22 hours agoUtah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (foot, illness) will not hit the court on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The veteran has been nursing a foot problem throughout the campaign and is currently also dealing with an illness. Isaiah Collier figures to take on a heavy workload again on the backcourt, with Johnny Juzang also in a position to benefit from Clarkson's absence. Collier has become a viable fantasy option over the last couple of months and averages 11.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.1 steals for March.Source: NBA Injury Report
22 hours agoLos Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (knee) will not play in Sunday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets. He has been ruled out due to soreness in his left knee. Dunn's absence will open up a spot in the starting lineup, which could go to either Bogdan Bogdanovic or Norman Powell (hamstring), who has been cleared to return from a seven-game absence. Since his injury does not appear to be serious, there is a good chance Dunn will be ready to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.Source: NBA Injury Report
22 hours agoLos Angeles Clippers guard/forward Norman Powell (hamstring) will make his return to the lineup on Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets. Powell has been unavailable for the past seven games and has actually logged just nine minutes of action since Feb. 13. Due to his long absence, Powell may be under a minutes restriction on Sunday. Despite his recent health issues, Powell is still on track for a career year, as he is averaging 23.8 points in 33.0 minutes. With Powell's return, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Amir Coffey are expected to see reduced playing time.Source: NBA Injury Report
22 hours agoNew York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin is set to play for the second consecutive day on Sunday against the Edmonton Oilers. He produced his fifth shutout of the season in Saturday's 4-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Shesterkin also defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night, so he is in the midst of a very busy stretch and will make his third appearance in four days. Shesterkin has not won three consecutive starts since January when he had his season-best four-game winning streak. The 2022 Vezina Trophy winner boasts a 23-22-4 record for the season and has given up 2.79 goals with a .907 save percentage. Following a tough stretch, the Oilers are on a 3-2-0 run and are sure to present a stern test for Shesterkin on Sunday.Source: Peter Baugh
23 hours agoAnaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson (lower body) will be unavailable for a sixth consecutive game on Sunday against the St. Louis Blues. At the start of the week, reports indicated that Gibson had been cleared to return to the lineup, but the Ducks have continued to navigate the 2024-25 season without him. Gibson has a 9-10-2 record for the campaign, allowing 2.82 goals with a .910 save percentage. Lukas Dostal, who is sporting a 20-17-5 record, has received heavy usage during Gibson's absence and will make another start in Sunday's contest. Source: NHL.com
23 hours agoUtah Hockey Club center Nick Bjugstad (upper body) is expected to return to action on Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks. He was activated from Injured Reserve on Friday and will take over from Liam O'Brien (lower body), who has been ruled out for four weeks. Bjugstad has missed five games, having last played on March 1. The veteran forward has seen his play decline in 2024-25, as Bjugstad has managed only 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 53 appearances. However, he is averaging 1.7 hits per game for the season and will bring physicality to the lineup in a fourth-line role.Source: Belle Fraser
23 hours agoVancouver Canucks center Filip Chytil (upper body) made an early exit against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, leaving his status uncertain for Sunday's tilt against the Utah Hockey Club. The team has not provided any updates on Chytil, who has scored six points (two goals, four assists) in 15 games since his move to Vancouver. If Chytil is unable to play against the Blackhawks, Jonathan Lekkerimaki is likely to rejoin the lineup. Lekkerimaki has been excelling in the minors, tallying 19 goals and 28 points in 32 AHL appearances this season, but he has been quiet in the NHL so far. In 15 career NHL appearances, Lekkerimaki has recorded three points (two goals, one assist) with 22 shots.Source: Sportsnet
23 hours agoBuffalo Sabres center Jiri Kulich is in concussion protocol after leaving Saturday's victory against the Vegas Golden Knights early. He sustained the injury from a hit by Vegas forward Brett Howden. It appears that Kulich will be sidelined for some time, starting with Monday's matchup against the Boston Bruins. Josh Norris (undisclosed) and JJ Peterka (lower body) are also nursing injuries, although one of them may be ready to return on Monday and fill Kulich's spot in the lineup. Both players are considered day-to-day.Source: Heather Engel
23 hours agoNew York Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech (lower body) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Florida Panthers. He is a no go against the reigning Stanley Cup champions due to a lower-body injury. Adam Boqvist (upper body) also remains out, meaning Mike Reilly (heart) is poised to re-enter the lineup. Reilly was diagnosed with a heart condition early in the season and has not played since Nov. 1. The 31-year-old has made 11 appearances in 2024-25, going scoreless with 15 shots and a plus-one rating. The Islanders will partner Reilly with Scott Mayfield on the third defensive pairing.Source: Andrew Gross
