20 hours agoThe Texas Rangers activated right-hander
Josh Sborz (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Thursday and optioned right-hander
Grant Anderson from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Sborz is returning from a right rotator-cuff strain after making one minor-league rehab appearance for Double-A Frisco on Tuesday. The 30-year-old reliever had 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Texas with no walks and three strikeouts earlier this month before going on the shelf with his right-shoulder injury. Now that he's back, Sborz will return to a high-leverage relief role late in games as a setup man alongside
David Robertson and
Jose Leclerc ahead of closer
Kirby Yates. In 44 relief outings for Texas in the regular season in 2023, Sborz had a 5.50 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 walks and 66 K's in 52 1/3 innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers PR
20 hours agoChicago White Sox right-hander
Mike Clevinger is starting for Triple-A Charlotte on Thursday night. This will be Clevinger's first minor-league start after previously pitching in extended spring training to try and get stretched out after re-signing with the club on a one-year deal on April 2. The 33-year-old is scheduled to throw four innings or 60 pitches on Thursday and then move to five innings or 75 pitches in his next minor-league start. If Clevinger looks good after those two outings on the farm, he could be called up to the big-league roster and start make his 2024 debut for the White Sox early in May. The former fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 went 9-9 with a 3.77 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while striking out 110 and walking 40 in 24 starts for Chicago last year. He'll be a deep-league streaming option, at best, once he returns to the majors.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago Sun-Times - Daryl Van Schouwen
20 hours agoUCLA edge usher Laiatu Latu is one of the top defensive prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he could even be in contention to be the first defender selected. However, NFL insider Peter Schrager said he could fall in the draft due to medical concerns. "Teams are split on the medical," Schrager said. Latu entered college football in 2019 with Washington, but he missed the entire 2020 and 2021 seasons with injuries, and he even medically retired before coming back and transferring to UCLA in 2022. In two seasons with the Bruins, he racked up 34 tackles for loss and 23.5 sacks. He has all the talent and makings of an early first-round pick, but several teams will likely be worried about his ability to hold up at the next level.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
20 hours agoThe Oakland Athletics placed second baseman
Zack Gelof (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 24) on Thursday with a strained left oblique and recalled infielder
Darell Hernaiz from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Gelof was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday with the oblique injury and will now miss at least the next 10 days. Given the nature of the 24-year-old's injury, fantasy managers should be prepared to be without him for longer than 10 days. Despite playing every day for the A's in 2024 in his second big-league season, Gelof has disappointed to this point, slashing .196/.260/.337 with three home runs, seven RBI and four stolen bases in 92 at-bats. Hernaiz is getting the start at third and batting ninth on Thursday against left-hander
Nestor Cortes and the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Oakland A's Communications
20 hours agoThe Kansas City Royals placed right-hander
Alec Marsh (elbow) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a right-elbow contusion and recalled right-hander
Will Klein from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. X-rays came back negative on Marsh's elbow after he was hit by a comebacker on Wednesday and forced to leave his start early against the Toronto Blue Jays, but he's still going to have to miss at least two weeks. It's unclear who will replace the 25-year-old in Kansas City's rotation moving forward. Klein will give the Royals some more depth in the bullpen. Marsh, a former second-round pick in 2019 out of Arizona State, should return to the Royals' rotation when his 15 days are up after going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in his first five starts in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Royals
20 hours agoWashington Nationals third baseman
Nick Senzel (illness) has been scratched from Thursday's starting lineup against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers with a stomach illness. With Senzel not feeling well,
Ildemaro Vargas will enter the lineup at third base and will bat eighth against Dodgers right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Senzel is hitting just .200 (5-for-25) in just eight games after beginning the year on the injured list, but he's heating up with two home runs in his last four games. Vargas, a 32-year-old switch-hitting infielder, has gone 11-for-37 (.297) this year in 13 games, but he's yet to go deep and will offer DFS managers very little upside as more of a defensive asset for the Nationals on the infield. He's added four RBI and one stolen base in his 44 plate appearances so far in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Nationals Communications
20 hours agoThe Washington Nationals reinstated catcher
Keibert Ruiz (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned catcher
Drew Millas to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move, according to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo. The 25-year-old Ruiz will return to the Nats after missing 11 games with influenza and he'll be back behind the dish while hitting fifth against Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Ruiz appeared in two minor-league rehab games with Double-A Harrisburg this week. Before going on the injured list, he was hitting just .194 with a home run and three RBI in eight games. Ruiz will return as Washington's primary catcher, but fantasy managers may want to keep him benched until he can get going.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Nationals Communications
21 hours agoSan Diego Padres rookie outfielder
Jackson Merrill (groin) was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Colorado Rockies in the series finale with right-groin tightness. As a result,
