NORTH PORT, FL- FEBRUARY 22: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during a spring training game against the Minnesota Twins on February 22, 2026 at CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Twins had a purported “fire sale” last summer, but they didn’t completely clear out the racks of all their talent. They still have All-Star outfielder Byron Buxton on the field – while he’s still healthy – and All-Star pitcher Joe Ryan. However, they have decimated much of their depth, and it will be up to the farm system to replenish much of it.
They enter the season with Derek Shelton as their new skipper. He never won more than 76 games in four full seasons with the Pirates. The Twins are projected by most to be around that number of wins this season.
Minnesota Twins
2025 record: 70-92
2026 PECOTA projection: 78-84
2026 ZIPS projection: 79-83
Manager: Derek Shelton
Key additions: Anthony Banda, Josh Bell, Vidal Bruján, Victor Caratini, Tristan Gray, Zak Kent, Ryan Kreidler, Eric Orze, Taylor Rogers, Eric Wagaman
Key losses: Mickey Gasper, Edouard Julien, Christian Vázquez
Offense
The Twins had the eighth-fewest runs in baseball last year, and that was with Carlos Correa, Harrison Bader, Ty France, and Willi Castro on the roster for more than half the season. The team went 19-35 after the July 31 trade deadline. Buxton played in 126 games last year, the most he had played in a season since 2017. Josh Bell will be on his eighth team in seven seasons, but he has put up an above-average OPS+ in each season since 2020. Rookie Luke Keaschall had an impressive debut last year, including hitting 9-for-25 (.360) with a home run against the Royals.
Pitching
Trade rumors swirled around Ryan all off-season, but the Twins held onto him after he set career-bests in innings (171), wins (13), strikeouts (194), and ERA (3.42). Taj Bradley had a 6.61 ERA in six starts with the Twins after they acquired him from the Rays last summer. Mick Abel was a former top 100 prospect acquired from the Phillies for Jhoan Duran, and he had a 2.20 ERA in 18 starts in Triple-A last year. The bullpen had a 4.93 ERA after the trade deadline and has been completely overhauled from last year. The Twins bring back veteran Taylor Rogers, but much fo the rest of the staff is inexperienced.
The Twins have been a thorn in the side of the Royals, and will likely to continue to be pesky, even if they don’t win as many games as they used to. With the sale of the team now finalized, they could move into a different direction and look to build back up this summer. Or perhaps the debt issues that have plagued the franchise will continue to direct them towards austerity measures that could lead to Ryan and Buxton being traded. Either way, they have just enough talent to make them a pain to face up against.
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 9: Hoby Milner #41 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning at Globe Life Field on September 9, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the 2025 Texas Rangers season having come to an end, we shall be, over the course of the offseason, taking a look at every player who appeared in a major league game for the Texas Rangers in 2025.
Today we are looking at reliever Hoby Milner.
The Texas Rangers signed Hoby Milner to a one year deal for the 2025 season, coming off a season for the Milwaukee Brewers where he had a -0.6 bWAR and 0.9 fWAR in 64.2 innings over 61 games, with a 4.73 ERA and a 3.14 FIP.
For the Rangers in 2025, Hoby Milner had a -0.6 bWAR and a 1.0 fWAR in 70.1 innings over 73 games, with a 3.84 ERA and a 3.39 FIP.
Weird, huh? An ERA almost a run lower, but the same bWAR and fWAR, essentially.
fWAR is based on FIP, with relievers having leverage factored in as well, so the similarity in FIP (and FIP- — 80 in 2025, 77 in 2024) and similarity in Clutch performance (-0.26 in 2025, -0.19 in 2024) helps explain why the fWAR is virtually the same.
bWAR is based on RA/9, and of course, as we all know, B-R’s park effects are much different than Fangraphs’ park effects for the Shed in 2025, with the result being that Milner’s ERA+ in 2025 (95) is very close to his ERA+ in 2024 (88).
And to further illustrate the complexity, Milner’s xERA in 2024, when he had an actual ERA of almost 5, was lower than his xERA in 2025 — 3.20 in 2024 versus 3.79 in 2025.
Milner is a lefty-on-lefty specialist, and is one of those guys who is hurt by the three batter limit that MLB introduced. He allowed an 820 OPS against righthanders in 168 plate appearances, compared to a 526 OPS against lefties, in line with his career 794 OPS against righties and 608 OPS against lefties.
As with Robert Garcia, Milner gets dinged for his performance in high leverage situations last year. He allowed a .333/.362/.448 slash line in high leverage situations, though that was driven largely by a .413 BABIP. The upshot is that, despite having just 105 of his 293 batters faced being in high leverage situations, 22 of the 36 runs he allowed were in high leverage situations.
Milner had a career high in appearances and innings in 2025. Perhaps not coincidentally, he hit a wall in mid-August. Through August 13, Milner had 56 appearances in 122 team games, and had a 2.15 ERA and 2.44 FIP. From August 14 through year end, Milner appeared in 17 games, threw just 11.2 innings, and had a 12.34 ERA, 6.97 xERA and 7.94 FIP.
