4 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris seems to be on his final ride with the team as he's in the final year of his max contract that he signed in 2019. Famously, the team signed him to a big contract instead of Jimmy Butler, who opted to sign with the Miami Heat at the time. Harris has experienced quite the rollercoaster ride while playing in Philly while the fans have grown tired of his shortcomings. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Keith Pompey, the two sides are expected to part ways after this postseason, and the front-runner to acquire his services happens to be the Detroit Pistons. His best scoring days may be behind him, but he could provide solid stats like Harrison Barnes when he first joined Sacramento.Source: Keith Pompey
4 days agoChicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (ankle) is formally listed as questionable for the final Eastern play-in game against the Miami Heat after suffering an ankle injury in their previous game against Atlanta. Caruso said on Friday morning that he expects to play after the swelling went down drastically on Thursday. Caruso plays a big role, especially for the team's defense, and can be a key piece to a win over a Jimmy Butler-less Heat. Caruso has some value in DFS lineups as well due to his defensive abilities and can deliver a scoring punch against a team that's missing one of their best defenders.Source: Jamal Collier
4 days agoThe Cincinnati Reds claimed infielder Livan Soto off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Reds transferred right-hander Tejay Antone (elbow) to the 60-day injured list. Soto will join his third team of the year after the Orioles designated him for assignment earlier this week. The 23-year-old Venezuelan infielder made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels and has hit .375/.414/.531 with a .946 OPS, one home run, nine RBI and a stolen base in just 22 games played the last two seasons in Anaheim. He has a .780 OPS in 32 at-bats this year for Triple-A Norfolk and will now head to Louisville to give the Reds some extra infield depth.Source: Cincinnati Reds
4 days agoCincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (illness) isn't feeling well enough to return to the starting lineup for the series opener on Friday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. Spencer Steer will make another start at first base and hit in the two-hole, with Santiago Espinal playing third base and batting eighth against Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson. Along with CEH, Jeimer Candelario will also miss another game while being under the weather. Both Encarnacion-Strand and Candelario should be considered day-to-day. Check back on Saturday to see if they can return to action for the second game of the series against the Halos. Steer will be an intriguing DFS play against a left-hander on Friday after starting the year hitting .302 (19-for-63) with three home runs, 18 RBI and three stolen bases.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoTop Toronto Blue Jays prospect Ricky Tiedemann (elbow) underwent an MRI exam on Thursday after he experienced left-elbow discomfort, which led to his placement on the seven-day injured list with Triple-A Buffalo earlier this week. The Blue Jays are still waiting to hear from doctors. The oft-injured 21-year-old left-hander is now shut down in the minors and could be facing an extended absence. Tiedemann threw only 44 innings in the minors last year due to shoulder and biceps issues, so it's pretty concerning that their top prospect is dealing with another arm injury. Depending on how long Tiedemann is out with his latest injury, there's certainly a chance we won't see him make his major-league debut until 2025.Source: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
4 days agoOn The Pat McAfee Show, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said "it's been tracking for LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels to go at No. 2" to the Washington Commanders. However, no final decision has been made yet, and Schefter reports that Daniels has had an interest in being other places besides D.C. Daniels appears to be the Commanders' preference at No. 2 overall in next week's draft, but perhaps something changes now if they don't think he'll be fully committed to playing for their organization. General manager Adam Peters said on Thursday that it's pretty much a done deal that Washington won't trade out of the No. 2 pick, but his nugget from Schefter could change some things. In the end, Schefter still thinks Daniels is the favorite to go second overall to the Commanders.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 days agoNew York Jets offensive lineman Alija Vera-Tucker's fifth-year option decision is likely to come after the 2024 NFL draft, according to general manager Joe Douglas. "We haven't talked about that yet, we have a little time after the draft," Douglas said. "I'll definitely update you guys on that post-draft." It's not a surprise, and it won't be a surprise if the Jets don't pick up the 24-year-old guard's option after he suffered season-ending injuries in each of the last two years. The former 14th overall pick in 2021 out of USC played in a career-low five games in 2023 due to a torn Achilles that landed him on Injured Reserve early in the year. It remains to be seen how effective Vera-Tucker will be in 2024 coming off the major Achilles injury. Joe Tippmann took over as the Jets' starter at right guard last year with Vera-Tucker out.Source: NFL.com