Tyler Wade moved to left field while
Jose Azocar got the start in center field and
Eguy Rosario is playing third base. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 21-year-old youngster as day-to-day and check back on Friday to see if he's able to play in the series opener at Petco Park against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Merrill was considered the Padres' shortstop of the future while coming up through the minors, but he's been serving as the club's regular center fielder in his first year in the big leagues. He's handled himself well at the plate so far, hitting .318 (28-for-88) with a homer, 12 RBI, four stolen bases and 12 runs scored in his first 27 games at the big-league level.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dennis Lin
21 hours agoIt's no secret that the Buffalo Bills need to add some wide receivers in this year's NFL draft after trading
Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and losing
Gabe Davis in free agency this offseason. At No. 28 overall in the first round of Thursday night's draft, the Bills would seem to be set to take a pass-catcher. However, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero thinks the draft class' depth at the receiver position could lead the Bills to wait perhaps until the second round to take a receiver, potentially adding a defensive player in the first round instead. As Buffalo's depth chart stands right now, their top three receivers are
Khalil Shakir,
Justin Shorter and veteran
Curtis Samuel. Even if the team adds a few wideouts in this year's draft, tight end
Dalton Kincaid could be Buffalo's leading receiver in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
21 hours agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Bowden Francis has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to right forearm extensor tendinitis. The club has recalled left-hander
Brendon Little from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Francis interestingly pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen for the Jays in their loss to the Royals on Wednesday but will seemingly miss some time moving forward. The 28-year-old cracked the rotation out of spring training but struggled out of the gate and has recently pitched in a multi-inning bullpen role. He has struggled to an 8.59 ERA across five outings (two starts) while allowing four home runs in 14 2/3 innings, good for a bloated 2.45 HR/9 clip.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
22 hours agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Hunter Goodman is in the starting lineup and will hit eighth while manning right field against the San Diego Padres and right-hander
Randy Vasquez. The 24-year-old was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in a pair of pinch-hitting plate appearances but will get his first start in the big leagues this season on Thursday. Goodman debuted with the Rockies last season but struggled to a .200 average with just one homer and one stolen base across 77 plate appearances. However, he has demolished Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .298 average with seven homers, 22 RBI, and a 1.042 OPS across 20 games so far this season. He is worth a deep-league add given the light-tower power he has displayed throughout his minor-league tenure.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
22 hours agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Nolan Jones (back) is still out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander
Randy Vasquez. Jones was lifted from Tuesday's win due to back stiffness and did not appear in Wednesday's 5-2 loss. It's been a disastrous start at the plate for the 25-year-old who is hitting just .148 with one homer, two steals, and a .469 OPS across 96 trips to the plate. Following a 20/20 season that included a .297 batting average and a hefty .931 OPS in 106 games in 2023, Jones' early-season production has been wildly frustrating for fantasy managers who utilized a high pick on the promising youngster.
Jake Cave will once again take over in left field while hitting seventh on Thursday afternoon.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
22 hours agoThe Los Angeles Rams, who haven't picked in the first round since 2016, are calling up to try to get into the top 10 of the first round of this year's NFL draft on Thursday evening, according to sources. The Rams currently sit at pick No. 19, so it would take a lot to pull off a move into the top 10 this year. It's unclear who they might be eyeing if they were to pull it off, but the best bet would be to select Georgia pass-catching tight end
Brock Bowers, who has been projected to go at 10th overall to the New York Jets in a lot of mock drafts. The Rams have also been rumored to be looking for a successor to aging quarterback
Matthew Stafford, but it's unlikely they pull off a move all the way into the top five to take one of the high-end signal-callers in this year's draft. A defensive tackle is also on their draft wish list.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
22 hours agoNew York Yankees utility man
Oswald Peraza (shoulder) is "deep into his throwing program" and is hitting at the team's spring complex in Tampa, FLA, according to manager Aaron Boone. However, Boone also noted that the 23-year-old remains weeks away from playing in minor-league games. Peraza bounced between the Yankees and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, scuffling to a .191 average with two homers and a .539 OPS in 52 games with the Yankees while improving to a .268 average with 14 homers, 16 steals, and an .836 OPS at the Triple-A level. With third baseman
DJ LeMahieu leaving his minor-league rehab game with continued foot pain, Peraza could see reps at the hot corner upon his return depending on the severity of LeMahieu's ailment.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
22 hours agoThe Denver Broncos are a contender to select a quarterback and potentially make a move in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft, even after trading for quarterback
Zach Wilson earlier this week. Denver sits at No. 12 overall, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reiterated that he thinks the Broncos could trade down within the first round. They likely don't have enough draft capital to move into the top-four picks to take a high-end QB, so instead, they could move down to take a pass-rusher or even Oregon QB
Bo Nix. The Broncos have been linked to Michigan QB
