Luther Burden III Looking Like a True WR1 in OTAs With Bears
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Luther Burden III appears to be the one ready to step up after Chicago traded DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills this offseason. According to former NFL tight end Clay Harbor, Burden is "doing everything you'd think a No. 1 receiver would do" during OTAs this offseason. The 22-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) out of the University of Missouri looks bigger and faster and is playing both inside and outside in head coach Ben Johnson's offense. Johnson even said himself last week that he's "buying Burden stock right now." He finished his rookie year as a real weapon in Chicago's offense, catching 47 of his 60 targets for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts). Former first-rounder Rome Odunze remains in town, but he may never be the same after heel issues that could continue to be a concern for him. Burden looks like the real deal and is quickly becoming one of the top breakout candidates at the receiver position in 2026. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 19 fantasy WR for the 2026 season.
Source: Clay Harbor
Source: Clay Harbor
T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith Expected to Remain With Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers recently gave edge rusher Nick Herbig a four-year, $100 million contract extension, which has led to more speculation that the Steelers could trade one of linebackers T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith, this offseason. The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that Watt "isn't going anywhere this year, and he's going to play for the Steelers." Rapoport also doesn't "get the sense" that Highsmith is going anywhere either. Watt, 31, signed a three-year, $123 million contract with Pittsburgh in July of last year. It doesn't sound like he's a realistic trade candidate this offseason, but that could be a different story come next year, when the Steelers will have a decision to make either way. The eight-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro can still be a difference-maker on defense when he's healthy, but he's not getting any younger, and durability is becoming a bit more of a concern for the Steelers and fantasy managers in IDP formats. Watt played in 14 regular-season games in 2025 and had just seven sacks, the second-fewest total of his nine-year NFL career.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Maxx Crosby Close to Returning to Practice?
Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby (knee), who is calling his nixed offseason trade to the Baltimore Ravens "water under the bridge," is improving physically and is "almost back to being" on the field, according to Sam Warren of The Athletic. The 28-year-old was in the early stages of his recovery from surgery to fix a torn meniscus when the Ravens withdrew from a potential Crosby trade due to a failed physical. Baltimore's doctors reportedly were worried about Crosby's long-term prognosis of his surgically-repaired left knee, despite his short-term outlook being positive. New head coach Klint Kubiak said the team is "counting on" Crosby being back for training camp in July, adding that he "wouldn't be surprised if Maxx was ahead of schedule." Barring a setback, the five-time Pro Bowler should be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, which will make him a highly coveted D-lineman in IDP fantasy formats despite added injury risk after he missed seven games in the last two seasons due to injuries.
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Source: The Athletic - Sam Warren
Patriots Don't Expect A.J. Brown to be Limited Physically
New England Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown has had issues with his knees in the past, but the Patriots did their homework before acquiring him from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday for a first-rounder in 2028 and a fifth-rounder in 2027, and they don't believe it will be something that limits him in 2026, according to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network. The Pats targeted the disgruntled Brown with a vision on maximizing quarterback Drake Maye's rookie contract window over the next couple of years. Brown is known to be fiery, competitive, and outspoken, but New England believes it will be a strength, especially since he's happy and exactly where he wants to be with a head coach that he played for before with the Tennessee Titans to begin his NFL career. The 28-year-old will be the unquestioned No. 1 target for Maye in his new digs, even though the Pats signed Romeo Doubs in free agency. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler, had his sixth 1,000-yard season in 2025 in Philly, but he also had a career-low 12.9 yards per catch. He'll come at a slight discount in fantasy drafts but will remain a high-risk, high-reward low-end WR1/high-end WR2 in a Patriots offense that should offer much more passing-game volume.
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
Shohei Ohtani has "Small" Blister, a "Non-Issue" for his Pitching Starts
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (finger) is dealing with a "small" blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Ohtani was seen picking at his blister during his start on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but it's a "non-issue" for his pitching starts going forward, per Roberts. The 31-year-old four-time MVP wasn't really bothered by the blister during his outing in Arizona, as he gave up just two hits in six shutout innings with six strikeouts to earn his sixth win of the year. The Dodgers are giving the Japanese superstar a day of rest on Thursday as a hitter in the series finale in the desert, but it has nothing to do with his blister, and he should be back in action as the designated hitter for L.A. for the start of the Freeway Series on Friday against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. Ohtani is now hitting over .300 after a slow start at the plate, and the four-time All-Star is firmly in the National League Cy Young race with a 6-2 record, 0.74 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and 67:18 K:BB in 61 innings over his 10 starts in 2026.
