February 18, 2026
With a T24 at Pebble Beach, Harris English continues a very consistent start to 2026, giving him four finishes of T28 or better to begin the campaign. He looks to keep it going at The Genesis Invitational, where he finished seventh in 2024, the last time the tournament was held at Riviera. Success here requires a sharp all-around game, and English has brought that early in the season. He ranks 33rd in total strokes gained (+1.142 per round), second off the tee (+0.974), 54th in putting (+0.388), and 30th in total driving. The only concern is his approach play, where he is still slightly positive overall (+0.019) but lost -1.323 strokes last week. In his last two trips to Riviera, he has gained more than 12.5 strokes combined with the putter. At $7,900 on DraftKings, English offers strong value given his recent form and ability to read Riviera's difficult Poa annua greens.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 18, 2026
Patrick Cantlay bounced back from a missed cut at the Farmers Insurance Open with a T14 finish at Pebble Beach. He will look to carry that momentum into The Genesis Invitational, which returns to The Riviera after a temporary move to Torrey Pines in 2025. Regardless of venue, Cantlay has been constantly on the leaderboards at this event, recording seven finishes of T17 or better, including three straight top 5s, over the past eight years. Riviera demands strong play across the bag, and Cantlay fits that profile. He ranks 25th in total strokes gained (+1.142 per round), 73rd off the tee (+0.129), 12th on approach (+0.886), and 17th in total driving. At $9,300 on DraftKings, Cantlay is worth his price and should once again be firmly in the mix entering the weekend.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 18, 2026
Daniel Berger struggled to get anything going at Pebble Beach, losing over 11.4 total strokes and finishing T75. He will look to rebound at the Genesis Invitational, which returns to The Riviera after a temporary move to Torrey Pines in 2025. Riviera typically rewards complete players, but with the lowest greens-in-regulation rate on Tour, strong iron play remains especially important. Berger has been solid in that area, ranking 39th in strokes gained on approach (+0.542 per round) and 55th tee to green (+0.501), while also sitting 14th in greens in regulation. The issue has been converting those opportunities, as he has lost -0.223 strokes putting (109th) and -0.317 around the green (138th). At $6,900 on DraftKings, Berger profiles as a risky but intriguing value play, with his upside dependent on whether the short game cooperates.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
February 18, 2026
After a rather poor start to the season for a talented player, Sam Burns finally found some momentum last week at Pebble Beach, finishing T6 and returning to his usual role of gaining a large portion of his strokes on the greens (over six shots). The 29-year-old also averaged +1.06 strokes gained on approach and +0.59 off the tee. Riviera is a different animal from Pebble Beach in nearly every way, and Burns has been feast-or-famine in his six previous appearances. The large number of approaches over 200 yards doesn't necessarily fit his game, as he ranks in the 25th percentile in strokes gained per shot, proximity to the hole, and greens in regulation from that distance. Even with the good week on the Monterey Peninsula, there is still plenty of reasons to be skeptical.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
February 18, 2026
The golfing world finally saw Collin Morikawa back in the winner's circle this past week at Pebble Beach, as the 29-year-old narrowly eked out a one-stroke victory and claimed his seventh PGA Tour win. Gaining nearly two-and-a-half strokes per round on approach was the main contributor all week, while the rest of his game broke even. It is the type of lopsided statistics that can happen at such a gettable track. This week's Genesis Invitational is much different, as players need a much more well-rounded skillset to thrive at Riviera. He's established a solid track record, with finishes of T2, T6, and T19 over the last three events played here. The ball striking should interest everyone, as should his body of work on the West Coast in general. If DFS managers can deal with the huge ownership percentage he'll draw, there's no reason not to ride the momentum of last week.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
February 18, 2026
It has been two years since the PGA Tour has played this longstanding event at Riviera Country Club, and the last person to win this championship at this property was Hideki Matsuyama. It was an incredible week for the Japanese star, who is poised and playing well enough to have a repeat performance. The one terrifying truth about what the 33-year-old has struggled with recently is his off-the-tee performance. The collapse at the WM Phoenix Open is obviously the main reason for this underlying fear, but he has gained strokes only once in his first four events this season. Still, it's hard to argue with all of them being T18 finishes or better. The ironplay, short game, and even putting are perhaps as sharp as we've seen from him in quite some time. There is honestly a case to be made for either direction that DFS managers want to go this week.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
