1 day agoThe Cincinnati Bengals exercised the fifth-year option for wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase on Wednesday, as expected. Chase is now officially locked up through the 2025 season. The 24-year-old former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons in the NFL and set a career-high with 100 catches on 145 targets for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games in 2023, despite the fact that quarterback
Joe Burrow (wrist) missed considerable time with a season-ending injury. Chase's seven touchdowns in 2023 were a career-low, but he should bounce back in that department in 2024 as long as Burrow can stay healthy all year. Chase's fantasy arrow continues to point up and he should be considered a top-tier WR1.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
1 day agoThe Detroit Lions agreed to a four-year contract extension with wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown on Wednesday that is worth $120 million with $77 million guaranteed. The deal makes St. Brown the highest-paid receiver in the league and ties him with Miami's
Tyreek Hill in average annual value ($30 million). The 24-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2021 out of USC has been an excellent value for Detroit. He's made the Pro Bowl in each of the last two seasons and put up career-highs in catches (119), targets (164), receiving yards (1,515) and touchdowns (10) in 16 regular-season games in his third year in the NFL in 2024. With Quarterback
Jared Goff still peppering St. Brown with targets in 2024, he'll continue to serve as a high-end WR1 for fantasy managers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
1 day agoMilwaukee Brewers infield prospect
Gregory Barrios signed out of Venezuela in early 2021. He has proven himself as a reliable hitter and defender, possessing the qualities needed to ascend through the minors. He's not a power hitter -- he has just one home run over 198 pro games -- but shows a decent understanding of the strike zone, puts the ball in play, runs the bases well, and demonstrates the glovework needed to carve out a significant career at shortstop. Last week, Barrios logged multiple hits in all five of his games. He ultimately went 13-for-18 during his big week, adding six extra-base hits, seven RBI, two walks, one strikeout, and one stolen base. The 20-year-old will need to spend a little more time at High-A before he's ready for a promotion, but Barrios is certainly a name to monitor.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
1 day agoVegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicholas Hague is out for Wednesday's Game 2 of the team's first-round series against the Dallas Stars, according to head coach Bruce Cassidy. No specific reason was given and Hague is listed as day-to-day. The hulking 6-foot-6 defender doesn't contribute much on offense with two goals and 12 points across 73 games this season but is physical with 153 hits and 43 penalty minutes while he also blocked 111 shots on the campaign. It appears Alec Martinez will jump in and make his series debut on Wednesday. He notched four goals and 17 points with 165 blocked shots across 55 games this season.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Elliotte Friedman
1 day agoBoston Bruins winger James van Riemsdyk will make his series debut in Wednesday's Game 3 of the team's first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The veteran was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the series but will replace forward Jakub Lauko to likely skate on the team's fourth line. The 34-year-old tallied 11 goals and 38 points on 142 shots on goal across 71 games this season, his 15th in the NHL. Defensemen Mason Lohrei and Parker Wotherspoon will also join the lineup while defenseman Matt Grzelcyk comes out. Fellow defender Andrew Peeke is listed as week to week with a finger injury suffered in Game 2 on Monday.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Fluto Shinzawa
1 day agoTexas Rangers pitching prospect
Winston Santos is a 22-year-old who signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. He gets good velocity behind his mid-90s fastball and has also shown the ability to harness his changeup for strikes and induce weak contact. However, he needs to focus on significant development for his slider. The offering is not an established pitch, and he would benefit greatly from rounding out his repertoire with a reliable third offering that generates movement. Last week, Santos made his third start of the season and showcased pure excellence. He tossed five shutout innings, allowing one hit and a pair of walks along the way. However, what stood out most were his 12 strikeouts, a clear reflection of his ability to get control of his top offerings and miss bats. If he can continue to pitch at a high level, he'll be knocking on the door of the majors early next year.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
1 day agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect
Nathan Church was an 11th-round pick in the 2022 draft. The UC Irvine product has terrific bat-to-ball skills and should continue to showcase both contact and power throughout all levels of the minor leagues. He's also swiped some bags. However, he does have some limitations defensively and could be bound to left field long-term. Nevertheless, Church continued to make a name for himself last week, going 9-for-25 with two homers, eight RBI, six walks, and a stolen base. As he has done for his entire career, Church showed terrific plate discipline, adding just two strikeouts to his ledger over last week's six-game span.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
