2 years agoHouston Astros starter Cristian Javier was masterful Wednesday afternoon when his team edged out the Detroit Tigers 2-1. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings, striking out eight, walking none, and allowing just two hits to earn his ninth win of the season. Javier has made 22 starts this year while appearing out of the bullpen five times, producing a 2.87 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 173 strikeouts across 131.2 innings. He's one of many Astros starters with strong numbers, and he should remain a great fantasy asset as the season comes to an end.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoIndianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (quadriceps) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday. Pittman's injury isn't viewed as too serious, as he was able to play 98% of the offensive snaps in the Week 1 tie with the Houston Texans. He caught nine of his 13 targets for 121 yards and a touchdown to kick off the regular season. The 24-year-old should remain in starting lineups in all leagues as a WR1 as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks later this week.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Colts Twitter

2 years agoDetroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. It remains to be seen if this is a serious enough injury to keep Swift from playing in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders. If you have Swift rostered, it's time to immediately run to the waiver wire and grab his backup, Jamaal Williams, if he's available in your league. We'll have to monitor Swift's status the rest of the week to determine if there's a realistic chance that he might sit this Sunday. If he's inactive, Williams would immediately become a plug-and-play RB2 for fantasy managers. Even while sharing the backfield with Swift in the Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams had 11 carries for 28 yards and two touchdowns while playing 33% of the snaps.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard

2 years agoPittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (foot) was limited in practice on Wednesday after suffering a foot injury in the Week 1 overtime win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Harris said "it's good" and doesn't seem to be worried at all about missing Week 2 against the New England Patriots. However, head coach Mike Tomlin said he wants to see more from Harris this week before his status is determined for Sunday. "Naj is really optimistic," said Tomlin. "It's good to be young. He appears to be in position, but he's going to have to practice and prove his readiness." The 24-year-old apparently aggravated a Lisfranc injury that he dealt with in training camp. As long as Harris doesn't suffer a setback later this week, there's a good chance he'll suit up in Week 2, where he'll be a must-start fantasy back. Those that have Harris rostered should scoop up rookie Jaylen Warren off the waiver wire as insurance.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Steelers.com - Teresa Varley

2 years agoBoston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story (heel) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival New York Yankees. Story hasn't played since leaving the game early on Sunday due to left heel pain, but the team thinks there's a good chance he'll return on Friday after an off day on Thursday. In his first year in Beantown, the 29-year-old is hitting .238/.303/.434 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 53 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 357 at-bats. Enrique Hernandez is getting the start at the keystone and is batting eighth on Wednesday against Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes. Hernandez hasn't done much for fantasy managers in 2022, but he has been better against lefties this year, with four of his six long balls coming against them.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoAtlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (oblique) strained his left oblique while pitching for Triple-A Gwinnett on Sept. 8 and will be out at least a month. It basically rules out any chance that he could have returned to Atlanta's rotation for the end of the regular season and even possibly the postseason now. Anderson was demoted to the minors last month when the Braves acquired righty Jake Odorizzi from the Houston Astros at the trade deadline. The 24-year-old had a 5.00 ERA (4.25 FIP), 1.51 WHIP and 97 K's in 22 starts for the Braves before being demoted. In his four starts at Gwinnett he hasn't been any better, surrendering 13 earned runs on 25 hits while walking 10 and striking out 23 in 21 2/3 frames.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - David O'Brien

