RADIO
Mookie Betts is Officially Back on Monday
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday's game against the San Francisco Giants. As expected, Betts is back after a five-week absence due to a strained oblique. Before going down, Betts was struggling with only five hits during his first eight games of the season. He could need a few games to shake off the rust, but fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about him long-term. He'll cover shortstop and bat second against right-hander Trevor McDonald on Monday. Fantasy managers should double-check their lineups and make sure Betts is in there ahead of the first pitch.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Harrison Bader Activated, Playing on Monday
San Francisco Giants outfielder Harrison Bader (hamstring) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday. Bader is back in the mix after missing nearly a month of action due to a strained hamstring. Before the stint on the shelf, Bader was struggling with only six hits in his first 52 at-bats of the season. Bader will take over in center field and bat eighth versus right-hander Roki Sasaki on Monday. Bader could offer some help to fantasy managers in deep leagues that need a bat. He figures to play every day out in center field for the Giants going forward.
Source: mlb.
Source: mlb.
Samuel Basallo is Scratched with Knee Discomfort
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (knee) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the New York Yankees. Basallo is dealing with some left knee discomfort after a collision at home plate during the seventh inning of Sunday's game. The expectation is that he'll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Basallo as day-to-day. Basallo has been crushing the ball lately, so hopefully he won't be forced to miss much time. Coby Mayo will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth against left-hander Ryan Weathers on Monday.
Source: Andy Kostka
Source: Andy Kostka
Jakob Junis to Function as Opener on Monday
Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jakob Junis will function as the opener for Monday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Junis will be asked to make an emergency start with Nathan Eovaldi (side) being a late scratch on Monday. Junis has made over 100 career starts, but has been exclusively a reliever since the 2025 season. He figures to only work a few innings before handing it over for a bullpen game. Cal Quantrill could end up pitching the bulk of the innings on Monday. Junis won't be a reliable streaming option given the fact that he isn't going to pitch deep into this game.
Source: Jeff Wilson
Source: Jeff Wilson
Nathan Eovaldi Scratched From Monday's Start With Side Tightness
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (side) has been scratched from his scheduled start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. The right-hander will miss at least one start with what is being called left side tightness. The expectation is that Eovaldi will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. For now, fantasy managers should consider Eovaldi as day-to-day. The Rangers will go with Jakob Junis as the opener and likely have a bullpen game the rest of the way. Eovaldi has been fantastic lately, so hopefully this will only be a one-start absence.
Source: Kennedi Landry
Source: Kennedi Landry
Mark Jankowski Signs Two-Year Extension With Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes center Mark Jankowski has committed himself to the team for two more years, signing a $3.7 million contract extension. He will remain in Raleigh, despite having the option to explore the market as an unrestricted free agent. Jankowski moved to Carolina in March 2025, when the Hurricanes acquired him from the Nashville Predators. He has been a good fit on the fourth line, notching 29 points (19 goals, 10 assists) in 87 outings with the team. During the team's impressive postseason run this year, Jankowski has contributed one assist in eight contests. The 31-year-old isn't someone fantasy managers need to watch, yet Jankowski has established himself as a valuable piece for the Hurricanes.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Joel Kiviranta Cleared to Play Monday
Colorado Avalanche left wing Joel Kiviranta (upper body) has been officially cleared to return to action on Monday in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. The Finnish forward has been forced to skip five consecutive games due to an upper-body injury. In his only two playoff outings this year, Kiviranta failed to register a point, but he has totaled five hits. If added to the lineup, Kiviranta will be a bottom-six option and bolster the team's penalty kill, making him more valuable in real life than in fantasy.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Josh Manson Available for Game 4 Monday
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) is available for Monday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He has missed four games due to an upper-body injury. Manson's return will be a boost for Colorado's backline. The 34-year-old has recorded two assists, five SOG, 10 hits, and a plus-two rating in three playoff outings this year. If Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar decides to insert Manson back into the lineup, it will likely come at the expense of Nick Blankenburg, who has made his only postseason appearances during Manson's absence.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Mackenzie Blackwood Expected to Start Monday
Colorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is poised to make his first start of the 2026 postseason in Game 4 against the Minnesota Wild on Monday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports. He worked in the starter's crease during the morning skate and was the first goalie to leave the ice. Colorado has so far trusted Scott Wedgewood in the postseason, but he struggled in Game 3 against Minnesota, opening the door for Blackwood to claim the starting job. In a relief effort on Saturday, Blackwood looked sharp, stopping 12 of 13 pucks. He faced the Wild twice during the regular season, posting a 1-1-0 record, a 2.05 goals-against average, and a .937 save percentage.
