26 seconds agoLos Angeles Dodgers left-hander
Clayton Kershaw (toe) left his start on Friday early against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field with left big-toe pain. Kershaw made it through only one inning in the start of a huge weekend series in Arizona, and he gave up three earned runs on three hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out none before he hit the showers. It's not an arm injury, but it's yet another ailment for the 36-year-old, who hasn't been able to stay healthy in recent seasons. The future Hall of Famer came into Friday's start having made only six starts in 2024 due to a left-shoulder injury. The 10-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner will now be up in the air for his next start, depending on the severity of his injury. Heading into the final month of the regular season, the Dodgers' top priority will be having Kershaw healthy for another playoff run in October.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
14 mins agoCleveland Guardians first baseman
Josh Naylor (ankle) managed to have a big offensive night in Friday's 10-8 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Progressing Field despite leaving the contest early due to a left-ankle bruise. Naylor was replaced late in the game by
Tyler Freeman after he apparently rolled his ankle. Before leaving, though, Naylor went 3-for-5 with a double, four RBI and a run scored. Naylor's two-run double in the first inning got Cleveland's scoring started. The 27-year-old appears to have avoided a serious injury, thankfully, but he could be held out as a precaution for Saturday's contest. Fantasy managers should consider him to be day-to-day for now. Naylor, a first-time All-Star in 2024, came into Friday's game with a career-high 28 home runs, and now he's at a career-high 98 RBI through 127 games after driving in four this evening.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Zack Meisel
42 mins agoLos Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (shoulder) played catch on Friday and will throw a bullpen session on Sunday. Yoshinobu's next minor-league rehab start will come on Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, and the plan is for him to go three innings. It will be the 26-year-old Japanese pitcher's second rehab start after he allowed one run (on a homer) while striking out two in two innings (31 pitches) for Oklahoma City on Wednesday. The Dodgers aren't going to rush Yamamoto back into the rotation, so fantasy managers should expect to maybe get a few outings out of him once he returns in the middle of September, barring any setbacks. Yamamoto will be a key piece of the rotation going into the postseason when he's healthy after going 6-2 with a tidy 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 84 K's in 74 innings in his first 14 starts in 2024 in the States.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sportsnet LA - Kirsten Watson
57 mins agoIndiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with the club on Friday. Although the 32-year-old isn't a starter, he is one of the most essential players on the Pacers' roster. He finished the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 10.2 points with 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals and was even more productive throughout the postseason. With that said,
Tyrese Haliburton's health is seemingly always an issue, so fantasy managers should strongly consider adding McConnell for insurance purposes heading into opening night.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
1 hour agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Kodai Senga (calf) is playing catch from 90 feet and is progressing well, according to Mets manager
Carlos Mendoza. Though it's unlikely Senga will pitch again this season, Mendoza noted that the Japanese star is playing catch "like normal" and that it's a good sign for both him and the team. The 31-year-old only pitched in one game for the Mets this season after dealing with a shoulder strain for the entire first half of the year before injuring his calf in his only start in 2024. While the Mets are fighting for a wild-card spot (3.5 games back) it shouldn't be expected that the Mets will rush him back. Should Senga return in 2024, it'd likely be during the playoffs. Fantasy managers that need starting pitching help should instead pivot to
David Peterson, whose 2.83 ERA will be a great addition to any fantasy roster.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Abbey Mastracco
1
hour
agoDenver
Broncos
wide
receiver
Devaughn
Vele
drew
praise
from
head
coach
Sean
Payton
when
interviewed
on
Friday.
Vele
had
been
one
of
the
standouts
of
Broncos
camp
and
made
the
cut
this
week
as
Denver
whittled
down
their
roster
to
53
in
preparation
read more...
