2 days agoColumbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins stopped the Islanders from scoring on Wednesday, picking up his first shutout of the season with 26 saves in a 2-0 win. The Latvian netminder has now saved 57 of 58 shots across his last two starts since returning to the lineup from a lower-body injury. Merzlikins improved to 2-2-0 on Wednesday and has a 2.05 goals-against average for the season with a .925 save percentage. The next time he heads out, Merzlikins will be battling for his first three-game winning streak in three seasons.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoLos Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke sent out three assists in Wednesday's 6-3 victory over Vegas. He registered two even-strength and one power-play assist. Drew Doughty's (ankle) injury left the Kings' blue line in trouble, but his absence has allowed Clarke to play a more prominent role, and he's been very impressive with his work thus far. The 21-year-old averages a point per game through 11 outings, having notched one goal and 10 assists. Only three blue-liners in the league have been more productive offensively. Clarke isn't afraid to put his body on the line either, boasting 19 blocks for the year. He'll aim to extend his point streak to five games in Saturday's favorable matchup against the Blackhawks, who are allowing 3.30 goals per game.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoNew Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom kicked away 20 shots to register his first shutout of the season in Wednesday's 6-0 victory against Vancouver. Markstrom, a former Canuck, neutralized a team that had scored at least three goals in five straight games. The Swedish netminder improved to 5-3-1 for the season, and he now boasts a 2.68 goals-against average with a .903 save percentage. It's safe to say Markstrom has enjoyed a good start with his new club. He's also been getting plenty of help from his teammates, as New Jersey has limited the opposition to 21.7 shots per game across the last three matchups.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoColorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) is penciled in to return to the lineup on Tuesday versus Seattle. The Finnish forward has been sidelined for the start of the season because of shoulder surgery. He will sit out one more game as Colorado visits Nashville on Saturday. Lehkonen's return will be a big boost for a team that has lost a number of forwards to injuries, with Valeri Nichushkin also sitting because of a suspension. The Avalanche will use Lehkonen in a top-six role, and he should also get plenty of usage on the power play.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Evan Rawal
2 days agoTampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak suffered an upper-body injury in Wednesday's contest against Colorado. He was forced to exit the game after taking a high hit by Avalanche forward Matt Stienburg. Lightning head coach Jon Cooper did not have an update on Cernak after the game. Cernak is a physical force at the back for Tampa Bay, who also occasionally provides offense. He has recorded three assists in 10 games this season while blocking 15 shots and delivering 16 hits. Nick Perbix will likely rejoin the lineup if Cernak can't play on Friday versus Minnesota. He's also sitting on three assists through seven appearances.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Gabby Shirley
2 days agoThe San Jose Sharks have acquired defenseman Timothy Liljegren in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Defenseman Matt Benning went the other way, along with a 2025 third-round and a 2026 sixth-round draft pick. Liljegren skated in just one game with the Maple Leafs this season, sitting as a healthy scratch. He made 55 appearances last season and performed well. Liljegren finished the 2023-24 campaign with 23 points (three goals, 20 assists), 62 shots, 116 blocks, and 92 hits. He should be a good addition to the Sharks blue line and will definitely have a chance to play regularly. Benning, on the other hand, will have to get used to sitting in the press box. He has zero points in seven games this season with seven shots, 10 blocks, and nine hits.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) is set to have "periodic" spells on the sidelines this season. Speaking during an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Philadelphia plans to keep Embiid healthy for the playoffs by giving him "periodic time off at different points during the season." The former MVP is set to have routine check-ups on his knee, and this is going to be the "new normal" for Embiid. The 76ers superstar has yet to play this season but has completed multiple five-on-five scrimmages during a ramp-up process and could be available as soon as this weekend.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
2 days agoPhoenix Suns guard
Bradley Beal (elbow) has landed back on the injury report ahead of Thursday's clash with the Clippers. After missing one game with a sore elbow, the veteran star returned to action against the Lakers on Monday. But he could be back on the shelf again on Thursday with the elbow issue, with the team tagging him as questionable for the game.
Ryan Dunn was filling in for Beal in the starting unit and produced a 13-point effort on Saturday versus Dallas.
Royce O'Neale and
Damion Lee are also in a position to benefit if Beal is out on Thursday.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
2 days agoMemphis Grizzlies guard
Marcus Smart (ankle) saw only six minutes of action in Wednesday's loss to Brooklyn. Smart rolled his right ankle and exited the contest without scoring any points. Memphis also lost
Desmond Bane (oblique) in the contest, which opened up tons of minutes for the reserves.
Scotty Pippen Jr. and
Jake LaRavia have led the second unit for Memphis this season. There could also be additional minutes available for
Jaylen Wells and
John Konchar if Smart and Bane sit out Thursday's matchup against Milwaukee.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
2 days agoMemphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Desmond Bane sustained an oblique injury in Wednesday's 119-106 loss to Brooklyn. The 26-year-old played only 17 minutes, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds. Memphis is scheduled to finish off a back-to-back against Milwaukee on Thursday, and fantasy managers will need to monitor Bane's status closely.