1 day agoFlorida Panthers forward Sam Bennett is set to miss significant time due to an upper-body injury suffered during the second period of Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win. Bennett was struck on the hand my a point shot in the second period and left the game. He briefly returned to the bench but went back to the dressing room without taking another shift. Bennett had tallied a goal and an assist prior to exiting. The gritty center tallied 20 goals and 41 points in 69 games this season but he also provided 173 hits, 100 penalty minutes, 171 shots on goal, and a plus-17 rating on the campaign, providing excellent cross-category production for fantasy managers.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Andy Slater
1 day agoHouston Astros pitching prospect
Aaron Brown is a former ninth-round pick who joined the organization during the 2021 draft. He spent all of last season at Double-A and has consistently shuttled between a bullpen and rotation role. He boasts high strikeout rates and has managed to keep his walk rate down for the most part. Brown made his first start of 2024 last Thursday. He tossed five scoreless innings, allowing one hit and zero walks. Best of all, he managed to record 10 strikeouts along the way, good for a rate of two per inning. Brown's high strikeout rate could make him an appealing multi-inning bullpen arm for Houston next season.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
1 day agoToronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander is unlikely to suit up for a third straight game on Wednesday against the visiting Boston Bruins. Nylander stayed out late with the other projected scratches during Wednesday's morning skate, indicating he will remain out after it was believed he was likely to return. Sportsnet's Nick Alberga reported on Wednesday that it is believed the star winger is dealing with a head injury. Nylander skated in all 82 regular-season games but didn't feel right ahead of Saturday's series opener. He tied a career-high with 40 goals and posted a career-best 98 points in his 82 games this season. The Leafs and Bruins are knotted at one game apiece in another first-round postseason matchup.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: Jonas Siegel
1 day agoBoston Red Sox outfield prospect
Matthew Lugo endured a subpar 2023 campaign at the Double-A level, showing a tendency to commit errors on the left side of the infield, as well as a below-average hit tool. The organization has experimented with his positional versatility and seems to have found a better home for him in left field, where he made a Gold Glove-caliber catch last week. Meanwhile, his bat has played very well so far this year as he has demonstrated an ability to put the ball in play, work walks, and even deliver a hint of power. Over five games last week, Lugo went 8-for-21 with two home runs, 11 RBI, five walks, and five strikeouts. He currently owns a seven-game hitting streak and could be pushing for his first-ever promotion to Triple-A sooner rather than later.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: FanGraphs
1 day agoCarolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce (undisclosed) is likely sidelined for the remainder of the team's first-round playoff series against the New York Islanders. The veteran left Monday's Game 2 win in the second period after suffering a non-contact injury while attempting to turn up the ice and join an offensive rush. He skated just 8:47 in the eventual 5-3 win. The stay-at-home blue-liner notched three goals and 13 points on 107 shots on goal while blocking another 113 shots across 70 games. The Hurricanes enter Thursday's Game 3 in New York holding a 2-0 lead in the series.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoVancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko is listed as week to week with an undisclosed injury. The ailment kept him out of Tuesday's 4-1 Game 2 loss to the Nashville Predators and he was originally questionable for the remainder of the series but now it appears he's likely done for the first round. Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet said that the ailment is not related to the late-season knee injury that cost the American 14 games. "We're going to evaluate him today on something," Tocchet said. "It wasn't the old injury and that's all I've really got for you guys." Demko was excellent this season, posting a 2.45 goals-against average and a 2.45 save percentage in 51 games. Casey DeSmith started and stopped just 12 of the 15 shots he faced in the loss.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoThe San Francisco Giants placed left-hander
Blake Snell (groin) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday (retroactive to April 23) with a left-adductor strain and recalled right-hander
Landen Roupp from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Snell was scratched from his next start on Wednesday against the New York Mets and will now miss at least the next two weeks. The 31-year-old reigning National League Cy Young winner hasn't had a good year so far in 2024 after signing with the Giants just before the start of the regular season. In his three starts so far, he's 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, five walks and 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings. Fantasy managers need to keep Snell stashed in an IL start everywhere, but expecting him to bounce back to his Cy Young form from a year ago after he returns may be foolish.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Giants
1 day agoNew York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin will be the starter for Thursday's Game 3 of the team's first-round series against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. The Isles went with Semyon Varlamov for the first two games of the series but the team has been out-scored 8-4 so far in the series. However, Varlamov was the hot hand, posting a 1.85 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage from March 28 to April 15. As for Sorokin, the fellow Russian endured a down season, posting a 3.01 GAA and a .909 Sv% in 55 games, just one season after working to a 2.34 GAA and a .924 Sv% in 62 games while finishing as the Vezina Trophy runner-up behind Boston's Linus Ullmark.
