8 hours agoTexas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run, and a strikeout in Monday's 9-5 Cactus League loss to the Mariners. The 31-year-old got a late start to spring after suffering a moderate left oblique strain in the World Series, so seeing him flash his power is good. However, he is batting just .167 in 24 at-bats this spring. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried, as Garcia has been a higher-end fantasy option each of the last three seasons. If healthy, he should provide a middling batting average with high power upside and moderate speed upside.Source: MLB.com
8 hours agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier yielded his worst start of the spring in Monday's 10-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Nationals. Javier pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on three hits (including a solo home run) and four walks with one strikeout. The 26-year-old is coming off of a surprisingly poor 2023 season and now has a 4.30 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 14 2/3 IP this spring. He is still a bounce-back fantasy candidate given his career track record, but hopefully, he can turn in a few more positive outings heading into the regular season.Source: MLB.com
8 hours agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown has put together a strong spring to this point, compiling a 2.84 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings pitched. This is a good sign for the Astros and fantasy managers, as the team has expressed that the 25-year-old will need "to take a step forward" given their lack of rotation depth and injuries, per the Athletic's Chandler Rome. Brown showed some positive signs in 2023 but ultimately finished at 11-13 with a 5.09 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 26.8% strikeout rate in 31 appearances (29 starts) and 155 2/3 IP. His pedigree and strong team give him some fantasy upside, but fantasy managers may want to wait to see consistency from him before trusting him.Source: Chandler Rome - The Athletic
9 hours agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Canterino (elbow, shoulder), who had Tommy John surgery in August of 2022 and did not pitch in 2023, suffered a shoulder strain Monday and will start the 2024 season on the Triple-A injured list. This is a shame, as the Twins pitching staff has suffered numerous injuries and The 26-year-old had looked good in his two spring outings. He is still worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues, but Canterino will now have another health hurdle to overcome before continuing his trajectory to the big leagues.Source: Aaron Gleeman - The Athletic
9 hours agoMinnesota Twins relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) will be one of several of the team's pitching staff to start the 2024 season on the injured list, per the Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. Thielbar suffered a strained left hamstring early in camp and, while he progressed to throwing live batting practice last week, it was determined that the 37-year-old won't be ready in time to start the season. Thielbar had a successful 2023 season, earning 14 holds with a 3.23 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 30.0% strikeout rate in 30 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in saves-plus-holds leagues should look for additional information on a timetable for his return.Source: Aaron Gleeman - The Athletic
9 hours agoWith Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. I'm focused on the guys we have here." The 25-year-old Benson had a successful 2023 season in limited playing time but is batting just .200 in 25 spring at-bats. Fairchild has yet to stick in a big-league role but is hitting .360 with three home runs in 25 spring at-bats. From a fantasy perspective, Benson's potential to provide power and speed seems to give him the edge over Fairchild in deeper leagues. However, fantasy managers should watch for further news as the regular season approaches.Source: Mark Sheldon - MLB.com
9 hours agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks announced Monday that starting pitcher Zac Gallen will be the team's Opening Day starter. This will be the second consecutive season that the 28-year-old has earned the honor. Gallen will get a favorable matchup against the Rockies at home. He put forth another strong season in 2023, going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 26.0% strikeout rate in 34 starts and 210 innings pitched. He finished third in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award and will be looking to build off that, making him a high-end fantasy option in all formats.Source: Michael McDermott - SI.com
