5 hours agoPass-rusher J.J. Watt isn't ruling out a return to professional football if the Houston Texans need him, but this if the final year that he'll say that. Watt retired after the 2022 season. "I told DeMeco [Ryans] last year: 'Don't call unless you absolutely need it, but, if you ever do call, I'll be there.' And he knows not to call unless he absolutely needs it. This is the last year I'll tell him that, because I'm not going to keep training [the way] I've been training," Watt said. The 35-year-old and Ryans played in Houston together in 2011, which was Watt's first NFL season and Ryans' last with the Texans. It's unlikely the Texans need Watt after signing Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry this offseason to pair with impressive second-year pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. Watt is currently an analyst for CBS Sports.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
5 hours agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Dylan Carlson (shoulder) has been activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The 25-year-old has been sidelined since crashing into a wall during spring training. He'll make his season debut on Sunday, batting fifth and covering center field versus lefty
Garrett Crochet. The former top prospect has struggled at times in the big leagues, so fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach here.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Jones
5 hours agoThe Kansas City Chiefs recently signed undrafted free-agent running back
Emani Bailey, defensive back Miles Battle, linebacker Swayze Bozeman, wide receiver
Phillip Brooks, wide receiver
Reggie Brown, tight end
Baylor Cupp, offensive lineman Ethan Driskell, linebacker Curtis Jacobs, defensive lineman Fabien Lovett Sr., offensive lineman Griffin McDowell, offensive lineman McKade Mettauer, defensive back Derrick Miller, punter Ryan Rehkow, defensive back Christian Roland-Wallace, running back
Carson Steele, offensive lineman Nick Torres and linebacker Luquay Washington on Saturday. All of these players will be fighting an uphill battle to make the Chiefs' final roster out of training camp this summer, but they could stick around on the team's practice squad if they impress the coaching staff.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
5 hours agoTexas Rangers outfielder
Wyatt Langford (leg) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The rookie outfielder was forced to exit early during Saturday's game after suffering an injury while running the bases. As a precaution, the Rangers are going to hold Langford out of this game. For now, it sounds like Langford is day-to-day, so he should be able to avoid a trip to the injured list. In the meantime,
Corey Seager will serve as the designated hitter, while
Josh Smith covers shortstop during Sunday's game.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers
5 hours agoBaltimore Ravens rookie running back
Rasheen Ali (biceps), who ruptured his biceps tendon at the Senior Bowl in late January, is taking part in some of the team's rookie minicamp after the Ravens took him in the fifth round of this year's NFL draft. Head coach John Harbaugh said he expects Ali to be fully ready for training camp at the end of July. If he's healthy and doesn't suffer a setback this summer, the 23-year-old will be competing for a spot on the team's regular-season roster as RB depth. As things stand now, the Ravens RB room consists of
Derrick Henry,
Keaton Mitchell,
Justice Hill,
Owen Wright, Ali and fellow rookie
Chris Collier.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
6 hours agoCleveland Browns quarterback
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) is set to have a follow-up MRI exam on his hip on Monday, and if all goes as planned, he's hoping to be back out on the field during the team's minicamp next weekend. The 24-year-old signal-caller suffered a subluxation of his hip on Christmas Eve last season and missed the rest of the year, which prompted the Browns to add veteran QB
Joe Flacco. Thompson-Robinson has made good progress this offseason and is close to being cleared to throw during the team's offseason workouts. The Browns aren't going to rush him, though, and when healthy, he's going to be buried on the QB depth chart in Cleveland behind
Deshaun Watson,
Jameis Winston and
Tyler Huntley.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
6 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers infielder
Max Muncy went 4-for-5 with three home runs and four RBI in Saturday's 11-2 win over the Atlanta Braves. The 33-year-old blasted a two-run shot off
Bryce Elder in the second inning for his first homer of the game. He took
Tyler Matzek deep in the seventh inning for his second homer. Muncy hit the trifecta, hitting a solo shot in the eighth inning off
Jackson Stephens. The three home runs in a single game was a career-high. The veteran slugger is now up to eight long balls on the season, slashing .262/.369/.551 with 22 RBI and 20 runs scored over 31 games. Muncy will look to build on Saturday's career performance in the series finale against the Braves and should be started in all league formats.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: MLB
6 hours agoColorado Rockies shortstop
Ezequiel Tovar is on the bench for the first time this season on Sunday against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Tovar started the Rockies' first 33 games of the year and is currently hitting .258/.303/.379 with three home runs, seven doubles, 12 RBI, three stolen bases and 13 runs scored in 143 plate appearances to start his third season in the big leagues. The day off comes at a good time, as the free-swinging 22-year-old shortstop has struggled at the plate of late, going 5-for-39 (.128) with no homers, no RBI, two walks and 16 strikeouts in his last nine games since April 24. The Rockies have a scheduled off day on Monday, so Tovar will next play on Tuesday against the visiting San Francisco Giants.
