4 days agoAsu Almbayev (21-2) is set to take on Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Almabayev joined the UFC in 2023. Since then, he has won four fights in a row. Almabayev was originally expected to face former flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg but was moved to headline UFC Vegas 103 after Erceg was pulled from the bout to compete in the main event against Brandon Moreno at UFC on ESPN 64. DraftKings sees Almbayev as the underdog with a salary of $7,200. Throughout his UFC career of four bouts, he averages 99.5 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoManel Kape (20-7) is scheduled to take on Asu Almabayev in the main event of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. A title eliminator bout between Brandon Royval and Kape was expected to headline the event, but Royval was forced to pull out due to an injury. In his last bout, Kape got back in the win column by defeating Bruno Silva via third-round TKO. DraftKings sees Kape as the favorite with a salary of $9,000. Throughout his UFC career of nine bouts, Kape averages 71.5 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. is expected to be traded this offseason, and the Washington Commanders and Houston Texans have had significant interest in trading for him, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos have also checked in, among other teams, but Washington and Houston are believed to be the most aggressive in trade talks. Samuel has spent his entire career with Niners since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft and has posted 334 receptions for 4,792 yards, and 22 touchdowns in 81 games. He has added 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns as a runner. Both Washington and Houston have quarterbacks on rookie deals and see their Super Bowl window as wide open, making them formidable suitors for the veteran wideout.Source: Jordan Schultz
4 days agoJulian Marquez (9-5) will look to get back in the win column when he faces off against Cody Brundage in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Marquez is on a three-fight losing streak, with all three losses coming by way of knockout. He was last seen in action back in June at UFC on ESPN 57, where he lost to Zach Reese via first-round knockout. DraftKings sees Marquez as a slight favorite with a salary of $8,500. Throughout his UFC career of seven bouts, Marquez averages 46.0 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (oblique) is going to throw from 120 feet away on Friday. Ramos continues to work his way back from a mild oblique strain. It's also worth noting that Ramos is going to hit in the batting cage again on Friday. It's not shocking to see the Giants bringing Ramos along slowly this early into camp. The hope is that Ramos is going to be fine in time for Opening Day. He's expected to be a significant part of the lineup after his breakout season in 2024. Ramos slashed .269/.322/.469 with 22 home runs and 72 RBI across 121 games last season.Source: Justice De Los Santos
4 days agoCody Brundage (10-6 with a no-contest) is scheduled to take on Julian Marquez in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Brundage is coming off a no-contest against Abdul Razak Alhassan, which ended early due to illegal strikes landed to the back of Brundage's head. Prior to that bout, Brundage was defeated by Bo Nickal via second-round rear-naked choke. DraftKings sees Brundage as a slight underdog with a salary of $7,700. Throughout his UFC career of 10 bouts, he averages 50.8 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoSan Francisco Giants infielder Tyler Fitzgerald (back) will make his spring training debut against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. Fitzgerald has been brought along slowly after suffering a back injury early in camp. Luckily, it wasn't a major issue and it looks like Fitzgerald is going to be fine going forward. The expectation is that Fitzgerald is going to be the primary option at second base to begin the season. He slashed .280/.334/.497 with 15 home runs and 34 RBI across 96 games with the Giants last season. He'll be someone to keep an eye on his fantasy leagues, assuming he's able to keep up that kind of production.Source: Adam McCalvy
4 days agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz (illness) is expected to take the mound for Tuesday's spring training contest against the Cleveland Guardians. He will throw a simulated game on Friday, but if all goes well then he'll be back on the mound early next week. The right-hander was scratched from his start on Thursday due to an illness, but it doesn't sound like something that is going to linger. Kochanowicz looked decent during his time with the big league club last season. He's competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation to begin the season. If he gets it, Kochanowicz could be a deep league option to begin the 2025 campaign.Source: Jeff Fletcher
