3 days agoThe Winnipeg Jets clinched the No. 2 seed in the Central Division on Tuesday with a 4-3 win over the visiting Seattle Kraken. The Jets moved three points ahead of the third-place Colorado Avalanche with the win with both clubs having one more game on their regular-season schedule. The Jets host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. Prior to the season, the Jets' 2023-24 fortunes seemed up in the air with star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and captain Mark Scheifele scheduled to hit free agency at season's end but the team seemed to gain some momentum when both players agreed to identical eight-year, $59.5 million contracts just days before the season began.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoThe Washington Capitals have claimed the second and final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference thanks to a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night. The Capitals were in a win-and-in scenario thanks to holding the tiebreaker over the Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday. The Flyers, needing a regulation win to have a chance at a postseason berth, were forced to pull their goalie late in the game in an attempt to win in regulation but Capitals forward T.J. Oshie scored into the empty cage with roughly three minutes remaining in the game. The Capitals will now face the New York Rangers who took home the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with 114 regular-season points.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoHe may not be showing up on the first page of leaderboards, but Si Woo Kim is quietly putting together a nice season. He's 10 for 10 on made cuts including one Major and The Players Championship. Superb ball striking has been the main factor, as he ranks 11th on the season in strokes gained off the tee (0.564) and 27th in strokes gained on approach (0.504). The South Korean has a love/hate relationship with Harbour Town Golf Links, with a tie for second in 2018 as his best finish amongst a slew of missed cuts. However, he is playing well in all the right places this time around, so if he can get some putts to fall, we could be in for a big week.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
3 days agoThe Florida Panthers clinched the Atlantic Division title on Tuesday with a win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, combined with a Boston Bruins loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers trailed the Maple Leafs by a 2-0 score after the first period but rallied with four second-period tallies followed by an empty-netter in the third period to clinch the 5-2 win and the division. The Bruins dropped three of their final four games to drop to the No. 2 seed in the division. The Cats and Bolts most recently met in a vicious series in the 2021 postseason, resulting in a 4-2 Tampa Bay win en route to their second straight Stanley Cup victory. The date and time for the series opener is yet to be determined.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoThe Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs will meet in the first round of the postseason. The Bruins lost to the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, while the Maple Leafs lost to the Florida Panthers, giving the Panthers the Atlantic Division title and a first-round matchup with the rival Tampa Bay Lightning. The Maple Leafs and Lightning clash for their regular-season finales on Wednesday in Tampa Bay. The two clubs have had a pair of close encounters in their recent playoff history, with Boston winning a trio of seven-game series' in 2013, 2018, and 2019. Game 1 between the two clubs is expected to take place on Saturday at TD Garden in Boston.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
3 days agoThe wheels on the struggle bus remained firmly fixed to the road for Justin Thomas. He comes to Harbour Town, a place that has been kind to the two-time major winner, off the heels of a missed cut at The Masters; his second in the last three starts. Things with the putter have been abysmal, losing an average of -1.31 strokes on the greens over his past three starts and an average of -0.26 strokes off the tee over that same time. It will be refreshing for him to get back to a place where he has never missed the cut in five career starts and with the recent struggles, there should be an ownership leverage play here over the game's other big names. The floor is undeniably low, but if there was ever a week to take the risk, it's this week.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
3 days agoMiami Marlins left-hander
Ryan Weathers (hand) was removed from his start on Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants for precautionary reasons due to cramping in his left hand. Before departing, Weathers was in command, allowing two earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out a career-high 10 batters while matching his career-high with six innings pitched in his second win of the season. The 24-year-old threw 90 pitches in the outing and probably wasn't going to go much deeper into the game regardless. It sounds like his injury isn't anything serious, so fantasy managers should expect Weathers to make his next scheduled start this Sunday in Chicago against the Cubbies. With the strong effort on Tuesday, Weathers is now 2-1 on the year with a 2.70 ERA for the Fish.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
3 days agoUpdating a previous report, Boston Red Sox third baseman
Rafael Devers (knee) left Tuesday's game against the visiting Cleveland Guardians with left-knee discomfort. Devers went 1-for-2 with two RBI and two walks before being replaced at the hot corner in the eighth inning by
Bobby Dalbec. The 27-year-old missed several games last weekend due to a shoulder injury but returned to action on Monday before an injury scare when he collided with outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (head), who was forced to leave the game. For now, fantasy managers should consider Devers as day-to-day while checking back on Wednesday to see if he's back in the starting lineup. The Red Sox can ill-afford another injury to their infield after losing shortstop
