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Player News
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Daniel Jones NYG QB
Giants' Daniel Jones: Running and cutting in ACL rehab
13h agoJones (knee) said Wednesday that he's been running and cutting during his rehab from a torn right ACL, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com reports.
Jones went on to say he's "doing everything," and the plan remains for him to be ready for training camp. The veteran QB tore his right ACL last November and also dealt with neck issues once again, though Jones said he's over that injury. The Giants didn't use a draft pick on a quarterback this offseason, only swapping out veteran backup Tyrod Taylor for Drew Lock in free agency. Jones should get every shot to remain the Giants' starter despite a dreadful 2023.
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Trey Lance DAL QB
Cowboys' Trey Lance: 2025 option declined by Dallas
14h agoThe Cowboys declined Lance's 2025 fifth-year option, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
This was a no-brainer, as Lance has been a mega-bust to this point in his career after the 49ers traded up to select Lance at No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He didn't play a single snap for Dallas last season after the team traded for him prior to Week 1. Lance will compete with Cooper Rush for backup duties behind Dak Prescott.
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Darius Slayton NYG WR
Giants' Darius Slayton: Likely to remain starter
14h agoSlayton is expected to open the season as a starting wideout opposite rookie first-rounder Malik Nabers, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.
Slayton refused to report to voluntary offseason workouts, as he's entering the final year of a two-year deal and is seeking an extension. The Giants, however, haven't budged, and the team used the sixth overall pick in last week's NFL Draft to take Nabers after using a third-rounder on Jalin Hyatt in 2023. While Slayton is the favorite to open the summer as a starter, the team likely hopes Hyatt can push the veteran for snaps and targets. Nabers should easily pace this team in targets as a rookie.
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Jalin Hyatt NYG WR
Giants' Jalin Hyatt: Bumps down depth chart
14h agoHyatt is expected to be the Giants' top backup wide receiver in 2024 following the team's selection of Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick in last week's NFL Draft, Dan Duggan of The Athletic reports.
Hyatt injured his hamstring in the season finale against the Eagles but is presumably over the issue by now and is coming off a rookie season that saw him secure 23 of 40 targets for 373 scoreless yards. He did average a strong 16.2 yards per catch, but the number of catchable passes thrown his way were few and far between as a downfield threat. Darius Slayton is expected to open the season opposite Nabers, with Wan'Dale Robinson in the slot, though the Giants would likely prefer to see Hyatt push Slayton for snaps.
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David Long NYG DB
Giants' David Long: Finds new home
16h agoLong signed a contract with the Giants on Wednesday, Dan Salomone of the team's official site reports.
Long struggled to find a home in 2023. After four years with the Rams, the 2019 third-round selection spent time with the Packers, Panthers and Raiders, appearing in a total of 14 games. He'll now work to make the most of his fresh opportunity in the Big Apple.
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Alijah Vera-Tucker NYJ OG
Jets' Alijah Vera-Tucker: Making progress
17h agoVera-Tucker (Achilles) is "feeling good" and is "definitely on pace for a good start to the season," Caroline Hendershot of the Jets' official site reports.
Vera-Tucker suffered a torn Achilles on Oct. 8 against the Broncos, but it sounds like the veteran offensive lineman has a chance to be ready to compete once training camp comes around. Despite playing right tackle for the team last season, their selection of Olumuyiwa Fashanu in the 2024 Draft and trade for Morgan Moses, suggests Vera-Tucker may move inside and play guard in 2024.
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Raisel Iglesias ATL RP
Braves' Raisel Iglesias: Secures eighth save
5m agoIglesias gave up a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his eighth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Mariners.
It wasn't the sharpest appearance for Iglesias, who put two batters on base before getting an out, but he settled down and took care of the heart of Seattle's order without too much more trouble. The right-hander has converted eight of his nine save chances to begin the year while posting a typically stingy 2.19 ERA and 1.05 WHIP through 12.1 innings, but there are signs Iglesias isn't quite in peak form -- his 94.5 mph average fastball is his lowest velocity since 2016, and his 18.0 percent strikeout rate is a massive drop from the 29.4 percent mark he delivered last season. His top velocity Wednesday was 95.3 mph, on a two-seamer to Luke Raley.
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Chris Sale ATL SP
Braves' Chris Sale: Fans nine in win over M's
11m agoSale (4-1) picked up the win Wednesday in a 5-2 victory over the Mariners, allowing one run on six hits over five innings. He struck out nine without walking a batter.
