2 days agoDallas Mavericks guard
Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) remains probable for Saturday's contest against OKC. The 25-year-old has taken a beating during the postseason. However, it will take more than ankle and knee soreness to keep him off the floor in Game 6. Doncic has struggled in this series, averaging 23.8 points, six fewer than he had in six playoff appearances versus the Los Angeles Clippers. Yet, with the Mavs looking to finish off the Thunder on Saturday night, Doncic could be incentivized to turn things around.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoNew York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (hamstring) won't play on Sunday against the Pacers. The 26-year-old began the series by amassing 13 points and nine boards in the series opener on May 6. While he scored 28 points in Game 2, he tweaked his hamstring in that contest and hasn't been available since. The Knicks are plagued by injuries across the roster, with
Josh Hart injuring his abdomen in Friday's loss. Hart will likely carry an injury designation heading into the finale. But if he's also ruled out,
Jalen Brunson and
Donte DiVincenzo would likely see the most chances on the offensive end. There would also be room for added production from
Isaiah Hartenstein,
Alec Burks,
Precious Achiuwa, and
Miles McBride.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Stefan Bondy
2 days agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Alex Cobb (hip, shoulder) has paused his throwing program and is not close to returning, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Cobb has been placed on the 60-day injured list since April 20 and has been shut down numerous times in his recovery process. Manager Bob Melvin emphasized that the 36-year-old pitcher still feels discomfort in his shoulder. This is not a good sign, as Cobb could be activated from the injured list later this month. This timetable looks unrealistic, and his absence could extend close to the All-Star Break. Cobb made 28 starts last season and showed excellent command with a 5.7% walk rate and a stellar 57.8% ground-ball rate. Cobb should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues but is worth keeping on an injured reserve spot in NL-only formats if you have room.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic
2 days agoColorado Rockies backstop
Elias Diaz (hand) remains out of the starting lineup on Saturday. The 33-year-old has been dealing with left-hand soreness and is now sitting in his third straight game. As a result,
Hunter Goodman will serve as the catcher for
Ty Blach and bat in the eight-hole. Goodman enters Saturday with a .095/.208/.381 slash line and two home runs through his first nine games of the season. The 24-year-old is best to fade in DFS as he will face southpaw
Kyle Harrison, who has posted a stellar 1.57 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 21:12 K:BB ratio in his previous four starts.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle is not in Saturday's lineup as the Orioles will play the second game of a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners. Mountcastle has only been idle from the Baltimore starting lineup three times this season. As a result, Ryan O'Hearn will start at first base, which opens the designated hitter spot for
Anthony Santander. This then allows
Austin Hays to slot in at left field. O'Hearn has been a lineup lock against right-handed pitchers this season, and today is no different as he will face
Luis Castillo. Hays has recently returned from a calf injury and is making his first start since April 20. Both Hays and O'Hearn are best to fade in DFS as
Luis Castillo enters Saturday's match with a 3.31 ERA and 1.12 WHIP and is striking out opposing batters at an elite 29.0% mark.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoNew York Mets third baseman
Brett Baty is idle from the starting lineup on Saturday as the Mets will face southpaw
Braxton Garrett.
