3 days agoVegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo will miss his fourth straight game when the club travels to St. Louis to take on the Blues on Monday. Pietrangelo has enjoyed a solid season but one that has fallen below his previously high standards. He has recorded four goals and 32 points across 62 games on the campaign, adding 155 blocked shots and a minus-five rating on the season. The emergence of Shea Theodore has had a negative impact on Pietrangelo's offensive production, especially on the power play. He has just eight points on the man advantage this season. The Golden Knights currently occupy the second and final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference with a 38-25-7 record on the season, four points ahead of the Blues with one game in hand.Source: NHL.com
3 days agoLos Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said quarterback Stetson Bennett is working out in Dallas, and he is expected to join the team for offseason workouts in the coming months. The two-time National Champion at Georgia was selected in the fourth round of last year's NFL Draft, but he was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 13 and did not play in any games. It's still unclear why he was away from the team during his rookie season, but the plan is for him to be back in 2024. That said, the Rams recently signed Jimmy Garoppolo to back up Matthew Stafford, so Bennett is unlikely to make an impact for Los Angeles or fantasy teams this year.Source: Gary Klein - Los Angeles Times
3 days agoMLB.com's Martin Gallegos doesn't have outfielder Esteury Ruiz included in his projected Opening Day lineup, although he writes that the speedy outfielder should get plenty of at-bats this year. Instead, Gallegos has Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday and Seth Brown starting from left to right across the outfield. Bleday figures to start the year as the starter in center field for the A's, at least against right-handed pitching, which is a major knock to Ruiz's fantasy value for those seeking stolen bases. As a result, fantasy managers should expect fewer counting stats for the 25-year-old Dominican outfielder, but his elite speed is still worth chasing in mixed leagues. In his first year in Oakland in 2023, Ruiz hit .254 (114-for-449) with a league-leading 67 swipes in 132 games played.Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
3 days agoFlorida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and defenseman Aaron Ekblad (lower body) are both expected to return to the lineup for Tuesday's pivotal game against the Boston Bruins. Barkov has missed the last three games due to a lower-body injury, while Ekblad has missed the past six games with a lower-body ailment. "Barkov is close," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said before Sunday's win over the Philadelphia Flyers. "Ekblad is right on schedule. He was kind of middle of next week, that was the idea. Next week sometime is probably a more accurate way to put it." Barkov has recorded 18 goals and 66 points across 62 games on the season, adding 170 shots on goal and a plus-23 rating. Ekblad has tallied four goals and 17 points in 47 games, adding 78 hits and a plus-26 rating to his ledger.Source: NHL.com
3 days agoThe Washington Commanders have signed interior offensive lineman Michael Dieter, according to John Keim of ESPN. The 2019 third-round pick spent four seasons with the Houston Texans before one year with the Miami Dolphins in 2023. Dieter has 73 games of NFL experience (33 starts) and can play center or guard. The team has now signed or retained almost 20 free agents, so new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn are looking to improve the franchise quickly. Dieter will likely provide depth as a backup for multiple positions.Source: John Keim
3 days agoThe Chicago Cubs are sending outfield prospect Alexander Canario down to Triple-A Iowa to begin the 2024 season. Canario, the team's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won't open the season in the big leagues for the first time in his career, but we expect to see the 23-year-old make at the major-league level at some point in 2024. He missed most of last season after having multiple surgeries but was called up to the big leagues in Chicago, going 5-for-17 with a homer and six RBI in six games played. Canario should eventually gain outfield eligibility for fantasy managers in NL-only and dynasty/keeper leagues, but it's hard to envision him finding much playing time in Chicago unless an injury or two strikes. He can be avoided in mixed leagues for now.Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
3 days agoThe Washington Commanders could be leaning toward selecting former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, according to conversations NFL insider Tom Pelissero has had with executives around the league at the NFL's league meetings. North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels have seemingly been competing to be the next quarterback off the board after USC's Caleb Williams, but McCarthy has been getting more hype as the pre-draft process has gone on. All that said, there is no shortage of examples of quarterbacks being pushed up by the media, only to fall in the real NFL Draft. Last year, Will Levis was projected to be picked as high as No. 2 overall, and he ultimately fell to the Tennessee Titans at pick 33. McCarthy is seemingly a lock to be selected in the first round of next month's draft, but it would still be somewhat of a surprise if he overtakes both Maye and Daniels in draft position.Source: Tom Pelissero
3 days agoArizona Coyotes forward prospect Josh Doan, the son of Coyotes legend Shane Doan, could make his NHL debut when the club hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. The 22-year-old has enjoyed a nice season with Tucson of the American Hockey League, tallying 26 goals and 46 points across 62 games in what is his first professional season. He recorded three goals and six points across 14 games with Tuscon after finishing his season with Arizona State University in the 2022-23 campaign. The Scottsdale native was the second-round pick of the Coyotes in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and posted 28 goals and 75 points across 74 games with Arizona State prior to his professional debut.Source: NHL.com
