March 17, 2026

After the rustbucket of a golf game that was on display at Bay Hill, Justin Thomas looked a few weeks away--if not a few months--from being able to really become a factor again inside the ropes. Cut to a short few days later, and he was one of the promising names looking to win at TPC Sawgrass last week. This fickle game works on its own clock. Now it's a matter of which one to believe going forward. He looked to be in total control of his golf ball at The Players, gaining over four strokes putting and over five and a half strokes on approach. He also has an incredible history around the Copperhead Course. The driver will be the biggest concern come Thursday, but his affinity for this course should help him visualize tee shots better than the last two venues. It's too early to say if he's officially back, but last week's performance has certainly given him a more optimistic outlook than he had before. Stay on the JT train at Valspar.--Todd McGill
Source: Data Golf

March 17, 2026

As an event that experiences a ton of churn in the field from year to year, Jordan Spieth is on the short list of names that have made it a priority spot on the schedule for many seasons. He won this event in 2015 and has compiled several quality finishes on top of that, but recent struggles in his golf game have weakened his ability around this property. His recent form suggests a return to glory on the Copperhead Course is in the cards for the former Texas Longhorn. He is averaging 0.98 strokes gained on approach over his last three events, and while his putter is still a bit streaky, it has been a real weapon for most of the season. Play the 32-year-old with full confidence.--Todd McGill
Source: Data Golf

March 17, 2026

After a slow start in his return to the PGA Tour, Brooks Koepka has now posted finishes of T9 and T13 over his last two starts. His most recent tournament was last week's Players Championship, where he ranked fourth in the field in strokes gained on approach (1.69). The putter has let him down in all four of his starts this season, and even with it calming down since the putter switch, he isn't doing anything exciting or helpful to lower his scores much. He's back in action this week at Innesbrook, where the 35-year-old last competed in a stroke-play event before the start of his LIV Golf stint. He finished T12 that week in 2022, and given the way his game has come back to him, it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in the mix like old times.--Todd McGill
Source: Data Golf

March 17, 2026

It is a title defense for Viktor Hovland this week at the Valspar Championship. He won a clutch event last season after holding off several good players, and is in great form ahead of Thursday's opening round. The 28-year-old is coming off back-to-back T13 finishes at The Players and the API, which are both approach-heavy tests similar to what it takes to win at the Copperhead Course. Ranking 16th in strokes gained on approach (0.648) and averaging a career-best 0.314 strokes gained around the green, it's perhaps the most well-rounded form that we've ever seen the Norwegian in. It wouldn't be surprising to see him put up a valiant defense, if not win again. And this event has been notorious in recent memory for having repeat champions.--Todd McGill
Source: PGA Tour

March 17, 2026

It has been a rough two weeks for Rasmus Hojgaard, who has been unable to put two rounds together to make the cut in his last two starts. As the guys out there know, it only takes one hole to ruin your week. One round of poor scoring is certainly enough to send you home early. In terms of metrics, the 25-year-old has performed well in most areas. He ranks 19th in total strokes gained average (1.110) and seventh in driving distance. Accuracy is a slight issue given the tightness around the Copperhead Course, but his length should allow him to take less than driver some if it isn't cooperating. If the ownership percentage takes an understandable step back because of recent form, Hojgaard should be a steal.--Todd McGill
Source: PGA Tour

March 17, 2026

New tight end Isaiah Likely, who received a three-year, $40 million contract in free agency, is expected to be a "featured piece" in the New York Giants' offense this year, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Duggan adds that the Giants essentially swapped Likely in for receiver Wan'Dale Robinson, "signaling the shift in their offensive approach" under new head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy. Likely will be paired often with fellow TE Theo Johnson, while Chris Manhertz was re-signed as the primary blocker at the position. Likely, 25, was expected to be a bigger part of the Baltimore Ravens' offense in 2025 under Harbaugh, but the former fourth-rounder suffered a foot injury in the preseason and got a late start to the year. He never really recovered and finished with a career-low 27 catches for 307 yards and only one touchdown on 36 targets in 14 games (seven starts). Likely will be an obvious bounce-back candidate in fantasy football in 2026, although Johnson's presence could keep his ceiling low.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan

March 17, 2026

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (wrist) did some defensive drills, hit off a tee, and then took batting practice on the field in camp on Monday with no apparent issues, according to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Neto was planning to return to a minor-league game on the back fields on Tuesday, but the Angels have decided to have him wait a day. Instead, Neto is expected to play in a big-league game on Wednesday. It looked like Neto suffered a serious left-wrist injury on a head-first slide in a Cactus League game on Saturday, but he appears to have dodged a bullet and should be ready for Opening Day at the end of the month, barring a setback once he returns to game action. The 25-year-old is one of the rising stars at the shortstop position and is ranked by RotoBaller as the No. 5 fantasy shortstop after he clubbed a career-high 26 home runs and drove in 62 runs with 26 stolen bases in 554 plate appearances in 2025 in his second full season in the big leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher

March 17, 2026

Updated a previous report, the timeline for New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) has not changed, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. It was reported on Tuesday that Cole will make his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox and throw one inning. It will be the 35-year-old veteran's first time pitching in a game since he had Tommy John surgery with an internal brace last March. Cole is the Yankees' ace when healthy, but he didn't pitch at all last season, making him more of a question mark for fantasy managers in 2026. He will start the regular season on the 60-day injured list, meaning he won't make his season debut in pinstripes until late May or early June. The six-time All-Star and former American League Cy Young winner might not return to his pre-injury form until 2027, so fantasy managers must practice patience with him in 2026 if they stash him. RotoBaller has Cole ranked as the No. 65 fantasy starting pitcher this year.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner

March 17, 2026

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he'd be comfortable having third baseman Ryan McMahon play shortstop if today were a regular-season game, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. McMahon will open the 2026 season as the team's regular third baseman, but apparently, the 31-year-old veteran will also operate as the backup shortstop behind Jose Caballeros with regular shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) starting the year on the injured list. McMahon, a first-time All-Star in 2024, was traded from the Colorado Rockies to the Yankees in 2025, but he struggled all around at the plate last season. Overall, he slashed .214/.312/.381 with a .693 OPS, and he hit .208/.308/.333 with a .641 OPS, four home runs, 18 RBI, 21 walks, and 62 strikeouts in 54 games (185 plate appearances) in the regular season in the Bronx. McMahon's stock is obviously down after his poor 2025 performance, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 37 fantasy third baseman. If the mechanical changes he made in the offseason work out, McMahon will be an excellent late-round value pick in deeper fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner

March 17, 2026

The Philadelphia Eagles are signing former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million on Tuesday, multiple sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Hollywood played in just two games in his first year with the Chiefs in 2024 due to an injury, but he rebounded last year to catch 49 passes on 74 targets for 587 yards and five touchdowns in 16 games (six starts). The 28-year-old pass-catcher has been on the decline since posting his only 1,000-yard season back in 2021 with the Baltimore Ravens. However, Brown could have a decent role in Philly behind DeVonta Smith if the Eagles trade A.J. Brown this offseason. Brown's 2026 fantasy football value will depend largely on whether Brown ends up in another uniform heading into next season. For his career, Brown has averaged 11.6 yards per catch and has 4,322 receiving yards and 33 touchdowns on 371 catches in his seven NFL seasons.--Keith Hernandez
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz

March 17, 2026

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he's unsure if left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) will get into a Grapefruit League game before spring training ends, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Rodon will throw another live batting practice session in camp this week. "I expect him back at some point in April," Boone said. The veteran 33-year-old southpaw threw 30 pitches in a simulated game over the weekend and is getting closer as he recovers from offseason surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow, but he will begin the 2026 regular season on the injured list for the Yankees. Barring a setback as he continues to ramp up, though, Rodon might not even miss a full month. Rodon is a bit riskier for fantasy managers coming off elbow surgery, but his stock is rising this spring with positive rehab reports. Durability is a concern for the three-time All-Star, but he has made 30-plus starts in three of the last four seasons and is a top-of-the-rotation arm for the Yanks when he's healthy. At a lower price, Rodon is absolutely worth stashing in all redraft formats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner

March 17, 2026

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (shoulder) is currently visiting Dr. Keith Meister in Texas to "make sure they are on track," according to Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com. General manager Justin Hollander said that Crawford's imaging was good, and the team's concern level is "very low" at this point. The veteran infielder has been out of the lineup since last Wednesday, but it doesn't sound like the injury is cause for too much alarm. It remains to be seen whether he'll be healthy enough to play on Opening Day, though. After a frustrating 2024 campaign, Crawford bounced back with an above-average 2025 season at the plate. Across 157 games, he slashed .265/.352/.370 with 12 home runs, an 11.3% walk rate, an 18.7% strikeout rate, and 113 wRC+. He's not a major power or base-stealing threat, but he puts the ball in play while delivering reliable infield defense. As it stands, the 31-year-old ranks #41 among RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Shannon Drayer

March 17, 2026

The New York Mets have optioned outfielder MJ Melendez and right-handed pitcher Christian Scott to Triple-A, according to Mike Puma of The New York Post. Melendez was in Mets camp on a split contract, and it appears that he did not make the Opening Day roster. Always a below-average hitter, Melendez is coming off a particularly ugly year with the Royals in which he slashed .083/.154/.167 with -14 wRC+, a 4.6% walk rate, and a 35.4% strikeout rate across 23 games in the majors. He was 4-for-11 with a pair of homers this spring. While encouraging, that stat line came over a small sample size, and the Mets aren't going to find a spot for him in the majors yet. Meanwhile, Scott is also back in the minors after missing all of 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. He last pitched in 2024, when he split time between Triple-A and the majors. In the bigs that year, he posted a respectable 4.60 FIP with 7.42 K/9 and 2.28 BB/9. After surrendering three runs and four walks over six innings this spring, though, the Mets have decided that he needs a little more time in the minors before re-joining the big-league pitching staff.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Mike Puma

March 17, 2026

The Denver Broncos are acquiring wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and a fourth-round draft pick (11th in the round) in 2026 from the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday in exchange for a first-round pick (30th overall) along with late third- and fourth-round picks (30th in each round) in this year's draft, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. It's a pretty big upgrade for quarterback Bo Nix and Denver's offense, as Waddle could end up leading the Broncos' pass-catchers in targets if he can stay healthy in 2026. It gives Nix another trusted weapon to throw to besides Courtland Sutton. The 27-year-old Waddle, who was drafted in the first round (sixth overall) in 2021 out of Alabama, started his career with three straight 1,000-yard seasons and led the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch in his sophomore season. He'll be a reliable target for Nix as the Broncos' offense looks to take the next step. It's a good landing spot for Waddle, although he'll definitely have more competition for targets than if he had stayed in Miami. His arrival in Denver is bad news for the dynasty values of both Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

March 17, 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin was not listed among the team's latest batch of roster cuts on Tuesday. As the Pirates inch closer to trimming their Opening Day roster to 26 players, it appears that Griffin remains in the mix for a spot. It would be a remarkable story if he ends up making the team, as he's just 19 years old and was drafted out of high school less than two years ago. Griffin tore up the minors to the tune of a .333/.415/.527 slash line last year, and he also added 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases. He plays terrific defense at shortstop with some additional pro experience in center field. His slash line has dropped to .206/.270/.588 against big-league pitching this spring, but he has still jolted four homers with an above-average 110 wRC+. Media projections have been torn on whether Griffin will break camp with the major league squad, but the fact that he survived Tuesday's cuts is another step in the right direction. As it stands, the Pirates have 13 more cuts to make within the next nine days. Even if Griffin doesn't make the Opening Day roster, he'll start the year in Triple-A and should mount a pretty quick push to make his MLB debut.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates

March 17, 2026

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitcher Beau Brieske (groin) has been diagnosed with a groin strain and will open the regular season on the injured list, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. Brieske hasn't pitched since Friday, when he tossed one scoreless inning in a spring training contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, he'll be sidelined through at least the first week of April as he recovers from a groin strain. It's an unfortunate but perhaps minor setback for Brieske, who is looking to bounce back from a career-worst campaign in 2025. Across 22 innings last year, he posted a 6.27 FIP with 6.55 K/9 and 4.91 BB/9. With his injury, Detroit's projected Opening Day bullpen is now down to five righties.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Chris McCosky

March 17, 2026

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (knee) will catch a bullpen session on Tuesday and is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Houston Astros, according to Lynn Worthy of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He's expected to get three innings behind the plate in his return to game action. Herrera hasn't played since March 6, when he injured his knee. He previously noted that he's not sure how the injury occurred. Fortunately, the issue wasn't too severe, and Herrera will now get back into the lineup less than two weeks later. He is looking to build off a breakout 2025 campaign in which he slashed .284/.373/.464 with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, a 9.5% walk rate, an 18.6% strikeout rate, and 137 wRC+. As it stands, Herrera ranks as the #10 catcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings for 2026.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Lynn Worthy

March 17, 2026

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) will throw an inning during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post. Cole is expected to start the contest, marking his first taste of in-game action in more than a year. The ace underwent Tommy John surgery last year and will look to get back to his pre-injury form. Across 17 starts in 2024, he went 8-5 with a 3.69 FIP, 9.38 K/9, 2.75 BB/9, and 38.7% ground ball rate. The Yankees have previously said that Cole will return in late May or early June, but this latest development could imply that he's slightly ahead of schedule. With that said, the organization certainly won't rush him back, especially this early in the season. Cole is joined on the injured list by Carlos Rodon (elbow), leaving Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Ryan Weathers as mid-rotation options behind ace Max Fried to open the year.--Andersen Pickard
Source: Joel Sherman

March 17, 2026

Things have been off for Tony Finau and have shown few signs of changing. The 36-year-old finished T70, shooting a combined eight over par over the last three rounds after posting a 69 on Thursday. It was another event on the growing list of forgettable performances since the beginning of last season. He's been wildly inaccurate off the tee, which has created a trickle-down effect for other parts of his game. Through his first seven starts this season, Finau ranks 124th in strokes gained off the tee (-0.282) and 100th in strokes gained on approach (-0.146). When it comes to this week's event at Innisbrook, he has only made the cut once in five tries. It resulted in a top-5 finish, but the Utah native is currently playing nowhere near the same level. Continue fading him until he shows some signs of life.--Todd McGill
Source: PGA Tour

March 17, 2026

Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd will likely have an opportunity to compete for the backup role in 2026. The Packers recently watched Emanuel Wilson depart in free agency, leaving a void to be filled at the No. 2 running back spot behind Josh Jacobs. Green Bay could still add a free agent or draft a rookie to take that spot, but that hasn't happened yet. To this point, it seems like the Packers will lean on an existing internal option to back up Jacobs. Chris Brooks has a slight leg up on the competition, but Lloyd is absolutely in the mix, too. Lloyd carried impressive upside as a third-round pick in 2024, but a tumultuous series of injuries has limited his ability to get on the field. He has played offensive snaps in just one NFL game through two seasons, rushing for 15 yards on six carries. At this point, it appears Lloyd has been cleared of the hip, hamstring, and ankle injuries -- as well as the appendicitis -- that have plagued the early portion of his career. He's firmly in the mix to back up Jacobs this year, and given the starter's age and injury concerns in 2025, we could see a scenario where Lloyd is considered to start a couple of games next season. His price tag is at an all-time low, so it wouldn't hurt to send out a low-risk trade offer for the young running back in dynasty leagues.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

March 17, 2026

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) hasn't played a snap since the middle of the 2024 season, but it appears that he could get back on the fantasy football radar soon. Watson should be healthy (or at least near full health) ahead of the 2026 campaign, giving him a real chance to win the Browns' starting quarterback job. Not only does Watson have the best career stats among the Browns' quarterback room, but he also comes with the largest investment. Cleveland flipped three first-round picks for Watson, whereas Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders were merely Day 2 or 3 selections. Neither Gabriel nor Sanders, both of whom started games in 2025, put together very encouraging stat lines. Watson wasn't great when he last played, either, going 1-6 with 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. However, his experience, track record, and investment likely make him the favorite to start at quarterback in Week 1, if he's healthy. With a talented, young group of skill players around him -- plus an improved offensive line in front of him -- Watson could sneakily become a fantasy option in deeper leagues. At worst, he has top-24 upside at the quarterback position in 2026.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

March 17, 2026

Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson landed in a more favorable spot this offseason, and now, he finds himself trending up in fantasy football. Wilson spent three years as a depth option in Green Bay before signing with the Seahawks last week. The former undrafted free agent posted at least 550 scrimmage yards in each of the last two seasons, offering the Packers a reliable backup to Josh Jacobs. Wilson ended up making two starts last year, including an impressive Week 12 performance in which he posted 28 carries, 107 rushing yards, two catches, 18 receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns. Seattle lost Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, and Wilson is the only significant backfield addition the Seahawks have made since then. The move pairs Wilson with Zach Charbonnet (knee), who could be the Seahawks' eventual starter but will first have to clear a major injury hurdle. Charbonnet is working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in the playoffs, so he might not be ready for Week 1 next season. Even if he does play, he likely won't be at 100%. At this point, it seems likely that Wilson -- not Charbonnet -- will take the Seahawks' first snap at running back in 2026, giving him plenty of early-season upside. As the Seahawks' potential lead back, Wilson can be an RB2 in fantasy football early next year, and similarly, he's a long-term RB3/flex with RB2 upside in dynasty formats. Managers should consider sending out trade offers for Wilson, since he's still currently affordable in dynasty leagues. He's an especially appealing option for Charbonnet's managers who want his handcuff.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

March 17, 2026

This week at Innisbrook is another Blades Brown attempt at proving himself among the tour's best players. We last saw him in Puerto Rico, where he again contended for a tournament title after rounds of 69-67-69-69 got him in a solo third. A much better performance than the last time he was in a similar position earlier this year. Stats are limited due to his limited starts and mainstay on the Korn Ferry circuit, but what can be gathered is a real ability on the greens. His small sample size ranks him 31st in strokes gained putting (0.502). The 18-year-old, despite ranking poorly in strokes gained metrics for ball striking, has shown elite accuracy. He's still a flyer DFS option, but if you've taken a chance in his first three starts, it's been a pleasant return in two of them.--Todd McGill
Source: PGA Tour

March 17, 2026

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor is expected to have increased fantasy value going forward. This offseason, Nailor hit free agency and signed with the Raiders, going from the No. 3 receiver in Minnesota to the potential No. 1 receiver in Vegas. He never quite emerged as a consistent week-over-week fantasy option in Minnesota, but he certainly flashed upside with a total of 10 touchdowns over the last two years. In each of those two seasons, he also had at least 28 catches and 414 yards. We don't quite know if Nailor is capable of making the jump to a top receiver role, so fantasy managers should temper expectations at least a little. Plus, Vegas also has Tre Tucker and Jack Bech on its roster, creating additional competition for Nailor, and we can't rule out the possibility of them drafting another pass-catcher. Finally, Vegas' offense could experience some growing pains in the first year under presumptive No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. All in all, there's upside here, but it's a bit too early to send out dynasty trade offers that would price Nailor as a top-40 fantasy receiver.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

March 17, 2026

It was another great week for Jacob Bridgeman, who was a major part of the conversation last week at TPC Sawgrass. He finished in a tie for fifth after posting rounds of 71-70 over the weekend. It was another strong performance on the greens, averaging 2.56 strokes gained putting. However, this was his first outing of the season losing strokes on approach (-0.62 average). He'll now go to the Valspar Championship, where he finished third in 2025. He'll certainly need to sure up his ball striking, but everything else in his game is still trending in the right direction. The downside is that ownership will be fairly high. If that is a concern, there are plenty of pivot options to choose from, but Bridgeman will be a key DFS asset for many.--Todd McGill
Source: Data Golf

March 17, 2026

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.'s new landing spot should benefit him long-term, and it also bodes well for his fantasy football managers. Rodriguez, a former Washington Commander, hit free agency this offseason and ultimately signed with the Jaguars. It was a very intriguing offseason move, as Jacksonville had recently lost Travis Etienne Jr. and was looking for someone to share the backfield with Bhayshul Tuten. While Tuten's one year of experience in the Jags' backfield gives him an early advantage on the lead-back role, we fully anticipate that Rodriguez will also be heavily involved. Rodriguez should play at least one-third of the snaps, and we'd have to imagine that Tuten still has somewhat of a short leash given his youth and lack of a track record. In other words, there's a path for Rodriguez to land the lead-back role if Tuten struggles or gets injured. Plus, Rodriguez already has a connection to head coach Liam Coen. At Kentucky in 2021, when Rodriguez was running for Kentucky and Coen was Kentucky's offensive coordinator, the former amassed 1,440 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. All in all, Rodriguez is a very appealing "buy" in dynasty leagues this offseason.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

March 17, 2026

Detroit Red Wings winger Alex DeBrincat recorded three assists as the team ended a three-game skid with a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night. DeBrincat earned all his helpers in the second period, setting up Patrick Kane twice in even-strength situations and picking up a power-play assist on a goal from Mortiz Seider. The Red Wings have had a tough time this month, but DeBrincat has remained a consistent offensive threat. He has finished scoreless just once in his last nine appearances, recording three goals and nine assists. The two-time All-Star leads his team with 69 points (33 goals, 36 assists) in 68 outings, sitting among 15 players in the league with at least 30 goals and 30 assists this campaign.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

March 17, 2026

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic is back at full strength after having his potential breakout season cut short last year, and he can be a solid mid-round value to add depth to your pitching staff. Last year, the 28-year-old lefty posted a 2.55 ERA, 2.89 FIP, and 2.97 K/BB ratio in 116.1 innings but was shut down in July with a shoulder injury. Bubic wasn't a hard thrower before the injury, but his velocity has returned to around 92 mph with his fastball, which is more effective due to movement than raw speed. Even though he doesn't normally overpower hitters, he did have a strong strikeout rate last season, giving him a nice ceiling in his return this year. He has allowed just one run with 10 strikeouts in his eight spring training innings, and if you can grab him to add depth to your rotation, he is set up to be a solid contributor again this season. He's RotoBaller's No. 57 SP coming into the season, so don't reach for him as an elite arm, but he can be a solid mid-rotation addition with good returns after seemingly making a full recovery.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

March 17, 2026

New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes finished Monday's 4-3 overtime win against the Boston Bruins with three assists. The Devils fell two goals behind in the first period, but Hughes' creativity helped them to tie the game before the second intermission. Hughes then completed his hat trick of assists when Paul Cotter scored deep into overtime. It was a special night for Hughes, as he became the fastest player in franchise history to record 400 career points. He has accumulated 402 points (158 goals, 244 assists) in 414 games with the Devils. This season, the 24-year-old has bagged 51 points (17 goals, 34 assists) in 46 outings. Hughes started to pick up form before the Olympics and has maintained a very high level of play since the tournament finished. In his last 10 appearances, Hughes has tallied five goals and 10 assists.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

March 17, 2026

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda got plenty of hype as a top prospect, and although it took longer than some people expected, he put together a breakout season last year. The 27-year-old hit an impressive .316 with 14 homers and a .381 wOBA in 106 games last year. He missed time with a fractured wrist, but returned before the end of the season and looked strong in the World Baseball Classic for Mexico. After an All-Star season last year, Aranda is still flying a little under the radar as the No. 21 first baseman in RotoBaller's rankings, but he brings excellent upside as the Rays' top left-handed power option after the departure of Brandon Lowe this offseason. Aranda should hit in the heart of the order, and if he stays healthy, could emerge as a top value play at the position after the elite options are off the board. His power production may not match the elite options, but he is definitely someone to target in the middle rounds if you need depth at the position or missed out on the big boppers at first base.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller