3 mins agoThe Los Angeles Angels signed veteran closer
Kenley Jansen on a one-year, $10 million deal on Tuesday, which will give 24-year-old right-hander
Ben Joyce another year to grow into the closer role for the Angels. While Jansen will most likely be L.A.'s primary ninth-inning arm, he's also 37 years old and an injury risk, so Joyce's fantasy value could shoot back up quickly if Jansen ends up missing significant time due to an injury in 2025. But there's also no denying the fact that the signing of Jansen puts a huge damper on Joyce's fantasy prospects for the Halos this year. Joyce should still see the occasional save on days where Jansen is being rested, but one of the hardest throwers in the game will now be relegated to a high-leverage setup for the Angels this year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Times - Mike DiGiovanna
10
mins
agoLos
Angeles
Angels
shortstop
Zach
Neto
(shoulder)
said
he
got
"good
news"
from
doctors
on
Tuesday
and
is
ahead
of
schedule
after
having
right-shoulder
surgery.
However,
Neto
is
still
unsure
if
he
will
be
ready
for
Opening
Day
in
late
March.
He
has
read more...
11 mins agoGary Woodland has started 2025 in great form, recording three straight top-25 finishes to begin the year. He now looks ahead to the Genesis Invitational, which will be held at Torrey Pines. Woodland has an extensive history at this course with five top-20 finishes in his last 12 appearances here. He has driven the ball at a ridiculous average of 326.0 yards, the second-best mark on tour. He also ranks 13th in strokes gained from tee to green, 18th off the tee, and 30th on approach. Over the last 12 months, Woodland is also in the 92nd percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. Given his great form and extensive course history, Woodland is a strong option for fantasy managers at his $6,600 price tag on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
18 mins agoAfter a T12 in the desert, Cameron Young is carrying momentum into this week at Torrey Pines, a place that hasn't been the kindest to him in three career starts. His most recent appearance was a T20 in 2022 at the Farmers Insurance Open but he missed the two previous cuts at the 2021 U.S. Open and the 2021 Farmers. His strength off the tee gives him a distinct advantage here, but if the rest of his game fails, then it doesn't much matter. Both of his good finishes this year have come by way of gaining over a stroke and a half on the greens, as his -0.932 strokes gained on approach average this season is nearly the worst on tour. At $9,000 on FanDuel, there are significant drawbacks to playing Young in DFS, but if there is one place that approach play takes a bit of a backseat, it's Torrey Pines.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
22 mins agoAtlanta Braves third baseman
Austin Riley (hand) was seen taking batting practice at Braves camp on Wednesday. It's a nice sight for the Braves after Riley's 2024 season was cut short last year due to a fractured hand that he suffered on Aug. 18. The 27-year-old avoided surgery, though, and appears to be full go for spring training this year. If he avoids injuries in 2025, fantasy managers should be getting an elite power hitter that is a good bet to return to the 30-homer mark. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star hit a combined 75 long balls in 2022 and 2023 but fell to 19 home runs and 56 RBI in just 110 games played last season because of his hand injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't hold his 2024 injury against him in drafts this spring. RotoBaller currently has Riley ranked as the No. 4 fantasy third baseman.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Grant McAuley
24 mins agoAkshay Bhatia has been in sneaky good form to start the year with finishes of T32, T22, T37 (Dubai Desert Classic), and T32 again. Now he turns his attention to the Genesis Invitational, which is being held at Torrey Pines. Bhatia's most recent trip here was in 2024 at the Farmers Insurance Open, where he finished T13. This week, golfers will need to perform well off the tee, and while Bhatia isn't known for his distance, he ranks 42nd in driving accuracy and 88th in strokes gained off the tee. Bhatia has also been one of the best putters on tour this year, gaining 8.144 strokes with his flat stick, ranking 16th on tour. He is also in the 75th percentile over the last 12 months in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. Given his recent form and accurate play, Bhatia is worth strong consideration by fantasy managers at his $7,100 price tag on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
29 mins agoMilwaukee Brewers right-hander
Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) said he's a full participant as spring training gets underway this week and hasn't had any setbacks after missing all of last season. Woodruff's next big milestone will be this Friday when he faces hitters for the first time since having surgery to fix the anterior capsule in his right shoulder in October of 2023. Given all the time Woodruff missed in 2024, the Brewers will slowly build up the 32-year-old veteran this spring, and the expectation is that he'll begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list as a precaution. Before his shoulder injury, Woodruff was one of the best pitchers in baseball on a yearly basis, but his shoulder injury and the possibility that he faces workload restrictions this year make him much more risky in fantasy. However, the fact that he's feeling good this spring should be music to the Brewers' ears.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
34 mins agoThe word at Pittsburgh Pirates camp is that third baseman
Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) is feeling good entering spring training. PittsburghPG's Noah Hiles writes that he couldn't help but notice Hayes walking around on Wednesday with a big smile on his face. The 28-year-old fell apart in 2024 and played in only 96 games, slashing .233/.283/.290 with a career-worst .573 OPS, four home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 75 strikeouts in 396 plate appearances. However, his back injury was most likely to blame, and he didn't play for the Pirates past Aug. 17. Hayes has an elite glove at third base, so as long as he's healthy, he should see regular playing time. But for fantasy purposes, managers shouldn't be expecting much from a power standpoint given the injuries that he dealt with last year. Hayes' speed and regular playing time will make him useful in NL-only formats, but those in mixed leagues will be avoiding him.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh PG - Noah Hiles
35 mins agoThings have not started as high as many hoped for Sahith Theegala in 2025. While he isn't playing badly enough to miss cuts, the Pepperdine product hasn't cracked the top 35 in any of his five starts this season. What's more frustrating is that none of the struggles can be blamed on one part of his game. He has lost strokes in two of five events from on approach and off the tee, and three of five from on and around the green, which has amounted to -0.098 total strokes gained on the season (ranked 101st on PGA Tour). At a place as demanding as the South Course, taking Theegala at $9,300 on FanDuel is fool's gold.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
41
mins
agoPittsburgh
Pirates
general
manager
Ben
Cherington
mentions
Jared
Triolo,
DJ
Stewart
and
Darick
Hall
as
options
that
the
Pirates
will
consider
at
first
base
now
that
Spencer
Horwitzread more...
48 mins agoIt has been a long and, at times, frustrating history for Justin Rose at Torrey Pines. The 44-year-old has played in 17 total events at Torrey and has had as many quality finishes as missed cuts in that span. His most recent MC came here a few weeks ago at the Farmers Insurance Open after a second-round, 80. There is reason to have hope though, as he notched a T3 finish at Pebble two weeks ago with drastically improved stats that plagued him in San Diego the first time. The downside is that little comparisons can be made between the two courses aside from grass types. At $8,200 on FanDuel, Rosey has some upside to take advantage of, especially ownership-wise, but the drastic range of outcomes given the impending weather and length of the South Course makes him more of someone to avoid.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
49 mins agoWyndham Clark has been inconsistent so far in 2025 with results of T16, T73, a missed cut, and T15 in his first four events. He now turns his attention to Torrey Pines, where he has competed six times in his career, making the cut in four of those but never finishing higher than T32. Off-the-tee play will be crucial this week, and this is an area of Clark's game that has always been reliable, as he currently ranks 24th on tour in driving distance and 19th in total driving. The concern with Clark's game mainly revolves around his approach play, where he has lost 2.936 strokes to the field this year (125th). He is also ranked 63rd in bogey avoidance, 107th in scrambling, and is in the 73rd percentile over the last 12 months in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. There is no denying Clark's upside, but fantasy managers will need to carefully weigh their options before playing him at his $7,300 price tag on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
50 mins agoSt. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said he's been limited to talking to five teams that fit third baseman
Nolan Arenado's wishes, and that group of teams hasn't grown as the official start of spring training nears. Mozeliak did not name the specific teams, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold lists the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. Arenado, who has a full no-trade clause, already nixed a trade to the Houston Astros earlier this offseason. The Padres are a new team that we haven't heard yet, and they'd be an interesting fit with
Manny Machado already entrenched at third base, but Arenado has also said he'd be willing to shift across the diamond to first base to accommodate a trade to his liking. Fantasy-wise, Arenado's offensive numbers have been declining in recent seasons, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 19 third baseman.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
1
hour
agoOn
his
New
Heights
podcast,
Kansas
City
Chiefs
tight
end
Travis
Kelce
said
that
he
is
planning
to
take
his
time
this
offseason
as
he
decides
whether
to
retire
from
professional
football
following
a
40-22
loss
to
the
Philadelphia
Eagles
in
Super
Bowl
read more...