2 years agoCleveland Guardians outfielder Oscar Gonzalez is enjoying a solid rookie campaign, including a big day on Wednesday when he was 3-for-4 with a solo home run to help beat the Los Angeles Angels 5-3. He's now 12 for his last 27 at-bats and is hitting .298 on the season. Gonzalez has also displayed some power, slugging nine homers over 70 games and has added 26 runs, 35 RBI and one stolen base. If the 24-year-old is still on the waiver wire, fantasy managers may want to make a play as he's one of the best under-the-radar multi-category contributors and gets consistent playing time.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoThe Tampa Bay Rays are set to reinstate left-hander Shane McClanahan (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to have him start on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. McClanahan was eyeing a Thursday start after he threw a successful 50-pitch simulated game last Friday. The 25-year-old All-Star didn't make a minor league rehab start, though, so he could be on a shorter leash in his first big-league start since Aug. 30. Fantasy managers should be stoked about his return for the final stretch of the regular season, though. Before his injury, McClanahan was one of the best pitchers in all of baseball in 2022, going 11-5 with a 2.20 ERA (2.64 FIP), a 0.86 WHIP, 182 strikeouts and 30 walks in 147 1/3 innings over 24 starts in his second MLB season.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin

2 years agoBaltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals and left-hander Patrick Corbin. Mullins is an everyday fantasy player, but he's struggled against southpaws this year, going 33-for-163 (.203) with three of his 14 home runs, 12 RBI and 44 strikeouts against them. With the 27-year-old getting a day of rest, Ryan McKenna will man center field for the O's and bat seventh in the lineup against Corbin. On the season, McKenna is hitting .245/.303/.353 with only two home runs, 11 RBI, 22 runs scored and two stolen bases in 139 at-bats. In nine plate appearances over seven games so far this month, he has a single and three strikeouts. McKenna is a low-upside DFS dart throw.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger (back) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres. Haniger suffered a back injury on Sunday and may not be able to return to the lineup until after an off day on Thursday for the start of a weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. The oft-injured 31-year-old veteran is hitting .233/.288/.399 with seven home runs, 23 RBI and 19 runs scored in only 163 at-bats on the season. Sam Haggerty will get another start in right field on Wednesday and will hit eighth against Padres right-hander Mike Clevinger. Haggerty went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in a start on Tuesday, and he's hitting just .188 (3-for-16) with a homer and two RBI in 10 games so far in September.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 years agoPittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds recorded a pair of hits Wednesday when his club defeated the Cincinnati Reds 10-4. Both his hits were singles, and he scored a run over five at-bats. The game marks Reynolds' third multi-hit game in his last four contests, and he's hitting .300 over his past seven. On the season, the 27-year-old's slashing .257/.337/.451 with 23 HRs, 54 RBI, 63 runs, and six stolen bases in 127 games. It isn't quite the season Reynolds had in 2021, but it's still enough production for fantasy managers to justify starting him.--Spencer Seguin - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos All-Pro safety Justin Simmons (thigh) will miss "some time," according to head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Simmons finished the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday with a thigh injury that he suffered in the second half. The 28-year-old is a huge part of Denver's defense, so this is a notable loss as they head into a Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans. He recorded nine tackles on 49 defensive snaps in the season opener. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues that were rolling with Simmons as their starting defensive back will now have to go in another direction. With Simmons out a while, the Broncos will look for names like P.J. Locke, Caden Sterns and Delarrin Turner-Yell to step up at safety.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - James Palmer

2 years agoIn all likelihood, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (knee) will need at least another week before he makes his 2022 debut. Head coach Mike McCarthy said the hope is that Gallup can go from doing individual drills last week to "group stuff" this week. The 26-year-old has been making good progress after tearing his ACL in January, but he's still not ready to play in games just yet. CeeDee Lamb led Dallas in targets (11) in the Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it was Noah Brown who led the team in catches (five) and receiving yards (68) from the receiver position on nine targets. Rookie Dennis Houston and Simi Fehoko will remain involved as well, but all of the Cowboys offensive skill players will need to be downgraded for the foreseeable future with quarterback Dak Prescott suffering a fractured thumb.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer

2 years agoNew England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (back) was present at practice on Wednesday. Jones dealt with back spasms after the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, but he brushed off the injury and reportedly plans to play in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old will be listed as limited in Wednesday's practice, but he appears to be on track to play this weekend. Jones and the offense couldn't move the ball with any consistency last week, although he was efficient, going 21-for-30 for 213 yards with a TD and interception. The Steelers defense won't have All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt (pectoral) this week, but their defense is still good enough to give Jones and the Pats offense more trouble. Jones is a low-end QB2 play in fantasy.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Providence Journal - Mark Daniels

2 years agoThe Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec thought Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (knee) looked really good in the early portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday, and he was moving around and cutting well. Dobbins, who missed all of 2021 due to a torn ACL, was inactive in the Week 1 win against the New York Jets and isn't a lock to play in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins, either. In Dobbins' absence, Kenyan Drake led the backfield by playing 58.9% of the snaps, with Mike Davis playing only 12.5% and Justice Hill playing 19.6%. Dobbins should be rostered in all fantasy leagues, but he's likely to be questionable in Week 2 and could be a game-time decision. If he makes his season debut against Miami, he'll be a shaky RB3/flex play at risk of having his snaps limited as he's eased into the fold.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec

2 years agoBaltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle took an old friend deep Tuesday night, knocking a solo shot off of former teammate Hunter Harvey in the fifth inning of a 4-3 victory over the Washington Nationals. It's his 22nd home run of the season. Mountcastle reached base four times in this game, going 2-for-3 at the plate with two walks. After a difficult few months, Mountcastle has rebounded with a .289/.360/.600 slash line with four homers in 50 September plate appearances. Fantasy managers are hoping he can finish strong, though this will go down as his least productive season to date.--Doug Goldring - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (calf) had his lower left leg taped during practice on Wednesday, but it's an injury that sounds relatively minor. Evans was off to the side in the first portion of practice devoted to special teams. He could be listed on the injury report later in the day, but it looks like fantasy managers shouldn't have much to worry about. The 29-year-old caught five of his seven targets for 71 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys and remains quarterback Tom Brady's top target, especially with Chris Godwin (hamstring) expected to miss some time after getting hurt in the opener. New Orleans won't be an easy matchup in Week 2, but Evans is a must-start WR1.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine

2 years agoLos Angeles cornerback J.C. Jackson (ankle) is questionable for Thursday night's game against the divisional-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The offseason addition didn't play in the Week 1 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Without Jackson in the lineup, the Chargers couldn't slow down receiver Davante Adams. The veteran receiver had 10 receptions for 141 yards and a touchdown in his Raiders debut. If Jackson isn't able to play, Chiefs wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster becomes a more appealing flex option.--Mike FanelliSource: PFF - Ari Meirov

2 years agoAtlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud is on the bench for a Wednesday matchup with the San Francisco Giants and left-handed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon. The 33-year-old is enjoying a quality season at the plate for both Atlanta and fantasy managers, batting .269 with a .322 on-base percentage and 17 home runs in 369 plate appearances. He'll head to the bench with William Contreras starting behind the plate and batting fifth. Contreras has logged 304 plate appearances for Atlanta in 2022, hitting .268 with a .342 on-base percentage, 17 home runs, and a pair of stolen bases.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves

2 years agoLos Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (hamstring) is officially out for Thursday night's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran suffered the injury last week in the Chargers' 24-19 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. While he held out hope of playing against the Chiefs, the Chargers are being cautious and sitting their top receiver. With a short week, Allen had almost no chance of playing. However, he could be ready to go in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. With Allen out of the lineup, Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, and DeAndre Carter all will see an uptick in snaps and targets tomorrow night.--Mike FanelliSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

2 years agoChicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ took New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom deep Tuesday night, getting the scoring started in an eventual 4-1 victory. Happ went 2-for-4 with the home run and two runs scored. Even after this performance, Happ is slashing just .194/.275/.444 in 40 September plate appearances, so fantasy managers will hope this spurs him into another hot streak. Peaks and valleys are to be expected for Happ, who has been productive all year with an .803 OPS, 17 homers, eight steals, 66 runs scored, and 66 RBI for Chicago.--Doug Goldring - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoChicago Cubs starting pitcher Adrian Sampson earned his second win of the season Tuesday, outdueling Jacob deGrom to help the team beat the New York Mets 4-1. Sampson threw six innings, allowing no runs on two hits and four walks. He struck out three batters. While Sampson does not have a very high fantasy ceiling, he's gone four straight outings without allowing more than two earned runs. Fantasy managers could do worse than to use Sampson and his 3.48 ERA and 1.27 WHIP as a streamer in the right matchups.--Doug Goldring - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoBoston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas isn't in the team's lineup on Wednesday for a matchup with the New York Yankees and left-hander Nestor Cortes. Casas is batting .125 with a .250 on-base percentage, two home runs, and a stolen base in 28 plate appearances for Boston. Instead, Christian Arroyo will hit seventh and start at first base against the Yankees. The 27-year-old is batting .280 with a .323 on-base percentage, six home runs, and five stolen bases in 262 plate appearances this season. He could be worth a look as a streaming option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: Jen McCaffrey

2 years agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins left last week's 23-20 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with a concussion. The third-year receiver had two receptions for 27 yards before leaving the game in the second quarter. While he hasn't cleared the concussion protocol, head coach Zac Taylor said Higgins is making good progress. If he isn't able to play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, Tyler Boyd and Mike Thomas will see an increase in snaps and targets.--Mike FanelliSource: Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith

2 years agoAtlanta Braves relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias earned his ninth hold of the season Tuesday night, delivering a perfect inning of work with one strikeout against the San Francisco Giants. While his fantasy value has declined significantly since being traded from the Los Angeles Angels, Iglesias's performance has maintained. He has a 0.54 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 20 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings for Atlanta. Those numbers make him worth rostering in most fantasy formats regardless of the lack of save opportunities, and he's possibly the best holds option available for fantasy managers in leagues that count the category.--Doug Goldring - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright got yet another win Tuesday night, his 18th of the season, in a 5-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Wright lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out four batters. He has a 3.18 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 158 strikeouts in 164 innings this season. Wright has been a very steady fantasy presence all year for those who picked him up off the wire, and he's in position to continue racking up wins as the Braves push for a division title.--Doug Goldring - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoSan Francisco Giants infielder Thairo Estrada isn't in the starting lineup on Wednesday for a matchup with the Atlanta Braves and right-handed starter Charlie Morton. The 26-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season at the plate for both the Giants and fantasy managers, batting .265 with a .322 on-base percentage, 13 home runs, and 18 stolen bases in 476 plate appearances. Wilmer Flores is starting in his place at second base and batting third against Atlanta. In 529 plate appearances this season, the 30-year-old is batting .233 with a .318 on-base percentage and 18 home runs.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Giants

2 years agoKansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (wrist) was a full participant in practice this week and is off the injury report for Thursday night's matchup against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers. There was little doubt about Mahomes' availability for this game. However, it is still encouraging for him to be off the injury report and not listed as questionable. Even if Mahomes remained on the injury report, fantasy managers should have been confident starting him as a high-end QB1 against the Chargers.--Mike FanelliSource: Chiefs.com

2 years agoAtlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson hit his 20th home run of the season Tuesday, a two-run shot off of San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jakob Junis to help the team to a 5-1 victory. Swanson went 2-for-5 in the game with three RBI. This is the second consecutive season that Swanson has reached this plateau, and with 17 steals to go along with the power numbers, he's been an excellent fantasy option. His production was better to start the season, but being firmly entrenched in the top third of the Atlanta lineup will keep his fantasy value high.--Doug Goldring - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoSan Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart isn't in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday. The Giants will take on the Atlanta Braves and right-handed starter Charlie Morton but will do so with Bart on the bench. In 247 plate appearances for San Francisco this season, the 25-year-old is batting .230 with a .308 on-base percentage, 11 home runs, and a pair of stolen bases. Austin Wynns is catching instead on Wednesday and hitting ninth. Wynns has logged 149 plate appearances for the Giants this season, hitting .222 with a .284 on-base percentage and a home run. Fantasy managers in search of streaming options behind the plate are probably better off looking elsewhere.--Ben Rosener - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Giants