RADIO
Rudy Gay Has No Timetable to Return
1/11:San Antonio Spurs forward Rudy Gay (wrist) has no timetable to return and is out indefinitely. Gay has missed three straight games and four of the last six due to a sprained left wrist. Hopefully it's something that will only sideline him for a week or so and fantasy owners can get him back soon. There should be another update on Gay in a few days.Source: San Antonio Express News
Twins Avoid Arbitration With Jake Odorizzi
1/11:The Minnesota Twins avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $9.5 million deal. Odorizzi had a forgettable first season in the Twin Cities by going 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 8.9 K/9 in 32 starts (164 1/3 innings). There is bounce-back potential in a good pitching environment because of his ability to miss lumber, but Odorizzi must limit his walks (3.8 per nine innings) in order to do so. Most fantasy owners will be avoiding him in mixed leagues, but he could be a waiver pickup during the season.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Myles Turner Ruled Out on Friday
1/11:Indiana Pacers forward/center Myles Turner (shoulder) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the New York Knicks. This marks the fourth straight game that Turner has missed in a row. Domantas Sabonis will draw another start and be a popular DFS option for Friday. Kyle O'Quinn will see increased playing time off the bench.Source: Scott Agness
Noah Syndergaard Receives A Raise
1/11:New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal. Thor is a risk/reward high-end fantasy ace because of his injury history, but when he's healthy he's usually lights-out on the mound. The hard-throwing right-hander went 13-4 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 155 K's in 154 1/3 innings over 25 starts for the Metropolitans in 2018. He should be drafted as a backend top-10 fantasy hurler.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Derrick Rose is Uncertain for Friday
1/11:Minnesota Timberwolves guard Derrick Rose (ankle) was able to go through shootaround, but it's still unclear if he'll play against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Rose has missed six straight games and is targeting a return for Friday. It sounds like he'll test his ankle pregame and go from there. It's unknown what kind of role Rose will have under new coach Ryan Saunders. Fantasy owners need to check back for an update after warmups.Source: Dane Moore
Trea Turner Avoids Arbitration
1/11:Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.725 million deal, according to sources. Turner is mainly useful for his speed (89 steals the last two years), but he also hit .271/.344/.416 with a career-high 19 homers and 73 RBI in 2019. His 20-homer, 40-steal upside firmly puts him in the discussion as a top-five fantasy shortstop worth taking in the early rounds of drafts.Source: The Athletic - Robert Murray
Giannis Antetokounmpo is Doubtful for Friday
1/11:Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (quad, hip) has been downgraded to doubtful for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. He played fantastic on Wednesday, but landed on the injury report on Thursday due to right quadriceps soreness/left hip contusion. Ersan Ilyasova would see big minutes without Antetokounmpo on the court. IIyasova would be worth looking at in DFS contests if he's given more minutes. Fantasy owners should check back closer to game time for more information.Source: Chase Hughes
Will Smith Earns $4.225 Million For 2019
1/11:San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $4.225 million deal. Smith was one of the team's most reliable late-inning relievers last season, posting a shiny 2.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 71 strikeouts in 53 innings and 14 saves. The southpaw is likely to enter the 2019 season as the favorite for saves in San Fran (unless he's traded), but the Giants have plenty of other options, including Mark Melancon, Tony Watson and Sam Dyson. Consider Smith a sleeper for saves in the last few rounds.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Michael Wacha Receives $6.35 Million From Cardinals
1/11:St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $6.35 million deal. Injuries ruined Wacha's 2018 season, as he made just 15 starts (84 1/3 innings). He was pretty good before his injury, though, going 8-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 7.6 K/9, but his fantasy stock is on the decline following his disappointing season. The 27-year-old has never gone over 200 innings and doesn't miss a ton of bats, but he is worth a late-round flier as he attempts to bounce back.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Eric Bledsoe is Questionable for Friday
1/11:Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. He played 28 minutes during Wednesday's game, but apparently is dealing with some hamstring soreness. George Hill and Malcolm Brogdon would see increased playing time without Bledsoe. Fantasy owners should check back later in the day.Source: Zach Rosen
Scooter Gennett Avoids Arbitration
1/11:Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $9.775 million deal. Gennett proved his 2017 breakout was no fluke by slashing .310/.357/.490 with 23 home runs, 92 RBI, 86 runs scored and four stolen bases in 2018. He may never reach the 30-homer mark, but Gennett is a safer top-10 fantasy second baseman as long as he remains in the hitter-friendly confines of Great American Ballpark.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Ken Giles Gets $6.3 Million From Toronto
1/11:Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $6.3 million deal. Giles had a rough 2018 season. He posted a 4.65 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with Houston before being traded to the Blue Jays midseason. He was slightly better in Toronto and saved 26 games total between the two teams. Giles posted a career-low 9.5 K/9 in his 50 1/3 innings but should remain the top ninth-inning guy for the Jays entering the 2019 season. His volatility makes him a risk/reward fantasy stopper in a hitter-friendly environment and in the toughest division in baseball.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Angels Settle With Tyler Skaggs
1/11:The Los Angeles Angels avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs by signing him to a one-year, $3.7 million deal. Skaggs went 8-10 in 2018 with a 4.02 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 9.3 K/9 over 24 starts (125 1/3 innings). His innings total was his highest in his six-league career, and the left-hander remains an injury risk with some strikeout upside. Target him in the late rounds as a flier in deep mixed leagues.Source: Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
Aaron Hicks Avoids Salary Arbitration
1/11:New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal. Hicks has a nice combination of power and speed -- he hit 27 dingers and stole 11 bases in 2018 -- but injuries are a concern for the 29-year-old and the fact that New York has a crowded outfield picture. Still, the switch-hitter should be a regular in one of the more potent offenses in baseball.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Diamondbacks Settle With Robbie Ray
1/11:The Arizona Diamondbacks avoided salary arbitration with starting pitcher Robbie Ray on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $6.05 million deal. Rumored to be on the trade block this offseason, the D-backs ultimately would like to hang onto the talented southpaw. Ray went 6-2 in 2018 with a 3.93 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 165 strikeouts in 123 2/3 frames over 24 starts. He had back-to-back 200-plus K seasons in 2016 and 2017 and is a top-35 fantasy starter going into 2019.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Dan Winkler Gets A Raise
1/11:Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Dan Winkler avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $1.61 million deal, according to a source. Winkler was a huge high-leverage asset for Atlanta last year, posting a 3.43 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 69 K's in 60 1/3 innings with two saves. While he won't be drafted in shallow mixed leagues, he's worth considering as a handcuff for those that snag Arodys Vizcaino late in drafts in deeper leagues.Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Dan Straily Avoids Arbitration
1/11:Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Straily avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.0 million deal. Straily missed some time in 2018 with an injury and made just 23 starts (122 1/3 innings), posting a 4.12 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 99 strikeouts (7.3 K/9). There's not much upside left in the 30-year-old right-hander's arm, making him strictly a matchup-based streamer in deep mixed and NL-only affairs.Source: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
Jose Urena Settles With Marlins
1/11:Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $3.2 million deal, according to a source. Urena had a 3.98 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 6.7 K/9 across 31 starts (174 innings) for the Fish in 2018. His career 6.1 K/9 in four seasons in Miami leaves a lot to be desired for fantasy owners, making him mostly a streaming candidate in deep mixed and NL-only leagues.Source: The Athletic - Robert Murray
Cubs Avoid Arbitration With Kyle Schwarber
1/11:The Chicago Cubs avoided salary arbitration with outfielder Kyle Schwarber on Friday by signing him to a one-year, $3.39 million deal. Schwarber played in a career-high 137 games last season and hit .238/.356/.467 with an .823 OPS, 26 home runs, 61 RBI and 64 runs scored. Injury concerns and a high strikeout rate keep Schwarber more on the cusp as a top-50 fantasy outfielder, though, as his power is his only real calling card for fantasy owners.Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Gordon Wittenmyer
Yankees Closing In On DJ LeMahieu
1/11:The New York Yankees are closing in on a two-year deal with free-agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu. This could signal the end of the Yankees pursuit of free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, as Gleyber Torres would presumably move to the 6 until Didi Gregorius is recovered from Tommy John surgery. LeMahieu, 31 in July, hit .276/.321/.428 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 90 runs scored and six stolen bases in 2018 for Colorado. His 15 homers were a career high and his splits away from hitter-friendly Coors Field haven't been great, but Yankee Stadium would be a fine landing spot. However, there might be legitimate questions about his playing time once Gregorius returns in the second half of the season.Source: YES Network - Jack Curry
Mookie Betts Avoids Arbitration
1/11:Boston Red Sox outfielder and 2018 American League Most Valuable Player Mookie Betts avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $20 million deal, according to sources. It's a new high mark for a second-year arbitration-eligible player. Betts is in consideration for the top overall fantasy pick in 2019 after leading all of baseball in runs (129), average (.346) and slugging percentage (.640).Source: MLB.com - Matt Kelly
Josh Richardson Performs Well Thursday
