May
7,
2025
Cincinnati
Reds
right-hander
Hunter
Greene
(groin)
left
his
start
early
on
Wednesday
against
the
Atlanta
Braves
at
Truist
Park
due
to
a
right-groin
injury,
according
to
The
Cincinnati
Enquirer's
Charlie
Goldsmith.
It's
a
shame
that
Greene
had
read more...
May 7, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever
Ryan Brasier (groin) is scheduled to start his minor-league rehab outing with an appearance for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday night. Brasier allowed one run in his lone inning of work in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers to kick off the 2025 regular season, but he hasn't pitched since due to a strained left groin. The 37-year-old veteran is now ready to resume pitching in games, though, so he should be able to return to Chicago's less-than-stellar bullpen by mid-May. Brasier missed time due to a calf injury last year but was mostly solid when he was on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 29 outings (four starts), posting a 3.54 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and only five walks in 28 innings. Because he's not a big strikeout guy, he's unlikely to become a closing option for the Cubs later this season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Sun-Times - Maddie Lee
May 7, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitching prospect
Cade Horton is a candidate to take lefty
Shota Imanaga's (hamstring) spot in the starting rotation this Saturday against the New York Mets, but even if the Cubs end up going with right-hander
Chris Flexen or a bullpen game at Citi Field, the 23-year-old Horton is expected to make his major-league debut at some point in May, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney. Horton, the team's top pitching prospect, is coming off a major shoulder injury in 2024 and has thrown only 205 1/3 innings combined between his one college season at Oklahoma and the Cubs' farm system. The former seventh overall pick in 2022 has a sharp 1.24 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Iowa, but Chicago wants to see Horton display better command and consistency with his pitches. Horton's upside makes him worth stashing now in deep-mixed fantasy leagues if you need rotation help.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
May 7, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have signed seventh-round rookie running back
Phil Mafah to a four-year, $4.31 million deal, per the team's transaction log. Mafah spent his entire college career at Clemson, garnering seven starts over his first three seasons before starting in all 14 games in 2024. He broke out last year, rushing for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns across 216 carries (5.2 YPC). The 22-year-old wasn't much of a receiver over his first two campaigns, but he caught 21 balls in each of his junior and senior seasons, though he did not score any TDs there. Like his fellow rookie rusher
Jaydon Blue, Mafah will have the opportunity to crack Dallas' backfield due to the lack of competition in front of him. This RB room will be one to watch throughout the months leading up to the NFL season.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
Chicago Cubs closer
Ryan Pressly faced eight hitters without recording an out and allowed nine runs (eight earned) in the extra-inning loss to the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night. Pressly had his right knee drained on April 22, which briefly limited his availability. And in recent weeks, the Cubs have used the 36-year-old sparingly, as he's pitched just twice since April 27. "Everything's fine," Pressly said. "Body felt great. Like I said, didn't do my job tonight. Everybody else did." After his poor performance on Tuesday, he has a 7.62 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, five strikeouts and four saves in 13 innings in 2025. Pressly has struck out only five of the 62 batters he's faced so far, which should have fantasy managers plenty worried about his ability to retain the ninth-inning job all year. The Athletic's Patrick Mooney mentions
Porter Hodge as a late-inning reliever with more classic swing-and-miss stuff.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
May 7, 2025
The New York Mets signed free-agent left-hander
Colin Poche to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Poche will report to Triple-A Syracuse and give the Mets some left-handed relief depth after they lost veteran
A.J. Minter (lat) for the rest of the season. The Washington Nationals cut the 31-year-old veteran southpaw after he allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on 10 hits (one homer) while walking 12 and striking out 10 in just 8 1/3 relief innings in 13 appearances this year. Poche missed 2020 and 2021 due to injury but was much better the last three years with the Tampa Bay Rays, sporting a 3.27 ERA (4.16 FIP), A 1.13 WHIP, 10 saves, 158 strikeouts and 59 walks over 156 2/3 relief frames. A bounce-back is possible as he remains in the National League East, but Poche is off the fantasy radar for now.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Mike Puma
May 7, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles have signed undrafted free agent running back
Montrell Johnson Jr. to an undisclosed contract. Dylan Olive of Sports Illustrated reported the news. The former Florida Gator spent three seasons with the team in college after a rookie-year stint with the University of Louisiana. Johnson Jr. was better during his first three collegiate campaigns, rushing for at least 817 yards in each while lauding double-digit TD totals in two of them. However, his production ticked down in 2024 while operating as the lesser half of a timeshare with former teammate Jadan Baugh. The New Orleans native has good size and speed as a runner, but also a bevy of competent rushers ahead of him on the Eagles' depth chart.
