20 hours agoChicago Cubs starting pitching prospect
Cade Horton tossed four shutout innings on Tuesday, allowing just one hit and one free pass. The right-hander struck out five. Horton carried his dominance into his second start of the season and holds an overall 1.13 ERA and 0.75 WHIP across eight innings with nine strikeouts. The former seventh overall pick is the top pitching prospect in the Cubs system and should be expected to make his major league debut later this summer. The Cubs have had early season struggles with both their starting pitching and relievers due to injuries and poor performances. Horton could look to fill that void in the stretch run as the Cubs hope to win the NL Central. The 22-year-old is worth stashing in deeper redraft formats and should already be rostered in keeper and dynasty leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
20 hours agoBaltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Jud Fabian went 4-for-4 with a walk on Thursday. The 23-year-old is off to a hot start at Double-A with a .297/.395/.486 slash line with one home run. Fabian has taken significant steps forward, as he hit for a mediocre .176/.314/.399 across 64 games at Double-A last season. Fabian is ranked as the No. 12 prospect in the Baltimore system, per MLB Pipeline, and should be expected to make his major-league debut in 2025. Fabian is worth looking into in dynasty leagues, especially if he continues to play well at Double-A.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
20 hours agoBaltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Heston Kjerstad launched his eighth home run of the season to cap off a 3-for-3 day at the plate. The 25-year-old has been off to an unbelievable start to the season with a .342/.425/.726 slash line and is closing in on double-digit long balls in the minor leagues. Kjerstad held his own in the majors last season, albeit in a small sample size, where he hit for a .233 batting average and two home runs, and he should be in for a bigger opportunity this season. Kjerstad is on the brink of a promotion and is worth stashing, even in standard single-season leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
20 hours agoNew York Yankees outfield prospect
Everson Pereira launched two home runs on three hits on Thursday night, which powered Triple-A Scranton to their 12th victory of the season. Pereira is riding a .255/.359/.618 line with six total long balls this season. The 23-year-old got a small taste of the majors in 2023 and should receive another call-up later in the summer. With top prospect
Jasson Dominguez injured (elbow) and
Spencer Jones still in Double-A, Pereira could be the first name from the Yankee system promoted this season and is worth holding onto in dynasty and keeper leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
20 hours agoToronto Blue Jays shortstop/second base prospect
Orelvis Martinez launched his third home run of the season in the top of the ninth inning, which eventually served as the game-winner. The 22-year-old went 2-5 in Thursday's game and is batting .305/.359/.576 across the young part of the season. Martinez is doing much better in Triple-A this season compared to last year, where he hit for a .263/.340/.507 slash line with 11 home runs. Martinez is making quite a case for a promotion and should come up as a second baseman, since
Bo Bichette will continue to serve as the team's shortstop. The second-ranked prospect in the Toronto system is worth stashing in deeper leagues for now.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoBoston Red Sox outfielder
Jarren Duran filled up the stat sheet on Thursday, going 1-for-4 with two runs, two RBI, and a stolen base in a 5-4 loss against the Cleveland Guardians. Duran hit a triple and walked, the latter of which led to his seventh steal of the season. As the leadoff man for Boston, Duran should have ample opportunity to steal bases and so far he's made the most of it. He is a great three-category contributor who will help fantasy teams with AVG, runs, and steals while providing the occasional homer. He should be rostered in most leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoTexas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien had a great day at the dish on Thursday, leading the team to a 9-7 win over the Detroit Tigers. Semien went 3-for-6 with a homer and a double while scoring a pair of runs and knocking in one. With the big performance, the 33-year-old bumps up his slash line to .286/.355/.464 on the season. He also has 16 runs scored, three homers, 17 RBI, and a stolen base. While the counting numbers are great, his power and speed have left a little to be desired so far, but those should pick up as the season goes on.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoSan Francisco Giants right-hander
Alex Cobb (shoulder, elbow, hip) said after the game on Thursday night that he had an MRI exam come back clean and that he will throw on flat ground on Friday. The news comes after it was reported earlier on Thursday that Cobb developed "mild shoulder inflammation" in his right arm two days after his latest bullpen session. The 36-year-old veteran has now dealt with elbow and shoulder issues while initially rehabbing from offseason hip surgery. It's good news that his shoulder injury isn't anything serious, but he's going to need at least several weeks to ramp his arm back up before he becomes a realistic option for the Giants' starting rotation in 2024. Injury issues aside, there's not a ton of fantasy upside with Cobb at this point in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - John Shea
