4 days agoCleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said at the NFL Combine this week that quarterback
Deshaun Watson (Achilles) wasn't doing "anything nefarious" when he re-tore his right Achilles tendon last month. There has been speculation that the Browns would try to recoup some or all of the $92 million they still owe Watson for the final two years of his five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal. That hasn't been the case, though, and Watson continues to rehab in Cleveland and is determined to play again after the devastating injury. Still, the 29-year-old is no lock to be able to play at all in 2025 and might not play again for the Browns at all. If he stays with the Browns in 2025, which seems likely, the best bet is that Cleveland will bring in a veteran (through either trade or free agency) to serve as the starter under center.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot
4 days ago
Charlotte Hornets guard
Seth Curry (back) has been upgraded to available ahead of Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. As expected, Curry is ready to play after being listed as probable for this game due to back tightness. He finished with 14 points during his 16 minutes of action during Tuesday's game. Fellow guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game. That being said, Curry and
DaQuan Jeffries (knee) are likely going to play extended minutes on Thursday. Both are possible streaming choices, but Curry is the better choice between the two due to his scoring ability.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoUtah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Markkanen has missed each of the last two games due to a lingering back issue. Before that, Markkanen was on a hot streak with 20 points or more in three of his last four games. The Jazz are banged up right now, so they'll likely ask Markkanen to do more on offense if he's cleared to play. Otherwise,
Cody Williams and
Brice Sensabaugh will probably see more run on Friday. Neither are ideal fantasy options, but Sensabaugh is the better choice between the two.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Andy Larsen
4 days agoCharlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle) won't play on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The 23-year-old continues to battle ankle soreness, so he'll miss his second straight contest. Without him,
Miles Bridges and
Mark Williams should lead the way offensively. But
KJ Simpson, who had 16 points, two boards, and two steals on Tuesday versus the Warriors, is worth streaming.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Charlotte Hornets
4 days agoPhoenix Suns guard
Bradley Beal (calf) won't play on Thursday against New Orleans. The former Washington Wizard popped up on the injury report on Thursday. But after riding a questionable tag, he'll be sidelined for this one, so his next chance to suit up will be on Friday when the Pels and Suns do it again. Beal had been coming off the bench of late, although he still logged 32 minutes and finished with 19 points, nine boards, and six assists in the Suns' recent loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Yet, without him, it should mean more work for
Royce O'Neale,
Bol Bol, and
Grayson Allen, who are all worth starting versus a club that has struggled throughout the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Kellan Olson
4 days agoDenver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (knee) will suit up against Milwaukee on Thursday evening. Fantasy managers are used to seeing his name on the injury report. However, he was listed as probable, so nobody is really surprised by the latest update. The 28-year-old struggled to begin the 2024-25 campaign. However, he's gotten on track, averaging 24.6 points and 52.4% shooting from deep in the month of February. As always, Murray is a must-start for fantasy managers, although his presence will mean
Russell Westbrook will come off the bench.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Denver Nuggets
4 days agoDenver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon (calf) will play against Milwaukee on Thursday. The veteran has been battling a nagging calf injury all year. He was listed as probable heading into this one, much like he was ahead of Denver's last few contests. But Gordon will get the green light to give it a go against the Bucks. Gordon struggled upon his return on January 12 from an extended stint on the shelf back. However, he's logging more minutes and has combined for 49 points in the last two games, making him worthy of a start in any fantasy lineup.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Denver Nuggets
4 days agoDallas Mavericks forward/center
Dwight Powell (hip) will play on Thursday versus Charlotte. He missed over a month because of a hip injury but returned for Tuesday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He logged 16 minutes, finishing with two points, five boards, and one block. Head coach Jason Kidd indicated that Powell will see only 10-12 minutes of action on Thursday, meaning the Mavs will need to play smaller than usual at times, resulting in more work for
Kessler Edwards,
Naji Marshall, and
Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Still, nobody on the roster can be trusted outside of
Kyrie Irving, who had 35 points, seven boards, three steals, and two blocks versus Los Angeles.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Christian Clark
4 days agoDallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington (ankle) won't play on Thursday versus Charlotte. The Mavs will now be down another big, with Washington joining
Anthony Davis (adductor),
Daniel Gafford (knee), and
Dereck Lively II (ankle) on the shelf. It's also a huge blow for Dallas on the scoring end, considering the 26-year-old has averaged 14.2 points this season. Fortunately,
Dwight Powell (hip) is available. However, he won't see more than 12 minutes of work. As a result, fantasy managers should expect more minutes for