Scotty Pippen Jr.,
John Konchar, and
Jaylen Wells could see more action without Bane. Pippen Jr. has proven himself as the best fantasy option of the three.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Damichael Cole
2 days agoChicago Bulls guard/forward
Zach LaVine injured his left shoulder in Wednesday's 102-99 victory over Orlando. Speaking after the game, LaVine told reporters that he suffered a "subluxation" in his shoulder. He added that he had X-rays done, and everything was "OK." LaVine played through the injury on Wednesday but finished with only 11 points in 36 minutes. He shot 2-for-9 from the field. On the positive side, LaVine was able to tally his first double-double of the season by grabbing 10 rebounds. The Bulls star also recorded three assists. LaVine didn't seem too concerned about his shoulder injury on Wednesday, but the games are coming thick and fast, and it remains to be seen if he's available for Friday's contest against Brooklyn.
Ayo Dosunmu and
Dalen Terry should see additional playing time if LaVine lands on the shelf.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Cody Westerlund
2 days agoOrlando Magic forward
Franz Wagner left a second consecutive game early due to an illness on Wednesday. He logged 23 minutes in a 102-99 loss to Chicago, scoring seven points while registering three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block. The German star was limited to 11 minutes on Monday versus Indiana. Fantasy managers are currently in a tough spot regarding Wagner, but hopefully, he can fully shake off the illness before the next game. Orlando returns to the court on Friday against Cleveland.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beede
2 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans center
Daniel Theis suffered an ankle injury in Wednesday's game against Golden State. He had soaked in just five minutes of action before hurting his right ankle. The German big man finished the contest scoreless while recording three rebounds. Theis has kicked off the year as New Orleans' starting center, averaging 4.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 16.0 minutes.
Yves Missi will be in line for more playing time if Theis has to miss additional time, although the rookie himself battled a hip problem on Wednesday. With two bigs limited by health issues,
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl logged a season-high 23 minutes. He had nine points with five rebounds and three assists. Robinson-Earl could be a speculative add for fantasy managers if Missi joins Theis on the sidelines.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: New Orleans Pelicans
2 days agoNew York Yankees third baseman
Jazz Chisholm Jr. went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in their Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chisholm hit his second home run of October in the opening frame directly after
Aaron Judge hit a two-run shot which gave the Yankees an early three-run lead. However, the Bronx Bombers were unable to hold their lead as the Dodgers eventually tied the game in the fifth and took the lead in the eighth. Chisholm's other postseason long ball came in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals. The former Miami Marlin joined the Yankees at the trade deadline and finished his postseason run with a disappointing .182/.250/.309 slash line.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez extended his hitting streak to six games by tallying two hits in their series-clinching victory on Wednesday evening. Hernandez tallied two hits including the game-tying two-run double in the fifth inning which capped an impressive five-run inning for the Dodgers. This double scored outfielder
Mookie Betts and first baseman
Freddie Freeman. After struggling through most of the NLCS, Hernandez safely reached in every game during the World Series and tallied at least two hits in two of the games. Throughout all of the postseason, the 32-year-old posted a solid .250/.352/.417 line with three home runs and 12 RBI.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoGreen Bay Packers quarterback
Jordan Love (groin) missed Wednesday's practice due to a groin strain. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Love sees a "realistic chance" of suiting up on Sunday against the Detroit Lions despite missing practice on Wednesday. The 25-year-old exited last Sunday's 30-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars early with a groin strain and is labeled day-to-day. He has been terrific this season, throwing for 1,547 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while rushing for 28 yards on 10 attempts over six games. Love will try to practice later in the week and look to play in a divisional battle against Detroit.
Malik Willis would start for Green Bay if Love is inactive. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring Love's status heading into Week 9. Love is currently QB10 in the latest RotoBaller Week 9 rankings and is a must-start if active in a plus matchup against the Lions.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter of ESPN
2 days agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge went 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBI in their series-clinching loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Judge opening the scoring with a two-run shot in the first inning which also scored outfielder
Juan Soto. This was his first round-tripper of the World Series and only third of the postseason. Later in the eighth inning, Judge hit a double to left field. Judge finished his postseason run with an underwhelming .184/.344/.408 slash line with just five extra-base hits and a 11:20 BB:K ratio.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoNew York Yankees designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton went 1-for-4 with his seventh home run of the postseason in their Game 5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Stanton hit this solo shot off Dodger right-hander
Jack Flaherty and at the time gave the Yankees a five-run lead. However, they were unable to hold it as the Dodgers pulled off the rally and won the series. Stanton was previously named the ALCS MVP and has been the most consistent bat in the Yankee lineup during October. In the postseason, the 34-year-old held an impressive .273/.339/.709 slash line with nine total extra-base hits and 16 RBI.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoNew York Jets wide receiver
Allen Lazard (chest) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Houston Texans. Lazard will miss his second consecutive game due to a chest injury. The 28-year-old has caught a touchdown in three of his last five contests. Overall, Lazard has caught 30 of 44 targets for 412 yards and five touchdowns across seven games in 2024. Lazard's next chance to suit up will be Week 10 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Garrett Wilson and
Davante Adams will lead the Jets wide receivers corps on Thursday, and