Milner signed a one year, $3.75 million deal with the Cubs for 2026, with incentives that would potentially increase the deal to $4 million, so he got a raise off of his $2.5 million salary in 2025. The Rangers are, I imagine, more or less satisfied with what they got from Milner in 2025.
UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 19: D'Andre Davis #14 of the Long Island Nets looks to pass the ball during the game against the Maine Celtics on March 19, 2026 at The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Evan Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the Long Island Nets, not much is going right at this moment. With the Brooklyn Nets having the three two-ways, Malachi Smith and the remaining Flatbush 4, Long Island has been left with slim pickings and a four-game losing streak.
However, a stroke of luck did favor them Sunday evening. Despite coming up just short against the Capital City Go-Go in Capital City, the Long Island squad is heading back to the G-League playoffs! A combination of other scores around the league helped the Nets back in.
At the moment, they’ve got the seventh seed in the post-season and would play the second seed, the Greensboro Swarm, in North Carolina likely on March 31. Other than the Finals, all the league playoff matches are single elimination, aka win or go home…
The last time Long Island made it this far came two years ago when they got all the way to the conference finals before losing to the Maine Celtics. The team saw a major turnaround this season with the likes of the Flatbush 5’s Danny Wolf, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, and Nolan Traore, and the three Brooklyn two-way stars – Chaney Johnson, EJ Liddell and Tyson Etienne – leading the charge to get them in this spot.
Now, the question is how many of their three two-ways and 10-day Malachi Smith will be available for the post-season. With Brooklyn losing players to injury one after another, will they send any of the four players back? Indeed, Brooklyn has to make a decision Monday on what to do with Smith who’s initial 10-day runs out. If they renew him, he’ll be with the big club through March 31. If they don’t, he would presumably return to Nassau Coliseum.
Sunday’s game was promising building block game for all five of Long Island’s new starters. After going down 46-23 after the first quarter, Long Island entered the fourth quarter down by ten. Long Island tied the game to force overtime but missed all of its shots in the extended session, as it fell to the Go-Go by seven, 127-120.
Leading the way in this one was second-year Long Island player, Trevon Scott. Scott finished having arguably his best shooting game of the season, connecting on 10 of his 16 tries, including shooting 40% from deep, for a total of 22 points. He also had seven rebounds and two assists to go with it. He was one of just three Nets starters to score over 20 points in this game.
The 6’9” 29-year-old has been one of the team’s stalwarts for the entire season working with the Flatbush 5 and other young players and playing in all but one of Long Island’s games, 46 in all. Scott who hasn’t played in the NBA since 2022 and then only two games with the Cavaliers is a basketball vagabond. He’s played in the G League as well as the French, Canadian and Puerto Rican leagues.
Other normally bench players got big minutes with the two-ways and Smith with Brooklyn. Very promising with the playoffs right around the corner.
Hunter Cattoor, 6’3” 25-year-old point guard, put together a career night, finishing with 21 points. He connected on eight of his 14 tries, including going five-for-nine from deep. Cattoor also had six rebounds, four assists, and a game-leading three steals. This may have been Cattoor’s best all-around showing that we’ve ever seen from him.
David Muoka once again got the start at the center position. Muoka flirted with a double-double after he connected on 10 of his 14 tries for 20 points and hauled in nine boards. Since being named a starter, we’ve seen Muoka show a different and more complete side of himself. He also had two steals and a game-leading three blocks, playing the big-man role.
Terry Roberts flirted with a triple-double, numbers we saw him put up quite often at the end of last season when Killian Hayes first got called up to Brooklyn. Roberts finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists. He also had two steals while playing a clean game and finishing with zero turnovers. However, shooting was a bit of an issue for Roberts, as he connected on just four of his 13 tries. including missing both his tries from deep.
Dre Davis was the fifth and final starter for Long Island on Sunday. Davis, the Seton Hall and Ole Miss product was coming off a career-high of 25 points. The 24-year-old 6’6” wing finished with 15 points on Sunday and had four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block but missed all six of his 3-point attempts and turned the ball over four times, the most on the team.
One of the biggest difference makers for Long Island on Sunday came off the bench as Javon Freeman-Liberty once again shined. He finished with 15 points, connecting on four of his eight tries, including shooting 25% from deep. He also forced overtime for Long Island as he connected on both of his tries from the foul line to tie the game at 120 with 15 seconds left. Freeman-Liberty also had four rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Next Up
The Long Island Nets (18-15) return to the court on Tuesday, as they match up with their cross-town rivals, the Westchester Knicks. Long Island looks to get back in the win column after dropping its last four games, with the playoffs quickly approaching. The game tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and can be watched on ESPN+ and the Gotham Sports app.