2 hours agoSam Stevens has been very solid to start the year with results of T44, T17, second place, T51, and T59 through his first five events. He now turns his attention to the Genesis Invitational, which is being held at Torrey Pines. Stevens competed here at the Farmers Insurance Open earlier just a few weeks ago, finishing in second place. This week, driving accuracy and distance will be important, and Stevens ranks 44th in distance and 105th in accuracy. He also ranks in the 58th percentile for approach shots from 150-200 yards, a range that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. Where Stevens has excelled this year is in scrambling, ranking third on tour and making par or better on 73.64% of holes where he misses the green in regulation. Stevens may find it difficult to repeat the success he found at this course recently, but given his overall recent form, he is an intriguing option at his $7,600 price tag on DraftKings.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
2 hours agoHarris English won the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines just a few weeks ago and returns to the same venue this week to compete in the Genesis Invitational. The 35-year-old had the third-best putting performance of his PGA career, gaining over six strokes with the flat stick. Despite the win, English currently ranks 139th on approach, 99th around the green, and 135th off the tee to start the year. He also ranks in the 56th percentile in proximity from 150-200 yards, a range that accounts for 39.6% of all approach shots at Torrey Pines. However, he ranks 17th in strokes gained in putting, and fantasy managers will need to rely on English having another career day on the greens to be in contention. This makes his $7,600 price tag on DraftKings difficult to get excited about, even though he already won here this season.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
3 hours agoCleveland Cavaliers guard/forward
Max Strus (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. After making 23 consecutive appearances, Strus was forced to skip Monday's action against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to ankle soreness. He may now be sidelined for a second consecutive game. Newly acquired
De'Andre Hunter took over from Strus in the first unit on Monday, scoring 12 points in 23 minutes during a blowout win.
Sam Merrill, who had a 29-minute outing off the bench against Minnesota, also benefits from Strus' absence.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Ty Jerome (calf) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Soreness in his right calf may end his streak of 14 consecutive appearances. Jerome is coming off a performance that included 15 points and four assists against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night.
Craig Porter Jr. and
Sam Merrill may take on larger roles off the bench on Wednesday, especially since
Max Strus (ankle) is also iffy for the game.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoUtah Jazz guard
Collin Sexton (ankle) will remain sidelined for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. This will mark his fifth straight absence due to a left ankle sprain. Sexton has one more chance to return before the All-Star break as Utah completes a back-to-back on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Clippers. On Wednesday, we should see
Jordan Clarkson get another start in Sexton's place. Since rejoining the first unit, Clarkson has averaged 23.7 points and 4.0 assists while making 4.7 three-pointers per game.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoDallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington (ankle) is questionable to suit up against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. He may be out for a second consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. This would leave the Mavericks extremely short on healthy frontcourt bodies, as
Daniel Gafford (knee) has just joined
Anthony Davis (adductor),
Dereck Lively II (ankle), and
Dwight Powell (hip) on the shelf. Due to the lack of options,
Kessler Edwards has begun logging starts, while
Olivier-Maxence Prosper played 34 minutes off the bench in Monday's overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings. The latter had a decent showing with 16 points, but Prosper had been anonymous in the previous games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoBrooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (ankle) is questionable to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. He has appeared on the injury report with a right ankle sprain.
Day'Ron Sharpe and
Trendon Watford will be in line for increased workloads if Brooklyn rules Claxton out for the game. The Nets catch Philadelphia at a good time, as the 76ers finish off a back-to-back, and
Joel Embiid is unlikely to play after logging a 38-minute shift against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Both Sharpe and Watford have performed well in limited minutes recently, and a boost in playing time would give them a lift.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoDenver Nuggets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) may miss a third consecutive contest, as the team lists him as questionable for Wednesday's clash against the Portland Trail Blazers. Following a hugely impressive three-game run of 30-point performances, Porter Jr. has landed on the shelf with a left hamstring strain. During his absence,
Julian Strawther has stepped into a larger role. He has posted back-to-back 18-point efforts, averaging 37.0 minutes and 14.5 shot attempts.