--Brenton Kemp - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
1 day agoWashington Nationals outfield prospect
Dylan Crews (undisclosed) hasn't played for Double-A Harrisburg since last Wednesday but is fine, according to sources. Crews had a minor undisclosed issue that kept him out a few days last week but was held out of the lineup on Tuesday night as a precaution because of rainy weather. The 22-year-old is most likely dealing with a minor lower-body injury. He should be able to return to action on Wednesday. We'll keep a close eye on whether it affects his upcoming performance. So far through 10 games at Harrisburg, the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, is hitting .244/.326/.415 with two home runs and two stolen bases. Crews should be stashed in all dynasty/keeper leagues and even some deeper single-year leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
1 day agoWashington Nationals outfielder
Lane Thomas (knee), who is undergoing an MRI exam on his left knee on Wednesday, is considered very likely to land on the injured list, according to sources. As a result, rookie infielder
Trey Lipscombread more...
1 day agoArizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander
Ryne Nelson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session at Salt River Fields on Wednesday, and it sounds like it could be close to the minimum 15 days on the injured list for him. Nelson was hit by a comebacker on his elbow and was put on the 15-day injured list last week, but he appears to be making good progress and could be ready to return when he's eligible on May 4. The 26-year-old former second-round pick in 2019 out of Oregon should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Arizona when he's ready. In his first four starts this year in his third major-league season, Nelson has gone 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts covering 15 2/3 frames.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
1 day agoArizona Cardinals closer
Paul Sewald (oblique) is back in Arizona working with the medical team to determine whether he will need another minor-league rehab assignment or if he's ready to rejoin the D-backs. Manager Torey Lovullo said Sewald is "getting extremely close" to returning from the 15-day injured list. The 33-year-old made his first rehab appearance on Tuesday with Triple-A Reno and gave up an unearned run on two hits while walking one and striking out two, and that may be all he needs before returning to Arizona's bullpen. He has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2024 due to a strained left oblique, but when he's back, he will operate as the team's full-time closer. Make sure he's not available for some reason on the waiver wire in your fantasy league.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
1 day agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Alec Burleson is out of the lineup on Wednesday with the team facing left-hander
Jordan Montgomery and the Arizona Cardinals. It's no surprise, as Burleson will continue to ride the pine when the Cardinals face a southpaw. With the 25-year-old out and
Jordan Walker being optioned to Triple-A Memphis,
Brendan Donovan is in left field and hitting leadoff, while rookie
Michael Siani gets the nod in center field and will bat ninth. With Walker in the minors for a bit, Burleson's fantasy stock in deeper leagues is going up, as he should play more regularly against right-handers now. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of East Carolina is still searching for his first home run in 2024 while batting .255 (13-for-51) with two RBI and two runs scored.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoSt. Louis Cardinals catcher
Willson Contreras (hand) is back in the team's lineup on Wednesday, serving as the designated hitter and batting second against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander
Jordan Montgomery.
Ivan Herrera is doing the catching and is hitting fifth. Left-hand soreness caused the Cardinals to lift Contreras from Tuesday's game early, but manager Oliver Marmol said the decision to pull Contreras had more to do with the lopsided score. Still, the 31-year-old veteran's hand issue is something to keep an eye on. It hasn't affected him at the plate so far, as he's currently hitting .292 (19-for-65) with three home runs and eight RBI in 19 games. He's gone hitless in eight career at-bats against Montgomery, but fantasy managers in single-year leagues need to get him back into their lineups.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Jordan Walker has been optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday. The former 21st overall pick in 2020 will head to the farm after opening the 2024 campaign with a weak .155/.239/.259 slash line with no home runs, four RBI, six walks and 18 strikeouts in 67 plate appearances over 20 games for the Red Birds. The 21-year-old will surely be back in St. Louis at some point, but he's going to need to work on some things in the minors first.