3 days agoAmanda Ribas suffered a unanimous decision loss to Rose Namajunas in the main event of UFC Vegas 89. In her last bout, Ribas scored an incredible highlight-reel knockout, stopping Luana Pinheiro in the third round by landing a devastating spinning wheel kick. Ribas has been alternating wins and losses, racking up a record of 4-3 before her headlining bout against Namajunas. In 25 minutes of action, Ribas has landed four takedowns and 83 significant strikes. Even with her loss to Namajunas, Ribas is still a viable contender at flyweight.Source: UFC
3 days agoChicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Jameson Taillon (back) is scheduled to throw one inning of live batting practice in camp on Monday and then repeat the process on Friday. If all of it goes well, Taillon will be looking at a minor-league game after that. Due to a back injury that he picked up in spring training, the 32-year-old former first-round pick will open the season on the injured list and won't be ready to make his 2024 debut until at least the middle of April. We'll have a better idea of when exactly Taillon could rejoin Chicago's starting rotation once he pitches in minor league games. He doesn't walk many hitters, but Taillon hasn't been dominant and is also a fly-ball pitcher, leaving him very little fantasy upside in mixed leagues at this stage of his career.Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Maddie Lee
3 days agoRose Namajunas returned to the win column with a unanimous decision win over Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 89 on Saturday. It was a much-needed victory for Namajunas, who was coming off back-to-back losses over Carla Esparza and Manon Fiorot. With the win, Namajunas improves to 12-6 as a professional and is now 10-5 in the UFC. In 25 minutes of action, Namajunas landed a takedown and 93 significant strikes. Namajunas didn't have the best performance as she absorbed some solid punches and kicks, but she managed to display her underrated ground game.Source: UFC
3 days agoChicago Cubs Opening Day starter Justin Steele (knee) said on Monday that he threw a bullpen session in camp and that all systems are go for him to kick off the 2024 regular season on Thursday against the defending World Series-champion Texas Rangers on the road. The 28-year-old southpaw was removed from his final Cactus League start last Friday as a precaution due to a left-knee contusion, but it's obviously nothing serious and he will kick off the Opening Day festivities for the Cubbies later this week. Steele is firmly on the fantasy radar as a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 fantasy starter this year after earning his first All-Star selection in 2023 with a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 36 walks and a career-high 176 K's in 30 starts. The matchup against the defending World champs on the road isn't the best one for DFS purposes, though.Source: 670 The Score - Bruce Levine
3 days agoDenver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (foot) is questionable for Monday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Nursing a right plantar fascia strain, Gordon is a late addition to the injury report. With four Denver starters listed as questionable, there could be plenty of vacated usage on Monday. The 28-year-old playmaking forward has been a top-100 player in points leagues across his latest seven appearances, averaging 14.1 points on 55.7% shooting from the floor, 6.9 boards, and 4.4 assists during 32.5 minutes. There likely wouldn't be a clear fantasy beneficiary of Gordon's absence, but Christian Braun and Peyton Watson would be in line for an uptick in playing time at power forward. The 24-47 Grizzlies pose an unimposing matchup for the defending champions, but it's too early to determine at this juncture how the rotation might shape up for the Western Conference-leading Nuggets.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (illness) is questionable for Monday's tilt against the Memphis Grizzlies. Porter has been downgraded due to an illness after not appearing on the initial injury report, which doesn't bode well for his chances of suiting up on Monday. Over Porter's last eight games, the 25-year-old marksman is averaging 20.6 points, 6.8 boards, and 3.0 three-pointers while shooting 46.2% from beyond the arc in 31.6 minutes. Each member of Denver's starting five, besides Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, are now uncertain to play against the injury-depleted Grizzlies, making it difficult to cast judgments on their rotation at this time. As it stands, the defensive-minded Peyton Watson and spot-up wing Christian Braun are names to watch who could be primed for amplified workloads for the defending champions based on who is available.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoPittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (back) has been held out for the last three days in spring training due to minor mid-back discomfort. Director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said that Reynolds will be fine and good to go for Opening Day this Thursday versus the Miami Marlins. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter won't finish off the Grapefruit League schedule, but the Bucs are just exercising an abundance of caution with one of their stars with the regular season starting later this week. Reynolds has hit four home runs in 15 spring training games, so he appears to be ready for the regular season to start. Although Reynolds doesn't have a ton of protection around him in Pittsburgh's lineup, he's a low-end No. 2 outfield option for fantasy managers.Source: Pittsburgh PG - Jason Mackey
