5 days agoThe Athletic's David O'Brien writes that all signs point to outfielder
Alex Verdugo joining the Atlanta Braves this week after signing a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the team on March 20. Verdugo hit a three-run homer at Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday and was pulled two innings later, fueling speculation that he'll join the team for their series opener in Toronto against the Blue Jays on Monday. A team official said that the 28-year-old was scheduled for a light day on Sunday, though, after he played all 14 innings of a doubleheader on Saturday. If he doesn't join the Braves in Toronto, Verdugo will likely be with them against the Minnesota Twins this weekend. After missing most of spring training, Verdugo has hit .182 (4-for-22) with a double, two homers, four RBI and a .700 OPS with Gwinnett. When he joins Atlanta, he could see regular playing time with both
Jarred Kelenic and
Bryan De La Cruz struggling.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - David O'Brien
5 days agoAtlanta Braves left-hander
Chris Sale has lasted five or fewer innings and allowed three or more earned runs in each of his four starts this year, including 4 2/3 and 4 1/3 innings in his past two. Last year, he had only two starts of less than five innings. Sale has surrendered 15 hits and nine runs (eight earned) in nine innings in his last two starts. "I just hate sucking, and I'm just bad. Simple," Sale said. His average fastball velocity was 96.2 mph in his start on Sunday against the Rays -- up 3 mph from his previous season average. The reigning National League Cy Young has allowed at least three runs in each of his four starts in 2025 after giving up more than two earned runs in only three of 29 starts a year ago. The fact that Sale is healthy has made the poor start more frustrating, but it should also ease the minds of fantasy managers that he'll turn it around sooner than later.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - David O'Brien
5 days agoThe Chicago Bears and defensive back Kyler Gordon have agreed on a three-year, $40 million extension with $31.25 million guaranteed. He'll now be with the team through the 2028 season. The deal makes the 25-year-old the highest-paid slot cornerback in the NFL ($13.33 million annual average value). Gordon has been solid for the Bears since they took him No. 39 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, racking up at least 61 tackles in each of his first three seasons. In 2024, he notched 75 takedowns (48 solo), four tackles for loss, three recovered fumbles, one forced fumble, and a half sack. The Washington product will continue to lock down the nickel spot for Chicago in 2025 and figures to get back in the interception column after picking off five passes in his first two campaigns.
--Alex CiullaSource: Coral Smith
5 days agoNew York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge announced on Monday that he will play for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and will serve as a captain. "I wanted to be there... I was looking forward to this opportunity again," Judge said. While it might not be what fantasy managers prefer if they draft the 32-year-old slugger next spring, it doesn't affect anything fantasy related this year. The reigning American League MVP did not take part in the last World Baseball Classic while he was preoccupied with his free agency, but he'll now get a chance to represent his country in the WBC next year. Not only did Judge have an outstanding 2024 campaign with 58 homers, 144 RBI, 133 walks and a 1.159 OPS in 158 regular-season games, but he's off to a fantastic start in 2025 with a league-best six homers, 20 RBI, 17 runs, .478 on-base percentage and 1.228 OPS. Judge is a beast.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network
5 days agoAccording to Justin Toscano, a beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Braves right-hander
Craig Kimbrel was assigned to Double-A Columbus on Monday. The Braves had signed Kimbrel to a minor-league deal, and he has spent that time ramping up at the team's complex in Florida, but he has yet to face any hitters. The assignment to Double-A suggests that Kimbrel and the Braves are taking the next step, hoping he still has something left in the tank and will help the Braves' bullpen in 2025. The 36-year-old struggled with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, but he is still considered a future Hall of Famer and respected by many in the baseball community. Fantasy managers can continue to monitor his progress, as Kimbrel could hold value as a high-leverage reliever for the Braves. Still,
Raisel Iglesias will likely continue to get the save opportunities, if and when Kimbrel arrives.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Justin Toscano
5 days agoAccording to Charles Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine, manager Terry Francona hopes Reds outfielder
Austin Hays (calf) will be back on Tuesday and that they'll evaluate him after he plays on Monday. Hays has played three games in Triple-A Louisville thus far after tweaking his calf in spring training. In those three games, he's had 10 plate appearances and has gone 2-for-9 with one home run and two RBI. Last year, Hays spent time with the Baltimore Orioles and the Philadelphia Phillies and slashed .255/.303/.396 with five home runs. It will be interesting to see where he fits into the Reds lineup because when he was healthy in 2022 and 2023, Hays hit 32 home runs in those two seasons combined. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider taking a flyer on him to see how it plays out.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