Brendan Donovan is in left field and hitting leadoff on Wednesday, while rookie
Michael Siani is in center field and batting ninth against Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander
Jordan Montgomery. With Walker now in the minors,
Alec Burleson and
Ivan Herrera could see some more playing time in the outfield moving forward.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
1 day agoArizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll is starting in center field but has been moved to the seven-hole on Wednesday for the matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander
Kyle Gibson. The 23-year-old will be down near the bottom of the D-backs' lineup for the first time this year as manager Torey Lovullo looks to get last year's National League Rookie of the Year going at the plate. After making his first All-Star team and leading Arizona to the World Series last fall, Carroll has come out cold at the plate in 2024, slashing .215/.324/.269 with a homer, five RBI and eight stolen bases in his first 23 games. While the drop in the batting order is likely just a temporary thing to try and help Carroll get going offensively, it's not what fantasy managers want to see. Outfielder
Pavin Smith is hitting leadoff after driving in six on Tuesday.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
1 day agoChicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that X-rays on outfielder
Cody Bellinger (rib) were negative, but the team has to see how he is on Wednesday before they can determine how long he might be out. Bellinger left Tuesday's game early with a right-rib contusion not long after he ran into the wall in center field at Wrigley Field tracking a ball down. Fantasy managers will want to check back to see if Bellinger is in the lineup against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, but most likely he will not be, and he could miss more time beyond that. For now, consider the 28-year-old lefty hitter to be day-to-day. Rookie outfielder
Alexander Canario replaced Bellinger in center field on Tuesday night and could see more playing time there moving forward if Bellinger is forced to miss time.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
1 day agoColorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar finished Tuesday's 5-2 Game 2 win over Winnipeg with two assists. The Avalanche fell behind twice in the game, but Makar's playmaking helped the team even up the series. Playing only in his sixth postseason campaign, Makar already boasts the fifth-most multi-point playoff games among active defensemen with 15. He's had a fantastic start to action in 2024 with five points (one goal, four assists) in two games, which puts him tied with Edmonton's Connor McDavid at the top of the postseason scoring charts.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoWashington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson recorded a goal and an assist as the team went down 4-3 to the Rangers in Game 2 on Tuesday. He picked up a power-play assist when Dylan Strome scored early in the second period and netted a goal with the man advantage himself in the middle of the third frame. The Capitals now find themselves down 2-0 in the series, but Wilson can be happy with his contributions. He's the only player on the team with multiple points in the series, having tallied one goal and two assists.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoNew York Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere helped set up two goals in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Washington in Game 2. Both helpers came in power-play situations, with Mika Zibanejad and Jack Roslovic getting the goals. Lafreniere has played a big role early in the series, registering three assists through the first two games. With Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck skating as his linemates, the stage is perfectly set for the 22-year-old to enjoy even more success as the Rangers take a 2-0 lead to the capital.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoNashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg recorded two points, including the game-winning goal, as the team tied its first-round series against Vancouver with a 4-1 win in Game 2 on Tuesday. Forberg assisted Anthony Beauvillier on the first goal of the game with less than two minutes played before lighting the lamp himself in the second frame. The Swedish star finished the regular season with a three-game goal streak and has opened the playoffs in prolific form as well. The series heads to Music City for Game 3 with Forsberg sitting on three points (one goal, two assists).
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoTampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman finished Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to Florida with two assists. Hedman's good eye for a pass helped the Lightning erase a two-goal deficit in the game, but the team couldn't escape a second loss in the series. With the effort, Hedman tied Bobby Orr for the 10th most multi-point playoff games in NHL history by a defenseman. It was his 26th such outing. The former Norris Trophy winner will now have a bit of momentum ahead of Game 3 after going scoreless with a minus-two rating in the series opener.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoFlorida Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe was the hero of the night on Tuesday in Game 2 against the Lightning, scoring a 3-2 game-winner with 2:59 played in overtime. The Panthers blew a 2-0 lead in the contest, but Verhaeghe spared their blushes with a nice back-hander. Verhaeghe now boasts five career overtime goals in the playoffs, which puts him behind only Joe Sakic (8) and Maurice Richard (6) on the all-time list. He also picked up one assist on Tuesday. The former Tampa Bay man has started the first-round series in fine form, producing two goals and three points in the first couple of games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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