The veteran lefty wasn't exactly efficient, needing 100 pitches to record 15 outs, but Sale generated an eye-popping 21 swinging strikes in another dominant performance. The nine Ks were a season high, and Sale has given up three runs or less in five of his six starts to begin his Atlanta tenure. He'll take a 3.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 42:7 K:BB through 36.2 innings into his next outing, which lines up for a home start next week against the former club, the Red Sox.
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Abraham Toro-Hernandez OAK 3B
Athletics' Abraham Toro: Clubs third homer
15m agoToro went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Pirates.
Getting the start at second base and batting fifth, Toro launched a second-inning Quinn Priester sinker up in the zone off the top of the wall in center field. Toro has hit safely in six straight games, and he's making a case to be an everyday player for Oakland -- through 99 plate appearances, he's slashing .264/.323/.440 with three homers, 11 RBI and 11 runs. He's played at least three games at first base, second base and third base so far in 2024 in addition to spotting in at DH, and while Ryan Noda's demotion to Triple-A after Wednesday's game likely has more to do with J.D. Davis (thigh) being nearly ready to come off the IL, it does give Toro a little less competition for playing time.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto LAD SP
Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Another six shutout innings
20m agoYamamoto (3-1) earned the win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, allowing five hits and two walks over six scoreless innings. He struck out five.
Yamamoto allowed the leadoff man to reach in back-to-back innings to open the contest, but still managed to keep Arizona's lineup at bay over six frames. The right-hander has now hurled 12 scoreless innings over his last two starts and has won each of his last three decisions after imploding in his MLB debut. He's also logged quality starts in three straight.
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Tyler Nevin OAK 3B
Athletics' Tyler Nevin: Hot streak continues
22m agoNevin went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Pirates.
The 26-year-old took Quinn Priester deep in the third inning, extending an impressive stretch that has seen Nevin record four straight multi-hit performances as part of a nine-game hitting streak. He's left the yard four times during his heater, accounting for all of his homers on the season, and since joining Oakland at the beginning of April he's slashed .325/.375/.500 in 88 plate appearances with 10 runs and 10 RBI. Nevin posted consistently solid numbers in the minors but never got much of an opportunity in Baltimore, and he stumbled with Detroit in 2023. If this is his last chance to establish himself as a big-league player, he seems to be making the most of it.
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Dominic Smith BOS 1B
Red Sox's Dominic Smith: Debuts for Red Sox
25m agoSmith started at first base and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Giants.
Smith is the latest through the revolving door that is first base on Boston's roster. He was signed earlier in the day and made his debut for the Red Sox. With Triston Casas (ribs) on the 60-day injured list, the Red Sox have added two new first baseman over the last week -- Smith and Garrett Cooper (wrist). Once the righty-hitting Cooper is ready, a job share between him Smith (a lefty) seems likely. Bobby Dalbec is also around.
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Derrick White BOS SG
Celtics' Derrick White: Efficient in Game 5 win
7m agoWhite chipped in 25 points (8-13 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 118-84 win over Miami in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
White co-led the Celtics in scoring on Wednesday alongside Jaylen Brown, and he enjoyed playing a more prominent role on offense with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) sidelined and with Jayson Tatum taking a bit of a step back on the scoring side of things. White reached the 20-point mark in three of his five appearances in the series against the Heat, and he should remain an offensive menace in the Eastern Conference Semifinals regardless of whether the Celtics face the Magic or the Cavaliers.
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Jaylen Brown BOS SF
Celtics' Jaylen Brown: Goes for 25 points in Game 5 win
10m agoBrown finished Wednesday's 118-84 victory over Miami in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 25 points (11-19 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-5 FT), six rebounds and two assists over 26 minutes.
Brown was one of two Boston players who reached the 25-point mark Wednesday, with Derrick White being the other, but he didn't do much outside of scoring. Brown scored 20-plus points in three of the five outings in the series against the Heat, and he should continue to play a prominent role on offense in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, regardless of the opponent, especially if Kristaps Porzingis (calf) remains sidelined for a prolonged stretch.
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Jayson Tatum BOS PF
Celtics' Jayson Tatum: Another double-double
12m agoTatum totaled 16 points (4-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-9 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one block in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 118-84 victory over the Heat in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
There's no doubt that Tatum is the undisputed go-to player on offense for the Celtics, and the star forward can take over a game if needed every time the team needs him to do so. He was active on both ends of the court in the series against the Heat, however, recording four double-doubles in five games while reaching the 20-point plateau four times as well. He averaged 21.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game against the Heat and will now aim to lead Boston in the Conference Semifinals, where the Celtics will take on either the Cavaliers or the Magic.
