5 days agoCarolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (lower body) will miss a ninth consecutive game on Thursday against the Rangers. He was back in practice on Wednesday but isn't yet ready to play. Pesce has been out for three weeks with a lower-body injury since getting hurt in Game 2 against the Islanders in the first round of the playoffs. Tony DeAngelo has covered for him in the lineup. The former Ranger has posted two assists with seven hits and four blocks in the second-round series.Source: Cory Lavalette
5 days agoEdmonton Oilers forward Adam Henrique (ankle) will remain out for Thursday's Game 5 against Vancouver, but he is close to returning, according to head coach Kris Knoblauch. Henrique has been out for three of the last four games while dealing with an ankle injury. He has totaled two points (one goal, one assist) in six playoff games this year. Connor Brown has filled the open spot in the lineup, but the 30-year-old winger has only played limited minutes on the fourth line and hasn't yet registered any points in the series against the Canucks.Source: Brendan Batchelor
5 days agoEdmonton Oilers goaltender Calvin Pickard will maintain his spot between the sticks for Thursday's Game 5 against Vancouver. He makes a second consecutive start after replacing Stuart Skinner in Game 4. Pickard made his first career Stanley Cup Playoffs start on Tuesday and impressed by saving 19 of 21 shots in a 3-2 win. The 32-year-old will likely have a busier night at the office on Thursday, as the Canucks are on home ice and desperate to win with the series tied at two.Source: Mark Spector
5 days agoVancouver Canucks defenseman Carson Soucy will be back in the lineup on Thursday against Edmonton after serving a one-game suspension. The physical blue-liner missed Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Edmonton after being slapped with a suspension for cross-checking Oilers captain Connor McDavid to the face in Game 3 of the series. Soucy will be back on the second defensive pairing with Tyler Myers. He has posted four assists in nine postseason appearances with nine blocks and 27 hits.Source: Brendan Batchelor
5 days agoNew York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (illness) was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies due to a stomach bug. Fantasy managers should consider Nimmo to be day-to-day and check back on Friday to see if he's available to play in the series opener in Miami against the Marlins. With Nimmo out, DJ Stewart is playing left field and is batting fifth, while outfielder Tyron Taylor is moving up to the leadoff spot with Harrison Bader getting a day to rest. The move makes Taylor more attractive as a DFS sleeper play for Thursday's slate against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker. Nimmo is hitting a disappointing .215/.361/.396 on the year with six home runs, 27 RBI and 21 runs scored in 149 at-bats, but his xwOBA of .422 means he's an excellent buy-low candidate who has been squaring balls up regularly without much to show for it so far in 2024.Source: New York Post - Mike Puma
5 days agoVancouver Canucks right wing Vasily Podkolzin is projected to make his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in Game 5 against the Oilers on Thursday. He skated on the fourth line Thursday morning. Podkolzin had a disappointing regular-season campaign with zero goals and two assists in 19 outings. The 22-year-old did much better in the minors, notching 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 44 games. The Canucks are making multiple changes to the lineup on Thursday, with Linus Karlsson, Sam Lafferty, and Ilya Mikheyev sitting as healthy scratches. Podkolzin is penciled in to skate with Nils Aman and Phillip Di Giuseppe, who's missed two games for personal reasons.Source: Brendan Batchelor
5 days agoChicago Cubs middle infielder Nico Hoerner (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Hoerner will miss a third straight game after being scratched from Tuesday's contest versus the Atlanta Braves with left-hamstring tightness. The 27-year-old remains day-to-day, but if his absence extends into the weekend against Pittsburgh, the Cubbies may have to consider placing him on the injured list. It would be bad news for Chicago's middle infield, as Dansby Swanson (knee) is already on the shelf with knee soreness. Miles Mastrobuoni is making another start at the 6 on Thursday and is hitting eighth against Pirates rookie right-hander Jared Jones. Both Mastrobuoni and Nick Madrigal, who is playing second, are weak DFS plays as middle infielders.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoVancouver Canucks left wing Nils Hoglander will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against Edmonton. He's been a healthy scratch for the last two games but gets a fresh opportunity. Hoglander is poised for a top-six role, replacing Ilya Mikheyev, who will land in the press box after going scoreless in all 10 playoff games this year. With him on zero goals and one assist, things haven't gone great for Hoglander either in the postseason. But he will get a big chance to impress on Thursday, playing next to Elias Lindholm and Elias Pettersson.Source: Brendan Batchelor