There are a lot of positives since Jayson Tatum's return to play in Boston. The Celtics are 6-2 in the games he has played and he scored 20+ points in five games and has a couple of double-doubles.
Then there are nights like Sunday, when he shot 6-of-16 in a loss to Minnesota. After the game, he talked about the frustrating process of finding his way back and having off days, via Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.
"It's tough in the moment, right? You try not to think about it. You just want to be Jason Tatum and feel like yourself again. I'm not Superman, so, obviously, it's going to take some time. I think the next day I can give myself a little more grace over certain things, but in the moment, I mean, it's frustrating."
While Tatum has put up numbers, his efficiency has not yet returned. He's shooting 38.8% overall, 29.3% from 3-point range, and has yet to shoot over 50% in any of his games. That said, he's also grabbing 8.9 rebounds a night and has contributed to winning, but he is finding his role next to Jaylen Brown.
Speaking to NBC before the game, Brown said communication between him and Tatum is key for the team. While the No. 2 seed Celtics had been looking up the standings at catching shorthanded Detroit for the No. 1 seed, they had better focus on wins to keep the No. 3 seed Knicks at bay — New York is just half a game back for that second seed. Boston is going to need Tatum for that.
Editor’s note: Leading up to Opening Day, our staff will share several predictions for the 2026 Red Sox season. In Part 4 of the season preview series,our three-person panel predicted the headlines that will surround the club during the All-Star break.
The Boston Red Sox will be a fascinating club to watch in 2026.
Last year, the Red Sox clinched a Wild Card spot for their first postseason berth since 2021. Many expect them to take another step forward after a productive offseason, while others are skeptical about the lineup having enough firepower to keep up in a tough American League East.
Regardless, there will be no shortage of interesting headlines and hot takes on this year’s team come summertime. In the latest installment of our season preview series, our staff shared Red Sox headlines they believe we’ll see during the All-Star break in July:
Justin Leger: Wilyer Abreu shines in first All-Star Game appearance
Abreu should get more opportunities against left-handed pitching this year. If so, he’ll be a candidate for 30-plus homers after notching 22 last season, when he mostly sat against southpaws. His unique blend of power and stellar defense will earn him his first career All-Star nod, and just as he did in the WBC, he’ll shine on the big stage.
Nick Goss: Roman Anthony has become one of MLB’s biggest stars
Anthony will live up to expectations offensively and be one of the starters for the AL at the All-Star Game, paving the way for him to become a household name by the time the 2026 season concludes.
Darren Hartwell: What does the future hold for Marcelo Mayer?
Yes, Mayer is only 23 and is about to enter his first full MLB season. But the former first-round pick has suffered season-ending injuries in three consecutive seasons and struggled during his brief big-league cameo in 2025.
The Red Sox have a crowded infield, so if Mayer gets off to a slow start in 2026, the conversation around his future in Boston will grow louder.
Mike Vaccaro’s book, “The Bosses of the Bronx,” detailing the Yankees’ five-plus decades under the House of Steinbrenner, will be released by Harper Books March 24. You can pre-order here. Here is the third of three excerpts being shared with The Post:
His final captain would afford George Steinbrenner the last of his endless, priceless moments — and mementos — as Boss, even if he now went by Boss Emeritus. George Steinbrenner had, after all, made the unilateral decision to install Thurman Munson as captain 45 years after Lou Gehrig’s death.
Steinbrenner the erstwhile Big Ten coach never could shake his football instincts and viewed captains differently, and more fondly, all of them: Graig Nettles and Willie Randolph, Ron Guidry and Don Mattingly.
Now Derek Jeter.
One last time, Steinbrenner made the flight to New York. Once, as a young businessman crammed into a middle seat in coach, he’d sworn as his plane from Cleveland descended into LaGuardia Airport that he’d one day fly first class. Now, he’d made this trip thousands of times in his own jet.
Mike Vaccaro’s upcoming book, “The Bosses of The Bronx.”
Now he was three months shy of 80, and required a wheelchair. But he wasn’t going to miss the home opener of the 2010 season, April 13. By now, the Boss Watch — the gaggle of reporters assigned to his Stadium comings and goings — had been abandoned; he arrived in Box 44 comfortably.
Soon he was joined by two special guests.
Jeter and Joe Girardi walked the forty or so steps from the Yankees clubhouse to the VIP elevator, stepped in the Boss’ suite, and surprised him. They wanted to personally present his World Series ring. Jeter noticed the Boss was wearing two rings: one for the 2000 Yankees, and one an Ohio State ring.
Jeter looked into Steinbrenner’s eyes and laughed. “Boss, take off that Ohio State ring.”
Steinbrenner’s eyes brightened. He pointed at Jeter.
“Michigan,” he said to Jeter, a son of Kalamazoo and nearly a Michigan Wolverine before the Yankees signed him out of the 1992 draft. Jeter took the 2000 ring off instead, replaced it with the 2009 one, and everyone applauded. Later, in the bottom of the third, before Jeter stepped to the plate the scoreboard camera captured Steinbrenner wearing sunglasses in his box as “My Way” played over the public address system.