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Does George Lombard Jr. Have a Path to an Early MLB Debut?
Infielder George Lombard Jr. is the team's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he could be on track to make a much earlier than expected debut in the big leagues in 2026. Lombard was promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at the end of April after hitting .312 (24-for-77) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 18 runs scored, and four stolen bases in just 20 games with Double-A Somerset. The 21-year-old is already considered major-league-ready in terms of his glove, so he might not be far off from getting the call to the Bronx. The former 26th overall pick in 2023 out of Gulliver Preparatory School in Florida has played in 31 games at Triple-A and has gone 22-for-114 (.193) with two homers, 12 RBI, 23 runs, and six stolen bases in 149 plate appearances. Lombard has a patient approach and a maturing power profile, but he'll need to make more consistent contact to help fantasy managers down the road in the average department. With the expectation that Lombard has a good shot to make his MLB debut in 2026, fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to get ahead of their league mates and stash him now. Lombard is rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Is Hogan Harris a Legitimate Source of Saves?
The Athletics are currently using a closer-by-committee approach to the ninth inning, but left-handed reliever Hogan Harris might deserve some more consideration off the waiver wire from fantasy managers in need of saves going forward. The 29-year-old southpaw has been a reliable late-inning option for the A's this year and picked up his third win of 2026 in Wednesday night's 5-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, throwing a hitless and scoreless inning with no walks and two strikeouts. Justin Sterner ended up with the save in the ballgame, but Harris, Mark Leiter Jr., and Scott Barlow are still the best ninth-inning options for manager Mark Kotsay. Since blowing his first save of the year on April 28 against the Kansas City Royals, Harris has tightened things up with three earned runs allowed, seven walks, 16 strikeouts, four saves, three holds, and a win in 15 appearances for the A's. He has not allowed a run in 12 of his last 13 appearances. Fantasy managers should jump on Harris now, and he's only rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brent Rooker Out on Thursday Due to Knee Soreness
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (knee) is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's game at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs because he is dealing with some knee soreness, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Manager Mark Kotsay said Rooker is day-to-day. "This is more caution just to get him a day to see if we can get ahead of it as opposed to continuing to go in the wrong direction," Kotsay said. Catcher Shea Langeliers is serving as the designated hitter on Thursday and will hit third, with Jonah Heim doing the catching for right-hander J.T. Ginn and batting sixth against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. The knee soreness for the 31-year-old Rooker could be the reason why he's still hitting under the Mendoza Line at .196 (32-for-163) as we start June. Rooker has added eight home runs, 26 RBI, 16 runs scored, and two stolen bases with an ugly .277 on-base percentage and .362 slugging percentage through 43 games. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if the right-handed slugger is available to play for the series opener in Houston against the division-rival Astros.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Rams Rework Myles Garrett's Contract
The Los Angeles Rams and star edge rusher Myles Garrett did not agree on a new deal after he was acquired in a blockbuster trade from the Cleveland Browns on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Instead, the Rams reworked Garrett's contract that pays him $204 million over five years. The average per year and term stay the same as his deal was in Cleveland, but the alteration allows the Rams to onboard Garrett and his record-setting deal to move the vesting date of his guarantees back a few months. The 30-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro will head to the NFC West to try and help the Rams get to another Super Bowl after setting the NFL's single-season sack record with 23 in 17 starts for Cleveland last year. On paper, the Rams now clearly have the best roster in the NFL, and Garrett's arrival could bring legendary defensive tackle Aaron Donald out of retirement to make their defensive line even more formidable. Garrett will be the No. 1 defensive lineman off the board in IDP fantasy drafts in 2026.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Hurricanes Retain Confidence in Frederik Andersen
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen retains the confidence of head coach Rod Brind'Amour despite a recent tough stretch. In the first two rounds of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Andersen had a .950 save percentage. Over the last six games, it has declined to .867. In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against the Vegas Golden Knights, Andersen allowed five goals with a .783 save percentage. "I think a couple of those games, we weren't giving up a lot of shots. So the save percentage count is a tough one for our team," Brind'Amour said ahead of Game 2. "We don't give up a lot. There's still quality chances. There's just not a lot of fluff. So yeah, I'm not concerned about it." Andersen has lost back-to-back starts only twice this calendar year and will look to bounce back on Thursday night against Vegas.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Chad Dallas Earns the Call, Will Have a Role on Thursday
The Toronto Blue Jays are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Chad Dallas from the minors, and he will factor into the team's pitching plan on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves in what will be his big-league debut, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Dallas, a fourth-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Tennessee, gets his first call to the majors after going 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 38:13 K:BB in 36 innings across 10 appearances (eight starts) at Triple-A Buffalo this year. The 25-year-old figures to serve in a bulk-reliever role for the Jays in a tough matchup against the Braves in his major-league debut. This is Dallas' first year removed from Tommy John surgery, so Toronto is most likely keeping a close eye on his workload, and he will probably head back to Buffalo sooner rather than later after his debut on Thursday. Fantasy managers in dynasty and redraft leagues can avoid Dallas for now, and DFS managers should steer clear of him against Atlanta.