J.J. McCarthy as well, but McCarthy's draft stock has been soaring in the lead-up to the draft, which means the Broncos would likely have to trade into the top five to get him. As of right now, Wilson is set to compete with
Jarrett Stidham for the starting job under center in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
22 hours agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Charlie Blackmon is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's afternoon contest against the visiting San Diego Padres. It's not surprising to see the club give the veteran a spell in an afternoon game following an evening game on Wednesday in which Blackmon led off as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in his club's 5-2 loss. The 37-year-old is off to a sluggish start this season, hitting .228 with one homer, one stolen base, and a .659 OPS across 86 trips to the plate. At this point, Blackmon's power and speed just aren't there and he should be left on the waiver wire in all fantasy formats, including NL-only leagues.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
22 hours agoThe Washington Commanders are declining the fifth-year contract option of linebacker Jamin Davis, according to a source. It's been heading this way for on and off-field reasons. The plan in 2024 is to have the athletically gifted Davis become a "hybrid" defender, which should translate to less pass coverage and more attempts to rush the quarterback. Davis played his rookie season in 2021 at Mike linebacker before moving to the off-ball role in the team's 4-2-5 base defense. According to Pro Football Focus, he tied for the highest yards per catch allowed (12.1) last year and ranked fourth-worst in average depth of target (5.5) because of his limited coverage instincts. The 25-year-old former 19th overall pick out of Kentucky has just seven sacks in his three seasons, but he could be more productive in that category if he's rushing the passer more in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Ben Standig
22 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers third baseman
Max Muncy is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's afternoon tilt against the Washington Nationals and left-hander
MacKenzie Gore.
Kike Hernandez will take over at the hot corner and hit fifth on Thursday. It's been another excellent season at the plate for the veteran who is hitting .241 with four homers, 15 RBI, a 14.7% BB%, and an .811 OPS across 102 trips to the plate, production that grades out 25% above the league average, as per his 125 wRC+. His season has contained some swing-and-miss with a bloated 32.4% K% on the season but fantasy managers can expect that mark to drop considering his 24.8% career mark.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
22 hours agoThe New York Giants have been trying to trade up to No. 3 overall with the New England Patriots in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft, with the belief being that they want to select North Carolina quarterback
Drake Maye, according to multiple league sources. The prevailing thought is that it's a long shot to happen, though, but the Patriots are listening to all calls. The Giants and Vikings appear to be the most aggressive teams that are trying to trade into the top five in order to take a QB of the future in this year's draft. The Patriots have been open to trading down, but so far they've reportedly not received any serious enough offers, and they are also looking for a QB of their own after trading away
Mac Jones this offseason. Most pundits are expecting New England to stand pat and take Maye if LSU's
Jayden Daniels goes to the Commanders at No. 2.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Bleacher Report - Jordan Schultz
22 hours agoThe Chicago Blackhawks and defenseman Alex Vlasic have agreed to a six-year contract extension that carries an average annual value of $4.6 million. The 22-year-old was a bright spot for a young and scuffling Blackhawks team despite not contributing much at the offense end of the ice. The 6-foot-6 blueliner notched two goals and 16 points in 76 games on the season but also blocked 148 shots and was only a minus-four on a Blackhawks team that gave up 111 more goals than they scored. A 2019 second-round pick, Vlasic played three seasons with Boston University before making his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Elliotte Friedman
23 hours agoFlorida Panthers forward Kyle Okposo will be back in the lineup for Thursday's Game 3 of the team's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ryan Lomberg (illness) made the trip to Tampa Bay after missing Game 2 but the team needs another day of feeling good before he's allowed to be around the team. Acquired ahead of the March 8 trade deadline, Okposo got into just six games with his new team, failing to hit the scoresheet with eight shots on goal in that time. The veteran notched 12 goals and 22 points in 61 games with the Buffalo Sabres prior to the trade. The Panthers lead the Lightning 2-0 entering Thursday's action.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Colby Guy
23 hours agoToronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (head) has yet to appear in the first three games of the team's first-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins, and now we may know why. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman writes that multiple sources have told him Nylander is dealing with a migraine so severe that team doctors have tested to see if he had suffered a concussion, but an actual diagnosis has been hard to come by. Nylander has practiced with the team throughout the series and has stayed on for extra work but has not been able to suit up for a game to this point. The Swede skated in all 82 of the team's regular-season games, tallying 40 goals and 98 points in that time. The Leafs trail the Bruins 2-1 in the series with Game 4 coming on Saturday in Toronto.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Elliotte Friedman
23 hours agoHouston Astros left-hander
Framber Valdez (elbow) will come off the injured list and start on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City, according to manager Joe Espada. On the surface, the matchup against the Rockies is excellent. However, there are a couple reasons why fantasy managers should be hesitant to quickly throw the 30-year-old southpaw back into their starting lineups immediately. First off, Valdez has been on the injured list since April 9 with inflammation in his left elbow. Second, he's going to return to the big-league rotation without making a minor-league rehab start, which means he'll likely be limited from a pitch-count perspective. And third, he'll be extra shaky in the thin air in Mexico City.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