Mark Vientos will get the nod at third base instead. Vientos was promoted from Triple-A Syracuse earlier this week and looks to have claimed the short side of a platoon role with Baty at the hot corner. Vientos has already begun to make an impact since his recent promotion, tallying two hits, including one double on May 15. The 24-year-old could be a value play in DFS as Braxton Garrett struggled in his first start of the season on May 12 and enters Saturday with an 8.44 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder
Josh Lowe is not in Saturday's lineup as the Rays continue a three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays. Lowe made his season debut on May 6 after suffering an oblique strain and a hamstring issue this offseason. Through his first ten games of the season, the 26-year-old has a .263/.333/.526 slash line with two long balls. As a result,
Jonny DeLuca will get the starting nod in right field and bat in the five-hole. DeLuca has been swinging a hot bat over his past six games with a .364/.462/.455 slash line. However, the right-handed bat does face
Kevin Gausman today and is best to fade in DFS. Even though Gausman has struggled with a 4.95 ERA this season, he has been dominant against right-handed batters with a 23:4 K:BB ratio, suggesting that DeLuca may have a difficult task awaiting him this afternoon.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoChicago Cubs second baseman/shortstop
Nico Hoerner (hamstring) remains out of the Cubs starting lineup on Saturday for the fifth consecutive game. The Cubs are hopeful that their gold glove infielder will not have to spend a stint on the injured list; however, manager Craig Counsell expressed on Friday that he may have to do so if this injury continues to linger. As a result, infielder
Miles Mastrobuoni will make his fifth consecutive start at the keystone this afternoon as the Cubs continue a four-game set with their division rival Pittsburgh Pirates and will bat in the eight-hole. The 28-year-old has posted a poor .133/.278/.133 slash line during this stretch, and is best to fade in DFS.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoNew York Mets outfielder
Brandon Nimmo (illness) is back in the Mets lineup on Saturday after not starting the previous two games with a stomach bug. Nimmo will bat in the three-hole for the first time this season, as he has always served as the lead-off man in Queens. The Mets have only won one game out of their past five, so manager
Carlos Mendoza could be looking to spark up the offense. As a result, shortstop
Francisco Lindor will bat at the top of the order, and first baseman
Pete Alonso will bat in the two-hole. Designated hitter
J.D. Martinez will slot in the cleanup spot behind Nimmo. DFS players should consider stacking their lineup with Mets this afternoon as they will face southpaw
Braxton Garrett, who allowed five earned runs, five hits, and two free passes in his season debut on May 12.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoThe Tampa Bay Rays are acquiring relief pitcher
Richard Lovelady from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher
Jeff Belge. Lovelady posted a hefty 7.94 ERA and 1.94 WHIP through 5 ⅔ innings with the Cubs. Belge, who has yet to make his major league debut, has posted a 4.20 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 15 innings at Double-A. The 26-year-old should be expected to remain in Double-A as he joins the Cubs system. Lovelady is the only healthy southpaw currently in the Rays bullpen with
Colin Poche (back) on the 15-day injured list. Lovelady should remain on all waiver wires but could tally the occasional hold pitching for a strong Rays team.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Rays Communications
2 days agoAtlanta Falcons tight end
Kyle Pitts called himself a "super rookie" as he enters the fourth year of his NFL career in 2024. "I'm not a rookie rookie. But we're all in this new offense, new regime, new schedule. We're all in this fresh," Pitts said. The former first-round pick has a new head coach in Raheem Morris, a new offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson and a new quarterback in
Kirk Cousins this year. Pitts had 1,027 receiving yards in his rookie year in 2021 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in Year 2, and he wasn't 100% in 2023 despite playing in all 17 games. The 23-year-old is fully healthy now and taking part in OTAs this offense as he works to learn the new offense and gain chemistry with Cousins. Pitts could easily have his best season to date in 2024 if both he and Cousins (coming off a torn Achilles) can stay healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Terrin Waack
2 days agoChicago Cubs pitcher
Drew Smyly (hip) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week with High-A South Bend, per manager Craig Counsell. The 34-year-old journeyman was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 23 with a right hip impingement and is nearing the final step in his recovery process. Smyly has operated exclusively out of the bullpen this season with a hefty 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 5:11 BB:K ratio. The southpaw started 23 games for the Cubs last season but looks to be stuck in a long relief role this season. When Smyly returns to major league action, he should be left on all waiver wires, but he could be worth streaming in NL-only formats if he were to make spot starts throughout the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mike McGraw
2 days agoDallas Cowboys tight end
Jake Ferguson caught 19 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie in 2022, but he enters the 2024 season as the team's top tight end after catching 71 passes for 761 yards and five touchdowns in