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Nikola Jovic MIA PF
Heat's Nikola Jovic: Decent output in playoff exit
23m agoJovic ended with eight points (3-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and four assists over 28 minutes during Wednesday's 118-84 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Jovic was forced to embrace a bigger role in the second half of the season and was a permanent fixture in the starting unit since mid-February. While he had some strong performances here and there, he lacked consistency on a game-to-game basis, and he was unable to become a reliable offensive alternative when the Heat needed him, especially in games where they were shorthanded. It remains to be seen if Jovic will remain a regular starter for the Heat next season. but it's worth noting he averaged 9.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 33 starts since the beginning of February, counting both the regular season and the playoffs.
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Bam Adebayo MIA C
Heat's Bam Adebayo: Scores 23 points in playoff exit
27m agoAdebayo supplied 23 points (10-26 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, six assists and two steals in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 118-84 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Adebayo had to shoulder a bigger load on offense due to the absences of Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck), and for the most part, the star big man delivered. He scored 20 or more points in each game of the series while posting two double-doubles. Adebayo averaged 19.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest between the Play-In Tournament and the series against the Celtics (seven games).
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Tyler Herro MIA PG
Heat's Tyler Herro: Ends season plagued by struggles
30m agoHerro ended Wednesday's 118-84 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 15 points (6-19 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and three assists across 35 minutes.
Herro was forced to embrace a more prominent role on offense due to the absences of Jimmy Butler (knee) and Terry Rozier (neck) in the series against the Celtics. While the numbers were decent across the board, he struggled badly in terms of efficiency and shooting percentages. Over the five games of the series, Herro made just 38.5 percent of his shots from the field and 34.9 percent of his three-pointers. He averaged 16.8 points per game, but that was not enough to lift Miami to victory against the team with the best record in The Association.
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Alex Steeves TOR LW
Maple Leafs' Alex Steeves: Headlines Black Aces call-ups
10h agoSteeves, Marshall Rifai, Topi Niemela, Max Lajoie, Mikko Kokkonen, Dennis Hildeby, Dylan Gambrell, Kyle Clifford and Nick Abruzzese were called up from AHL Toronto on Wednesday, per CapFriendly.
Steeves played in one game for the Maple Leafs this season, logging six hits and a shot on goal. The 24-year-old winger, as well as the rest of these call-ups, will serve as organizational depth for the remainder of Toronto's playoff run.
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Radek Faksa DAL C
Stars' Radek Faksa: Out again Wednesday
14h agoFaksa (undisclosed) won't suit up for Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Golden Knights, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Faksa will miss a third straight game despite being labeled a game-time call each time. The 30-year-old will likely take on a fourth-line role once he's cleared to return, though it's unclear when that may be.
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Mason Marchment DAL LW
Stars' Mason Marchment: Not playing in Game 5
14h agoMarchment (undisclosed) won't play in Wednesday's Game 5 versus the Golden Knights, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Marchment was once again labeled a game-time decision, but he'll sit out a third straight contest. His next chance to play is Friday's Game 6 in Vegas.
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Jake Oettinger DAL G
Stars' Jake Oettinger: Starting Game 5
14h agoOettinger will guard the home goal versus the Golden Knights in Wednesday's Game 5, Jesse Granger of The Athletic reports.
Oettinger recovered from losing the first two games of the series in Dallas by winning the next two in Vegas. He'll look to keep that momentum going back on home ice in a pivotal Game 5. Oettinger has allowed 10 goals on 108 shots over the first four contests of the first round.
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David Rittich LA G
Kings' David Rittich: Set to start Wednesday
19h agoRittich is slated to start on the road against Edmonton in Game 5 on Wednesday, Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton reports.
Rittich is getting his second straight start after saving 12 of 13 shots in a 1-0 loss to Edmonton in Game 4 on Sunday. Edmonton has a potent offense, which ranked fourth in the 2023-24 campaign with 3.56 goals per game, so the Oilers will probably fire considerably more shots in the upcoming tilt. Rittich had a 13-6-3 record, 2.15 GAA and .921 save percentage in 24 regular-season contests.
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Stuart Skinner EDM G
Oilers' Stuart Skinner: Set to face Kings
19h agoSkinner is expected to start at home against LA in Game 5 on Wednesday, per Jason Gregor of Sports 1440 Edmonton.
Skinner earned a 33-save shutout over the Kings in Game 4 and has stopped 60 of 61 shots (.984 save percentage) over his last two starts. That gives him a 3-1 record, 2.48 GAA and .919 save percentage in four playoff contests this year. The 25-year-old was streaky in the regular season, finishing with a 36-16-5 record, 2.62 GAA and .905 save percentage in 59 appearances, but Skinner seems to be on a roll with a chance to eliminate the Kings up for grabs.