February 18, 2026
It has been the same old song and dance for Scottie Scheffler early this season. However, recent weeks have been somewhat frustrating with him being a bit too far back on Sunday to sneak into the conversation. This week has been another spot on his radar over the last few years, but he hasn't managed to come away with a victory. Riviera is no stranger to having some of the biggest names hoisting trophies, and Scheffler has all the tools needed to win. The main stats that point directly to this lack of winning positions here have been lower strokes gained off the tee metrics and inconsistency with the putter. Luckily, both areas are off to a fast start in 2026, as he's leading the tour off the tee (+1.026) and ranks 28th in strokes gained putting. Obviously, playing him in DFS is a must if you can reach his price point.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
February 17, 2026
Xander Schauffele finished tied for 19th at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and this was followed up by a tied for 41st finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open the week prior. Schauffele has improved his performance each week in his three starts this season and will look to better his tied for 19th finish last week. Schauffele missed last year's Genesis Invitational but finished tied for fourth in 2024 and tied for 33rd in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Schauffele ranks in the 94th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Maverick McNealy finished tied for 29th at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am but lost strokes putting for the first time in his four starts in 2026. McNealy has gained strokes across the board in three of his four starts this season, and losing strokes putting was the only category he lost strokes in last week. Before last week, McNealy had three straight top-25 finishes to start his 2026 season. This week will mark McNealy's first start in the Genesis Invitational. Over the past 12 months, McNealy ranks in the 60th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Viktor Hovland finished tied for 58th at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to break his streak of three straight top-25 finishes in 2026. Hovland finished tied for 10th at the Waste Management Phoenix Open two weeks ago and gained strokes across the board except for off the tee. However, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was a different story; he lost strokes across the board except for on approach. The good news is that Hovland has gained strokes on approach in every start this season, and he'll need that to compete this week at the Genesis Invitational. Over the past 12 months, Hovland ranks in the 99th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Russell Henley rattled off his third straight top-25 finish at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am by finishing tied for 19th. This was followed up by a tied for eighth finish at The American Express and a tied for 19th finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Henley has gained strokes on approach in two of his three starts, but he lost strokes on approach at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. If he can find the approach game he flashed in his first two starts of the season, he'll be near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday. Over the past 12 months, Henley ranks in the 72nd percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Tommy Fleetwood finished tied for fourth at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and gained strokes across the board in his first PGA Tour start of the 2026 season. Fleetwood has played well at the Genesis Invitational in the past, finishing tied for fifth in 2025, tied for 10th in 2024, and tied for 20th in 2023. Fleetwood gained strokes on approach at the Genesis Invitational in 2024 and 2023, and if he plays anything like he did last week, he'll be at the top of the leaderboard with a chance to win come Sunday. Over the past 12 months, Fleetwood ranks in the 89th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Pierceson Coody has played excellent golf to start the 2026 season and finished outside the top 25 for the first time in 2026 at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. In his first four starts this season, the worst Coody finished was tied for 18th. This week will mark Coody's first appearance in the Genesis Invitational and give him a chance to continue showcasing the fine form he's been in. Coody has gained strokes on approach in all of his starts except one this season. Over the past 12 months, Coody ranks in the 28th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Jacob Bridgeman finished tied for eighth at last week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and this was followed up by a T18 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open the week prior. Bridgeman has now rattled off four top-20 finishes in four starts to begin the 