19 hours agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Chris Sale (illness) will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, according to interim manager Ron Roenicke. Sale is two weeks behind his throwing program in camp as a result of the pneumonia that he was dealing with, resulting in the delayed start that will force him to begin the season sidelined as he continues to make progress, while being eased into game action. Red Sox left-hander
Eduardo Rodriguez is expected to get the Opening Day start as a result of the unfortunate news to Sale's fantasy owners, but the 30-year-old should be owned across all fantasy formats regardless.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: Alex Speier - Twitter
20 hours agoBoston Celtics forward
Jayson Tatum played another stellar game on Wednesday, and this time it was against the Utah Jazz in the 114-103 win. Tatum connected on 13 of 20 shooting en route to 33 points and added 11 rebounds with three assists and three makes from three. Tatum has elevated his game to new heights with
Kemba Walker (knee) out, and over his last five games is averaging 35.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, 0.6 steals and 4.8 makes from three on 57.5% shooting from the floor in that span. He is hard to leave off any DFS lineups at the moment, especially if Walker continues to miss time.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
20 hours agoBoston Celtics power forward/center
Daniel Theis once again provided another excellent line in the 114-103 win over the Jazz on Wednesday. Theis scored 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting and added seven rebounds with a steal in 26 minutes of action. Theis continues to get solid minutes and is averaging 14.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 0.4 blocks and 0.6 makes from three while shooting 59.4% from the floor in his last seven games. He is worth an add if you need some big man numbers with some occasional defensive stats.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
20 hours agoUtah Jazz center
Rudy Gobert failed to record double digits in both rebounds and points for the first time since way back on Oct. 26. Gobert did connect on all four of his shot attempts to score nine points while grabbing nine rebounds and providing three assists with two blocks and a steal. It was still not the worst line ever, but Gobert has definitely cooled off and is now averaging just 11.3 points and 7.7 rebounds over his last three games. Gobert will look to get back on track in a favorable matchup against the Wizards on Friday.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
20 hours agoUtah Jazz shooting guard/small forward
Joe Ingles had been moved to the bench on Wednesday and posted an empty line in the loss to the Celtics. Ingles connected on just 1-for-3 shooting en route to two points while adding just two rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes of action. We can say the Aussie has hit rock bottom on the season and to add, he was a team-worst minus-17 when he was on the floor. If you can afford to hang onto him, then it may be worth giving him another game or two, but if you are desperate and need production, there might be better options available.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
20 hours agoUtah Jazz guard
Donovan Mitchell scored 22 of his 37 points in the first half, but his big line was not enough in the 11-point loss at the hands of the Celtics. Mitchell connected on 15 of 32 shooting overall and made just two of 10 from three while adding five assists and five rebounds with just two turnovers on Wednesday. The Jazz are ice-cold at the moment, and Mitchell did all he could to try to get his club the win, but it was not enough. Mitchell and the Jazz will look to get back on track against a more favorable Wizards squad on Friday.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
20 hours agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Noah Syndergaard blanked the Astros over two innings of work in his spring debut on Wednesday. Syndergaard dialed up his fastball to 101 mph at one point. He recorded two strikeouts and allowed only one hit in his two innings pitched. Syndergaard had a disappointing 2019 in which he led the league in earned runs with 94 and posted a career-worst ERA of 4.28. A potential bounce-back candidate in 2020, Syndergaard certainly has the upside to finish as a top-20 starting pitcher. With a current ADP of about 71, Syndergaard is worthy of being drafted at that spot, especially if you miss out on the top-tier pitchers ahead of him. He should provide solid ERA and WHIP ratios, together with strikeouts and wins on a good Mets ballclub.
--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo on mets.com
20 hours agoSan Antonio Spurs shooting guard/small forward
DeMar DeRozan stepped things up with
LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) sidelined, but his big line was not enough in the six-point loss to the Mavericks. DeRozan scored 25 points on an efficient 9-for-15 shooting from the floor and nailed all nine of his shots at the line. DeRozan also added eight rebounds with nine assists and a steal across 34 minutes. If Aldridge is once again out on Saturday, DeRozan makes for an intriguing play in DFS when his club takes on the Magic.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
20 hours agoDallas Mavericks shooting guard/small forward
Tim Hardaway Jr. connected on 5-for-14 shooting en route to 17 points on Wednesday. Hardaway also connected on three triples with just two rebounds and nothing else in the win over the Spurs. Hardaway has stepped things up offensively as of late, and over his last six games is posting 23.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists with 4.2 makes from three on 52.7% shooting from the floor in that span. We know he is streaky, but he should be owned everywhere while he is playing this well.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
21 hours agoSan Antonio Spurs shooting guard/small forward
Lonnie Walker IV got the start with
LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder) out and he made the most of his 27 minutes in the 109-103 loss to the Mavericks. Walker scored 12 points while adding three rebounds with two assists and three blocks while drilling two triples in this one. The Spurs play again on Saturday and owners can hope Aldridge will suit up when his club plays the Magic. If Aldridge is out again, Walker could be worth a stream or a look in DFS in that contest.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
21 hours agoDallas Mavericks guard/forward
Luka Doncic (thumb) exited Wednesday's contest with a hand injury but returned shortly after to finish the night with a triple-double in the win over the Spurs. Doncic scored 26 points with 10 rebounds and 14 assists after finishing the game with his left thumb wrapped up. The thumb was definitely an issue for him once he returned, and Doncic added after the game that he felt it was not too serious. The Mavs go again on Friday, so stay tuned for updates to make sure he will be good to go for that one.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
21 hours agoNew York Mets closer
Edwin Diaz allowed three hits, including a pair of two-run doubles, in the Mets 4-2 loss to the Astros on Wednesday. On the plus side, Diaz generated swings and misses, hit 98 mph on his fastball and also struck out one
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21 hours agoDallas Mavericks power forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis started early and finished strong on Wednesday when he filled up the box score in the win over the Spurs. Porzingis scored 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting and added 12 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and four makes from three for one of the lines of the night. Porzingis has been providing early-round value for the past month and is showing no signs of slowing down. His club does take on the Heat on Friday, and Miami has allowed 49.6 FanDuel points to opposing centers on the season so far.
--Gianni Costantiello - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
21 hours agoEdmonton Oilers forward Andreas Athanasiou, who had a superb debut with two points on Tuesday against Anaheim, picked up a lower-body injury in only his second game for the team when the Oilers visited Vegas on Wednesday. Athanasiou, who finished the game with one shot and a minus-one rating, exited after completing only one shift in the third period. It's unclear how much time Athanasiou will miss, but it's certainly a blow for Edmonton after the top line with Athanasiou, Connor McDavid and Tyler Ennis combined for seven points in Tuesday's 4-3 overtime loss. The team returns to action on Saturday vs. Winnipeg.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
21 hours agoVegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had a perfect performance Wednesday night against the Oilers, saving all 29 shots in a 3-0 win to record his 61st career shutout. Nick Cousins scored a power-play goal in his Vegas debut, Max Pacioretty tallied the game-winner with his 30th marker of the year and Shea Theodore also scored. Alec Martinez had two assists in the game. The Knights have now won seven games straight, with Fleury being huge for the team during the streak. The Flower has registered two shutouts during the run, and he sits on a personal five-game winning streak. The veteran goalie has had three shutouts in total this month, which have helped him improve his record for the season to 26-15-5. He's carrying a 2.73 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
23 hours agoTexas Rangers pitcher
Kolby Allard threw two innings and gave up one hit against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. It was an encouraging performance for Allard, who is the pitcher most likely to be called up from the minors if any of the Rangers' starting five go down during the season. The 2015 first-round pick was acquired by Texas at the trade deadline for
Chris Martin last season and made nine starts in August and September for his new team. He struck out 33 batters in 45.1 innings in 2019 and will need to work on his 9.1 percent walk rate if he is to get on the radar for 12-team mixed leagues.
--Euan LeithSource: ESPN
1 day agoSeattle Mariners infielder
Tim Lopes went 2-for-2 in the win over the Reds on Wednesday, doubling twice while also adding a run and an RBI. The 25-year-old has played exceptionally well this spring thus far, compiling a hit in each of his five plate appearances (four doubles) to go along with five RBI. Lopes isn't a lock to make the team's Opening Day roster, but if he continues to play well, he could find himself in the lineup at some point this season, especially if some moves are made during the year.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoSeattle Mariners starting pitcher
Justin Dunn threw two complete innings during the win over the Reds on Wednesday. The 24-year-old struck out the first two batters of the day, catching
Josh VanMeter looking before dispatching
Joey Votto, who went down swinging. Though he gave up a run in the second inning, Dunn is confident that his stamina will improve as the season progresses. The righty maintained a 2.70 ERA to go along with only five strikeouts in four appearances in 2019. He likely won't have a spot on fantasy rosters to begin the year, but managers in AL only leagues should keep an eye on his development down the stretch for signs of improvement.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoOrlando Magic center
Nikola Vucevic recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and a block in a 130-120 win over the Atlanta Hawks. That's four straight double-doubles for the skilled Montenegrin big man. He hasn't exceeded last year's career-best numbers, though he's been a model of consistency from game to game. February has been his best scoring month this season, with an excellent matchup upcoming against the Timberwolves. Vucevic is a must-start in all formats.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoThe Buffalo Bills have talked with free-agent cornerback Josh Norman, according to general manager Brandon Beane, but nothing is imminent. Norman was recently released from the Redskins and has ties to both Beane and head coach Sean McDermott from their time together with the Panthers. Norman was drafted with Beane in the Carolina front office, and he was an All-Pro with McDermott as his defensive coordinator, so a match makes sense on paper. But the former fifth-round pick in 2012 is a shell of his former Pro Bowl self and was benched late in the year in Washington in 2019. Norman played in just 12 games and recorded 40 tackles (33 solo), one sack, one forced fumble and one interception.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: BuffaloBills.com - Nate Mendelson
1 day agoWhile the San Francisco 49ers think wide receiver
Marquise Goodwin is too valuable to straight up cut, they are open to trading him, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Goodwin has two years left on his current deal and is scheduled to make $3.95 million in base salary in 2020 while counting $4.906 million against the salary cap. The 29-year-old played in just nine games in 2019 because of injury and had 12 catches for 186 yards and a touchdown. If he returns, he'd be competing with
Jalen Hurd,
Dante Pettis and
Trent Taylor for a role behind
Deebo Samuel in the passing attack. The 29-year-old has game-changing speed but has never played a full season in his seven years in the NFL and hasn't scored more than four TDs in a single season. He could benefit from a change of scenery but will have to rehab his fantasy value and stay healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Eric Branch
1 day agoSan Diego Padres outfielder
Wil Myers went 2-for-3 with a solo homer on Wednesday against the Cleveland Indians. The 29-year-old has taken constant trade rumors in stride and collected three hits and a walk in nine spring training plate appearances. After performing like a legitimate four-category fantasy stud between 2016-2017, Myers has declined the past two seasons, tumbling to a mediocre 96 wRC+ and 34 percent strikeout rate last season. Now battling for playing time in a crowded Friars outfield, his ADP has fallen to 285. Likely destined for a platoon role unless he moves to greener pastures, Myers fits the bill as a rotational bench option in standard leagues.
--Andrew Le - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoOrlando Magic guard
Evan Fournier scored 20-plus points for the third straight game in a Wednesday night victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Fournier dropped 28 points on 11 of 18 shooting from the field with five assists, four rebounds, three steals and two triples. The veteran has averaged 25.7 points per game in his last three contests. Fournier should be on the DFS radar on Friday night against the Timberwolves, who just allowed 24 points to
Kendrick Nunn.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoThe Dallas Cowboys and Todd France, the agent for quarterback
Dak Prescott, had discussions on Wednesday regarding a long-term contract extension for the first time since September of last year. The meeting didn't last long, but the Cowboys are hoping to get a long-term deal done before needing to use the franchise tag on Prescott. If Dallas can get Prescott locked up soon, they could save the franchise or transition tag for impending free-agent wide receiver
Amari Cooper. Prescott put up great numbers under center in 2019 despite the Cowboys underwhelming as a whole and finishing outside of the playoff picture. One way or another he's staying put, making him a high-end QB1 entering the 2020 season for fantasy owners.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
1 day agoAtlanta Hawks forward
John Collins has been on a tear in February. He stayed hot on Wednesday night against the Magic with 26 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three triples, and two blocks. Collins has been dominant this month, posting 25 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on 63.3 percent shooting from the field as well as 48.3 percent from the arc. He's held top-15 value in this timespan. He'll have a chance to feast again in his next matchup against Brooklyn, who has struggled against big men this year.
--Tim Capurso - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoHouston Astros infielder
Abraham Toro-Hernandez (eye) was scratched from the Grapefruit League lineup on Tuesday and was diagnosed with pink eye on Wednesday, according to manager Dusty Baker. Toro wasn't at the facility on Wednesday but is expected back on Thursday. The Canadian corner infielder finished last season ranked as the team's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he hit just .218 with two homers and nine RBI in 78 at-bats to close out last season in his first taste of the majors. But Toro mashed at Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Round Rock, slashing .324/.411/.527 with 17 home runs and 80 RBI in 114 games. He is likely to begin 2020 in the minors but is certainly worth a roster spot in dynasty/keeper leagues. If he's to break into the big league lineup anytime soon, it'll likely come at either first base or DH.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
1 day agoHouston Astros outfielder
Josh Reddick (shoulder) said he will make his Grapefruit League debut possibly as early as this weekend. Reddick is healed from offseason left shoulder surgery but arrived at camp on a personal workout plan. The Astros are just being cautious with the 33-year-old, and he should be fine in time for Opening Day. Reddick hit a useful .275/.319/.409 with 14 home runs, 56 RBI and five steals in 141 games last year, but he doesn't play frequently enough to contribute relevant numbers in the counting stats in shallow mixed leagues. He'll be battling for playing time in right field in a loaded outfield picture in Houston, too.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
1 day agoColorado Avalanche right winger Martin Kaut scored his first career National Hockey League goal in Wednesday's 3-2 victory against the Sabres. The 20-year-old was recently called up in the wake of multiple injuries to impact forwards on the Avalanche, including the loss of Mikko Rantanen (upper-body), Nazem Kadri (lower-body), Andre Burakovsky (illness) and Matt Calvert (lower-body) over the past few weeks. Kaut has recorded two points over his first four games in the NHL, while posting five goals, 11 assists and 16 points through 31 games with the Colorado Eagles in the American Hockey League this season. Kaut is not worth owning in standard fantasy formats at the moment but the 2018 first-round pick carries value in dynasty formats for his future potential to contribute at the NHL level.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoHouston Astros pitching prospect
Forrest Whitley went back to the arm swing he used while in high school five years ago at the request of pitching coach Brent Strom. Whitley was happy with the results on Wednesday when he allowed three runs and two hits with a walk and one strikeout against the Cardinals. The right-hander is ranked No. 19 in all of baseball, per MLB Pipeline, said the changes to his mechanics weren't dramatic. The 22-year-old had varied results in 2019 in the minors, but he led the Arizona Fall League in K's for the second straight year and he has big-time upside near the top of Houston's rotation down the road. The 6-foot-7, 195-pounder will become relevant in deeper mixed leagues if he sees time in the big league rotation later this year. He should already be owned in all dynasty leagues and is worth stashing in AL-only leagues as well.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
1 day agoColorado Avalanche goaltender Pavel Francouz stopped 31 of 33 shots on goal to earn his 16th win of the season and fourth consecutive win in Wednesday's 3-2 victory against the Sabres. The 29-year-old was sharp in the contest, allowing only a pair of goals to Zemgus Girgensons and Curtis Lazar in the first and second period, respectively. Francouz improves to a quality record of 16-5-3 to go along with a 2.26 goals-against average, .927 save percentage and one shutout through 27 appearances. Francouz will earn the majority of the starts in the crease and should be owned in standard fantasy formats with Philipp Grubauer sidelined indefinitely due to a lower-body injury.
--Denis Vondrus - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
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