--Alex CiullaSource: Dylan Olive
May 7, 2025
New York Mets left-hander
Sean Manaea (oblique) received a platelet-rich plasma injection on March 31 and had an encouraging follow-up MRI exam on April 14, at which point he resumed throwing. However, Manaea is still limited to flat-ground work for the time being as he works his way back from a strained right oblique that he suffered in spring training. He was throwing from 105 feet and had been increasing the intensity of his throwing sessions as of Tuesday. Barring a setback as the 33-year-old veteran southpaw continues to build up his arm, he could return to New York's starting rotation at some point in June. A mechanical adjustment in 2024 led to Manaea having a career resurgence with a 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 184 strikeouts and 63 walks in 32 regular-season innings for the Mets. It might be a lot to ask from him for an encore, especially at his age while coming off an injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 7, 2025
New York Mets right-hander
Frankie Montas (lat) threw his third bullpen session on Tuesday but still needs a full spring training-style buildup before he's cleared to rejoin the Mets' starting rotation. Montas suffered a high-grade lat strain in mid-February before the start of spring training and went six to eight weeks without throwing at all. There's a chance we could see the 32-year-old veteran later this month, but it's more likely that he won't make his debut with New York until sometime in June after a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment. The Mets shifted Montas to the 60-day injured list last week. Montas made just one appearance in 2023 due to injury and was very inconsistent with the Reds and Brewers last year, posting a 4.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 148:66 K:BB in 150 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers just have to hope the Mets can turn him around like they have so far with
Griffin Canning.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 7, 2025
Per the team's transaction log, the Dallas Cowboys have signed fifth-round rookie running back
Jaydon Blue to a four-year, $4.62 million contract. The 21-year-old played second fiddle to teammate Quintrevion Wisner for the Texas Longhorns and is smaller in stature (5-foot-9) but has speed for days (4.38 40-yard dash). Blue has the odds stacked against him for playing time -- considering his draft capital -- but it isn't unheard of for late-round selections to make a splash in the league. Furthermore, the talent (or lack thereof) in front of him in
Miles Sanders and
Javonte Williams doesn't pose much of a threat in the way of competition. He'll undoubtedly have an opportunity to make his way to the field, but it won't be good for his prospects if he can't beat out the aforementioned veterans for playing time.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
New York Mets infield prospect
Ronny Mauricio (knee) continues to rehab from a torn ACL in his right knee after having arthroscopic surgery on Aug. 2 of last year to remove scar tissue from his original operation. Mauricio played in his fifth minor-league rehab game with Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday and will move his rehab assignment to Double-A Binghamton on Friday. The 24-year-old was put on the 10-day injured list on March 27 to begin the season. He missed all of last year with the injury, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Mauricio is expected to make his 2025 debut in the first half of the season. He has intriguing long-term upside for those in dynasty/keeper leagues, but with a crowded big-league infield, don't be surprised to see Mauricio sent back to the minors when he finishes his rehab assignment.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May
7,
2025
The
Toronto
Blue
Jays
announced
on
Wednesday
that
they
optioned
outfield
prospect
Alan
Roden
and
right-hander
Dillon
Tate
to
Triple-A
Buffalo.
The
club
also
selected
the
contract
of
right-hander
read more...
May 7, 2025
Colorado Rockies left-hander
Austin Gomber (shoulder) has increased his long-toss distance out to 90 feet, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. Gomber initially suffered a left-shoulder injury back in spring training and then had a setback, which is why he hasn't been able to pitch at all for Colorado yet in 2025. It means that although he has resumed throwing, there's no guarantee that the 31-year-old veteran southpaw will return to the big leagues before the All-Star break in mid-July. When healthy, Gomber is really only attractive to fantasy managers in NL-only leagues for his above-average control. However, he has a below-average strikeout rate and pitches for one of the worst teams in baseball at a pitcher-friendly home park. He went 5-12 in 2024 with a 4.75 ERA (4.83 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with a career-high 116 strikeouts, 38 walks and a league-high 30 home runs allowed.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
May 7, 2025
Colorado Rockies shortstop
Ezequiel Tovar (hip) took ground balls and hit on the field at Coors Field on Wednesday before the team's contest against the visiting Detroit Tigers. After progressing slowly from his left-hip contusion, Tovar is now doing baseball activities on the field and appears to be making progress. A short minor-league rehab assignment could be on tap soon, so it's possible that the 27-year-old infielder will be ready to return to the big-league roster by mid-May. Until that happens, the Rockies will continue to move forward with a combination of
Kyle Farmer and
Alan Trejo manning the shortstop position in Denver. Tovar is one of the last-place Rockies' better players, but the Venezuelan infielder was hitting just .212/.257/.303 with a rough .560 OPS and no home runs in his first 66 at-bats for the team before injuring his hip.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
