5 hours agoMajor League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said that Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is expected to be included in the 2025 international amateur signing class as a free agent. It means that Sasaki will be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines after Dec. 2 and will not sign with an MLB team before Jan. 15. The international signing period each year goes from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15, with all teams having 45 days to negotiate with a player from Japan once he's posted. If no deal happens within 45 days, the player is returned to Nippon Professional Baseball. Sasaki can only sign a minor-league deal because he's under the age of 25 and didn't play six seasons professionally in Japan. The 23-year-old has an incredibly high ceiling given his arsenal that includes a triple-digit fastball, filthy splitter and elite slider. The Dodgers are considered the favorites land him after signing
Shohei Ohtani and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Evan Drellich
5 hours agoSeattle Seahawks wide receiver
Laviska Shenault Jr. (back) did not practice on Wednesday. The fifth-year receiver injured his back during last Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. As of now, his status for Week 12 is up in the air, but Wednesday's absence isn't a good sign. Regardless of whether Shenault suits up this week against the Arizona Cardinals, he should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: John Boyle
6 hours agoThe Detroit Tigers signed infielder/outfielder
Jahmai Jones to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to camp. The 27-year-old last played with the Yankees in 2024, having logged just 47 plate appearances this season in 33 games, slashing .238/.304/.381 before he was sent down to Triple-A in August for the rest of the season. The former second-round draft pick hit well at Triple-A, batting .304 with an .880 OPS while adding 10 steals in 34 games, and owns a career slashline of .259/.351/.756 in the minors, but has yet to translate that to the big leagues. There are financial incentives in his contract if he makes the big league roster out of camp, but regardless, he'd likely be no more than a platoon player. If Jones were able to work his way into an everyday role, then presumably he'd be hitting and, combined with his speed, he could be an impactful fantasy asset. But that is a big 'if' at this point.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Evan Petzold - Detroit Free Press
6 hours agoFree-agent utility man
Nate Eaton signed a minor-league deal with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source. If Eaton joins the 40-man roster, the MLB side of his contract is worth $780,000. He will turn 28 years old in December and played in a total of 72 games with the Kansas City Royals in 2022 and 2023, slashing just .201/.266/.283 with a weak .549 OPS, a homer, 13 RBI, 14 steals and 18 runs scored in 178 trips to the plate. The 27-year-old will most likely start the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester. The former 21st-round pick in 2018 out of Virginia Military Institute played in 116 games at Triple-A Omaha in 2024 and hit .252 (108-for-428) with 16 home runs, 60 RBI and 27 stolen bases. If he returns to the majors in 2025, it will likely be in a bench role.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
6 hours agoThe Athletics avoided salary arbitration with outfielder/first baseman
Seth Brown on Wednesday, agreeing to terms on an undisclosed one-year contract for the 2025 campaign. Brown made $2.6 million in 2024 and provided a .231/.283/.379 slash line with a below-average .662 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, four stolen bases and 32 runs scored in 400 plate appearances and 124 games in his sixth season with the organization. The 32-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran will remain with the club as they transition to playing their home games in Sacramento in 2025 and figures to play a platoon role against right-handed pitching. He actually had a lower average (.229) against lefties than righties last season but hit 13 of his 14 round-trippers against righties. Brown will mostly be an AL-only outfielder for depth given his limited upside on one of the weakest teams in baseball.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: A's Communications
6 hours agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale won the NL Cy Young Award on Wednesday, the first time the 35-year-old has won the award in his 15-year career, despite finishing in the top five in six consecutive seasons from 2013-18. The lefty went 18-3 while posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 26.5% K-BB% while earning a trip to the All-Star game for the eighth time. The veteran also won his first career Gold Glove award in 2024. It looks like the Braves won this trade with the Red Sox, as
Vaughn Grissom was sent to the Red Sox in exchange for Sale, and Grissom played just 31 games this season due to injury, posting just a .190/.246/.219. Hopefully Sale's injury issues are behind him and he can continue to pitch a few more years with this type of effectiveness before any age-related decline kicks in. The southpaw was quite the value in fantasy drafts in 2024, but he will cost much more in 2025.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