Kessler Edwards,
Naji Marshall, and
Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Still,
Kyrie Irving remains the only trustworthy fantasy option on the roster at the moment.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Christian Clark
4 days agoAccording to Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel, Orlando Magic point guard
Cole Anthony (knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Anthony left Tuesday's contest versus the Cleveland Cavaliers early due to a hyperextended left knee. However, he won't need to miss any further time. With
Jalen Suggs (quadriceps) unavailable, Anthony has been Orlando's starting point guard for the last nine games. His production has been inconsistent during that period, averaging 10.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.1 steals during 23.7 minutes. With Anthony back in action,
Anthony Black's minutes on the floor will be reduced.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beede
4 days agoSan Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that running back
Christian McCaffrey (knee) is "doing great" and that he thinks the star RB will be able to participate in "at least parts" of the offseason program. McCaffrey was a bust at the top of fantasy drafts last fall, as he played in just four games in 2024. He missed the first two months with bilateral Achilles tendinitis and then suffered a season-ending PCL injury on Dec. 1 in the loss to the Buffalo Bills. The 28-year-old's fantasy stock will take a hit in 2025 because of his injury-plagued season, but it's hard to forget that he has rushed for 2,407 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns while catching 134 passes for 1,174 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns in 31 games since he joined San Fran midway through the 2022 season. If healthy, CMC can be a league-winner, but the injury risk is very high.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Talk - Myles Simmons
4 days agoAccording to Amanda Pflugrad of 3TV Phoenix, Phoenix Suns guard
Bradley Beal (calf) has been downgraded to questionable for Thursday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. Beal has played four games in a row, but he could be out of action against the Pelicans due to left calf tightness. In his last outing, he posted 24 points, 11 assists, five rebounds, two steals and one block against the Grizzlies on Tuesday. If the 31-year-old is unavailable for the contest,
Royce O'Neale and
Grayson Allen will likely see expanded roles for the evening.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Amanda Pflugrad
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read more...
4 days agoThe New York Mets signed free-agent veteran right-hander
Jose Urena to a minor-league deal on Thursday, and he is already in camp with the team. Urena essentially gives the Mets some starting-rotation insurance with both
Frankie Montas (lat) and
Sean Manaea (oblique) set to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. the 33-year-old Dominican debuted in the big leagues in 2015 with the Miami Marlins and has appeared in 232 games (152 starts) covering 948 1/3 innings with six different teams. He most recently appeared in 33 games (eight starts) with the Texas Rangers in 2024 and went 5-8 with a 3.80 ERA (4.62 FIP), a 1.32 WHIP, one save, 70 strikeouts and 39 walks. If Urena makes the team's Opening Day roster, he'll likely start out in the bullpen as a long reliever, which wouldn't give him any real fantasy value.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Newsday - Tim Healey
4 days agoCharlotte Hornets center
Jusuf Nurkic (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks due to an illness. Nurkic could miss his second game in a row after not playing against the Warriors on Tuesday. If the 30-year-old big man is out of action this evening,
Moussa Diabate will likely see an uptick in minutes on the floor. Diabate has been productive at times this season, but he is not a viable fantasy option at center on Thursday.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoToronto Maple Leafs left wing Max Pacioretty (undisclosed) is on track to rejoin the lineup on Friday against the New York Rangers. After sitting out three games, Pacioretty returned to practice on Wednesday, with Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube noting that Pacioretty "looked good" and "will probably play" in Friday's contest. The veteran forward has been offensively anonymous in 2025, posting zero goals and one assist in 12 appearances. He has recorded five goals and 13 points in 37 games for the season, averaging 2.8 hits.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Mark Masters
4 days agoVancouver Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen (lower body) is set to have hernia surgery and is expected to miss the rest of the 2024-25 campaign. There are six weeks left of the regular season, and Juulsen will likely need more time to recover from the procedure. He will complete the season without any points, though Juulsen has recorded 60 blocks and 101 hits in 35 appearances. For his career, Juulsen has managed 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 157 games, along with 127 shots, 249 blocks, and 455 hits.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Patrick Johnstone
4 days agoThe Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen reports that Detroit Tigers shortstop
Javier Baez (hip) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays and will serve as the designated hitter. The Tigers hope to have Baez playing in the field by next week. Despite undergoing a labral repair on his right hip in September of last year, the 32-year-old veteran is expected to be ready for Opening Day in late March. However, given how bad Baez has been since joining the Tigers in 2022, he's not guaranteed to be the team's starting shortstop in 2025. The Puerto Rican infielder bottomed out in 2024 by hitting .184/.221/.294 with a career-worst .516 OPS, six home runs, 37 RBI, eight stolen bases and 69 strikeouts in 289 plate appearances over 80 games. In a best-case scenario, Baez could split playing time at the 6 with