10 hours agoCincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was removed from Monday night's Cactus League game early against the San Francisco Giants after fouling a ball off what appeared to be a part of his body that is very sensitive. Fraley was probably pretty uncomfortable, but he was able to leave the field under his own power and should be fine for Opening Day on March 28. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will continue in the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitchers in 2024 in his third year in Cincinnati and deserves attention for outfield depth in deep-mixed fantasy leagues after he hit .256/.339/.443 with career-highs in homers (15), RBI (65) and stolen bases (21) in 111 games last year. RotoBaller has Fraley ranked as the No. 50 fantasy outfielder.Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer
10 hours agoLos Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said first baseman Nolan Schanuel (back) felt something while stretching for a ball, but trainers told him it was "nothing serious." Schanuel was scratched from Monday's Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers as a precaution. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter will probably be sidelined a day or two, but he should return to spring action this weekend and be ready for Opening Day on March 28. Schanuel was fast-tracked to the majors last year after the Halos took him 11th overall out of Florida Atlanta. While he doesn't project for much long-term power at the first base position, Schanuel has enough plate discipline and contact skills to be relevant in AL-only leagues as the Angels' primary first baseman. He hit .275 (30-for-109) with a homer and six RBI in his first 29 major-league games last year.Source: Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
11 hours agoDetroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart (hamstring) was injured during Monday's loss to Boston. As a result, he exited the contest and was ruled out shortly after. Head coach Monty Williams reported Stewart tweaked his hamstring. However, Williams indicated there wouldn't be an update on his condition until the team got home. The 22-year-old has averaged 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds this season. But he's missed time throughout the 2023-24 campaign because of various injuries, and it appears he could sit out more games moving forward. That said, fantasy managers may not see Stewart on the floor on Wednesday versus the Pacers. If so, Evan Fournier or even Taj Gibson could see extra work.Source: Detroit Pistons
11 hours agoMiami Heat guard/forward Duncan Robinson (back) didn't return to Monday's loss to the 76ers. Robinson, who recently became the fastest player in NBA history to make 1,000 three-pointers, scored just three points before exiting after 24 minutes because of back discomfort. The 29-year-old has played well this season, averaging a career-high 13.7 points per contest. But Miami has been without Tyler Herro (foot) and Jimmy Butler (foot), so adding Robinson to the injury report isn't an ideal situation. There's a chance Butler will be back on Wednesday versus Cleveland. However, if Robinson or Butler can't suit up, Terry Rozier and Bam Adebayo would likely be the primary scoring options. Guys like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Caleb Martin could also see more opportunities on the offensive end.Source: Ira Winderman
11 hours agoIn a move that many expected when the Milwaukee Brewers signed outfield prospect Jackson Chourio to an eight-year, $82 million contract extension, he will officially be part of the team's Opening Day roster, according to sources. Chourio, 20, will be the youngest player in team history since Robin Yount to make his MLB debut on Opening Day. He's the second-ranked prospect in all of baseball wasn't a sure thing to start the year in the majors given the team's crowded outfield picture, and despite some defensive troubles this spring, he's impressed the Brewers with his ability to hold his own at the plate against big-league pitching this spring. Chourio has hit .286 with a .347 on-base percentage and .490 slugging percentage through 272 minor-league games since 2021, clubbing 47 homers and stealing 68 bases. He'll likely start in center field and should be considered a No. 3 fantasy outfielder despite never appearing in a major-league game.Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
11 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (eye) will play against the Hawks on Monday evening. Davis logged only 12 minutes in Saturday's loss to the Warriors because of an eye injury. He had trouble with his vision, so the team labeled him questionable heading into this contest. However, his vision improved, which is good news for the Lakers, a team holding the final Play-In spot in the Western Conference. Davis has had an MVP-caliber season, meaning he should be in all fantasy lineups. But his presence means less work for Jaxson Hayes, who finished Saturday's game with seven points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes.Source: Dave McMenamin
11 hours agoFree-agent left-hander Blake Snell is signing a two-year deal worth $62 million with the San Francisco Giants on Monday. The deal includes an opt-out clause for the reigning National League Cy Young winner. The 31-year-old southpaw was asking for a lot on the openread more...