5 days agoThe Cleveland Cavaliers will evaluate the fit between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland during the offseason. Appearing on FanDuel TV Thursday, NBA Insider Shams Charania of The Athletic stated, "I'm told if Mitchell does decide to stay long term, Garland's representation, they would have a conversation about the potential of a new home for him." Cleveland might have some difficult decisions to make between their two all-star guards. Mitchell put forth another strong campaign, averaging over 26 points per game during the regular season, however, Garland's usage has dropped since Mitchell arrived in 2022.Source: Shams Charania
5 days agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny DeLuca is out of the starting lineup again on Thursday against the Red Sox in Boston at Fenway Park. Jose Siri is starting in center field again and is batting ninth against Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell. DeLuca has now been on the bench in three of the last four games as the Rays mix Siri back into center field on a more regular basis. It hasn't helped that both Josh Lowe and Jonathan Aranda have returned to the Rays recently. The 25-year-old DeLuca recently started nine games in a row in Tampa's outfield and is hitting .281 (9-for-32) with a homer, 10 RBI and two stolen bases in just 12 games in 2024. DeLuca could get another shot if an injury opens up more playing time, but for now, he appears to be the odd man out.Source: MLB.com
5 days agoThe Detroit Lions signed veteran free-agent tight end Sean McKeon on Thursday, according to NFL.com. McKeon spent the last four years with the Dallas Cowboys after being undrafted out of Michigan. He appeared in 45 games over the last three seasons, collecting six receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown. Needless to say, the 26-year-old doesn't figure to be a factor in fantasy football, but he could compete for a roster spot with James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.Source: NFL.com
5 days agoOakland Athletics first baseman Tyler Nevin and catcher Shea Langeliers are both getting a day off on Thursday in Houston against the Astros. Tyler Soderstrom will start at first base and bat cleanup,read more...
5 days agoOakland Athletics left-hander Ken Waldichuk (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles with Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Waldichuk will miss the rest of the 2024 season and probably won't be a candidate to return to games until around midseason in 2025. The 26-year-old southpaw was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his left elbow last October and underwent a minor surgery last year with hopes that he could avoid Tommy John surgery. That didn't end up being the case, so Waldichuk will be shut down for the foreseeable future. The former fifth-round pick by the New York Yankees in 2019 out of Saint Mary's has recorded a 5.28 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.49 WHIP with 81 walks and 165 strikeouts in 175 2/3 innings over 42 appearances (29 starts) in his two major-league seasons in Oakland.Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
5 days agoBaltimore Orioles infield prospect Coby Mayo (undisclosed), the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was removed from the game on Thursday with Triple-A Norfolk as a precaution after he collided with part of the third base dugout. It's unclear exactly what type of injury Mayo is dealing with, but it doesn't sound serious. Fantasy managers stashing Mayo in their leagues will want to check back for more information later on Thursday or on Friday. The 22-year-old former fourth-round selection by the O's in 2020 entered Thursday's game with a strong .282/.353/.594 slash line with a .947 OPS, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, three steals and 29 runs scored in 41 games for the Tides. Mayo has been pushing for his first big-league promotion, but this injury could set him back some. The stacked nature of Baltimore's big-league roster will make it hard for Mayo to carve out significant playing time if he does get the call at any point in 2024.Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
5 days agoNew England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton has not gotten out to a great start since being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Through his first 22 regular season games, he's racked up just 35 receptions for 338 yardsread more...
5 days agoBoston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong and outfielder Tyler O'Neill will not be in the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Reese McGuire will catch read more...