Source: Peter Baugh
Source: Peter Baugh
Jonas Brodin Won't Play Monday
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (lower body) will miss a fifth straight game on Monday against the Colorado Avalanche, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports. He has struggled to overcome a lower-body injury, leaving the Wild without a blue-liner who has a lot of playoff pedigree. Brodin's absence has allowed Daemon Hunt to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career. He has registered one assist, two SOG, three blocks, four hits, and a plus-two rating in three appearances. However, Hunt lacks fantasy value due to his limited playing time. So far, he has averaged only 13:57 of ice time per game.
Source: Dan Rosen
Source: Dan Rosen
Joel Eriksson Ek Remains Out Monday
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek (lower body) won't play in Game 4 against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports. He hasn't seen any action in the series so far due to a lower-body injury. In Round 1 against the Dallas Stars, Eriksson Ek amassed three goals and two assists, averaging 23:44 of ice time. His absence has left a huge hole on Minnesota's frontline, but the team managed to win Game 3 without him and will try to do so again on Monday night. Danila Yurov looks set to remain on the second line and has been productive in the series, notching two assists.
Source: Dylan Loucks
Source: Dylan Loucks
Max Scherzer's Thumb Issue Returns, Receives Injection
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm, thumb), who had a cortisone injection in his right forearm last Thursday, is getting another shot in his troublesome right thumb, manager John Schneider told Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Schneider said Scherzer's thumb issue popped back up recently, and he's taking the opportunity to address it while he's on the 15-day injured list. The 41-year-old veteran was bothered by a thumb issue last year in Toronto. Right-forearm tendinitis is still his biggest obstacle this year, but it has been one thing after another for the three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer in the last couple of seasons. When actually healthy, Scherzer is no longer the dominant hurler that he was for so much of his 18-year career. He continues to try to work his way back to Toronto's starting rotation, but Father Time is undefeated. In his five starts this year before landing on the IL, Scherzer struggled to a 9.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 10:8 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings. Retirement might not be far off.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Justin Jefferson's Dynasty Stock on the Rise With New QB in Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reached the 1,000-yard mark for the sixth straight season to begin his NFL career in 2025, but he had a career-low 1,048 yards with only two touchdowns in 17 starts as the team's quarterback play deteriorated following the departure of Sam Darnold in free agency last offseason. Former first-rounder J.J. McCarthy missed nine games due to injuries last year and was a disaster in terms of accuracy and consistency while leading the Vikings' offense, which led to a WR25 finish for Jefferson in half-PPR scoring. The 26-year-old's arrow was pointing down in dynasty fantasy football leagues until the Vikings signed former Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray to take over under center in 2026. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro's fantasy stock is now back on the rise, and his buy-low window is closing fast. Murray is a definite upgrade over McCarthy, but fantasy managers should automatically expect Jefferson to return to elite WR1 territory in redraft leagues in 2026. Jefferson is ranked as the WR4 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Injuries, QB Addition in Minnesota Deal Big Blow to J.J. McCarthy's Dynasty Value
