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- Yoshitomo Tsutsugo PIT 1B
Pirates' Yoshi Tsutsugo: Tallies multi-hit game
3h agoTsutsugo went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Saturday against the Cardinals.
Tsutsugo roped an RBI double over the head of Harrison Bader in the bottom of the second inning for his first knock of the game. He added a single later, recording the first multi-hit effort in his last eight starts. In that span, he has hit just .040 with two RBI and no runs scored. Despite his struggles, Tsutsugo has remained the Pirates' primary first baseman and is hitting .175/.276/.233 across 123 plate appearances for the campaign.
- Roansy Contreras PIT RP
Pirates' Roansy Contreras: Builds up to five innings
4h agoContreras allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out four across 5.2 innings to take the loss with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
Contreras took on Toldeo and was tagged for two of his three runs in the first two innings. However, he still limited baserunners and most importantly built his pitch count up to 84. Contreras began the season in Pittsburgh but was optioned to Indianapolis with the intention of stretching him out to a starter's workload. Now that he's done so, a return to the majors appears much more likely.
- Kevin Kiermaier TB CF
Rays' Kevin Kiermaier: Stays hot Saturday
4h agoKiermaier went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run in a 6-1 win against Baltimore on Saturday.
Kiermaier's eighth-inning, 406-foot solo shot gave Tampa Bay a six-run lead and was his second long ball in the past three games. After hitting a paltry .174 across his first 31 games of the campaign, the veteran has recorded three-straight three-hit performances to lift his batting average to .240. Kiermaier batted out of the leadoff spot for the first time this season Saturday, and he could get more opportunities there if he continues to swing a hot stick.
- Randy Arozarena TB LF
Rays' Randy Arozarena: Launches two long balls Saturday
4h agoArozarena went 2-for-3 with two home runs, three total RBI and a walk in Saturday's 6-1 victory versus the Orioles.
Arozarena was responsible for each of the Rays' first three runs, slugging a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the fourth. The fourth-year outfielder finished with his fifth career multi-homer game, three of which have come against Baltimore, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Arozarena didn't go deep in any of his first 28 games this season but has left the yard four times in 11 contests since.
- Kyle Bradish BAL SP
Orioles' Kyle Bradish: Surrenders five runs in loss
4h agoBradish (1-3) took the loss against Tampa Bay on Saturday, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing five runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five.
Bradish was victimized by two Randy Arozarena long balls in the contest that accounted for three of the runs against him. The rookie has served up at least one homer in each of his five career starts thus far, though this was the first time he has allowed more than four runs. Bradish has shown plenty of promise in his first taste of the majors, but his 5.74 ERA suggests that he still has plenty of room for growth. He's tentatively slated to make his next start in Boston next weekend.
- Jeffrey Springs TB RP
Rays' Jeffrey Springs: Earns win, lowers ERA to 1.32
4h agoSprings (2-1) tossed 5.2 scoreless innings against Baltimore on Saturday, allowing one hit and four walks while striking out seven to earn the win.
Springs tossed a season-high 5.2 frames in the victory, and he completed his second straight scoreless outing despite walking more batters in the contest (four) than he had across his first 11 appearances combined. The southpaw's seven strikeouts were also his most of the campaign thus far, and he got there on the strength of 16 swinging strikes. Springs appears to be building up his pitch count now that he is part of the rotation -- Saturday was the first time he has reached 80 pitches this season. He'll face a tough challenge when he takes on the Yankees at home in his next start.
- Jeff Wilson SF RB
49ers' Jeff Wilson: Could make 53-man roster
7h agoWilson is one of four running backs projected to make the 49ers' 53-man roster to begin the 2022 season, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Wilson was considered a potential cut candidate after the 49ers selected a running back in the third round of consecutive drafts, but Branch believes the veteran's well-rounded skillset could outweigh the team's potential need for a third-down option (such as JaMycal Hasty). The 26-year-old Wilson will still have to prove his worth in camp along with re-establishing his durability after missing eight games last year. If Wilson makes the squad, his best prospects would be a backup role to Elijah Mitchell, so his fantasy stock remains low at the moment.
