7 hours agoBoston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (toe) is in danger of missing Wednesday's rematch against the Hawks. He is questionable because of a left big toe sprain, an injury he's been battling for the last week. But the 37-year-old has mostly played through the pain and logged 36 minutes when these clubs met on Monday night. With Jrue Holiday (shoulder) potentially in line to miss a sixth consecutive contest, Horford could stay with the starting unit. But if Holiday and Horford are out, Sam Hauser, averaging 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 10 starts this season, should continue to receive extra work.Source: NBA Injury Report
7 hours agoBoston Celtics guard Derrick White isn't listed on the league's official injury report heading toward Thursday's rematch with the Hawks. White wasn't in the lineup when these clubs met on Monday because of a hand issue. Yet, this injury isn't new, so he likely just got the night off to take a breather. Sam Hauser got the start, although he finished with just six points. With Al Horford (toe) and Jrue Holiday (shoulder) questionable for Thursday, there could still be room for Hauser to remain with the first five. Considering Hauser had double-digit scoring performances in five of his previous seven games means he has an excellent chance to bounce back.Source: NBA Injury Report
7 hours agoColorado Rockies manager Bud Black says first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant is in a "great place" physically, and he believes 25 home runs is a possibility for the veteran. Bryant is entering the third season of a seven-year, $182 million contract that is widely perceived as an albatross, but the 32-year-old four-time All-Star did hammer three homers and draw six walks over 43 plate appearances during spring training. Set to primarily occupy first base in 2024, Bryant should have a much better chance of staying healthy at the cold corner after appearing in just 122 of a possible 324 games in the past two years for the Rocks. Only rostered in one-third of Yahoo leagues to begin the season, the former National League MVP can't be discounted as a potential bounce-back candidate with plenty of slugging upside from a premium lineup spot in Colorado's lineup at the hitter's paradise that is Coors Field.Source: Patrick Saunders - Denver Post
8 hours agoThe Cincinnati Reds put starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (leg) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday. Lodolo will miss the first couple of turns in Cincy's rotation, but the southpaw is set to make his 2024 debut on April 10 at home versus the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers following a long road back from a stress reaction in his tibia that dates back to May of last season. The 26-year-old former No. 7 overall pick tallied an underwhelming 6.29 ERA (5.79 FIP) and 1.74 WHIP through 34 1/3 innings in 2023, but he registered a strong 28.3% strikeout rate as well as 6.0% walk rate and gave up only one run while punching out five hitters covering two spring training appearances. Considering a favorable matchup is on tap for his first showing, Lodolo's bat-missing upside means he probably shouldn't be lying around on very many waiver wires in fantasy leagues for managers that can afford to stash him.Source: Cincinnati Reds on X
8 hours agoThe Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. While the move is a procedural measure, it's worth noting that Friedl avoided the 60-day IL in the face of a recovery timetable of six to eight weeks due to his fractured wrist. The Reds must believe the 28-year-old center fielder has a chance to return before the end of May, meaning fantasy managers shouldn't forget about him if choosing to leave Friedl on waiver wires instead of stashing him to start the year in shallow leagues. Friedl flourished during his first full year in the major leagues in 2023, slashing a potent .279/.352/.467 with 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases across 556 plate appearances. Will Benson is a name to watch during the early stages of the 2024 campaign after hitting .275 with an .863 OPS, 11 homers, and 19 swipes over 287 at-bats for Cincy a year ago.Source: Cincinnati Reds on X
8 hours agoDenver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (foot) will play on Thursday against Phoenix. He's been battling a right plantar fascia strain for at least a few games. However, the 28-year-old finally sat out, missing Monday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Christian Braun got the start and played exceptionally well, finishing with 17 points off 8-for-10 shooting from the field. But with Gordon back in the lineup, Braun's fantasy ceiling will come crashing down.Source: Denver Nuggets