5 days agoThe New England Patriots signed center David Andrews to a contract extension through the 2025 season, according to NFL insider Field Yates. The new deal gives Andrews a base salary of $12 million over the next two seasons with a maximum value of $13 million. He also gets $8 million guaranteed. Despite the organization's regression following the departure of Tom Brady, Andrews has remained one of the better centers in the league. He was named to the New England Patriots All-2010s Team and has been given a 71.2 or better PFF grade in each of the last three seasons. Protecting rookie quarterback Drake Maye will be a key priority for New England moving forward, so locking up Andrews is a good step in doing so.Source: Field Yates
5 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies middle infielder Bryson Stott and outfielder Johan Rojas will both retreat to the bench on Thursday against the visiting New York Mets. With Stott out, Whit Merrifield will make the startread more...
5 days agoThe Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran safety Terrell Edmunds on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The 2018 first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles before being traded to the Tennessee Titans in a package for All-Pro safety Kevin Byard. Through six NFL seasons with three teams, he has accumulated 458 tackles (310 solo), 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, six interceptions, and 28 passes defended in 95 games. Edmunds has not lived up to his hype as a prospect coming out of Virginia Tech, but he's a solid depth piece in the secondary and will likely play meaningful snaps as a reserve safety in 2024.Source: NFL.com
5 days agoThe New York Mets optioned left-hander Joey Lucchesi to Triple-A Syracuse after Wednesday night's game and recalled left-hander Josh Walker from Syracuse in a corresponding move. In his spot start on Wednesday versus the division-rival, Lucchesi didn't fare well, allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings of work while walking four and striking out two to take the loss. The 30-year-old southpaw was making his season debut for the Mets, but now he'll head back to the minors to serve as starting pitching depth for the organization. Walker, 29, will give the Mets' bullpen a fresh arm. He made his big-league debut last year and had an 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in just 10 innings. So far in 2024, Walker has tossed three shutout innings in relief while walking one and striking out three for the Mets.Source: New York Mets
5 days agoNew York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader and catcher Tomas Nido are both taking the day off on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tyron Taylor is getting the start in center field and is batting fifth, while Omar Narvaez is doing the catching and will hit ninth against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker. So far this month, Bader is 8-for-34 (.235) with a double, no RBI, four walks and 11 strikeouts in 11 games to drop his season line to .265/.312/.316. The former third-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2015 out of Florida has been pretty mediocre offensively to this point, but he's been known to go on streaks and could heat up at any moment for the Mets. Taylor has a hit and an RBI in three career at-bats against Walker and has gone 22-for-81 (.272) in the early going with two homers and three steals.Source: New York Mets
5 days agoAccording to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (calf) is set to play in Game 6 versus the Denver Nuggets. The starting point guard missed Game 5 of the series and was originally listed as questionable with a right soleus strain, however, he appears healthy enough to suit up as Minnesota faces elimination. Nickeil Alexander-Walker filled in for the veteran in Game 5, but will likely revert to his role off the bench. Conley has played a valuable role in the Timberwolves' success this postseason, averaging 11.3 PPG and 7.0 ASG.Source: Shams Charania
5 days agoTo make room on the roster for the signing of safety Dee Delaney on an undisclosed one-year contract, the Buffalo Bills released wide receiver Quintez Cephus on Thursday. The Bills added Cephus in free agency in April, but he's now back on the open market after missing all of last year due to a suspension for violating the league's policy on gambling. The 26-year-old was originally a fifth-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2020 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. All three of his NFL seasons have come with the Lions, and Cephus has recorded just 37 catches on 60 targets for 568 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 22 total games (six starts). If Cephus ends up being picked up by another team, he'll merely be attempting to make the active roster out of training camp this summer.Source: Buffalo Bills PR
5 days agoFree-agent safety Micah Hyde said he will either re-sign with the Buffalo Bills or choose retirement. Hyde has played in just 16 total games the last two years in Buffalo due to injuries, although he managed to play in 14 regular-season games in 2023 and recorded 54 tackles (37 solo), two interceptions and seven passes defended. The 33-year-old has been with the Bills since 2017 after spending the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers took him in the fifth round in 2013 out of Iowa. Hyde's lone Pro Bowl season came in his first year in Buffalo, when he recorded a career-high 82 tackles (65 solo), a career-high-tying five interceptions, and a career-high 13 passes defended in 16 starts. If he returns to Buffalo and plays one more season, he'll bring a veteran presence to the Bills' secondary.Source: WGR550 - Sal Capaccio
5 days agoThe Los Angeles Chargers passed on drafting a wide receiver with the No. 5 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, which puts second-year wideout and former first-rounder Quentin Johnston in a spot to be the team's No. 1 entering the 2024 campaign.read more...