6 hours agoBaltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken acknowledged last week that the team has had a tough time finding ways to involve new wide receiver
Diontae Johnson into their offense after acquiring him at the trade deadline from the Carolina Panthers. ESPN's Dan Graziano gets the sense that Baltimore considered Johnson too good of a player to pass on at the price that the Panthers were asking. He also gives the Ravens an option to use more three-receiver sets than they typically utilize if they want to go in that direction. Baltimore doesn't roll with many three-receiver sets, though, and aren't expected to have a major midseason scheme shakeup, which means that Johnson could just end up being a veteran insurance policy for top receiver
Zay Flowers. He has only one catch on four targets for six yards in his three games with the Ravens and should be left on benches in Week 12 versus the Chargers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
7 hours agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers have brought new wide receiver
Mike Williams along slowly after acquiring him at the trade deadline from the New York Jets, but they expect him to have a role for them at some point and are planning to get him more involved in the offense in the coming weeks. Williams entered the game due to an injury to
Calvin Austin III to catch the game-winning touchdown pass in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders and was even more limited in the Week 11 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. ESPN's Dan Graziano doesn't expect Williams to do much on Thursday night against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, though, on a short week with potentially bad weather in Cleveland. The 30-year-old played 12% of the snaps in Week 10 and 32% last week, catching a combined one pass on one target for 32 yards and a touchdown.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
7 hours agoDetroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal won the AL Cy Young Award on Wednesday, the first time the 28-year-old has won the award. The lefty dominated in his 15 starts in 2023 after his return from Tommy John surgery and backed it up with a full season of dominance in 2024. The southpaw went 18-4 while posting a 2.39 ERA -- FIP, xFIP, and SIERA were all under 3.00 as well -- with a 0.92 WHIP, and an elite 25.6% K-BB% in 31 starts (192 IP). The former ninth-round draft pick also made it to his first All-Star game this season. He'll certainly cost quite a bit more in 2025 fantasy drafts than he did this year, but so long as he can stay healthy, he has the repertoire to deliver on a high draft-day price tag.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: MLB
7 hours agoLos Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) could be considered week-to-week after he was hurt in the Sunday night win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. Perryman is getting second opinions on his groin this week and could be forced to miss the Monday night showdown against the Baltimore Ravens to close out Week 12 action. The Chargers won't have their first official practice of the week until Thursday, where it's likely Perryman will be listed as a DNP. Losing the 31-year-old veteran linebacker for a date against a high-octane offense like the Ravens would be a key blow to the Bolts' defense this week. In 10 games for the Chargers so far in 2024, Perryman has been productive with 54 tackles (38 solo) and one sack.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
7 hours agoPhiladelphia 76ers forward
Paul George (knee) exited Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies and did not return to the Sixers' 117-111 loss. George hyperextended his left knee, the same one he injured during the preseason. As of now, there have been no further comments from the team on the severity of George's injury, but fantasy managers should prepare for the 34-year-old to miss some time. In his absence, expect
Kelly Oubre Jr. to be inserted back into the starting lineup. Oubre has averaged 13.4 points this season, though he averaged 18 PPG during the first five games of the season when George was out. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on George's status going forward and should snag Oubre off the waiver wire if possible.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Shams Charania
7 hours agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Detroit Lions didn't acquire pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith at the trade deadline this year to replace Aidan Hutchinson (leg), who is out for the rest of the season. Instead, the Lions expect the 32-year-old veteran to be a key complementary player on their defensive line. The Lions will rely heavily on defensive tackles Alim McNeill and DJ Reader to generate a pass rush, while Smith and Josh Paschal start on the outside. Smith played 37 defensive snaps in his first game with the team in the Week 11 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, generating half a sack. Fowler expects Detroit to continue to be smart about Smith's snaps, which means fantasy managers in IDP leagues should temper expectations. The Lions are going to need a total team effort to replace Hutchinson's All-Pro production.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
7
hours
agoThe
Chicago
Cubs
acquired
catcher
Matt
Thaiss
on
Wednesday
from
the
Los
Angeles
Angels
for
cash
considerations,
while
RHP
Trey
Wingenter
was
designated
for
assignment
(DFA)
in
a
corresponding
move.