23 hours agoEdmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's matchup against the New York Rangers. The 32-year-old played only 10:36 against the New York Islanders on Friday and has been left nursing an undisclosed injury. However, Hyman participated in Sunday's morning skate, which suggests that he may be able to play against the Rangers. Hyman had a big three-point performance last weekend against the Dallas Stars, but these are his only points this month. He has posted 22 goals and 37 points in 61 games across the year.Source: NHL.com
23 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bailey Falter (general soreness) is scheduled to take the mound for Monday's spring training contest. The left-hander was scratched ahead of his start on Thursday due to general soreness. The team gave Falter a few days to rest and that appears to have helped as the southpaw is ready to take the mound again. Falter was a decent option for the Pirates last season. He posted a 4.43 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 97/45 K/BB ratio across 28 starts with the Pirates.Source: Noah Hiles
24 hours agoSan Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish (fatigue) will have his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday pushed back for a day or two. That being said, Darvish won't take the mound for Tuesday's scheduled start. Right now, the Padres aren't too concerned and will just give Darvish some time to rest. The injury bug continues to hold back the right-hander who hasn't made 30 starts in a single season since 2022. It doesn't sound like the team is discussing placing Darvish on the injured list. For now, Darvish should be considered as day-to-day until the team re-evaluates the situation in a few days.Source: Kevin Acee
24 hours agoNew York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) won't make his scheduled spring training start on Monday. The right-hander will have his start pushed back after Schmidt experienced shoulder soreness. It doesn't sound like the organization plans to do any testing. Instead, Schmidt will still throw on Monday, so they'll likely wait and see how he feels after that. The Yankees can't afford to lose another starting pitcher with Gerrit Cole (elbow) already done for the season. For now, Schmidt should be considered day-to-day, but shoulder problems are always a concern for pitchers.Source: Bryan Hoch
24 hours agoNew York Yankees relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. (back) is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. The right-hander threw a bullpen session on Sunday. Leiter reportedly felt good as he continues to recover from a back issue that has slowed him down over the last week or so. The 34-year-old posted a 4.50 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 86/22 K/BB ratio across 60 games with the Chicago Cubs and Yankees last season. The expectation is that Leiter will be used in a high-leverage role. However, Leiter will lack fantasy value in most leagues because he won't see regular save chances.Source: Bryan Hoch
24 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher David Bednar is expected to be the primary closing option for the team heading into the regular season. However, Pirates' manager Derek Shelton has made it clear that there isn't an official closer right now. The assumption is that Bednar will get the first crack at saves considering he's a two-time All-Star in that role. However, he struggled last season with a 5.77 ERA across 62 appearances. It hasn't gone any better for him in spring training with a 14.40 ERA across five outings. The right-hander could quickly be removed from high leverage spots if he continues to struggle early in the season. The team will likely use a committee approach if Bednar struggles, so there's no clear fantasy option right now.Source: Noah Hiles
1 day agoLos Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) could begin the regular season on the injured list. Moncada was scratched ahead of Friday's game due to a sore thumb. At first glance, the Angels thought it was a day-to-day issue, but it appears to be more serious than that. The Angels haven't given a timetable for Moncada, but it wouldn't be shocking to see him sidelined to begin the season. The injury to Moncada probably means Tim Anderson gets more time at second base with Luis Rengifo likely sliding over to third base.Source: Jeff Fletcher
1 day agoThe Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with former Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Keith Taylor on an undisclosed contract. Taylor spent the last two seasons with Kansas City after being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The 26-year-old notched five tackles in 11 appearances with the Chiefs in 2024. However, Taylor took only 11% of the team's defensive snaps and 47% of the special teams variety. The Washington product had more defensive experience with the Panthers during his stint in Carolina, recording 67 tackles (one for a loss) and six pass breakups in 34 games. He's likely to serve as depth for the organization behind A.J. Terrell and Mike Hughes.Source: Terrin Waack