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (l.) and wife Joan (r.) watch the team’s home opener against the Angels at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2010. Getty Images
Jeter waited a respectful amount of time for the 49,293 to roar for the Boss.
Then swung at the first pitch and dunked one over the wall in right-center.
“None of us would be here, the stadium wouldn’t be here, if it wasn’t for him,” Jeter said. “He’ll always be The Boss.”
Ninety-one days later, sitting behind a podium at the All-Star Game, Jeter had this to say about that boss: “I was 18. Suddenly here he is, walking toward me, addressing me by name, and said, ‘We expect big things from you.’ I’ll always remember that.”
Jeter was stone-faced. The news he’d received he’d been dreading for a long while, same as everyone around the Yankees. It might not have been stunning that George Steinbrenner died earlier that day, July 13, 2010, of a heart attack at his home in Tampa, it was still hard to immediately calibrate. He’d turned 80 just nine days earlier.
Derek Jeter (l.) and George Steinbrenner (r.) during spring training in 2000. New York Post
After a few respectful days, it also became clear that the Boss left a remarkable legacy for his family, which you might call priceless except it absolutely had one. The federal estate tax expired the previous January, and that would’ve cost the family around a half-billion dollars had the Boss passed in 2009. Had he died in 2011, the renewed law was to be upped to 55 percent, so it would’ve siphoned $600 million. Without an inheritance tax the Yankees remained comfortably in the hands of his children.
It was a perfect bookend for an initial investment of $168,000.
“One of a kind,” Reggie Jackson said.
“A life almost impossible to imagine,” said his friend, Donald Trump.
“I still hate his guts,” said Howie Spira, who planned on holding his grudge long into the next life and beyond.
For a brief, colorful moment, Hank Steinbrenner, George’s eldest, happily morphed into his old man, into the biggest elephant in any room he walked in, trouncing those rooms with various opinions and observations before heading outside for a satisfying smoke.
Hank had a lot of thoughts on a lot of things. And what quickly became apparent was that Hank was every bit the back-page goldmine his father had been — maybe more so. He was happy to hand out his cell phone number to reporters, happier to take their calls, downright gleeful at returning calls he’d missed, and happiest still to fill empty notebooks with gold.
(Hank really was a columnist’s best friend. Once, searching for an idea on a random Tuesday, The Post’s former sports editor, Greg Gallo, reached out to me. “Call Hank,” he said. “See what he has to say.”
“About what?” I asked.
“About anything,” Gallo said.
I called Hank, he picked up right away, and for 25 minutes he provided me that day’s column, which became the next morning’s back page: “HANK UNPLUGGED!”
After we were done, as I was hammering my laptop to beat deadline, my phone rang. It was Hank. “And a few other things …” and by the time he was done I had about 15 minutes left to finish the column. It ran a little long that day.)
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner (right) sitting with his family, (l-r); Sons Hal and Hank, daughters Jenny and Jessica. Charles Wenzelberg
Hal Steinbrenner was not his brother. But Hank, who died in 2020, wearied of the spotlight’s glare and happily ceded control of the Yankees to his kid brother without much of a fight, joining his sisters Jennifer and Jessica in unanimously voting Hal managing general partner in 2008.
“My father was more about the back pages of the tabloids,” Hal said in 2013. “I’m more about a back room, away from prying eyes. Anyone who thinks I don’t want to win? Well, how does the saying go? ‘Show me you’ve never met me without telling me that you’ve never met me.’”
Hal knows that every time the Yankees go on a five-game losing streak the familiar chorus surfaces: “If only George were still alive …” He also understands that fans don’t want to hear about baseball’s ever-shifting economic realities (and was, in fact, excoriated in some circles when he seemed to cry poverty after the Dodgers spending spree in December).
Those realities happen to be true, though. When the elder Steinbrenner shocked the baseball world by authorizing (while serving the first of his two suspensions) a five-year, $3.75 million contract that temporarily made Catfish Hunter baseball’s wealthiest player on New Year’s Eve 1974, it felt like all the money in the world, especially for the time.
But in 2026 dollars that still translates to only $25 million, which is just $2 million less than what Hal paid in 2023 alone for the services of Carlos Rodón, a starting pitcher who went 3–8 with a 6.85 ERA and who never on his best day pitched as well as Hunter on his worst.
The 1977 team, dubbed “The Best Team Money Could Buy?” Total payroll: $3 million. In 2026 dollars: $16.1 million, or about what the Yankees will likely pay Gerrit Cole before he ever throws a pitch in a regular-season game this year.
There have been various times when people wonder why the family doesn’t just cash out, assuring prosperity for untold future generations of Steinbrenner, and it’s a subject that makes Hal Steinbrenner laugh.
