Randy Rodriguez Named New Giants Closer

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Randy Rodriguez has been named the closer going forward. The Giants were in need of another late inning option with Camilo Doval being traded to the New York Yankees on Thursday. Rodriguez makes the most sense for the closer role given how well he has pitched this season. He holds […]

Mike Trout Absent on Friday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (illness) is being held out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Trout has started in all 13 games since the All-Star break, so he could use a rest day. It sounds like a minor issue, so fantasy managers should consider Trout as […]

Jaden Springer Signs Exhibit-9 Deal with New Orleans

Free-agent guard Jaden Springer agreed to an Exhibit-9 deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The 2021 No. 28 overall pick has bounced around the league since being drafted, making stops in Philadelphia and Boston before signing with the Jazz in February 2025. He didn't do much in Utah, averaging only 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds […]

Early Week 1 Fantasy Football Team Defense (D/ST) Rankings (2025) - Broncos, Steelers, Jets, Eagles, Commanders, Lions, Chiefs, Bengals, Rams, and more

Week 1 of the NFL season will be here before you know it, and figuring out the top options week-by-week is more important for the D/ST spot than any other position. We're here to help your draft and lineup calls with our fantasy football defense (D/ST) rankings for Week 1. In the rankings below, find […]

Julian Champagnie has Salary Guaranteed by San Antonio

San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie had his $3 million salary fully guaranteed for the 2025 campaign. The 24-year-old appeared in all 82 regular-season games in 2024, averaging 9.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.4 assists. While he wasn't a consistent producer, he stepped up when needed, amassing 13.2 points and 5.1 boards in 29 starts. […]

Josh Jung Still Absent on Friday

Texas Rangers corner infielder Josh Jung (calf) remains out of action for the divisional clash on Friday night in Seattle against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. For the second straight day, Josh Smith will start at third base and hit leadoff, while Rowdy Tellez starts at first and bats eighth against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert. […]

John Laghezza's Fantasy Football League Winners: 7 Must-Draft Players (2025)

The term league winner gets tossed around the fantasy streets pretty often these days, and despite probably being overused, that doesn't mean they don't exist. A lot of work has been done on the topic. The fact remains that not only will most draft picks return negative value, but only a small handful truly move […]

Anthony DeSclafani Starting Against A's

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Anthony DeSclafani is starting the series opener on Friday on the road in Sacramento against the Athletics following Thursday's trade deadline. Right-hander Zac Gallen will take the mound on Saturday, and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will start the series finale on Sunday. This will only be DeSclafani's second start of the year, and […]

Chase Meidroth Sitting on Friday

Chicago White Sox rookie infielder Chase Meidroth (thumb) is out of the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Los Angeles Angels. Lenyn Sosa is starting at the keystone and will bat out of the six-hole versus Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson. Meidroth was hit by a pitch on his right thumb in […]

Shane Smith Reinstated and Starting on Friday

The Chicago White Sox announced on Friday that they reinstated rookie right-hander Shane Smith (ankle) from the 15-day injured to start in the series opener on the road in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. Smith sprained his ankle during the All-Star break, so this will be his first start of the second half of […]

Chandler Simpson Available Off the Bench on Friday

Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder Chandler Simpson (finger) is out of the starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers, but manager Kevin Cash said the speedster will be available off the bench after leaving Thursday's game against the New York Yankees with a sprained left index finger. Jonny […]

Khalil Shakir Exits Practice Early on Friday

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) appears to have suffered an injury during Friday's practice. Shakir was being examined by the trainers for a foot/ankle injury before leaving in the tunnel. The severity of the injury is unknown right now, but the expectation is that Shakir will undergo further testing. The 25-year-old signed a […]

Rays Officially Place Jonathan Aranda on Injured List With Wrist Fracture

The Tampa Bay Rays officially placed infielder Jonathan Aranda (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a left-wrist fracture. This was an expected move after the Rays said recently that they're hoping Aranda can rejoin the team in September. The 27-year-old will be a big loss for the Rays and fantasy managers for […]

Andre Granillo Returning to St. Louis

The St. Louis Cardinals are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Andre Granillo to the major leagues before their contest on Friday evening against the San Diego Padres. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut earlier this season. During his first taste in the big leagues, the right-hander tossed 11 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.38 […]

Brock Bowers Misses Friday's Practice

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (undisclosed) was on the sideline during Friday's practice. Bowers was attending the practice, but didn't participate at all. It's unclear if this was a routine rest day or if Bowers is dealing with an injury. There's a good chance that this was a routine rest day for Bowers […]