4 days agoBoston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates. The 27-year-old went for an MRI on his knee after leaving Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians with discomfort but the test revealed nothing more than bone bruise. He is not expected to require a stint on the injured list. It's been a sluggish start to the season for the star third baseman who is hitting just .188 but also has two homers and a healthy 15.5% BB% across 58 trips to the plate. Fantasy manager should check back daily to see when Devers is able to return to the lineup.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Oakland A's have activated Brent Rooker (abdomen) from the injured list and have optioned 22-year-old infielder Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas. Despite breaking out with 30 home runs in the 2023 season, Rooker was not being used as an everyday outfielder to begin the season. He has hit just .200 on his young season but has still clubbed a pair of home runs across his first eight games of the campaign. Rooker will likely see consistent playing time upon his return but the A's outfield has gotten more crowded with his return and the promotion of the hot-hitting Esteury Ruiz from Triple-A. The team also has Seth Brown, JJ Bleday, and Lawrence Butler roaming the outfield.Source: Martin Gallegos
4 days agoCincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario remains out of the lineup on Friday versus the visiting Los Angeles Angels due to an illness. The veteran was scratched from Tuesday's lineup before sitting out Wednesday's series finale against the Seattle Mariners. Santiago Espinal will once again take over duties at the hot corner while hitting eighth against Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson. The 30-year-old does have a pair of homers on the young season but is also hitting just .190 with a 31.3% K% across his first 64 plate appearances in a Reds uniform. He set career highs with 22 home runs and eight stolen bases across 140 games between the Nationals and Cubs last season.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoAtlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale will be looking to bounce back from a rough outing when he takes on the visiting Texas Rangers on Friday. The veteran was touched up for five earned runs on six hits, including a homer, while walking three against seven strikeouts across seven innings in a loss to the Marlins his last time out. Despite the tough outing, Sale has been quit good early on in his Braves tenure. While his ERA has risen to 4.58, he also sports a 2.91 xFIP, 3.09 SIERA, and a healthy 21.1% K-BB% through his first three starts with Atlanta. He remains a quality fantasy asset whose injury woes are seemingly behind him.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Carolina Panthers want to make the 2024 draft about a larger point, rather than anything as granular as finding weapons for quarterback Bryce Young after he struggled mightily in his rookie season in 2023. "I think it's not about surrounding Bryce with great players; it's about building a great team, and then Bryce can just do his part of it," new head coach Dave Canales said. Even if the Panthers aren't specifically just looking to add weapons for Young, they'll surely need to bolster what was a terrible offensive line and running game. Carolina already traded for receiver Diontae Johnson this offseason and spent some money to upgrade the O-line. "It's not about getting playmakers for Bryce, it's about getting playmakers for our team," general manager Dan Morgan said.Source: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
4 days agoTexas Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney will be looking to get deeper into Friday's contest against the hosting Atlanta Braves. The veteran went just 3 2/3 innings and threw 79 pitches in that time in his last start at Houston, allowing two earned runs and four walks in that time. Heaney has pitched just 12 innings through his first three starts, maxing out at 4 2/3 frames in his first start of the season against Tampa Bay. The 32-year-old has been roughed up for a 6.75 ERA on the young season and sports a tiny 5.1% K-BB%, as well. Heaney is in danger of losing his rotation spot with Max Scherzer likely returning in May while the club also recently called up right-hander Jack Leiter who started Thursday's game against the Tigers.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoCincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson will hit out of the cleanup spot for the first time this season on Friday against the Angels and left-hander Tyler Anderson. The backstop has hit all over the lineup this season with his most common spot in the lineup coming out of the nine-hole. It's been a slow start for the 27-year-old at the dish this season following a down season in the 2023 campaign. Stephenson is hitting just .214 with one homer and a .640 OPS across his first 46 plate appearances of the campaign. The Reds enter a three-game set with the Angels sporting a 9-9 record, good for fourth place in the NL Central.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoIndianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that tight end Chris Ballard is off the NFL commissioner's exempt list and is back with the team during offseason workouts. Ogletree was recently cleared of domestic-violence charges following his arrest last December. Ogletree was put on the commissioner's exempt list on Dec. 30. The 25-year-old caught nine of his 21 targets for 147 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games (nine starts) in 2023 in what was essentially his rookie season after he didn't play at all in 2022 after being drafted in the sixth round (192nd overall) in 2022 out of Youngstown State due to a torn ACL he suffered in the preseason. Ogletree will be off the fantasy radar as tight end depth behind Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox in 2024.Source: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
