3 days agoSeattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the New York Yankees. It sounds like the Mariners plan on shaking up their lineup going forward. Manager Scott Servais says he plans to mix in lefty bats more frequently. That means, Garver, Mitch Haniger, and Ty France could all see the bench more often. Garver has struggled this season, so a platoon situation isn't shocking. Cal Raleigh will cover behind the plate and bat third on Monday.Source: Ryan Divish
4 days agoNew York Rangers forward Filip Chytil (illness) was a full participant in Monday's practice and is likely to return for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday. Chytil missed the final three games of New York's second-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes with an illness, which was terrible timing given he had just come back from a concussion and was only able to play in one game before being hit by the illness. The 24-year-old skated on the third line alongside Alexander Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko during practice and was also a part of the second powerplay unit. His return would be a major boost for the Rangers' depth, which will be needed against a hard-checking Florida team. Source: Mollie Walker
4 days agoNew York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) was unable to do his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday. The right-hander is dealing with tightness in his triceps, so the team decided to skip the bullpen session. Senga is working his way back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him all season. The Mets haven't given a solid timetable for when Senga is going to make it back to the mound, but they are hoping he'll get his next bullpen in by the end of the week, signaling that it isn't a serious setback. Fantasy managers must stay patient and keep the Japanese hurler stashed in all formats.Source: Tim Healy
4 days agoDallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (undisclosed) did not practice on Monday and is considered day-to-day ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday. Hakanpaa has been out of the Stars' lineup since Game 1 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings where he suffered an undisclosed injury. It would be a surprise to see the burly d-man back in the Stars lineup early in the series given his inability to practice. If he does return, he will likely replace Alex Petrovic on the third pairing alongside Ryan Suter.Source: Lia Assimakopoulos
4 days agoDallas Stars center Roope Hintz (undisclosed) practiced on Monday and is considered day-to-day ahead of Game 1 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday. Hintz missed Games 5 and 6 of the Stars' second-round series against the Colorado Avalanche with an undisclosed injury, but appears to be getting healthier and could return early in their next series. Hintz would be a big addition up the middle for Dallas, who would be able to slide their lineup around to give them an even bigger depth advantage than they already have. If he returns, Hintz would likely play on a line with Jason Robertson as he has most of the season, but nothing is set in stone.Source: Lia Assimakopoulos
4 days agoBaltimore Orioles relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel as been confirmed as the closer going forward, according to manager Brandon Hyde. This doesn't come as much of a surprise after Kimbrel was tasked with closing down Sunday's game. The O's took a few weeks off from having Kimbrel as the closer, but he worked his way back into the role. Yennier Cano figures to return to his role as the set-up pitcher, so his fantasy value is going to take a significant hit.Source: Steve Melewski
4 days agoMilwaukee Brewers outfielder Joey Wiemer (knee) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday. The young outfielder was forced to miss 16 days due to left knee soreness. He wasn't playing too well before the injury but figures to at least play in a platoon role going forward. Wiemer will cover center field and bat ninth versus lefty Ryan Weathers on Monday.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoVancouver Canucks forwards Sam Lafferty and Ilya Mikheyev (undisclosed) will draw back into the lineup for Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. Lafferty will replace Vasily Podkolzin, who will be a healthy scratch, and will play on Vancouver's fourth line. Mikheyev will do his best to replace Brock Boeser (blood clotting) on the Canucks top line alongside J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson, who have been reunited for this winner-take-all game. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Mikheyev get shifted around during the game, especially if the line gets off to a slow start. Still, he makes for a solid DFS play tonight.Source: Farhan Lalji
4 days agoVancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (knee) will not be available for Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday. Demko has missed all but the first game of the Canucks playoff run with a knee injury, and although head coach Rick Tocchet has expressed optimism that their star netminder will return soon, it won't happen Monday. Arturs Silovs will be Vancouver's starter, and although he's had his ups and downs this postseason, he's provided much more than the Canucks could've ever hoped for from a third-string goalie.Source: Sportsnet
4 days agoVancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (blood clotting) won't play in Game 7 on Monday due to a blood clotting issue. Thankfully, the injury is not career or life-threatening for Boeser, but the star winger won't be able to play in Monday's winner-take-all game against the Edmonton Oilers and is unlikely to return at all these playoffs, even if the Canucks manage to advance. It is an extremely tough break for Boeser and the Canucks, who will miss the 27-year-old and his 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 12 games. Vancouver will shift Conor Garland onto the powerplay while their entire forward lineup gets a shake-up in Boeser's absence.Source: Irfaan Gaffar
4 days agoBaltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander (knee) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting fifth on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Sonny Gray. Santander has been dealing with a bothersome bruised knee of late and was held out of Sunday's contest against the Seattle Mariners as a result. It mostly gives the 29-year-old issues while running the bases and in the outfielder, but Santander is apparently feeling good enough to DH for the series opener in St. Louis. In 10 career at-bats against Gray, Santander has only two hits, but one of them cleared the fences. The Venezuelan switch-hitter's power is attractive in fall fantasy leagues in the middle of a strong Baltimore lineup, but Santander has been inconsistent so far in 2024 and has gone 10-for-49 (.204) with three homers and seven RBI in 14 games so far in May.Source: Baltimore Orioles
4 days agoSeattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique) went through a pre-game warmup at Yankee Stadium on Monday and told the team he was ready to go. However, he's not in the starting lineup against the New York Yankees, and the Mariners are likely waiting toread more...