5 days agoAccording to Charles Goldsmith of Cincinnati Magazine, manager Terry Francona said Reds corner infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back/hamstring) might get a few days off in a row. He said, "CES is banged up (back/hamstring, which he dealt with in 2023), but he should be available off the bench, and it will be good to get him a few stacked days off." The injuries seem minor, considering he is not being placed on the injured list immediately. Encarnacion-Strand has gotten off to a sluggish start to his 2025 campaign, slashing .163/.192/.306 with only two home runs. In his absence, expect
Noelvi Marte to occupy third base and continue to see more at-bats while Encarnacion-Strand sits for the next few days.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
5 days agoCleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (ankle) missed the last four games of the season due to an ankle injury, but he's trending in the right direction before the NBA Playoffs start. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said before their final game that Mitchell would be "full-on" during practice leading up to Game 1, which is waiting for the play-in games to be scheduled. The 28-year-old was voted to his sixth straight All-Star Game this season and averaged 24.0 points, 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. The Cavaliers' big three of Mitchell,
Darius Garland, and
Evan Mobley will need to be fully healthy to make a playoff run, and it seems that they're moving closer to that.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Danny Cunningham
5 days agoCincinnati Reds relief pitcher
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is nearing a return, as he threw 18 pitches on Sunday in Triple-A Louisville. Still, manager Terry Francona said there's no decision on when Diaz will be activated. Francona said, "it was an encouraging sign to see him throw 14 of 18 strikes yesterday, but we've got some things to figure out". Last season, Diaz struggled at times as he had a walk rate of 12.8 percent, a career low 8.79 K/9, and only a 32.7 percent ground ball rate to go along with his 3.99 ERA and 4.57 FIP. Fantasy managers should expect him to take over closer responsibilities when he does return but may want to limit expectations, as
Emilio Pagan has logged four saves and has a 1.23 ERA to start the 2025 season.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: Charlie Goldsmith
5 days agoBoston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (knee) has been battling knee issues over the last month or so of the regular season. He saw a small decrease in minutes and even sat out of the final three games, which made him ineligible for regular-season awards. Head coach Joe Mazzulla confirmed reports that Brown received pain management injections in his knee, but he also said that he expects the former Finals MVP to be ready to go for Game 1 of their first-round series. Throughout the last postseason, Brown was given the task of guarding the other team's best scorer more often than not. He's extremely important to the Celtics' success, given his level of defense on top of his season averages of 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Ken Powtak
5 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers forward
Kelly Oubre Jr. continued to raise his stock despite a tumultuous season that saw the team finish in 13th place in the East and miss the playoffs. He has a player option for the 2025-26 season, and when asked about it during a press conference, he said, "This is a business, but at the end of the day I'm happy. And I like to finish what I start, and I don't feel complete. So godspeed." This seems very encouraging for the Sixers, but it also seems like he's waiting to see how the offseason plays out and would like to negotiate a pay raise. This offseason is extremely important for the Sixers and could ultimately change the way the franchise looks from top to bottom. Oubre averaged 15.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game as a starter, so his role on the team is not in question.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodner
5 days agoMLB.com's Taylor McGregor reports that X-rays on Chicago Cubs catcher
Carson Kelly's hand came back negative. The 30-year-old took a 93 mph
Tyler Glasnow sinker to his left hand in the bottom of the fifth inning on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, forcing him from the contest. Fortunately, he was able to stay in the game another inning before teammate
Miguel Amaya replaced him, and his imaging was without concern. Kelly has been fantastic to start the season, batting a blistering .416 with an absurd 1.637 OPS over 24-at-bats. Six of his 10 hits have gone for extra bases, and he's walking a ludicrous 29.1% of the time while holding a stellar 8.1% strikeout rate. There doesn't appear to be too much concern over his hand, so consider him day-to-day for now. Still, fantasy managers will want to monitor his status.