Trey Sweeney. You can ignore Baez in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
4 days agoBoston Bruins forward Trent Frederic (lower body) is considered week-to-week. He suffered a lower-body injury on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs and will exit the lineup on Thursday as the Bruins host the New York Islanders. The week-to-week designation means this likely will not be the only contest Frederic misses. Following a 40-point effort in 2023-24, Frederic has had a down year this term, recording 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in 57 contests. Riley Tufte is projected to replace Frederic in the lineup, joining Matthew Poitras and Justin Brazeau on the third line. Tufte boasts only three points (two goals, one assist) in 22 career NHL appearances and is not a viable fantasy option.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
4 days agoDetroit Tigers infielder/outfielder
Matt Vierling (shoulder) is getting his right shoulder evaluated in camp and hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game since last Saturday. The severity of Vierling's shoulder injury is unclear at the moment, but we should get an update on the 28-year-old's condition soon and whether he'll have to miss more time in camp. If it's a serious injury, it will make a big impact on Detroit's lineup to open the 2025 season, as Vierling is projected to be a regular between third base and the outfield. The biggest beneficiary if Vierling were to miss any time would be
Jace Jung at the hot corner. Vierling had his best fantasy showing in 2024 in his second year in the Motor City with a .257/.312/.423 slash line, 16 home runs, 57 RBI, six stolen bases and 80 runs scored in 144 regular-season games. However, he doesn't excel anywhere offensively and is more of a real-life asset for the Tigers because of his defensive versatility.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLive - Evan Woodbery
4 days agoCharlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's contest with the Dallas Mavericks. Ball is in danger of missing his second consecutive contest due to right ankle soreness. If Ball cannot suit up,
KJ Simpson might get the nod to start for the second straight game. The 22-year-old Simpson finished with 16 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 36 minutes during Tuesday's 128-92 loss to the Warriors.
Elfrid Payton will likely see an uptick in minutes on the floor as well if Ball is sidelined.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
4 days agoFlorida Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen (personal) will rejoin the action on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 26-year-old missed Tuesday's trip to Nashville due to the birth of his child. Luostarinen scored in his previous outing against the Seattle Kraken, but offense has been hard to come by for him for most of the 2024-25 campaign. In 58 appearances, Luostarinen has notched 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists). Florida plans to deploy Luostarinen in his usual spot on the third line, while Justin Sourdif, who scored his first career goal in Tuesday's 4-1 victory, is back in the minors.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Colby Guy
4 days agoUpdating a previous report, the Chicago White Sox announced on Thursday that outfielder
Andrew Benintendi (hand) will miss four to six weeks after suffering a non-displaced fracture of his right hand when he was hit by a pitch in Thursday's Cactus League game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. It means that the 30-year-old will most likely start the 2025 regular season on the injured list, making him even more unattractive in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues. Benintendi matched his career-high with 20 home runs in 2024 in his second year in Chicago, but he did very little else offensively, and on top of it, he was one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball. The upside is pretty non-existent here for fantasy purposes. With Benintendi most likely to start the year on the IL,
Austin Slater should be the beneficiary for playing time in left field early on.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
5 days agoBuffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (lower body) is a game-time decision for Thursday's contest against the Carolina Hurricanes. The veteran forward was also a game-time call on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. He was able to suit up for Tuesday's matchup, logging 12:57 of ice time. Tuesday marked Zucker's first game of the month without any points. In 54 outings, he has notched 18 goals and 44 points this season. Sam Lafferty is expected to take Zucker's spot in the lineup on Thursday if he can't play. Lafferty has far less fantasy appeal and should be ignored by managers.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
5 days agoSan Jose Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren (upper body) will return to the lineup for Thursday's matchup against the Montreal Canadiens. He sat out Monday's meeting with the Winnipeg Jets due to an upper-body injury and was initially regarded as a game-time decision for Thursday. Liljegren has made 44 appearances with the Sharks this season, scoring nine points (four goals, five assists). Additionally, he has registered 64 blocks and 47 hits. On Thursday, Liljegren will likely return to a top-four role and will skate with the second power-play unit.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
5 days agoKeith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Eric Gordon (wrist) underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist on Wednesday. Gordon likely won't see the court again this season following surgery, as he won't be re-evaluated for another three months. The 36-year-old played in 39 contests for the 76ers in the 2024-2025 campaign.
