4 days agoCleveland Guardians second baseman
Andres Gimenez is not in the club's starting lineup on Friday for the start of a big series in Atlanta against the Braves. With Gimenez starting on the bench,
Gabriel Arias will start at the keystone and will hit seventh in the order against Braves left-hander
Chris Sale. Gimenez is hitting a modest .258 (24-for-93) on the year with no home runs, 14 RBI and three stolen bases in his first 24 games. The left-handed hitter is surprisingly hitting better against southpaws (.280) in 29 plate appearances than he is against righties (.250), but he'll still get the day off against the lefty Sale. Arias has gone 14-for-50 with a homer, eight RBI and two steals early on but is hitless in his two career at-bats versus Sale.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoAtlanta Braves outfielder
Jarred Kelenic is out of the starting lineup on Friday with the team facing a left-handed pitcher. Veteran
Adam Duvall will instead get the start in left field and will bat ninth against the visiting Cleveland Guardians and left-hander Logan Allen. Kelenic is hitting a strong .314 (16-for-51), although he has yet to clear the fences and has driven in only three runs in his first year in Atlanta. He's also only had one plate appearance against a southpaw this year, so fantasy managers should continue to expect him to sit regularly when Atlanta opposes a lefty. Duvall is a career .233 hitters against lefties in 921 plate appearances with 47 homers and 132 RBI. He has two home runs on the season but is a low-upside DFS play in the nine-hole against a pitcher he's never faced in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
4 days agoPhoenix Suns guard
Grayson Allen (ankle) still hasn't been officially ruled out of Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. The 28-year-old has been an important piece to the Suns' offense this season as he registered career-highs in points, threes, three-point percentage, field goal percentage, rebounds, and even assists. He also led the entire league in three-point percentage with a mark of 46.1%. Unfortunately, he hurt his ankle in Game 1 and has only been able to put up 3.5 points per game so far. As of right now, he's still considered questionable, but if he can't play, we may see some minutes for
Isaiah Thomas off of the bench while
Eric Gordon and
Royce O'Neale see more opportunities too.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoMinnesota Timberwolves forward
Kyle Anderson (hip) has been listed as questionable for the Game 3 matchup on Friday against the Phoenix Suns. Anderson has only played five minutes across two games in this series so far, and it's unclear how he'd fit back into the rotation if he was upgraded to active. His minutes have fluctuated all season long and it could come down to matchups. If he remains sidelined, however,
Monte Morris,
Naz Reid, and
Nickeil Alexander-Walker will likely remain the main three players off of the bench.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoWashington Nationals manager Dave Martinez wants to ease catcher
Keibert Ruiz in now that he's returned from a bad case of influenza that caused him to lose 18-20 pounds. It will also give the skipper the opportunity to keep catcher
Riley Adams' bat in the lineup on a regular basis after he posted a .793 OPS when he caught 11 of the last 13 games with Ruiz out. "We're definitely going to use him," Martinez said. "One, let him catch. And two, we can also DH Keibert like we've done in the past and let him continue to catch. He's done a great job. He's learned a lot over the years. He's really coming into his own. It's good to have him, to watch him play and to watch him get better every day he's out there." As long as the 27-year-old continues to play several times a week, he'll be valuable in two-catcher fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
4 days agoFormer Alabama offensive tackle JC Latham was selected with the seventh overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2024 NFL draft. Tennessee had a glaring need at left tackle, but Latham played on the right side for Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. However, Titans head coach Brian Callahan said Latham is eager to play on the left side and has the traits to do so. Tennessee had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season, but with Latham, second-year guard Peter Skoronski, and newly signed center Lloyd Cushenberry starting up front, the unit could be one of the biggest improvers in 2024. This bodes well for all of Tennessee's fantasy-relevant offensive skill players.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Paul Kuharsky
4 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) has been downgraded to out and will not play in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers on Friday. This doesn't come as a surprise since Antetokounmpo was already listed as doubtful, but this series gets even harder for the Bucks now that they don't have the two-time MVP for the first game on the road. The Bucks only had a record of 18-22 on the road and the Pacers have the momentum after grabbing a win in Game 2. With Antetokounmpo remaining on the bench,
Bobby Portis should stay in the starting lineup while
Khris Middleton will have to step up as a scorer alongside
Damian Lillard.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoWashington Nationals third baseman
Nick Senzel (illness) remains under the weather on Friday against the Miami Marlins and is not in the starting lineup. Rookie
Trey Lipscomb will get the nod at the hot corner and will hit out of the eight-hole against Marlins right-hander