2026 season. Bridgeman has gained strokes on approach and putting in all four of his starts. This will be Bridgeman's first appearance in the Genesis Invitational and will give him a chance to continue flashing the fine form he's been in so far. Over the past 12 months, Bridgeman ranks in the 48th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Akshay Bhatia finished tied for sixth at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last week, and this was followed up by a tie for third at the Waste Management Phoenix Open two weeks ago. This has been a welcome return to form for Bhatia, who started this season with two straight missed cuts. Bhatia finished tied for ninth at last year's Genesis Invitational and will have a chance to best that if he continues playing the way he has the last two weeks. Over the past 12 months, Bhatia ranks in the 92nd percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 17, 2026
Chicago White Sox infielder/outfielder
Luisangel Acuna has made swing tweaks this offseason to "stay loaded in his back leg more" to "allow him to elevate the ball for consistent power," according to James Fegan of Sox Machine. Acuna, 23, is trying to make the move to center field and carve out a regular role in his first year with the White Sox in 2026. The Venezuelan has appeared in the outfield twice in 109 career major-league games, but he split time more evenly between center and short in recent Venezuelan Winter League action. Acuna hit .282/.397/.542 with eight homers in a small 39-game sample size in his native country, but he batted .234/.293/.274 with no homers, eight RBI, and 16 steals in 95 games last year with the New York Mets. Making more contact should be a top priority for Acuna, who is favored to start in center field for the Pale Hose on Opening Day. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to take a wait-and-see approach with the younger brother of
Ronald Acuna Jr.--Keith HernandezSource: Sox Machine - James Fegan
February 17, 2026
Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder
Kris Bryant (back) said the pain in his back hasn't allowed him to start baseball activities this spring, but he continues to consult with doctors and trainers to see what can get him back to playing, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Bryant is not retiring and will stick with his rehab. The 34-year-old veteran has played in just 170 games over four seasons since he signed a seven-year, $182 million deal with the club in March of 2022. He's dealing with a lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Rockies already placed Bryant on the 60-day injured list, and it's unclear when he might be ready to play baseball again in 2026. The former MVP and Rookie of the Year played in just 11 games for Colorado last year, going 6-for-39 (.154) with no homers and 13 strikeouts. His injuries in recent years continue to sap him offensively. Stay away at all costs in fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
February 17, 2026
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Seiya Suzuki is expected to serve as the designated hitter in 2026 when the team faces a left-handed pitcher, according to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network.
Moises Ballesteros will operate as the Cubs' primary DH when the team faces right-handers, but Suzuki will get a break from the outfield and serve as the DH against most southpaws. On days when Suzuki is the DH,
Matt Shaw is expected to play right field. The 31-year-old Suzuki made 102 starts at DH last year and had career highs in home runs (32) and RBI (103) while slashing .245/.326/.478 with an .804 OPS in 151 regular-season games (651 plate appearances). Suzuki's altered approach to pull the ball in the air more often paid off for fantasy managers in 2025, although it came at the expense of batting average. Heading into a contract year in 2026, Suzuki should be considered a top-25 fantasy outfielder in a strong Cubs lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network - Bruce Levine
February 17, 2026
Free-agent guard/forward
Alex Morales has signed a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic, while two-way center
Orlando Robinson has been waived. The 28-year-old has averaged 19.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 steals in 35.6 minutes across 18 G League appearances. Morales replaces Orlando Robinson on the two-way slot and provides wing depth behind
Jalen Suggs,
Desmond Bane, and
Franz Wagner. With Orlando's wing rotation already full, Morales looks more like depth for now than someone to target in standard leagues, unless injuries start opening minutes on the perimeter.
--Brian DailisanSource: Orlando Magic
February 17, 2026
The Orlando Magic released center
Orlando Robinson from his two-way contract to create space for wing
Alex Morales. Robinson, 25, played in four games this season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 6.2 minutes. With
Moritz Wagner healthy and
Wendell Carter Jr. entrenched as the starter, Robinson faced a limited path to rotation minutes. He is not expected to hold value in standard leagues and will likely return to the G League to continue his development.