4 days agoFormer Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark Jr., one of the top free-agent receivers available with less than a week until the NFL draft, spent Thursday on a visit with the Los Angeles Chargers, according to a source. The Chargers may draft a receiver as early as the fifth overall pick next Thursday night, but they still need starters and Chark could be an option to help build depth at the position now that Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both gone. The 27-year-old Chark had a 1,000-yard season with the Jaguars in 20219 and scored eight touchdowns, but injuries and inconsistency have limited him in four years since and he hasn't been reliable for fantasy managers. Chark might be intriguing as a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts if he were to land in LA, but it would also depend on what the Chargers do at the position in the upcoming draft.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 days agoThe Denver Broncos don't sound too concerned with wide receiver Courtland Sutton missing the start of the team's voluntary offseason workouts earlier this week. "It's 100 percent voluntary. It's the first week of the offseason program. Sean has talked to Courtland; I've talked to Courtland. He's in a good place, and I'll just leave it at that," general manager George Paton said. Sutton reportedly didn't show up because he wants a new contract, especially after scoring a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023. The 28-year-old has two years left on his current deal, but only $2 million is guaranteed. We have a ways to go before this comes an official holdout, but fantasy managers should expect plenty of regression in the TD department. Sutton should see plenty of targets with Jerry Jeudy now gone, but the QB situation in Denver is one of the worst in the league.Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
4 days agoChicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Sunday, and the next steps after that could be a minor-league rehab assignment if he can avoid a setback with his hammy on Sunday. The 28-year-old southpaw suffered a left-hamstring strain on Opening Day and was forced to the injured list. However, he appears to be making good progress and could return to the Cubs' starting rotation after a rehab start or two in the minors. The former fifth-rounder in 2014 was a first-time All-Star in 2023 by going 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA (3.02 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 36 walks and a career-high 176 strikeouts in 173 1/3 frames over his 30 starts. Steele should be stashed in an IL spot by fantasy managers in all leagues.Source: Watch Marquee - Tony Andracki
4 days agoCincinnati Reds right-hander Ian Gibaut (forearm), who was nearing a return from the 15-day injured list, is dealing with renewed forearm discomfort and has had his timeline to return pushed back. Gibaut will now take a little break before trying to resume a minor-league rehab assignment. The 30-year-old reliever has no timetable to return and could be looking at surgery, which would almost certainly end his 2024 season, if he can't get past the forearm pain. The former 11th-round pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2015 out of Tulane had a nice 3.33 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.28 WHIP, a career-high three saves, 28 walks and a career-high 69 strikeouts in 75 2/3 innings over 74 relief outings for the Reds in 2023 as a trusted high-leverage reliever out of the bullpen.Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
4 days agoChicago Cubs infielder Patrick Wisdom is making his 2024 debut on Friday against the visiting Miami Marlins and left-hander A.J. Puk, starting in right field and batting second in the batting order. Wisdom was activated from the injured list on Thursday but had to wait to make his season debut on Friday after Thursday's contest against the Fish was postponed due to inclement weather. The 32-year-old has a prime lineup spot and will be hoping to make an immediate impact now that he's back in the big leagues. Wisdom is more of a DFS play against lefties than an asset in single-year fantasy leagues, as he's most likely only going to start for the Cubs when they face southpaws. In his career, Wisdom has an .813 OPS against lefties. He's never faced Puk in his career.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoMiami Marlins right-hander Roddery Munoz will be called up from Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday as the team's 27th man and is expected to start one of the games of the doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs after the contest on Thursday was postponed due to inclement weather. It will be Munoz's major-league debut. The 24-year-old was acquired in a trade from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the offseason. He should be ignored as a streamer by fantasy managers in all formats after beginning the 2024 season at Jacksonville by giving up 14 runs (13 earned) on 10 hits (three home runs) while walking 12 and striking out seven in 10 2/3 innings over three appearances (two starts). Munoz will surely be sent back to the farm after his big-league debut on Saturday.Source: Fish On First - Isaac Azout