23 hours agoCarolina Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo will slide into the lineup in the stead of injured blue-liner Brett Pesce (lower body) for Thursday's Game 3 of the team's first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders. Pesce sustained a lower-body injury during the second period of Monday's Game 2 victory and is likely out for the remainder of the series. DeAngelo took Pesce's spot on the team's second pairing alongside Brady Skjei in practice. DeAngelo got into just 31 games with the Hurricanes this season, notching three goals and 11 points on 44 shots on goal in that time. A two-time 50-point man, he tallied 11 goals and 42 points as recently as last season while with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes lead the Islanders 2-0 in the series entering Thursday's action.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
23 hours agoSeattle Mariners catcher
Cal Raleigh (mouth) is behind the plate and is hitting third in the Mariners lineup on Thursday against the Texas Rangers and left-hander
Andrew Heaney. Raleigh suffered a broken tooth in Tuesday's game and sat out on Wednesday while having a dental procedure. The 27-year-old switch-hitting backstop is back in there a day later, though, and should be returned to starting lineups in all fantasy leagues. The former third-rounder in 2018 out of Florida State has been one of the better offensive-minded catchers so far this year, as he's hitting .271/.350/.529 with an .879 OPS, six home runs and 13 RBI in 20 games played for the M's. He's gone deep in four of his last five games as well. In his career against Heaney, he's hitless in five at-bats.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
23 hours agoSeattle Mariners shortstop
J.P. Crawford (oblique) said he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 right-oblique strain after undergoing an MRI exam and was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 24) on Thursday. In corresponding moves, infielder Leo Rivas' contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma and right-hander
Gregory Santos (lat) was moved to the 60-day injured list. Crawford was scratched from Wednesday's lineup and will now miss at least the next 10 days. The 29-year-old's strain isn't very serious, but it could easily keep him out beyond 10 days.
Dylan Moore is making his second straight start at the 6 on Thursday in place of Crawford and is likely to see most of the playing time there as long as Crawford is out. Crawford has had a rough start to 2024, hitting under .200 with two home runs and nine RBI in 22 games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Mariners PR
23 hours agoFlorida Panthers center Sam Bennett (hand) will miss at least a week after leaving Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second period. Bennett was struck on the hand by a point shot from defenseman Brandon Montour and will not travel for the team's upcoming two games in Tampa Bay. However, the injury is seemingly not as bad as expected, according to Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. "We came to the rink fearing it could be something sinister, something more long-term," Maurice said on Wednesday. "We got great news. It's kind of like getting a phone call saying your car was in an accident. Then, you find out it's just a fender-bender." The Panthers lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 following Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
23 hours agoBoston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that infielder/outfielder
Ceddanne Rafaela is the team's everyday shortstop at this point with
Trevor Story (shoulder) out for the rest of the year. Rafaela is making his sixth straight start at the 6 on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians. The move to put the 23-year-old defensive whiz at shortstop full time has allowed outfielder
Wilyer Abreu to become an everyday player for the BoSox as well. Rafaela's full-time move to the 6 will give him dual eligibility in fantasy at both shortstop and the outfield. Rafaela has a lot to improve on offensively, though, as he's hitting just .171 (14-for-82) with a home run, nine RBI, three stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 25 games. He's mostly attractive in deeper leagues for his speed.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Pete Abraham
23 hours agoBoston Red Sox right-hander
Nick Pivetta (elbow) will make at least one minor-league rehab start before returning from the injured list. Pivetta has already missed more than the 15 days required on his injured-list stint and he's going to need at least one start in the minors before fantasy managers will get him back. The 31-year-old is recovering from a right-elbow flexor strain but has resumed throwing off a mound and could make his rehab start soon. As long as he doesn't suffer a setback in that outing, he should join Boston's rotation shortly after that. The Canadian hurler looked fantastic in his first two starts before getting hurt, allowing just one earned run on eight hits while walking one and fanning 13 in 11 innings. The Red Sox and fantasy managers will be looking forward to his return in early May.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
23 hours agoIt's unlikely that Boston Red Sox infielder
Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) will return from the injured list this weekend, but he's getting close. Grissom continues to rehab in the minor leagues at Triple-Worcester and has played in six games to this point, going 4-for-18 (.222) with no homers or RBI and two stolen bases in 22 plate appearances. The 23-year-old has split time between shortstop and second base on his rehab assignment, but he's expected to operate as Boston's primary second baseman once he's ready to make his debut for the Red Sox. If he doesn't suffer any setbacks over the weekend, Grissom could be reinstated to make his 2024 debut next Tuesday at home against the San Francisco Giants. In deep-mixed leagues, he's absolutely worth a pickup if you need middle-infield help.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
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