6 days agoGolden State Warriors guard/forward Gary Payton II (calf) won't play on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans due to tightness in his left calf. His absence isn't surprising, as he was listed as doubtful earlier in the day. Payton II last suited up on Tuesday against the Lakers, registering nine points, one rebound, and one assist in 14 minutes. Extra minutes will be available for guards Klay Thompson, Chris Paul and Moses Moody in Fridays contest.Source: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) are slated to pitch in Triple-A Buffalo's doubleheader tomorrow. Both pitchers struggled some in their most recent rehab appearance on Thursday and will look to improve on those outings. Should the outings go well, both relievers have a chance to join the Blue Jays roster and be taken off the injured list. Swanson's value as a setup man may carry more value to the Blue Jays than to fantasy managers. However, Romano should be rostered in all leagues with his return being close.Source: Keegan Matheson
6 days agoGolden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (knee) will play on Friday against the Pelicans. Thompson had a team-high 27 points in Tuesday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he didn't suit up for Thursday's narrow win over the Portland Trail Blazers. But the Warriors took care of business without the 34-year-old, so he's ready to roll for the pivotal clash with New Orleans. With Thompson back on the floor, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody could see fewer minutes than usual.Source: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This will be Sewald's first bullpen session since he suffered his Grade 2 oblique strain. It may still be some time before Sewald is able to come off the injured list, but being able to progress to a bullpen session is a good sign for the 33-year-old. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on the closer's progress and keep him stashed on their rosters until he is able to be activated. In the meantime, expect Kevin Ginkel to continue to get save opportunities for Arizona until Sewald is back.Source: Theo Mackie
6 days agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch in Saturday's doubleheader in Triple-A Buffalo. Manoah will look to avoid the issues he saw in his prior minor league start on Sunday in Single-A Dunedin where he gave up seven runs on five hits in just 1 2/3 innings pitched. Manoah has been dealing with shoulder fatigue since early in spring training. The 26-year-old is in desperate need of a bounce-back season. After finishing third in the AL Cy Young award voting in 2022, Manoah's 2023 was disastrous with a 5.87 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. The Blue Jays are expected to compete for a playoff spot this season and anything solid Manoah can provide them when he comes back will be beneficial.Source: Keegan Matheson
6 days agoChicago White Sox shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery currently has a .239/.314/.283 throughout his small taste of Triple-A. The number two ranked shortstop prospect on MLB Pipeline quickly progressed through the minors last season as he never saw his on-base percentage dip below .400 across three levels. It is promising to see Montgomery continue to put up solid numbers as he is nearing his major league debut. Montgomery is considered a top prospect in baseball and should be rostered in all dynasty and keeper formats. If he continues to succeed at Triple-A, he could be worth stashing in redraft and be a solid middle infield option down the stretch, as he should be in contention to receive a late-season call-up.Source: MiLB.com
6 days agoMiami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (shoulder) is scheduled for a minor league rehab start with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday. Cabrera is slated for six innings, or about 90 pitches, in the start. This will be the 25-year-old's third rehab start and, if all goes well, it's likely he will be taken off the injured list and added to the Marlins active roster. "I anticipate him being back in the rotation at some point soon," said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. The struggling Marlins will surely welcome him back with open arms as their starters currently hold a 4.75 ERA and need as much help as possible to turn around their 2-11 start.Source: Jordan McPherson
6 days agoChicago Cubs first base prospect Matt Mervis is off to an excellent start to his 2024 season. He is hitting .325/.420/.525 with one home run and five RBI. Mervis got a small taste of the majors last season but struggled, so the Cubs felt it was better for him to continue his development at Triple-A. While he has only hit one long ball so far, Mervis hit 22 in Triple-A last season, so expect more on the way. Mervis should see time in Wrigley later this summer and could very well be one of the first of many exciting bats from the Chicago system to be promoted.Source: MiLB.com
6 days agoCleveland Guardians first base prospect Kyle Manzardo is hitting .185/.265/.333 to open the young season at Triple-A. He has just one long ball and one double. Manzardo showcased excellent on-base skills in Triple-A last season with a .343 across 94 games and tallied 17 home runs, which suggests that the 23-year-old could turn things around rather quickly. While Manzardo looks to get out of this slump, he is still considered one of the top first-base prospects in the sport and should make his way to the majors later this summer. The Guardians have a logjam with Josh Naylor at first base, so his major league debut may be delayed. Nonetheless, Manzardo is a must-roster player in dynasty leagues and is worth stashing in keeper formats, if not already.Source: MiLB.com
