Joe Mixon Likely To Take Field Sunday

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon (chest) gave some fantasy managers a scare when he was a late addition to the team’s injury report, but it appears that he is healthy enough to play Sunday against Jacksonville. Yet to find the end zone over the first three weeks of the year, Mixon is scuffling to […...

Dwayne Haskins Faces Crossroads Sunday In Starting QB Battle

Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins could be in peril of losing his starting job should things go sideways during Sunday’s contest versus Baltimore. Haskins tossed three interceptions versus the Browns in Week 3, and with experienced signal caller Alex Smith and Kyle Allen ready behind him, Haskins will need to deliver a performance that […...

DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk Set To Be Available Sunday

Arizona Cardinals wide receivers DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) and Christian Kirk (groin) are both expected to be cleared to take the field Sunday against Carolina. Hopkins didn’t log much practice time during the week due to an ankle injury, while Kirk is looking to return after being out of the equation Week 3 due to a […...

Saints-Lions Will Play Sunday After Additional COVID-19 Testing

The New Orleans Saints were reported to have had a player test positive for COVID-19 prior to Sunday’s contest versus Detroit, putting the game in peril. But after additional testing, that player was revealed to have come back negative for the virus, allowing the Saints and Lions to take the field as scheduled for a […...

Tyler Stephenson, Jose Garcia Have Chance To Make Club In 2021

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson and shortstop Jose Garcia both played integral roles in helping the club reach the postseason down the stretch in 2020, with president of baseball operations Dick Williams confirming Friday that the duo “belong on a big league field.” Stephenson, the club’s No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, and Garcia, No. […...

Cincinnati Expects Nick Castellanos To Return In 2021

Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said Friday that he does not expect outfielder Nick Castellanos to exercise the opt-out in his contract, which would allow him to forgo the three years and $48 million remaining on his current deal. Castellanos has a unique deal that offers him the chance to opt out […...

Alex Bregman A Risky DFS Play After Struggles Against A’s

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman will be one of the premier DFS targets during the ALDS, which is set to begin Monday. He faces off against an Oakland pitching staff that held him to a slash line of .095/.174/.143 in 23 plate appearances during the regular season. Granted, being on a downturn against the […...

Dustin Pedroia Not A Fantasy Commodity Come 2021

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) is under contract for the 2021 season and would presumably have a clear path to everyday playing time at second base. But persistent knee troubles have limited him to just nine games over the last three seasons combined, and it’s not believed that he will play again. […...

Mike Clevinger, Dinelson Lamet Play Catch Friday

San Diego Padres right-handed pitchers Mike Clevinger (biceps) and Dinelson Lamet (biceps) both played catch Friday morning ahead of the team’s do-or-die Game 3 of the wild-card series against St. Louis. Neither starter is on the club’s roster, which has severely hampered the pitching staff, but when asked about the availability for either should the […...

Lance McCullers Jr. Likely To Start Game 1 Or 2 Of ALDS

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. wasn’t utilized during the club’s wild-card series victory over Minnesota, having last pitched last Saturday. Despite that, manager Dusty Baker alluded to the fact that McCullers could be tabbed to pitch either Game 1 or 2 of the ALDS versus Oakland. In his lone start against the A’s […...

Spencer Torkelson Tops Prospect Group At Instructional League

Detroit Tigers first/third baseman Spencer Torkelson is the top name among a group of the club’s prospects that will report to Florida for an instructional league for further development. The No. 1 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Arizona State, Torkelson has already vaulted up the ranks to be chosen as the club’s […...

Craig Stammen Serves As Opener For Game 3 Friday

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Craig Stammen will open Game 3 of Friday’s wild-card series versus St. Louis. Stammen hasn’t made a start since Aug. 4, 2010, a healthy indicator that he won’t be long for Friday’s contest, with the Padres slated to have an “all hands on deck” approach. The longest that Stammen has […...

J.T. Realmuto Heads Into Free Agency Coming Off Career Year

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was the majors’ preeminent offensive catcher during 2020, posting career highs in on-base percentage (.349), slugging percentage (.491) and OPS (.840). He is set to hit free agency for the first time, and considering his defensive acumen in addition to his slugging prowess, he is sure to be a hot […...

Bo Bichette Ascends Into Top-Tier Asset Ahead Of 2021

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was limited to just 29 regular-season games in 2020 due to a knee injury, but that hasn’t stopped him from pouring on the production and moving himself significantly up draft boards ahead of next season. With 15 extra-base hits and four stolen bases this year, Bichette’s blend of average […...

Charlie Blackmon Fades To Finish After Flirting With .400 Average

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon was the talk of the majors for a stretch during 2020 when his batting average sat above .400 as late into the season as Aug. 23. But after a September in which he slashed just .230/.297/.356, Blackmon finished the year with his lowest OPS (.804) since 2015. As can be […...