--Brian DailisanSource: Orlando Magic
February 17, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Mike Conley finalized a deal with the team Tuesday, according to Michael Scotto of USA Today. The 38-year-old has averaged 4.4 points, 1.0 three, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 18.5 minutes over 44 games this season. He is expected to slot into a reserve role behind
Donte DiVincenzo, while
Ayo Dosunmu continues to handle second-unit playmaking duties. That role caps Conley's fantasy ceiling to deeper formats, with
Anthony Edwards and
Julius Randle driving the offense.
--Brian DailisanSource: Michael Scotto
February 17, 2026
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, free-agent center
Mason Plumlee is signing a 10-day contract with the San Antonio Spurs, his agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. The 35-year-old underwent right groin surgery in late December and was waived earlier this month after a trade from Charlotte to Oklahoma City. Plumlee appeared in 14 games with Charlotte this season, averaging 1.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in 8.9 minutes. With
Victor Wembanyama anchoring the frontcourt and
Luke Kornet and
Bismack Biyombo in reserve roles, Plumlee profiles as emergency depth. He can remain on waiver wires in standard formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 17, 2026
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell told Bruce Levine that third baseman
Matt Shaw is "definitely going to be getting a lot of time in the outfield" in 2026. When the Cubs face a left-handed pitcher, the expectation is that Shaw will be in right field, with
Seiya Suzuki moving to designated hitter. After struggling with regular playing time at third base in his first taste of the big leagues in 2025, the 24-year-old Shaw figures to be in more of a utility role in Year 2. He hit just .226/.295/.394 with a .690 OPS, 13 home runs, 44 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in 126 regular-season games over 437 plate appearances. After a demotion to Triple-A, Shaw rebounded at the plate for a bit before finishing cold in the postseason. The addition of
Alex Bregman will make it tougher on Shaw's development, but he showed enough power/speed promise last year to be worth a late-round corner-infield investment in 2026 fantasy drafts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network - Bruce Levine
February 17, 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named infielders
Hyeseong Kim,
Miguel Rojas, and
Alex Freeland as some options to play second base with
Tommy Edman (ankle) set to open the season on the injured list, according to Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Roberts said that Kim and Freeland are basically competing for the same role. With depth in center field limited behind
Andy Pages, Kim should also see time at the position in spring training. Kim, 27, didn't display much power (three homers), but he handled himself well at the plate in a utility role in 2025 in his first year in the United States, slashing .280/.314/.385 with a .699 OPS, 17 home runs, 19 runs scored, and 13 steals in 71 regular-season games. He also had a 30.6% strikeout rate and just a 4.2% walk rate, although his high contact rate in Japan suggests those numbers could improve as he gets used to major-league pitching. Kim could see a boost in his NL-only fantasy value if he wins the second base job, but he's primarily useful for his speed on the basepaths with limited pop.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
February 17, 2026
Atlanta Braves third baseman
Austin Riley is coming off two injury-shortened seasons, but he's feeling good going into the 2026 campaign and is hoping to return to the 30-homer mark, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. "If I don't hit 30-plus homers and drive in 90-100 runs, I kind of feel like it's a wash of a season," Riley said. He's one of only three Braves legends -- Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, and An
Druw Jones -- to have three 30-homer, 90-RBI seasons at 26 or younger. The 28-year-old had sports hernia surgery last August and was limited to 102 games, slashing .260/.309/.428 with a .737 OPS, 16 home runs, 54 RBI, and 54 runs in 447 plate appearances. Riley hit three straight opposite-field homers in batting practice on Monday and could be ready to bounce back this year. His price has dropped in fantasy, but Riley still can be a top-30 overall player in a strong Braves lineup if he can stay healthy all year.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
February 17, 2026
The Arizona Diamondbacks don't have a clear idea of who their closer will be in 2026, but manager Torey Lovullo mentioned relievers
Paul Sewald,
Kevin Ginkel, and