4 days agoSeattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said that second baseman Jorge Polanco (hamstring) will be available off the bench, if needed, against the New York Yankees in the Bronx. Josh Rojas is making another start at second base and will bat leadoff for the M's versus Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman. Polanco is missing a fourth straight game due to a right-hamstring issue, but it appears he's getting close to a return and should avoid a trip to the injured list. The 30-year-old Dominican veteran has had a rough start to his first year in Seattle, as he's currently slashing .192/.298/.308 with five homers, 13 RBI and 15 runs scored in 146 at-bats. Rojas has exceeded expectations offensively for the M's but has come back down to Earth a bit in his last five games with just one hit and seven strikeouts in his 21 plate appearances.Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
4 days agoMinnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler is taking a seat on Monday with the team facing left-hander Mitchell Parker and the Washington Nationals. With Kepler getting a day off, Manuel Margot will draw into the starting lineup, playing right field and batting third for the Twins. The 31-year-old lefty-swinging Kepler has been solid in limited plate appearances against southpaws this year, but he's hit just .221 against them in over 1,000 career plate appearances. The German outfielder is hitting .303 (30-for-99) with three home runs, 17 RBI and 13 runs scored so far this year, but the underlying numbers show that he's due some regression in the average department eventually. Margot is hitting just .195 (17-for-87) this year with a homer and nine RBI, but he could be worth considering as a DFS sleeper against a young lefty out of the three-hole.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoAtlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud (head) is back behind the plate and is batting fifth for the second game of a doubleheader on Monday against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Randy Vasquez. It will be d'Arnaud's first game since he was removed from Friday's game against San Diego early as a precaution after he dealt with dizziness from being hit by a foul tip. The good news is that the 35-year-old veteran avoided a concussion and a trip to the seven-day concussion list. His fantasy value remains high with Sean Murphy (oblique) still working his way back from an injury. d'Arnaud is also hitting .255/.336/.500 with an .836 OPS, five home runs, 16 RBI and 15 runs scored in his 102 at-bats so far in 2024. He's never faced Vasquez in his career.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoAtlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (side) is sitting out the second game of Monday's doubleheader against the visiting San Diego Padres. Riley also missed the Game 1 loss and now has not played in over a week due to intercostal inflammation on his left side. If the 27-year-old is forced to miss anymore time, it's likely he'll eventually land on the injured list. Riley is hoping to swing a bat soon, so he's technically still considered day-to-day. When healthy, he's the Braves' starting third baseman and is a must-start in all fantasy lineups when he's in the lineup. The former 41st overall pick in 2015 is currently hitting .245/.319/.388 on the year with three home runs, 18 RBI and 22 runs scored in 147 at-bats. Zack Short is making another start at third in Game 2 on Monday and is hitting in the nine-hole after going 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Game 1 to drop his average to .143.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoNew York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (illness) is back at DH and is batting cleanup for the Mets on Monday against the Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Ben Lively. Martinez was held out of Sunday's lineup in the series finale against the Miami Marlins due to flu-like symptoms but is feeling good enough to return to action against a pitcher he's never faced in his career. The 36-year-old right-handed slugger got a late start to the 2024 campaign after signing with the Mets late. He opened the year playing in minor leagues to get his timing at the plate down, and it seems to have worked, as he's currently hitting .315/.359/.466 with two home runs in his first 21 games of the season. Fantasy managers will want to get the veteran DH back in their starting lineups to begin the week.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoJacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is battling for a roster spot after the team brought in Brian Thomas Jr. Gabe Davis, and Devin Duvernay this offseason.read more...
4 days agoSan Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) was removed from the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves with a left-shoulder injury, but preliminary imaging came back negative. It's good news for now, but the Padres are awaiting further results. Even if Bogaerts avoids a serious injury, he's out of Game 2 of the double dip in Atlanta on Monday and could miss more time heading into Tuesday's series opener against the Reds in Cincinnati. The 31-year-old injured his shoulder while diving for a ball up the middle. For now, fantasy managers will want to consider him day-to-day until further notice. Luis Arraez is at second base and batting leadoff in Game 2 of the doubleheader. Before getting hurt on Monday, Bogaerts went hitless in his lone at-bat to drop his season average to a weak .219. Both Arraez and Tyler Wade are options to play the keystone if Bogaerts misses extended time.Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
4 days agoNew England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson signed a three-year contract to join the organization this offseason, and early reviews from Patriots beat writer Brian Hines are encouraging. "Antonio Gibson's speed was evident in the no-contact setting, as well as his wide receiver background,"read more...
4 days agoMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was not spotted at the team's facility for the start of organized team activities on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jefferson and the Vikings have reportedly been in discussions regarding a new contract for the superstarread more...