Anthony Maldonado, who will be making his major-league debut. Senzel was scratched from Thursday's lineup, so this will be his second straight missed game. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to check back on Saturday to see if Senzel is feeling well enough to play. The 28-year-old opened the year on the injured list and has only five hits (two home runs) in his first 25 at-bats with the Nationals. Lipscomb has gone 11-for-53 (.208) with a homer, four RBI and four steals in his first 16 big-league games this year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoLos Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford is seeking a reworked deal that includes more guaranteed money, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapaport. The 36-year-old has three years left on his current deal, though the Rams have a potential out following the 2025 season. The four-year contract that he signed ahead of the 2022 season included $130 million in total guarantees. The Super Bowl-winning QB has been present at voluntary workouts this offseason and a holdout does not appear to be imminent, but this is a situation worth monitoring. After posting nearly 4,000 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions en route to a playoff berth in 2023, Stafford believes he has plenty left in the tank.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
4 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals shortstop
Masyn Winn is getting the day off on Friday versus the New York Mets on the road. It's a standard rest day for Winn after he started the previous nine games. He's off to a great start in 2024 with a .313/.385/.418 slash line with an .803 OPS, no home runs, three doubles, two triples, six RBI, four stolen bases and nine runs scored in his first 23 games in his first full season as the team's starting shortstop. Despite the strong start, he's barely hitting over .200 in his last nine contests, so the rest day is warranted. The 22-year-old should be back in there on Saturday. Veteran
Brandon Crawford is at the 6 and is batting eighth on Friday against Mets right-hander
Jose Butto. Crawford will be facing Butto for the first time in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
4 days agoBoston Red Sox first baseman
Triston Casas (rib) said he avoided a fracture in his left rib cage but instead suffered torn cartilage, which is an unusual injury without contact. Casas was told by a doctor that he "created my own car crash." He has a wide timetable for a return between three and nine weeks to start cardio activity/strengthening. Casas said he's very optimistic that he'll return this year, but fantasy managers could be waiting for a while to get the 24-year-old left-handed slugger back. The former 26th overall pick in 2018 is worth stashing in all fantasy formats, though, as he was already up to six home runs in his first 78 at-bats of 2024. For the foreseeable future,
Bobby Dalbec should continue to see most of the playing time at first base in Boston, with
Rob Refsnyder also potentially filling in.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier
4 days agoFormer Southern California and South Carolina running back
MarShawn Lloyd is viewed as a top-five running back in the 2024 NFL Draft class, and NFL insider Tom Pelissero believes he could be the first ball carrier selected. The 23-year-old missed his entire freshman season at South Carolina with a torn ACL and handled just 196 touches for 1,021 yards and 12 total touchdowns over his next two seasons. He transferred to Southern Cal for the 2023 campaign and posted 820 rushing yards (7.1 YPC), 232 receiving yards (17.8 YPR), and nine total touchdowns. He turned heads at the 2024 NFL Combine with a 4.46 forty-yard dash time at 220 pounds, and in a weak running back draft class, that might have been enough to push him into the RB1 spot for some NFL squads.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 days agoNew York Mets right-hander
Tylor Megill (shoulder) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday and throw two innings for High-A Brooklyn. Megill is getting close to returning to the big leagues while recovering from a right-shoulder strain that he suffered during his season debut on March 31 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old will probably need more than one rehab start before the Mets activate him from the injured list. When fully healthy, Megill should have a spot in New York's starting rotation, making him worth a deep-league pickup for pitching depth. He ended up making 25 starts for the Mets in 2023 and held a 4.70 ERA (4.96 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with a career-high 105 strikeouts and 58 walks in 126 1/3 innings pitched.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
4 days agoFormer Oklahoma and South Carolina quarterback
Spencer Rattler was once viewed as a potential first-round pick after being a five-star recruit in the high-school class of 2019. His career did not go as expected, but he's thought to be the next-best quarterback on the board in the 2024 NFL draft. The first round saw six signal-callers selected in the top 12 picks, and any other teams looking to take a flyer on a quarterback likely have Rattler on their radar. The Around The NFL staff at NFL.com expects the 23-year-old to be selected in Round 3, but the run of quarterbacks on Day 1 could push him up to Round 2. Rattler threw for 10,807 yards, 77 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 48 games with the Sooners and Gamecocks.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 days agoNew York Mets right-hander
Kodai Senga (shoulder) threw an up-and-down bullpen session on Thursday and is scheduled to face hitters for the first time on Monday. Senga will be facing hitters for the first time since suffering a shoulder capsule strain in late February in spring training. It's good news for the 31-year-old, but he still has many boxes to check before he's able to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment. Because Senga is on the 60-day injured list, he won't be eligible to make his 2024 debut for the Mets until late May, if he's even ready by then. Fantasy baseball managers must continue to practice patience and keep him stashed in an IL spot after he posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 202 strikeouts and 77 walks in 166 1/3 innings over 29 starts in his first year in the majors in 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
4 days agoNew York Yankees designated hitter
J.D. Martinez (back) is hitting fifth in his debut with the team on Friday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander
Miles Mikolas. Martinez is getting a late start to the 2024 campaign after signing with the team late in March. The 36-year-old veteran then tweaked his back while playing in extended spring training, further delaying his debut. Martinez is back now, though, and will give first baseman