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2024 out of Michigan as the team's next franchise signal-caller. He missed his entire rookie season in 2024, though, due to a meniscus injury in his knee that required surgery. The Vikings were still confident he was their guy under center going into last year, however, and let Sam Darnold walk in free agency as a result. Not only did McCarthy disappoint in 2025 in his first full season as the Vikings' starter, but Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. The 23-year-old made only 10 starts in his first NFL action, completing 57.6% of his 243 pass attempts for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while taking 27 sacks. The Vikings quickly rethought their plan at QB this offseason and signed former first overall pick Kyler Murray. With Murray expected to open the 2026 campaign as the Vikings' starter, McCarthy's dynasty fantasy value has taken a massive hit, and he's now ranked as the No. 31 QB in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings. Murray isn't a lock to run with the starting gig in Minnesota -- his injury history is lengthy -- but McCarthy showed last year that he has plenty of developing to do still, and he may not get that opportunity again with the Vikings.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jose Caballero Going for MRI Exam on Injured Finger
New York Yankees infielder Jose Caballero (finger) injured his right middle finger while diving back into first base in the ninth inning of Sunday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Greg Joyce of the New York Post. He is undergoing an MRI exam on Monday to figure out what he's dealing with, which is why he's not in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener versus the division-rival Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. For what it's worth, Caballero doesn't think anything is broken. If the 29-year-old's injury requires a stint on the injured list, the Yankees will most likely recall Anthony Volpe from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take over everyday duties at the 6 in the Bronx. Max Schuemann will start at short and bat ninth on Monday against Orioles right-hander Brandon Young. Caballero is mostly useful for his speed (13 stolen bases) and positional versatility (he's eligible at short, second, third, and outfield in Yahoo leagues) in fantasy baseball. Going into Monday's slate, Caballero is hitting .259 (35-for-135) with four homers, 13 RBI, and 18 runs scored. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Source: New York Post - Greg Joyce
Source: New York Post - Greg Joyce
Aaron Rodgers Doesn't Meet With Steelers Over the Weekend
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers reportedly did not meet with the Pittsburgh Steelers over the weekend, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Rodgers is expected to eventually meet with Pittsburgh, though, and he's still expected to re-sign with the organization for 22nd year in the NFL. Right now, the Steelers have Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and rookie Drew Allar at the position. Head coach Mike McCarthy said it would be "awesome" to add a fourth QB going into the 2026 season, indicating that he's still on board for a reunion with Rodgers, whom he coached in Green Bay. Pryor says to circle May 18 as the next important date in the Rodgers saga. That is when the Steelers begin the next phase of their offseason program, and they'd really like to have the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer under contract by then. The four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler didn't sign with the Steelers last year until June 5, for what it's worth. If Rodgers suits up again in 2026 for the Steelers, he shouldn't be considered much more than a low-end QB2 in superflex fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Giants Looking at Fire Sale This Summer?
The San Francisco Giants are 16-24 through 40 games of the 2026 season and haven't had a winning record since 2021. USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that the team is one of the five most intriguing teams to watch as the summer trade deadline nears, according to a survey of club executives and scouts. President of baseball operations Buster Posey isn't just going to sit around, and he already made that clear by sending catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians over the weekend. The Giants "would love" to unload outfielder Jung Hoo Lee ($85 million left on his contract), shortstop Willy Adames ($161 million left), first baseman Rafael Devers ($226.5 million remaining), and third baseman Matt Chapman ($125 million remaining) and "start over." They've also had no choice but to shop lefty Robbie Ray, who will be a free agent after the 2026 season. Some executives think the Giants would listen to offers on righty Logan Webb, too, but that's highly unlikely because he has three years left on a reasonable five-year, $90 million deal. "They've got an old team that's underachieving with a lot of money on their books," one executive said. "They've had to listen on Webb. It makes too much sense."