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet - Arden Zwelling
Tank Dell Back on the Field at OTAs This Week
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was seen back on the field in team drills during OTAs on Thursday for the first time since tearing multiple ligaments in his knee back in Week 16 of the 2024 season. The 26-year-old did not play at all last year for the Texans while rehabbing, but barring a setback in training camp this summer, Dell could have a great shot to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. He will most likely be limited in mandatory minicamp workouts later this month, but it's definitely good to see Dell running around on the football field again. The Texans took him with the 69th overall pick in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft out of the University of Houston, and he caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023 and 2024. Houston is confident that Dell will have a role in his return to action in 2026, but how much of a role he'll have is a big question mark. Dell will be trying to challenge second-year wideouts Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel for playing time behind WR1 Nico Collins, and he'll likely go undrafted in most 12-team formats. RotoBaller has Dell ranked as the WR78 currently for the upcoming season.
Source: Houston Texans
Source: Houston Texans
Maple Leafs Interested in Vincent Trocheck
New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck is drawing trade interest, including from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports. Recently, the Maple Leafs ruled out Max Domi indefinitely due to complications from an offseason surgery. As a result, the team is looking to bolster its center depth. Trocheck is an attractive target for teams, as his contract carries a very affordable $5.625 million cap hit. He has three years remaining on the deal. The 32-year-old has finished five consecutive seasons with at least 50 points. In 2025-26, he tallied 16 goals and 37 assists in 67 appearances, averaging nearly three hits per game.
Source: Mollie Walker
Source: Mollie Walker
Astros Promote Catching Prospect Collin Price, Can he Carve Out a Role?
The Houston Astros called up catching prospect Collin Price from the minors on Thursday and designated catcher Cesar Salazar for assignment in a corresponding move, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Price, a former sixth-round selection in the 2022 MLB draft out of Mercer University, will make his first appearance in the big leagues for the Astros after hitting .235/.360/.476 with an .836 OPS, 10 home runs, 26 RBI, 19 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 47 games across 200 plate appearances at Triple-A Sugar Land this year. The 26-year-old right-handed-hitting backstop had a career-best 18 long balls in 111 games played for Sugar Land last year. With Salazar off the MLB roster, Price will serve as Houston's No. 2 catcher behind Christian Vazquez for the time being. Price has shown plenty of power in the minors, but his stay in the big leagues is likely to be a short one with regular starter Yainer Diaz (oblique) looking likely to rejoin the Astros by mid-June.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Sam LaPorta Looks Good During OTA Practice on Thursday
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (back) looked good and was moving around well at OTA practice on Thursday after he sat out of the first open practice last week, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. It's a good sign for LaPorta, who is coming off back surgery to fix a herniated disc that forced him to miss the final eight games of the 2025 season. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 out of the University of Iowa was the No. 1 fantasy TE in his rookie year, catching 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns on 120 targets in 17 regular-season games. LaPorta took a slight step back in 2024 with a 60-726-7 line in 16 starts, before catching just 40 passes for 489 yards and three scores a year ago in nine starts. It won't cost nearly as much to secure LaPorta's services in fantasy as a low-end TE1 after his injury in 2025, and with the situation not much different in Detroit than in his first two years, there is clear bounce-back potential in his fourth year in the NFL if he can stay healthy. LaPorta is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 9 TE for the 2026 campaign.