--Alex CiullaSource: Taylor McGregor
5 days agoChicago White Sox shortstop prospect
Colson Montgomery was able to snap his skid with a two-hit outing on Sunday afternoon. Montgomery hit his second long ball of the Triple-A regular season in this outing, which was his first since the season opener. Over his last 11 games leading up to Sunday, Montgomery posted an underwhelming .075/.178/.075 slash line with just three total hits (all singles) and one RBI. Montgomery will look to carry Sunday's momentum into the next week. The former 22nd overall pick was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster during spring training but fell just short in the competition. Last season, he spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Charlotte and held a modest .214/.329/.381 line. If he continues to improve with Triple-A, he could push for a midseason MLB debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielder
TJ Friedl went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and one RBI in Sunday's 4-0 home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old is up to a .254 average now (15-for-59), with two doubles, one home run, six RBI and 11 runs scored. Friedl was limited to 85 games in 2024 after thumb, wrist, and hamstring injuries forced him to the IL on three separate occasions. He's been better so far this season, and statcast thinks he's underperforming. The California native has already swiped two bags -- seven off his total of nine last year -- and holds a .273 xBA. Perhaps more encouraging, Friedl's strikeout rate has dropped for the second straight season to 13.8%, presenting as a career-low if it holds.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
5 days agoTampa Bay Rays pitching prospect
Santiago Suarez enjoyed a strong rebound outing in his second start of the campaign on Sunday afternoon. After allowing three hits, two walks, and three runs during his first start of the High-A campaign, Suarez flipped the script in his second start. In this outing, Suarez kept High-A Rome off the scoresheet across four 1/3 innings of work. He allowed just one hit with no walks and struck out five batters. Last summer, Suarez spent the entire campaign with Low-A Charleston and posted a modest 4.11 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. During this stint, he tallied 115 punchouts and showed strong control, allowing just 21 free passes. Fantasy managers should expect the 20-year-old to spend most of the campaign with High-A Bowling Green.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoChicago Cubs reliever
Porter Hodge punched out two batters during his one inning of work in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hodge hadn't been summoned to pitch since last Tuesday, but he was excellent -- firing 11-of-14 pitches for strikes and snagging his fifth hold of 2025. The 24-year-old holds a strong 2.25 ERA with 11 strikeouts and three walks over his first eight innings of work. He was superb for the Cubs in his first big-league action last year and has improved overall in the early going of this season. The righty is fanning 33.3% of the batters he's faced, and his fastball is garnering a whiff 35.5% of the time. He should be a strong source of ERA and WHIP and would project to step into the closer role if teammate
Ryan Pressly ever missed time.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
5 days agoPhiladelphia 76ers center
Andre Drummond has a player option remaining on his contract, and he told reporters that he plans on returning to the team for the 2025-26 season. The veteran big man, much like the rest of the team, had some injury issues throughout the year and only appeared in 40 games, which was a career low. He posted averages of 7.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals across 18.8 minutes per game. His role next season is in question after rookie center
Adem Bona showed a lot of promise in the last month and a half of the season. Plus, with their top two stars already aging, the 76ers may want to move in a younger direction, so Drummond is one to watch through the offseason.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Derek Bodner
5 days agoMiami Marlins pitching prospect
Adam Mazur continued his strong start to the campaign on Sunday afternoon. In this outing, Mazur logged four 1/3 shutout innings. He struck out five batters and allowed just two hits. Since allowing two runs in his first start of the season, Mazur has logged nine 1/3 shutout frames. During these two starts, he has struck out 10 batters and allowed just five hits and one walk. This is a great sign for Mazur as he struggled to find much success at the Triple-A level last summer. Across 61 innings split between El Paso and Jacksonville, Mazur held a high 6.20 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP. During this stint, he struck out just 60 batters. He also received a brief taste of the majors last season, but posted a 7.49 ERA. He should be in the mix to join the Miami rotation later this season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoAccording to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Phoenix Suns have parted ways with head coach Mike Budenholzer after just one season. The Suns finished in 11th place in the West with a record of 36-46, which put them three games back from the final play-in spot. There are a couple of notable free-agent head coaches who were just relieved of their duties this year, including Michael Malone and Taylor Jenkins.
Kevin Durant missed 20 games while
Bradley Beal missed 29, so the Suns have an important offseason ahead of them in terms of their roster structure. Durant has already been in the rumor mill, but there could be some big changes ahead.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
5 days agoNew York Mets pitching prospect
Nolan McLean continued to perform well during his second start of the campaign. On Sunday afternoon, McLean tossed five innings of one-run ball against Double-A Hartford. In this outing, McLean struck out six batters and allowed three walks and four hits. In his first start of the regular season on April 6, McLean tossed four shutout frames and struck out an impressive eight batters. The 23-year-old right-hander is considered the No. 5-ranked prospect in the Mets system on MLB Pipeline. Last summer, the Oklahoma State product spent most of his time with Double-A but held a modest 4.19 ERA. However, it appears McLean is beginning to turn the corner. If he continues to perform well, he should be in the mix for a mid-season Triple-A debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoTexas Rangers third baseman
Jake Burger went 1-for-3 with a double and two strikeouts in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners. It's the 29-year-old's second double of the season and fourth extra-base-hit in total (two home runs). Burger is off to a sluggish start at the dish in 2025, carrying a .151/.182/.302 slash line with a 1/15 K:BB ratio over his first 15 games. Unfortunately, even the under-the-hood numbers are poor, as the former first-round pick's average exit velocity (89.1) and hard-hit rate (42.1%) are sitting at career-low figures. Furthermore, he's still striking out 27.3% of the time, and his barrel rate has dipped for the second straight season. However, Burger has a hit in four consecutive outings, so maybe his bat is finally waking up.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
5 days agoChicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (wrist) was unable to play in the team's final two games of the regular season, and now there's some doubt surrounding his status for their play-in game against the Miami Heat on Wednesday. One bit of good news came from head coach Billy Donovan when he said that there is a "high-level optimism" surrounding his ability to play. In his first season with the Bulls, Giddey posted career-highs in multiple categories and averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.5 threes per game with shooting splits of .465/.378/.781. If he's unable to play, they're likely to lean a bit more on
Kevin Huerter and
Talen Horton-Tucker at times.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: KC Johnson
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect
Kendall George hit two home runs and swiped a bag during Sunday's contest against High-A Lansing. In this game, George would tally three RBI, score three runs, and hold a 2:1 BB:K. These were George's first long balls of the regular season. Before Sunday, George held an underwhelming .120/.273/.120 slash line through the first seven games of the regular season. During this slow start, George did not tally an extra-base hit. Last summer, the 36th overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft spent the entire 2024 campaign with Low-A Rancho. Across 86 games, he posted a strong .279/.384/.328 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect the Atascocita HS product to remain with High-A during most of the 2025 season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoCincinnati Reds pitching prospect
Chase Petty tossed five shutout innings against Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon. Petty struck out four batters in this outing and allowed just three hits. He served up one free pass. Since allowing six earned runs and six hits in his first start of the campaign, Petty has begun to turn the corner. Over his last two outings, Petty has allowed just one run with a 1.33 WHIP across nine overall frames. Last summer, Petty spent most of his time with Double-A before receiving a brief taste of Triple-A. Through 127 innings of work with Double-A Chattanooga, Petty posted a modest 4.39 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. The former 26th overall pick could push for a mid-season MLB debut if he continues to succeed with Triple-A Louisville.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoRichard Childress Racing's Austin Dillon placed 10th at the end of the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Beginning the race from the 17th position, Dillon did not do much during the first stage. He spent the whole stage fighting to maintain a top-20 running position; by the end of it, he was 19th. In the second stage, Dillon did take a contrarian pit strategy by pitting for tires on lap 182, getting him off-sequence with the leaders. However, this would not do much in the context of his overall running position as, by the end of stage two, he placed 18th and failed to score stage points throughout the day. In the final stage, Dillon executed on his pit stops and finally made up ground. The No. 3 Chevrolet driver kept his car clean and then finished in the 10th position by the end of the race. This was Dillon's first top-10 finish at Bristol since 2020 and his first top-10 finish of the 2025 season.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
5
days
agoTeam
Penske's
Ryan
Blaney
finished
Sunday's
Food
City
500
in
fifth
position
at
Bristol
Motor
Speedway.
Beginning
the
race
from
the
same
position,
Blaney
quietly
ran
inside
the
top
10
and
avoided
any
incidents
and
damage
during
the
first
stage.
He
would
end
the
stage
in
the
seventh
read more...
5 days agoChristopher Bell of Joe Gibbs Racing placed eighth at the end of the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday. Starting the race from the seventh position, Bell's race was up and down, but he ran inside the top 10 throughout most of the event. In the first stage, Bell kept pace with the rest of the pack and only moved up one position to end the stage in sixth, scoring multiple stage points. In the second stage, Bell moved further up the pack and into the top five. The No. 20 Toyota driver ended the stage in the third position, gathering eight stage points and setting himself up to compete for a top finish. In the third stage, however, Bell fell back as others passed him, and despite some pit strategy by pitting earlier than the other leading drivers, he made it as far as the eighth position. Bell's finish in this week's race marks his fifth consecutive top-10 finish at Bristol and his sixth overall in this Cup career.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
5
days
agoTy
Gibbs
of
Joe
Gibbs
Racing
obtained
a
finish
of
third
in
Sunday's
Food
City
500
at
Bristol
Motor
Speedway.
It
is
the
first
top-5
of
2025
for
the
driver
of
the
No.
54
Toyota
after
struggling
throughout
the
year
so
far.
Beginning
the
race
from
the
sixth
read more...
5 days agoJoe Gibbs Racing's Chase Briscoe finished fourth in Sunday's Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Beginning the race from the 14th position, Briscoe quietly and steadily made his way through the field throughout the entire race. By the end of the first stage, Briscoe made it up to 11th and fell short of earning stage points. In the second stage, Briscoe cracked the top 10 and finished the stage in ninth, earning two stage points. In the final stage, Briscoe and his team executed on their pit stops, navigated traffic efficiently, and raced up to the fourth position, scoring his third top-5 result of the 2025 season. This finish also was a new career best for Briscoe at Bristol and the first top-5 ever in his Cup career at the site.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
5 days agoMinnesota Twins closer
Jhoan Duran pitched a clean ninth inning in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. Although his 1.42 ERA in 6 1/3 innings pitched so far in the season is encouraging, it's unfortunate that he still has zero save opportunities through 16 games. The Twins are now sitting at 5-11, so hopefully, they can turn it around and provide Duran with some more opportunities soon. All that aside, Duran has looked effective in his seven appearances, with an opponent batting average of .136 to go with the low ERA. Although the strikeout numbers are down, it's too early to sound the alarm. More importantly, the Twins need to give him some more consistent opportunities. Next for the Twins is a three-game home series against the New York Mets.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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