Alan Trejo is at the 6 on Sunday and is hitting ninth against Pirates left-hander
Bailey Falter.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Denver Gazette - Luke Zahlmann
6 hours ago23XI Racing driver Tyler Reddick will start the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway from the 15th position after qualifying. This will be Reddick's first start outside the Top 10 in the Next-Gen car at the site and the second time this year at a 1.5-mile Intermediate track. In nine starts at Kansas, Reddick has four top-10 finishes while being the most recent winner from the September 2023 race, where he also led two laps. After 11 races so far this year, Reddick has one win and seven top-10 finishes, which is tied for the most of all drivers. Reddick also placed in the Top 5 of both races at 1.5-mile Intermediate tracks, including a runner-up finish at Las Vegas. In practice, Reddick was one of the fastest overall drivers, leading in the single lap and five-consecutive lap averages while showcasing top-10 speeds in all other categories. Based on equipment, recent results at Kansas, practice speeds, and 2024 season-wide performance, expect Reddick to be one of the top favorites to compete for the win.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
6 hours agoLos Angeles Angels catcher
Logan O'Hoppe (hand) is not in the team's starting lineup on the road in Cleveland on Sunday against the Guardians. Unsurprisingly, O'Hoppe will begin the game on the bench after leaving Saturday's loss with a right-hand contusion.
Matt Thaiss will catch right-hander
Griffin Canning in the series finale and will bat sixth against Guardians right-hander
Carlos Carrasco. For now, fantasy managers will want to consider O'Hoppe day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. The 24-year-old backstop is off to a decent start in 2024, hitting .260/.317/.396 with two homers and 11 RBI in 96 at-bats. Thaiss, a former first-rounder in 2016 out of Virginia, doesn't have a homer yet in 24 at-bats this year but isn't a bad low-cost DFS option at the position for Sunday's slate of games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 hours agoDetroit Tigers outfielder
Wenceel Perez (illness) was scratched from Sunday's lineup in the Bronx against the New York Yankees due to an illness. Rookie second baseman
Colt Keith will now enter the lineup at second base while batting seventh, with
Andy Ibanez at third base and leading off and
Matt Vierling in right field and in the two-hole versus Yankees left-hander
Nestor Cortes. Perez, who was slated to make his seventh straight start, should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener against the Cleveland Guardians. The 24-year-old has earned more playing time by hitting .302 (16-for-53) in the early going with three homers, eight RBI and two stolen bases for the Tigers. Ibanez and Vierling are both worth looking at as low-cost DFS sleepers at the top of Detroit's lineup.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit News - Chris McCosky
6 hours agoDepending on the results of Cleveland Guardians outfielder
Steven Kwan's (hamstring) MRI results on Sunday, first base prospect
Kyle Manzardo is an option to be promoted to the major-league roster. Manzardo, the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, could be on the cusp of his first big-league call-up after hitting .303/.375/.642 with a 1.017 OPS, nine home runs, 20 RBI and 25 runs scored in his first 29 games this year on the farm at Triple-A Columbus. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger would most likely be an option for Cleveland at the designated hitter spot in the big leagues if he's called up and Kwan needs a stint on the injured list. Manzardo also impressed with his bat in spring training. His blend of power and on-base skills makes him attractive pickup in deep-mixed leagues with a potential call-up coming soon.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Zack Meisel
6 hours agoFor the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway, Michael McDowell captured a starting position of eighth, the fourth time in his career he will start from the top 10. In 25 Kansas starts, McDowell has eight top-20 finishes, with a best finish of 13th. So far after 11 races this year, McDowell has three top-20 finishes, all of which were 11th or better. In practice, McDowell ranked 13th in 10-consecutive lap averages, 10th in single-lap times, and sixth in both five-consecutive and overall lap averages. Historically, Kansas is not a top track for McDowell, which makes him an easy recommendation to fade this week, especially in cash games, despite decent practice speeds.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
6 hours agoCleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter (foot) has a fracture in the fifth metatarsal bone of his left foot, the same one that he had surgery on last year and in college. He's scheduled to meet with the foot specialist that performed his surgery last year on Wednesday to determine the next step. The Guardians' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is now without a timetable to return to action at Double-A Akron, where he was hitting just .197 (12-for-61) with a homer, three RBI and a stolen base in his first 16 games this year. If the 22-year-old requires another surgery on the same foot, he'll most certainly miss extended time that will set back his development. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is still worth stashing in dynasty/keeper leagues, but he's unlikely to make his major-league debut until at least 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mandy Bell
6 hours agoIn this week's AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway, Corey LaJoie will start 28th after qualifying. This will be the fourth time this season that LaJoie will start outside the Top 25 and the first time at Kansas in five races. In 14 races at the site, LaJoie has two top-20 finishes, which he scored during the last two May races there. With 11 races completed so far this season, LaJoie has four finishes of 21st or better, including the last two races this year. In practice, LaJoie ranked 19th in 10-consecutive lap averages and 18th in overall lap averages. With favorable practice speeds and Place Differential upside, look for LaJoie to compete for a top-20 finish, primarily based on his equipment and past track results.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