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2 days agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Jordan Wicks (forearm) is scheduled to throw two more bullpen sessions before embarking on his rehab assignment, as per manager Craig Counsell. Wicks is making significant progress after only being placed on the 15-day injured list on April 28. The southpaw has already faced live hitters but the Cubs are leaning on the side of caution with their young starting pitcher. The 24-year-old made his major league debut late last season and posted a modest 4.41 ERA and 1.27 WHIP through 34 ⅔ innings. This season, he has thrown only 23 innings with a 4.70 ERA and 1.52 WHIP. When Wicks is cleared to return, he should expected to operate as the fifth man in the Cubs rotation, making him only worth rostering in deeper fantasy leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mike McGraw
2 days agoThe car of Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver
Xavier Worthy was stolen this week, according to a spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department. The car was reported stolen around noon on Monday, according to Sgt. Phil DiMartino. Worthy was not with the vehicle when it was taken and he is unharmed. The Chiefs took Worthy in the first round (28th overall) of last month's NFL draft after trading up with the Buffalo Bills. The speedy pass-catcher set a record at this year's NFL scouting combine with a time of 4.21 seconds in the 40-yard dash. The 21-year-old could have a key role in KC's offense in his rookie year, especially if
Rashee Rice is handed down a suspension for his off-the-field situation this offseason. At just 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, there are questions about Worthy's durability, and he's also had issues with dropped passes, but his speed element alone in the Chiefs offense could make him worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Adam Teicher
2 days agoAtlanta Falcons quarterback
Kirk Cousins was recently asked about the status of the NFL's investigation into tampering allegations by the Falcons. "The league's still kind of going through that," Cousins said. "So, I'll let them do it. But there's not a whole lot there." However, Cousins admitted that he spoke to the team's head athletic trainer during the 52-hour negotiating window where direct communication between the team and impending free agent are strictly forbidden. The QB also said he spoke to director of player personnel Ryan Pace. Cousins said tight end
Kyle Pitts actively recruited Cousins for multiple weeks. Cousins also admitted that he personally called former Bears receiver
Darnell Mooney to close the deal that brought him to Atlanta during the 52-hour window. It's unclear how deep the league's investigation will be into this matter and whether the Falcons will actually get punished.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Talk - Mike Florio
2 days agoChicago White Sox third base prospect
Bryan Ramos (quadriceps) is on the brink of joining Triple-A Charlotte for a rehab assignment. The 24-year-old was removed from Tuesday's game due to tightness and was officially placed on the ten-day injured list on Friday. This is excellent news, as the young infielder has a chance to return to the big leagues as early as possible next Saturday. The rookie was performing well in his small ten-game sample size in the majors this season with a .281/.294/.344 line. Ramos has always shown great contact skills while in the minor leagues, consistently posting strong batting averages with solid power. When cleared to return, Ramos should be expected to see the majority of starts at the hot corner on the Southside.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Daryl Van Schouwen
2 days agoSan Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said he thinks that right-hander
Joe Musgrove (elbow) is in "a great spot for Sunday" to return from the injured list to start in Atlanta against the Braves. The skipper said the team will continue to see how Musgrove recovers after playing catch on Friday and throwing a bullpen session the other day. The Padres put the 31-year-old veteran on the injured list on May 5 with right-elbow inflammation, and he's thrown two bullpen sessions already. It looks like he won't be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment, so fantasy managers would probably be wise to avoid Musgrove in Atlanta against a strong offensive squad, especially since he wasn't pitching all that well before hitting the IL. In 41 innings so far in 2024, Musgrove has an unsightly 6.37 ERA and 1.51 WHIP, although he did fan nine hitters in six innings against the Reds his last time out on May 1.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 97.3 The Fan - Sammy Levitt
2 days agoThe expectation is that Major League Baseball will investigate Atlanta Braves infielder
David Fletcher's reported involvement in the gambling situation with Mathew Bowyer, the Southern California bookmaker who also took wagers from
Shohei Ohtani's long-time interpreter. Per ESPN, Fletcher placed bets on multiple sports but did not bet on baseball. MLB players are allowed to bet on other sports, but doing so through illegal bookmakers such as Bowyer is prohibited and could bring a suspension from the commissioner. The 29-year-old currently is playing in the minors at Triple-A Gwinnett. He was brought up briefly when
Ozzie Albies was on the injured list and went 2-for-8 with two RBI in five games played. Once the league's investigation is complete, which could take some time, Fletcher could be facing a suspension.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Justin Toscano
2 days agoThe Minnesota Twins reinstated outfielder
Byron Buxton (knee) from the 15-day injured list on Saturday and optioned utility man
Austin Martin to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. It remains to be seen if Buxton will immediately return to the team's starting lineup on Saturday in Cleveland against the Guardians, but the Twins will be happy to have him back regardless. The 30-year-old oft-injured outfielder went on the shelf with right-knee inflammation in the same knee he's already had surgery on twice, and he went hitless in six at-bats on his two-game minor-league rehab assignment. Expect the Twins to ease Buxton back in at center field and potentially as the designated hitter. He was slashing .250/.300/.391 with a homer and 11 RBI in 92 at-bats before his injury.
Manuel Margot and
Willi Castro are likely to be the biggest losers in terms of playing time with Buxton back in the fold.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Minnesota Twins
2 days agoNew York Yankees right-hander
Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) could return to the team's bullpen during their series against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium from May 20-23, according to manager Aaron Boone. Kahnle pitched in his second minor-league rehab game for Double-A Somerset on Thursday, striking out the side for a second straight outing. He's made four rehab appearances overall after making two appearances for Single-A Tampa. The 34-year-old reliever is scheduled to pitch again for Somerset on Saturday, at which point he'll be re-evaluated. Right-shoulder inflammation ended Kahnle's 2023 early and delayed his winter throwing program until Dec. 12, so the Yankees have been slow-playing him. When healthy, Kahnle can be a key bullpen piece for the Yanks. In 42 relief appearances in 2023, he posted a 2.66 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, two saves, 19 walks and 48 K's in 40 2/3 frames.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoNew York Yankees infielder
DJ LeMahieu (foot) restarted a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Somerset on Friday and might be ready to return to the Yankees' lineup during their nine-game West Coast road trip from May 24-June 2 against the Padres, Angels and Giants, according to manager Aaron Boone. "I think it's possible at some point on the trip, but I don't expect the start of it, certainly," Boone said. LeMahieu was expected to lay three to five innings in the field and take a few at-bats in his first rehab game, then take a day off and play again on Sunday. He'll continue to ramp up over the next week. The 35-year-old hasn't played since fracturing his foot on March 16 and experienced more soreness in his foot in his first rehab game back on April 23. When he's officially cleared to make his 2024 debut, LeMahieu should be eased back in to regular duties at the hot corner in the Bronx.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoSan Francisco Giants left-hander
Blake Snell (groin) looked to be in midseason form in his minor-league rehab start on Friday night with Triple-A Sacramento, as he struck out 10 batters over five no-hit innings. In his first rehab start with Single-A San Jose last week, the 31-year-old reigning National League Cy Young threw four perfect innings with seven strikeouts, so we think the Giants will feel comfortable activating Snell from the 15-day injured list to make his next outing in the big leagues. Snell signed with the Giants late and wasn't ready for the start of the 2024 season. And when he did debut, he didn't look good, posting an 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings over his three starts. Now that Snell appears to be fully healthy, he could quickly bounce back for fantasy managers if he keeps the walks to a minimum. Snell needs to be rostered in all leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Maria I. Guardado
2 days agoThe Baltimore Orioles reinstated right-hander
Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Saturday and designated right-hander
Mike Baumann for assignment in a corresponding move. Rodriguez will immediately re-enter the starting rotation to toe the rubber against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Saturday. The 24-year-old is back after going on the injured list on May 1 with right-shoulder inflammation. It wasn't a serious injury, though, and Rodriguez is returning to Baltimore's rotation without making a minor-league rehab start. That will make him a little more risky in fantasy lineups on Saturday, but he'll also be facing a Mariners offense that ranks 20th in baseball with a .675 OPS. Rodriguez could certainly be on a limited pitch count in his first start back. He'll be returning to a 4-1 record, 3.71 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 37 strikeouts in 34 innings over his six starts in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Orioles
2 days agoToronto Blue Jays second baseman
Davis Schneider is starting at the keystone and hitting in the leadoff spot on Saturday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander
Zach Eflin. This will be the fourth time in the last seven games that Schneider has hit in the top spot for the Jays, with normal leadoff hitter