1 hour agoMemphis Grizzlies forward
GG Jackson II (foot) will undergo surgery after suffering a broken right foot during training. The 2023 No. 45 overall pick is coming off a quality season, averaging 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 48 games (20.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 18 starts). But he is now heading under the knife to repair the fifth metatarsal in his foot. While Jackson isn't expected to be a routine fantasy producer in 2024-25, he could draw streaming interest at some point. But first, he'll need to get healthy, although it's tough to tell how long he'll be on the shelf.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
1 hour agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Christian Scott (elbow) threw off a mound on Friday in a positive bullpen session. Scott only threw his fastball and changeup but will be able to throw his other pitches in his next bullpen session. Mets manager
Carlos Mendoza did say he expects Scott to join the Mets again this season but won't be built up pitch-count-wise. The major implication here for fantasy managers is that if Scott does rejoin the major league club that he likely won't be back in the Mets' rotation. Fantasy managers that were hoping for the rookie to help out in the playoff push will need to recalibrate and look for other options to help from a starting pitcher perspective. Left-hander
David Peterson and his 2.83 ERA would be a fine addition for any fantasy roster he isn't on and should be swept up off the waiver wire if available.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Abbey Mastracco
1 hour agoAccording to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Los Angeles Clippers center
Ivica Zubac agreed to a three-year, $58.6 million contract extension. The Clippers' roster will look different in 2024-25, with
Paul George and
Russell Westbrook no longer in Los Angeles. Of course, the club still has
Kawhi Leonard (knee) and
James Harden in the starting lineup. But the Clippers will also have Zubac, who ended the 2023-24 campaign by averaging a career-high 11.7 points with 9.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. Fantasy managers should continue to get consistent production from the 27-year-old, and his durability makes him a welcome addition to any fantasy roster.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adrian Wojnarowski
1
hour
agoSan
Francisco
Giants
second
baseman
Thairo
Estrada
was
outrighted
to
Triple-A
Sacramento
on
Friday.
The
28-year-old
posted
a
.590
OPS
in
381
PA
this
season,
especially
struggling
over
the
last
couple
weeks
by
posting
just
a
.486
OPS
in
35
PA.
Estrada
had
read more...
1 hour agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers signed wide receiver
Ben Skowronek to their practice squad Friday, per Adam Schefter. Skowronek had made waves early on in camp as a part of the Houston Texans but missed time due to a leg injury and was ultimately cut by the team earlier this week. The 27-year-old was never given a full complement of snaps during his three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, though he did perform admirably when given the opportunity. The former seventh-round pick should stand a better chance to crack the Steelers' active roster than he did buried in a deep Houston wide receiver room. With the regular season kicking off in just under a week, Pittsburgh will roll into their road opener against the Atlanta Falcons with
George Pickens,
Van Jefferson, and
Calvin Austin III starting at wide receiver. Skowronek does not project to be a viable fantasy option, though this could be a situation to monitor with a thin corps in front of him.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
1
hour
agoTampa
Bay
Rays
first
baseman
Yandy
Diaz
left
Friday
night's
game
against
the
San
Diego
Padres
early
with
left
knee
patellar
tendinitis.
Diaz
was
replaced
in
the
bottom
of
the
fourth
after
hitting
a
single
and
was
pinch-ran
for
by
read more...
2 hours agoLinebacker Tyus Bowser was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on Friday and will look to build up to his first in-game action since 2022. Bowser previously spent his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens but was released by the team back in March to free up $5.5 million in salary cap. The 29-year-old was among one of the most versatile linebackers in the league when he was healthy and was a beacon of consistency for the Ravens up until missing eight games in 2022 after a torn Achilles and all of 2023 with a knee injury. He also led Baltimore in sacks with seven in 2021. A former second-round pick, Bowser will reunite with Mike Macdonald in Seattle after playing under him in Macdonald's first year as the Ravens' defensive coordinator. Because Bowser was not on a pre-season roster, being signed to the practice squad will give his body time to reacclimate to football. Look for him to vie for a spot on the active roster.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
2 hours agoChicago Cubs relief pitcher
Jorge Lopez (groin) could return to Chicago's bullpen this weekend, according to manager Craig Counsell. Lopez has been dealing with a groin injury since Aug. 23 but recently completed a bullpen that went well. The 31-year-old has been fantasy relevant in his stint with Chicago, pitching to a 0.79 ERA in 22 2/3 innings. His return will be very welcomed by both fantasy managers and Cubs fans alike. Although Chicago is likely out of the National League Central race, they're five games back of a wild-card spot, and a reliable arm like Lopez will help their outside chances. Fantasy managers that have been holding Lopez out of their lineups need to ensure he's back in as soon as he's announced on the active roster. With Chicago's next five games against the subpar offenses of the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates, Lopez will likely be used often when Chicago has a lead.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kyle Williams
2
hours
agoBoston
Red
Sox
shortstop
Trevor
Story
(shoulder)
is
set
to
start
as
the
designated
hitter
for
Triple-A
Worcester
on
Sunday.
Story
will
then
start
at
shortstop
on
Monday,
take
Tuesday
off
and
then
work
full
speed
toward
a
return
to
the
majors
after
that.
read more...
4 hours agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher
Jordan Wicks (oblique) is nearly ready to return to the big league roster. The left-hander was scratched ahead of his start at Triple-A Iowa on Friday. The organization did this so they could have Wicks fresh for a possible start this weekend against the Washington Nationals. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said they could reshuffle their starting rotation over the next few days. Wicks hasn't been great for the Cubs this season, but he gives the team another viable arm down the stretch of the September. The southpaw has a 4.18 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 32/10 K/BB ratio across seven games (six starts) with the Cubs this season. He could be a streaming option against the Nats lackluster offense, but isn't a great long term fantasy option.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Meghan Montemurro
4 hours agoThe New York Giants re-signed free-agent cornerback Adoree' Jackson on Friday to a one-year deal, according to a source. Jackson will return to the Big Apple with the G-Men after spending the last three seasons with them, recording 136 solo tackles, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 23 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 37 games (36 starts). The 28-year-old former 18th overall pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2017 out of USC spent the first four years of his career with the Titans and had 176 solo tackles (six for loss), two interceptions, 33 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 46 games played (41 starts). Due to some injuries in New York's secondary, Jackson could play regularly early in the regular season, beginning with a Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 8.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Bergen Record - Art Stapleton
4 hours agoNew York Yankees first baseman
Anthony Rizzo (forearm) appears to be extremely close to making his return to the big-league club. The 35-year-old has been working his way back from a forearm injury that has sidelined him since mid-June. The good news is that Rizzo is going to play a rehab game on Friday and could return when the roster expand on Sunday. Rizzo hasn't given the Yankees much production with the bat this season. He's hitting .223 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 70 games.
Ben Rice will likely lose some playing time once Rizzo is back in the mix.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Bryan Hoch
4 hours agoKansas City Royals relief pitcher
Lucas Erceg (hand) is likely going to miss a few days after taking a comebacker off his right hand during Thursday's game. The right-hander is considered as day-to-day as he's still dealing with soreness and swelling in his hand. At least Erceg didn't suffer a serious injury and isn't expected to miss a lengthy amount of time. In the meantime,
James McArthur will likely step into the closer role for the next few days. He could have some streaming appeal to fantasy managers in category leagues.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Joel Goldberg
4 hours agoSt. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Jordan Walker has been recalled from Triple-A on Friday. This move comes after outfielder
Tommy Pham was designated for assignment. That being said, Walker is expected to play every day going forward, according to Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. The Cardinals have high expectations for Walker that he hasn't quite lived up to yet. Last season, Walker did solid as he hit .276 with 16 home runs and 51 RBI in 117 games. In 2024, Walker is hitting .145 with four RBI in 24 games. He'll cover right field and bat seventh versus right-hander
Marcus Stroman on Friday. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues don't need to rush to the waiver wire. It might be better to wait and see if Walker can bounce back at the plate before snagging him.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Jones
5 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher
David Bednar has been removed from the closer role, according to manager Derek Shelton. The 29-year-old has put together an awful 2024 season after back-to-back All-Star campaigns ahead of this season. This news isn't shocking considering Bednar has a 10.80 ERA with a 2.49 WHIP over his last 12 outings. The Pirates have seen enough after Bednar gave up five earned runs during his most recent outing against the Chicago Cubs. Shelton says the team plans to use a committee approach going forward.
Aroldis Chapman figures to be the favorite to get save chances given his experience in that role.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Noah Hiles
5 hours agoMiami Marlins first base/third base prospect
Deyvison De Los Santos went 2-for-6 with a double and his 36th home run of the 2024 campaign. De Los Santos was traded to the Marlins at the deadline in exchange for left-handed pitcher
A.J. Puk. The infielder opened the campaign at the Double-A level and posted an excellent .372/.426/.696 line through a 38-game stint. Then, through 77 games at Triple-A (split between Reno and Jacksonville), he sits with a .278/.326/.562 line with 22 home runs and 70 RBI. De Los Santos has emerged as one of the best power hitters in the minor leagues and could be in contention for a late-season major league debut. Deeper league managers should continue to stash the 21-year-old as he could provide elite power down the stretch.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 hours agoMinnesota Twins outfielder
Max Kepler (knee) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 31-year-old outfielder continues to deal with a lingering left knee issue. The hope is that Kepler can rest on Friday and be available to play this weekend. For now, fantasy managers should consider Kepler as day-to-day.
Matt Wallner will play right field and bat cleanup against right-hander
Kevin Gausman on Friday. Wallner has eight hits, two home runs, and three RBI over his last five games. He's worth a look as a streaming option until Kepler is back in the mix.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Betsy Helfand
5 hours agoThe NFL suspended free-agent wide receiver
Michael Thomas (knee) for the first week of the 2024 regular season for violating the league's personal-conduct policy related to an incident with a construction worker from last fall. Things continue to get worse for Thomas, who was the best receiver in the NFL as recent as 2019. While it's only a one-game suspension, it's not going to help the 31-year-old veteran's cause as he looks to find a new team for the 2024 season. He was cut by the New Orleans Saints back in March after catching 39 of his 64 targets for 448 yards and just one touchdown. A knee injury limited Thomas to only 10 games (seven starts), and he hasn't played in over 10 games in a season since his All-Pro campaign in 2019. Even if Thomas does land with another team, he will merely be competing for a depth role.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
5 hours agoTampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect
Carson Williams went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI on Thursday evening. This was his second round-tripper over the past three games. Since the start of the month, the top prospect has held a solid .253/.367/.434 line with two doubles, two triples, three home runs, 17 RBI, and four stolen bases. Overall, through his first extended look at Double-A ball, the former first-round pick has posted a .256/.354/.463 line with 18 doubles and 17 home runs. MLB.com ranks Williams as the No.2 best prospect in Tampa Bay, only behind
Junior Caminero and the fifth-best in the entire sport. Dynasty managers should continue to stash Williams as he could make a case for his major league debut next summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 hours agoThe Los Angeles Chargers released running back
Isaiah Spiller from their practice squad on Friday, according to a source. Spiller missed out on making the 53-man roster out of training camp and has now been pushed off the team entirely after the club claimed RB
Hassan Haskins off waivers from the Tennessee Titans earlier this week. The 23-year-old wasn't able to win one of the last RB spots over rookie
Kimani Vidal and will now be free to join any team in the league as RB depth. Spiller failed to make an impact with the Bolts after they drafted him in the fourth round (123rd overall) in 2022 out of Texas A&M. In his first two years in the league, he carried the ball 55 times for 137 yards (2.5 yards per carry) and no touchdowns, adding only nine receptions (nine targets) for 47 yards without a touchdown in 15 games (zero starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
5 hours agoTampa Bay Rays starting pitching prospect
Ian Seymour tossed six innings of one-run ball on Thursday evening while striking out nine batters. He allowed five hits and four free passes. This was another strong outing for the 25-year-old, as he has not allowed more than two earned runs in a start since July 11. During this dominant stretch, the former second-round pick has held a 2.37 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 13:47 BB:K ratio. This is an excellent sign, as Seymour posted a near-identical 2.36 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP at Double-A earlier this summer. Given how well Seymour has looked at Triple-A Durham this summer, he should be in contention to spend time in the majors next summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 hours agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Friday that they re-signed wide receiver
Quez Watkins to their practice squad after releasing him earlier this week. Watkins will return to Pittsburgh as extra receiving depth to begin the 2024 campaign behind
George Pickens,
Van Jefferson,
Calvin Austin III,
Scotty Miller and rookie
Roman Wilson. The fact that the 26-year-old wasn't able to impress the coaching staff enough during training camp and the preseason to win a 53-man roster spot in one of the weakest WR rooms in the league pretty much says all you need to know about Watkins. He was a sixth-round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020 out of Southern Mississippi and racked up 98 receptions on 147 targets for 1,249 yards and six touchdowns in his four years in Philly over 49 games (25 starts). Watkins is well off the fantasy radar for now in Pittsburgh.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Steelers
5 hours agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitching prospect
Brett Kerry struck out a season-high 14 batters on Thursday evening. He tossed seven innings of two-run ball with just one hit and two free passes. Since the start of the month, Kerry has showcased elite swing-and-miss potential with an eye-catching 47 punchouts across 32 innings. During this stretch, he held a solid 3.62 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. Through his first extended look at Triple-A ball, the 25-year-old has struggled to find consistency as he sits with an overall 5.68 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP through 77 innings this summer. If he continues to showcase this elite strikeout potential he could earn a late-season taste of the major leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 hours agoThe Cleveland Guardians announced on Friday that outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter (hamstring) was placed on the seven-day minor-league injured list at Triple-A Columbus due to a right-hamstring strain. In a corresponding move, the team reinstated right-hander
Nic Enright (undisclosed) from the seven-day IL. DeLauter, the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had just been promoted to Columbus and was on track to potentially receive his first big-league call-up with rosters expanding in September, but that probably won't be the case now. The 22-year-old former 16th overall pick in 2022 out of James Madison University has had trouble avoiding injuries in his two pro seasons and only played in 30 games for Double-A Akron, slashing .252/.328/.441 with five home runs and 16 RBI. If he can stay healthy in 2025, he should make his major-league debut at some point in Cleveland.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: GuardsInsider
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