May 7, 2025
Colorado Rockies designated hitter
Kris Bryant (back) will have an ablation procedure performed on his back on Thursday in Los Angeles to aid in his healing, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. Bryant was hoping to have the procedure last week, but doctors found blood in an area that sparked fears of an infection. Thankfully, he tested negative for any infection. "It seems pretty intense," Bryant said. "But it's not a crazy recovery period. They actually go into the bone and try to kill the nerves to the vertebrae." The 33-year-old has dealt with one injury after another since joining the Rockies in 2022. He hasn't played in more than 80 games in a single season and was batting .154 (6-for-39) with no homers and 13 K's before landing on the injured list this year. Bryant is hoping to return at some point this season, but it also wouldn't be a surprise if he's eventually shut down.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
May 7, 2025
New York Yankees right-hander
Marcus Stroman (knee) threw off a bullpen mound last Friday and on Monday, and his next step is to face live hitters in batting practice "later in the week, and then we'll see where we are," manager Aaron Boone said. Stroman has received multiple injections to alleviate discomfort in his inflamed left knee. The Yankees placed the 34-year-old veteran on the 15-day injured list in mid-April with left-knee inflammation. Stroman will most likely require at least a short minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the IL, but when he's ready, there's a good chance he'll head to the bullpen in the Bronx. In his three starts before getting hurt, Stroman was roughed up to the tune of 12 earned runs on 12 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out seven against the Brewers, Pirates and Giants.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 7, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves point guard
Rob Dillingham (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's Game 2 against the Golden State Warriors. The rookie guard is struggling to recover from an ankle injury, missing the entire postseason. Even if he were healthy, Dillingham would likely not be part of Minnesota's regular rotation.
Mike Conley and
Donte DiVincenzo share minutes at the point guard position, with the latter being a better option for DFS managers, despite coming off the bench.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
May 7, 2025
New York Yankees right-handed reliever
Jake Cousins (forearm) threw roughly 15 pitches in a live batting practice session at Yankee Stadium before the team's blowout win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Cousins said that he is eyeing a big-league return in early to mid June. He was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on March 27 due to a right-forearm strain, and he's eligible to return as early as May 26. The 30-year-old hurler will soon go on a minor-league rehab assignment after maybe a few more live BP sessions. When he's healthy enough to return to New York's big-league bullpen, Cousins will be an option in late-inning, high-leverage situations after posting a career-best 2.37 ERA (4.06 FIP), a 1.05 WHIP, his first career save, a career-high 53 strikeouts and 20 walks in 38 innings over 37 appearances out of the bullpen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 7, 2025
Boston Celtics forward/center
Al Horford will join the starting unit for Wednesday's Game 2 showdown against the New York Knicks. He is taking the starting spot from
Kristaps Porzingis. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla will try to shake things up after his team missed a historic 45 three-point shots in Monday's Game 1 loss. Horford will make his fifth start of the postseason. He has averaged 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in the role. While Porzingis drops to the bench, he should still have a significant role to play in the contest. Given his struggles this postseason, he may even feel more comfortable as a member of the second unit.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Sean Grande
May
7,
2025
The
New
York
Yankees
are
not
ruling
out
designated
hitter
Giancarlo
Stanton
(elbows)
being
ready
to
return
when
he's
eligible
to
come
off
the
60-day
injured
list
in
late
May,
according
to
manager
Aaron
Boone.
The
skipper
read more...
May 7, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the New York Knicks. This outcome was always likely after the team labeled him as doubtful on the initial injury report. Hauser is nursing a right ankle sprain sustained during Monday's Game 1 against the Knicks. While Boston will miss Hauser's outside shooting, his impact has been limited in these playoffs, and the Celtics should cope easily without him, especially with
Jrue Holiday back in the lineup for the series and
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) also available for Wednesday's contest.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Boston Celtics
May 7, 2025
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that he is hopeful that outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (neck) will rejoin the team this weekend in Anaheim for a series against the Los Angeles Angels and make his return from the 10-day injured list. In his first minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, O'Neill went 1-for-3 at the plate as the designated hitter. The 29-year-old oft-injured outfielder has been away from the Orioles since late April due to neck soreness, but he may only need one or two more rehab games in the minors before returning to big-league action for Baltimore. Even though the Canadian native was hitting just .215 (14-for-65) with two homers, 10 RBI and eight runs scored before his injury, he should return to being a lineup regular for the O's when he's activated.