“The Yankees,” he says incredulously, “is our family business.”
This, then, is a story about one American family business and one city’s fascination with the proprietors of that corner store.
The Vegas Golden Knights (32-25-14) snapped a three-game skid and delivered a crucial statement victory, edging the Dallas Stars (43-16-11) 3-2 Sunday night at American Airlines Center.
Entering the contest on the heels of three uninspired performances in which they managed just a single goal, the Golden Knights faced a pivotal opportunity to preserve their playoff positioning—and they seized it.
Returning from a five-game healthy scratch, Reilly Smith made an immediate impact, scoring the game-winning goal with 3:38 remaining in the third period. Supporting him on the scoresheet were Brayden McNabb and Ivan Barbashev.
In net, Adin Hill displayed his goaltending skill, stopping 13 of 15 shots. However, he did surrender a couple of goals early in the game. Hill had struggled in recent outings—most notably against the Utah Mammoth, where he allowed three goals on just three shots. Overall, he had conceded five goals on his last nine shots, a concerning stat for any netminder.
Despite that rough stretch, Hill rebounded admirably against Dallas, helping the Golden Knights secure the crucial victory.
McNabb Sparks Early Momentum
Just over four minutes into the opening frame, McNabb set the tone with a coast-to-coast effort that highlighted his post-Olympic resurgence. His skillful drive gave Vegas an early lead, but the Stars quickly countered. Wyatt Johnston recorded his 23rd power-play goal of the season—setting a new franchise record—after a precise man-advantage shift at 10:55. Later, a defensive miscue allowed Justin Hryckowian to capitalize in front of Hill, knotting the score by the end of the first period.
Despite being outshot and out-chanced in the early stages, Vegas’ underlying metrics told a more promising story: 27-14 in shot attempts, 17-6 in scoring opportunities, and a commanding 71.82 percent expected goal share. The team had simply been undone by timely finishing from Dallas.
The second period belonged to the Golden Knights. Controlling the neutral zone and dominating shot attempts 11-3, Vegas held Dallas scoreless over the final 14:46 of the stanza. Their second-unit power play executed flawlessly: Brett Howden operated at the side of the net while Barbashev took over Dorofeyev’s role on the one-timer, tying the game at 2-2 at 9:10.
Special teams continued to define the period. After Jack Eichel drew a double minor for high-sticking, Vegas’ penalty kill delivered a clutch stop. Though the Golden Knights couldn’t convert on their subsequent power play late in the period, they sustained offensive pressure, generating multiple high-danger chances and forcing Casey DeSmith into several highlight-reel saves.
Late-Game Heroics Seal Victory
The Stars dominated early in the third, outshooting Vegas 10-1 in the first half of the period, but the momentum shifted as the Golden Knights gradually took control. With under four minutes left, Vegas orchestrated a decisive sequence: a crafty cycle by Mitch Marner created a rebound that Smith expertly pounced on, delivering the game-winner. The Stars pulled DeSmith in the final two minutes, yet Vegas’ relentless pressure on the 6-on-5 sealed the 3-2 triumph.
Vegas’ victory was a testament to tightened defensive execution and aggressive play, outshooting Dallas 33-15 and controlling the expected goals battle 4.57-1.61. Special teams, which had been a liability in Nashville, emerged as a saving grace in Dallas.
The win elevates the Golden Knights to second in the Pacific Division, holding a slim advantage over Edmonton. With just 11 games remaining, this gritty performance could provide the momentum Vegas needs to finish the season strong. The team will conclude its three-game road swing in Winnipeg on Tuesday, a matchup in which they already hold a favorable recent record.
Managers in Yahoo! default leagues have reached the fantasy semifinals. It’s win-or-go-home with a trip to the fantasy championship on the line, and navigating the waiver wire is more treacherous than ever. Fortunately, there are 10 widely-available players who can help needy rosters earn a victory and advance to the final week of the season.
As a reminder, this article will only feature players rostered in 25% or less of Yahoo! leagues for the rest of the season. The waiver wire in competitive leagues is cut-throat, and managers looking for an end-of-season edge will need to dive deep.
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for Week 22.
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Priority Adds
1. Daniss Jenkins 2. Bones Hyland 3. Cody Williams 4. Mitchell Robinson 5. Taylor Hendricks 6. Peyton Watson 7. EJ Harkless 8. Yves Missi 9. Nolan Traoré 10. Malik Monk
Watson returned from a six-week absence and provided a 14/6/3 line in just 20 minutes. He should continue to ramp up his playing time and get back into his groove in the coming weeks. He ranks 112th in per-game fantasy value this season, and he provided some monster efforts for fantasy managers before getting injured.
