8 hours agoLas Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said on Monday that the team is "working on it" in regards to a long-term contract extension with quarterback
Geno Smith. The 34-year-old veteran signal-caller turned down the Seattle Seahawks' initial contract offer after the scouting combine in February, which led Seattle to eventually trade Smith to the Raiders in a surprising move. Smith and Carroll will be working together again in 2025 after they were together in Seattle from 2020-23. Smith was a Pro Bowler in both 2022 and 2023 under Carroll, completing 67.4$ of his pass attempts for 7,906 combined passing yards, 50 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in 32 starts. The familiarity between the two is a plus, but other than tight end
Brock Bowers, Smith's weapons in his new home are questionable, at best, making him more of a QB2 target yet again in fantasy in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
8 hours agoTampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that he's optimistic that wide receiver
Chris Godwin (ankle) will be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season. "I'm hoping he's on the field Week 1. I'll have more to know about that after [this] month goes on - see how he feels when he gets running and practicing and everything else," Bowles said. Despite suffering a dislocated left ankle in Week 7 of 2024 that sidelined him for the rest of the season, the Bucs re-signed Godwin this offseason to a three-year contract. The 29-year-old pass-catcher will continue to form an excellent one-two punch with veteran
Mike Evans when he's healthy, but there will be plenty of skepticism about his fantasy value until we see him get back on the field this offseason. The good news is he was averaging a career-high 19.7 PPR fantasy points per game last year before his injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Rick Stroud
8 hours agoBuffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (undisclosed) did not travel with the team on Tuesday when the Sabres went to Ottawa to face the Senators. Norris has missed each of the last nine contests with this same injury. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status, but Norris may not see many more opportunities during the regular season. The Sabres acquired the 25-year-old at the trade deadline from the Senators. Before his injury, Norris scored two goals and tallied two helpers over his last six contests. Through 56 contests this season, the 25-year-old has scored 21 goals and added 14 helpers. Norris has tallied 11 of his points on the power play and logged 96 shots on goal with 135 hits. While Norris remains out, Ryan McLeod will continue to operate as the No. 2 center in the Buffalo offense.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: TSN Ottawa
8 hours agoLos Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said he expects center Coleman Shelton, who was re-signed to a two-year deal in free agency this spring, to start again in 2025. Shelton started for the Rams in parts of the 2022 season and for all of 2023 before spending last year with the Chicago Bears. Due to injuries in 2024, rookie sixth-rounder Beaux Limmer ended up starting at center. While Limmer held his own in a starting role last year, the Rams wanted to upgrade at the position and improve the communication along the offensive line. The Rams will continue to develop Limmer in 2025, and he could also be used at guard. The 29-year-old Shelton also started all 17 regular-season games while with the Bears in 2024. It's good news for quarterback
Matthew Stafford and the rest of the Rams offense.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jourdan Rodrigue
8 hours agoOttawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (upper body) will not play on Tuesday when the Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old suffered this injury during their overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to the next contest on Thursday evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Over his previous five contests, Tkachuk has tallied just two points (both goals), added 12 hits, and held a +4 rating. Through 71 total contests this season, the former fourth overall selection has found the back of the net 29 times and added 26 helpers. He has logged 227 hits with 293 shots on goal, which increases his value in category formats. While he is sidelined, Fabian Zetterlund will likely play on the top forward line.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bruce Garrioch
8 hours agoThe Los Angeles Rams are open to drafting a quarterback this year, but they will not reach for one and understand that other teams might want to trade into the first round at their pick (No. 26) for a signal-caller, according to The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue. General manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have expressed interest in bringing a young QB in to learn from veteran starter
Matthew Stafford. "Always open to drafting a quarterback," Snead said. "Usually another team who gets into that more serious level usually drafts that player earlier than we (would)." The Rams are in year-to-year mode with the 37-year-old Stafford, so it certainly would make sense to draft a young QB this year to groom him to eventually take over as the starter.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jourdan Rodrigue
9 hours agoThe Los Angeles Rams will meet with agent Drew Rosenhaus, who represents star running back
Kyren Williams, at the annual league meetings this week to discuss a possible long-term contract extension, according to general manager Les Snead. After recording back-to-back 1,100-plus rushing yards and entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, Snead has said the team would like to "engineer a long-term partnership" with the 24-year-old Williams. However, both sides aren't exactly on the same page right now, and it could take time. Snead left open the possibility that Williams plays out the final year of his rookie deal without a new contract. He has become a surefire RB1 in fantasy, and his 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024 tied for fourth-most among RBs. The former fifth-rounder has become L.A.'s clear lead back and the centerpiece of their evolved running attack.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jourdan Rodrigue
9 hours agoPittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said that he has a good feeling about free-agent quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, and the signs are "pointing in that direction" for him signing with the team. Rodgers remains on the free-agent market, but the expectation has been that he will eventually land with Pittsburgh after
Russell Wilson signed with the New York Giants. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said on Tuesday that Rodgers threw to Steelers wideout
DK Metcalf at UCLA over the weekend, which is just another sign that the future Hall of Famer will eventually sign with the Steelers this offseason as their new starting QB. The 41-year-old three-time MVP is doing his due diligence and is in no rush. It's also possible that Rodgers is waiting to make it official until after this month's NFL draft as to not affect the team's compensatory picks. At best, Rodgers will be a midrange QB2 in fantasy in Pittsburgh.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Gerry Dulac
9 hours agoAlthough the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback
Brock Purdy still have yet to finalize a long-term contract extension this offseason, owner Jed York expressed optimism on Tuesday that the two sides are close to getting something done. "I think (contract talks have) been good," York said. "It's not conversations that I'm having. He's got to make a decision with what he wants to do. I don't think we're that far apart. I think we can sit down and get something done. Whenever he's ready, we're ready." Purdy still has one year left on his extremely affordable rookie contract, so technically the Niners don't need to be in a rush to extend him. However, the 49ers want to reward the 25-year-old after he made just $985,000 in 2024. Even though the Niners and Purdy had a down year last season and missed the playoffs, his new extension is expected pay him north of $50 million per year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo
9 hours agoColorado Rockies outfielder
Sam Hilliard has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A. Hilliard was designated for assignment shortly before Opening Day when the Rockies claimed outfielder
Mickey Moniak off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Last season, Hilliard spent 58 games with the Rockies. Across this stint, Hilliard held a .239/.305/.507 slash line with five doubles and 10 long balls. He generated a modest .215 xBA but flashed upside power as he generated an elite 14.8 percent barrel rate and a 52.3 percent hard-hit rate. He also placed in the 88th percentile in sprint speed and swiped five bags. In 65 games with Triple-A last season, Hilliard held a strong .288/.374/.542 slash line with 14 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He is worth monitoring in NL-only leagues as he should be in the mix to return to the majors later in the summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Colorado Rockies
10 hours agoPhiladelphia Phillies shortstop
Trea Turner (back), who was out of the starting lineup for the third straight day on Monday against the Colorado Rockies due to back spasms, appeared as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and walked before scoring the go-ahead run in the 6-1 victory in the team's home opener. Turner is expected to miss another game on Tuesday against Colorado, but he's clearly feeling better and is expected to return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest. The 31-year-old veteran is still searching for his first hit of the 2025 season after going hitless in his first six plate appearance with two walks, a strikeout and a run scored in just two games (one start). Fantasy managers will want to check back later on Tuesday to see if he's back in there, but most likely he won't be available again until Wednesday's game.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
10 hours agoFirst baseman
Dominic Smith is returning to the New York Yankees on a minor league contract. Smith opted out of his previous minor league deal with the Yankees in March but will return to the Bronx after not finding another suitor. Fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to report to Triple-A and provide first base and outfield depth. Last season, Smith appeared in 93 MLB contests, with most of his time in Boston. Across this stint, the 29-year-old posted a .233/.313/.378 slash line with 22 doubles and six home runs. During the 2023 campaign, he spent the entire campaign with the Washington Nationals and held a .254/.326/.366 slash line. In 275 career games at Triple-A, Smith has posted a strong .293/.360/.455 slash line. He should be in the mix to return to the big leagues if the Yankees need additional depth at first base or in the outfield.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Max Goodman
10 hours agoVeteran right-hander
Lance Lynn announced his retirement from professional baseball on his wife's podcast on Tuesday, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Lynn was hoping to continue his playing career in 2025 and was even reportedly discussing a deal with the Chicago Cubs, but apparently nothing has come to fruition and he will instead hang up his cleats after 13 years in the big leagues. The 37-year-old was originally drafted in the first round (39th overall) in 2008 out of the University of Mississippi. Seven of his 13 MLB campaigns came in St. Louis, including his last in 2024 in which he went 7-4 with a 3.84 ERA (4.31 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 109 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 1/3 innings over 23 starts. The two-time All-Star will finish his major-league career with a 143-99 record, 3.74 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 23.7% strikeout rate in 2,006 1/3 regular-season innings. He won a World Series ring with St. Louis in 2011.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
10 hours agoThe Los Angeles Angels have designated right-handed pitcher
Michael Petersen for assignment. This transaction opened a spot for left-handed pitcher
Jake Eder, whom the Angels acquired from the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations on Monday. Last season, Petersen made his MLB debut and logged 19 2/3 innings in the majors. He posted a 5.95 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP. He tallied just 14 punchouts and served up a high 11 free passes. He spent most of his 2024 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City and posted a stellar 1.64 ERA with a 0.76 WHIP. He tallied 10 saves and held an 8:44 BB:K. Through the early part of the 2025 Triple-A campaign, Petersen tossed one 1/3 inning with Triple-A Salt Lake and allowed two earned runs. Given his success at Triple-A last summer, he may draw interest on waivers.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Angels PR
10 hours agoThe New York Yankees announced on Tuesday that they placed right-hander
Devin Williams on the paternity list before their game in the Bronx against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. The team also signed right-handed reliever
Adam Ottavino to a major-league contract and added him to the active roster. To clear space on the 40-man roster, right-hander
JT Brubaker (rib) was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Williams will be away from the Yankees for anywhere from one to three days, so act accordingly with your fantasy lineups. In the meantime, the best bet to fill in for a save chance for the Yankees will be right-hander
Luke Weaver. To open his first year with the Yanks, Williams picked up a save on Opening Day last Thursday against his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers, but he also allowed an earned run while walking one and striking out two.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees
10 hours agoThe Athletics have optioned left-handed pitcher
Hogan Harris to Triple-A Las Vegas. Harris tallied just one out in the majors during the opening week of the campaign. In a corresponding move, the Athletics claimed left-handed
Angel Perdomo on waivers. Last season, the 28-year-old logged 72 1/3 innings in the major leagues and posted a 2.86 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. He tallied 61 punchouts and served up a high 33 free passes. He generated a modest 5.04 xERA with a .260 xBA, which suggests he will likely see some regression during the 2025 regular season. Across 142 career innings at the Triple-A level, the southpaw posted a high 6.40 ERA with a 1.75 WHIP. During this stint, he served up 94 walks. Fantasy managers should expect Harris to likely return to the majors as a relief option later in the campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Martin Gallegos
10 hours agoPerhaps one of the biggest conundrums for DFS this season is what to make of Jordan Spieth. The former Longhorn has returned to deliver the same gut-wrenching performances he did before his injury stint. Approach play has been all over the place, with him gaining over seven shots with his irons at both the Phoenix Open and his last start at Valspar. However, he lost strokes in large amounts in the three events in between. More frustrating is that most other metrics have been equally as much of a rollercoaster. The biggest reason for trusting Spieth this week is the incredible course history at TPC San Antonio, where he secured a victory in 2021. At $11,100 on FanDuel Spieth carries a ton of risk, but the winnable upside is there.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
10 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher
Yu-Min Lin is set to attend extended spring training as he his still ramping up his workload. Lin was unable to participate during most of spring training as he had to return to Taiwan for a military obligation. As a result, the Diamondbacks are opting to slowly increase his workload before the minor league regular season begins to pick up. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression, but he will likely report to Triple-A Reno when he is cleared to return to game action. Last season, the southpaw spent most of his season at Double-A Amarillo, where he posted a 4.28 ERA with a 1.45 WHIP across 94 2/3 innings. Last summer, he logged just four 2/3 innings at Triple-A. If the 21-year-old progresses well at Triple-A, he could push for an MLB debut in the second half of the campaign.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
10 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect
Joe Elbis (undisclosed) will begin the 2025 campaign on the injured list at the Double-A level. The team did not specify the extent of his injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but should expect him to miss potentially the first few weeks of the Double-A regular season. Last season, the 22-year-old spent most of his 2024 campaign at High-A before earning a look at Double-A. Across 90 1/3 innings at High-A (16 starts), the right-hander posted a strong 2.79 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. He tallied 75 punchouts. At Double-A, Elbis held a high 4.60 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP across 45 innings of work. He held a modest 18:37 BB:K. When he is cleared to return, fantasy managers should expect Elbis to begin his 2025 season at Double-A Amarillo.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
10 hours agoComing off a T27 this past week in Houston, Jake Knapp is making his first start at TPC San Antonio this week. Hopes were much higher for the former Bruin at Memorial Park than the result we got; given his length off the tee and knack for playing in windier conditions. However, his short game was a large reason for his struggles, coupled with the fact he really only gained strokes on approach in one round. That type of recipe won't have much success at TPC San Antonio. There are a large number of first-time players who have found success here, and it wouldn't be shocking for the 30-year-old to do the same with his level of talent. But at $9,600 on FanDuel, the juice may not be worth the squeeze.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
10 hours agoAfter a strong run through the last part of the west-coast swing and the first part of Florida that included two top-five finishes, one top-10, and two top-15s, Michael Kim has cooled off in recent weeks. He missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass and has failed to crack the top 25 in his last two starts. However, he's still gaining strokes in nearly every category, but none more than on approach. Even with a T32 in Houston, the 31-year-old still managed to gain 4.76 strokes with his irons. Given the reduction in needed length off the tee at TPC San Antonio, it is much more receptive to Kim's game and makes him a fine choice for fantasy lineups.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
11 hours agoIt has been an incredible start to the season for Tommy Fleetwood, as he prepares for the year's first major next week at Augusta National. He's made six professional starts in 2025 and hasn't finished worse than T22. TPC San Antonio is a ball striker's golf course, with many narrow, undulating greens that force players to be spot-on with approach shots. He ranks 12th on the year in strokes gained on approach (+0.771), which has fallen slightly with a poor outing in this area at the Valspar. However, the 34-year-old has also rolled the rock much better since switching to bermudagrass—the same goes for his short game. At $11,900 on FanDuel, Fleetwood will be one of the more sought-after players for lineups this week.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
11 hours agoOther than a couple of bright spots this season, Tony Finau is struggling to find success in the first half of the season. Most recently, he finished T32 last week in Houston and missed the cut at the Players Championship in the start before that. Approach play has dipped in recent weeks, as he lost over six shots at TPC Sawgrass and was still struggling with it at Memorial Park (-0.29 average). That won't bode well at the Oakes Course this week, especially since he's struggled to find any momentum on the greens since transitioning to bermudagrass. At $10,300 on FanDuel, Finau is a shiny name that may be better to avoid until we see a turnaround.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
11 hours agoIt has been a productive last couple of weeks for Eric Cole, as the 36-year-old has had back-to-back top-15 finishes at the Valspar and last week in Houston. During that time, he's gained over six strokes on approach and four strokes putting. Last week at Memorial Park was particularly impressive given the length of the course and his inadequacies off the tee. TPC San Antonio presents a much more getable opportunity for Cole if everything currently trending in his game stays that way. In two career starts in this event, his best finish is a T39. However, the recipe for grass type, green complexes, and need for sound approach play remains the same as it has for the last few weeks, which makes him an intriguing play at $8,600 on FanDuel.