4 days agoChicago Cubs first baseman Michael Busch and catcher Yan Gomes are not in the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Miami Marlins and left-hander A.J. Puk. Garrett Cooper is playing first base and batting seventh in the lineup, while Miguel Amaya is doing the catching and batting in the nine-hole against Puk. Busch had a streak of five straight games with a home run come to an end this week and he's hitting a strong .317 (19-for-60) overall with six total long balls, 13 RBI and 10 runs scored to start his first year in Chicago. He's hit just .167 (4-for-24) and has yet to homer against a left-hander in his career, though, so he'll likely occasionally be rested against lefties this year. Cooper has never faced Puk in his career, while Amaya has a hit and RBI in his only career at-bat against the southpaw.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoChicago Cubs starting pitching prospect Cade Horton tossed four shutout innings on Tuesday, allowing just one hit and one free pass. The right-hander struck out five. Horton carried his dominance into his second start of the season and holds an overall 1.13 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across eight innings with nine strikeouts. The former seventh overall pick is the top pitching prospect in the Cubs system and should be expected to make his major league debut later this summer. The Cubs have had early season struggles with both their starting pitching and relievers due to injuries and poor performances. Horton could look to fill that void in the stretch run as the Cubs hope to win the NL Central. The 22-year-old is worth stashing in deeper redraft formats and should already be rostered in keeper and dynasty leagues.Source: MiLB.com
5 days agoBaltimore Orioles outfield prospect Jud Fabian went 4-for-4 with a walk on Thursday. The 23-year-old is off to a hot start at Double-A with a .297/.395/.486 slash line with one home run. Fabian has taken significant steps forward, as he hit for a mediocre .176/.314/.399 across 64 games at Double-A last season. Fabian is ranked as the No. 12 prospect in the Baltimore system, per MLB Pipeline, and should be expected to make his major-league debut in 2025. Fabian is worth looking into in dynasty leagues, especially if he continues to play well at Double-A.Source: MiLB.com
5 days agoBaltimore Orioles outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad launched his eighth home run of the season to cap off a 3-for-3 day at the plate. The 25-year-old has been off to an unbelievable start to the season with a .342/.425/.726 slash line and is closing in on double-digit long balls in the minor leagues. Kjerstad held his own in the majors last season, albeit in a small sample size, where he hit for a .233 batting average and two home runs, and he should be in for a bigger opportunity this season. Kjerstad is on the brink of a promotion and is worth stashing, even in standard single-season leagues.Source: MiLB.com
5 days agoNew York Yankees outfield prospect Everson Pereira launched two home runs on three hits on Thursday night, which powered Triple-A Scranton to their 12th victory of the season. Pereira is riding a .255/.359/.618 line with six total long balls this season. The 23-year-old got a small taste of the majors in 2023 and should receive another call-up later in the summer. With top prospect Jasson Dominguez injured (elbow) and Spencer Jones still in Double-A, Pereira could be the first name from the Yankee system promoted this season and is worth holding onto in dynasty and keeper leagues.Source: MiLB.com
5 days agoToronto Blue Jays shortstop/second base prospect Orelvis Martinez launched his third home run of the season in the top of the ninth inning, which eventually served as the game-winner. The 22-year-old went 2-5 in Thursday's game and is batting .305/.359/.576 across the young part of the season. Martinez is doing much better in Triple-A this season compared to last year, where he hit for a .263/.340/.507 slash line with 11 home runs. Martinez is making quite a case for a promotion and should come up as a second baseman, since Bo Bichette will continue to serve as the team's shortstop. The second-ranked prospect in the Toronto system is worth stashing in deeper leagues for now.Source: MiLB.com
5 days agoBoston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran filled up the stat sheet on Thursday, going 1-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and a stolen base in a 5-4 loss against the Cleveland Guardians. Duran hit a triple and walked, the latter of which led to his seventh steal of the season. As the leadoff man for Boston, Duran should have ample opportunity to steal bases and so far he's made the most of it. He is a great three-category contributor who will help fantasy teams with AVG, runs, and steals while providing the occasional homer. He should be rostered in most leagues.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoTexas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien had a great day at the dish on Thursday, leading the team to a 9-7 win over the Detroit Tigers. Semien went 3-for-6 with a homer and a double while scoring a pair of runs and knocking in one. With the big performance, the 33-year-old bumps up his slash line to .286/.355/.464 on the season. He also has 16 runs scored, three homers, 17 RBI, and a stolen base. While the counting numbers are great, his power and speed have left a little to be desired so far, but those should pick up as the season goes on.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (shoulder, elbow, hip) said after the game on Thursday night that he had an MRI exam come back clean and that he will throw on flat ground on Friday. The news comes after it was reported earlier on Thursday that Cobb developed "mild shoulder inflammation" in his right arm two days after his latest bullpen session. The 36-year-old veteran has now dealt with elbow and shoulder issues while initially rehabbing from offseason hip surgery. It's good news that his shoulder injury isn't anything serious, but he's going to need at least several weeks to ramp his arm back up before he becomes a realistic option for the Giants' starting rotation in 2024. Injury issues aside, there's not a ton of fantasy upside with Cobb at this point in his career.Source: San Francisco Chronicle - John Shea