A
week
ago,
Thaiss
was
DFAd
after
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7 hours agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler likes Denver Broncos rookie quarterback
Bo Nix to have another big day for his fantasy managers in the Week 12 divisional matchup against a depleted Las Vegas Raiders defense. Nix has become the first rookie QB since
Justin Herbert with multiple games with at least a 75 percent completion percentage and at least three touchdown passes. The 24-year-old from Oregon had the best game of his career in the Week 11 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns. He was already trending up in fantasy heading into last week's game, but after that performance, he should be rostered in pretty much all fantasy leagues. Vegas' D has been a top-10 fantasy matchup for QBs all year and they've given up the most fantasy points to the position in the last three weeks. Nix is a firm QB1 as Denver looks to sweep their division rivals in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
7 hours agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Elijah Moore is a sleeper for WR2 duty heading into a divisional showdown in primetime on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off Week 12 action. Moore has had 29 targets the last three weeks with quarterback
Jameis Winston running the offense. He had 66 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the year in the Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints. At 2-8 on the year, Fowler sees no reason why the Browns will stray from a high-volume passing attack with Winston in a tough matchup against the visiting Steelers this week. There's no arguing that Cleveland's pass-catchers have become more interesting with Winston under center, but the matchup certainly isn't ideal for fantasy purposes against a top defense with nasty weather expected.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
7 hours agoESPN's Dan Graziano thinks New York Giants rookie running back
Tyrone Tracy Jr. could have a big Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to RBs this year. Although Tracy had a costly overtime fumble in the Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Germany before their Week 11 bye, the rookie did have his third 100-yard rushing performance as well. The fumble shouldn't affect his role moving forward, with Graziano writing that the Giants see him as a more dynamic option than
Devin Singletary in an offense that is turning to
Tommy Devito under center moving forward. It wouldn't be a surprise for the G-Men to lean on the ground game as much as possible this week against Tampa. Tracy should be viewed as a high-end RB2 for fantasy managers in a week with six teams on bye.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
7 hours agoPortland Trail Blazers guard
Scoot Henderson (quadriceps) left Wednesday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder and will not return, according to the team. Henderson exited in the middle of the third quarter with what the team is describing as a left-quadriceps contusion. The 20-year-old has averaged 11.5 points per game in his sophomore season. If Henderson is forced to miss time, expect
Dalano Banton to pick up extra minutes.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Portland Trail Blazers
7 hours agoHouston Texans defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. (hip) logged a limited session in the team's first practice of the week. The former third-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft has been battling a hip ailment for the last two weeks, though it didn't stop him from suiting up in Week 11's 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, Stingley Jr. began last week as a DNP before elevating his practice status over the ensuing two days and entering the weekend without a designation. Houston is likely giving the 23-year-old a bit of rest after he recorded two tackles and an interception -- his second of the season -- on his highest total snap count of the season (74). He's likely not in danger of missing the Texans' Week 12 tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Still, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his practice participation over the next two days.
--Alex CiullaSource: Houston Texans
8 hours agoLas Vegas Raiders tight end
Harrison Bryant (ankle) was labeled as a DNP on Wednesday for the team's first practice of the week. Bryant did not suit up for the Raiders' Week 11 outing against the Miami Dolphins, and it's the third time he was listed as a non-participant dating back to last Wednesday while battling through an ankle injury. Second-year tight end
Michael Mayer returned to action against Miami after a lengthy absence and participated in 52% of Las Vegas' snaps, so it's likely that when Bryant is active, he'll be back to playing third fiddle in the TE room. Still, with standout rookie tight end
Brock Bowers garnering 26.4% of the team's targets, Mayer and Bryant will just be vying for the scraps.
--Alex CiullaSource: Las Vegas Raiders
8 hours agoAtlanta Hawks forward
Jalen Johnson (leg) is active for Wednesday night's game against the Golden State Warriors. Johnson missed Monday night's game with leg inflammation but will be back in action against a fast-paced Warriors team that is prone to giving up points in the paint. With the 22-year-old averaging 19.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG and 5.4 APG he remains a must start in all fantasy formats. DFS managers need to find a way to get Johnson into their lineups as well. The forward has the potential to make a large impact on Wednesday night in a game with a high expected total.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Hawks
8 hours agoWashington Commanders tight end
Ben Sinnott (illness) was a limited participant in their first practice of Week 12. The 22-year-old has been active for every game this season, and while he isn't in danger of missing his first contest just yet, we'll see if he can improve his practice status leading up to the Commanders' home matchup against their division-rival Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Fellow tight end
Zach Ertz (NIR) was tagged with a DNP, but it's apparently just a day of rest for the veteran. The rookie has seen his snap share dwindle over the previous few weeks, logging his lowest total of the season in last weekend's 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (9%). Still, he's reeled in all three of his targets in 2024 for 18 yards and a touchdown. If Sinnott can't play, Ertz and
John Bates will pick up the slack as the only other active tight ends on the roster.