6 hours agoCleveland Guardians outfielder
Steven Kwan (hamstring) is not in the team's starting lineup on Sunday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels after being removed from Saturday's win with left-hamstring tightness. With Kwan out,
Will Brennan is starting in left field and is hitting fifth, while
Estevan Florial is serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff against Angels right-hander
Griffin Canning. It's just the second time all year that Kwan hasn't been in Cleveland's lineup. We should have a better idea of the 26-year-old's availability moving forward after he undergoes an MRI exam on Sunday. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Monday to see if he's back in there for the series opener against the Detroit Tigers. Kwan has been one of the best hitters in baseball this year with a .353/.407/.496 slash line and .903 OPS, so losing him for an extended period of time would be a big blow to the Guardians and fantasy managers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
7 hours agoNew York Yankees first baseman
Anthony Rizzo will retreat to the bench on Sunday in the series finale against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander
Tarik Skubal. With Rizzo on the bench,
Oswaldo Cabrera will start at first and hit ninth, with
Jon Berti manning the hot corner and hitting seventh in the batting order. This will be Rizzo's first off day of the year after starting all 35 games to begin the season. The 34-year-old veteran slugger has had a strong year to this point, batting .263 (35-for-133) with six home runs, 20 RBI and 16 runs scored in his first 146 plate appearances. However, he's hitting just .175 (7-for-40) with no homers and 10 strikeouts against southpaws, so it makes sense to give him his first day off of the year against a tough lefty on Sunday. Neither Berti nor Cabrera will be particularly attractive low-cost DFS sleepers against Skubal.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees
7 hours agoWashington Nationals outfielder
Jacob Young (back) is back in center field and is hitting in the leadoff spot for the Nats on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander
Alek Manoah, who is making his season debut in the big leagues. Young left Friday night's series opener against Toronto due to back spasms and was held out of Saturday's contest, but he's back in there and ready to go for Sunday's game. The 24-year-old has just two hits in 10 at-bats in his last four games played, but overall he's been dynamic in 25 games in just his second big-league season, slashing .311/.354/.378 with five doubles, no home runs, seven RBI, 12 stolen bases and 17 runs scored in 81 plate appearances. He has yet to homer in his first 58 MLB games, but his 25 steals have played well for fantasy managers. Get Young back into your lineups for the series finale.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
7 hours agoStewart-Haas Racing driver Noah Gragson recorded his best-ever starting position of his Cup career of third for this week's AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. It also is the second consecutive race this year where Gragson gained a top-5 starting spot and the first time Gragson will start from the Top 10 at Kansas. In three previous starts at the site, Gragson has two top-20 finishes with a best finish of 18th. Gragson also is a previous Xfinity Series winner at Kansas. After 11 races so far this season, Gragson has four top-10 finishes, including each of the last two races and Las Vegas earlier in the year. In practice, Gragson ranked among the Top 10 fastest drivers in almost every category while ranking 10th in overall lap averages. Although Gragson's starting position makes him a big Place Differential risk, his practice speeds and previous Xfinity success make him an encouraging play to try for tournaments this week.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
7 hours agoTy Gibbs qualified sixth for this week's AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Gibbs continues his strong qualifying performances in 2024 with his sixth top-10 starting position gained and the highest of his Cup career at Kansas. In three Cup races at the site, Gibbs has two DNFs and a best finish of 14th in his last appearance there. The driver of the No. 54 Toyota also made two starts in the Xfinity Series at Kansas, where he has two podium finishes including a win. After 11 races so far this year, Gibbs has six top-10 finishes, which include a finish of fifth at Las Vegas, a comparable track to Kansas. In practice, Gibbs showcased top-10 speeds in almost every category, including the fifth-best overall lap average. With top-notch equipment and great history at Kansas in the Xfinity Series, Gibbs is a driver expected to have a top-10 result on Sunday.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: Driveraverages.com
7 hours agoDuring qualifying for the AdventHealth 400, William Byron scraped the wall and ended up with a starting position of 36th. This is the lowest starting position for Byron in his Cup career at Kansas as well as his lowest for the year so far. In 12 Kansas races
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8 hours agoFor this week's AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway, Kyle Busch qualified fifth. This marks the third consecutive race where the driver of the No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet will have a top-5 starting position. In 32 starts at Kansas, Busch has two wins and 15 top-10 finishes,
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8 hours agoOakland Athletics starting pitcher