George Springer down in the six-hole. Between second base and a corner-outfield spot, Schneider has become a lineup regular for Toronto of late and is hitting .257 (9-for-35) with two homers, five RBI and two stolen bases in 11 games so far in May. Schneider has never faced Eflin in his career and is hitting .260/.370/.490 on the season with an .860 OPS, five long balls, 17 RBI and two steals in 100 at-bats. If Springer continues to struggle offensively, it looks like Schneider will benefit by hitting atop Toronto's batting order.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoMinnesota Twins outfielder
Alex Kirilloff hit his third home run of the season in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Guardians. The solo shot was his only hit in the contest and he also walked once. After a strong start to the season, it seemed Kirilloff might finally live up to his first-round draft pick pedigree, however, since April 29 the left-handed hitter is 3-for-37 (.081) which has resulted in a drop in batting average from .266 to .207. His Contact% is not good at 69.9%, but he does have a decent Barrel% of 8.0% and HardHit% of 42.0%, so maybe there's a chance he can still salvage his season.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoHouston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena belted his fifth home run of the season on Friday in a 5-4 win over the Brewers. It was Pena's only hit of the ballgame, but it was a big one as it came off of Brewers starter
Freddy Peralta and put the Astros ahead 5-4, which would go on to be the final score. After a disappointing year in the power department where he tallied just 10 home runs, Pena's power stroke is back. So far on the season, the 26-year-old is slashing .326/.364/.459 with a .363 wOBA and 138 wRC+. The former third-round draft pick has also chipped in six stolen bases and is on pace to set a new career high.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoTampa Bay Rays closer
Pete Fairbanks earned his fourth save of the season on Friday after tossing a scoreless ninth inning in a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays. Fairbanks needed just six pitches to dispatch of the heart of the Jays' order. Fantasy managers are surely delighted after the 30-year-old pitched the eighth inning Wednesday, recording a hold and losing out on a save opportunity in the ninth. There may still be some situational pitching going forward, however, where Fairbanks is used in higher-leverage situations and not necessarily the ninth inning. On the season, the righty has a 5.73 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a 16.7% K-BB% to go along with his four saves.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoAtlanta Braves catcher
Sean Murphy (oblique) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to manager Brian Snitker. Murphy has been on the injured list since Opening Day when he suffered an oblique injury. The 29-year-old may require a little extra time to get back into game shape, but the Braves should have their primary backstop with the big-league club within the next couple weeks. Murphy was coming off an All-Star campaign in 2023, and with
Travis d'Arnaud suffering a head contusion Friday night, the Braves may need him back sooner rather than later, depending on the results of some additional evaluation of d'Arnaud on Saturday. In the meantime,
Chadwick Tromp may have to serve as Atlanta's primary backstop.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Justin Toscano - Atlanta Journal Constitution
2 days agoAtlanta Braves catcher
Travis d'Arnaud (head) took a foul ball off his face mask in the sixth inning of Friday's 3-1 loss to the Padres and reported feeling dizzy afterward. The 35-year-old was checked for a concussion and passed the initial tests, so for now, it is being labeled as a head contusion. He'll be reevaluated Saturday and then they'll determine next steps, but it sounds like he'll avoid a stint on the IL. The veteran was replaced in the game by backup catcher
Chadwick Tromp who could see additional action if d'Arnaud were to miss any time. The starting catcher to open the regular season,
Sean Murphy, is on the verge of beginning a rehab assignment as well, so the Braves should be getting him back in the next couple weeks.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: David O'Brien - The Athletic
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