Ryan Thompson as potential options in the ninth inning, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. Sewald was the team's closer in 2023 as they made a run to the World Series, and Ginkel and Thompson were the only incumbent veterans heading into camp before Arizona brought Sewald back. Lovullo wants a defined closer, if possible, and he's stated his preference for having that arm repeatedly. The skipper also said he will consider "migrating" any young arm capable of doing so into a high-leverage role with both
Justin Martinez and
A.J. Puk starting the year on the injured list. None of Arizona's current options are great, so it seems more likely that the D-backs enter 2026 with a closer-by-committee situation. It's a situation that fantasy managers should avoid, if possible.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
February 17, 2026
MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports that Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Bryan Reynolds will return to a full-time role in left field this year, with
Ryan O'Hearn playing in right field. Reynolds didn't play left field at all last year, but he has twice as many innings there (3,062 1/3) in his career than he has in right (1,402). The 31-year-old veteran has four straight seasons in which his defensive run value was in the negative, and the worst of those (minus-12) was in 2024 in his last year in left field. Reynolds implemented a pre-pitch "tennis hop" that helped him with his reaction time in 2025, though, and he's hoping that will help him as he returns to left field. The Bucs are taking some defensive risks this year in order to try to score more runs. The two-time All-Star had his worst statistical season offensively in 2025, hitting .245/.318/.402 with a .720 OPS, 16 homers, 73 RBI, 68 runs, and three steals in 154 games. Reynolds struck out more and hit more ground balls, although a better lineup around him could lead to a rebound. Fantasy managers may not want to expect Reynolds to return to his peak production, but he should make for a nice fourth or fifth outfielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony Castrovince
February 17, 2026
The Atlanta Braves signed free-agent infielder
Dominic Smith to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The left-handed-hitting Smith has played with three different teams since the start of the 2024 season, spending last year with the San Francisco Giants. The 30-year-old former first-rounder by the New York Mets in 2013 hit .284/.333/417 with a .750 OPS, five home runs, 33 RBI, 26 runs scored, and two steals in 63 games (225 plate appearances). Smith has some experience in left field in his nine-year MLB career, but he hasn't played anywhere besides first base since 2021. He'll give the Braves some veteran depth behind
Matt Olson, and Smith will likely begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett. Smith remains off the fantasy radar in all leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
February 17, 2026
Houston Astros left-hander
Colton Gordon will make the start for the team in their Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Washington Nationals, according to manager Joe Espada. However, Gordon is not expected to make the Opening Day roster, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. The 27-year-old southpaw made his major-league debut last year and went 6-4 with a 5.34 ERA (5.37 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 19 walks in 20 outings (14 starts) over 86 innings. Gordon worked the second-most innings last season among pitchers the team returns this spring, and he should be an option for Houston's rotation later this year. The former eighth-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Central Florida had an excellent 5% walk rate, but he only struck out 19% of the hitters he faced and was mostly unremarkable. Gordon's fantasy value will be limited as a soft-tosser.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
February 17, 2026
The New York Mets will not be playing outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. in Grapefruit League games out of the gate in an effort to keep him healthy, according to Laura Albanese of Newsday. The Mets will work on strengthening Robert's lower body first, but the new outfielder is healthy in camp, according to manager
Carlos Mendoza. The 28-year-old has a history of missing time in his career due to lower-body injuries, so the Mets are going to play it safe early on. The Cuban outfielder has hit the 100-game mark in each of the last three seasons, but he's played over 140 games in his career just once in his six MLB seasons. In 110 games in 2025 in his final season with the Chicago White Sox, Robert slashed .223/.297/.364 with a .661 OPS, 14 homers, 53 RBI, 52 runs, and a career-high 33 stolen bases. There is still power/speed upside with Robert if you're willing to take the injury risk. Playing in New York with a better team also makes his upside more enticing. He's RotoBaller's No. 27 fantasy outfielder as their everyday center fielder.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsday - Laura Albanese
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