Eugenio Suarez Has Production Capped By Short Season

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez mashed 49 home runs in 2019 and became one of the premier hot-corner fantasy options leading into this season. But the shortened nature of this season didn’t allow Suarez’s bat to heat up, much like it did the year before. Prior to the All-Star break in ‘19, Suarez had […...

Ketel Marte Makes Elite Contact In 2020

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte stepped into an elite tier of contact during the 2020 campaign, finishing in the 99th percentile of strikeout rate (10.8%) and 98th percentile of whiff rate (14.1%). Unfortunately, that did not lend itself to another top-five MVP finish, as the .732 OPS that Marte produced was his lowest mark […...

Pete Alonso Heads Into 2021 As Premium Home Run Option

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso was unable to rekindle the same magic in 2020 that he delivered during his rookie year in 2019, but that didn’t stop him from being a key fantasy contributor. Having mashed 16 home runs in 57 games, Alonso was on pace for a 45-46 home run year had […...

J.D. Martinez Likely To See Stock Dip Ahead Of 2021

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez entered 2020 as one of the most consistent power bats in the game, but after a drastic downturn in production during the abbreviated ‘20 campaign, he’s likely to fall around the 50-60 mark in rankings for next season. Where there lies upside in Martinez is in his past […...

Sean Doolittle Posts Message To D.C. Before Free Agency

Washington Nationals left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle put together a message on Twitter ahead of his impending free agency, thanking fans for their support during his time with the organization. Doolittle battled through injuries in 2020 to post a 5.87 ERA in 11 appearances, losing his closer’s gig early on in the year. But during his […...

Austin Meadows Ramps Up Intensity In Comeback Attempt

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Austin Meadows (oblique) has been sidelined since Sept. 17 due to a strained left oblique, but as of Friday, he has been able to run the bases and increase his baseball activity. There remains hope that the Rays could include Meadows on their ALDS roster against the Yankees, with the series […...

Whit Merrifield Eyes Continued Positional Flexibility Come 2021

Kansas City Royals second baseman/outfielder Whit Merrifield has become a top-tier fantasy asset primarily due to his hitting skills, but his positional flexibility certainly hasn’t hurt either. Merrifield said that heading into 2021, he was open to continue moving around the field after starting at four different spots (second base and all three outfield spots) […...

David Bote Presents Upside Play For Game 2 Friday

Chicago Cubs infielder David Bote will draw the start at second base for Game 2 of Friday’s wild-card series versus Miami over veteran left-handed bat Jason Kipnis. With hard-throwing rookie right-hander Sixto Sanchez on the hill for the Marlins, Bote will hold down the keystone, having delivered reverse splits this year with an .801 vs. […...

Chad Wallach Remains Starting Catcher For Game 2 Friday

Miami Marlins catcher Chad Wallach will start behind the plate for the second consecutive postseason game Friday versus the Cubs and right-hander Yu Darvish. Wallach started just 13 games during the regular season, but seems to have supplanted Jorge Alfaro as the club’s everyday catcher at this stage. Wallach will have an extremely difficult matchup […...

Starling Marte Absent From Game 2 Lineup Friday

Miami Marlins outfielder Starling Marte (finger) is not among the starting nine for Game 2 of Friday’s wild-card series versus the Cubs. After having been diagnosed with a fractured pinky finger after being hit by a pitch during Game 1, Marte will cede way to Magneuris Sierra in center, who will bat eighth and face […...

Kenley Jansen Continues To Serve As Closer For Game 2

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Kenley Jansen looked a bit out of sorts despite locking down the save in Game 1 of the club’s wild-card series versus Milwaukee on Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts reiterated before first pitch that Jansen was “absolutely” still the closer should a save situation present itself, which all but reassures that […...

Starling Marte's Status Unknown For Friday

Miami Marlins outfielder Starling Marte (finger) was slated to sit for Game 2 of the club’s wild-card series versus the Cubs on Thursday due to the fractured pinkie finger that he sustained after being hit by a pitch Wednesday. Magneuris Sierra had been announced as the starting center fielder against right-hander Yu Darvish before the […...

Francisco Lindor Plans To Remain With Club In 2021, Beyond

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor will be the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason, as he is scheduled to hit free agency at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Cleveland has been aggressive in moving soon-to-be free agents in years past and would likely receive a significant haul in return for Lindor. But despite […...

Justin Verlander Has Successful Tommy John Surgery

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Justin Verlander (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery Wednesday to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament. Verlander attempted to work back from the injury earlier this season, before ultimately deciding to have surgery, which is expected to keep him out through the 2021 campaign. Verlander is slated to hit free agency […...

Ryan Braun Dealing With Oblique Strain

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/designated hitter Ryan Braun (oblique) provided additional clarity on the malady that has sidelined him Thursday versus Los Angeles, saying that he is dealing with a left oblique strain. Due to the nature of the injury, it would be highly surprising if Braun is available off the bench for Game 2 or at all in […...