Trevor Story (shoulder) already for the season. In addition to Dalbec,
Pablo Reyes could play some third base if Devers is forced to miss additional time.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
3 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Zion Williamson (undisclosed) exited Tuesday's Play-In matchup with the Lakers. The Pelicans were down big. However, the team managed to get back in it, with Williamson knotting things at up 95 by making a basket in the paint. Unfortunately, he came down and immediately grimaced with pain before heading to the locker room. Williamson likely injured his leg, although there aren't any details at the moment. But if he doesn't return to this one, he'll finish with 40 points, 11 boards, and five assists.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: TV Broadcast
3 days agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha allowed 10 hits and gave up five runs while taking a loss in last Friday's 6-1 defeat to the New York Mets, but he finds himself in prime position to bounce back in Wednesday's start on the road in one part of a doubleheader against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Although Wacha holds a mediocre 4.00 ERA (2.75 FIP) through 18 innings (three starts) to begin his Royals debut season, his 1.05 WHIP is a cause for optimism. Since 2023, the 32-year-old journeyman right-hander is 2-0 with 14 scoreless frames and 15 strikeouts over two appearances against the White Sox. Additionally, the current Chicago roster is hitting a career .141 across 72 plate appearances versus Wacha. With the ChiSox sitting dead last in baseball with 34 runs scored, treat Wacha as a confident fantasy option on Wednesday's full slate.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoHouston Astros starting pitcher
Luis Garcia (elbow) threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park ahead of Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Continuing to recuperate from Tommy John surgery, Garcia started tossing bullpens earlier in April and is slowly progressing toward eventually heading to a minor-league rehab assignment. The expectation is that he will be able to rejoin Houston's injury-ravaged rotation at some point during the middle of the season. Before his 2023 season came to a close, the 27-year-old right-hander posted a respectable 4.00 ERA (3.63 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 31:10 K:BB over 27 innings (six starts). The Astros called up
Forrest Whitley on Tuesday for pitching help, but it wouldn't be surprising to see swingman
Brandon Bielak be asked to eat some innings at some point.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Brian McTaggart - Astros.com
3 days agoBoston Red Sox third baseman
Rafael Devers was pulled during the eighth inning of Tuesday's game versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians, and
Bobby Dalbec replaced him defensively at third base. He went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI before exiting, and it's unclear at this time why Devers was removed from the contest. It's worth noting he dealt with soreness in his left shoulder that cost him four games last week, so it remains to be seen if he's dealing with some type of setback with the injury. The Red Sox should offer some clarity on the 27-year-old All-Star slugger's status shortly, and we'll provide that update when it becomes available. Devers is hitting just .205 with two home runs and five RBI over his first 44 at-bats of the season.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Christopher Smith
3 days agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Alex Cobb (hip, elbow), who was briefly shut down recently with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow, has been cleared to resume throwing and tossed a bullpen session in Arizona on Tuesday. Other than that hiccup, Cobb is progressing well and believes he's ahead of schedule in his rehab from offseason surgery on his left hip. The 36-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2023 for the first time in his career, and despite running into trouble with the long ball in the second half, he still managed to compile a solid 3.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 131:37 K:BB across 151 1/3 innings (28 starts). Cobb could re-enter San Fran's rotation at some time during May, and he's a decent stash in most fantasy leagues. With
Robbie Ray (elbow) also on the shelf,
Jordan Hicks and
Keaton Winn should continue to function as starters for the Giants for the time being.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoChicago Cubs infielder/outfielder
Patrick Wisdom (back) is continuing his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa and started Tuesday's game at right field for the first time this year. It's an interesting development for fantasy managers to keep an eye on, as Chicago's everyday right fielder,
Seiya Suzuki (oblique), is expected to miss several weeks. Wisdom is essentially fully recovered from a back strain, but
Michael Busch's recent power surge (five home runs in his last five games) is likely the reason why he hasn't been activated from the IL just yet. It looks like the Cubs could be grooming Wisdom for some action in right field, however, so his return appears imminent. The 32-year-old slugger is an all-or-nothing power hitter who smashed nine homers in his final 36 outings of the season in 2023, and he could be a decent source of pop if he lands a sizable role upon his reinstatement.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Iowa Cubs on X
