5 days agoESPN's Dan Graziano thinks it feels like the right move for the New York Giants to pick up linebacker Kayvon Thibodeau's fifth-year option for 2026, which would guarantee him $16.06 million, feels like the right move. New York took Thibodeaux fifth overall in the 2022 draft out of Oregon, and he has shown some flashes, including an 11.5-sack season in his second year in 2023. They also took offensive lineman Evan Neal at seventh overall, but the decision to decline his fifth-year option is pretty much a no-brainer since he's been a disappointment. The deadline to make a decision on their 2026 fifth-year options comes on May 1. The 24-year-old Thibodeaux suffered a wrist injury in 2024 that limited him to a career-low 12 starts, and he picked up only 28 tackles (14 solo), 5.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 17 QB hits. Exercising his fifth-year option appears to be the smarter decision over working out a contract extension.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
5 days agoIndiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell (ankle) will be out of action against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. McConnell will miss his second consecutive contest due to a sprained right ankle. With extra minutes available in the Pacers backcourt versus the Raptors,
Andrew Nembhard will likely see some additional playing time.
Ben Sheppard and
Bennedict Mathurin could also have expanded roles for Wednesday's contest.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Tony East
5 days agoESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Dallas Cowboys All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who is heading into his fifth-year-option season in 2025, might end up being the highest-paid defensive player in the league whenever he signs a contract extension. Because that distinction could also be made for a few other players as well, Graziano thinks the Cowboys would be smart to get Parsons locked up long term sooner than later. There are no salary-cap implications here, as Parsons' salary and 2025 camp number for 2025 are both $24.007 million. An extension will create much more cap space for the team since it would likely come with a big signing bonus and drop Parsons' 2025 salary to the veteran minimum. The former 12th overall pick has been a Pro Bowler in all four of his NFL seasons and has at least 12 sacks a year since entering the league in 2021.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
5 days agoNashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (upper body) has been labeled day-to-day after he was injured in Tuesday's contest against the Florida Panthers. It appears that Josi avoided a serious injury, but he may still have to sit out Thursday's clash against the Winnipeg Jets. With the team struggling, Josi has not performed at his best this season, settling for 38 points (nine goals, 29 assists) in 53 games while amassing a minus-28 rating. The Predators defense is already missing Jeremy Lauzon (lower body) and Adam Wilsby (upper body), both of whom have been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Jake Livingstone is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday if Josi is unable to play.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
5 days agoDustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports that Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Scottie Barnes (ankle) won't suit up on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers. Barnes will be out of action during the second half of the Raptors back-to-back set due to a hip contusion. His next opportunity to return to the floor is Friday against the Bulls.
Immanuel Quickley and
RJ Barrett will likely get more scoring opportunities and will see a boost in fantasy production while Barnes is on the shelf.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: Dustin Dopirak
5 days agoNew York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (lower body) is poised to return to action on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. He has sat out 11 games due to a lower-body injury. Dobson is a two-way force for the Islanders at the back, having registered 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 46 games while blocking 81 shots and handing out 42 hits. Scott Perunovich, who went an ugly minus-four in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers, is expected to come out of the lineup to make room for Dobson.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
5 days agoThe Los Angeles Rams have given offensive guard Jonah Jackson (shoulder) permission to seek a trade, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The former Detroit Lions Pro Bowler signed a big deal with the Rams in free agency last year (three years, $51 million) but played in just four games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury and a benching. Jackson is due an $8.5 million guarantee on March 12, and the Rams would prefer not to pay that figure. The 28-year-old fractured his scapula in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Arizona Cardinals but was able to return later in the season. If the Rams cut Jackson with a post-June 1 designation, they can save $9 million on the 2025 salary cap. Either way, it looks like he'll be one and done in L.A. Jackson was taken in the third round (75th overall) by Detroit in 2020, and Jackson made his lone Pro Bowl in his second year with the Lions in 2021.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
5 days agoWinnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck will be in the crease for Wednesday's tilt against the Ottawa Senators. Hellebuyck will look to extend his season-best winning streak to eight games. The 31-year-old has performed exceptionally well throughout the campaign, posting a 35-7-1 record while allowing 2.04 goals. He has logged a .925 save percentage with six shutouts. Another winning effort is expected from Hellebuyck on Wednesday, as the Senators are on a four-game skid and lack firepower due to injuries. Hellebuyck saved 33 of 35 shots when these teams had their first meeting of the season, helping the Jets grab a 4-2 victory.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Mitchell Clinton