4 days agoThe Baltimore Ravens signed undrafted free-agent wide receiver Qadir Ismail on Monday, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Ismail tallied 26 receptions for 321 yards in his final three collegiate seasons at Villanova and Samford after switching from quarterback to wide receiver. He's a raw prospect, but his path toward playing time could be on special teams. Although he's likely a longshot to make the roster, it's worth noting that he's the son of former Ravens' 1000-yard receiver Qadry Ismail. He was a part of the 2000 Super Bowl team.Source: Jamison Hensley
4 days agoNew England Patriots guard Cole Strange (knee) is considered "month-to-month" with a knee injury, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. The 2022 first-round pick out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga injured his left knee in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. Strange has made 27 starts in his first two seasons with the organization, and his recovery from the injury will be key as the team breaks in rookie quarterback Drake Maye. With the season set to kick off in roughly 15 weeks, there will be further updates on his status as Week 1 approaches.Source: NFL.com
4 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies outfield prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. (thumb) is expected to miss the next few months due to a torn ligament in his right thumb that he suffered on April 24. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Rincones could return to Double-A Reading in July. Last year, Rincones was drafted by the Phillies in the third round after he mashed 19 home runs in just 58 games at Florida Atlantic University. This year, he was playing extremely well through 60 plate appearances with Double-A Reading, slashing .300/.417/.600 with three doubles, four home runs, four steals, and 11 walks. Unfortunately, what was hoped to be a year of significant progression will likely be spent rehabbing and readjusting. Rincones is mainly an injury stash in dynasty leagues for now.Source: The Athletic
4 days agoArizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. will start at left tackle in 2024 after spending his rookie season on the right side, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Johnson was selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2023 NFL Draft and started all 17 games in his debut campaign. Veteran D.J. Humphries occupied the left tackle spot in the desert for nine seasons, but he was released this offseason. Newly acquired veteran Jonah Williams will begin the season at right tackle. Protecting quarterback Kyler Murray and carving running lanes for James Conner and Trey Benson will be key priorities in 2024 for a potential ascending offense. Johnson Jr. will play a key part in that effort, and hopefully, he'll take a Year 2 leap after allowing eight sacks in 2023.Source: NFL.com
4 days agoLast year, Tampa Bay Rays outfield/first base prospect Tre' Morgan was drafted out of Louisiana State University in the third round. Since then, he's been excellent in the minor leagues. He began the 2024 season with Low-A Charleston. He slashed .320/.398/.440 with 19 runs, four doubles, two home runs, and nine stolen bases across 115 plate appearances. As a result, he was called up to High-A Bowling Green on May 15. Since then, he's slashed .520/.626/.1000 with five doubles, a home run, a walk, zero strikeouts, and a stolen base. Morgan is the Rays' 13th overall prospect, expected to make his MLB debut sometime in 2026.Source: Baseball Reference
4 days agoSeattle Mariners catching prospect Harry Ford went 4-for-4 with a triple and a stolen base against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Sunday night. After a decent April, wherein he slashed .218/.371/.410 with six doubles and three home runs in 97 plate appearances, the 21-year-old catcher has been outstanding in May. Through 67 plate appearances this month, he's hitting .340/.478/.528 with three doubles, two triples, and one homer. Overall, Ford has displayed excellent power and advanced plate discipline for a player his age. Through 35 games, he only has three more strikeouts (32) than walks (29). Ford is ranked #28 on MLB's top-100 prospects list and is expected to make his MLB debut sometime next year.Source: Baseball Reference
4 days agoIn 2023, Chicago White Sox shortstop prospect Brooks Baldwin posted impressive numbers in 93 minor-league games. Splitting time between Low-A Kannapolis and High-A Winston-Salem, he slashed .269/.349/.460 with 15 doubles, 15 home runs, 58 RBI, and 42 walks. As a result, he was assigned to Double-A Birmingham to begin the 2024 season. So far, Baldwin has been even better. Through his first 155 plate appearances, he's slashing .353/.439/.474 with 10 doubles, two home runs, 21 RBI, and 19 walks. Despite the dip in his home-run rate, Baldwin has shown he can excel at the Double-A level. At the beginning of the season, he was just the 24th overall prospect in the White Sox's farm system, according to MLB.com. If he keeps playing well, he'll almost certainly climb the leaderboards.Source: Baseball Reference
4 days agoThe Cleveland Guardians designated outfielder Ramon Laureano for assignment before the team's series opener against the New York Mets. Laureano was off to a rough start in 2024, hitting just .143 with one home run and four RBI across 31 games. The 29-year-old outfielder also had just two hits over his last 31 plate appearances. He should now have the opportunity to sign with any team as a free agent. Johnathan Rodriguez will take his place on the active roster after the team called him up on Monday.Source: Mandy Bell
4 days agoNew England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle, knee) said he was around 60 percent healthy this time last year from his knee injury and was never fully healthy in 2023. However, he said he's at 100 percent now after resting this offseason.read more...