15 hours agoAtlanta Braves shortstop
Adeiny Hechavarria was scratched from Thursday's Grapefruit League lineup with left oblique tightness. There has been no word yet on the severity of the ailment, but the veteran infielder may not be ready for Opening Day. The 30-year-old signed with the Braves midway through last season, slashing .328/.400/.693 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 24 games. He is only worthy of fantasy consideration in deeper NL-only formats, even though he plays in a daunting lineup.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Gabe Burns
16 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers reliever
Jimmy Nelson left Wednesday's bullpen session with lower body discomfort, and the team has decided to shut him down. This injury likely guarantees that Nelson will not be on the Opening Day roster. The 30-year-old was once a top prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' system, but injuries have limited him to just 22 innings over the past two seasons. The setback removes Nelson from any fantasy consideration and clouds the future of his 2020 season.
--Raymond Harrison - RotoBallerSource: Ken Gurnick
16 hours agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Griffin Canning (elbow) came up with an elbow issue after his first spring outing on Wednesday, and he's going for an MRI exam on Thursday. Manager Joe Maddon said he's somewhat concerned. The 23-year-old missed the end of last season with right elbow inflammation, but it was precautionary. Canning is expected to be a key member of the team's starting rotation for years to come, so losing him for an extended period of time would be a big blow. The right-hander had a 4.58 ERA in 18 games and 90 1/3 innings in his rookie season.
Patrick Sandoval,
Jaime Barria,
Jose Suarez,
Dillon Peters and
Matt Andriese are competing for the final spot in the rotation, but two of them could start the year in the rotation if Canning must miss some time. Stay tuned for the results of Canning's MRI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Orange County Register - Jeff Fletcher
16 hours agoThe New England Patriots have yet to reach out to impending free-agent quarterback
Tom Brady about a new contract. The Patriots still have time to discuss re-signing Brady, but it's a noteworthy development during the scouting combine this week. Meanwhile Brady's agent, Don Yee, is meeting with quarterback-needy teams at the combine this week. There are rumblings that Brady is likely to land with another team this offseason, with the Titans, Raiders and Chargers being the most likely destinations. For obvious reasons, Brady's free-agent storyline will be the biggest to follow in the coming weeks. He was lacking aerial weapons in 2019 and his arm strength isn't what it used to be, but he could bounce back in 2020.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
16 hours agoWashington Redskins head coach Ron Rivera said that linebacker Ryan Kerrigan and offensive guard Brandon Scherff are both in the team's plans for 2020. The Redskins have also started contract talks with Scherff and his representation. If a deal isn't struck with Scherff, the franchise tag is a possibility. Kerrigan wasn't able to play in a full season for the first time in his career in 2019, playing in 12 games and recording career lows in tackles (25), sacks (5.5) and forced fumbles (one). He's had double-digit sack totals each of the previous three seasons and could bounce back if he stays on the field in 2020. Scherff was the fifth overall pick in 2015 and graded out as one of the top guards in the NFL in 2019.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC Sports Washington - JP Finlay
16 hours agoAtlanta Hawks center
Dewayne Dedmon (elbow) is going to be sidelined at least three games after undergoing a non-surgical procedure on Thursday. The Hawks will re-evaluate Dedmon on Monday, so he doesn't have a set timetable right now.
Bruno Fernando could see more minutes coming his way until Dedmon returns.
John Collins should be spending more time at the center spot. Dedmon is worth looking at in some fantasy formats once he's back to full speed.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Chris Kirschner
16 hours agoThe Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants are among the teams that could have interest in Seattle Seahawks impending free-agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, according to sources. Clowney has a long history of injuries in his six-year career, playing a full season just once in 2017 with the Texans, but he's among the most talented and feared pass-rushers in the league when he's healthy and hitting on all cylinder. The 27-year-old had 31 tackles (21 solo), three sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, an interception and a touchdown in 13 games for Seattle last year. Both the Colts and Giants have a serious need for pass-rushing help.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Josina Anderson
16 hours agoNew York Mets outfielder
Brandon Nimmo is undergoing more medical tests on Thursday. These tests are in addition to the precautionary cardiac screening that caused him to miss Wednesday's Grapefruit League game. At this point despite the testing, nothing has been suggested by the Mets that Nimmo will miss time. In 2019, Nimmo played in only 69 games because of injuries. He became fantasy relevant in mixed leagues in 2018 when he hit .263 with an .886 OPS, 17 home runs, 47 RBI and nine steals in 140 games. Assuming Nimmo is ready to go by Opening Day and these tests do prove to be just routine, he will face competition for playing time in the outfield. Specifically, Nimmo could end up in a platoon role given the Mets roster construct, especially if
Yoenis Cespedes (ankle, heels) remains healthy.
--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo on Twitter
16 hours agoToronto Raptors guard
Norman Powell (finger) was able to suit up for Thursday's practice. He is currently listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The fact he was able to practice is a good sign that he'll be able to get back on the court soon. He could have his minutes limited during his first game back since he's missed about a month of action. Powell is worth looking at in deep leagues once he's back to full speed.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Blake Murphy
16 hours agoToronto Raptors center
Marc Gasol (hamstring) was able to get in some light work during Thursday's practice. He has been sidelined since Jan. 28 due to a left hamstring injury. The Raptors don't have a timetable for his return, so it's safe to leave Gasol on the waiver wire in most formats.
Serge Ibaka will continue to gain playing time and increased usage without Gasol available.
Chris Boucher should see minutes in the teens, but Ibaka is the best fantasy target here.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Blake Murphy
16 hours agoChicago Bulls center
Luke Kornet (foot) is expected to miss at least six to eight weeks of action. He is dealing with a severe left ankle sprain and fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Fantasy owners can go ahead and drop Kornet if they haven't already.
Daniel Gafford and
Cristiano Da Silva Felicio will hold down the center spot until
Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) is able to return. Gafford is worth a look in deep leagues until Carter is able to get back on the court.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
16 hours agoNew York Mets relief pitcher
Seth Lugo (toe) continues to progress from a broken pinkie toe. He has been throwing bullpen sessions without issue. The next step is for Lugo to throw live batting practice on Sunday. If all goes well on Sunday, he will pitch in Grapefruit League games next week. Based on Lugo's progress, this injury does not appear serious and he should be ready to go by Opening Day. Lugo is expected to serve in a setup role to closer
Edwin Diaz in 2020. As a setup man, Lugo does not have much appeal in leagues that do not reward holds unless Diaz gets injured or is removed from the closer role. Even then, however, save opportunities are not a given for Lugo since
Dellin Betances could be next in line as the Mets closer.
--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo on Twitter
16 hours agoLos Angeles Kings goaltender Cal Petersen posted his second victory of the season in his team's 2-1 defeat of the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. The 25-year-old, elevated to the Kings' backup role following netminder Jack Campbell's recent departure via trade, put together one of his best NHL performances to date - allowing just one goal on 36 shots against in the contest. Considered the future number-one goaltender in Los Angeles, Petersen is likely to fetch more starts as the 2019-2020 campaign moves to a close. The Iowa native has some streamer appeal in redraft leagues - carrying a sturdy .913 save percentage and a 3.02 goals-against average through five starts. He could return to the crease again when the Kings host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
--Chase Davis - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
17 hours agoPittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust recorded his 25th goal of the campaign in his team's 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on Wednesday. The 27-year-old also finished the night with a plus-one rating, four shots on goal and one hit in 19:59 of time on ice in the contest. After failing to find the scoresheet in nine of ten games, Rust has now registered a point in two consecutive games - continuing to hover over a point-per-game (50 points in 48 games) in 2019-2020. Capitalizing on great chemistry with superstar center Evgeni Malkin, the Michigan native has been a near unanimous top-50 asset in fantasy leagues this season (also adding a plus-18 rating, 15 power-play points, 138 shots and 67 hits). He'll look to make it three straight contests with a point when he and the Pens take on the Ducks up next on Friday.
--Chase Davis - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
17 hours agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher
Gio Gonzalez (shoulder) is not ready for a bullpen session yet, but has been throwing long toss and building strength in his shoulder. Gonzalez has been dealing with discomfort in his left shoulder and it remains to be seen if he will be ready for Opening Day. Gonzalez is more valuable as a member to the White Sox than as a member to fantasy squads and can be avoided outside of streaming to start the 2020 season.
--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Daryl Van Schouwen
17 hours agoDetroit Tigers infielder
Niko Goodrum has been out all week with a groin injury. According to reports, this is simply due to the Tigers being extra cautious, and he would in fact be playing if it was the regular season. Goodrum originally injured his groin in late August and he missed the final month of the regular season as a result. We would not factor the injury into Goodrum's draft stock, as the team is just being cautious. Goodrum is a strong bench player to roster due to his positional versatility. He is eligible at second base, shortstop and left field. He is a solid source of home runs and stolen bases for a middle infielder as well. However, his career batting average of .243 does limit his upside. Target Goodrum as middle infield depth in deep mixed and AL-only leagues.
--Jakob AshlinSource: Chris McCosky - Detroit News
17 hours agoGreen Bay Packers tight end
Robert Tonyan Jr. (core) underwent core muscle surgery in Philadelphia, according to his agent, Jack Bechta. Tonyan was bothered by the injury all year and wasn't able to run the same. In his second season in the NFL in 2019, he had just 10 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown in 11 games played. Even with
Marcedes Lewis a free agent, Tonyan is behind
Jimmy Graham and
Jace Sternberger on the tight end depth chart and won't have much fantasy appeal heading into the 2020 season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
17 hours agoThe Kansas City Chiefs will use the franchise tag on defensive tackle Chris Jones, according to sources. The Chiefs view him in their long-term plans and want to keep him paired with Frank Clark on the defensive line for years to come. The 25-year-old is an excellent run-stuffer up the middle and helped the Chiefs win the Super Bowl in his fourth season with the team after being a second-round pick in 2016. Jones finished with 36 tackles (23 solo), nine sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 13 regular season games in 2019. He'll be due around $15.5 million under the franchise tag in 2020.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
17 hours agoCleveland Indians reliever
Emmanuel Clase (back) is expected to miss two to three months with a moderate strain of the teres major muscle in his upper back. It's a disappointing development for Clase, who was expected to hold a key role in the Indians bullpen this year and for years to come. The 21-year-old was the main prize the Indians received in the deal that sent
Corey Kluber to the Rangers. He made 21 appearances as a rookie for the Rangers last year and posted a 2.31 ERA with 21 strikeouts, two homers allowed, six walks and a 1.11 WHIP in 23 1/3 innings. He possesses a cutter that climbs into triple digits on the radar gun and has immense talent. He likely would slot in as the setup man for closer
Brad Hand, but with the injury and no clear path to saves, it's hard to justify drafting him even in AL-only leagues that value holds.
--James Stokke - RotoBallerSource: Matt Kelly (MLB.com)
17 hours agoESPN's Jeff Darlington said on GetUpESPN that he'd now be surprised if New England Patriots quarterback
Tom Brady re-signed with the team in free agency. "I’m now at the point where I would be stunned if Tom Brady went back to New England," Darlington said. The two teams being discussed with the best chances of landing Brady seem to be the Titans and the Raiders. If Tennessee goes after Brady, it means that they will let
Ryan Tannehill walk in free agency. The Raiders have soured on
Derek Carr and are looking to make a splash in their first year in Las Vegas. The Chargers could be a dark-horse candidate after they moved on from
Philip Rivers. Brady is at the end of his career and probably shouldn't be drafted as a QB1 in fantasy, especially if he lands with the run-first Titans.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
17 hours agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher
James Paxton (back) had surgery three weeks ago and is now nearly ready to start throwing. An optimistic target date for Paxton to resume throwing is March 5, but the southpaw is reportedly feeling good, so some optimism is warranted. When healthy, Paxton is a hard-throwing lefty who accumulates strikeouts at a 30% clip, so fantasy owners should continue monitoring his health over the next few weeks. His price in fantasy drafts has obviously fallen, but he could come at a nice value now, especially if he can return in late April or early May.
--Sam Chinitz - RotoBallerSource: Sweeny Murti
18 hours agoHouston Rockets guard
James Harden finished with 30 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal on 9-for-16 shooting from the field and 7-for-12 from three-point range in Wednesday's 140-112 victory against the Grizzlies. The 30-year-old recorded his third consecutive game of at least a 50 percent shooting mark from the field, while making at least seven three-pointers for the 12th time on the season. Harden has been the number one ranked player across the majority of fantasy formats for the entire season, making the former Most Valuable Player and two-time scoring champion a must-start player on a nightly basis.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
18 hours agoHouston Rockets guard
Russell Westbrook finished with a team-high 33 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals on 15-for-24 shooting from the field and 1-for-2 from three-point range in Wednesday's 140-112 victory against the Grizzlies. The 31-year-old posted his second consecutive 30-plus point performance of the season and 19th game of at least 30 points through 48 games. Westbrook has posted early-round fantasy value and has fit in nicely in his first season as a member of the Rockets alongside
James Harden, making the former Most Valuable Player a must-start player across all fantasy formats.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
18 hours agoCincinnati Reds reliever
Amir Garrett is working on improving his four-seam fastball this spring. Already armed with an elite slider, Garrett is looking to add another wipeout pitch to his arsenal as he attempts to ascend to elite-reliever status in the league. According to Statcast, Garrett notched 68 strikeouts with his slider last season, compared to just six with his four-seam fastball. Garrett told reporters, "I want to have my fastball to be able to put somebody away." An improved fastball will help Garrett's slider become even more effective when he's on the mound. While he's currently blocked by incumbent closer
Raisel Iglesias, Garrett is shaping up as Cincy's closer of the future and he could get a crack at the role in 2020 if Iglesias falters. For now, Garrett has plenty of fantasy value in leagues that count holds+saves as a category.
--Matt Terelle - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati.com
18 hours agoHouston Rockets guard
Austin Rivers finished with a season-high 23 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the field and 4-for-7 from three-point range in Wednesday's 140-112 victory against the Grizzlies. The 27-year-old added four rebounds, three assists and one steal in the contest, while recording his second 20-plus point performance and 21st double-digit scoring total of the season. Despite the quality performance against the Grizzlies, Rivers is not worth adding in most fantasy formats at the moment due to the Rockets depth at the guard position.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
18 hours agoCincinnati Reds shortstop prospect
Jose Israel Garcia is impressing in his first big-league camp. Garcia's blend of tools at the plate and in the field has been on display throughout camp, catching the eye of none other than Hall of Famer Barry Larkin. “I think he has all the tools to do it,” Larkin said. “I mean, look at him. It’s amazing. But he plays correctly. He gets to the ball. He’s under control. He’s got a great knack for the game. He’s got good baseball IQ." Garcia is the No. 6 prospect in the Cincinnati system, according to Baseball America. Most expect Garcia to open the season at Double-A Chattanooga with a shot at joining the big leagues in 2021. Armed with plus speed and above-average power for a shortstop, Garcia is worth a look in deeper, NL-only dynasty leagues.
--Matt Terelle - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati.com
18 hours agoMemphis Grizzlies center
Jonas Valanciunas posted his 27th double-double of the season in Wednesday's 140-112 loss against the Rockets, as the 27-year-old finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and one assist on 6-for-9 shooting from field goal range in the contest. Valanciunas' 27 double-doubles rank tied for 13th in the NBA this season, while finishing with double-digit point totals after three consecutive quiet performances. Valanciunas will continue to see the floor with
Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and
Brandon Clarke (quad) set to miss the next few weeks. Valanciunas has posted early-round fantasy value and should be owned across standard formats moving forward.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
19 hours agoMemphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Dillon Brooks finished with a team-high 22 points on 9-for-26 shooting from the field and 4-for-10 from three-point range in Wednesday's 140-112 loss against the Rockets. The 24-year-old added three assists and one rebound in 30 minutes, while snapping a three-game streak of under ten points on poor shooting percentages from field goal range. Brooks has produced the occasional high scoring night on the offensive end, but the third-year Canadian is only worth considering in deep fantasy formats moving forward.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NBA.com
19 hours agoKansas City Royals outfielder/forever prospect
Bubba Starling is off to a quick start this spring, hitting his second homer of the season on Wednesday. Starling is out of minor league options, and so he's in a tight battle to find a roster spot. He's got an uphill battle, and he'll likely need someone like
Nicky Lopez to stumble for him to find his way in. The current outfield is penciled in as
Hunter Dozier in right,
Whit Merrifield in center, and
Alex Gordon in left while
Maikel Franco has taken over third base and Lopez sits at second. Merrifield's versatility means that a hole at second could give Starling the chance, but first, he's got to prove that he can actually belong. Often listed as the organization's top prospect for years, Starling has failed to impress in his time in the upper echelons of the minors and some limited major league experience.
--Billy Stonick - RotoBallerSource: Jeffrey Flanagan
19 hours agoKansas City Royals third baseman/outfielder
Hunter Dozier talked about how one of his primary targets for 2020 is going to be more stolen bases. Dozier's got the speed, as evidenced by his 10 triples last year, and his average sprint speed is just a hair slower than
Whit Merrifield. With the prospective change to outfield for Dozier after
Maikel Franco was brought in during the offseason, Dozier feels that he should swipe more bags. The real question for him will be whether he can repeat his power supply from last year though. After years of underperforming, it seemed to click for Dozier last season, and he ripped 26 home runs and barely missed out on an All-Star spot. If he can produce that kind of power once again and tack on another 10+ steals, Dozier could see his value skyrocket.
--Billy Stonick - RotoBallerSource: Jeffrey Flanagan
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