3 days agoComing off a T7 at the Valero two weeks ago, and a share of third place last week at The Masters, Tommy Fleetwood is on a heater right now. He's gained an average of 1.2 strokes on approach over those two starts and nearly a stroke off the tee during that same span. He has an impeccable history around Harbour Town with a T10, T15, and a T25 in three of four career starts. Could this be the week Fleetwood finds paydirt on U.S. soil? There's a good chance many DFS players will be thinking the same, so if you can stomach the ownership, he is as solid a pick as there is at $10,800 on FanDuel
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
3 days agoChicago Bulls center
Andre Drummond (ankle) is listed as questionable ahead of Wednesday's play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks. The big man has missed the last three games due to a left ankle sprain. His absence has opened up more playing time for
Dalen Terry in the rotation. He has put together some decent performances and would likely be asked to play more minutes if Drummond sits out. Terry would have some low-end DFS appeal if Drummond is unable to play.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoThe New York Mets announced that third baseman
Brett Baty (hamstring) left Tuesday's game versus the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates due to tightness in his left hamstring. He went 0-for-2 before veteran infielder
Joey Wendle replaced him at third base. It's a tough break for the 24-year-old former top prospect, who is batting a strong .305 (18-for-59) with one home run, nine RBI, and seven runs scored over 17 games this season. With very little infield depth in Queens, Wendle and
Zack Short would figure to form a platoon for at-bats at the hot corner if Baty needs to miss additional time following Tuesday's departure. Neither of the two have done enough this season to be worth speculative fantasy adds at the moment. Consider Baty day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's series finale against Pittsburgh.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo - MLB.com
3 days agoChicago Bulls guard
Ayo Dosunmu (quad) is listed as questionable ahead of Wednesday's play-in matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. It's uncertain if the young guard will be ready to play after he missed the final four games of the regular season. His absence would be a significant hit to the Bulls rotation.
Javonte Green would likely continue to start if Dosunmu is unable to play. Fantasy managers will have to check back closer to tip-off on Wednesday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
3 days agoBoston Celtics guard
Derrick White might've found a long term home. Recently, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said that he wants to keep White around for as long as possible. This statement makes sense after the strong campaign that White posted during this season. He averaged 15.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 32.6 minutes per game across 73 contests. Both the rebounds and assists were career highs for White. The 29-year-old appears to have found a home in Boston, so we'll see what happens over the offseason.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Celtics on CLNS
3 days agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Robbie Ray (elbow) is scheduled to throw his next bullpen session in Arizona on Wednesday. Although the 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner is still expected to be out until the second half of the 2024 season, it feels like he has a chance to make his Giants debut earlier than that based on his current progress. Ray is pleased with where he's at in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and he also tossed a bullpen on Friday. In his last full season during 2022 with the Seattle Mariners, the 32-year-old strikeout machine fanned 212 hitters while walking 62 over 189 innings and amassed a 3.71 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 32 starts. Fantasy managers off to a good start should start thinking about stashing Ray. With
Alex Cobb (hip) also sidelined until at least May,
Jordan Hicks and
Keaton Winn should keep operating as starters for the Giants in the meantime.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
De'Anthony Melton (back) was unable to suit up for Tuesday's practice, according to head coach Nick Nurse. It seems unlikely that Melton is going to be able to suit up for Wednesday's play-in game against the Miami Heat. His absence won't be a huge loss, but it does impact their rotation. The Sixers will likely have to rely more on
Cameron Payne and
Buddy Hield with Melton still banged up.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodner
3 days agoThe Dallas Cowboys signed free-agent running back
Royce Freeman to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, according to a source. The former third-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2018 out of Oregon spent last year with the Los Angeles Rams and had 77 carries for 319 yards and two rushing touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (zero starts) while adding a 13-yard catch on two targets. Even with
Tony Pollard departing via Tennessee in free agency this offseason, it might be tough for Freeman to make a huge impact in Dallas' backfield in 2024 alongside the likes of
Rico Dowdle,
Deuce Vaughn and
Malik Davis. The Cowboys could also add more competition at the position via the upcoming draft. At best, Freeman could be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex option in fantasy in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
3 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) was able to get through a full practice session on Tuesday. The big man is currently listed as questionable ahead of Wednesday's game against the Miami Heat. Head coach Nick Nurse said that Embiid sat out of the regular-season finale for precautionary reasons. It's hard to believe the reigning MVP wouldn't suit up for this important play-in game. If he sits,
Mo Bamba would likely start with
Paul Reed getting increased minutes off the bench. DFS players will have to check back on Wednesday for another update.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodner
3 days agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Garrett Whitlock (oblique) exited Tuesday's start versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians due to tightness in his left oblique. Whitlock threw 54 pitches, 36 for strikes, before left-hander
Joely Rodriguez relieved him, allowing two runs on four hits and one walk in four innings of work. Look for the Red Sox to provide another update on the 27-year-old right-hander's status either after Tuesday's game or sometime in the coming days. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Sunday on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but it remains to be seen if his turn in the rotation needs to be skipped. Whitlock has been great as a starter for Boston this year, logging a superb 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 punchouts over 18 1/3 frames (four starts) to begin the 2024 season.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Ian Browne - MLB.com
3 days agoNew York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson appears to be fine heading into the postseason. The big man was able to practice without any issues on Tuesday, according to head coach Tom Thibodeau. He continued by saying Robinson is fine after sitting out the second half of Sunday's game. This is good news for the Knicks who begin their first-round series against an unknown opponent on Saturday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Fred Katz
3 days agoPerhaps it's because of the fine he received for skipping this event last season, or maybe because of the rumors swirling since leaving Augusta National on Sunday that the once-staunch critic of LIV Golf was in talks to join the rival league. Either way, Rory McIlroy comes to this week's RBC Heritage with just as many questions off the golf course, as on it. From a ball-striking perspective, he is still as deadly as ever; gaining an average of 1.17 strokes on approach over his last three events. Though his strokes gained off the tee have slightly simmered since the start of the year. McIlroy's issues now are the same as they have been, which is his ability to make putts when it matters and to play smart enough golf to get him there. Success at Harbour Town usually demands both of those things, so for that reason, it's best to keep interest light for the Northern Irishman this week.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
3 days agoLos Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (knee) participated in a portion of Tuesday's practice, according to head coach Ty Lue. Leonard is working his way back to the court after missing the final eight games of the regular season. There is some concern over his status heading into the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. Luckily, that series doesn't begin until Sunday, so Leonard does have time to get healthy before then.
P.J. Tucker has been replacing him in the starting lineup, so he's expected to head to the bench once Leonard is healthy.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Law Murray
3 days agoThe San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent wide receiver
Trent Taylor to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday. It will be a reunion between the two sides after the Niners selected Taylor in the fifth round (177th overall) in 2017 out of Louisiana Tech. The 29-year-old pass-catcher spent the first three years of his NFL career in the Bay Area before two years with the Cincinnati Bengals. He went catchless on two targets in 17 games (zero starts) for the Chicago Bears in 2023. Taylor is most likely to pitch in on special teams for the 49ers after
Ray-Ray McCloud III left in free agency this offseason. In his six NFL seasons, Taylor has 87 receptions on 137 targets for 834 yards and three touchdowns, with most of the production coming in his first two seasons with the 49ers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 49ers.com - Lindsey Pallares
3 days agoWhile Cleveland Browns running back
Nick Chubb (knee) has been working hard in the weight room, there's no timetable yet for his return in 2024. "I don't know that we'll go past today and this week at least that's the way I'm looking at it," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I can promise you he's working very hard early in the morning. He's here, he's attacking his rehab. That's the best way I can put it. When he's ready, he'll be ready." The 28-year-old suffered a gruesome season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of last year. While he'll be sticking around with the team in 2024, it's unclear if he'll be ready by training camp this summer or if the Browns will be forced to ease him into the fold in the opening portion of the 2024 campaign. Because of the uncertainty around how Chubb will bounce back, it will make him an extremely risky RB1 in fantasy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
3 days agoChicago Cubs outfielder
Seiya Suzuki (oblique), who went on the injured list on Monday with a right-oblique strain, will be sidelined "in the four-week range," but the Cubs will have a better timeline for his return once he's symptom-free, according to manager Craig Counsell. It means that the 29-year-old won't be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the 10-day IL, but fantasy managers should still keep him stashed in all leagues, especially after he started the year 18-for-59 (.305) with three home runs, 13 RBI and 11 runs scored. With Suzuki set to miss at least several weeks, outfield prospect
Alexander Canario, the club's No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is going to get his first extended look in the big leagues. He's starting in right field and hitting ninth on Tuesday against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander
Tommy Henry.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
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