4 days agoEsteban Ribovics is scheduled to face off against Nasrat Haqparast on the main card of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. After losing his UFC debut to Loik Radzhabov, Ribovics went 3-0, with wins over Kamuela Kirk, Terrance McKinney, and a Fight of the Night split decision over Daniel Zellhuber this past September. DraftKings sees Ribovics as the favorite with a salary of $9,100. Throughout his UFC career of four bouts, he averages 90.1 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoLos Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (shoulder) is scheduled to make his spring training debut against the Athletics on Saturday. Jansen missed the end of last season due to shoulder inflammation, but it wasn't expected to be an issue heading into the 2025 season. Jansen signed a one-year deal with the Angels over the offseason. The assumption is that Jansen will operate as the closer given he's 32 saves away from passing Lee Smith for third in all time in career save. Ben Joyce will likely operate as the set-up man and learn behind Jansen before taking over as the closer of the future in Los Angeles.Source: Jeff Fletcher
4 days agoNasrat Haqparast (17-5) is scheduled to face off against Esteban Ribovics on the main card of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Haqparast is currently riding a four-fight winning streak. In his lone appearance of 2024, Haqparast defeated Jared Gordon via split decision at UFC Saudi Arabia. Haqparast has gone 9-4 inside the UFC since 2017. DraftKings sees Haqparast as the underdog with a salary of $7,800. Throughout his UFC career of 13 bouts, he averages 60.0 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoLos Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (wrist) will make his spring training debut against the Chicago White Sox on Friday. He came into camp without restrictions following right wrist surgery from last August. Despite that, Rengifo has been held out of game action until now, but it sounds like the wrist is no longer an issue for him. Rengifo will cover third base and bat leadoff during Friday's game. He was in the middle of a breakout campaign in 2024 before getting injured. Rengifo could see significant time at third base this season with Anthony Rendon (hip) beginning the season on the injured list.Source: Jeff Fletcher
4 days agoLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is scheduled to meet with the Rams on Friday, feels more likely to return to L.A., according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Nothing is final, but it's looking like a reunion between Stafford and the Rams is more likely than a few days ago when it looked like he would leave. Both the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants have discussed a two-year deal for Stafford that includes $90-100 million guaranteed, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. A resolution is expected by the end of the NFL Combine this weekend. The Rams' preference is to stay year-to-year on a potential deal with Stafford -- they've typically averaged an annual salary of $40-45 million for him. It's a figure that ranks around the middle of the NFL this year, while Stafford has mostly produced like a top-10 QB in his time in L.A., including a Super Bowl victory.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 days agoTexas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (illness) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Friday's contest against the Chicago Cubs. Rangers' manager Bruce Bochy said Carter is dealing with an illness, but he expects him to be back in the lineup on Saturday. Kevin Pillar will take over his spot in center field and bat eighth during Friday's game. Carter is looking to bounce back this season after a rough 2024 campaign. The potential is there, so we'll see if Carter can capitalize on the opportunity this time around.Source: Shawn McFarland
4 days agoWilliam Gomis (14-2) will look to remain undefeated in the UFC when he faces off against Hyder Amil on the main card of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Gomis was last seen in action at UFC Paris, where he defeated Joanderson Brito via split decision to extend his win streak to 12. DraftKings sees Gomis as the favorite with a salary of $8,800. Throughout his UFC career of four bouts, Gomis averages 63.8 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoNew York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (foot) will make his spring training debut against the Washington Nationals on Friday. Nimmo has been recovering from plantar fasciitis in his left foot, which is something that bothered him last season as well. The fact he's back in the lineup on Friday means that Nimmo must be feeling better. He'll bat in the cleanup spot and play left field during Friday's game. The 31-year-old saw his numbers take a dive last season, but he does have a good track record. Nimmo has played over 150 games in each of the last three seasons. If healthy, Nimmo will be out there and figures to have a bounce back year in 2025.Source: Tim Healey
4 days agoBaltimore Ravens safety Marcus Williams is preparing for free agency with the full expectation that he will be released, a source told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. A recent restructure of Williams' contract included a significant trigger that comes due on March 13, and Baltimore is expected to try and avoid that after he was benched in 2024. The 28-year-old played in only 11 regular-season games last year and finished with 33 tackles (26 solo), two pass breakups and a fumble recovery after beginning the year as the starting safety next to Kyle Hamilton. Williams was a healthy scratch for the final five regular-season games of the year and for both of their playoff contests after Ar'Darius Washington took over his starting spot in Baltimore's secondary. He signed a five-year, $70 million deal before the 2022 season and has recorded 20 interceptions in his eight years in the NFL.Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