Source: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
Source: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
Ketel Marte Returns for Series Finale Against Dodgers
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (back, hamstring) is starting at second base and batting leadoff for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Justin Wrobleski, according to MLB.com. The D-backs kept Marte out of the lineup as a precaution for Wednesday's game due to minor back and hamstring injuries, but he's back in action just a day later. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues against Wrobleski, whom he has never faced in his career. Marte enters Thursday's action with a .259/.315/.456 slash line, .771 OPS, 10 home runs, 36 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 57 games and 251 plate appearances this year. Fantasy managers will be hoping he can turn things around after going just 1-for-18 with a homer, four RBI, two runs, four walks, and three punchouts in his last five games. Marte has hit better against lefties in a smaller sample size, going 19-for-65 (.292) and with three of his 10 homers on the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Mike Evans Making a Strong Impression at OTAs With his New Team
New San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans has quickly won over his coaches and teammates in the Bay Area during OTAs, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Not only has Evans, a surefire future Hall of Famer, been humble around his new teammates, but his length and route-running abilities have stood out in practices. "I pinch myself every day," tight end George Kittle said. "This is like the first legit veteran wide receiver I've had on my roster since Emmanuel Sanders in 2019, in my opinion. And nothing against the other veteran receivers I've had, but he's a Hall of Famer. I think he takes ball seriously. That kind of sets the tone for the wide receiver room, especially when we have a bunch of young guys in there." Evans' string of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons ended in 2025 due to a broken clavicle, but he's intent on starting a new streak in 2026 at 32 years old. Joining the Niners gives Evans a clear path back to the 1,000-yard mark and perhaps even double-digit touchdowns, but there's no denying the risk involved with an aging player like Evans, who has a lot of tread on the tires. Fantasy managers would be wise to target him as more of a high-end WR3/low-end WR2 in drafts this fall.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
Trevor Etienne Currently the RB3 in Carolina?
Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne currently projects to be behind both Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks on the team's running back depth chart, per Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Etienne recorded just 107 scrimmage yards on 23 touches across 17 games as a rookie. Hubbard has recorded over 3,200 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns over the past three seasons for Carolina and profiles as the clear RB1. However, Brooks has been limited to just three games by knee injuries since being drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Etienne could work his way past Brooks over the course of the summer. Still, it's notable that the Panthers may be thinking of Brooks as the complement to Hubbard at this point. It's too early to give up on Etienne in dynasty formats, but the 21-year-old has some work to do to establish himself after his underwhelming rookie year.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Dylan Larkin Requests Trade From Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has requested a trade, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports. Larkin looks eager to move on from Motown after the Red Wings missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a tenth consecutive year. So far, Larkin has shown considerable patience while waiting for a competitive team to be built around him. He has been with the Red Wings since entering the NHL in 2015. The team named him captain in January 2021. Detroit locked Larkin into an eight-year, $69.6 million contract in 2023, giving him a full no-trade clause through next season. While the Red Wings have struggled for a decade, Larkin has been strong individually. He scored a career-high 34 goals this season, adding 33 assists in 74 contests.
Source: Elliotte Friedman
Source: Elliotte Friedman
Royals Place Stephen Kolek on Emergency Leave
The Kansas City Royals announced on Thursday that they placed right-hander Stephen Kolek (personal) on the family medical emergency list and selected the contract of infielder Josh Rojas from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Kolek could be away from the Royals for anywhere from three to seven days while he deals with a personal matter. It's unclear if he'll be back with the team in time to make his next scheduled start on Tuesday at home in a plus matchup against the Texas Rangers. The 29-year-old isn't much of a strikeout artist, leaving his fantasy ceiling rather low, but he has pitched well in 2026 in his first full year with the Royals, going 4-1 with a career-best 3.32 ERA (4.10 FIP) and 0.97 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and only eight walks in 38 innings across his six starts. Kolek had a quality start his last time out in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds, spinning seven innings with only two earned runs allowed, two walks, and a season-high eight strikeouts. He allowed six runs (four earned) with one walk and five K's in five innings in a loss on May 29 in his first meeting with the Rangers on the road.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Jaylen Wright Impressing Bobby Slowik During OTAs
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said running back Jaylen Wright is showing a greater comfort level this season and "has some speed," per David Furones of the Sun Sentinel. Wright missed time early in the 2025 season with a knee injury, but finished the year with 332 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns on 75 touches across 10 games. As long as star Dolphins running back De'Von Achane remains healthy, it will be difficult for Wright to earn enough touches to provide fantasy-relevant production. However, Wright may be on his way to firmly seizing the RB2 role in Miami away from fellow Dolphins back Ollie Gordon II. If Wright emerges as the clear backup to Achane, he would profile as one of the better handcuff running back options for fantasy managers entering 2026.