Source: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
Source: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
Addison Barger Goes Back on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Monday that they placed infielder/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 10) with right-elbow inflammation and recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Barger had just returned on Saturday from an IL stint due to injuries to both of his ankles, but he ended up playing in just one game over the weekend before suffering an elbow injury. It's unclear what the severity of Barger's new injury is, but he's obviously been a big disappointment early in 2026 due to the injury bug. In just nine games played, he's hit .045 (1-for-22) with a double, two RBI, two runs scored, five walks, and seven strikeouts. Barger isn't a must-hold in mixed fantasy baseball leagues, and he's currently rostered in just 26% of Yahoo leagues. Pinango, a 24-year-old Venezuelan outfielder, is in his first MLB season. He got off to a good start in his first 10 games with Toronto, going 11-for-26 (.423) with four RBI and a run scored, and he'll now get another chance to prove himself in the Jays' outfield. UPDATE: Barger's MRI exam didn't show any structural damage in his elbow, per manager John Schneider.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Steelers Agree With Kicker Chris Boswell on Four-Year Extension
The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed with kicker Chris Boswell on a four-year, $28 million contract extension on Monday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The $7 million average per year ties Boswell with the Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Aubrey for the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, per CAA Football. Boswell is locked in with the Steelers through the 2030 season. The 35-year-old veteran made his second Pro Bowl in 2025 in his 11th year in the Steel City, going 27-for-32 (9-for-11 from 50-plus yards out) on his field-goal tries and 42-for-43 on extra points in 17 regular-season games. He's a career 87.7% kicker on his 341 field-goal attempts (52-for-63 from 50-plus yards) in his 11 years in the league with Pittsburgh. Boswell finished as the No. 12 fantasy kicker in 2025 in a Steelers offense that had its limitations with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center. The Steelers aren't in a better QB situation this year and are currently waiting on Rodgers to make a decision on whether he wants to re-sign. It makes Boswell a fringe top-12 option at the position going into his 12th NFL campaign.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Ryan Helsley has Not Resumed Throwing
Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) has not resumed throwing as he recovers from right-elbow inflammation that landed him on the 15-day injured list on May 1, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun. The good news is that Helsley did some running drills at Camden Yards over the weekend. He will not be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible this week, so fantasy managers must remain patient with the 31-year-old veteran reliever. In his 12 appearances (10 2/3 innings) for the O's this year before his injury, Helsley went 0-2 with a 2.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, seven saves, 15 strikeouts, and seven walks. Helsley had a league-high 49 saves in 2024 with the St. Louis Cardinals and was named to his second All-Star team, but he struggled in 2025 after being traded to the New York Mets. He should be stashed in an IL spot while he recovers and will return to closing duties in Baltimore when he's ready. Rico Garcia has both of the team's saves since Helsley landed on the shelf, and he's the team's primary short-term option for saves.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
Jackson Holliday Moving his Rehab to Triple-A on Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jackson Holliday (hand) will move his minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Holliday restarted his rehab assignment last Thursday with Double-A Chesapeake and will now head to Triple-A as he nears his 2026 season debut with Baltimore. The 22-year-old former first overall pick had surgery back in spring training for a broken hamate bone in his hand back in spring training and had to be pulled off a rehab assignment twice due to soreness in his hand. Holliday has struggled at the plate in the minors so far this year while rehabbing, going 9-for-57 (.158) with three doubles, four RBI, three runs scored, a steal, seven walks, and 16 strikeouts in 17 games with Norfolk, Chesepeake, and High-A Frederick, but he could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list later this week as long as he doesn't have another setback with his surgically-repaired hand at Norfolk. When Holliday returns, he'll be Baltimore's everyday second baseman, making him worthy of rostering in mixed fantasy leagues. Holliday is currently rostered in only 42% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Athletics to Promote Top Outfield Prospect Henry Bolte to Major Leagues
According to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, the Athletics are promoting outfield prospect Henry Bolte to the major leagues. The team's No. 5-ranked prospect according to MLB.com has been swinging a hot bat at Triple-A Las Vegas this season and is being rewarded with an early promotion. Through 37 games with the Aviators, the outfielder has posted an impressive .348/.418/.658 line with a 1.076 OPS. During this stretch, Bolte has flashed high-end speed upside, swiping 17 bags while launching 12 long balls. Last summer, Bolte showed similar speed upside, stealing 44 bags over a 114-game stint in the upper minors, but had minimal power, hitting only nine round-trippers. Seeing Bolte begin to tap into his raw power makes him a priority waiver option ahead of his debut. If he sees an everyday role, Bolte could possess elite speed upside while pushing for double-digit home runs.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