6 days agoCleveland Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter is off to a slow start to begin his 2024 campaign. The top overall prospect in the Cleveland pipeline is hitting a disappointing .118/.318/.176 across his first five games. He has only tallied two hits, and only one of them went for extra bases. DeLauter was in contention to make the Opening Day Roster but fell just short. If the 22-year-old can begin to perform well, he could receive a late-season promotion. The former first-round pick remains a top stash in dynasty leagues and deeper keeper formats but should not be considered in redraft formats for now.Source: MiLB.com
6 days agoBaltimore Orioles catcher prospect Samuel Basallo is picking up right where he left off in Double-A. Basallo has tallied six hits across his first five games with one double and two RBI. Last season, Basallo knocked seven hits in four games with one double and one triple in his small taste of Double-A. Basallo is ranked as the second overall catching prospect in baseball and the number two overall prospect in the Baltimore pipeline, according to MLB Pipeline. If Basallo continues to succeed at Double-A, he should be promoted to Triple-A rather quickly and could even make a case for a late-season call-up to join the Orioles in their playoff push. Basallo remains a coveted player in dynasty formats but could be worth stashing in deeper redraft and keeper leagues if he is promoted to Triple-A.Source: MiLB.com
6 days agoDetroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. This will be the seventh straight game he has missed because of a left knee injury. It would be surprising if the young star suits up again this season, as the Pistons only have one more game to play on Sunday versus the San Antonio Spurs. Expect Marcus Sasser and Jaden Ivey to lead the backcourt, while Evan Fournier and Malachi Flynn will continue to receive more playing time.Source: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoMilwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) was pulled from Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning. He left Friday's game with lower back discomfort. He went 1-for-1 with a single before being replaced in the bottom of the second inning. The 32-year-old has dealt with back issues in the past, and it's unclear how severe the latest injury is for Yelich. He is considered day-to-day. Yelich has been swinging a hot bat during the young season, hitting .316/.409/.737 with five home runs and two swiped bags. If Yelich were to miss time, Blake Perkins could be a candidate to handle left field.Source: Curt Hogg
6 days agoDetroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (back) is out for Friday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks. The 20-year-old put up a terrific game on Thursday versus the Chicago Bulls, scoring 20 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. However, the Pistons will let their young center rest and recover from low back spasms. The Pistons sit in last place in the Eastern Conference and do not have much to play for as the season winds down. With Duren sidelined, expect James Wiseman to take on a much bigger role.Source: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (eye) will play on Friday against Memphis. He was listed as probable, so the update isn't a surprise. But AD has not only been dealing with an eye injury, but he also missed time because of an illness. As a result, Davis could see fewer minutes if the Lakers build a decisive lead over the injury-plagued Grizzlies.Source: Jovan Buha
6 days agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) will play on Friday against the Grizzlies. The 39-year-old has battled an ankle injury for months. He also most recently missed a meeting against the Timberwolves because of Flu-like symptoms. But despite the constant mentions on the injury report, he's coming off a strong showing, amassing 33 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals in Tuesday's loss to Golden State. With that in mind, James could have a tough time being as productive if the Lakers build a decisive lead against the injury-plagued Grizzlies.Source: Jovan Buha
6 days agoDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (quadriceps) will play on Friday against the Spurs. Porter has played well this season. Even better, he's only missed one game this year. The 25-year-old has averaged a double-double versus San Antonio during the 2023-24 campaign, meaning he deserves serious consideration from DFS managers.Source: Denver Nuggets
6 days agoAtlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (quadriceps) will get back to work against the Timberwolves on Friday. He missed the second leg of a back-to-back last time out against Charlotte, but the team has upgraded Murray from questionable to available ahead of Friday's matchup. Murray has been one of the most productive fantasy performers in the league as of late, but Trae Young's return takes away a bit of value from him. The meeting with Minnesota is a pretty miserable matchup fantasy-wise as well, as the Timberwolves boast the league's tightest defense and play with a slow pace. Vit Krejci and Garrison Mathews are set to play much smaller roles with Atlanta's backcourt healthy again.Source: Atlanta Hawks
6 days agoDenver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (foot) will play on Friday against the Spurs. He's been dealing with a foot issue for at least a few weeks. While it cost him a couple of games, he was available for Wednesday's pivotal win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets are looking for a solid end to the regular season, meaning Gordon could be in for a big night.Source: Denver Nuggets