Source: Sun Sentinel - David Furones
Source: Sun Sentinel - David Furones
Greg Dulcich Developing Chemistry with New Quarterback During OTAs?
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich said he is developing chemistry with new quarterback Malik Willis during OTAs, per Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. Dulcich currently sits atop the Dolphins' tight end depth chart, with rookie third-rounder Will Kacmarek and rookie fifth-rounder Seydou Traore possibly in the mix for regular playing time as well. Injuries have been a major issue for Dulcich to this point in his career, as he's played in just 31 games across four NFL seasons. However, he finished the 2025 season strong for Miami, recording 11 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets over his final three games of the year. The Dolphins are also entering 2026 without any obvious high-end pass-catchers on the roster outside of running back De'Von Achane. If Dulcich can emerge as a trusted option for Willis, he may currently be undervalued by consensus fantasy boards.
Source: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly
Source: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly
Caleb Douglas Suffers Minor Injury During OTAs on Wednesday
Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said that rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas (undisclosed) "tweaked something" during OTAs on Wednesday, per David Furones of the Sun Sentinel. Furones reports that Hafley also said Douglas' injury is not something the team is concerned about in the long haul. Miami used the 75th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Douglas after he recorded 54 catches for 846 yards and seven touchdowns across 14 games at Texas Tech in 2025. The Dolphins have one of the weakest wide receiver depth charts in the NFL entering the upcoming season, with the veteran trio of Jalen Tolbert, Malik Washington, and Tutu Atwell currently occupying starting roles. Douglas should have a chance to contribute immediately as a rookie, but fantasy managers should monitor this current injury to make sure it doesn't snowball into a more serious issue.
Source: Sun Sentinel - David Furones
Source: Sun Sentinel - David Furones
James Conner Doing Side Work with Trainers During OTAs
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (foot/ankle) has been working off to the side with team trainers during OTAs, per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. Conner is working his way back from the gruesome foot/ankle injury that ended his 2025 season in Week 3. The 31-year-old was a highly productive player in his last fully healthy season with Arizona in 2024, recording 1,508 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 283 touches across 16 games. However, Conner's role with the Cardinals entering 2026 is in question after the team signed running back Tyler Allgeier in free agency and used the number three overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on running back Jeremiyah Love. Even if he's able to return in time for the start of the upcoming season, Conner may be limited to RB3 duties in Arizona and would likely need either an injury above him on the depth chart or a change in scenery to provide fantasy-relevant production.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
George Kittle "On Track" for Week 1 Return
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) said he is "on track" to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon on January 11 during San Francisco's NFC Wild Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it appears as though the 32-year-old has a chance to get back on the field roughly eight months after the injury. Kittle battled through an injury-marred 2025 regular season even before the Achilles tear, missing six games due to ankle and hamstring injuries. However, the veteran tight end remained highly productive when healthy, recording 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 targets. With Kittle coming off a serious injury and entering his age-33 campaign, it's fair to project a bit of decline in his production. Still, he profiles as a top-12 fantasy tight end if he can truly make it back for the start of 2026.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Corey Seager Expected to Return This Weekend
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) is expected to return from the 10-day injured list this weekend, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Rangers entered Wednesday ranked 23rd in runs per game and two games below .500, so they desperately need both Seager and outfielder Wyatt Langford (forearm) back in their lineup. The 32-year-old Seager started a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday and should be good to go by the weekend, barring a setback. The five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP has gotten off to a bad start to the 2026 season, slashing just .179/.286/.353 with a .638 OPS, but he did have seven home runs in 156 at-bats before injuring his back. Seager has had trouble staying healthy at various points in his career, but the Rangers need him to stay on the field the rest of the year to have any chance at getting into the postseason. In fantasy, Seager's buy-low window remains open if you're willing to take on the risk that he cannot overcome his slow start. UPDATE: Seager is expected to come off the IL for the series opener on Friday versus the Cleveland Guardians, per MLB.com's Kennedi Landry.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
With Rehab Assignment on Deck, Will Walker Jenkins Debut in 2026?