Tyler Locklear Covering First Base in Arizona Debut

Arizona Diamondbacks first base prospect Tyler Locklear is in the starting lineup and covering first base when they begin a series on Friday evening against the Athletics. Locklear is slated to bat in the six-hole. The Mariners sent Locklear to the desert as the headliner piece in a deal that brought third baseman Eugenio Suarez […]

Michael Wilson, Budda Baker Collide in Practice

According to Theo Mackie, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (head) and safety Budda Baker (shin) collided with each other during Friday's practice. This resulted in both players exiting early during practice. Baker reportedly tried to talk his way into staying in, but ultimately headed to the sideline. Wilson exited the field with the training […]

Michael King to Make Rehab Start on Sunday

San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King (shoulder) will make a minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A El Paso against Triple-A Round Rock, according to Annie Heilbrunn. King has been cleared to begin his rehab assignment after a successful 40-pitch simulated game on Tuesday. The 30-year-old will most likely require multiple rehab outings because of […]

Eduarniel Nunez Recalled from Minor Leagues

The Athletics are promoting right-handed pitcher Eduarniel Nunez from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to their contest on Friday evening against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Nunez was included in the package that sent Mason Miller and JP Sears to the San Diego Padres. Nunez made his major league debut earlier this summer with the Padres and logged […]

Stefon Diggs Impressing in Camp

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) has reportedly looked impressive early in training camp. The assumption was that Diggs would be eased into activities after suffering a torn ACL in Week 8 of last season. Despite that, Diggs has looked good with quick and efficient movements and an ability to make plays on […]

Carson Palmquist Returning to Major Leagues

The Colorado Rockies are promoting left-handed pitching prospect Carson Palmquist to the major leagues before their contest on Friday evening against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The No. 7-ranked prospect in the Colorado system on MLB.com made his MLB debut earlier this season and logged 30 2/3 innings to the tune of a 7.36 ERA and a […]

Ha-Seong Kim Reinstated and Starting on Friday

The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated infielder Ha-Seong Kim (back) from the 10-day injured list on Friday before their series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Kim will immediately slot back in at the 6 and will hit second against Kershaw, who he has hit .222 against with a home run […]

Chris Godwin Improving, Remains Without a Timetable

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) is reportedly moving around well during practices. It's nice to hear that Godwin is making progress after a brutal dislocation of his ankle sidelined him for a majority of last season. Despite that, the Bucs gave Godwin a three-year, $66 million extension this offseason. The Bucs aren't […]

Thomas Harrington Recalled from Triple-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington from Triple-A Indianapolis before their contest on Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Harrington made his MLB debut earlier this season and appeared in just two games. Through eight innings of work, Harrington allowed nine runs with eleven hits. The No. 4-ranked prospect in the system struck […]

Jackson Chourio Could be Out a Month

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio's hamstring injury is "a little more severe" than initially though, according to manager Pat Murphy. The Brewers aren't quite sure of the extent of Chourio's hamstring injury, but he received a platelet-rich plasma injection and will be out for more than the 10-day minimum. When asked if Chourio could be […]

Brice Matthews, Jacob Melton Optioned to Triple-A

The Houston Astros have optioned infield prospect Brice Matthews and outfielder Jacob Melton to Triple-A Sugar Land. This transaction opened a spot for infielder Jeremy Pena, who was activated off the injured list, and outfielder Jesus Sanchez, whom the Astros acquired shortly before the trade deadline. Matthews made his MLB debut earlier this season and […]

Yankees Eyeing Return for Aaron Judge Next Week

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (elbow) will take batting practice on the field in Miami on Friday before the series opener against the Marlins, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Judge will then travel to Tampa on Sunday to take some live at-bats. The Yankees' goal is to activate him from the 10-day injured list […]

Tyreek Hill Hasn't Fully Understood the Offense in the Past

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill said that he didn't fully understand the offense the first three years he was in town, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. It's a bit unbelievable, but it didn't stop the Cheetah from leading the league with 1,799 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns and 112.4 yards per game […]

Antonio Gibson Won't Take Part in Friday's Scrimmage

Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reports that New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (undisclosed) will sit out of Friday's scrimmage due to an undisclosed injury. Gibson also did not take part in the team's walk-through practice at training camp on Thursday. It's unclear what is ailing the 27-year-old, but it's likely that the […]

Cowboys Sign La'el Collins

The Dallas Cowboys are signing free-agent offensive tackle La'el Collins to an undisclosed deal on Friday, according to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Collins hasn't played in the NFL since 2022 with the Cincinnati Bengals, but he'll now reunite with the Cowboys after playing the first six years of his NFL career with […]