Khamzat Chimaev Suffers his First Loss
Khamzat Chimaev was set for his first title defense, but unfortunately for Chimaev, he lost the belt and suffered a split-decision loss to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 on Saturday. Chimaev had a dominant first round, but it seemed that he got tired in the second round. The fight was extremely close, and it all came down to the final round. In the final round, Chimaev was pressuring Strickland constantly, but Strickland did a bit more damage and was landing jabs at will. In 25 minutes of action, Chimaev landed nine takedowns and 98 significant strikes. After the fight, Chimaev expressed interest in moving up a weight class.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Sean Strickland Recaptures Middleweight Title
Sean Strickland managed to capture the middleweight title again by defeating Khamzat Chimaev via split decision in the main event of UFC 328 on Saturday. Strickland got taken down in the opening round and was dominated for the majority of the round, but then, when he got up, Strickland started landing jabs almost at will. It all came down to the final round, with both judges scoring the fight in Strickland's favor while one judge scored the fight in Chimaev's favor. In 25 minutes of action, Strickland landed 123 significant strikes. The next in line for a title shot is most likely going to be Nassourdine Imavov.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Tatsuro Taira Suffers Fifth-Round TKO Loss
Tatsuro Taira suffered a fifth-round TKO loss to flyweight champion Joshua Van in the co-main event of UFC 328 on Saturday. In the opening round, Taira secured four takedowns during a dominant first round, but Van managed to get up and started pushing the pace. The blows eventually wore down Taira, and the referee stepped in and stopped the fight in the fifth round. In 11:32 of action, Taira landed eight takedowns and 55 significant strikes. Taira, along with Van, each earned $100,000 Fight of the Night bonuses.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Harold Fannin Jr. Offers Tantalizing Dynasty Upside Despite Uncertain Offense
A third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. put together an extremely encouraging rookie season. Despite operating in one of the league's worst offensive environments in Cleveland, Fannin Jr. recorded 72 receptions for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets across 16 games. The Browns' outlook on offense isn't much better for 2026, as the team still projects to get bottom-tier quarterback play from the likes of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel. Still, Fannin Jr. could be in an even better position to soak up targets with former Browns tight end David Njoku departing for the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. In dynasty formats, Fannin Jr. profiles as a potential high-end TE1 for years to come as he enters his age-22 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joshua Van Defends Flyweight Title
Joshua Van secured his first flyweight title defense by defeating Tatsuro Taira via fifth-round TKO in the co-main event of UFC 328 on Saturday. It was a back-and-forth fight where both men gave their all, but in the end, Van's striking was too much as he finished Taira in the fifth round of one of the best flyweight fights in MMA history. In 21:32 of action, Van landed a takedown and 131 significant strikes. Van's next fight is most likely going to be a rematch with former flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Is Dalton Kincaid's Long-Term Dynasty Upside Fading Due to Health Concerns?
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid had the best year of his career on a per-target basis in 2025, hauling in 39 receptions for 571 yards and five touchdowns on 49 targets across 12 games. Unfortunately for both the Bills and fantasy managers, volume continues to be a major impediment to Kincaid's ability to consistently produce. Thanks to hamstring and recurring knee issues, the 26-year-old has missed nine games over the past two seasons. His durability concerns have also limited his time on the field even in games where he's active, as he played fewer than 50% of Buffalo's offensive snaps in 10 of his 12 games in 2025. While Kincaid will likely always show flashes of high-end upside, his chances of emerging as a reliable, high-end fantasy TE1 appear to be fading. In dynasty formats, managers may want to consider selling Kincaid before the start of the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Waldo Cortes-Acosta Drops Decision
Waldo Cortes-Acosta suffered a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkov on the main card of UFC 328 on Saturday. Cortes-Acosta did have some good moments in the fight, but ultimately, he was outstruck as Volkov controlled the majority of the fight by keeping Cortes-Acosta at a distance. In the end, the judges scored the fight 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 in favor of Volkov. In 15 minutes of action, Cortes-Acosta landed 54 significant strikes. With the loss, Cortes-Acosta dropped to 17-3 as a pro and is now 10-3 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
Alexander Volkov Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Alexander Volkov won his second consecutive fight by defeating Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision on the main card of UFC 328 on Saturday. Volkov was in control for the majority of the fight as he was keeping Cortes-Acosta at a distance with kicks to the body and legs, or by landing with his jab. When it was over, the judges scored the fight 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 in favor of Volkov. In 15 minutes of action, Volkov landed 88 significant strikes. With the win, Volkov improved to 40-11 as a pro and is now 14-5 in the UFC.
Source: UFC
Source: UFC