1 day agoThe Atlanta Falcons have re-signed offensive lineman Storm Norton to an undisclosed deal. Norton is entering his seventh season in the league and third with Atlanta. The Falcons signed the 30-year-old off the New Orleans Saints practice squad in September of 2023, and he'd go on to appear in 31 games over the following two seasons (four starts). The former undrafted free agent played 11% of Atlanta's offensive snaps in 2024 and 18% of their special teams snaps, though he did start for the team in Week 4 against the Saints instead of tackle Kaleb McGary, who was benched with a knee injury. The Falcons have returned all but one starter from a season ago (center Drew Dalman), so Norton projects to continue serving as a depth piece for the team.Source: Terrin Waack
1 day agoThe Los Angeles Rams have agreed to re-sign running back Ronnie Rivers to a one-year deal. The contract amount has not been disclosed. Rivers has spent the last three seasons with LA, though he never garnered more than 32 carries despite appearing in 34 games since 2022. He's a versatile back and profiles to be a solid handcuff if ever called upon in that capacity. However, he's more of an asset on special teams for the Rams, piling up 75.7% of his 2024 snaps in that phase of the game. The 26-year-old will continue to vie for offensive snaps with backup Blake Corum behind incumbent starter Kyren Williams. Rivers can currently be ignored for fantasy purposes.Source: Wyatt Miller
1 day agoChicago White Sox right-handed pitching prospect Mason Adams (shoulder) was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He does not have a definite timetable. Adams exited Saturday's spring training contest due to discomfort in his elbow. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but given this report, he will likely be sidelined for at least a few weeks. Adams was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will now most likely begin the season in the minor leagues. Last summer, Adams began his campaign with Double-A and held a strong 2.44 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP across 103 1/3 innings. During this stint, he tallied 101 punchouts with 19 walks. He was then promoted to Triple-A, where he allowed 11 earned runs across 17 innings of work. When he returns to the bump, he should compete for an MLB debut later in the season.Source: Scott Merkin
1 day agoThe Chicago White Sox released outfielder Joey Gallo. The White Sox signed Gallo to a minor-league contract earlier in the winter. During spring training, he went 2-for-20 at the plate. Last season, Gallo spent the campaign in Washington. Across 76 MLB contests, Gallo held a .161/.277/.336 slash line with nine doubles and 10 home runs. He drew walks at an impressive 12.3 percent rate but struck out at a high 39.2 percent rate. Gallo also generated a low .285 xwOBA with a .173 xBA. During the 2023 campaign, the 31-year-old logged 111 starts with the Minnesota Twins and posted a .177/.301/.440 line with 21 home runs. If Gallo does find a new club before Opening Day, he should not be targeted in any formats given his lack of consistency in the major leagues.Source: Scott Merkin
1 day agoChicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Sean Burke will get the starting nod on Opening Day against the Los Angeles Angels. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut late in the 2024 campaign and has already moved to the top of the rotation. During his brief 19-inning taste of the majors, Burke posted a 1.42 ERA with a strong 1.00 WHIP. He tallied 22 punchouts and held a modest 9.2 percent walk rate. He also generated a high 40.4 percent hard-hit rate with an 8.5 percent barrel rate, which suggests he may face some regression during the 2025 campaign. At the Triple-A level, the 25-year-old held a 4.61 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP across 64 1/3 innings. Across this stint, the Maryland product tallied 86 strikeouts and served up 36 walks. He should be viewed as a high-risk play in DFS and should only be started in deeper AL-only formats.Source: Scott Merkin
1 day agoSan Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (back) is expected to remain sidelined for a few more days. Lee was scratched on Saturday due to back soreness. It appears that this injury is still bothering him and the team will opt to exercise caution during the final weeks of spring training. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he faces a setback. Lee made his MLB debut last season but it was cut short as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury after 37 contests. During this brief stint, Lee held a .262/.310/.331 line. He generated a strong .278 xBA, which suggests that he could see some positive regression during the 2025 campaign. When healthy, Lee is expected to have an everyday spot in the starting nine and is a viable late-round option when looking to boost your batting average production.Source: Shayna Rubin
1 day agoPhiladelphia Phillies outfielder Max Kepler (undisclosed) exited Sunday's contest after colliding with the left field wall. He was replaced by Christian Arroyo. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team will likely provide an update after the contest. However, he was able to exit the game on his own power, which is a positive sign. Earlier in the winter, the Phillies signed Kepler to a one-year deal worth $10 million. When healthy, he will likely be on the strong side of a platoon in left field alongside Brandon Marsh. Last season, Kepler posted a .253/.302/.380 slash line with 21 doubles and eight home runs. He generated a modest .247 xBA with a .381 xSLG. If Kepler were to miss time early in the season, Marsh would likely have a full-time role in left field.Source: Todd Zolecki