1 day agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Logan Webb picked up his second win of the season on Thursday in a 5-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Webb had his best outing on the year in this one, twirling seven shutout frames while allowing just two hits. He also walked one and struck out five in the dominant performance. Other than a tough start against the Dodgers early on, Webb has been exactly what we expected this season, a sturdy innings eater who can solidify a rotation. He should keep being exactly that, and should seldom leave fantasy lineups.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoUpdating a previous report, Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Ryne Nelson (elbow) was removed from Thursday night's loss to the San Francisco Giants after two innings due to a right-elbow contusion that he suffered when he was hit by a comebacker. While Nelson looked to be in considerable pain after taking the shot to his pitching arm, it looks like he avoided any fractures or breaks to his elbow. That doesn't mean the 26-year-old won't have to go on the injured list, but for now, it appears Nelson has avoided a serious injury and has a good shot to make his next scheduled start for the D-backs. Coming into Thursday's start, his fourth of the season, the former second-rounder in 2019 out of Oregon had a 5.27 ERA and 1.61 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings in starts against the Yankees, Braves and Cardinals.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
1 day agoCleveland Guardians closer
Emmanuel Clase locked down his fifth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. Clase was sharp in this one, throwing a perfect inning and striking out one. It was nice to see this kind of outing from Clase, who had blown his last two save opportunities before this one. That said, the 26-year-old has been sharp overall this season, going 5-for-7 in save opportunities while pitching to a 1.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He will remain an elite closer for fantasy purposes.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoTexas Rangers relief pitcher
Kirby Yates closed out the Detroit Tigers on Thursday in a 9-7 win. Yates got the final four outs of this one, allowing just a hit while striking out one. It was the 37-year-old's second save of the season, with his first coming on Monday. He has been used as Texas' highest-leverage pitcher for the past few weeks and is likely to continue in that role, which will presumably give him the best chance at saves in the Rangers bullpen. He should be added in any leagues where saves matter.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoPittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect
Paul Skenes was electric on Thursday, dominating minor-league hitters for Triple-A Indianapolis. Skenes pitched 3 ⅓ innings of shutout ball, allowing just a hit and two walks while striking out a whopping eight. He also built up to 65 pitches in this one. The Pirates said earlier in the day that Skenes will need more seasoning in the minors before he is called up, but it's going to be really tough to keep him down there if he keeps pitching like he has been. He needs to be rostered in all leagues at this point, as his call-up feels like an inevitability.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB
1 day agoNew Orleans Pelicans forward
Brandon Ingram (knee) remains off the injury report ahead of Friday's matchup with the Sacramento Kings. The 26-year-old recently returned from a lengthy stint on the shelf because of a knee injury. But he's been limited, combining for 44 minutes in the last two games. However, according to head coach Willie Green, Ingram "had a great practice" on Thursday. With that said,
Zion Williamson (hamstring) won't suit up, so the team will need Ingram on the floor. Yet, he'll remain a risky DFS option until his workload increases, which may not be anytime soon.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Christian Clark
1 day agoThe Boston Red Sox announced on Thursday that they acquired right-hander
Vladimir Gutierrez from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Worcester. In a corresponding move, the team moved shortstop
Trevor Story (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Gutierrez started the year with the Miami Marlins but was claimed off waivers earlier this month by Milwaukee. The 28-year-old Cuban hurler gave up three earned runs on three hits (one home run) while walking two and striking out four in his only major-league outing this year in a four-inning relief appearance in Milwaukee. Gutierrez has experience out of the bullpen and as a starter in his two previous major-league seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and will provide pitching depth in Boston now.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
1 day agoArizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Ryne Nelson (wrist) was removed from his start early on Thursday night against the San Francisco Giants in the second inning after taking a comebacker off his right wrist before recording the final out of the frame. Before hitting the showers early and likely going for an X-ray on his wrist, Nelson tossed two shutout innings with two hits allowed, no walks and no strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 4.60. He was replaced on the mound by left-hander
Logan Allen. Fantasy managers wondering if the 26-year-old Nelson will be able to make his next start will need to check back later on Thursday night or Friday morning for more information on the severity of his injury. If Nelson needs a stint on the injured list, the D-backs could bring
Tommy Henry back after just optioning him to Triple-A Reno.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: PHNX Sports - Jesse Friedman
1 day agoTampa Bay Rays left-hander
Tyler Alexander will make the start on Friday for the series opener in the Bronx against the New York Yankees. Alexander has appeared in three games so far this year for the Rays, with one of those three outings coming as a traditional start on April 6 against the Colorado Rockies, when he allowed four earned runs on eight hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out four in 4 1/3 innings for a no-decision. The 29-year-old southpaw has fanned 12 and walked five in 15 1/3 total innings, but the most concerning issue is that Alexander has already allowed five home runs and 11 earned runs on 20 hits for a 6.46 ERA and 1.63 WHIP. Fantasy managers should absolutely ignore Alexander as a spot starter on Friday in the Bronx.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