--Alex CiullaSource: Washington Commanders
8 hours agoArizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado (shoulder) was a limited participant in the team's first practice after their Week 11 bye. The TCU product evidently picked up a shoulder issue at some point between Arizona's 31-6 victory over the New York Jets in Week 10 and Wednesday's practice, but that he could log a limited session suggests it might not be that serious. The Cards have a divisional clash on tap with the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, and the 25-year-old will have two more opportunities to elevate his practice status before the team must label him with a designation for the Week 12 road tilt. Rookie running back
Trey Benson has seen his snap and opportunity share increase over the team's last few games and would be in line for more work behind lead back
James Conner if Demercado can't suit up.
--Alex CiullaSource: Arizona Cardinals
8 hours agoSan Antonio Spurs center
Zach Collins (knee) is questionable heading into Thursday night's matchup against the Utah Jazz. Collins is dealing with left knee tendinitis but hasn't missed a game yet this season. The 27-year-old has made two straight starts filling in for
Victor Wembanyama who will miss his third straight game on Thursday. Collins has notched 20 and 12 points in his two starts while grabbing six and seven boards. If active, fantasy managers should expect Collins to be in double-digits again. If he's not active, expect
Charles Bassey to get the start.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
8 hours agoAustin Eckroat walked away as the champion at the World Wide Technology Championships two weeks ago. Now, he is set to tee it up at the Seaside Island Golf Club for this week's RSM Classic. Last year, Eckroat finished tied for eighth at the RSM Classic. Over the past 12 months, he has ranked in the 46th percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots from 100-150 yards in the fairway. This is significant because more than 30% of approach shots at last year's RSM Classic were from this distance. Given Eckroat's recent performance and his track record at this event, he could be a valuable addition to DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
8 hours agoHarris English finished tied for 14th place two weeks ago at the World Wide Technology Championships and is back in action this week for the RSM Classic at Seaside Island Golf Club. He has achieved two top-10 finishes in his last three tournaments and has recorded three consecutive top-20 finishes. Last year at the RSM Classic, over 30% of approach shots came from 100 to 150 yards. Over the past year, English ranks in the sixth percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots taken from this distance while in the fairway. While he has been playing well recently, including him in DFS lineups this week might carry some risk.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
8 hours agoBen Griffin finished in eighth place at last week's Butterfield Bermuda Championship and has now achieved three consecutive top-25 finishes, along with four in his last five tournaments. He is now focusing on preparing for the upcoming RSM Classic, which will take place at Seaside Island Golf Club. Last year at the RSM Classic, over 30% of approach shots came from 100-150 yards out. In the past 12 months, Griffin has ranked in the 65th percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots in the fairway from that distance. Given Griffin's recent form, he could be a valuable addition to DFS lineups.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
8 hours agoDenny McCarthy is set to return to competition for the first time since August as he will tee it up in the RSM Classic, where he finished tied for fifth last year. McCarthy had an impressive 2024 season, concluding it ranked 35th in the final FedEx Cup standings. As he prepares for this week's RSM Classic at the Sea Island Golf Club, it's notable that he ranks in the 51st percentile for proximity to the hole on approach shots from 100 to 150 yards in the fairway over the past 12 months. This is significant since over 30% of the approach shots at last year's event came from this range. He could be a valuable addition to DFS lineups this week.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
8 hours agoThe Cleveland Browns defense will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at home in Week 12's Thursday night game. Pittsburgh's offense has not been generous to fantasy defenses this season as they are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game thus far. The weather on Thursday night is expected to be cold and rainy, which may serve to benefit the defenses of both teams but Cleveland will be hard to trust in Week 12.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
8 hours agoChicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (foot) is expected to miss at least a week with inflammation in his surgically repaired left foot. Per Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, the team needs to let the inflammation fully calm down which will result in Williams being out at least a week and potentially longer. Donovan also stated that the inflammation Williams is experiencing is a normal byproduct of ramping up after the 23-year-old didn't play much five-on-five in the offseason. With Williams expected to miss time, fantasy managers should turn their sights to
Torrey Craig who drew the start on Wednesday in Chicago's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Craig hasn't played much this season but is a prototypical "three and D" type player and shot 39.2% from three with the Bulls last season.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: K.C. Johnson
8 hours agoCleveland Browns kicker
Dustin Hopkins struggled in a Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints, missing two of his four field-goal attempts. He will look to bounce back at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. The Steelers have been a difficult matchup for kickers in fantasy this season, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. With six misses on 20 field-goal attempts this season, Hopkins is not a recommended fantasy option for Week 12's slate of games.
--Matt T - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
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