Christian Braun also currently carries a massive load, as Porter Jr. has joined
Russell Westbrook (hamstring) and Payton Watson (knee) on the sidelines.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoAccording to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates first baseman
Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Hiles noted that Horwitz underwent a procedure on his right wrist last week to address "chronic symptoms" and is expected to make a full recovery. As a result, the 27-year-old will likely miss time during the start of the regular season and could open the 2025 campaign on the injured list. While he will be sidelined, fantasy managers should expect
Jared Triolo to see most of the opportunities at first base, with
Billy Cook or
Bryan Reynolds potentially operating as the backup option. The Pirates acquired Horwitz earlier in the offseason via a trade from the Cleveland Guardians. Last season with Toronto, the 27-year-old posted a .265/.357/.433 slash line with 19 doubles and 12 home runs. He should see most of the starting opportunities at first base when he returns.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Noah Hiles
4 hours agoDenver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray (knee) has been labeled as probable for Wednesday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Murray is experiencing inflammation in his left knee, but he has missed only one game since Christmas Day and is expected to be ready for Wednesday's action. The Canadian star may have something to prove in the contest after getting ejected on Monday against the Trail Blazers. Before getting tossed for picking up two technical fouls, Murray recorded a highly efficient 17 points with eight assists and two steals.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoAtlanta Hawks point guard
Trae Young (Achilles) is considered probable for Wednesday's matchup against the New York Knicks. Despite dealing with Achilles tendinitis, Young has played in eight consecutive games and appears to be on track for another appearance at Madison Square Garden. There is no love lost between Young and the Knicks fans, and he has already had two outings at MSG this season, averaging 24.5 points and 8.5 assists with eight makes from downtown.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4
hours
agoAccording
to
Evan
Woodbery
of
the
MLive
Media
Group,
Detroit
Tigers
starting
pitcher
Alex
Cobb
(hip)
will
not
be
ready
to
make
the
Opening
Day
roster.
Manager
AJ
Hinch
noted
that
his
ramp-up
will
start
"about
a
month
late."
The
team
said
that
read more...
4 hours agoMilwaukee Bucks point guard
Damian Lillard (hamstring) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lillard is troubled by a hamstring issue but looks ready to play through the injury. He logged 39 minutes last time out against the Golden State Warriors when Lillard was also on the injury report. The Bucks are without
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), making Lillard their main man. He has scored 81 points across the past two games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 hours agoAccording to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, Cincinnati Reds infielder
Gavin Lux is expected to move around the infield during spring training. Manager Terry Francona noted that the 27-year-old is expected to see time at first, second, and third base, shortstop, and potentially the outfield as well. Last season, Lux spent most of his time at second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier in the offseason, the Reds acquired Lux from the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Mike Sirota. Across 139 games last season, Lux posted a .251/.320/.383 line with 10 home runs and 24 doubles. He also swiped five bases. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor where Lux plays in spring training, as it could impact the playing time for other Cincinnati infielders, such as
Noelvi Marte and
Santiago Espinal.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: C. Trent Rosecrans
5 hours agoAccording to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, Cincinnati Reds infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand is expected to see time at third base during spring training. Last season, the 25-year-old was only able to appear in 29 contests due to hand and wrist injuries. During this limited stint, he was unproductive and posted an underwhelming .190/.220/.292 slash line with just two home runs. During the 2023 season, Encarnacion-Strand posted a .270/.328/.477 line with 13 long balls during his first 63 games of MLB action. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Encarnacion-Strand's progression during spring training, as the team will explore other ways to keep him in the lineup. However, he has primarily played first base during his time in the major leagues. Given the power upside he showed as a rookie, he could be worth a look as a high-upside pick late in fantasy drafts if he performs well in spring training.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: C. Trent Rosecrans
5 hours agoAccording to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Detroit Tigers third baseman/outfielder
Matt Vierling is expected to see time at both third base and outfield during the 2025 campaign. Beck noted that the team has been linked to free-agent third baseman
Alex Bregman, but given their current roster, Vierling and
Jace Jung will share time at the hot corner. When Vierling is not in the infield, he will likely see time in the outfield, both in center and right. However, if Bregman agrees to terms with Detroit, Vierling will become a full-time outfielder. Last season, the 28-year-old posted a .257/.312/.423 slash line with 16 home runs and six stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a .256 xBA with a modest 40.9 percent hard-hit rate and a 7.5 percent barrel rate, which were both slightly below the average marks. Given Detroit's current roster, Vierling should see close to everyday at-bats and is a viable depth outfielder in deeper fantasy formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beck
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