6 days agoOakland Athletics outfielder
Esteury Ruiz is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians with a right-hander on the mound. Ruiz has started just one of his four games since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas, and that one start came against a left-handed pitcher. The 25-year-old speedster has gone 2-for-7 with two home runs, three RBI, a stolen base and three runs scored since returning from the minors, but the A's apparently view him only as a platoon outfielder for now on the short side against lefties.
Seth Brown,
JJ Bleday and
Lawrence Butler are starting from left field to right field across Oakland's outfield on Friday. For his speed alone, Ruiz is probably still worth keeping stashed as a bench option in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoToronto Maple Leafs forward Calle Jarnkrok (hand) practiced with the team on Friday and is a possibility for Game 1 of the postseason Saturday versus the rival Boston Bruins. The veteran has been sidelined since suffering his second hand injury of the season in a 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on March 14. Jarnkrok missed time earlier in the season with a broken knuckle suffered when he was hit on the hand by a shot in practice. The Swede has recorded 10 goals and 21 points on 92 shots on goal across 52 games this season after posting career highs with 20 goals and 39 points in his first season with the Leafs in 2022-23.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: David Alter
6 days agoToronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (undisclosed) did not take part in Friday's practice ahead of Saturday's Game 1 of the postseason against the Boston Bruins. No reason has been provided for his absence, while head coach Sheldon Keefe said Nylander was a possibility for Saturday's postseason opener. He had recently been skating on a line with Pontus Holmberg and Matthew Knies as Keefe has spread out his top offensive weapons. Knies was promoted to the line featuring John Tavares and Mitch Marner at Friday's practice. It was a big season the Swedish veteran matched a career-high with 40 goals and notched a career-high 98 points and 316 shots on goal while skating in all 82 regular-season games.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: David Alter
6 days agoThe Texas Rangers have optioned right-handed pitching prospect
Jack Leiter to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday and called up No. 9 prospect
Owen White from Round Rock in a corresponding move. Leiter made his major-league debut on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers and didn't do so well, allowing seven runs on eight hits while walking three and striking out three in 3 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old wasn't fooling many hitters and allowed a lot of hard contact in his first taste of big-league hitters. He'll surely be back at some point in 2024, but for now will head back to the farm to hone his craft. White, 24, gave up five earned runs in four relief innings in his major-league debut in 2023. It's unclear what role the Rangers plan on having him fill in his first call-up of 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline
6 days agoNew York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau is listed as day to day after suffering a lower-body injury during the first period of a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. The veteran didn't take part in practice on Friday and is questionable for Game 1 of the postseason against the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday in Raleigh. Kyle MacLean was elevated to the third line while veteran Cal Clutterbuck skated as the team's fourth-line center on Friday. For the season, Pageau recorded 11 goals and 33 points while skating in all 82 of the team's regular-season contests.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
6 days agoPittsburgh Pirates third baseman
Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) has returned from his back injury and is playing third base while hitting third on Friday in the series opener against the Boston Red Sox and right-hander
Brayan Bello. Hayes is back in the lineup after missing the last two games with lower-back tightness. It obviously wasn't a serious issue for the 27-year-old, who will now look to get on track at the plate after an off day on Thursday. Hayes has hit .277 (18-for-65) in the early going but has yet to clear the fences and went 3-for-17 with five walks and six strikeouts in the previous five games before his back injury. Hayes has never faced Bello in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Pirates
6 days agoFlorida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad (lower body) will be back to take on the rival Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the postseason on Sunday in Sunrise. The veteran missed the final six games of the regular season with a lower-body injury and appeared in just four of the team's last 17 regular-season contests. "He would have played in the last game had it been a playoff game," Panthers coach Paul Maurice said after practice Friday. "We just did not see a point to it. We had enough healthy and strong defensemen and were in good shape." Ekblad skated with Gustav Forsling on Friday and registered four goals and 18 points in 51 games after a late start to his season due to multiple injuries suffered in last season's playoffs.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
6 days agoNew York Jets quarterback
Zach Wilson has not reported to voluntary workouts this offseason, according to general manager Joe Douglas. The team has reportedly been trying to trade the former No. 2 overall pick, but trade talks have been at a standstill. With
Tyrod Taylor backing up
Aaron Rodgers this season, the Wilson project is likely over in New York. The 24-year-old has completed 57% of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions through his first 34 NFL games. A change of scenery would likely be a positive thing for the young signal-caller and the organization, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ari Meirov -- 33rd Team
6 days agoWashington Nationals first baseman/outfielder
Joey Gallo and third baseman
Nick Senzel are both out of the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Houston Astros.