4 days agoUndefeated Hyder Amil (10-0) is set to face off against William Gomis on the main card of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Since signing with UFC a year ago, Amil has had two knockouts in his two promotional victories. Amil is coming off a one-minute knockout victory of the previously undefeated Jeong Yeong Lee. DraftKings has Amil as the underdog at a salary of $7,400. While in his UFC career (two bouts), he's averaging 119.3 fantasy points per fight. Source: UFC
4 days agoThe Seattle Seahawks have spoken with a couple of teams about wide receiver DK Metcalf's availability this week at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, according to multiple sources. However, general manager John Schneider has pointed out before that simply talking to another team doesn't mean a trade is imminent. The Seahawks aren't actively shopping Metcalf, but at least one team that has inquired about him thinks they have a trade package in place that would make Schneider strongly consider pulling the trigger on a trade. A source indicated that the Green Bay Packers have had talks with Seattle this week and have an offer on the table that includes a high pick and a young receiver on roster for Metcalf. The 27-year-old failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight year and scored a career-low five TDs in 15 games in 2024, but a possible move to Green Bay, where he'd be the clear WR1, could easily rejuvenate his fantasy value. Stay tuned.Source: Corbin K. Smith
4 days agoDetroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling (shoulder) is going to be sidelined to begin the 2025 season. Vierling is dealing with a rotator cuff strain, so it's unclear how long he's going to be out right now. This is a tough break for the Tigers given Vierling slashed .257/.312/.423 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI across 144 games in Detroit last season. He is also a solid defender that earned himself a 3.0 WAR in 2024. Now, the Tigers will look at alternative options such as Justyn-Henry Malloy or Weencel Perez. Neither is an ideal fantasy option, but Perez was better than Malloy with the bat last season.Source: Evan Woodbery
4 days agoSam Patterson (12-2-1) is scheduled to take on Danny Barlow in the main card opener of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Patterson was last seen in action at UFC 304, where he defeated Kiefer Crosbie via first-round arm triangle choke to extend his win streak to two. DraftKings sees Patterson as the underdog with a salary of $7,000. Throughout his UFC career of three bouts, he averages 66.7 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoDanny Barlow (9-0) is scheduled to take on Sam Patterson in the main card opener of UFC Vegas 103 on Saturday. Since signing with the UFC, Barlow has won back-to-back fights, extending his win streak to nine. In his last bout, Barlow defeated Nikolay Veretennikov via split decision. DraftKings sees Barlow as the favorite with a salary of $9,200. Throughout his UFC career of two bouts, he averages 72.8 fantasy points per contest.Source: UFC
4 days agoThe Athletic's Dane Brugler reports that University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan will not do any workouts for scouts at the NFL Combine this weekend in Indianapolis. McMillan apparently is dealing with an undisclosed injury that he suffered recently, which would make sense why he'd be skipping on-field workouts at the Combine. "He got hurt in the spring and I don't know that he ever made it back to 100 percent. The 2023 tape gives you a better idea of who he is," according to an AFC scouting director. The 21-year-old is a possession receiver with the size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) and ball skills to succeed as a downfield threat at the next level. While McMillan should easily be a first-round selection in this year's NFL draft, he could struggle with physical cornerbacks and might not be a huge asset in run-after-the-catch production.Source: The Athletic - Dane Brugler
4 days agoUniversity of Miami quarterback Cam Ward said he will not throw at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Saturday. Ward says his tape speaks for itself and he will instead throw at his school's Pro Day on March 24. It's no surprise, with most of the top prospects sitting out Combine workouts in favor of more controlled environments at their Pro Days. The 22-year-old signal-caller spent one year with the Hurricanes in 2024 and threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions. With elite athleticism as a dual-threat QB, Ward is in play to be the top overall pick in this year's NFL draft, along with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders and Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter. In addition to his 4,000-plus passing yards and 39 TDs through the air, Ward had 60 rushing attempts for 204 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.Source: Laura Rutledge