12 hours agoAtlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu (toe) will play on Monday against the Lakers. The 23-year-old missed over a month because of a big toe issue. However, the Hawks are glad to get him back, considering the team is holding on to the final Play-In spot in the Eastern Conference. Before going down with the injury, the 23-year-old had averaged a career-high 10.2 points with 7.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks. While there's a chance Okongwu could see limited action in his first game back after a lengthy layoff, his presence means Bruno Fernando will have trouble getting minutes.Source: Kevin Chouinard
12 hours agoFormer Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl offensive guard Kevin Zeitler plans to sign an undisclosed one-year deal with the Detroit Lions, according to a source. Zeitler is flying to Detroit on Monday night to take a physical, with the plan to formally sign on Tuesday. The 34-year-old former 27th overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012 out of Wisconsin has been one of the most underrated offensive linemen in the league in the last 12 years. He could serve as a short-term replacement for Jonah Jackson, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent. Zeitler played in 15 regular-season games and battled through knee and quad injuries last year but still managed a 93.8% pass-block win rate (10th among guards) while allowing only six sacks. He also had a 61.8% run-block win rate (25th among guards). Zeitler is known for his durability and has played in 182 games (181 starts) in the regular season since 2012.Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
12 hours agoFree-agent offensive tackle Trent Brown is scheduled to meet with the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday. The Bengals lost tackle Jonah Williams in free agency to the Arizona Cardinals and are looking for a replacement, with Brown being a potential fit. The 30-year-old's contract with the New England Patriots voided in February when he was not able to reach an extension with the organization after playing the last three seasons with them. The former seventh-round selection by the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 has started 93 of the 100 career games he's appeared in over his nine NFL seasons. He was a Pro Bowler for the first time in 2019 with the Las Vegas Raiders. In his three seasons with the Pats, Brown started 33 of the 37 games he appeared in.Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
12 hours agoVeteran free-agent defensive end Mario Edwards (knee) visited with the Houston Texans on Monday, according to a league source. Edwards missed the last game of the year in 2023 while playing for the Seattle Seahawks, but he should be good to go this fall for the start of the 2024 season. The 30-year-old former second-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2015 out of Florida State had 21 tackles (15 solo), two sacks, five tackles for loss, six QB hits and a forced fumble in 15 games (one start) in his first season with Seattle last year. Edwards' best days are behind him, so he's not going to be on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues. In his nine years in the NFL, he has a total of 21.5 sacks, 156 tackles (110 solo), 28 tackles for loss, 52 QB hits, six passes defended and four forced fumbles in 114 games (33 starts).Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
12 hours agoCharlotte Hornets guard Bryce McGowens (knee) won't be available ahead of Tuesday's game against the Orlando Magic. This marks the sixth game in a row that McGowens has missed due to swelling his in right knee. The absence of McGowens should open up additional playing time for Davis Bertans in the rotation. Bertans doesn't offer great upside outside of 3-pointers, so most fantasy managers can stay away. There should be better streaming options available for Tuesday's slate.Source: NBA Injury Report
13 hours agoPhiladelphia Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering (illness) might not be ready for Opening Day on March 28, according to manager Rob Thomson. Kerkering hasn't pitched in the Grapefruit League since March 1 because of the flu, although he's scheduled to throw at the team's spring complex sometime this week. "He's 22 years old," Thomson said. "We're not going to push this thing." Kerkering has appeared in only two spring games and might need to open the year on the injured list in order to rebuild his strength. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 out of South Florida went from playing in Single-A in 2023 to pitching high-leverage innings in the majors in the postseason last fall. Kerkering has a nasty sinker/slider mix that can make him almost unhittable as a future closer candidate for the Phillies.Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
13 hours agoWashington Wizards guard Tyus Jones (back) has been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. Jones has missed each of the last two games and appears to be in line for a third straight absence. Jordan Poole has been asked to move into the starting five and he has played well there. Poole posted a 31-point performance during their last game against the Boston Celtics on Sunday. That being said, Poole appears to be worth the risk as a fantasy option while he's given extra run as a starter.Source: NBA Injury Report
13 hours agoCincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (leg) will not be a part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, but he's expected to be ready to go by April 10. The Reds will open the year with a rotation consisting of Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft and Nick Martinez (ribs), with Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder) vying for the No. 5 spot. When healthy, though, the 26-year-old Lodolo will have a rotation spot waiting for him after a lost season in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his tibia. While Lodolo has lots of strikeout upside for fantasy managers, he's also a big injury risk. The good news is that he's feeling better and has allowed only one run in two Cactus League starts this spring. In deep-mixed fantasy leagues, Lodolo is still worth taking a late-round flier on.Source: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
13 hours agoWashington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. This doesn't come as shocking news after Avdija was a late scratch ahead of Sunday's contest. His absence opened up a spot for Corey Kispert in the starting five on Sunday. He didn't play well during that game, but Kispert is worth a look as a streaming option while Avdija is out.Source: NBA Injury Report
13 hours agoCincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that right-hander Nick Martinez (ribs) is locked into a starting rotation spot to begin the year, along with Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene and read more...