1 day agoMinnesota Twins pitching prospect Eiberson Castellano could earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. Given the numerous injuries to Minnesota's bullpen, including Brock Stewart (knee), Justin Topa (shoulder) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder), Castellano could be a favorite to begin the season in the major leagues. Last season, the 23-year-old began the season by making his High-A debut and he was able to finish the campaign with Double-A. Across 63 1/3 innings at High-A, Castellano held a 4.12 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. He tallied 86 punchouts and served up 20 walks. At Double-A, Castellano logged 40 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.79 ERA and a strong 0.99 WHIP. At this level, the No. 13 ranked prospect in the system only served up nine free passes and tallied 50 punchouts. If he were to make the Opening Day roster, he will likely have a middle-relief role in the bullpen.Source: Bobby Nightengale
1 day agoColorado Rockies manager Bud Black announced on Sunday that left-hander Kyle Freeland will start on Opening Day on March 28 against the Tampa Bay Rays on the road. It will be Freeland's fourth career Opening Day nod for the Rockies. While Freeland should go ignored in most mixed fantasy leagues in 2025, he could be worth a look as a cheap DFS play in his first start of 2025 against Tampa. The 31-year-old veteran southpaw only made 21 starts (113 1/3 innings) in 2024 due to injuries and had a second straight season with an ERA above 5.00 while also posting a 1.41 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 26 walks. He can have the occasional solid performance, but Freeland has mostly been inconsistent in his time in Colorado and has given fantasy managers headaches in deeper leagues with his lack of command. He has a career 4.48 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with a below-average 17.2 percent strikeout rate.Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
1 day agoMinnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (leg) exited Sunday's contest with an apparent leg injury. The infielder sustained this injury while running to first base. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status as the team will likely provide an update after the game. This is not a good sign as Lewis has had his fair share of injuries and could be in danger of missing time early in the 2025 campaign. Last season, the former first overall pick appeared in just 82 games and held a .233/.295/.452 slash line with 16 doubles and 16 home runs. He generated a strong 11.2 percent barrel rate with a 73.3 mph bat speed. However, he drew walks at a modest 8.6 percent rate and struck out at a high 22.8 percent rate. If Lewis were to miss time, fantasy managers should expect Willi Castro or Brooks Lee to see opportunities at the hot corner.Source: Betsy Helfand
1 day agoBaltimore Orioles infielder Ramon Urias (hamstring) is expected to return to the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the division-rival New York Yankees after an off day on Wednesday, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The 30-year-old veteran has been dealing with some minor hamstring soreness of late but should be ready to go later in the week. If shortstop Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) is forced to open the year on the injured list, Urias would likely start at second base for the Orioles, with young infielder Jackson Holliday likely shifting to the 6. If all of Baltimore's infielders are healthy, Urias profiles as a bench player in 2025 who can fill in at second or third base when needed. The Mexican infielder hit .254/.322/.423 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI and 39 runs scored in 100 games in his fifth year with the team in 2024. Given his lack of playing time, Urias is only an option in AL-only leagues.Source: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
1 day agoBaltimore Orioles third baseman Emmanuel Rivera (shoulder) is dealing with a sore left shoulder at camp, according to MASN's Roch Kubatko. Rivera first felt his shoulder while swinging a bat in Dunedin on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays and will need a couple more days to recover, according to manager Brandon Hyde. It's not a serious injury for the 28-year-old, so it would be a surprise if he's not ready to go by Opening Day on March 27. When healthy, Rivera will merely be a backup option for the Orioles behind Jordan Westburg at third base and Ryan Mountcastle at first base in 2025. The Miami Marlins designated him for assignment last year after a rough season in which he hit .214/.294/.269. He was eventually claimed by the O's and hit .313 with four homers and 14 RBI in just 27 games to close out the year.Source: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
1 day agoNew York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that infield prospect Ronny Mauricio (knee) will not play in a Grapefruit League game before spring training comes to a close. The skipper also said he "misspoke" earlier this spring when he said that Mauricio would probably play by mid-March. The 23-year-old had surgery to fix a torn ACL in December of 2023 and was unable to play at all last year after he had another surgery last August. He remains the recovery process and will get a delayed start to the 2025 campaign. When Mauricio is finally cleared to play in games, he'll most likely start in the minor leagues. While Mauricio was hitting the ball as hard as anyone in Triple-A before his injury in 2023, he's only a stash candidate in dynasty/keeper leagues. Until the young infielder can show better discipline at the plate, he'll be a boom/bust fantasy infielder.Source: New York Post - Mike Puma