4 days agoMiami Marlins outfield prospect Jakob Marsee (oblique) has resumed baseball activities. The former sixth-round selection of the 2022 MLB Draft sustained a minor oblique injury during camp but is slowly nearing a return to game action. Last season, the 23-year-old spent most of his campaign at the Double-A level but did earn a late-season taste of Triple-A. Across 115 contests at Double-A with San Antonio and Pensacola, Marsee held a .188/.341/.306 slash line with 14 doubles, nine home runs, and an impressive 44 stolen bases. He held an 80:115 BB:K. Through his first 22 games at the Triple-A level, the Central Michigan product posted a .275/.370/.363 line with four doubles and seven home runs. He held a strong 12:20 BB:K. Marsee could contend for an early 2025 MLB debut when he's cleared to return.Source: Christine De Nicola
4 days agoMiami Marlins right-handed pitcher Freddy Tarnok (ankle) is expected to be sidelined for two weeks with an ankle injury. He rolled his left ankle and is not expected to return to a spring training contest for at least two weeks. Tarnok was invited to Miami's camp as a non-roster invite. The 26-year-old has logged just 14 1/3 innings in the majors throughout his career. Across this small stint, Tarnok has posted a 4.70 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP. He tallied 15 punchouts and served up a high 11 walks. Through 92 1/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, the Riverview HS product has held a 4.68 ERA with a 1.41 WHIP. He tallied 94 punchouts and 48 walks while operating primarily as a relief pitcher. Fantasy managers should expect Tarnok to compete for a low-leverage bullpen role when cleared for action.Source: Christine De Nicola
4 days agoAthletics shortstop prospect Max Muncy (undisclosed) has yet to tally a hit in his return to action. The infielder was sidelined during the final month of the season with an undisclosed injury. However, seeing him participate in the early spring games is a positive sign. Through his first four contests, the 22-year-old has gone 0-for-6 with a 1:1 BB:K ratio. The former first round selection of the 2021 MLB Draft made his Triple-A debut last summer and performed quite well. Across 50 games, Muncy posted a .277/.374/.491 line with 11 doubles, eight home runs, with four stolen bases. He held an 18:50 BB:K ratio. This was similar production compared to the .302/.387/.446 line he held across 51 games at the Double-A during the 2023 campaign. If healthy, Muncy could push for an early 2025 MLB debut.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoNew York Mets second baseman Nick Madrigal (shoulder) will undergo surgery on his shoulder and will likely miss the entire 2025 campaign. Madrigal signed a one-year deal with the Mets worth $1.35 million earlier in the offseason. During the early part of spring training, Madrigal exited a contest after taking a hard fall on his shoulder. He was later diagnosed with a fractured shoulder and was shifted to the 60-day IL. As a result, fantasy managers should expect infield prospect Luisangel Acuna to see significant opportunities during camp and will have an excellent opportunity to make the Opening Day roster. Acuna received a brief 14-game stint in the majors last season and held a .308/.325/.641 line with two doubles and three home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during camp as he could earn a more significant role at the keystone alongside Jeff McNeil.Source: Anthony DiComo
4 days agoPittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Bubba Chandler tossed one shutout inning during Thursday's victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Chandler served up one free pass but did not allow a hit. He also did not tally a punchout. However, this was a nice rebound for the budding ace as he allowed one hit, one walk, and one run during his first outing. The 22-year-old is currently fighting for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. Last summer, Chandler opened the campaign by receiving his second look at Double-A and eventually made his Triple-A debut. In 80 1/3 innings at Double-A, the right-hander posted a 3.70 ERA with a 1.01 WHIP. However, at Triple-A, the former third round pick logged 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A and held a 1.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. He tallied 54 punchouts with 15 walks. If he happens to break the Opening Day roster, he will have value in all formats given his success in the upper levels of the minor leagues.Source: MLB.com
4 days agoTexas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott (arm) went 1-for-2 with a solo shot in his return on Thursday. Walcott battled arm soreness throughout the week but moved past this injury quite quickly as he launched his first long ball of the spring. Later in the contest, Walcott tallied his second RBI on a groundout. The top prospect in the Texas system was invited to spring training as a non-roster invite. Walcott spent most of last season with High-A Hickory before earning a brief taste of the Double-A. Across 105 contests with High-A, the infielder posted a .261/.342/.443 slash line with 31 doubles, 10 home runs, and 26 stolen bases. He held a 52:125 BB:K ratio. Through his first five games at Double-A, Walcott tallied eight hits (four extra-base hits) with one stolen base. If he continues to produce during camp, Walcott could make a push to reach Triple-A later in the 2025 campaign.Source: MLB.com