Daniss Jenkins, Detroit Pistons (23 percent rostered)
Jenkins is the ultimate fill-in option for the injured Cade Cunningham, and with Cade on the shelf for at least another week, the former is in line for a strong run to help fantasy managers win their week. In 51 games with Cunningham available, Jenkins averaged just 6.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 three-pointers across 15.4 minutes. In nine games without Cade, Jenkins’ production shoots up to 14.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 triples across 32.5 minutes. He posted a 22/7/8/1 line in his last game out, and I expect another productive week as the Pistons play four games.
Daniss Jenkins on stepping while Cade is out:
“I’m just trying to make up for our brother being down—man, Stew’s down, Cade’s down. We’re just trying to show everybody that we can control the ship till he gets back.”
Williams was our featured pick-up last week, and he’s still available in nearly 80% of Yahoo! leagues. Over his last nine games, C-Will has averaged 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 triples across 35 minutes. He’s one of a few Jazz players still getting significant playing time during tank season.
Taylor Hendricks, Memphis Grizzlies (19 percent rostered)
Over his last four games, Hendricks ranks 20th in per-game fantasy value thanks in large part to his elite defensive contributions. Across his last five games, Hendricks has averaged 12.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 triples to go with a whopping 3.0 steals and 1.6 swats. Memphis’ rotation is thin, and Hendricks’ role should be consistent down the stretch.
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks (18 percent rostered)
Robinson has posted strong numbers over his last six games (one start), operating as a strong source of rebounds, defensive stats and FG%. In that span, he’s averaged 7.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocked shots across just 21.7 minutes. Robinson has at least one steal in five of those games, multiple blocks in four games and double-digit rebounds in five.
Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings (16 percent rostered)
With most of Sacramento’s guard rotation banged up, Monk had one of his best games of the season on Sunday when he finished with 32 points, two rebounds, six dimes, a blocked shot and seven three-pointers. The Kings play four times, including a back-to-back set to close out the week on Saturday and Sunday. Monk could see additional run if Russell Westbrook, Nique Clifford or Killian Hayes continue to sit out.
Hyland has been hot since Anthony Edwards went out, averaging 20.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 triples across 26.3 minutes. Minnesota has scored 117.3 points per game in that span and sports a 3-1 record without its superstar, thanks in large part to the strong play of Bones and Ayo Dosunmu. Dosunmu is too widely rostered to be considered for this article, but Hyland could still be available on your waiver wire.
Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans (10 percent rostered)
Missi’s role with New Orleans has shrunk in Year 2, but he’s seen an uptick in production as of late. Across his last six games, he’s averaged 6.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 blocks in just 23.7 minutes. Missi has started twice in that span and corralled double-digit rebounds four times.
Nolan Traoré, Brooklyn Nets (6 percent rostered)
Traoré is getting it done on both ends of the court, which has been highly beneficial for fantasy managers. Across his last three games, Traore has averaged 13.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.3 swats and 1.7 triples. He’s worth a look as Brooklyn gives its young guys plenty of run down the stretch.
EJ Harkless, Utah Jazz (3 percent rostered)
Keyonte George is still out, and Isaiah Collier is banged up. Harkless has stepped up in a big way, and he ranks 61st in per-game fantasy value across his last four outings. He’s started two straight, and Harkless has posted strong averages of 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 2.5 triples across 35 minutes. Expect plenty of Harkless over the final two weeks of the fantasy playoffs.
a career-high in points and dimes and his first career double-double
Creighton men's basketball coach Greg McDermott's legendary career is coming to its close.
Monday, both McDermott and Creighton officials announced his impending retirement after 16 seasons leading the Bluejays program, during which time he became the school's all-time leader in wins.
McDermott will finish this season with the Bluejays, who are in the College Basketball Crown tournament after not qualifying for the NCAA Tournament.
Simultaneously with the announcement of McDermott's exit, Creighton announced that coaching veteran Alan Huss will take over the program. Huss had been named head-coach-in-waiting a year ago when he returned to Creighton.
“It has been an incredible honor to lead the Creighton men’s basketball program for the past 16 years,” McDermott said in the school's release. “I’m very proud of the young men that have proudly worn the Bluejay uniform and represented our program in a first-class manner. Witnessing their growth and development on and off the playing floor was especially gratifying. “I’m deeply grateful for the support of my family, our players, coaching staff and support staff, as well as the presidents, athletic directors, and all the University and athletic administrators. The support of the Omaha community consistently packing our arena with 17,000 fans has created many fond memories. While this chapter of my career comes to a close, my love and respect for the Bluejays will never fade. I look forward to the continued success of Bluejay basketball under the leadership of Alan Huss."
Taking over at Creighton in 2010 after four seasons leading the Iowa State program, McDermott had a 23-win debut season for the Bluejays and by Year 2 made the first of three consecutive and 10 overall NCAA Tournament appearances.
Creighton under McDermott five times made the NCAA's Round of 32, as well as three Sweet 16 appearances and one trip to the Elite Eight.
He amassed 365 of his 645 career wins during his time atop Creighton, which is scheduled to play Rutgers in the College Basketball Crown event on April 2.