Quentin Grimes and
Ricky Council IV have received more work with Gordon on the shelf, while
Lonnie Walker IV will likely be an additional option coming off the bench this evening.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Kyle Neubeck
5 days agoAnaheim Ducks forward Robby Fabbri (upper body) was placed on Injured Reserve Thursday. He was hurt in Tuesday's tilt against the Buffalo Sabres, logging only 6:20 of ice time. Fabbri has tallied eight goals and 16 points in 44 appearances this season. Ahead of Thursday's matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, the Ducks recalled Sam Colangelo from the minors, and he will be inserted into the lineup as Fabbri's replacement. The 23-year-old has been nearly a point-per-game player in the AHL, but Colangelo has yet to make a mark in the big league. Through his first 15 career NHL appearances, Colangelo has recorded two goals and zero assists.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
5 days agoHouston Astros right-hander
Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) is scheduled to throw live batting practice on Saturday in camp for the first time since recovering from surgery that he had in June of 2023 to fix his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. It's been a long time coming for the 31-year-old hurler, but he's already been ruled out for Opening Day and really cannot be trusted in fantasy until he's actually back on the mound performing in big league games. Hopefully we'll get a look at McCullers in Grapefruit League games later this spring, but it's hard to have any expectations for an injury-plagued pitcher that hasn't pitched in an MLB game since the World Series in 2022. McCullers should be in Houston's rotation in 2025 if he's actually healthy, but given all the time he's missed the last few years, the upside will be limited because of what will be a strict innings limit.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
5 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies first baseman
Bryce Harper (triceps) will return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Friday against the Boston Red Sox after he was hit by a pitch on Wednesday. Harper was removed from Wednesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays as a precaution after suffering a right-triceps contusion. The Phillies gave the 32-year-old two-time MVP the day off at camp on Thursday. The eight-time All-Star is still looking for his first World Series ring heading into his 14th MLB season in 2025. He has taken well to the move from right field to first base and slashed .285/.373/.525 with an .898 OPS, 30 home runs, 87 RBI, seven steals and 85 runs scored in 145 games a year ago in his sixth year in Philadelphia. In a strong Phillies lineup, Harper is one of the safest fantasy selections at first base and is ranked No. 3 at the position at RotoBaller.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Corey Seidman
5 days agoSt. Louis Cardinals closer
Ryan Helsley set a franchise record and led the majors with 49 saves in 2024 before getting a raise in salary arbitration from $3.5 million last year to $8.2 million in 2025. Helsley was a prime trade candidate in the offseason heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 and with the Cardinals looking to shed payroll, but general manager John Mozeliak fully intended to hang onto him to keep a rebuilding club competitive. However, the two sides have not started any extension talks, and depending on the team's performance, the 30-year-old could come up in trade rumors at this year's deadline. With Mozeliak stepping down after the 2025 season and adviser Chaim Bloom taking over baseball operations, this could very well be Helsley's last year in St. Louis. Regardless of Helsley's potential future, he should be viewed as a lock as a top-10 fantasy closer in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Katie Woo
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