--Todd McGill - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
12 hours agoSeattle Mariners outfielder
Randy Arozarena connected on a solo home run in the second inning, which started Seattle's comeback against Detroit that ultimately fell just short. Arozarena's second homer of the season came in his first at-bat of the game, and he later added a walk in the third inning and a double in the seventh inning. The Mariners trailed 6-0 before they even came to the plate on Monday and came back to make it close before losing, 9-6. Arozarena is 3-for-16 (.188) after his two hits on Monday, with four walks and six strikeouts. Since each of his hits have been for extra bases, he has a .438 ISO and .405 wOBA despite his low batting average.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
12 hours agoSeattle Mariners first baseman
Luke Raley picked up his first home run of the 2025 season on Monday night at home against the Tigers. His long ball came in the fourth inning of impressive rookie
Jackson Jobe, and at that point, the solo shot cut the Tigers' lead to 8-3. Ultimately, Detroit held on to win 9-6, and Raley finished the night 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. In the early going this season, Raley is 2-for-8 (.250) with three walks and three strikeouts. He typically hits in the heart of the order when he's in the lineup, but he has not started in either of the Mariners' two games against left-handed starting pitchers. He does provide home run potential, but he isn't quite mixed-league material given his role in a platoon at first for the M's.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
12 hours agoChicago Cubs first baseman
Michael Busch connected on his first home run of the season on Monday night against the Athletics. He finished 3-for-6 with two runs scored, a hit-by-pitch, and four RBI. The Cubs cleanup hitter got the 18-run onslaught started early with a two-run blast to right-center in the first inning off of
Joey Estes. The 27-year-old has been locked in as the Cubs' cleanup hitter in the early going this season and has gone 7-for-24 (.292) with a .363 wOBA. He should continue to put up good run-production numbers as long as Chicago's offense is clicking on all cylinders. He hit 21 home runs in 152 games last season with a .336 wOBA, and he looks to be on roughly the same trajectory in the early part of the season.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
12 hours agoOrlando Magic point guard
Cole Anthony (toe) has been listed as questionable for Tuesday's action against the San Antonio Spurs. He missed a seventh consecutive contest on Monday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. However, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel for Anthony after he was upgraded to questionable ahead of the week. Anthony's return will bump
Cory Joseph back to the bench. The veteran guard has not been very productive with additional opportunities over the last couple of weeks but played well on Monday, notching 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Anthony Black's fantasy value will also decline with Anthony's return.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
12 hours agoChicago Cubs outfielder
Kyle Tucker kept on rolling as the Cubs traveled from Phoenix to Sacramento to continue their season-opening road trip. Tucker went 4-for-7 with a pair of doubles, a home run, four runs scored, and three RBI in the Cubs' 18-run outburst against the Athletics. Time will tell if this big game indicates that Sutter Health Park will be a very hitter-friendly or if it was just that the Cubs had a great matchup against
Joey Estes and the Athletics' bullpen. Either way, Tucker is off to a great start with the Cubs, with three home runs in his last three games. He has gone 10-for-31 overall this season, giving him a .323 batting average and .473 wOBA in the early going, backed up by an impressive 26.9% barrel rate, per StatCast.
--Zach Thompson - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
12 hours agoPortland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (knee) remains on the injury report with a doubtful tag on Thursday, making it unlikely that he will return to action against the Atlanta Hawks. Grant has not played since March 9, missing 10 games due to inflammation in his right knee.
Deni Avdija's workload has noticeably increased during Grant's absence, as he has averaged 36.8 minutes since his exit from the lineup. Avdija has also been highly productive, averaging 25.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals over the past 10 games.
--Taavi Pailk - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
RADIO