5 days agoThe Green Bay Packers signed rookie third-round running back MarShawn Lloyd to a four-year, $5.688 million rookie deal on Thursday. The contract includes a $959,284 signing bonus and a $50,000 workout bonus annually from 2025 to 2027. Even though Josh Jacobs is the Packers' unquestioned lead back and AJ Dillon re-signed for a complementary role, the Packers have plans to incorporate Lloyd right away in his rookie season in 2024. The 23-year-old is explosive and versatile out of the backfield, but he's going to need to hang onto the football tighter at the next level if he wants to see consistent touches as a handcuff for fantasy managers that draft Jacobs early this fall. In addition to being worth a late-round flier in deeper redraft leagues in 2024, Lloyd is an attractive dynasty/keeper stash.Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
5 days agoFormer Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan signed an undisclosed deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday. Tonyan will stay in the NFC North after playing in all 17 regular-season games with the Chicago Bears in 2203, catching just 11 of 17 targets for 107 receiving yards and no touchdowns. The 30-year-old's addition in Minnesota will give the Vikings a little more depth at the position with T.J. Hockenson (knee) trying to return this fall from a serious knee injury. If Hockenson isn't ready to go for Week 1, Tonyan, Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt would be competing for playing time. Even if Hockenson is delayed to start the 2024 campaign, Tonyan probably won't be anything more than a touchdown-dependent TE2 option in fantasy for a short period of time. He has a total of 148 catches (193 targets) for 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns (11 in 2020) in his six years in the NFL.Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
5 days agoThe Los Angeles Angels reinstated infielder Luis Rengifo (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned infielder Niko Goodrum and right-hander Davis Daniel to Triple-A Salt Lake after Wednesday night's game in a corresponding move. Rengifo missed over a week with a viral illness that caused painful blisters on his feet. Now that the 27-year-old is recovered, he should return to everyday duties at third base for the Halos, starting on Friday for their series opener against the Rangers in Texas. Rengifo is due some regression after starting the year with a .330/.378/.462 slash line with two home runs and nine stolen bases in 28 games, but the fact that he's going to play regularly makes him at least a middle-infield bench option in deep-mixed fantasy leagues. He's most useful for his speed in AL-only formats.Source: Angels PR
5 days agoThe Oakland Athletics acquired right-hander Brandon Bielak from the Houston Astros on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations. The move comes after the Astros had designated Bielak for assignment. The 28-year-old will stay in the American League West and will take his 5.71 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in 17 1/3 relief innings to the Bay Area. Bielak has spent all five of his big-league seasons with the Astros since debuting in the big leagues in 2020. Over that time, he's posted a 4.65 ERA (5.25 FIP), a 1.52 WHIP, one save, 85 walks and 155 strikeouts in 191 2/3 innings over 70 appearances (21 starts). Bielak has some starting experience, but he's unlikely to be used as anything more than a spot starter with the A's when their rotation needs some help.Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
5 days agoHouston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia (elbow) threw another bullpen session on Wednesday as he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery that he had in May of 2023. Garcia started throwing bullpens in April and is taking a slow progression to eventually go out on a minor-league rehab assignment. The expectation is that he will be able to rejoin Houston's starting rotation at some point in the middle of the season. The 27-year-old will mostly likely not be activated from the injured list until the second half of the season after the All-Star break in mid-July. When healthy, Garcia has been quite intriguing for fantasy managers because of his ability to create plenty of swings and misses. However, given his long layoff, you should temper expectations for him in 2024 as he returns from Tommy John surgery.Source: MLB.com