Joey Meneses is playing first base and batting sixth, while
Ildemaro Vargas is at third base and hitting ninth against Astros right-hander
Justin Verlander, who is making his 2024 debut after dealing with a right-shoulder injury this spring. Gallo started each of the team's previous 14 games and could use a break after hitting just .170 with three home runs to begin the year. Senzel began the year on the injured list and has gone 2-for-11 with a walk and three strikeouts in his first three games of the year. Meneses and Vargas have gone hitless against Verlander in their careers in just five combined at-bats.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Washington Nationals
6 days agoNew York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (upper body) will be back for Game 1 of the postseason on Saturday to take on the Carolina Hurricanes. The blue-liner missed the final three regular-season games due to an upper-body injury. "When you leave a game and miss the three games to finish the year, you obviously had some concern with the playoffs coming," Dobson said. "But I've just tried to focus on doing whatever I can to get myself ready. It's been a day-to-day thing, just one day at a time, and I'm just happy to be feeling a little better here." The young defenseman had a big season, notching 10 goals and 70 points across 79 games as part of a team-high 24:31 of ice time per game.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
6 days agoCleveland Cavaliers forward
Dean Wade (knee) has officially been ruled out for Game 1 of their series against the Orlando Magic. The 27-year-old has been an important bench piece for the Cavs throughout the season, but he hasn't appeared in a game since March 8 due to a right knee sprain. Unless others were out as well, he wasn't much of a DFS option. In this case, with Wade on the sidelines,
Georges Niang and
Marcus Morris Sr. will likely see increases in opportunities while
Evan Mobley and
Jarrett Allen play big minutes as the starting frontcourt.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoThe Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed offensive lineman Tyler Shatley, the team announced on X on Friday. The former Clemson Tiger joined the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and he has spent his entire 10-year career with the organization. He has 145 game appearances in his career, including 51 starts (six in 2023). Although he is not expected to compete for a starting role to begin the 2024 season, he brings depth to an offensive line that needs to do a much better job of protecting
Trevor Lawrence this season. Shatley has experience at guard and center, making him a versatile veteran up front.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Jaguars On X
6 days agoToronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi (undisclosed) said he is ready to go for Game 1 of the postseason on Saturday against the Boston Bruins. The veteran sat out the team's final two regular-season games with an undisclosed injury but will be back in the lineup for another clash with the rival Bruins. Domi got off to a sluggish offensive start but has clicked recently while skating on a line with superstar Auston Matthews, tallying two goals and 17 points across his final 21 regular-season games since the beginning of March. He skated with Matthews and Tyler Bertuzzi on Friday morning.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: David Alter
6 days agoLos Angeles Angels infielder
Brandon Drury (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup on Friday against the Cincinnati Reds, serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth in the order.
Luis Rengifo remains at second base and is batting seventh for the Halos. Drury missed the team's last three games with left-hamstring tightness but is back in action against his former team, the Reds. It's a good place for Drury to come alive with the bat in a hitter-friendly environment. So far in 2024 in his first 55 at-bats, Drury has been cold, picking up only 11 hits for a .200 batting average while hitting one home run, driving in three and scoring five runs. The Reds currently don't have a starter listed for Friday's contest yet.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is still not practicing in full or doing any sort of live, on-court work at practice. According to Eric Nehm of The Athletic, the former MVP was in attendance at practice but he only walked through some things and didn't participate. Game 1 of the series between the Bucks and Indiana Pacers is Sunday night, and his status will be something that needs to be closely monitored. If he's unable to play,
Bobby Portis,
Brook Lopez, and
Jae Crowder are likely going to get plenty of minutes to try to offset the loss of their best player.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Eric Nehm
6 days agoNew York Yankees infielder
DJ LeMahieu (foot) said after undergoing an MRI exam on Thursday, doctors don't yet feel comfortable sending him on a minor-league rehab assignment. The hope is later this week he can start playing in games. When the 35-year-old is finally cleared, he's expected to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset. LeMahieu has yet to make his 2024 MLB debut with the Yankees after initially being expected to open the year as the team's regular third baseman. Manager Aaron Boone said that next Tuesday is now the target date for LeMahieu to begin his rehab assignment.
Oswaldo Cabrera is starting at the hot corner for the Yankees on Friday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and left-hander
Tyler Alexander.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
6 days agoThe Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that they placed left-hander
Kyle Freeland (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 16) with a left-elbow strain and recalled right-hander
Noah Davis from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Freeland injured his right, non-throwing shoulder on a slide into home plate as a pinch-runner earlier this week but is now dealing with a left-elbow injury. The 30-year-old southpaw could be out longer than just two weeks, depending on the exact nature of his elbow injury. It's unclear who will take Freeland's spot in the starting rotation, but it could be Davis. Freeland was scheduled to make his next start on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. After a 13.21 ERA with eight walks and nine K's in his first four starts, fantasy managers in mixed leagues can drop him for now.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Rockies Club Information
6 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers guard
De'Anthony Melton (back) has officially been ruled out for the first game of the first-round series against the New York Knicks. According to Derek Bodner of PHLY, head coach Nick Nurse said that Melton did not practice on Friday, but he hasn't been fully ruled out for this series. His two-way abilities would be welcomed back on the court, especially within Nurse's system, but Melton's back issues have caused him to miss a lot of time this year. If he does return at some point in this series, he'll likely have a very tight minutes restriction which would limit his upside in DFS rosters.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) has popped up again on the injury report due to the same knee issue that has plagued him all season. Right now, he's listed with injury management and officially ruled questionable. During their play-in game against the Miami Heat, Embiid struggled most of the time and was visibly exhausted by the time the second half rolled around. He'll be one to monitor throughout this series and beyond if they advance through to the second round. If Embiid can't play,
Mo Bamba and
Paul Reed are the next two big men on the depth chart. Nick Nurse seems to give one or the other extra minutes based on matchups.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
6 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.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Keith Pompey
6 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.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Jamal Collier
6 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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
6 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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
6 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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
6 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.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
6 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.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 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.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Martin Gallegos
6 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.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 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.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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