Pete Alonso more protection in the lineup. Martinez hit a strong .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, and while he can still provide some decent pop in mixed fantasy leagues, nobody should be expecting him to be quite that good in New York. The Mets plan to ease Martinez back in, so don't be surprised to see him get frequent days of rest.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Miami Marlins placed left-hander
Jesus Luzardo (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 23) on Friday with left-elbow tightness and recalled right-hander
Anthony Maldonado from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. The Marlins scratched Luzardo from his start on Friday against the Washington Nationals, and now he's going to miss at least the next two weeks. The 26-year-old southpaw first felt pain in his elbow while playing catch on Thursday but doesn't think he'll be out for too long. We should know more after the Marlins reveal the results of the tests on Luzardo's left arm. Maldonado is the team's No. 18 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his minor-league appearances this year and is likely to be sent back to Jacksonville after his major-league debut on Friday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
4 days agoMinnesota Twins right-hander
Bailey Ober will look to keep rolling on Friday when he hits the road for a matchup with the Los Angeles Angels. The towering 6-foor-9 righty was lit up for eight earned runs in just 1 1/3 innings in his season debut on March 31 but has since allowed all of two earned runs over his last three starts spanning 17 innings of work. He dominated the Tigers over his last two starts, tossing 12 innings of one-run ball by allowing just five hits and one walk against nine punchouts. He still owns a 4.91 ERA due to his first start of the season but he also sports a 3.98 SIERA and has walked just 5.3% of the hitters he has faced. He'll take on an Angels team that is tied for 19th with a .319 wOBA on the season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Carolina Panthers officially picked up the fifth-year option for standout cornerback Jaycee Horn on Friday, according to sources. Despite playing in only six games in 2023 due to a hamstring injury, Horn will have his fifth-year option picked up. The 24-year-old former eighth overall pick by Carolina in 2021 out of South Carolina had 27 tackles (20 solo) and five passes defensed in his six starts last season. He's only played in 22 games in his first three years in the league due to injuries, so picking up Horn's fifth-year option was far from a guarantee. In his three years in the NFL, Horn has produced 85 tackles (60 solo), four interceptions and 13 passes defensed in 22 starts. The Panthers are taking a bit of a gamble and are hoping the defensive back can avoid the injury bug moving forward.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals right-hander
Miles Mikolas will look to get straightened out when he takes the ball for a road contest against the New York Mets. The 35-year-old was knocked around for nine hits, including three homers, leading to five earned runs allowed in just 4 1/3 innings in a losing effort against the Brewers his last time out. It was the second consecutive outing and third of five on the season in which the veteran has allowed five earned runs in less than five innings this season. The rough outing raised his ERA to 6.49 through five starts, although his 4.05 xFIP, 4.28 SIERA, and solid 6% BB% suggest positive regression is likely moving forward.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Chris Bassitt will be looking to get back into the win column for the third time this season on Friday versus the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. The veteran took a tough-luck loss his last time out after tossing 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball but also allowed six hits and three walks against the Padres his last time out. While the 35-year-old owns a solid 3.90 ERA on the season, he also sports a 4.77 FIP and a 4.47 SIERA that both suggest some regression could be on the horizon. Of course, there's at least a decent chance of that happening on Friday against a Dodgers offense that ranks second in baseball with a .348 wOBA on the season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoThe Buffalo Bills have interest in trading for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Deebo Samuel, according to league sources. Now that the first round of the 2024 NFL draft is in the books, Niners wideout
Brandon Aiyuk is less likely to be traded than Samuel, who has a 2025 salary cap number over $20 million. Not only are the Bills extremely desperate for a receiver after trading
Stefon Diggs and losing
Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, but they acquired extra picks in this year's draft by trading down twice late in the first round on Thursday night. A move to Buffalo would immediately make Samuel the team's top wideout for Pro Bowl quarterback
Josh Allen and allow him to retain plenty of fantasy value given his after-the-catch abilities. Stay tuned.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Sports Journal - Mike Giardi
4 days agoCleveland Guardians left-hander
Logan Allen will be in search of some improved results on Thursday when he takes on the hosting Atlanta Braves. The 25-year-old owns a 5.06 ERA through five starts on the season, allowing at least three earned runs while pitching fewer than six innings in four of his five outings. Aside from six shutout innings over the Mariners on April 3, Allen has otherwise yielded 15 earned runs across 20 2/3 innings of work. There is a chance for positive regression moving forward considering Allen's 4.23 xFIP and 4.31 SIERA on the season, figures well below his surface ERA. Of course, he'll have his hands full against a Braves lineup that ranks first in baseball with a .363 wOBA on the season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 days agoRookie quarterback
Drake Maye, who was taken third overall in this year's NFL draft by the New England Patriots on Thursday night, will initially compete with veteran
Jacoby Brissett for the starting job in 2024. The Patriots also
read more...