6 days agoDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (knee) is available for Friday's meeting with San Antonio. He's been on the injury report since returning from a seven-game layoff. However, the 27-year-old has appeared in Denver's previous three games, most recently amassing 20 points and six assists while shooting 4-for-6 from deep in Wednesday's win over Minnesota. As always, Murray should draw consideration from DFS managers.Source: Denver Nuggets
6 days agoToronto Raptors guard/forward Bruce Brown (knee) will hop back into the lineup on Friday versus Miami. He's recovered from a right knee problem that kept Brown sidelined for Wednesday's contest against Brooklyn. Brown has averaged 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists with the Raptors since being acquired in January from Indiana. He can make an impact all over the court but doesn't really stand out in any area, which limits Brown's fantasy appeal.Source: Kayla Grey
6 days agoDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (hip) will play on Friday versus San Antonio. No surprise here, as the multi-time MVP has been on the injury report over the last few weeks. With that said, Jokic has had a fantastic year. However, he's dominated the Spurs this season, most recently amassing 42 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks when these clubs met on April 2.Source: Denver Nuggets
6 days agoToronto Raptors guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. (back) is set to rejoin the action on Friday against Miami. He'll return to the lineup after missing one game with back spasms. Gradey Dick will likely be pushed to the bench by Trent Jr.'s return, although he should still have a big part to play in the rotation. April has gone well for Trent Jr. so far, as he's averaged 22.3 points with 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists. However, he finds himself in an uncomfortable matchup on Friday against a Heat squad that's strong defensively.Source: Kayla Gray
6 days agoIndiana Pacers forward/center Isaiah Jackson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's contest against Cleveland. He's gone from questionable to out due to a left hamstring strain. Jackson's absence means a heavy workload for Myles Turner and Jalen Smith against Cleveland's twin towers of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. It's a rough matchup for the duo, with the Cavaliers giving up the fifth-fewest points in the league to opposing centers.Source: Indiana Pacers
6 days agoArizona Diamondbacks outfielder Joc Pederson (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. This appears to be a routine rest day for Pederson against a left-handed starting pitcher. The D-Backs will play matchups here and go with Blaze Alexander at designated hitter versus Steven Matz. There's not a ton of value here with Alexander, so most fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option. The expectation is that Pederson should return to the lineup following this game.Source: MLB.com
6 days agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (rest) will be available to play in Friday's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 29-year-old was originally listed as questionable on earlier injury reports but will be active for this game. Fantasy managers will be happy to see Portis on the court, as he is coming off a dominant performance on Wednesday, scoring 30 points and securing nine rebounds while recording five steals against the Orlando Magic. Damian Lillard (adductor) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) are not playing, which will likely create plenty of opportunities for Portis.Source: NBA Injury Report
6 days agoWashington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (illness) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Ruiz is set to miss his third game in a row due to an illness. The good news is that this shouldn't be something that lands Ruiz on the injured list. In the meantime, Riley Adams will cover behind the plate and bat seventh versus right-hander Paul Blackburn on Friday. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming choice than Adams for Friday's slate.Source: MLB.com
6 days agoAccording to NBA insider Marc Stein, Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic (ankle) isn't expected to play on Friday against Detroit. With Kyrie Irving (hamstring) already ruled out, Dante Exum, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jaden Hardy will be let loose on the Mavericks backcourt against the worst team in the National Basketball Association. It's a very favorable matchup for the trio, as only four teams allow more points per game than the Pistons.Source: Marc Stein
6 days agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next minor league rehab start on Saturday at Double-A Corpus Christi. The 41-year-old appears to be progressing well and could return after this outing. Obviously, the Astros don't want to rush back Verlander, but they need help in the rotation. Fantasy managers will have to check back after Saturday to see how Verlander is feeling. He'll be a must-have fantasy option once he's back on the mound.Source: Matt Kawahara
6 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Friday versus the Magic. He was listed as questionable for this contest. But with the Sixers looking to bolster their chances of avoiding the Play-In, the reigning MVP will be on the floor. With that said, although Embiid is still working his way back from his lengthy layoff, he could still finish as one of the highest-scoring DFS options on Friday night.Source: Philadelphia 76ers