- Geno Smith SEA QB
Seahawks' Geno Smith: Early edge in QB competition
14h agoGiven his experience and familiarity with the Seahawks offense, Smith has an early edge on Drew Lock in the team's ongoing quarterback competition, Gregg Bell of the Seattle News Tribune reports.
Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron acknowledged that there's "a long time to go" before a final call is made on the team's Week 1 starting QB, but unless the team makes a move for another signal caller, Russell Wilson's replacement will be either Smith or Lock. Per Waldron, "right now, Geno has done such a good job of carrying over (the offensive principles from 2021). He already had a head start over Drew right there." That said, Waldron noted that he likes Lock's "ability to make every throw on the field." Either way, this is a job battle that's way too early to call, and it seems likely that as long as they both remain healthy the duo will share first-team reps in practice this summer.
- Kadarius Toney NYG WR
Giants' Kadarius Toney: Undergoes minor knee surgery
19h agoToney underwent minor knee surgery earlier this offseason, but he is expected to be ready for training camp, Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports.
The 2021 first-round pick hasn't been participating in OTAs for good reason. While the arthroscopic surgery appears to be insignificant, Toney is not expected to participate in any offseason OTAs altogether. Rookie second-round pick Wan'Dale Robinson will likely be the biggest beneficiary in Toney's absence, but expect the Florida product to be ready to play once training camp rolls around.
- Brent Urban DAL DE
Ravens' Brent Urban: Signs with Ravens
1d agoUrban signed a one-year contract with the Ravens on Friday, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.
Urban missed the second half of the 2021 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn triceps but will attempt to carve out a role in Baltimore during the offseason. He appeared in six games with the Cowboys last year and racked up three tackles and a pass defense.
- Nick Foles CHI QB
Nick Foles: Could sign with Colts
2d agoThe Colts are reportedly working on adding Foles to the team's quarterback mix, according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic.
While Keefer notes that a deal has yet to be agreed upon, there's a chance that Foles could be inked by next week. If so, he'd provide the Colts with an experienced veteran backup behind 37-year-old starter Matt Ryan. Foles is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he saw action in just one regular-season game with the Bears, a spot start in Week 16.
- Jimmy Moreland HOU CB
Jimmy Moreland: Waived by Houston
2d agoThe Texans waived Moreland on Friday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Moreland made seven appearances for the Texans last season, registering eight snaps on defense and 38 on special teams. The 2019 seventh-round pick was a starter his first two years in Washington, but a litany of issues derailed his only campaign in Houston. He'll look to latch onto another squad before the start of training camp.
- Tyler Herro MIA PG
Heat's Tyler Herro: Dealing with quad injury
6h agoHerro suffered a quadriceps injury during Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics, Nick Friedell of ESPN.com reports.
Herro played just 20 minutes during the win and was benched in favor of Victor Oladipo during the fourth quarter. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said after the game that he had no update on the severity of Herro's injury, but he did say that part of the reason he stuck with Oladipo was because of the injury, but it was also due to the fact that Oladipo was just playing better, per Friedell. It doesn't sound like the quadriceps issue is too serious, but it's certainly something worth monitoring ahead of Monday's critical Game 4.
- Jimmy Butler MIA SF
Heat's Jimmy Butler: Likely available for Game 4
7h agoButler's knee injury isn't expected to be serious, and there's a strong possibility he's available for Game 4, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.
Butler finished the first half of Game 3 with eight points (3-8 FG, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 20 minutes, but he didn't start the second half and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Victor Oladipo started the second half in place of the All-Star forward and played well, but Butler's potential availability for Game 4 would be a huge boost for the Heat as they look to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Jayson Tatum BOS SF
Celtics' Jayson Tatum: Returns to Game 3
7h agoTatum (shoulder) has returned to Saturday's Game 3 against the Heat, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.
Tatum appeared to suffer a shoulder injury after being stripped by Victor Oladipo late in the fourth quarter, but the All-Star forward quickly returned to the contest after a brief stint in the locker room.
- Jayson Tatum BOS SF
Celtics' Jayson Tatum: Headed to locker room
7h agoTatum went to the locker room after appearing to suffer a right shoulder injury during the fourth quarter of Saturday's Game 3 against the Heat, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Tatum remained on the floor for an extended period after being stripped by Victor Oladipo late in the fourth quarter. After a chaotic sequence, trainers and medical staff helped Tatum to his feet before he was able to make his way to the locker room under his own power. Payton Pritchard replaced the All-Star forward, but the Celtics will likely need Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart to set up in Tatum's absence if they hope to finish their second-half comeback.
- Marcus Smart BOS PG
Celtics' Marcus Smart: Returns to Game 3 after hard fall
8h agoSmart has returned to Saturday's Game 3 against the Heat after appearing to suffer an injury at the start of the second half.
Smart was sidelined for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals due to a foot injury, but he's been able to start each of the last two contests. However, he appeared to suffer a setback after a hard fall early in the second half of Game 3, but the point guard was able to return to the contest moments later. Regardless, it's likely something to monitor as the series and postseason progresses.
- Victor Oladipo MIA SG
Heat's Victor Oladipo: Starts second half of Game 3
8h agoOladipo will start the second half of Saturday's Game 3 against the Celtics in place of Jimmy Butler, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the contest due to right knee inflammation, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Oladipo didn't play in the first half but draws the start in the second half with Miami's All-Star forward sidelined. Oladipo finished Game 2 with 13 points (2-8 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 9-10 FT), one rebound, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes and figures to garner an increased role in the second half of Game 3.
- Jordan Binnington STL G
Blues' Jordan Binnington: Injury details clarified
6h agoBinnington is dealing with a suspected knee sprain, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.
Rutherford adds if the knee sprain is confirmed, Binnington would be at risk of missing multiple weeks. This will likely mean the Blues have to turn to Ville Husso as the starter, while Charlie Lindgren or Joel Hofer will be called up from AHL Springfield.
- Nick Leddy STL D
Blues' Nick Leddy: Produces helper in loss
6h agoLeddy picked up an assist, two shots on goal and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 3.
Leddy set up a Ryan O'Reilly tally in the second period. Through six playoff outings, Leddy's been limited to two points, eight shots on goal, six hits and a plus-4 rating. The 31-year-old should continue to play on the top pairing, but his lack of power-play time doesn't bode well for his ability to up his scoring pace.
- Pavel Buchnevich STL LW
Blues' Pavel Buchnevich: Adds assist in loss
7h agoBuchnevich picked up an assist, two shots on goal, two hits, two PIM and a minus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 3.
Buchnevich helped out on Ryan O'Reilly's second-period tally. While he's still looking for a goal in the playoffs, Buchnevich has contributed seven helpers, 17 shots on net, 17 hits and four PIM through nine outings. The winger is likely to remain in a top-six role going forward.
- Colton Parayko STL D
Blues' Colton Parayko: Tallies opening goal
7h agoParayko scored a goal and added two hits in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche.
Parayko took a faceoff win from Ryan O'Reilly in the first period, tallying the opening goal at 3:55. Through nine playoff contests, Parayko has picked up five points, 20 shots on net, 22 blocked shots, 11 hits and a plus-7 rating. The defenseman has mixed offense and physicality well in a top-pairing role.
- Ryan O'Reilly STL C
Blues' Ryan O'Reilly: In on both goals in loss
7h agoO'Reilly scored a goal on three shots, dished an assist and added two hits in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 3.
O'Reilly won a faceoff back to Colton Parayko for the opening tally in the first period, then scored one of his own in the second. This gave O'Reilly a seven-game point streak, and he's gotten on the scoresheet in eight of nine playoff contests. The center has seven goals, five helpers, 32 shots on net and a plus-3 rating in the postseason, and he's set the tone from the top of the lineup.
- Ville Husso STL G
Blues' Ville Husso: Takes loss in relief
7h agoHusso stopped 19 of 23 shots in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Avalanche in Game 3.
Husso relieved Jordan Binnington (lower body) in the first period. Things fell apart for Husso in the second period, when he allowed a pair of goals, and his trek to the bench for an extra attacker in the third went awry, leading to the back-breaker. With Binnington's status in doubt for Monday's Game 4, Husso could be set to take over as the starter going forward. His appearance Saturday was his first since May 6.