1/11:Miami Heat shooting guard Josh Richardson had a very good outing against the Boston Celtics on Thursday. Richardson scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting with four made buckets coming from downtown. In addition to Richardson's scoring output, he also had six assists and three boards. In the last ten games, Richardson has averaged 16.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds. Next up for Richardson and the Heat are the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday. The Grizzlies have fifth-best defensive efficiency in the league so DFS owners shouldn't expect the same type of production as they have been getting from Richardson.Source: Matt Sparkington
Hassan Whiteside Plays Solidly
1/11:Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside had a decent performance Thursday versus the Boston Celtics. Whiteside scored nine points going four for eight from the floor with 10 boards. The season for Whiteside has been tumultuous, to say the least. The last 10 games are a microcosm of Whiteside's season. In the last ten games, Whiteside has averaged 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds. During that span, Whiteside scored less than 10 points in a contest four times. For season-long fantasy players, Whiteside is still roster-able because of how well Whiteside rebounds but DFS players should avoid him because of his sporadic play.Source: Matt Sparkington
Adam Duvall Settles With Braves
1/11:Atlanta Braves outfielder Adam Duvall avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.875 million deal, according to a source. Duvall hit an ugly .195/.274/.365 with 15 home runs and 61 RBI in 138 games with the Reds and Braves last season. However, he could see consistent playing time in left field in Atlanta in 2019, at least to begin the season. Duvall had back-to-back 30-plus homer seasons with Cincy in 2016 and 2017, so his power shouldn't be overlooked if he's playing regularly as depth in deep mixed leagues.Source: The Athletic - Robert Murray
Marcus Morris Continues Career Year
1/11:Boston Celtics power forward Marcus Morris had a solid outing Thursday against the Miami Heat. Morris scored 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting with three made baskets coming from beyond the arc. Also in the outing, Morris had six boards and two blocks. This season Morris has averaged so far 15.5 points and 5.9 rebounds a game both of which are career highs for the power forward. The Orlando Magic on Saturday is next for the Boston Celtics and Morris. The Magic have the seventh best rebounding percentage in the league so Morris may be less effective as usual for DFS players.Source: Matt Sparkington
Jayson Tatum Continues Poor Shooting
1/11:Boston Celtics small forward Jayson Tatum didn't have a very good showing versus the Miami Heat on Thursday. Tatum scored 17 points going four for eleven from the field but seven for seven from the charity stripe. In the last ten games, Tatum has been struggling with his jumper shooting a paltry 36 percent from the floor. Next up for Tatum and the Celtics are the Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Magic have the fifth slowest pace of play in the league so Tatum may get fewer opportunities to produce so DFS players may want to avoid Tatum on Saturday.Source: Matt Sparkington
Kyrie Irving Plays Well In Loss
1/11:Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving had a very good performance Thursday against the Miami Heat. Irving scored 22 points on 10-of-19 shooting with two of those made buckets coming from three-point territory. Also in the contest, Irving had five boards and five assists. In the last ten games that Irving has played in, he has averaged 22.5 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. The next opponent for Irving and the Celtics are the Orlando Magic on Saturday. The Magic give up the eighth fewest points per game in the NBA so Irving may not be the best choice for DFS players.Source: Matt Sparkington
Jose Peraza Avoids Arbitration
1/11:Cincinnati Reds shortstop Jose Peraza avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.775 million deal, according to a source. Peraza put himself on the fantasy map in 2018 by hitting .288/.326/.416 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 85 runs scored and 23 stolen bases in 157 games as the team's everyday shortstop. His 15-homer, 20-steal upside makes him a top-15 fantasy shortstop.Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Bobby Nightengale
Alex Bregman Undergoes Elbow Surgery
1/11:Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Friday to remove loose bodies, according to the team. He will be limited in spring training but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. It's not a serious surgery, but it's something to keep an eye on, especially if Bregman gets off to a slow start to begin the year. This news is unlikely to deter fantasy owners from taking the 24-year-old early in fantasy drafts after he slashed .286/.394/.532 with 31 homers, 103 RBI, 105 runs and 10 stolen bases in 2018. He's RotoBaller's No. 4 third baseman behind Jose Ramirez, Nolan Arenado and Manny Machado.Source: Houston Chronicle - Chandler Rome
Corey Knebel Avoids Arbitration
1/11:Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.125 million deal, according to sources. Knebel's 2018 season wasn't as fruitful as 2017, as he dealt with an injury and even spent time in the minors. But he bounced back late in the year and looked like his dominant self again in the postseason. Knebel finished the year with a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 14.3 K/9 in 55 1/3 innings with 16 saves. While he could lose some save chances to lefty Josh Hader, Knebel remains one of the best strikeouts artists in the game and should at least be a midrange closing target.Source: The Athletic - Robert Murray