Ramon Laureano will likely be the biggest loser in terms of playing time when O'Neill is back.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
May 7, 2025
Boston Celtics forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) has been upgraded from probable to available for Wednesday's Game 2 against the New York Knicks. Porzingis' night was cut short in the series opener due to illness, but he is ready to suit up for Wednesday's clash. On Monday night, Porzingis finished scoreless with four rebounds on 0-for-4 shooting, and a much better performance is expected from him in Game 2. However, he has been sluggish in these playoffs, averaging only 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds, making it difficult for fantasy managers to trust him.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Boston Celtics
May 7, 2025
Baltimore Orioles right-hander
Zach Eflin (lat) passed his final test with a successful bullpen session on Wednesday and will come off the 15-day injured list to start against the Los Angeles Angels this weekend, according to manager Brandon Hyde. It's unclear which game Eflin will start in Anaheim in a three-game series that starts in Southern California on Friday, but for fantasy purposes, the 31-year-old veteran will be an immediate streaming option in single-year and DFS formats. Before suffering a strained right lat early in the year, Eflin had posted a decent 3.00 ERA (3.97 FIP) and 0.83 WHIP with eight strikeouts and only one walk in three starts over 18 innings pitched versus the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Diamondbacks. He'll be facing an Angels offense this weekend that ranks 26th in baseball with a weak .657 team OPS.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
May 7, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Nestor Cortes (elbow) resumed playing catch on Sunday. Cortes, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list on April 21, received a platelet-rich plasma injection for a left-elbow flexor strain after his April 3 start. It's good to hear that Cortes has resumed throwing after his early-season injury, but he still has a ways to go and isn't expected to be an option for Milwaukee's starting rotation until around the All-Star break in mid-July. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw from Cuba was hit around pretty hard in his first start of the year against his old team, the New York Yankees, allowing eight earned runs on five home runs in just two innings. However, he bounced back to toss six shutout innings for his first win on April 3 against the Cincinnati Reds before landing on the shelf. Cortes should be an option again for those in deeper fantasy leagues in the second half of the season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
May 7, 2025
Golden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry (hamstring) will miss at least one week of action. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Wednesday, and the team announced that Curry will be re-evaluated in one week. This means he is set to miss at least three games in the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Game 5 in the matchup is scheduled for next Wednesday, and it's possible Curry will then be ready to return. Curry's injury is a big blow for the Warriors, but they have seen
Buddy Hield step up big time in recent games and still have
Jimmy Butler III to lead the way.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
May 7, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes center Mark Jankowski (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision for Thursday's showdown against the Washington Capitals. The Hurricanes hope to have him available for Game 2 after losing him early to an undisclosed injury in Tuesday's series opener. Jankowski has made three postseason appearances this year, averaging 11:21 of ice time as a member of the fourth line. He has tallied one assist with four shots, three blocks, and two hits. Jack Roslovic, who has also posted one assist in three playoff appearances, or Tyson Jost, who has yet to feature in the postseason, will take Jankowski's spot in the lineup if he isn't in game shape on Thursday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Walt Ruff
May 7, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Aaron Civale (hamstring) threw live batting practice last Saturday and will start his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Nashville, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Civale made only one start for the Brewers before straining his left hamstring and landing on the 15-day injured list. The 29-year-old had a setback with his injured hamstring in early April, which is why he still hasn't returned to Milwaukee's starting rotation. Because of his long layoff, he's most likely going to need at least several rehab starts in the minors before the Brew Crew feels comfortable activating him from the IL. But barring a setback, he could be back in the big leagues by mid- May. In his first start of the year on March 30 against the New York Yankees, Civale gave up five earned runs on four hits (three homers) while walking one and striking out two in only three innings for a loss.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
May 7, 2025
New York Yankees relief pitcher
Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) is set to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A. Loaisiga has been on the 15-day injured list after undergoing an internal brace procedure in 2024. Loaisiga began his rehab assignment with Low-A and has logged three innings of work. Across this stint, the right-hander has allowed two hits and one run. Max Goodman of the NJ Advance Media reported that Loaisiga will likely remain at Triple-A through next weekend. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress as he appears to be in contention to return to the majors before the end of the month. The 30-year-old has dealt with numerous injuries over the past few seasons but has been an effective high-leverage option when on the bump. During the 2021 season, Loaisiga posted a strong 2.17 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP across 70 2/3 innings. When cleared to return, he should have a high-leverage role in the Yankee bullpen.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Max Goodman
May 7, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that he fully expects outfielder
Sal Frelick (knee) to return to the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays. Frelick ended up being held out of the entire series this week against the Houston Astros while dealing with inflammation in his left knee, but after another scheduled day off on Thursday for travel, the 25-year-old is expected to be good to go on Friday in Tampa. The former first-rounder (15th overall) in 2021 out of Boston College makes plenty of contact at the plate and is hitting a nice .297 (35-for-118), but he has a low fantasy floor and ceiling because of his lack of power and speed. Despite his strong average so far in 2025, Frelick has only produced one home run, nine RBI, 16 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 35 games played.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
RADIO