5 days agoNew Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Bruce Brown (rest) won't suit up against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. Brown will have the evening off to rest during the first half of back-to-back games against the Suns. He has played in five games since joining the Pelicans via trade from the Raptors recently. The 28-year-old seems to be taking on a larger role with his new club as he posted eight points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals across 29 minutes in a 109-103 overtime win over the Spurs on Tuesday. With Brown on the shelf,
Jose Alvarado and
Jordan Hawkins could undoubtedly see an uptick in minutes during Thursday's contest.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
5 days agoNew York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (upper body) will miss at least three games, as The Athletic's Arthur Staple has reported that the team will place him on Injured Reserve. Fox was hurt in Tuesday's Battle of New York against the Islanders. According to Staple, there is "optimism" that Fox will be available for the Rangers during the final weeks of the season. Fox was knocked out of the lineup during his most productive offensive spell of the season. He has logged at least one point in seven consecutive outings, pushing his total to 48 points (three goals, 45 assists). Fox's presence will also be missed in the defensive zone, as he is ranked third on the team with 83 blocks. K'Andre Miller (lower body) looks to be in line to take over as the Rangers' No. 1 defenseman. However, he was also injured on Tuesday, and it's unclear if Miller will be available for Friday's contest against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Arthur Staple
5 days agoThe New England Patriots have given defensive tackle Davon Godchaux permission to seek a trade, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Interested teams have already made contact with Godchaux, and the veteran defensive lineman will likely be on the move this offseason given the team's scheme change on defense. In his fourth year in New England, the 30-year-old accumulated 67 combined tackles (second-most in his career) and a pass breakup in 17 starts. While he hasn't been an asset to fantasy managers in IDP formats (only 5.5 career sacks in eight seasons), Godchaux has been extremely reliable for the Patriots and has played in every single game since joining the team in 2021. He was originally taken in the fifth round (178th overall) by the Miami Dolphins in 2017 out of LSU and spent his first four years in the NFL in Miami.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
5 days agoNew Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that the team feels like they can win with quarterback
Derek Carr, and new head coach Kellen Moore also said the team feels fortunate to have Carr on the roster. The Saints still have contract stuff to figure out with Carr, but as things currently stand, it sounds like the team plans on bringing the 33-year-old veteran back in 2025. Carr has a $51.4 million cap hit in 2025, and the Saints currently have the worst cap situation in the NFL, so something has to give. Restructuring his contract could free up $31 million this year, although it would push his cap hit to around $69 million in 2026. Carr played in a career-low 10 games in 2024 due to a broken hand and a concussion. Even with Moore in town, fantasy managers in 12-team, one-QB leagues are going to be avoiding him in drafts this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
5 days agoColorado Avalanche goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood will be in the net for Wednesday's matchup against the New Jersey Devils. He will make his 23rd start with the Avalanche, entering the action with a 14-7-2 record. Ahead of the clash against his former team, Blackwood has posted a 2.31 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage with the Avalanche. Blackwood has demonstrated fine form but has allowed seven goals across his last two appearances and faces a talented offense on Wednesday, as the Devils have averaged 3.07 goals per game this campaign.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: Evan Rawal
5 days agoMiami Marlins right-hander
Max Meyer, who didn't throw a pitch 97 mph or faster in 2024, topped out at 97.7 mph in his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday against the division-rival New York Mets. Meyer threw only 13 pitches (seven strikes) and walked one in an inning of work and looked to be throwing only four-seam fastballs and sliders, with one sinker mixed in. The 25-year-old spent more time in the weight room this offseason, which could be attributed to his impressive velocity early on this spring. In his return from Tommy John surgery last year, the former third overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Minnesota was inconsistent as the Fish managed his workload, posting a 5.68 ERA and 1.42 WHIP while striking out 46 in 57 innings over 11 starts. If the restrictions are off in 2025, Meyer is a post-hype prospect to target in the later rounds of deeper leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
5 days agoColorado Avalanche winger Valeri Nichushkin (lower body) will be welcomed back into the lineup on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. He will make his first appearance in 2025 after missing time due to a lower-body injury. Nichushkin was suspended at the start of the season, meaning he has skated in just 21 games in 2024-25. Colorado has received top-class production from Nichushkin when he has been on the ice, as the Russian forward boasts 11 goals and 17 points for the season. The Avalanche will partner Nichushkin with Jonathan Drouin and Casey Mittelstadt in the lineup.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
5 days agoChicago Bulls center
Nikola Vucevic (calf) won't play on Wednesday versus the Los Angeles Clippers. Vucevic has played through calf tightness recently but will miss his second consecutive contest. The 34-year-old has been a double-double machine in the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds.
Zach Collins (shin), considered probable for Wednesday's game, will likely take on a bunch of extra minutes while Vucevic is sidelined.
