2 years agoPittsburgh Pirates right-hander Luis Ortiz has been called up from the minors and will make his major league debut in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds, according to manager Derek Shelton. Ortiz is the team's No. 30 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and went a combined 5-9 with a 4.56 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 138 strikeouts and 38 walks in 124 1/3 innings over 26 appearances (25 starts) for Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis this year. The 23-year-old can hit the upper-90s with his heater, but he typically sits in the mid-90s with his fastball. Ortiz generates a lot of swings and misses with his out pitch, a slider. Because of how hard he throws, he could eventually be an arm out of the bullpen in a worst-case scenario.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Will Aldrich

2 years agoSeattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (quadriceps) was forced to exit early in Monday's matchup with the Denver Broncos. It was initially reported as a "serious" quad injury, which has since been described as a "torn quad." This certainly aligns with the initial prognosis, creating further concern about the extent of the injury. It's still unclear how long this would sideline the former All-Pro safety and what kind of recovery is involved. This is problematic for the Seahawks, who are lacking proven talent on their defense and gave up over 400 yards of offense last night to the Broncos. It also removes Adams as an option in IDP leagues, at least until we know more about the injury.--Josh Constantinou - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network

2 years agoJacksonville Jaguars running backs Travis Etienne and James Robinson are one of the backfield battles to monitor. In Week 1, the total snaps were nearly even with a 51-49 split in favor of the sophomore. As expected, Robinson accounted for 60% of the carries compared to 30% for Etienne, while the reverse was true of the passing game, where Etienne saw 75% of the long-down and distance work and 100% of the two-minute offense. Perhaps most intriguing is that the 23-year-old received 100% of the short-yardage opportunities. The two project to remain in a timeshare moving forward, making both top-36 options, but Etienne should have better fantasy football production if his role stays the same.--Josh Constantinou - RotoBallerSource: Dwain McFarland - Twitter

2 years agoSan Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (groin) missed Sunday's game against the Bears. The team seemed optimistic that the 28-year-old would suit up, further evidenced by head coach Kyle Shanahan's comment about his availability, "that's why he made the trip." Although he did not play in Week 1, there is hope for a Week 2 return, beginning with practice on Wednesday. Shanahan again discussed his outlook, "I hope he's ready to go (practice) Wednesday, but we're not sure yet." The former All-Pro is a focal point of the 49ers' offense, contributing in all facets of the game. Fantasy managers are wise to have an alternative option for Kittle again in Week 2, with more information expected after practice on Wednesday.--Josh Constantinou - RotoBallerSource: Matt Maiocco - NBC Sports

2 years agoArizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (hamstring) did not play in Sunday's game against the Chiefs. The extent of the injury remains unclear, however, head coach Kliff Kingsbury reported he would attempt to participate in practice on Wednesday so they can evaluate what he is able to do. Despite an underwhelming rookie season, finishing with 54 receptions for 435 yards and one touchdown, the 22-year-old was a popular breakout candidate this year. The Cardinals are in need of offensive weapons, especially at receiver, so his return would greatly benefit the team. He's a player to stash on your bench until we know more about his health.--Josh Constantinou - RotoBallerSource: Darren Urban - Twitter

2 years agoThe Denver Broncos defense/special teams unit was a popular streaming choice in fantasy football in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks and quarterback Geno Smith, but they fell flat in a 17-16 loss on Monday night. Although they only allowed 17 points and 253 total yards of offense on the night, given the opposing QB, more was expected out of them. They forced three fumbles but only recovered one, while defensive end Bradley Chubb notched their only two sacks of Smith in the losing effort. At halftime, Smith was a surprising 17-for-18 on his pass attempts. Both of Smith's passing touchdowns were on busted plays to wide-open tight ends. The Broncos D will have a bounce-back opportunity at home in Week 2 against the Texans, where they'll be on the streaming radar yet again.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos kicker Brandon McManus made three of his four field-goal attempts and his only extra-point try in the team's Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. His only miss was for the win late in the fourth quarter from 64 yards out when the Broncos curiously decided to kick the deep field goal instead of going for it on fourth-and-five with 20 seconds remaining and two timeouts left. The 31-year-old has one of the strongest legs in the NFL and has hit from a similar distance in his career, but it was a head-scratching decision from first-time head coach Nathaniel Hackett nonetheless. Still, McManus finished as a top-10 fantasy kicker in Week 1 and should once again be busy in a Week 2 home matchup against the Houston Texans.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos wide receiver KJ Hamler was barely seen in the season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1 on Monday night. He was only targeted once in the game and hauled it in, but he was out of bounds. Hamler came into this game questionable with knee and hip injuries -- he suffered a torn ACL early in 2021. The 23-year-old third-year wideout is clearly too far down the receiving pecking order in Denver to matter much in fantasy at the moment. Third-string running back Mike Boone, Eric Tomlinson and Eric Saubert all had as many targets as Hamler in this one. Hamler will surely connect deep with quarterback Russell Wilson at some point, but he's impossible to start as the No. 3 WR in Denver.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam was out-gained through the air by fellow tight end/fullback Andrew Beck in the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Beck caught two of his three targets for 52 yards on the Broncos first drive of the night and wasn't heard from again. Okwuegbunam ended up catching five passes -- one more than each of Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton -- for only 33 yards on six targets. The 24-year-old tight end was the fourth option for quarterback Russell Wilson in the passing game, so he'll continue to be a TE2 streamer, at best, for fantasy managers. Tight end Eric Saubert also had one target in the end zone for the Broncos.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton finished with four catches for 72 yards on seven targets in the team's Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. Sutton's seven targets were tied for second on the team with Jerry Jeudy, behind running back Javonte Williams' 12 targets. Quarterback Russell Wilson didn't target his receivers until late in the second quarter, but Sutton was involved much more in the second half and found some soft spots in Seattle's secondary for chunk gains. Fantasy managers were probably expecting a bigger game for the 26-year-old in Wilson's debut, but Sutton should have plenty of opportunities for more production this year now that Wilson is running the show. He should serve as a strong WR2 play in Week 2 against the Texans.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoSan Francisco Giants relief pitcher Scott Alexander earned his first save of the season in Monday's 3-2 win over the Braves. Alexander entered the game in the eighth inning up by one with two outs and a runner on third. He ended the inning with the runner stranded on a flyout and stayed on to pitch the ninth. He allowed a leadoff single but got the final three outs on a force out and two groundouts. The team's primary closer, Camilo Doval had pitched the previous two days, so Alexander got the call in this instance. The 33-year-old has only pitched 8 2/3 innings this season, compiling a 2.08 ERA. He holds no fantasy value despite the save.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy had a nice first game in the team's 17-16 Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. Jeudy caught four of his seven targets on the night for a team-high 102 yards and their only touchdown. He connected with quarterback Russell Wilson on a 67-yard strike when he outran a Seattle defender to the end zone. The 23-year-old former first-rounder didn't score a single TD in 2021, but he's off to a great start this year. Jeudy and the rest of the receivers weren't targeted at all until deep into the second quarter of this one, but that shouldn't be much of a problem moving forward. Fantasy managers have to be thrilled with Jeudy's start, and he'll have plenty of upside in Week 2 against a Texans defense that has been very vulnerable in recent years.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III surprisingly out-carried Javonte Williams 12 to seven in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night. Gordon picked up 58 yards on his 12 carries and caught both of his targets through the air for 14 yards in the 17-16 loss. He also had a costly lost fumble inside the one-yard line. The Broncos used both Gordon and Williams in the red zone, and both had fumbles in Seattle. As much as Williams' fantasy managers dislike it, Gordon should continue to be involved in an offense that has much more explosiveness and upside with Russell Wilson at quarterback. In a great matchup against the Houston Texans in Denver in Week 2, Gordon will be in play as an RB3/flex.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider fell to 10-5 despite pitching pretty well in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Giants. Strider pitched 5 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits and a walk with nine strikeouts. The 23-year-old has thrived since joining the starting rotation and has compiled a 2.72 ERA and 13.75 K/9 rate over 125 2/3 IP this season. His next projected matchup may be against a hot Phillies lineup, but fantasy managers should feel comfortable trusting Strider with his huge ceiling.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos running back Javonte Williams was out-carried seven to 12 by backfield mate Melvin Gordon III in Monday night's Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but Williams more than made up for it by catching a team-high 11 passes for 65 yards on 12 targets. He gained 43 yards on his seven carries, including a costly goal-line fumble at the goal line. Fantasy managers may still be frustrated by the presence of Gordon stealing touches from the 22-year-old second-year back, but quarterback Russell Wilson should still give Williams a high weekly floor as a high-end RB2/low-end RB1. Williams is an elite tackle-breaker and looked very explosive to open the season. In Week 2 against the Texans, he's an absolute must-start against a defense that nearly allowed 200 rushing yards to the Colts' Jonathan Taylor.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb turned in another solid start in Monday's 3-2 win over the Braves. Cobb pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing six hits and no walks with seven strikeouts. The veteran's underlying metrics are finally starting to reflect in his peripherals, as he is 6-6 with a 3.48 ERA over 24 starts. Things won't get easier in his next start at home against the Dodgers, but fantasy managers who trusted him in a two-start week should at least be encouraged by this performance against a tough opponent. While it will be tough, Cobb has shown to be more reliable than a good deal of other starting options this season.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoDenver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson completed 29 of his 42 pass attempts for 340 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in his emotional return to Seattle in a 17-16 loss on Monday night against the Seahawks in Week 1. His lone TD pass on the night was a 67-yard hookup with receiver Jerry Jeudy. The 33-year-old signal-caller could have had a much better night, but the Broncos went 0-for-4 in the red zone, including two goal-line fumbles. It was disappointing that Denver didn't come away with more points, but all in all, the offense moved the ball pretty well all evening. It was curious that Wilson didn't involve his receivers until late in the second quarter, but like many offenses around the league in Week 1, it was a work in progress. He'll have a good chance to put better numbers as a surefire QB1 in fantasy in Week 2 against Houston.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

2 years agoCleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase continued his dominant season in Monday's 5-4 win over the Angels, picking up his league-leading 34th save. Clase came in to pitch the ninth inning up by one and shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning and a strikeout. The 24-year-old has delivered on his high fantasy expectations this season, converting all but three save opportunities with a 1.34 ERA and a 9.20 K/9 rate. He should continue to help fantasy managers down the stretch and should be one of fantasy's top closers going into next season.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 years agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout continued his impressive streak in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Guardians, going 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a strikeout. Trout crushed a fifth-inning Konnor Pilkington fastball to straightaway center for his 35th HR of the season. More importantly, this was Trout's seventh consecutive game with a long ball, putting him one away from tying the MLB record. The 31-year-old has once again been one of fantasy's most reliable performers, slashing .279/.368/.633 with 69 RBI and one steal.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com