10 hours agoMiami Marlins catcher
Christian Bethancourt (illness) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. The 32-year-old will return to the field after missing the last week or so due to an illness. His return won't mean too much for fantasy managers as Bethancourt has struggled this season. He's hitless through 23 plate appearances, so fantasy managers can look elsewhere for help.
Jhonny Pereda has been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville to make room for Bethancourt on the active roster.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Miami Marlins
10 hours agoCincinnati Reds outfielder
Jake Fraley (illness) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-handed slugger has missed four games in a row due to an illness. He shouldn't require a trip to the injured list, but it could happen if he continues to miss time.
Stuart Fairchild will cover center field and bat ninth versus right-hander
Spencer Turnbull on Wednesday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
10 hours agoCincinnati Reds infielder
Jonathan India (illness) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. This marks the fourth game in a row that India has missed due to an illness. Despite that, fantasy managers should consider India as day-to-day for the moment.
Santiago Espinal will cover second base and bat eighth versus right-hander
Spencer Turnbull on Wednesday.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
11 hours agoFlorida Panthers winger Ryan Lomberg (illness) could be available again for Thursday's Game 3 against Tampa Bay. He missed Game 2 on Tuesday with an illness, but Panthers head coach Paul Maurice believes that Lomberg might be an option on Thursday. Steve Lorentz skated in Lomberg's place on the fourth line on Tuesday, logging 6:06 of action and registering two shots on goal with four hits. Lomberg produced similar numbers in Game 1 and shouldn't be expected to contribute offensively when he returns.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jameson Olive
11 hours agoLos Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot is the team's confirmed starter for Wednesday's Game 2 against Edmonton. Talbot remains between the sticks against his former team despite struggling in Game 1. The veteran netminder gave up six goals in Monday's 7-4 loss to the Oilers. He finished the contest with 38 saves. Talbot has lost two consecutive starts only twice since the start of March, which should be an encouraging sign for the Kings as they try to even the first-round series on Wednesday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Dennis Bernstein
11 hours agoVegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson will look to post a fourth consecutive win in Wednesday's Game 2 against the Dallas Stars. After closing out the regular season with back-to-back victories, Thompson saved 26 of 29 shots in Game 1 against the Stars, helping Vegas to a sweet 4-3 road win. This was Thompson's first career postseason appearance in the NHL after he missed the Golden Knights' cup run in 2022-23 with a lower-body injury. Dallas lost back-to-back home games only three times during the regular season, meaning another winning effort on Wednesday would be a remarkable feat by Thompson.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Granger
11 hours agoDallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger will aim to bounce back in Wednesday's Game 2 against the Vegas Golden Knights. He had a very rough start to the series, allowing three first-period goals in Game 1. The team eventually lost 4-3 on home ice, with Oettinger producing only 11 saves. The result dropped Oettinger's career postseason record to 13-14. Dallas will need a much better performance from him on Wednesday to keep pace with the defending champions. Oettinger has lost back-to-back starts just twice in 2024.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Bruce LeVine
12 hours agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Nolan Jones (back) is out of the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting San Diego Padres after he was pulled from Tuesday's victory with back stiffness. With Jones resting on the bench,
Jake Cave is getting the start in left field for the Rockies and will hit eighth against Padres right-hander
Matt Waldron. Jones should be considered day-to-day for now, but with a day game on Thursday before a scheduled day off on Friday, don't expect the 25-year-old to return in the series against the Friars. After hitting an impressive .297 (109-for-367) with 20 homers, 62 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 106 games in 2023, Jones has really disappointed early in 2024 with a .148 average (13-for-88), just one home run, seven RBI and two steals in his first 24 games. He could use a couple days off.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
12 hours agoDallas Stars defenseman Jani Hakanpaa (lower body) will remain sidelined for Game 2 against the Golden Knights on Wednesday. He hasn't seen any game action since March 16, missing 14 consecutive games. Hakanpaa finished the regular season with 12 (two goals, 10 assists) points, 123 blocks, and a team-high 196 hits in 64 games. Despite struggling at the back and giving up four goals to Vegas in Game 1, the Stars won't make any lineup changes on Wednesday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Brien Rea
12 hours agoMiami Marlins right-hander
Sixto Sanchez will get the start for the series finale against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The last time Sanchez started in a big-league game was in Game 3 of the 2020 National League Division Series against the Braves. The 25-year-old Dominican hurler has made his return to the majors in 2024 after dealing with multiple shoulder injuries and is currently 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA (5.75 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with three walks and three strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings pitched, all in relief for the Fish. It's a cool comeback story for Sanchez, but fantasy managers looking for a streaming option on Thursday should avoid him, as he's unlikely to go more than two or three innings as the team's opener against a very tough opponent.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
12 hours agoVancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers missed Tuesday's Game 2 against Nashville with the flu. Myers finished the regular season by averaging a point per game across his last five appearances and also performed well in Game 1. He finished as a plus-one for the contest across 19:08 of action, recording two shots, three blocks, and five hits. Noah Juulsen replaced him in the lineup for Game 2. He will likely play again in Friday's Game 3 if Myers can't shake off the flu bug.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Alex Daugherty
12 hours agoThe Colorado Rockies announced on Wednesday that they recalled utility man
Hunter Goodman from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned infielder/outfielder
Michael Toglia to Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Goodman, the club's No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline, gets called up to the majors after hitting .298 with seven home runs and 10 doubles in the first 20 games at Triple-A this year. The 24-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2021 out of Memphis made his big-league debut in 2023 and went 14-for-70 (.200) with a homer, 17 RBI, five walks and 24 strikeouts in his first 23 games played in the Show. For now, he's merely a waiver-wire option for fantasy managers in deep leagues for his power upside at Coors Field. He figures to see some playing time in right field and first base, but he's not start in Wednesday against the visiting San Diego Padres.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Rockies Club Information
12 hours agoWashington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that the plan for now is to play
Joey Gallo in right field after the team placed outfielder
Lane Thomas (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a Grade 2 MLB sprain in his left knee. Rookie infielder
Trey Lipscomb, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester, will play multiple positions but probably a decent amount of first base. Gallo is making his first start in the outfield on Wednesday and is hitting fifth against Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed rookie
Landon Knack. The 30-year-old left-handed batter has plenty of power offensively, but he swings and misses often and is hitting just .143 (9-for-63) on the year with three home runs, five RBI and 34 strikeouts in 79 plate appearances over 20 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
12 hours agoThe Los Angeles Chargers are set to undergo a rebuilding phase following the hiring of head coach Jim Harbaugh and the departures of long-time offensive weapons
Austin Ekeler,
Keenan Allen, and
Mike Williams. L.A. has been rumored to be a top landing spot for Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison or LSU wideout
Malik Nabers, but Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report suggests they are likely to pick an offensive tackle if they stay at pick No. 5. Notre Dame's Joe Alt is expected to be the first player at the position off the board. Alt has been mocked to the Tennessee Titans at pick No. 7 for much of the offseason, so the Chargers picking the 2023 first-team All-American would shake things up drastically. The Chargers have a lot of options with teams potentially trying to move up for a quarterback, so they are one of the key teams to monitor in the first round on Thursday.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Jordan Schultz
12 hours agoWashington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that outfielder
Lane Thomas (knee) is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee after getting hurt in Tuesday night's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. "It could've been a lot worse," Martinez said. Thomas was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and is likely to miss more than the required 10 games, but fantasy managers should keep him stashed in an IL spot for the time being after he had 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a breakout season in 2023. Martinez said the plan for now is to play
Joey Gallo in right field, with infield prospect
Trey Lipscomb playing multiple positions but probably a decent amount at first base. Thomas is hitting just .184 (16-for-87) in the first month of the season, but he's helped his fantasy managers with 11 stolen bases, which ranks third in MLB.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
12 hours agoThe New York Giants are in an interesting predicament at the quarterback spot. The organization signed
Daniel Jones (knee) to a four-year, $160 million deal last offseason, but he didn't play well in 2023, and he is coming off a torn ACL. There has
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12 hours agoOutfield prospect
Addison Barger is joining the Toronto Blue Jays in Kansas City on Wednesday and is expected to be active, according to a source. Barger offers left-handed power and the ability to play the corner-outfield spots as well as third base. It's notable after outfielder
Kevin Kiermaier (hip) left Tuesday night's game with hip-flexor discomfort. The team's No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was hitting .314 (22-for-70) with three home runs, 21 RBI and 17 runs scored in 19 games for Triple-A Buffalo before getting his first big-league call-up. The 24-year-old former sixth-round pick in 2018 could see decent playing time in the short term in Toronto's outfield if Kiermaier hits the injured list, making him worth a pickup in deeper fantasy leagues for his 30-homer potential from the left side.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet.ca - Ben Nicholson-Smith
13 hours agoUniversity of Washington quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. has seemingly been rising up draft boards this offseason, and NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that he could enter the discussion to be one of the first four quarterbacks off the board. "It's been assumed the top four QBs are Williams, Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy," Russini wrote "But don't be surprised if Penix enters the discussion come Thursday." Penix, who will be 24 years old during his rookie season, had a monster two-year stretch with Washington after four injury-riddled campaigns at Indiana. In 2022 and 2023 combined, the lefty posted 9,544 passing yards, 67 passing touchdowns, and 67 interceptions. He ran between a 4.51- and 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the Huskies' Pro Day, so his 226 career rushing yards might not demonstrate his full rushing ability.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Dianna Russini -- The Athletic
13 hours agoCleveland Guardians right-hander
Gavin Williams (elbow) felt the same right-elbow discomfort after his latest start in Arizona as he did this spring. He will receive an injection and will be shut down for seven days as a result. The Guardians are hoping Williams can then resume throwing and won't be set back too far. It's obviously bad news, and there remains no timetable for a potential return for the 24-year-old. Williams started last year at Double-A Akron before making it all the way to Cleveland's starting rotation in his rookie campaign, where he impressed by going 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA (4.05 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 37 walks and 81 strikeouts in 82 innings over 16 starts. It's becoming more of an uphill battle for Williams to return to the Guardians in the first half of 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mandy Bell
13 hours agoAs long as New York Mets designated hitter
J.D. Martinez (back) comes out of his final minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday without a setback, the team expects him to be their starting DH on Friday night against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Martinez signed with the Mets late in spring training but didn't join the big-league club for Opening Day because he needed to get his timing down first. A back issue has delayed his arrival to the big leagues in New York, but it sounds like his 2024 debut is right around the corner on Friday. Injuries are probably going to continue to be an issue, but if Martinez is available in your fantasy league, he's worth a pickup if you're in need of a power boost. The 36-year-old six-time All-Star hit .271/.321/.572 with an .893 OPS, 33 home runs and 103 RBI in 113 games with the Dodgers in 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
13 hours agoVeteran offensive tackle James Hurst announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, marking the end of a 10-year professional career. The 32-year-old was originally undrafted out of North Carolina in the 2014 class and signed by the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. He spent six seasons with Baltimore before four campaigns with the New Orleans Saints. Hurst played in 150 games with 95 starts, so he clearly exceeded expectations and is a feel-good story for undrafted prospects.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
13 hours agoThe Washington Nationals officially placed outfielder
Lane Thomas (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left-MCL sprain and recalled infielder
Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move, according to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo. The 28-year-old Thomas hit just .184 with two home runs, 10 RBI, eight walks, 11 stolen bases and six runs scored in 22 games before injuring his knee on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. While he hasn't hit well in the early going, he ranks third in the league with his 11 thefts. If the Nats move
Nick Senzel to the outfield, Lipscomb should see regular starts again at the hot corner in D.C. Thomas is probably going to miss more than 10 days, but he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues after clubbing 28 home runs and stealing 20 bases in 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Nationals Communications
13 hours agoDetroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff had a monster 2023 season, throwing for 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He led Detroit to the No. 3 seed in the NFC and the organization won two playoff games in a single postseason for the first time since 1957. On Wednesday, the team signed Pro Bowl wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown and offensive tackle Penei Sewell to high-dollar four-year contract extensions, but Goff is reportedly not close to agreeing to a new long-term deal. According to Adam Schefter, no new deal is "imminent" as of now. This will be an interesting development to watch play out, as the former Los Angeles Rams No. 1 overall pick is entering the final year of his contract in the Motor City and could become a free agent next offseason.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
13 hours agoSan Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin classified left-hander
Blake Snell's groin strain as moderate, and he could stay on the injured list beyond the 15 days, but that's to be determined right now. Snell felt the groin strain while throwing a bullpen session the other day and shut himself down briefly, but he didn't feel good when he tried throwing again. He was scheduled to make his next start on Wednesday against the New York Mets. In a bullpen game against the Mets on Wednesday,
Ryan Walker will serve as the opener. The 31-year-old Snell is not only hurt now but is 0-3 with a rough 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in his first three starts with the Gigantes. Fantasy managers must stash the two-time Cy Young winner in an IL spot in all leagues and hope that he'll be better when he returns to full health.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
13 hours agoThe Chicago Cubs called up outfield prospect
Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday with outfielder
Cody Bellinger (rib) landing on the 10-day injured list due to a rib fracture, according to manager Craig Counsell. Crow-Armstrong is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and deserves immediate waiver-wire consideration in mixed fantasy leagues, as he could take over primary center-field duties in Chicago until Bellinger is able to return. The 22-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2020 by the New York Mets was hitting just .203 (16-for-79) with two home runs, seven RBI and five stolen bases at Iowa before the call-up. He's more advanced defensively at this point than offensively, but his speed alone could make him valuable in the short-term.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
13 hours agoChicago Cubs outfielder
Cody Bellinger (rib) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to a right-rib fracture that he suffered on Tuesday when he crashed into the outfield wall at Wrigley Field, according to manager Craig Counsell. Prospect
Pete Crow-Armstrong is being called up from the minors in a corresponding move. Initial X-rays turned up negative on Bellinger, but a CT scan found the fracture, which will cause the 28-year-old to miss at least several weeks. In the meantime, Bellinger should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. He's currently hitting .226 (19-for-84) with five home runs and 17 RBI in the first 22 games. Crow-Armstrong could see regular playing time as Chicago's center fielder until Bellinger is able to return, making him an attractive short-term waiver-wire pickup in single-year leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Watch Marquee - Andy Martinez
14 hours agoLos Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said that infielder
Brandon Drury (hamstring), who is out of the lineup for the third straight game on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, has been feeling soreness from a left-hamstring injury he suffered last week. Washington added that Drury was left out of Wednesday's lineup as a precaution but could pinch hit, if needed.
Luis Rengifo is filling in at the keystone and is hitting eighth against Orioles right-hander
Dean Kremer. Fantasy managers should consider the 31-year-old Drury as day-to-day for now, but if his hamstring soreness lingers, he could eventually land on the injured list. Drury has been a non-factor offensively for the Halos so far this year, going 13-for-66 (.197) with one homer and four RBI in 19 games played.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Bautista
14 hours agoBaltimore Orioles rookie outfielder
Heston Kjerstad is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against Los Angeles Angels left-hander
Tyler Anderson. Kjerstad made his 2024 debut for the O's on Tuesday against a right-hander and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, so he'll head to the bench on Wednesday against a lefty that has been pitching well early this year.
Colton Cowser is starting in left field and is batting eighth for the Orioles against Anderson. Kjerstad, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned the promotion to Baltimore after hitting .349/.431/.744 with a 1.176 OPS, 10 home runs and 30 RBI in the first 21 games for Triple-A Norfolk. The 25-year-old should be rostered in mixed leagues, but don't be surprised if he continues to sit against lefties given Baltimore's stacked roster.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
14 hours agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle (knee) is back at first base and is hitting third in the order for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels and left-hander
Tyler Anderson. Mountcastle will return to action after missing the last two games with knee soreness. The 27-year-old former 36th overall pick in 2015 has been swinging the bat well this year with a .333 average (25-for-75) with two home runs, 11 RBI and 14 runs scored in his first two games. Fantasy baseball managers need to make sure to get Mountcastle back into their lineups. He's only faced Anderson twice in his career and is hitless with one RBI. So far against southpaws in 2024, Mountcastle is 8-for-25 (.320) with a homer and three RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
14 hours agoBoston Red Sox outfielder
Masataka Yoshida is once again on the bench for Wednesday's contest against the Cleveland Guardians and right-hander
Carlos Carrasco. The lefty-swinging outfielder hasn't started a game since April 20 as it's unclear if he is dealing with an injury or is simply in manager Alex Cora's doghouse. He did make a pinch-hitting plate appearance on Tuesday, so it appears to be the latter. The 30-year-old isn't exactly off to a terrible start, hitting .250 with two homers, 10 RBI, a tiny 13.6% K%, and a .708 OPS in 21 games, production that grades out 6% above the league average, as per his 106 wRC+.
Rafael Devers is back in the lineup at designated hitter while
Tyler O'Neill and
Wilyer Abreu are manning the corner outfield spots.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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