3 days agoColorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (knee) returned to the team's Cactus League lineup on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers, starting in left field and batting second in the order. Jones had an injury score in spring training on Saturday when he was removed from the contest after fouling a pitch off his right knee, but he was diagnosed with only a contusion and only needed one day off. Now that the 25-year-old slugger is back on the field, he should be good to go for Opening Day this Thursday. Jones has the potential to finish his second year in Colorado as a No. 1 outfielder for fantasy managers after he slashed .297/.389/.542 with a .931 OPS, 20 home runs, 62 RBI and 20 stolen bases in just 106 games in 2023. He'll be the club's everyday left fielder and resides in one of the best hitting environments in baseball.Source: The Denver Post - Patrick Saunders
3 days agoPortland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Houston Rockets. Simons is experiencing tendinitis in his left knee that will keep him off the court for a second straight game, with his next opportunity to play arriving on Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks. The last-place Blazers are certainly in no hurry to get their franchise two-guard back on the floor, however, at this stage of a lost season in Rip City. 2023 No. 2 overall pick Scoot Henderson has scuffled throughout his rookie campaign but has a chance to be a "silly-season" hero during the fantasy playoffs, starting six of Portland's past nine matchups. Across his last six appearances with Simons out of the lineup, Henderson is averaging 18.0 points, 5.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.6 treys in 28.1 minutes and belongs in all lineups in points leagues.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoEdmen Shahbazyan got back in the win column after a disappointing setback, stopping AJ Dobson at UFC Vegas 89. Shahbazyan started his career on an undefeated run but had run into a 1-4 skid over his past five contests. He got back on track by knocking out Dobson in the first round. Shahbazyan was rocked badly by Dobson but managed to turn the tables with a furious combination that caught Dobson and sent him stumbling back against the cage wall. Sensing that his opponent was hurt, Shahbazyan swarmed Dobson and reigned down some ground and pound until the referee was forced to stop the fight. In 4:33 of action, Shahbazyan landed a takedown and 27 significant strikes. Shahbazyan's victory sets the stage for potential future challenges against elite competition.Source: UFC
3 days agoAJ Dobson suffered a first-round knockout loss to Edmen Shahbazyan on the main card of UFC Vegas 89. In the first half of the round, Dobson rocked Shahbazyan badly and almost finished Shahbazyan. Shahbazyan managed to recover and soon found Dobson's chin with a left hook that set up a ground-and-pound knockout. In 4:33 of action, Dobson landed 15 significant strikes. With the loss, Dobson's UFC record is now 1-3.
Source: UFC
3 days agoUtah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (groin) is available for Monday's game versus the Dallas Mavericks. A strained right groin sat Clarkson down for Utah's previous six matchups, but the 31-year-old microwave scorer will play in an advantageous setup against a Dallas team giving up the fourth-most DraftKings points to opposing shooting guards in 2023-24. This contest's implied total is also set at 238.5 points, the largest on Monday's 11-game slate, so a high-scoring affair could be in store. Clarkson was heating up in his last four games before going down, averaging 23.0 points, 4.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 triples, and 1.5 steals amid this stretch from March 4 to March 12. It wouldn't be surprising if the 29-42 Jazz elected to monitor the veteran's minutes, however, during his first game back in the mix.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoFernando Padilla returned to the win column at UFC Vegas 89 with a first-round submission victory over Luis Pajuelo. Padilla was coming off a unanimous decision loss to Kyle Nelson in September 2023. In this fight, however, Padilla was controlling the distance, tagging Pajuelo repeatedly with knees, kicks, and punches. Padilla landed a nasty combination that floored Pajuelo. As Pajuelo tried to bounce back to his feet, Padilla wrapped up the neck in a d'arce choke and finished the fight. In 2:45 of action, Padilla landed 34 significant strikes compared to Pajuelo who only landed five. Source: UFC
3 days agoUtah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (quadriceps) is available for Monday's tilt versus the Dallas Mavericks. Markkanen has alternated appearances for Utah in their past four contests due to a right quadriceps contusion but is suiting up for a favorable matchup against Dallas, who are surrendering the fifth-most DraftKings points to enemy power forwards. A 238.5-point implied total signifies the highest figure on Monday's 11-game slate, so this could be a high-scoring meeting. The 26-year-old three-level scorer is a must-start across all fantasy leagues when active, but he's really struggled to shoot the ball since returning from the All-Star break. Over his last seven showings, Markkanen is averaging 20.6 points on 39.6% shooting from the field, 6.0 boards, 1.3 steals, and 2.4 three-pointers. Beware of the 29-42 Jazz giving him random rest days down the stretch of a non-contending campaign as well.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoLuis Pajuelo suffered a first-round submission loss to Fernando Padilla at UFC Vegas 89 on Saturday. Pajuelo was getting pieced up in the first round as Padilla looked sharp from the opening bell, tagging Pajuelo with all sorts of shots from a distance. Just as Pajuelo was getting more comfortable, Padilla landed a beautiful combination that knocked Pajuelo down. As Pajuelo started getting up, Padilla found an opening and finished the fight by sinking in a standing d'arce choke. In 2:45 of action, Pajuelo landed five significant strikes.
