10 hours agoBoston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) will play on Thursday against the Hawks. The 33-year-old has been sidelined for the last five games because of an AC joint sprain and was listed as questionable for the rematch versus Atlanta. However, he's good to go and won't have any restrictions, which is certainly good news for fantasy managers. Sam Hauser, who has averaged 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 10 starts this year, will head back to the bench. Yet, with Al Horford (toe) out, Hauser could remain involved enough to warrant DFS consideration.Source: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal earned the win in Thursday's 1-0 Opening Day victory over the White Sox. Skubal allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six batters in six innings of work. After a dominant 2023, expectations for the 27-year-old were sky-high, and the lefty delivered in his first outing of the 2024 season. His next turn could come next Wednesday against the Mets in New York as he looks to make good on his NFBC ADP of 50th overall.Source: ESPN
10 hours agoThe Baltimore Orioles' prized offseason acquisition and Opening Day starter Corbin Burnes tossed six innings of scoreless ball on Thursday, securing the win in an 11-3 victory over the Angels. The three-time All-Star struck out 11 batters and didn't allow a walk. The only blemish was a solo homer given up in the first inning to future Hall of Famer Mike Trout. Sometimes it plays out just the way you drew it up -- the O's get off on the right foot in their defense of last year's American League East division title, and Burnes rewards fantasy managers who spent a second-round pick on the 29-year-old with a masterful start to the season. Burnes' next start could come at home next Wednesday against the Royals.Source: ESPN
11 hours agoMinnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) was taken out of the game in the third inning of Thursday's Opening Day matchup against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old came up limping as he rounded third on a Carlos Correa double. At least it's not his surgically repaired knee, but this is certainly not good news, especially for someone with his injury history. Lewis ended last season on a roll and started 2024 off with a bang, hitting a home run in his first at-bat of the season and followed that up with a single before being pulled from the game. We'll expect to find out the extent of the injury after the game.Source: Pioneer Press - Betsy Helfand
12 hours agoPhiladelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is opening the season on the 15-day injured list with an impingement in his right shoulder. Walker doesn't need an injection or an MRI exam, though, and is hoping he doesn't have to miss much time. The 31-year-old felt discomfort while throwing a bullpen session last weekend and has been shut down since. With Walker starting the year on the shelf, it has opened up a starting rotation spot for Spencer Turnbull in Philly. Walker, the former 43rd overall pick in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners, went 15-6 last year in his first season with the Phils and had a 4.38 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 71 walks and 138 strikeouts in 172 2/3 innings over 31 starts. He was fortunate to have those numbers, though, with below-average walk and strikeout rates.Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
12 hours agoThe Atlanta Falcons have released offensive lineman Justin Shaffer, according to Michael Rothstein of ESPN. Shaffer was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Falcons out of the University of Georgia, and his stint with the team is set to end after just two seasons. The 25-year-old has been on and off Atlanta's practice squad during his career, and he has not appeared in a regular season game. He'll likely get a chance with another franchise, but it'll likely be on a cheap, one-year deal with the possibility of him being released before the 2024 campaign begins.Source: Mike Rothstein
12 hours agoVeteran safety Cody Davis is retiring from the NFL, according to his X account on Thursday. Davis originally went undrafted out of Texas Tech in 2013, but he was signed by the St. Louis Rams as a free agent and spent five years with the organization. He then played two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before four years with the New England Patriots. Overall, the 34-year-old compiled 117 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and eight passes defended in 144 games over 11 years. He was primarily a special teamer and depth player, so it's not a significant loss for the Patriots heading into 2024.Source: Cody Davis
12 hours agoFree-agent wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has agreed to terms to sign with the Washington Commanders, according to John Keim of ESPN. Zaccheaus was originally undrafted out of Virginia in the 2019 class, and he spent four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before one year with the Philadelphia Eagles last season. Overall, the 26-year-old has hauled in 104 passes for 1,492 yards and 10 touchdowns through his first 72 NFL games. With Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson on the roster and Washington likely to take shots on wide receivers in next month's draft, Zaccheaus is unlikely to have a path toward fantasy success in 2024, barring injury. He's likely just a depth piece for a franchise looking to rebuild on the fly.Source: John Keim
12 hours agoTexas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. He said his arm is feeling good and described this period as "early February" for him if he didn't have the rehab for his back injury. Scherzer said there are still hurdles to jump through, but he said he respects the process of the rehab he's currently going through. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer underwent back surgery in December to fix a herniated disc in his back, which is why he's not ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. The Rangers don't have plans to put Scherzer on the 60-day injured list, which means that he could make his return to Texas' rotation before the end of May. That would be a best-case scenario. While Scherzer can still be an asset in fantasy, his days of being an ace are likely behind him at this point, especially coming off injury.Source: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
12 hours agoFormer Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze has upcoming meetings with the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears at their respective facilities, he told Brady Henderson of ESPN. The 21-year-old is projected to be selected in the early first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and most analysts rank him just behind Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. and LSU's Malik Nabers. He is coming off a 92-catch, 1,640-yard, 13-touchdown season in 2023, and he impressed at the NFL Combine. Arizona holds the No. 4 pick, New York holds the No. 10 pick, and Chicago owns the No. 1 and No. 9 overall picks. Oduzne will be a highly sought-after fantasy football rookie next year regardless of his landing spot, but target competition in Chicago and New York could make it tough for him to have a massive breakout in his first season as a pro. That said, he's viewed as an elite prospect, so anything is possible.Source: Brady Henderson
12 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitchers Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (lung) are "a ways away" from returning from the injured list. Both players are playing catch but have yet to start throwing bullpen sessions. Graterol is dealing with right-shoulder inflammation, while Treinen suffered a bruised lung when he was hit by a comebacker in the chest in spring training in early March. Both relievers are unlikely to be available for the Dodgers' bullpen until probably late April. Until they are able to return, Joe Kelly and Ryan Brasier will be counted on more in late-inning setup roles ahead of closer Evan Phillips.Source: The Los Angeles Times - Jack Harris
12 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) said he is feeling good about his recovery and is out to 120 feet in long toss. Manager Dave Roberts thinks that Kershaw is also "ahead of things" timetable-wise. His next step will be throwing bullpen sessions, but it's to be determined when that will take place. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had left-shoulder surgery in the offseason and is starting the year on the 60-day injured list. As he nears the end of his illustrious career with the Dodgers, injuries are beginning to take their toll on Kershaw. However, the three-time Cy Young winner was effective in his 24 starts in 2023, posting a 2.46 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 40 walks and 137 strikeouts. Kershaw isn't going to be ready until sometime this summer, but if he's right, he can still be valuable in fantasy.Source: The Los Angeles Times - Jack Harris
12 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) is "coming sooner than I think we anticipated," according to manager Dave Roberts. Buehler will either head to Triple-A Oklahoma City or Arizona next to continue building his arm up. The 29-year-old threw four simulated innings before the team's exhibition game on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels but is opening the 2024 season on the injured list. Buehler missed all of the 2023 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, so his fantasy upside will be limited this year while being on an innings limit. However, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues to begin the year since he has the ability to be an X factor for fantasy rotations if he's able to recover his pre-injury form for the Dodgers. We'll have a better idea of when Buehler might be able to make his season debut, but don't be surprised if it's not until May.Source: Los Angeles Times - Jack Harris
13 hours agoTexas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hernia) is starting at shortstop and batting second on Opening Day on Thursday versus left-hander Justin Steele and the visiting Chicago Cubs. It was uncertain earlier this spring if the two-time World Series MVP would be ready for Opening Day, but those concerns were mostly put to rest when he started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Monday's exhibition game at Globe Life Field against the Boston Red Sox. The 29-year-old missed most of spring training after having sports-hernia surgery in the offseason, but all that matters now is that he's available for fantasy managers in Game 1 of the 2024 season. Seager is a must-start on a daily basis in single-year fantasy leagues, but don't be surprised if he gets off to a slow start given his lack of spring training activity.Source: Texas Rangers
13 hours agoWashington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (finger) was a late scratch on Opening Day on Thursday against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, on the road after he injured a finger while taking grounders during batting practice. With Senzel out, Ildemaro Vargas will now make the start at the hot corner while batting eighth against Reds right-hander Frankie Montas. It's not the start that Senzel was hoping for in his first year in D.C., and there's no word on the severity of his finger injury or if he'll have to miss more time beyond Thursday's game. The 28-year-old former second overall pick of the Reds in 2016 out of Tennessee was a first-round bust in his five years in Cincy, mostly due to injuries. He's hoping to bounce back with the Nats after hitting .239/.302/.369 in his first 377 big-league games.Source: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
13 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz is hitting sixth on Opening Day on Thursday against the Miami Marlins and left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Cruz is probably going to hit leadoff for the Bucs against right-handed pitchers, but he's going to start in the six-hole on Opening Day against a southpaw. It's not what fantasy managers really want to see and isn't good for his DFS value to kick things off. Instead of the 25-year-old atop the batting order on Thursday, it will be outfielder Connor Joe in that spot for Pittsburgh. The 2023 season was a lost one for Cruz after he fractured his ankle on April 9, but there's still plenty to like from this emerging shortstop talent because of his power/speed profile at an unorthodox 6-foot-7, 215 pounds at the 6.Source: Pittsburgh PG - Jason Mackey
13 hours agoChicago Bulls guards Alex Caruso (ankle) and Ayo Dosunmu (illness) are probable for Friday's tilt against the Brooklyn Nets. Caruso continues to deal with a sprained left ankle, and Dosunmu is managing an upper respiratory illness, but they are likely to suit up for the Bulls on Friday. Both guards are offering top-50 value in nine-category leagues over the past two weeks of action, with Caruso notching double scoring figures as well as multiple triples and steals in six of his past seven showings and Dosunmu averaging 22.3 points, 5.3 assists, 1.2 swipes, and 2.7 triples across his last six games. They will both be worth deploying against a Nets squad permitting the most three-pointers (3.6) to opposing point guards this season.Source: NBA.com
13 hours agoCleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (ankle) is probable for Friday's contest versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite a sprained right ankle, Garland is expected to play on Friday. The 24-year-old All-Star guard has helped pick up the slack in Donovan Mitchell's (knee, nose) absence, supplying 19.1 points, 7.0 dimes, 3.3 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 3.3 three-pointers covering his latest 15 appearances but is hurting nine-category fantasy managers with 3.0 turnovers per contest over this period. If Mitchell returns to Cleveland's lineup against the Sixers, Garland could witness a rise in efficiency and a drop in giveaways with less usage on his plate.Source: Evan Dammarell - FearTheSword.com
13 hours agoCleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (knee, nose) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Philadelphia 76ers. The upgrade coincides with a report on Wednesday from The Athletic's Shams Charania that Mitchell was targeting a return on Friday from a six-game absence with a knee injury and nasal fracture. Even so, the two-way superstar's status could ultimately come down to a game-time decision based on pregame warmups. Point forward Caris LeVert's run as a primary ball handler for the Cavs could be nearing a close, averaging 11.8 points, 7.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 threes, and 1.4 steals through his last 12 games (seven starts). He should remain held in all fantasy leagues until Mitchell is officially cleared, though.Source: Evan Dammarell - FearTheSword.com
14 hours agoSt. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II is slotted to bat eighth on Opening Day on Thursday on the road as he faces up against Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scott was named to the major-league roster earlier this week as a result of Dylan Carlson (shoulder) being placed on the injured list. The 23-year-old swiped 94 bags across the minor leagues last season and could become a valuable contributor to fantasy teams on his speed alone. Scott should be viewed as an everyday player for the foreseeable future, as Carlson, Lars Nootbaar (ribs) and Tommy Edman (wrist) are all battling injuries.Source: St. Louis Cardinals
14 hours agoHouston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman will be batting cleanup on Opening Day as he faces southpaw Nestor Cortes and the New York Yankees. Bregman was a popular target in drafts this offseason with an ADP of 59.0. The 29-year-old has been a staple in the Houston lineup for several seasons and should once again be counted on to produce as a strong source of counting stats and great on-base skills. Bregman is an excellent play in DFS, as he should see ample opportunities to be on the score sheet.Source: Houston Astros
14 hours agoAlthough LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. stands in the shadow of teammate Malik Nabers for the upcoming NFL draft, the 6-foot-2 7/8, 209-pounder is viewed as a possible top-20 pick in April. "He's about as naturally talented as you can find at the position," NFL Network's Bucky Brooks said. "Big, fast, physical. Runs great routes. Natural catcher. Does a really good job of watching the ball into his hands. He can shine." The biggest question for Thomas is whether he can step outside the shadow of Nabors and be an alpha dog for an NFL team. Because he didn't work out at LSU's pro day on Wednesday, Thomas may not have answered that question completely, but it doesn't mean that a receiver-needy team won't be willing to take him in the first round in 2024.Source: NFL.com - Eric Edholm
14 hours agoLSU quarterback Jayden Daniels had a solid workout during his school's pro day on Wednesday after he chose not to throw at the NFL scouting combine in February. Daniels measured in at 6-foot-3 5/8 and 210 pounds with 9 3/8-inch hands. He didn't run a 40-yard dash or do any other athletic testing, but he completed 52 of his 56 passes. Most of Daniels' misfires came on deeper passes and throws outside the numbers. He appeared to improve as his throwing session went on. "I can't say that it's been an A-plus workout, but it's been solid," NFL Network's Bucky Brooks said. Daniels' pro day session might not have been a game-changer for his outlook, but he was pleased with the results as a whole, and he's still expected to be a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL draft, possibly as early as No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders.Source: NFL.com - Eric Edholm
14 hours agoKansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia is slotted in the lead-off spot as he faces the Minnesota Twins and Pablo Lopez on Opening Day. This is a promising sign for the young 24-year-old as he will have plenty of opportunities to score as Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez are batting behind him. Garcia is also a threat on the base paths, as he stole 23 bases last season. The right-handed bat is a contrarian option in DFS option today, as he should see a decent number of at-bats and might not be a popular play due to his pitching matchup.Source: Kansas City Royals
14 hours agoThe Buffalo Bills signed free-agent defensive tackle DeShawn Williams to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday. Williams will give the Bills continued depth for their defensive tackle room that went into free agency with just Ed Oliver and Eli Ankou under contract. The 31-year-old Williams played in 16 games (10 starts) for the Carolina Panthers last year and finished with 33 tackles (13 solo) and seven QB hits. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2016 with the Cincinnati Bengals out of Clemson, and the Bills will be the fourth different team he's played for in six seasons. In total, Williams has racked up 148 tackles (72 solo), nine sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits, one interception and nine passes defended in 66 games (44 starts). Williams will be off the IDP fantasy radar.Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
14 hours agoFormer Green Bay Packers tight end Josiah Deguara signed an undisclosed one-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, according to a source. Deguara will head to the AFC after spending the first four years of his NFL career playing for the Packers. Green Bay took him in the third round (94th overall) in 2020 out of Cincinnati. In his four years with the team, he recorded 47 catches on 58 targets for 436 yards and only two touchdowns in 50 games played (10 starts). In 15 regular-season games (four starts) in 2023, the 27-year-old caught just eight passes for 65 yards and no scores. Deguara will mostly be useful to the Jaguars for his blocking skills on offense and on special teams, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make an impact catching the ball behind Evan Engram, the team's top pass-catching tight end.Source: Bleacher Report - Jordan Schultz
14 hours agoFirst baseman Mike Ford officially signed a deal with the Cincinnati Reds after agreeing to a minor-league deal earlier this offseason. Ford is slotted to be in a bench role while Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario hold down first and third base, respectively. The veteran could slot into the lineup to provide injury relief throughout the season, but he is not expected to be a major fantasy contributor.Source: Jon Heyman
15 hours agoMinnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien will have to wait to make his 2024 debut as Kyle Farmer will man second base. The left-handed bat looks to be on the strong side of a platoon role for now as the Twins are facing southpaw Cole Ragans today. However, with the talent that Julien flashed last season, he may be able to play himself out of it as the season progresses.Source: Twitter
15 hours agoMiami Heat forward Duncan Robinson (back) has been ruled out for Friday's meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers. Left facet syndrome will cost Robinson a fifth game in a row, with the catch-and-shoot wing's next chance to return coming in Sunday's clash with the Washington Wizards. 2022 first-rounder Nikola Jovic has seen the most noticeable increase in playing time during Robinson's absence, logging 25.4 minutes per contest over his past four games (all starts) with averages of 10.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 2.5 threes. He's a barely-there streamer during the fantasy semifinals against a Portland squad yielding the fifth-fewest treys per game (11.7).Source: Miami Heat on X
15 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (back) was dealing with back discomfort earlier in the week but is confirmed to be starting in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday against the Miami Marlins and left-hander Jesus Luzardo, batting in the two-hole. The switch-hitter was held out of the final three games of spring training. Reynolds will look to have another successful fantasy season, as he hit 27 home runs with a .263 batting average last year.Source: Twitter