4 days agoThe Chicago White Sox have selected veteran outfielder
Tommy Pham from Triple-A Charlotte. Fellow outfielder
Kevin Pillar has been designated for assignment in order to clear a spot on the active roster. The White Sox agreed to a minors pact with Pham just a week ago and are bringing him up after he appeared in four games with Charlotte. Pham had a nice season in 2023, hitting .256 with 16 home runs and 22 stolen bases alongside a .774 OPS across 129 games between the Mets and Diamondbacks. Pham interestingly had to settle for a minors pact despite the quality season as he could once again become fantasy-relevant if his power and speed remain in his age-36 season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Ken Rosenthal
4 days agoThe Buffalo Bills traded down twice on Thursday night to drop out of the first round of the NFL draft and now hold the 33rd pick, the first selection in the second round. There are a few players they really like who are under consideration, but they've already received calls from teams considering trading up. After trading down twice on Thursday night, the Bills moved up 38 spots in the later rounds with their first trade and 59 spots with their second swap. Buffalo was criticized heavily for trading back twice late in the first round, only to see both the Chiefs and Panthers take receivers with those picks. The Bills are desperately in need of receiving help after trading
Stefon Diggs and losing
Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason, but they could still select one they are high on at No. 33 overall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 days agoDallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said former Texas running back
Jonathon Brooks had the best pre-draft interview of any young prospect Jones has spoken to in 30 years. "We got him high, high (on our board). He's a good player," Jones said. Meanwhile, the
read more...
4 days agoThe Dallas Cowboys could draft a running back on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday night with one of their three picks, but that choice won't change the expectation that free-agent running back
Ezekiel Elliott will return to Dallas' backfield in 2024 to complement and help mentor a rookie. Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken is reporting that Elliott's signing with the Cowboys is increasingly imminent. Elliott's agent met with Dallas on Wednesday, and the Cowboys have been connected with the 28-year-old RB throughout the offseason. The Cowboys lost
Tony Pollard to free agency this offseason but have
Rico Dowdle and
Deuce Vaughn. If Elliott were to return to Big D, he'll be in a complementary role and will be an RB3/flex, at best, in fantasy after putting up a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in 2023 with New England.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Michael Gehlken
4 days agoThe New England Patriots had preliminary trade discussions on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Deebo Samuel prior to the start of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night, according to a source. Niners receiver
Brandon Aiyuk has been in trade talks all offseason, but Samuel's name has surfaced of late, and a report on Thursday night suggested he's now more likely to be dealt by San Fran than Aiyuk. The 49ers also took wideout
Ricky Pearsall with their first-round pick (31st overall) on Thursday night, suggesting they could be beefing up their receiver room in the event they trade one of Samuel or Aiyuk. The Patriots are desperate to add a receiver, especially after taking rookie quarterback
Drake Maye third overall in the first round. Samuel's fantasy stock would take a big hit if he were to move to New England.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: CBS Sports - Josina Anderson
4 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles optioned top prospect
Jackson Holliday to Triple-A Norfolk on Friday. In corresponding moves, the team selected the contract of outfielder
Ryan McKenna from Norfolk and designated catcher
David Banuelos for assignment. Holliday, the top prospect in all of baseball, made his big-league debut on April 10 but disappointed at the plate in his limited time and has been sent back to the farm. The 20-year-old middle infielder has looked overmatched at the plate and had just two hits, an RBI, five runs scored, two walks and 18 strikeouts in his first 36 big-league plate appearances over 10 games. Holliday will most likely be back with the O's at some point in 2024, and he should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues in the meantime. With Holliday out of the picture for now, it will mean more playing time at second base for
Jorge Mateo and
Ramon Urias.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
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