Matas Buzelis will also see an uptick in the time on the floor this evening.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
5 days agoVancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (oblique) has been labeled a game-time decision for Wednesday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. An oblique injury has kept Hughes sidelined for six games, and he wasn't able to play for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, he appears to have made strides in his recovery recently and may be back in action against the Kings. Despite sitting out the entire month so far, Hughes remains the third-highest scorer among defensemen with 49 points (14 goals, 45 assists) in 47 appearances. He has also done his bit defensively, averaging nearly one block per game.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NHL.com
5
days
agoBoston
Red
Sox
designated
hitter
Masataka
Yoshida
(shoulder)
has
been
cleared
to
take
live
batting
practice
in
camp,
according
to
Mass
Live's
Christopher
Smith.
Yoshida
needed
surgery
last
October
to
fix
a
tear
in
the
labrum
in
his
right
shoulder,
which
is
why
read more...
5 days agoHouston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (leg) is unavailable against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Eason is out due to leg injury management and is getting a rest day for the second half of back-to-back games. The 23-year-old finished with 12 points, six rebounds, two steals, one assist, and one block in 32 minutes of work in a 100-97 win over the Bucks on Tuesday. With Eason sidelined, forward Jabari Smith will likely be in the starting lineup and may have some fantasy upside with extra minutes on the floor.
--Andrew Lennox - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
5 days agoUpdating a previous report, the Philadelphia Phillies think first baseman
Bryce Harper (triceps) will be fine after he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to manager Rob Thomson. Harper left the game immediately in the sixth inning and has a contusion in the right triceps area. "They're not overly concerned," Thomson said. The Phillies will check on Harper again on Thursday. The 32-year-old former MVP won't play on Thursday, but he should be just fine moving forward. Fantasy managers also shouldn't have anything to worry about. Harper reached the 30-homer mark for the fifth time in his career in 2024 and also had 40-plus doubles for the second time in his career. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 3 fantasy first baseman and the No. 22 overall player this spring.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Corey Seidman
5 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielder
Stuart Fairchild (thumb) made another start in center field on Wednesday in a Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels. It's Fairchild's third game of the spring -- he went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in his first two contests -- since having surgery on his right thumb late last season. The 28-year-old appears to be a full-go this spring as he competes for a platoon role in Cincy's outfield in 2025. In 94 games in 2024 in his second season with the Reds, Fairchild hit just .215/.286/.368 with a career-high eight home runs, 30 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 233 trips to the plate. With no minor-league options left, he's a good bet to be on the team's Opening Day roster in a reserve role. In his time in the big leagues, he's been a below-average hitter with poor plate discipline. His glove is his strength for the Reds.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
5 days agoBoston Red Sox right-handed reliever
Liam Hendriks (elbow) was up to 96 mph on the radar gun in his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday versus the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays while tossing a scoreless inning. It was Hendriks' first game action since a minor-league rehab appearance last June. The 36-year-old veteran allowed a single and struck out one in the outing as he looks to bounce back in 2025 after not pitching at all in the big leagues last year following Tommy John surgery in 2023. The Australian native is a three-time All-Star and has 116 saves in his 13-year MLB career, so he'll be in Boston's competition for saves this season alongside
Aroldis Chapman,
Justin Slaten and
Garrett Whitlock. A closer committee is entirely possible, which won't help fantasy managers, but if Hendriks' velocity can stay around 96-97 mph, he should be interesting as a cheap bullpen arm in holds leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Ian Browne
5 days agoThe Boston Red Sox are "shooting for the weekend" for catcher
Connor Wong (shoulder) to make his Grapefruit League debut, according to manager Alex Cora. "He's going to get live at-bats tomorrow and the next day," Cora said. Wong has been slowed early in spring training with a sore shoulder, but it's not an injury that really puts his Opening Day availability in question for the end of March. The 28-year-old will be Boston's primary catcher in 2025 after he hit .280/.333/.425 with career-highs in home runs (13) and RBI (52) while stealing eight bases and scoring 54 runs in 126 games played. The playing time will be there, but fantasy managers shouldn't necessarily expect a repeat of his 2024 numbers, especially in the average department. Wong's breakout season was fueled by a bloated BABIP. Treating him as a No. 1 fantasy catcher would be a mistake.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
5 days agoBoston Red Sox right-hander