13 hours agoNew York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (elbow) is facing a multi-game absence. He has already been ruled out for Monday's matchup against Golden State, and according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, this won't be the only game Anunovy is expected to miss. Anunoby recently returned from a right elbow surgery, but the elbow has "flared up" again, according to Wojnarowski. New York plays Denver next on Thursday. Precious Achiuwa looks set for a fresh stint in the starting five without Anunoby available, with Josh Hart also getting extra run-outs. Achiuwa is close to averaging a double-double as a starter this season, while Hart has turned into a triple-double threat lately.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
13 hours agoWashington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (shoulder) is considered questionable ahead of Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. Kuzma was forced to miss Sunday's game and is in danger of missing his second straight contest. Given the Wizards place in the standings, Kuzma seems more likely to sit out of this game. Washington doesn't have any incentive to play Kuzma at anything less than 100 percent healthy. Patrick Baldwin Jr. would likely move into the starting five if Kuzma is unable to play. Baldwin doesn't offer enough upside to warrant streaming in most fantasy formats.Source: NBA Injury Report
13 hours agoDallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (hamstring) is listed as probable ahead of Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. The star guard was able to play through his hamstring issue during Sunday's game. That being said, Doncic should be able to suit up on Tuesday, but the team will likely wait until closer to game time before making a final decision. Fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday for a final decision.Source: NBA Injury Report
13 hours agoCincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) was scratched from Monday night's Cactus League game versus the San Francisco Giants for precautionary reasons with left-shoulder soreness. It doesn't sound like a serious injury, but it's something to watch after McLain also missed time earlier this spring due to an oblique injury that cut his rookie season short in 2023. Health issues aside, the 24-year-old earned the right to open the 2024 campaign as Cincy's starting second baseman after hitting .290/.357/.507 with an .864 OPS, 16 home runs, 50 RBI and 14 stolen bases in his first 89 major-league games a season ago. The former first-round pick in 2021 out of UCLA is RotoBaller's No. 7 ranked fantasy second baseman, but injuries are becoming a concern. If McLain is forced to open the year on the injured list, Jonathan India could fill in at the keystone.Source: Cincinnati Reds
13 hours agoWashington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (wrist) will miss the remainder of the regular season, the team announced on Monday. The 19-year-old Frenchman has been diagnosed with a right wrist fracture. He suffered the injury against Chicago on March 16. Coulibaly finishes his rookie campaign with averages of 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 0.9 steals. He made 63 appearances, playing 27.2 minutes a night. Coulibaly was a starter in each of his last 11 games, and his absence opens up the door for Johnny Davis and Justin Champagnie to play a significant part in the team over the final few weeks of the season.Source: Washington Wizards
13 hours agoBoston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that closer Kenley Jansen (back) has just enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season on March 28, but there is no margin for any more injury setbacks. "We're running out of time," Cora said. Despite being scratched from his second Grapefruit League appearance on Monday with lower-back tightness, Jansen is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and one more time in an exhibition game in Texas next week. The 36-year-old veteran reliever didn't make his first spring appearance until last Friday due to lat tightness, so Jansen has already dealt with two injuries this spring. While he could be ready for Opening Day, fantasy managers should be considering him a pretty shaky No. 2 closer in 2024. Chris Martin (groin) is also hurt and could open the year on the injured list, so the back end of Boston's bullpen is limping into Opening Day.Source: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier