Church and
Jordan Walker in their corner outfield spots while
Lars Nootbaar (heel) remains on the 60-day IL. If either struggles for a longer period, Baez will likely get the call. He is worth stashing in deeper five-outfielder leagues given his high-end five-category skill set.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Utah Mammoth forward Jack McBain (lower body) left Thursday's 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken in the second period, Catherine Bogart of the Mammoth's official site reports. His night at the office ended after he had logged exactly nine minutes of ice time. McBain has been Utah's ironman, not missing a single game this season, so he must be desperate to avoid his first absence on Saturday night against Vancouver. The 26-year-old is fourth in the NHL with 271 hits and has tallied 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) in 75 games. Utah carries Liam O'Brien as an extra forward, and he could suit up for the first time in two months on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: Catherine Bogart
April 3, 2026
Chicago White Sox left-handed pitching prospect
Hagen Smith has looked sharp to begin the season at Triple-A and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. The White Sox opted to send their former fifth overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft to Triple-A Charlotte to open the 2026 regular season. Over his first two outings (logging three innings in both), Smith has allowed just three runs (only two earned) while striking out nine with just one walk. His command was a blemish on his production last season as he allowed a hefty 56 free passes over a 75 2/3-inning stint with Double-A Birmingham. However, during this stint, Smith flashed his elite strikeout upside, totaling 108. If the young southpaw can continue to lower his walk rate, he should claim a spot in the rotation over
Erick Fedde or
Davis Martin in the near future.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Ottawa Senators defenseman Tyler Kleven (upper body) played only a couple of minutes in Thursday's win over the Buffalo Sabres. He took a puck to the head/neck area early in the first period. Kleven's role has recently increased at the back for Ottawa, as the blue line has been stretched incredibly thin. While Jake Sanderson (upper body) appears to be nearing his return, the Senators are still set to finish the campaign with a makeshift backline. Due to injuries, Jordan Spence's fantasy stock has received a major boost. On Thursday, he extended his point streak to four games with an assist while logging 30:48 of ice time.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
April 3, 2026
San Francisco Giants first base prospect
Bryce Eldridge continues to make a strong case to return to the major leagues in the near future. After a modest showing in spring training where the former 16th overall pick posted a low .225 AVG, the Giants opted to send him to Triple-A Sacramento to further his development. However, over his first five contests, Eldridge has posted a strong .278/.500/.333 line with a double and a 6:5 K:BB. The young slugger made his MLB debut in the second half of the 2025 campaign but held a low .107 AVG with a .476 OPS over a brief 10-game stint. Additionally, Eldridge carries high-end stash value as the Giants have not had consistent production at first base, especially when
Rafael Devers serves as the DH. Currently,
Casey Schmitt has taken on first base duties and has gone hitless in four of his seven starts. Given his high-end raw power and clear path to playing time, Eldridge carries high-end stash priority in all leagues ahead of Week 2.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (lower body) made an early exit against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night. The Swedish veteran saw only 7:03 of ice time and was ruled out for the rest of the game after the second period. Ekman-Larsson has totaled 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) in 73 games this season, but he has cooled off noticeably since the Olympics. In his last 15 appearances, Ekman-Larsson has finished scoreless 12 times. Troy Stecher, who was a healthy scratch on Thursday, could get an opportunity to rejoin the lineup this weekend if Ekman-Larsson is forced to miss additional time.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
April 3, 2026
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitching prospect
Brody Hopkins is worth viewing as a deep-league stash candidate early in the 2026 regular season. Hopkins is considered the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Tampa Bay system and the No. 85-ranked overall in the sport, per MLB.com. The 24-year-old spent the entire 2025 campaign with Double-A Montgomery and logged 116 innings to the tune of a 2.72 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. During this stint, Hopkins struck out 141 hitters while walking 60. Given this steady production, the Rays moved Hopkins to Triple-A Durham at the start of the 2026 regular season. In his first outing, Hopkins logged four innings and allowed one run, two hits, and posted a 5:3 K:BB. If he can continue to improve his command, Hopkins may compete for an MLB debut before the All-Star break. His strikeout upside makes him an intriguing target for those in deeper formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
April 3, 2026
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Justin Faulk suffered a lower-body injury on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Max Smith of Detroit Hockey Now reports. He left the game during the second period, finishing with 10:49 of ice time. The veteran blue-liner had his 12th outing with the Red Wings. Since moving to Motor City, he has recorded three points (one goal, two assists), 15 SOG, 23 blocks, and 17 hits. The severity of Faulk's injury is unclear, but he should be considered questionable for Saturday's meeting with the New York Rangers. Travis Hamonic could get back into the lineup for the first time since Feb. 4, but he doesn't have fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Max Smith
April 2, 2026
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher
Jose Quintana (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Thursday, retroactive to Monday. The veteran southpaw allowed two earned runs across 4.1 innings of work during his season debut on Sunday. He appears to have suffered a right hamstring strain during that start, which will knock him out for a few weeks. The severity of the injury is unknown right now, so it's unclear if Quintana will need any longer than the 15 days on the IL. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Valente Bellozo has been recalled to take Quintana's spot in the starting rotation. Neither pitcher figures to offer much upside in terms of fantasy value, so Quintana can likely be dropped for a healthy arm.
--Andy WebbSource: Patrick Lyons
April 2, 2026
Colorado Rockies outfielder
Mickey Moniak (finger) is expected to be activated from the Injured List ahead of Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Rockies made some moves on Thursday, but still have an open roster spot ahead of this contest. With that being said, it seems likely the Rockies are keeping that open to activate Moniak before game-time. The 27-year-old has missed the first six games of the season due to a sprained finger. He'll hopefully be ready to go for the home series opener, but fantasy managers should check back ahead of first pitch. Last season, Moniak slashed .270/.306/.518 with a career-high 24 home runs and 68 RBI in 135 games with the Rockies. He could offer value in mixed leagues, but Moniak isn't a must-have player.
--Andy WebbSource: Patrick Lyons
April 2, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Ryan Rollins (hip) is probable for Friday's contest against the Boston Celtics. He is expected to return from a one-game absence.
AJ Green and
Andre Jackson Jr. will lose playing time to Rollins, who has been Milwaukee's most productive player late in the season. The 23-year-old has averaged 22.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.8 steals over his last five outings. If he's cleared to play, Rollins should once again be a focal point of Milwaukee's offense, though Boston held him to just five points in their last meeting.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. It appears the veteran right-hander is feeling under the weather, so he'll be pulled from this start, but shouldn't need to be placed on the Injured List.
Luinder Avila has been recalled from Triple-A Omaha to make the start on Friday night. Avila registered a 1.29 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 16:6 K/BB ratio across 13 relief appearances with the Royals last season. The 24-year-old has been mainly working as a starter in the minors, but he still might not pitch deep into this game. The rest of the Royals' starters will remain the same, with
Seth Lugo on Saturday and
Kris Bubic on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Anne Rogers
April 2, 2026
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center
Bobby Portis (wrist) will miss a sixth straight game on Friday against the Boston Celtics. He is struggling to shake off a wrist injury, and since Milwaukee has nothing left to play for, it wouldn't be surprising to see Portis sit out the rest of the regular season.
Pete Nance has carved out a regular spot in the rotation during Portis' absence. He impressed with a 23-point outing on Wednesday against Houston, but it's unlikely he will be able to repeat that performance on Friday, especially with
Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) and
Myles Turner (ankle) back in the fold.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday in Phoenix. Strider is currently working his way back from an oblique issue that has kept him sidelined since the end of Spring Training. If everything goes well, Strider should be cleared to face live hitters next. He'll likely need a few weeks to ramp up activities and build up stamina before rejoining the Braves rotation. There's a chance that Strider is ready to rejoin the Braves' rotation by the end of April, but there's no exact timetable at the moment. The right-hander should be stashed on the IL in most fantasy formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Chad Bishop
April 2, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (shoulder) is not on the injury report for Friday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. Gafford hurt his right shoulder in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee, but he has quickly shaken off the injury. The 27-year-old big man can be infuriatingly inconsistent with his performances, but his average numbers were strong in March. Over 11 appearances, he posted 15.1 points and 9.2 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game. From a fantasy perspective, Orlando tends to be stingy to centers, so Gafford will have a challenging matchup on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Atlanta Braves catcher
Sean Murphy (hip) was able to catch three innings of a simulated game on Wednesday without any issues. Murphy is currently with High-A Rome while he works his way back from right hip surgery. He has been sidelined since the beginning of Spring Training, but Murphy is now heading in the right direction. He'll likely need to work his way up to catching full games before he's activated from the 10-day Injured List. The expectation is that he'll start a rehab assignment soon and appears to be on track to return around late April or early May.
Drake Baldwin should continue doing most of the catching while Murphy is out.
--Andy WebbSource: Chad Bishop
April 2, 2026
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle) will rejoin the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Bulls. Brunson sat out Wednesday's win over Memphis to manage an ankle injury, but his name hasn't been included on the injury report ahead of Friday's game. With Brunson back on the court, we will see a lot less of
Jose Alvarado,
Landry Shamet, and Tyler Koler in the Knicks' rotation, especially with
Miles McBride (pelvic) also expected to return. Brunson had just 12 points on Tuesday night against Houston, but he had previously impressed with two 30-point efforts in three games. On Friday, he has an ideal fantasy matchup against a defensively weak team that likes to run.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers center
Isaiah Jackson (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Janis Carr of The Orange County Register reports. The big man suffered a high right ankle sprain on March 27 against Indiana and will be out for a third consecutive game on Thursday night versus Portland. The regular season ends next Sunday, so it's possible the Clippers won't have Jackson available until the postseason. Starting center
Brook Lopez looks set for a heavy workload in the final few games, while
John Collins will see more time at the No. 5 spot.
--Taavi PailkSource: Janis Carr
April 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center
Karlo Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. He has landed on the shelf due to lower back spasms after initially carrying a questionable tag on the injury report. Since Matkovic won't be available Thursday, he might not be ready to play on Friday either, when New Orleans visits Sacramento to complete a back-to-back.
Yves Missi and
Derik Queen will likely benefit the most from Matkovic's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Isaiah Collier (hamstring) is out for Friday's game against the Rockets, extending his absence to nine straight games. His continued absence should keep
Bez Mbeng involved after he logged seven points, one rebound, two assists, and one steal in 23 minutes last game.
Kennedy Chandler could also maintain a sizable role after finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block in 33 minutes. Chandler looks like the more reliable deep-league streamer, while Mbeng is a deeper-league gamble.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Lodolo (finger) exited his rehab outing early with Low-A Daytona on Thursday evening. The southpaw was expected to throw around 60-65 pitches in this outing, but managed to throw only 40 before leaving the bump early. Lodolo completed 2 2/3 shutout frames with no hits or walks and struck out four hitters. Managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status as the 28-year-old could be sidelined for a longer period if he is unable to make any steady progress in his recovery. Lodolo was not expected to have a long stint on the injured list, but will now likely require several more rehab outings to build up his workload. For the time being, managers should continue to view Lodolo as a priority stash option in all standard leagues. When active, he will likely replace
Brandon Williamson in the starting rotation.
--Andy SmithSource: Charlie Goldsmith
April 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Trey Murphy III (ankle) will make his return to the lineup on Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers. The 25-year-old has recovered from an ankle sprain, shedding a questionable tag. Murphy III has missed three games, which has opened the door for
Yves Missi to move back into the starting lineup. He will likely be bumped back to the bench on Thursday. During a disappointing campaign, Murphy III's performance has been one of the few positives for the Pelicans. He is averaging a career-high 21.7 points, along with 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals. New Orleans is in a pace-up spot on Thursday night, giving Murphy III a good opportunity to put up numbers above his season averages.
--Taavi PailkSource: New Orleans Pelicans
April 2, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Tre Jones (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Knicks, while
Josh Giddey (hamstring) is also on the injury report. If either guard is out,
Collin Sexton could see another start after finishing with 18 points, one three-pointer, three rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 26 minutes last game. Sexton is averaging 20.4 points, 2.6 three-pointers, and 3.2 assists over his last five games and looks like a solid points streamer.
Rob Dillingham may also see increased minutes as a deep-league option.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Golden State Warriors guard
Seth Curry (adductor) won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. This was expected after Curry played in Wednesday's loss to San Antonio. The veteran has just returned from an adductor strain, and Golden State won't want to overwork him so soon after his injury. Curry has only a limited role with the Warriors, and his absence shouldn't be an issue for the team on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 2, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward
Gui Santos (pelvic) will play on Thursday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Brazilian forward sat out the first leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday versus San Antonio and was initially listed as questionable for Thursday's game. Santos has taken a big leap this season and has been especially impressive since the All-Star break. Over his last 20 outings, Santos has averaged 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals. Santos will lead the Warriors' offense on Thursday alongside
Kristaps Porzingis and
Brandin Podziemski.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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