Paul Blackburn went seven innings in Saturday's 20-4 victory, holding the Marlins to just one run on four hits and one walk while striking out three on his way to earning his third win of the season. Blackburn began the season with three straight quality starts where he didn't allow a single run, then had a three-game rough patch before getting back on track Saturday. The 30-year-old now has a 3-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and 1.02 WHIP through seven starts. The righty's FIP, xFIP, and SIERA are all below 4.00 which suggests he's pitched as well as it seems, and with Oakland being more competitive than expected to this point, Blackburn could continue to be solid pitching depth for fantasy as long as he's selectively deployed. However, you'll need to look elsewhere for strikeouts with just 31 in 42 IP and a 12.7% K-BB%.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
8 hours agoOakland Athletics designated hitter
Brent Rooker homered twice in Saturday's 20-4 rout of the Miami Marlins, going 3-for-4 with five RBI in the contest. Rooker also got on base once via the walk. The 29-year-old has some serious pop in his bat, blasting 30 home runs a season ago in just 137 games, and has eight through 22 games played this year while posting an elite 20.5% Barrel%. The former 35th overall draft pick is even hitting for average as of late, going 9-for-24 (.375) with two doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, five runs scored, and four walks over his last seven games.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
9 hours agoSt. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado reached base five times in five plate appearances in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the White Sox. The veteran went 3-for-3 at the plate with a home run, two singles, and two walks, raising his season slashline to .296/.362/.408. The 33-year-old is having a solid season overall, although somewhat underwhelming based on the Arenado we've grown accustomed to. The 8x All-Star has seen his home run, RBI, and run totals drop in consecutive years now. With a 1.9% Barrel% this season, a career-low by far, the home runs may come few and far between, just like this last one. Saturday's home run was Arenado's first since April 12. He should remain a solid fantasy contributor nonetheless, so you're still using him in season-long formats.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
9 hours agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Kevin Gausman earned his second win of the season in Saturday's 6-4 victory over the Nationals. The veteran went five-and-a-third innings, allowing no runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight. After a bumpy start to the season, this was Gausman's fourth straight start of allowing one earned run or less. The 33-year-old now sports a 3.78 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 16.0% K-BB%. The 2x All-Star's next start currently lines up next weekend at home against the Twins, the hottest team in baseball and winners of 12 straight.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
10 hours agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon picked up his third win of the season in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Brewers. Taillon fired six innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out seven. The 32-year-old has been superb since coming off the IL, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 5:16 BB:K over four starts. With a FIP of 3.53, SIERA of 4.30, and a career ERA of 3.93, it seems some regression may be in the offing, so deploy the veteran with caution. The former first-round draft pick's next start lines up with a fading Pirates team next Friday in Pittsburgh.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
10 hours agoKyle Larson entered the AdventHealth 400 race weekend as the favorite to win, and after practice and qualifying, sportsbooks are even more confident in that prediction, as Larson is now the heavy favorite among the industry to take the checkered flag. Larson qualified fourth for this weekend's race and is in prime position to dominate the event, as the other favorites (Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin) qualified outside of the top 10. Looking back at the Las Vegas race earlier this season, Larson led 181 of the 267 laps en route to victory, and we could definitely see a similar situation play out at Kansas on Sunday. Over the last five races at this track, Larson has one win, four top-fives, and a worst finish of eighth. He has also led a combined 343 laps over those four races. At $11,000 on DraftKings, Larson is definitely a driver to be heavy on in DFS this weekend.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ifantasyrace
10 hours agoFresh off of his third win of the season at Dover last weekend, Denny Hamlin is looking to get to victory lane once again at Kansas Speedway this weekend--and he definitely has a shot to do so. Hamlin leads all drivers with four wins at this race track, including a victory in this exact race one year ago. In the two Kansas races last season, Hamlin led a combined 97 laps and finished first and second. This weekend, Denny qualified back in 14th for the AdventHealth 400, so he has some Place Differential upside for DFS players as well. Even though his salary on DraftKings is the highest on the slate ($11,300), Hamlin can easily make it into the optimal lineup this weekend if he has just an "expected" race on Sunday. Denny has the second-best average running position on the low-wear, 1.5-mile tracks in the Next Gen era.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: Win The Race
10 hours agoKeep an eye on Ross Chastain in Sunday's AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway. Although the Melon Man has only led a total of eight laps at this track in his 10 career starts, he should be able to contend for some dominator points in this weekend's race. Chastain qualified second for Sunday's races at Kansas and now has four straight starts of sixth or better at this track. At Las Vegas earlier this year, Ross was able to walk away with a fourth-place finish despite starting back in 20th, and he should have similar finishing upside here at Kansas this weekend. At $9,100 on DraftKings, Chastain makes for an interesting tournament play as a potential off-sequence dominator, but it's nowhere near a guarantee.
--Jordan McAbeeSource: ifantasyrace
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