A former Creighton player in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Huss returned to his alma mater -- where he previously served eight seasons as McDermott's top assistant -- last spring after a three-year run at the helm of the High Point basketball program. Huss also served as an assistant coach at New Mexico and was a head coach in the prep ranks.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 7: Josh Kasevich #86 of the Toronto Blue Jays tags out Adolis García #53 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a stolen base attempt during the sixth inning of a spring training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 7, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The last Spring Training game is upon us and baseball will officially return to South Philadelphia in three days. Here are the lineups for the final matchup, let’s discuss!
We’re just three short days away from the first game of the regular season, and there’s still so much to look forward to. Here are three happy moments from the final week of Spring Training.
Messick Makes the Rotation
The Guardians announced on Saturday that Parker Messick will start the 2026 season in the starting rotation. While they rolled with a six-man rotation in 2025, they’re sticking with five this season. This meant that Logan Allen was optioned to Triple-A Columbus, but gives Messick a very important chance to prove himself. He finished the 2025 season with a 2.72 ERA, 3-1 record, and 1.31 WHIP in 39.2 innings. Given a full season of work, he has the chance to become one of the best pitchers in the rotation. He’s had a successful Spring so far, striking out 11 and owning a 3.60 ERA in 15 innings.
Bibee to Make First Career Opening Day Start
Well, this gets a little complicated because you probably read this same headline last year. While Tanner Bibee was in fact named the Opening Day starter in 2025, he wasn’t able to complete the task as he fell ill the day before. Bibee finished the 2025 season with a 4.24 ERA with 162 strikeouts in 182.1 innings. Spring hasn’t been as successful for him with 19 strikeouts and a 6.65 ERA in 23 innings, but as he gets into the regular-season-mindset, there’s almost no doubt he’ll be able to settle into his regular success.
Spring Breakout Brings a Win
A number of the Guardians top prospects faced off against those of the Los Angeles Angels in Thursday’s Spring Breakout game, and they sure did break out. They took the win 4-2 over the Angels thanks to some defensive errors from Los Angeles as well as a huge three-run home run from Wuilfredo Antunez. The pitching staff also had a great day with Yorman Gómez going three scoreless innings, while Josh Hartle and Joey Oakie each struck out three across their two innings of work apiece. I didn’t need any more reasons to be excited about our prospects, but they certainly provided me with a few anyway.
Social Media Spotlight
Those of you reading this from anywhere in northern Ohio have most certainly read about (or maybe even experienced) the meteor that passed through the sky on Tuesday. The Guardians’ Twitter account had some fun with it, posting the below picture of Superman flying over a Meteors sign at Progressive Field.
While the
Montreal Canadiens had a day off on Sunday, three players were in Mascouche at Memorable
Authentic to meet fans and sign autographs. Despite the snow that wasn’t
letting up, fans turned up in droves to meet Finnish rookie Oliver Kapanen,
forward Alexandre Texier, and the latest Laval Rocket call-up and future Habs
starter Jacob Fowler.
Kapanen and
Texier appeared from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, while Fowler was in attendance from 2:30
PM to 3:30 PM. The players were in great spirits and happy to pose for pictures
with fans after signing their items.
The three
players have plenty to smile about. Kapanen is having a fantastic rookie season
with 20 goals and 14 assists for 34 points. He’s third amongst rookies in
goals, behind Beckett Sennecke (22 goals) and Matthew Schaefer (21 goals), and
sixth in points.
Memorable Authentic Facebook Account
As for
Texier, his season was going nowhere in St. Louis with one point in eight games,
and he bet on himself, getting out of his contract and signing at a discount
with the Canadiens to finish the season. He soon impressed Kent Hughes and
earned a two-year contract extension with a 2.5 M cap hit. Since joining the
Canadiens, he has 19 points in 37 games and has been used in a variety of
situations, proving extremely useful to Martin St-Louis.
Meanwhile,
Fowler, who was expected to spend the whole season in the AHL, took advantage
of Samuel Montembeault’s tough season and made the most of his first callup in
December. When Montembeault faltered again, the youngster was ready for the
call, and he looks like he’ll be with the Habs until the end of the season, and
for the playoffs as well. In 13 games, the youngster has a 6-5-2 record, a 2.72
goals-against average, and a .899 save percentage.
If you
missed out on the event, make sure to visit Memorable Authentic in the next few
days to add signed items from the three players to your collection.
The Atlanta Braves now have an entire starting rotation ticketed for the injured list for opening day. And that's left the club in a difficult position as they aim to turn things around in 2026.
Spencer Strider will begin the season on the IL with an oblique strain, manager Walt Weiss announced Monday, March 23.
While the club hopes the absence is measured in weeks, obliques are notoriously unpredictable, and would likely knock Strider out through April.
Braves starters on injured list
He'll have company in the rehab room: Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep (elbow bone spurs removal), A.J. Smith-Shawver (Tommy John surgery) and Joey Wentz (ACL tear in right knee) will miss anywhere from several months to the entire season, leaving the Braves in a lurch.
Strider required a second elbow reconstruction surgery after two starts in 2024, returned one year later but suffered a hamstring injury and other setbacks that limited him to 23 starts and a 4.45 ERA. Better results could have been anticipated this season, with Strider another year removed from major elbow surgery.
Now, he may require an additional build-back period if the oblique prevents him from throwing for several weeks.
Braves rotation options after Strider injury
For a club that prides itself on pitching, the Braves are about out of options. Ace Chris Sale, the 2024 NL Cy Young winner, is healthy but at 37 may not be a lock to make 30-plus starts. Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder are all middle- to back-end options suddenly bumped up a spot.
And No. 5 starter José Suarez appeared in seven games for the Braves last season, but was waived in January before the Braves re-claimed him from Baltimore weeks later.
One proven option remains on the free agent market.
Lucas Giolito is still unsigned just three days before Opening Day, an indicator he did not find an asking price to his liking on the market. Giolito, 31, pitched to a 3.41 ERA over 20 starts last year in Boston, but ended the season with right elbow discomfort and has extensive injury history with his forearm and elbow.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek has parted company with her coach after her shock first round elimination at the Miami Open, she said on Monday.
Swiatek, who has won six Grand Slam titles, said she'd “decided to take a different path.”
“I’m grateful for his support, experience, and everything we achieved together — including one of my biggest dreams in sport.”
The 24-year-old from Poland was beaten in three sets by world No. 50 Magda Linette in Miami last week. The defeat ended her run of 73 straight opening-round wins on tour.
“Miami was challenging for me. I feel disappointment, bitterness and responsibility for my performance on the court of course,” she said.
Swiatek said the rest of her team would remain unchanged.
“I know there are many questions, but l’ll let you know what’s next at the right time. I’m taking a moment to take care of myself, process this experience, and prepare for a new chapter,” she said.
Fissette has worked with a long list of top players that includes Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka.
In tonight's Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks matchup, all eyes shift to Brandin Podziemski with Stephen Curry still sidelined.
The increased workload has clearly taken a toll, but this is the exact type of spot to buy back in. Dallas doesn’t offer the same defensive resistance Golden State has been dealing with, giving Podziemski a much softer runway offensively.
Our Warriors vs. Mavericks predictions and NBA picks expect a response here — and with volume still on his side, the value points toward Podziemski clearing his scoring number on March 23.
Warriors vs Mavericks prediction
Warriors vs Mavericks best bet: Brandin Podziemski Over 14.5 points (-120)
Brandin Podziemski is mired in a shooting slump, firing at 28.6% the past four games. He’s topped 10 points only once in that span after averaging just shy of 20 points in the first seven games of the month.
A lineup of stingy opponents has worn down the Golden State Warriors guard, with five of the past six contests coming against Top-11 defenses. The Dallas Mavericks, however, are a welcome break. The Mavs are 25th in defensive rating since the All-Star break.
Podziemski is getting the minutes and touches to top his scoring total, and most projections are flirting with 16 points.
Warriors vs Mavericks same-game parlay
Game models have the Warriors winning and covering this short spread.
Podziemski isn’t just playing to secure his spot on this roster going forward, but with one year left on his rookie deal, now is the optimal time to re-sign for bigger money. Before this four-game slump, he scored 16 or more points in 10 of 14 games.
Cooper Flagg is putting the finishing touches on a stellar rookie season. However, he’s stuck in his own shooting skid. The No. 1-overall pick is hitting 42% from the field in his last three games, respectively scoring 21, 17, and 18 points in those outings. Projections have him as low as 18.7 points.
Warriors vs Mavericks SGP
Warriors -2
Brandin Podziemski Over 14.5 points
Cooper Flagg Under 21.5 points
Our "from downtown" SGP: Giving the nod to Pods
Podziemski hasn’t lost the support of head coach Steve Kerr, who is taking a long look at him at both the shooting guard and point guard positions. The Mavericks don’t push back much, and his assist projections are around five dimes.
Warriors vs Mavericks SGP
Warriors -2
Over 230.5
Brandin Podziemski Over 14.5 points
Brandin Podziemski Over 4.5 assists
Warriors vs Mavericks odds
Spread: Warriors -2 (-110) | Mavericks +2 (-110)
Moneyline: Warriors -130 | Mavericks +110
Over/Under: Over 230.5 (-110) | Under 230.5 (-110)
Warriors vs Mavericks betting trend to know
The Golden State Warriors have gone Over the total in 28 of their last 45 games (+9.30 Units/19% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Mavericks.
How to watch Warriors vs Mavericks
Location
American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Date
Monday, March 23, 2026
Tip-off
9:30 p.m. ET
TV
Peacock, NBCSN
Warriors vs Mavericks latest injuries
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