Brayan Bello (shoulder) is set to throw a bullpen session at camp on Friday, according to Mass Live's Christopher Smith. Barring a setback with his right shoulder, the Red Sox believe that Bello will be ready for Opening Day in late March. The 25-year-old has been dealing with right-shoulder soreness early in spring training but has been throwing on flat ground as he begins to ramp up. The Dominican hurler looked great early on in 2024, but walks were his undoing ultimately and he finished with a 14-8 record, 4.49 ERA (4.19 FIP), 1.36 WHIP, a career-high 153 strikeouts and 64 walks in 162 1/3 innings over 30 starts. To take the next step as a fantasy arm in 2025, Bello will need to limit the free passes and keep the ball in the yard. His injury this spring won't help endear him to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 99 fantasy starting pitcher.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
5 days agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder
Heliot Ramos (oblique) hit off the tee and soft toss in the batting cages at camp on Wednesday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. Ramos was originally scheduled to resume swinging on Thursday after dealing with a sore oblique early in spring training. It's a good sign that the 25-year-old started swinging a day early, and barring a setback, he'll be ready in plenty of time for Opening Day in late March. Ramos should be able to make his Cactus League debut by early next week. The Puerto Rican outfielder should play every day for the Giants in 2025 after finishing second on the team in home runs (22) and making the All-Star team for the first time by slashing .269/.322/.469 in 121 games played. The former first-rounder did deal with plantar fasciitis, though, which is a recurring issue for most players, but Ramos if a fine No. 4 outfield target in fantasy drafts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
5 days agoPhiladelphia Phillies first baseman
Bryce Harper (biceps) was hit on the right biceps by a
Richard Lovelady pitch on Wednesday during his Grapefruit League debut versus the Toronto Blue Jays and immediately came out of the game. The 32-year-old was hit in the arm in his third plate appearance of the day in the sixth inning. It's unclear of the severity of Harper's injury, but there's a good chance it's nothing very serious and the Phillies are just exercising precaution with the All-Star first baseman. Stay tuned for an update on Harper by the end of Wednesday. The former first overall pick by the Washington Nationals in 2010 out of the College of Southern Nevada is a two-time MVP and slashed .285/.373/.525 with an .898 OPS, 30 home runs, 87 RBI and seven steals in 145 regular-season games for the Phils in 2024. Harper has reached the 30-homer mark five times in his career and is RotoBaller's No. 3 fantasy first baseman.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
5 days agoSan Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis that All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is ready and motivated to play in 2025. "Trent is playing. Trent is ready, he's motivated," Lynch said. Williams is entering his age-37 and missed the final six games of last year while on Injured Reserve due to ankle and heel injuries, so it was fair to wonder whether he would be coming back for his 15th year in the NFL. Hey may not play out the final two years on his deal with San Francisco, but it's great news for quarterback
Brock Purdy and the rest of the offense that Williams appears ready to suit up in 2025. Williams ended up playing in only 10 games (his fewest since 2017 with Washington) for the 49ers, the first time since 2011 that he wasn't named to the Pro Bowl and the first time since 2020 he wasn't a first-team All-Pro selection.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Clayton Holloway
5 days agoSan Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday at the NFL Combine that the team has started negotiations with quarterback
Brock Purdy on long-term contract extension. Despite a down year in 2024 in which he threw for 3,864 yards (career-low 65.9 completion percentage), 20 touchdowns and a career-high 12 interceptions in 15 starts, the 49ers are fully committed to the former seventh-round selection and have every intention of locking him into a long-term extension early this offseason. The speculation around the league is that Purdy will be making $55-60 million per year once he officially signs an extension with the Niners. Even in his down year in 2024, Purdy finished as the QB13 in fantasy and could easily bounce back in 2025 if running back
Christian McCaffrey (knee) can stay healthy for a full season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Clayton Holloway
5
days
agoSan
Francisco
49ers
general
manager
John
Lynch
said
on
Wednesday
at
the
NFL
Combine
that
the
team
is
on
good
terms
with
wide
receiver
Deebo
Samuel
Sr.
and
will
honor
his
trade
request.
"He
asked
for
a
fresh
start
and
we're
going
read more...
5 days agoPittsburgh Pirates right-hander
Jared Jones debuted his new two-seam fastball, which is a "sinker or whatever you want to call it," during a Grapefruit League game on Tuesday. In two scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves, Jones threw the new pitch five times, with it generating a called strike and four swings -- two fouls and two balls in play, including a pop-up to second base. He allowed one hit and a walk with three strikeouts in seven batters faced over the 27-pitch outing. The 23-year-old made it clear that his four-seam fastball is still his bread-and-butter pitch, and he's not interested in introducing his new two-seamer/sinker at the expense of his heater. If his new pitch isn't very successful, he plans on getting rid of it. Jones was overshadowed by teammate
Paul Skenes and probably will continue to be, but he makes for a nice upside pick in fantasy drafts as a No. 3/4 starter going into his second season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Kevin Gorman
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