Mike Williams is expected to see an increased role with Lazard sidelined. Despite playing 58% of the offensive snaps, Williams wasn't targeted in last Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. The 30-year-old is off the fantasy radar outside deep leagues in a plus matchup against a vulnerable Texans secondary.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: New York Jets
2 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Walker Buehler was tasked to record the final three outs in the Game 5 of the World Series. Buehler previously got the starting nod in Game 3 of the World Series but was available out of the bullpen on Wednesday. In the final frame, the 30-year-old got
Anthony Volpe to ground out and then proceeded to strike out the next two batters,
Austin Wells and
Alex Verdugo en route to winning his second World Series. This postseason, Buehler logged 15 innings to the tune of a 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. During the regular season, the right-hander carried a 5.38 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
2 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Daniel Hudson announced his retirement shortly after the Dodgers won the World Series on Wednesday evening. Hudson stated that he "cannot make it another 162" and will instead opt to cap off his 15-year career with a championship. This season, Hudson operated in a high leverage role for the Dodgers and held a solid 3.00 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with ten saves across 63 innings of work. During October he allowed five earned runs in six innings of work. The now two-time World Series Champion ends his career with a cumulative 3.74 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 43 saves in 855 1/3 innings of work.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Rowan Kavner
2 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman was down in the count 1-2 versus Yankees starter
Gerrit Cole in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday when he singled to center, driving in two runs in what would end up being a five-run inning for the Dodgers that would tie the game 5-5. Los Angeles would ultimately go on to win 7-6, securing their eighth World Series title, and Freeman would go on to win World Series MVP. The 35-year-old finished the series 6-for-20 (.300) with home runs in each of the first four games, striking out just once and walking twice, while adding 12 RBI along the way. It was the exclamation point on another fine season for the future Hall of Famer, and with an offseason of rest, he should be able to get his hobbled ankle back to full health for the 2025 campaign.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 days agoLas Vegas Raiders tight end
Michael Mayer (personal) has been sidelined with a non-football-related issue for over a month, but head coach Antonio Pierce said that the 23-year-old is "getting close" to making his return. Mayer played a depth role through three games at the start of the season, catching just four passes for 21 yards and zero touchdowns. He remains buried behind rookie
Brock Bowers and should be avoided in all fantasy leagues, even if he returns as soon as he's eligible in Week 11.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Tashan Reed
2 days agoTennessee Titans wide receiver
Tyler Boyd (shoulder) did not participate in Wednesday's practice. The 29-year-old's status suddenly appears to be in doubt ahead of Week 9 versus the New England Patriots. Both Boyd and
Calvin Ridley were non-participants during practice, leaving
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the Titans' top healthy receiver. There's still plenty of time for both Boyd and Ridley to get healthy, but if they don't, Westbrook-Ikhine would step up as Tennessee's No. 1 receiver at home.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Tennessee Titans
2 days agoTennessee Titans running back
Tyjae Spears (hamstring) was a limited participant during practice on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has missed two consecutive games, but it looks like he's getting closer to returning for Week 9 against the New England Patriots. Through five games as the backup to
Tony Pollard, Spears registered 114 rushing yards, 76 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He's a solid bench stash but can't be trusted in fantasy lineups.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Tennessee Titans
2 days agoThe New York Mets have signed veteran pitcher Chris Devenksi to a minor league deal with an invite to camp next season. Devenski began 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays but was released and picked up by Seattle, spending time from mid-July through the end of the season with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, posting a strong 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 22.6% K-BB% over 23 innings of relief. The 33-year-old was an All-Star back in 2017 with Houston and has a career 3.98 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 18.6% K-BB%.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Anthony DiComo - MLB.com
2 days agoSeattle Seahawks wide receiver
Tyler Lockett (oblique) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. The veteran joins
DK Metcalf (knee) and
Laviska Shenault Jr. (knee) as Seattle's wide receivers on the initial Week 9 injury report. Given that Lockett was able to get on the field in some capacity, it seems like he's trending toward playing on Sunday versus the Los Angeles Rams. Assuming he suits up, he'll rank as a low-end fantasy WR3.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: John Boyle
2
days
agoCincinnati
Reds
first
baseman
Christian
Encarnacion-Strand
was
activated
off
the
60-day
IL
on
Monday.
With
Encarnacion-Strand
playing
in
the
Arizona
Fall
League,
he
was
initially
on
a
rehab
assignment
but
with
it
expiring
he
needed
to
be
put
back
on
the
active
roster
read more...
2 days agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey (hip) was limited during practice on Wednesday. While it's always noteworthy when someone appears on the injury report, McConkey is trending in the right direction. After all, he was able to get on the field Wednesday and still has four days to get even healthier before the Chargers face the Cleveland Browns. The rookie, who totaled 111 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday, is a low-end fantasy WR3 for Week 9.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Chargers
2 days agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. The second-year pass-catcher has been sidelined for two consecutive games but is making impressive strides ahead of his potential return to the field in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns. The 23-year-old has made solid offensive contributions this year but isn't a very dependable redraft option in a receiver room that also features
Ladd McConkey and
Josh Palmer.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Chargers
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