Source: UFC
3 days agoDetroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the New York Knicks. Out for a third straight contest due to lower back spasms, Duren sets his sights towards Wednesday's tilt against the Minnesota Timberwolves as his next shot to return. The last-place Pistons have no incentive to rush their 20-year-old franchise big man back into the fold, though. Former No. 2 overall pick James Wiseman should continue getting the nod at the starting spot down low in the Motor City for however long Duren remains inactive. Covering his last six games with Duren out of the lineup this season, Wiseman is averaging 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 26.3 minutes. He's a strong streamer in points settings but faces a nightmarish task against a New York group yielding the fewest DraftKings points to opposing centers.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoWashington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (ankle) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Monday's game against the Chicago Bulls. Poole is good to go despite a sprained right ankle, and he should play his normal allotment of minutes. Although the 24-year-old combo guard has been a massive disappointment during his first season in D.C., he's trending up in the absence of starting floor general Tyus Jones (back). Through his past six appearances (five starts), Poole is averaging 19.0 points, 5.0 dimes, 1.5 steals, and 2.7 three-pointers in 29.8 minutes and remains worth starting in all points formats for the start of the fantasy semifinals. His matchup outlook would brighten significantly if Alex Caruso (ankle) sits out; no team has given up fewer DraftKings points to opposing point guards than the Bulls in 2023-24.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoDetroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the New York Knicks. The 12-59 Pistons are erring on the side of caution on the second half of their back-to-back to manage the left knee of their 22-year-old franchise centerpiece, who also missed Sunday's loss to the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. Wednesday's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves marks Cunningham's next chance to play. Jaden Ivey will serve as Detroit's primary ball handler in a stiff draw against a Knicks squad permitting the fewest DraftKings points to opposing point guards. Across 12 outings without Cunnigham this year, however, Ivey sports averages of 21.0 points, 5.6 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 three-pointers and is a must-start in all points leagues for the start of fantasy's second round of the postseason.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoSan Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (ankle) will not play in Monday's game versus the Phoenix Suns. Downgraded from questionable to out with a left ankle sprain, Wembanyama reportedly worked with the team during Monday's practice and should be considered day-to-day ahead of his next chance to take the floor on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. The 15-56 Spurs are not in any rush to push their prized rookie big man back into action, though. With Wemby sidelined, Zach Collins deserves plenty of attention for the first day of the fantasy semifinals despite a tough matchup against a Suns team allowing the fourth-fewest DraftKings points to opposing centers. Over seven games without Wembanyama this season, Collins is putting up 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 2.0 combined steals plus blocks per contest.Source: NBA.com
3 days agoThe Chicago Cubs have optioned right-hander Hayden Wesneski to Triple-A Iowa. Jose Cuas and Luke Little have grabbed the final two bullpen spots on the roster while Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks have also made the team. A rough spring did not help Wesneski's chances of cracking the Opening Day roster as he posted a 9.82 ERA across six outings, two of which were starts, spanning 11 innings of work. He made 11 starts and 34 appearances for the Cubs in the 2023 season, working to a 4.63 ERA across 89 1/3 innings of work. The righty is likely the club's first arm to be promoted upon an injury to a member of the pitching staff but he remains well off the fantasy radar at this point.Source: Andy Martinez
3 days agoChicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles said he thinks a long-term contract extension will come "down the road" for new wide receiver Keenan Allen, who is entering the final year of a four-year deal in 2024. "I try to be intentional with theread more...
3 days agoCleveland Guardians left-hander Logan Allen is enduring a rough spring as he looks to build upon what was a strong debut in the 2023 season. The 25-year-old was rocked for six earned runs on eight hits, including a pair of homers, and two walks against three strikeouts in his final spring tune-up against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, elevating his spring ERA to 5.50 across five starts and 18 innings of work. However, Allen enjoyed an impressive rookie season that saw him work to a 3.81 ERA across 24 starts in the 2023 season, although his 4.49 SIERA suggests he wasn't quite as effective as his surface ERA might suggest. He has a track record of putting up big strikeout numbers in his minor-league career but he only posted an 18.2% K% this spring, suggesting it may take some time for him to generate consistent punchouts at the big-league level.Source: MLB.com