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins (shoulder) was gaining momentum for a promotion to the major leagues before suffering a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in early May. The Twins' top-ranked prospect was 9-for-21 (.429) with four doubles, a home run, a 6:4 BB:K, and two steals during a six-game hit streak before hitting the injured list. The oft-injured former first-round draft pick was slashing .256/.396/.389 with a pair of home runs, five steals, and more walks (19) than strikeouts (18) through 25 games before injuring his shoulder. The left-handed slugger is expected to start a rehab assignment next week, per Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll, and should he get rolling again, he will find himself in the mix for a major league debut in the second half of the season. The talented 21-year-old has the skills to be an impactful fantasy player once he gets a shot in the majors, but with a debut likely more than a month away, he's not a must-stash at the moment.
Source: Dan Hayes - The Athletic
Source: Dan Hayes - The Athletic
Bo Nix Expected to Have More of a Role in Minicamp
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that quarterback Bo Nix (ankle) has been throwing, and he's expected to have more of a role in practice later in June during mandatory minicamp, according to Luca Evans of The Denver Post. Evans observed Nix moving around before practice on Thursday and didn't see any kind of bulky-looking brace on his surgically-repaired right ankle. The Broncos aren't rushing the 26-year-old signal-caller along this offseason after he needed surgery to fix a fractured ankle that he suffered in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills. He might not be a full-go in minicamp, but there's no reason to believe that Nix will be limited once training camp rolls around in late July. The former 12th overall pick in 2024 out of the University of Oregon finished as the QB7 in fantasy in 2025 in his second year in the NFL, throwing for 3,931 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on a league-high 612 pass attempts over 17 regular-season starts. Nix added 356 rushing yards and another five scores as a rusher. He has helped turn the Broncos franchise around, but with average arm strength and while coming off ankle surgery, fantasy managers have every right to be skeptical about him as a legitimate QB1 in Year 3. RotoBaller has Nix ranked as the No. 15 quarterback in redraft leagues in 2026.
Source: The Denver Post - Luca Evans
Source: The Denver Post - Luca Evans
James Tibbs III Extends Hit Streak to Six Games, Promotion on the Way?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III extended his current hit streak to six games on Wednesday, batting a sizzling .409 (9-for-22) during that stretch, including five home runs and a whopping 14 RBI. For the season, the Dodgers' 10th-ranked prospect is slashing .318/.419/.641 with 17 home runs and a strong 14.2 percent walk rate. The strikeouts remain on the high side at 25.8 percent, but with this type of production, it is tolerable, and he should be ticketed for a major league debut in the coming weeks, though it was Ryan Ward who was called upon to replace the recently shelved Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring). Should Ward falter or another need arises in the outfield, Tibbs could very well be on his way to Los Angeles, and with the type of power and on-base ability he's shown at Triple-A Oklahoma City, the 23-year-old should be considered one of the top bats to stash in most redraft leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Brody Hopkins a Stash Candidate After Latest Outing?
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins' season-long stats for Triple-A Durham don't look so good on the surface (3.56 ERA, 5.00 FIP, 1.54 WHIP), but progress can be seen in his five May outings, where he pitched to a 1.77 ERA (3.89 FIP) and 1.38 WHIP while opponents hit just .143 against him. The main issue has been the walks, which have persisted even throughout May, as the right-hander carries a Triple-A-worst 20.2 percent walk rate (minimum 30 innings pitched), which has almost canceled out a solid 25.8 percent strikeout rate, giving him a paltry 5.6 K-BB% for the year, while he's also delivered the second-most wild pitches (eight) among Triple-A hurlers. A 35.8 percent whiff rate (88th percentile) shows what kind of swing-and-miss stuff the Rays' top pitching prospect has, and if he can get the command under control, there is plenty of strikeout upside there. The 24-year-old walked just one while striking out nine in his latest appearance, and if he can continue that trend, the Rays might find a role for him on the big league club later this season, and with his stuff, Hopkins could end up being a stash target for fantasy.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
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