1 day agoThe Texas Rangers are now hoping that right-hander
Max Scherzer (back) can return from the injured list in early May after originally believed to be out until maybe late June. Scherzer threw 25 pitches during a live batting practice session on Monday and is expected to throw 40 pitches in a another live BP session on Friday. If he comes out of Friday's session all good, he could embark on a minor-league rehab assignment after that. Scherzer said he's still a bit cautious about his return from surgery to fix a herniated disc in his back, but this is still a very positive development for the Rangers and fantasy managers that have been stashing Scherzer since the regular season started. Don't expect ace-like numbers from the 39-year-old at this point in his career, but when healthy, Scherzer can still act as a solid mid-rotation fantasy starter.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FOX Sports - Ken Rosenthal
1 day agoHouston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said that former first-rounder Kenyon Green (shoulder) is working back to full speed this offseason but will have to earn a starting role in 2024. "KG is a good kid. he'll have a full offseason, which he hasn't had. Nobody is guaranteed anything . Ultimately, it's going to come down to how he performs on the field," Caserio said. The Texans took Green 15th overall in 2022 out of Texas A&M. The 23-year-old offensive guard played in 15 games (14 starts) in his rookie campaign but didn't play at all in 2023 after hurting his shoulder in the preseason finale. He also missed the start of training camp in his first year and missed two games due to a knee injury in 2022. Before his injury last fall, Green was slated to serve as the team's starting left guard. He improved as a run blocker in his first year but struggled in pass protection.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cole Thompson
1 day agoNew England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf said on Thursday that if the 2024 season started today, offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor would be the team's starting left tackle. The Patriots signed Okorafor on March 7 to give the club some extra offensive-line depth entering next season. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2018 to 2023, starting 59 of the 77 games that he appeared in. The 26-year-old was drafted in the third round (92nd overall) by the Steelers in 2018 out of Western Michigan. The Patriots could still add more offensive linemen in the upcoming NFL draft, but as of right now, it's looking Okorafor could be the favorite to win the left-tackle job this summer in training camp and the preseason.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald - Doug Kyed
1 day agoDetroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (arm) will not be cleared to practice until training camp this summer while he recovers from an arm injury. Joseph suffered the arm injury during the NFC Championship game loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and it's going to keep him out of workouts this spring. But as long as the 23-year-old doesn't suffer a setback when he gets back on the field in training camp, he should be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season and will operate as Detroit's starting free safety. The former third-rounder in 2022 out of Illinois has recorded 164 tackles (124 solo), eight interceptions, 19 passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 32 games (29 starts) in his first two years in the NFL. When healthy, Joseph is on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues for depth at the DB position.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLive - Kyle Meinke
1 day agoSince releasing quarterback
Russell Wilson in March, the Denver Broncos haven't added any other QB behind
Jarrett Stidham, so they have a clear need at the position heading into the first round of the NFL draft next Thursday. It's a position that has seen 13 different players make a start since Peyton Manning retired after the Super Bowl-winning 2015 season. The Broncos are open to trading up within the first round to select a rookie signal-caller, but there has to be an actual path to taking a QB that the Broncos think they can drop into their offense in 2024. And it's going to take additional draft capital for the Broncos to move up into the top five, something they don't have much of after using high draft picks to acquire Wilson and head coach Sean Payton. General manager George Paton said "forcing" a pick for a QB could leave the Broncos in a tough situation again next year, but they remain open to all ideas.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
1 day agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Walker Buehler (elbow) was only able to throw 68 pitches in 2 2/3 innings during Thursday's minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Buehler allowed two runs on four hits and four walks with three strikeouts, so he wasn't particularly sharp in this one. More importantly, the Dodgers' goal was for him to reach the 90-pitch range, which means his highly-anticipated 2024 regular-season debut and comeback from Tommy John surgery could be delayed by another outing in the minors. Look for LA to make a decision in the next few days as to whether or not the 29-year-old All-Star right-hander's next appearance will come with the big-league club, as No. 13 prospect
Landon Knack could get another turn in the rotation. When we last saw him back during the 2022 campaign, Buehler logged a 4.02 ERA (3.80 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 58:17 K:BB over 65 frames (12 starts).
