3 hours agoMinnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton (knee) is being placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday with right-knee inflammation.
Austin Martin is returning from the minors in a corresponding move. Buxton has once again landed on the IL due to a knee injury, and it's the same knee he's already had surgery on twice. The good news is that no structural damage was found in the right knee that he injured while trying to steal a base on Wednesday, so it's possible that the 30-year-old could be back with the Twins in just over a week. With that said, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the oft-injured Buxton misses more than the 10 days.
Willi Castro, a 27-year-old switch-hitter, is batting .270 (27-for-100) with two homers and three steals and should see regular playing time in center with Buxton sidelined.
Manuel Margot is another candidate to see more playing time.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
4 hours agoNew York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Patrick Roy will both be back with the team next season, according to Lamoriello himself during a season-ending press conference on Friday. The veteran executive hired Roy to take over behind the bench on Jan. 20 to replace Lane Lambert who was relieved of his duties with the team sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Roy was last behind an NHL bench with the Colorado Avalanche in 2016 before he resigned from his post in August of that year. He won the Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year in the 2013-2014 season. The Isles were bounced in five games by the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2024 postseason.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 hours agoThe New York Jets traded up to the first pick of the third round (No. 65) in the 2024 NFL Draft to select former Western Kentucky wide receiver
Malachi Corley. In a recent media availability, Jets general manager Joe Douglas touted the rookie's run-after-catch skills and believes he's a great fit alongside
Garrett Wilson and
Mike Williams. "He really excels with the ball in his hands. When guys are really good at running after catch in college, it usually translates well in the pros," Douglas said. "If a guy has the ability to make people miss it's because they're really an elusive high-level athlete and if they're wired to compete. Our coaches are going to use that skill to turn him into an elite route runner." Needless to say, the team has high expectations for the 22-year-old -- and for good reason. In his final two collegiate campaigns, he caught 180 passes for 2,277 yards and 22 touchdowns.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: 32BeatWriters
4 hours agoDallas Stars forward Mason Marchment (undisclosed) will not be in the lineup for Friday's Game 6 against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 28-year-old hasn't appeared in the series since getting injured during Game 2, when he skated just 10:22 during a 3-1 loss. The Stars have since rattled off three straight wins to lead the series 3-2 with an opportunity to clinch the series on Friday in Vegas. Marchment set new career-highs with 22 goals, 53 points, and 150 shots on goal across 81 games in the regular season, his second campaign with the Stars. Fellow injured forward Radek Faksa is an option for the team on Friday, although he, too, has not played since Game 2.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Lia Assimakopoulos
4 hours agoBaltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander
Craig Kimbrel (back) will return to his normal role as closer on Friday for the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Kimbrel will return to the fold at the back end of Baltimore's bullpen after not appearing in a game since injuring his back last Sunday against the Oakland Athletics. The 35-year-old's back injury could explain why he's blown both of his last two save chances while allowing three runs. It's something to keep a close eye on moving forward. Kimbrel is currently sporting a 3.18 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with seven saves, six walks and 17 strikeouts in his 11 1/3 innings pitched. If Kimbrel's back issues return and he's forced to miss more time, a closer committee could form in Baltimore between
Jacob Webb,
Danny Coulombe and
Yennier Cano.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Steve Melewski
4 hours agoFormer University of Georgia running back
Kendall Milton signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, according to NFL.com. Milton had a strong career at Georgia considering the team opted to use a committee approach, racking up 297 carries for 1,839 yards (6.2 YPC) and 23 touchdowns in 41 career games. Last season, he rushed for 790 yards and 14 touchdowns on just 121 attempts. However, he caught just 12 passes during his entire four-year collegiate career and struggled at the NFL combine, which are likely primary factors in him going unselected during the 2024 NFL Draft. He'll have a tough road ahead in trying to make the team's 53-man roster.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks catcher
Gabriel Moreno (mouth) is back behind the plate and is batting seventh in the lineup on Friday against the San Diego Padres and right-hander
Dylan Cease. Moreno had a dental procedure the other day and was held out of lineup on Wednesday, but he's back in there on Friday and is good to go for the series opener against the division-rival Padres. The 24-year-old backstop will be looking to get going offensively this weekend after starting his second year in Arizona with a disappointing .238/.344/.325 slash line with no home runs, 13 RBI and nine runs scored in 93 plate appearances and 27 games played. He has hit just .143 (2-for-14) in the last week and is going up against a tough pitcher in his first game back.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 hours agoLos Angeles Clippers guard