8 hours agoDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. (illness) will play on Wednesday against Phoenix. He's made appearances on the injury report of late because of a non-COVID-illness. Yet, it hasn't cost him any time. However, the 25-year-old has combined for 23 points in the Nuggets' previous two games, so he may not be worth rostering in DFS contests until he's fully healthy.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoDenver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (back, hip) will play on Wednesday versus the Suns. He didn't suit up for Saturday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers because of back and hip soreness. However, the multi-time MVP returned for Monday's meeting with Memphis, finishing two assists shy of a triple-double. Jokic has averaged 23.0 points, 10.5 boards, and 10.5 assists versus Phoenix this season, making him an ideal option for any fantasy lineup.Source: Denver Nuggets
8 hours agoMilwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio will start in right field for Friday's Opening Day matchup against the New York Mets. It remains to be seen where manager Pat Murphy will slot Chourio in Milwaukee's batting order, but it's fair to expect the 20-year-old speedster to find himself in the lower part of the lineup during the early goings of the campaign. That doesn't mean Chourio won't work his way up to a more favorable spot over time; the No. 2 prospect in baseball slashed a promising .323/.373/.403 with four extra-base hits, four RBI, and two stolen bases over 62 spring training at-bats. Garrett Mitchell (hand) will miss at least the first month of the season, so Chourio will have an extended opportunity with the Brewers to showcase his exciting power and speed potential and is a threat to record 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in his rookie year.Source: Todd Rosiak - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
8 hours agoBoston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) is questionable for Thursday's game against Atlanta. He's missed the last five games with an AC joint sprain, so this could be his first appearance in nearly two weeks. But the C's are sitting comfortably atop the Eastern Conference, meaning Holiday won't be on the floor until he's fully healthy. Nonetheless, if he sits out another game, Sam Hauser, averaging 12.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 10 starts during the 2023-24 campaign, could remain with the first five.Source: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoMilwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) is expected to play on Thursday against the Pelicans. The veteran was sidelined for over a month because of a sprained ankle. However, he's been back in the lineup in four of Milwaukee's previous five games. Middleton has had a few solid showings since his return. But he scored only 12 points in Tuesday's double-overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. At any rate, his fantasy ceiling is still higher than most. Yet, the 32-year-old is not as consistent as he used to be.Source: NBA Injury Report
9 hours agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) might return before the end of the regular season. Wojnarowski stated that it's not a matter of "if" but "when," while adding the team hopes to get him back with at least a few games left before the postseason begins. The 30-year-old averaged a career-high 35.3 points with 11.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.8 blocks before going down with a knee injury at the end of January. Of course, it could take him a few games to get back up to speed. However, Embiid's presence will immediately mean less work for Mo Bamba and Paul Reed, who have seen an uptick in production while the reigning MVP has been sidelined.Source: Adrian Wojnarowski
9 hours agoDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (ankle) remains out for Wednesday's matchup with Phoenix. This will be there veteran's third consecutive absence after tweaking his ankle during a recent meeting with the New York Knicks. With that said, his next chance to return will be Friday against Minnesota. However, Reggie Jackson, coming off a 15-point performance on Monday versus Memphis, will remain a worthwhile DFS option.Source: Vinny Benedetto
9 hours agoTampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that right-hander Jake Odorizzi (shoulder) will make a start for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, April 2, and then the team will go "start-to-start" on deciding when/if they'll bring him to the major-league level. Not only did Odorizzi not sign with the Rays until March 15, but he didn't pitch at all in 2023 while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. The 34-year-old veteran should eventually become a rotation option for Tampa this year, but he'll certainly be on an innings limit and already didn't come with much fantasy upside. The former first-rounder (32nd overall) of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008 went 6-6 with the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves in his last season in 2022, sporting a 4.40 ERA and 1.33 WHIP with 35 walks and 86 K's over 22 starts.Source: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan Bass
9 hours agoMinnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (ribs) has shaken off a questionable tag and will be in the lineup on Wednesday against Detroit. Health issues have limited Gobert to only three outings across the last seven games, but he will make his third consecutive appearance on Wednesday. The French giant should have a good game against a mediocre rebounding team that allows centers to shoot 59.2 percent from the field. Gobert bagged 19 points and 16 rebounds against the Pistons in this season's first head-to-head matchup in January.Source: NBA Injury Report
9 hours agoThe Seattle Seahawks are looking to make some additions to their offensive line this offseason. Recently, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said the team has a lot to figure out on the o-line. This team is without left guard Damien Lewis and right guard Phil Haynes who both left for free agency. Possibly, the Seahawks use the 16th overall pick in the draft to add some offensive line. It appears Seattle is still looking to compete next season with Geno Smith slated to be under center. Most of the Seahawks offensive weapons are back, but this team could be in serious trouble if they don't patch up their o-line soon.Source: Bob Condotta
10 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) will play on Wednesday versus the Memphis Grizzlies. James didn't suit up for Tuesday's double-overtime win over the Bucks because of his nagging ankle injury. However, the Lakers need him healthy for the postseason, so he got a night off for the first half of back-to-back contests. The 39-year-old has averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 3.0 steals in two meetings with Memphis this season. Yet, with Anthony Davis (knee) sidelined, James could be more productive.Source: Jovan Buha
10 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (late) started his throwing program on Tuesday and appears to be ahead of schedule. Rodriguez threw from 60 feet on Tuesday, which was the first time he had done any throwing since suffering a left-lat strain in spring training on March 19. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw is still going to start his first year in Arizona on the injured list, but his stay there may not end up being a lengthy one. In any event, the Snakes still felt the need to add lefty Jordan Montgomery to their rotation on Tuesday. E-Rod had career-highs in ERA (3.30) and WHIP (1.15) in his final year in Detroit in 2023, but fantasy managers should be expecting regression from an injury-prone pitcher that has exceeded 160 innings just once in his eight major-league seasons.Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie
10 hours agoLos Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (knee) will sit out Wednesday's game against Memphis. This should come as a surprise to no one after Davis put in a mammoth of an effort across a career-high 52 minutes in a double-overtime win against Milwaukee on Tuesday. Jaxson Hayes will pick up his fourth start of the year in Davis' stead. He's averaged 10.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in the role and should do well against a weak Memphis squad that has the league's third-lowest rebounding rate.Source: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoThe Detroit Lions have re-signed quarterback Nate Sudfeld on Wednesday. The 30-year-old served as the backup to Jared Goff during the 2022 season. He was slated to compete with Teddy Bridgewater, but he has retired this offseason. That being said, Sudfeld figures to compete with Hendon Hooker for the backup job in Detroit next season. The former sixth-round pick has played in six games since debuting in 2017. Sudfeld won't offer any fantasy value heading into next season.Source: Adam Schefter
10 hours agoSan Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (ankle) will play on Wednesday versus Utah. He wasn't available for Monday's meeting with the Phoenix Suns and was deemed questionable heading into this contest. But the rookie participated in shootaround on Wednesday morning, which was a good sign regarding his chance to suit up. Wembanyama has dominated the Jazz in two meetings this season, averaging 18.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.0 blocks. With that in mind, his return will mean less work for Zach Collins, who had 18 points in 30 minutes on Monday.Source: Sarah Todd
10 hours agoMinnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (finger) will be in the lineup on Wednesday against Detroit. He's been upgraded from probable to available. Edwards hurt his left middle finger last week in a clash with Utah but has remained in the lineup. The Timberwolves star has struggled with his shooting in the last couple of games, but facing off against a bad team like the Pistons should help Edwards find his stroke again. He had 27 points in 33 minutes with five rebounds and eight assists in this season's first head-to-head meeting.Source: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoMilwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said on Wednesday that outfielder Garrett Mitchell (finger) will miss six to eight weeks due to a fractured finger on his left hand. The good news for Mitchell is that his injured digit won't require surgery at this time. Mitchell thought his finger was fine the other day before undergoing X-rays, but that won't be the case. It's a tough blow for the 25-year-old, who only managed to appear in 19 games for the Brew Crew last year due to a left-shoulder injury that required surgery. The former first-round pick from UCLA shouldn't be out nearly as long this time around as he was in 2023. In a crowded outfield picture in Milwaukee, Mitchell figures to be on the strong side of a platoon in right field in 2024 when he's able to return from his injury. In the meantime, Sal Frelick will likely see most of the starts in right.Source: 97.3 The Game
10 hours agoIndiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (knee) will rejoin the action on Wednesday versus Chicago. He's back after missing one game with a bruised knee. Nesmith's form has been a bit up and down lately, but he's still had a decent month by posting 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. Meeting a defensively mediocre team like the Bulls could help Nesmith break out of his shooting slump -- the 24-year-old has hit only 40.8 percent of his shots in March.Source: NBA Injury Report
10 hours agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (shoulder) is likely to start the season on the injured list, according to manager John Schneider. Manoah threw 34 pitches in two simulated innings on Wednesday, and his next steps will depend on how he feels after Wednesday's session as the team looks to continue building him up. The 26-year-old doesn't have any structural damage in his right shoulder, but starting the year on the IL is another setback after he had an absolutely disastrous 2023 campaign. Manoah's command completely deserted him last year, which led to him being demoted to the minors two separate times. There was lots of optimism from the Blue Jays that he'd be able to bounce back in 2024, but the fact is that Manoah won't be guaranteed a rotation spot once he comes off the IL if he continues to pitch poorly.Source: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
10 hours agoNew York Knicks guard/forward Alec Burks (shoulder) will miss a second consecutive game on Wednesday versus Toronto. There was initially hope of him returning when the team listed him as questionable for the game, but Burks has now been downgraded to out. Burks' absence leaves the Knicks without a good scoring option off the bench. He's averaged around 15 minutes a night in the Big Apple, and Bojan Bogdanovic will have a chance to get some extra action off the Knicks bench without Burks.Source: Steve Popper
10 hours agoTSN's Scott Mitchell writes that the Toronto Blue Jays will use a closer-by-committee setup and matchup-based choices to open the season with relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) starting the year on the injured list. Mitchellread more...
10 hours agoNew York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is officially available for Wednesday's matchup against Toronto. After recovering from ankle surgery, he will make his first appearance since Dec. 8. New York's defensive anchor played a massive role at the start of the campaign, but it's likely he will return with some kind of a minutes restriction, which will limit his fantasy value on Wednesday. Robinson will eat into the minutes of Isaiah Hartenstein, who's been the Knicks' starter in the middle during his absence.Source: The New York Post
10 hours agoToronto Blue Jays relievers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) will officially open the 2024 season on the injured list, according to manager John Schneider. As a result, Nate Pearson and Wes Parsons will open the year in Toronto's bullpen. Swanson has already resumed playing catch, while the Blue Jays hope Romano can begin throwing off a mound next week. Hopefully, both pitchers will be able to return in the middle of April, but there's no guarantee. Romano should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues for the time being. With both Romano and Swanson on the shelf, the Blue Jays are expected to roll with a closer-by-committee approach, consisting of arms like Chad Green, Yimi Garcia and Tim Mayza.Source: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
10 hours agoToronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that the team still hasn't decided on when right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) will make his first start of the season, but it will be either Sunday in Tampa Bay against the Rays or on Monday in Houston versus the Astros. Gausman came out of his only Grapefruit League start on Monday fine and will not need to open the regular season on the injured list after dealing with shoulder fatigue in spring training. Neither matchup is ideal for the 33-year-old's first start after missing time in spring training, so he'll be more risky than normal in season-long fantasy leagues and in DFS in his first start of 2024. But fantasy managers should feel comfortable that the Blue Jays' ace can put his shoulder injury in the rearview and put forth another strong season as a No. 1 starter.Source: TSN Sports - Scott Mitchell