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Bill Plunkett - The Orange County Register
1 day agoFormer first-round draft pick
Tommy Troy is having trouble getting out of the gate in 2024. Through 34 plate appearances at High-A Hillsboro, Troy is hitting .188/.235/.313 with a home run. The former Stanford shortstop has only struck out seven times, and his .208 BABIP and strong pedigree suggest better days are ahead. Troy remains an intriguing fantasy prospect and should get the benefit of the doubt over the small sample size thus far. Fantasy Owners should consider any buy-low opportunities and monitor his progress this season, as the Diamondbacks will be patient with their young shortstop.
--Steve SmithSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoNew York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said on Thursday that he hasn't given tight end
Darren Waller a deadline on his retirement decision this offseason. "Hopefully he's going to make a decision in the short term, but we're giving him time and space to make a decision on what he wants to do," Schoen said. Waller said in early March that he'd have a decision soon, but that hasn't come to fruition for the 31-year-old. A hamstring injury limited him to 12 games in 2023, and he finished with 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown. Waller is no longer in the prime of his career like he was with the Las Vegas Raiders and will be a pretty big injury risk as a low-end TE1 in fantasy if he decides to return for another season in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FOX Sports - Ralph Vacchiano
1 day agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Blake Snell could be poised to kick-start his 2024 season when he takes the hill in Friday's start versus the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. After a long stay in free agency this past offseason, Snell's Giants tenure is off to a rocky start with a 12.86 ERA and 1.85 WHIP while striking out nine hitters and walking four in seven innings (two starts). The 31-year-old reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has plenty of experience dealing with Arizona from his time in the NL West with the San Diego Padres, however, and Snell is 4-1 with a pristine 1.27 ERA and 61:14 K:BB over 42 2/3 frames (seven starts) versus the D-backs dating back to 2021. With the club's current roster batting a career .135 (14-for-104) versus Snell, the hard-throwing left-hander looks like a great fantasy play in both season-long and DFS formats on Friday's full slate.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Savant
1 day agoLos Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said that recently signed running back
J.K. Dobbins (Achilles), who is coming back from a torn Achilles, "should be" ready for training camp at the end of July. Hortiz also said the Dobbins signing is not likely to change the team's draft approach at running back. "You don't want to turn away from a good player because you've signed someone," Hortiz said. The Bolts lost do-it-all back
Austin Ekeler to free agency this offseason, but they also picked up
Gus Edwards in free agency, and he should fit new offensive coordinator Greg Roman's and head coach Jim Harbaugh's offensive system extremely well. The 25-year-old Dobbins has played in just nine regular-season games the last two seasons combined due to devastating lower-body injuries, so it's fair to wonder how much he has left moving forward.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
1 day agoColorado Rockies prospect
Jordan Beck continues to showcase his power as he homered for the fifth time of the season on Thursday night. The outfielder broke out in 2023 with 25 homers, 34 doubles, and 20 steals, launching his name up prospect rankings. The former Tennessee Volunteer has fantasy managers excited about his power and speed combo in the offensive haven that is Coors Field. Beck is slashing .286/.391/.643 through 15 games, and if he continues his assault on Triple-A pitching, he could force the Rockies' hand in the coming months. Beck is a strong buy and could be a difference-maker down the stretch this year.
--Steve SmithSource: MiLB.com
1 day agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Triston McKenzie is reportedly pitching through a torn ligament in his right elbow. Last year, a right teres major strain and elbow sprain limited McKenzie to just four starts (16 innings), and the hurler bypassed a potential Tommy John surgery in favor of rest and rehabilitation to heal his arm. His average fastball velocity (90.9 mph) ranks among baseball's worst to begin the 2024 season, and it's down from 92.4 mph during his injury-ruined 2023 campaign. It could explain the 26-year-old right-hander's struggles to begin the campaign, as McKenzie carries a 6.23 ERA (7.20 FIP), 1.76 WHIP, and a concerning 5:12 K:BB across 13 innings (three starts). A start at home on Friday in a favorable matchup versus the visiting Oakland Athletics could be just what the doctor ordered. In three career starts (18 1/3 IP) against the A's, McKenzie holds a 1.96 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 18:4 K:BB.
--Joseph Barbati - RotoBallerSource: Zack Meisel, Jason Lloyd - The Athletic
1 day agoJacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence said that he and the team continue to work on a long-term contract extension, but he also said "it's not really the focus right now." General manager Trent Baalke confirmed that the team was talking about an extension with Lawrence. "We're working, but you can't force this stuff." Lawrence is entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal and is eligible to have his fifth-year option picked up, with the deadline coming on May 2. If the two sides don't work anything out by then, Jacksonville will surely pick up the option for the 2025 season and continue to work on an extension. The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2021 out of Clemson took a slight step back from his Pro Bowl season in 2022 but was still a top-10 fantasy QB despite battling through an injury in the second half of 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Florida Times-Union - Demetrius Harvey
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