Terance Mann (leg) was seen at shootaround ahead of Friday's Game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks. Mann is listed as questionable heading into this game due to a right leg contusion. The fact Mann was seen at shootaround is a good sign heading into Friday's game. The team will likely wait to see how Mann feels during pregame warmups before making a final decision. His absence would likely mean increased playing time for
Russell Westbrook and
Norman Powell.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Law Murray
4 hours agoVancouver Canucks goaltender Arturs Silovs is the expected goaltender for Friday's Game 6 against the Nashville Predators. The 23-year-old has started the past two games for the Canucks in lieu of Casey DeSmith who originally took over for the injured Thatcher Demko. He has been solid in his two postseason contests, turning aside 47 of the 52 shots he has faced (.904 save percentage) and has gone 1-1-0 in that time. He appeared in just four regular-season contests for the Canucks, putting forth a 2.47 goals-against average and an .881 Sv% but managed to go 3-0-1 in the process. The Canucks can close out the series with a win on Friday night in Nashville.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Thomas Drance
4 hours agoMinnesota Twins outfielder
Byron Buxton (knee) is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Buxton injured his surgically-repaired right knee on a stolen-base attempt on Wednesday and was sent for an MRI exam, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he's not in Friday's lineup. Although we don't know the results of the 30-year-old's MRI exam yet, fantasy managers should already be preparing for the oft-injured outfielder to land on the injured list.
Willi Castro, who has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late, is starting in center field and batting eighth on Friday against Red Sox right-hander
Tanner Houck. If Buxton lands on the IL, Castro will most likely become the team's regular center fielder.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Access Twins - Brandon Warne
4 hours agoVegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill will be between the pipes for Friday's must-win Game 6 against the Dallas Stars. Logan Thompson started the first four games of the series but Hill was in net for Wednesday's 3-2 loss in Game 5. Vegas won the first two games of the series in Dallas but have since dropped three straight and are on the ropes Friday night on home ice. Hill posted a 2.71 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage across 35 regular-season games and turned aside 22 of the 25 shots he faced (.880 Sv%) in Dallas in Game 5. The 27-year-old posted a stellar 2.17 GAA and .932 Sv% in 16 games (14 starts) en route to a Stanley Cup championship last season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Granger
4 hours agoThe Buffalo Bills signed linebacker Deion Jones and defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot on Friday, according to NFL.com. The team moved on from several veterans on both sides of the ball this offseason, so Jones and Smoot could compete for playing time in 2024. Jones, a former second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2017, but he hasn't lived up to his breakout campaign. In 109 games with the Falcons, Browns, and Panthers, he has racked up 731 tackles, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 13 interceptions. Smoot, a former Jaguars third-round pick, spent the first seven seasons of his career with Jacksonville and compiled 23.5 sacks through his first 99 games.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
4 hours agoCleveland Guardians outfielder
Estevan Florial is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday to begin a series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. With Florial sitting,
Jose Ramirez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third, while
Gabriel Arias starts at the hot corner and hits eighth against Angels right-hander
Jose Soriano. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting Florial has been due some rest after starting the season with a rough .196/.286/.429 slash line with three home runs, two doubles, a triple, nine RBI, one stolen base, five runs scored and 26 strikeouts in 64 plate appearances and his first 20 games with Cleveland this year. If Florial continues to struggle against right-handers, he could be on the bench more often.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 hours agoThe Los Angeles Lakers have moved on from head coach Darvin Ham after two seasons as the team's head coach. This move doesn't come as a shock and was expected after the Lakers loss to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the postseason. The Lakers will look for a new head coach after two straight playoff losses to the Nuggets. Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, and JJ Redick are all reported candidates for the open position.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
4 hours agoTampa Bay Rays third baseman
Isaac Paredes is serving as the team's designated hitter and will bat second on Friday versus left-hander
Jose Quintana and the visiting New York Mets. Paredes got the day off in the team's last game on Wednesday due to general body soreness, but he's back in there on Friday as the DH.
Curtis Mead is starting at third base and is batting in the nine-hole for the Rays. The 25-year-old Paredes should be returned to all fantasy lineups on Friday, as he's hitting a strong .291/.358/.509 on the year with an .867 OPS, seven home runs, 17 RBI and 14 runs scored in 110 at-bats. He's also gone 9-for-27 (.333) in 31 plate appearances against lefties this year and has a hit in his only career at-bat against Quintana.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
4 hours agoToronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews' status for Game 7 of the team's first-round series against the Boston Bruins remains uncertain as he deals with an illness. The star pivot has missed the past two games but the Leafs have managed to reel off back-to-back victories to force a series-deciding Game 7 on Saturday in Boston. "Yeah, there's been progress, he skated again here today but no determination on his availability," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. Matthews paced the league with 69 goals during the regular season while adding 38 assists for 107 points and 369 shots on goal across 81 games.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
4 hours agoThe Pittsburgh Pirates are activating veteran catcher
Yasmani Grandal (foot) from the injured list on Friday and have optioned catcher/outfielder
Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move, according to manager Derek Shelton. Grandal is returning from plantar fasciitis in his left foot and will platoon with
Joey Bart being the plate moving forward. The switch-hitting 35-year-old will be making his 2024 debut when he gets into a game, but he'll start on the bench on Friday with Bart getting the start. Davis, the former first overall pick in 2021 out of Louisville, will head to the farm to work on his swing after hitting a miserable .162 (11-for-68) with no home runs, 11 walks and 29 strikeouts in 83 plate appearances.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
4 hours agoAs expected, Cincinnati Reds first baseman
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand) and catcher
Tyler Stephenson (hand) are both back in the lineup on Friday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and left-hander
Cole Irvin. Encarnacion-Strand is at first base and batting fifth, while Stephenson is behind the plate and batting cleanup. Both Encarnacion-Strand and Stephenson hadn't played since being hit by pitches last weekend. After hitting 13 homers in 63 games in his rookie season last year, CES has been a disappointment so far in 2024, slashing .196/.222/.314 with two homers and 16 RBI in 25 games. Stephenson will return to a .231/.338/.415 slash line with three homers and 10 RBI. Neither Encarnacion-Strand nor Stephenson have faced Irvin in their careers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 hours agoNew York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that there will be no restrictions for quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) when Phase 3 of the offseason begins in two weeks, which consists of 10 organized team activity practices. "Once phase three hits, we're not anticipating any restrictions from what we can and can't do with him," Saleh said. Meanwhile, rookie QB
Jordan Travis (ankle), is expected to be ready for training camp after suffering a devastating injury in November. The 40-year-old Rodgers is coming off a torn left Achilles that he suffered on the first offensive series of the season in 2023. The odds are against him returning to his MVP form with the Jets, but he's not lacking for offensive weapons around him if he can stay healthy in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
5 hours agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jonny DeLuca (hand) will make his team debut on Friday when the team takes on the visiting New York Mets and left-hander
Jose Quintana. The 25-year-old was part of the return in a trade that sent
Tyler Glasnow and
Manuel Margot to the Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason. He suffered a broken hand on a hit-by-pitch in spring training but raked on his Triple-A rehab assignment, hitting .300 with two homers, six RBI, a stolen base, and a 1.090 OPS across 25 trips to the plate with the Durham Bulls. DeLuca debuted with a solid .262 average with two homers, a stolen base, and a .740 OPS across 24 games with the Dodgers last season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 hours agoDallas Cowboys wide receiver
Jalen Tolbert, who worked as the team's No. 4 wideout in his second season in 2023, is expected to have a bigger role in 2024 alongside
CeeDee Lamb and veteran
Brandin Cooks. Tolbert essentially split offensive snaps with
Michael Gallup last year, but Gallup is now in Las Vegas. In 17 regular-season games (six starts) last year, Tolbert caught 22 of his 36 targets for 268 yards and two touchdowns after recording just two receptions in his rookie campaign in 2022. The 25-year-old former third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of South Alabama won't necessarily be worth drafting in standard-sized fantasy leagues this fall, but if Lamb or Cooks go down with an injury at any point, Tolbert would become a popular waiver-wire pickup.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
6 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Gavin Stone has a tough matchup on his hands on Friday as he takes the mound for a start against the high-octane Atlanta Braves. The 25-year-old has had an uneven start to this season that includes a 4.68 ERA through five starts but was excellent his last time out when he tossed seven innings of one-run ball with just two hits and two walks allowed in a win over the Toronto Blue Jays. However, Stone has just 18 strikeouts and 12 walks surrendered in his 25 innings of work on the season after striking out just 22 across 31 innings in his debut last season. Fantasy managers will continue to look for more punchouts from the righty after posting big-time strikeout totals in his minor-league tenure.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 hours agoAtlanta Braves right-hander
Charlie Morton will be aiming for more success on Friday when he takes the mound for a road contest against the difficult Los Angeles Dodgers. The 40-year-old dominated the Cleveland Guardians his last time out, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and a walk against six strikeouts but took a tough-luck no-decision in an eventual 4-2 extra-inning loss. The veteran has had an up-and-down season that includes 5 2/3 shutout innings in his first start of the season before he allowed 10 earned runs over his next two outings and 11 1/3 innings of work. However, he has not allowed just two earned runs over 13 innings in his last two starts and owns a 3.60 ERA through five starts. He will take on a Dodgers team that ranks first in baseball with a .354 wOBA versus right-handed pitching.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 hours agoCleveland Guardians right-hander
Tanner Bibee will be in search of another excellent start on Friday when he takes on the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The 25-year-old dominated a tough Atlanta Braves offense his last time out, tossing seven shutout innings while allowing just a pair of hits and zero walks against nine strikeouts on the day. He has now allowed just three earned runs over his last three starts spanning 17 2/3 innings of work with only four walks against 20 strikeouts in that time. For the season, Bibee sports a 3.45 ERA across six starts with 35 strikeouts and 12 walks across 31 1/3 innings of work. He will take on an Angels lineup that sits 14th with a .308 wOBA against right-handed pitching this season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 hours agoUnsurprisingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't pick up the fifth-year option on new quarterback
Mac Jones, who the team acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots this offseason. Jones was New England's first-round pick in 2021 but failed to make an impact as their starter under center. He went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021 but was merely a replacement player. Jones started all 42 games that he played for the Patriots, but the team went 4-13 in 2023 and Jones found himself on the bench for the final six games. The 25-year-old from Alabama regressed in each of his three seasons in Boston, but it didn't help that the Patriots were constantly bringing in new offensive coaches during his time there. Now in Jacksonville, Jones will operate as the clear backup to
Trevor Lawrence in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: AL.com - Mark Inabinett
6 hours agoDarren Waller's expected retirement could open the door for
Daniel Bellinger to become the New York Giants' No. 1 tight end in 2024 like he was as a rookie. Bellinger's receiving opportunities were limited by Waller's presence last year, but the addition of veteran blocking tight ends this offseason should allow Bellinger to be featured more as a receiver in his third season in the league. The 23-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2022 out of San Diego State has caught 55 of his 63 targets for 523 yards and two touchdowns in his two seasons with the G-Men. If Waller hangs up his cleats as things seem to be trending, Bellinger could be a decent under-the-radar TE2 target in deeper fantasy leagues this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
6 hours agoWashington Nationals left-hander
Patrick Corbin will look to get straightened out on Friday when he toes the rubber against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The 34-year-old yielded seven runs his last time out against the Miami Marlins, and while only four were earned, it's the fifth time in six starts this season in which he had yielded at least four earned runs. He coughed up eight hits, including a homer, alongside a pair of walks in just four innings his last time out. The ugly outing raised his ERA to 6.82 through six starts this season after he tossed a 5.20 ERA across 32 starts last season. He will take on a Jays team that sports a .314 wOBA versus left-handed pitching this season, good for a share of 13th league-wide.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
6 hours agoNew York Giants running back
Eric Gray has a clear path to a bigger role in New York's backfield in his second season in the league now that
Saquon Barkley is no longer in town. The Giants signed
read more...
6 hours agoWashington Commanders rookie quarterback
Jayden Daniels, who was taken in this year's draft with the second overall pick, has the experience and ability to give him a chance to start immediately in his first season in 2024, according to multiple sources. "When that
read more...
6 hours agoThe Buffalo Bills signed former Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Chase Claypool to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. Even with the departures of
Stefon Diggs and
Gabe Davis this offseason, Claypool could face an uphill battle to crack the top three in Buffalo after the addition of rookie
Keon Coleman with the first pick of the second round of this year's draft. The 25-year-old former second-rounder by the Steelers in 2020 out of Notre Dame had a career-low eight receptions on 21 targets for 77 yards and one touchdown in 12 games (two starts) with the Bears and Miami Dolphins in 2023. Claypool could connect on some deep plays down the field with quarterback
Josh Allen in 2024, but unless injuries open up a starting spot for Claypool, he's a long shot for consistent fantasy production.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
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