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Player News
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Daniel Jones NYG QB
Giants' Daniel Jones: Running and cutting in ACL rehab
11h 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
12h 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
12h 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
12h 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
15h 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
15h 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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Blake Walston ARI RP
Diamondbacks' Blake Walston: Needed for length in loss
4m agoWalston allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out five over 3.2 innings in Wednesday's 8-0 loss to the Dodgers.
Walston, a starter at Triple-A Reno who made his major-league debut Wednesday, was recalled earlier in the day following Tuesday's surprise bullpen effort that left the club in need of a fresh arm. His length was needed immediately, as starter Jordan Montgomery was ambushed by the Dodgers early. Walston navigated around a walk and two hits over three scoreless frames before running into trouble in the seventh inning. That's when the left-hander's shaky command -- three walks including one with the bases loaded -- caught up to him.
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Will Brennan CLE RF
Guardians' Will Brennan: Two hits in win
5m agoBrennan went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in Wednesday's win over the Astros.
Brennan got ahead in the count 2-0 to lead off the fifth inning before crushing a hanging four-seamer from Justin Verlander into the stands in right field for his fourth home run of the season. The outfielder would later add a single on the night to give him his sixth multi-hit game of the campaign, with four of those performances coming over his last eight contests. He also has six extra-base hits over that eight-game stretch.
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Emmanuel Clase CLE RP
Guardians' Emmanuel Clase: Records ninth save
17m agoClase earned the save over the Astros on Wednesday, striking out one over a perfect 10th inning.
Clase entered the contest with a one-run lead in the bottom of the 10th and needed only five pitches to retire the side and secure his ninth save of the season. The right-hander has now converted each of his last five save attempts (over nine appearances), posting a 10:1 K:BB over that stretch. He now sports a pristine 0.55 ERA following Wednesday's scoreless appearance.
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Justin Verlander HOU SP
Astros' Justin Verlander: Goes seven innings in no-decision
25m agoVerlander pitched seven innings in a no-decision against the Guardians on Wednesday, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while striking out two.
Verlander allowed the leadoff man to reach in four of his seven innings of work, but managed to limit the damage to only two runs, both of which came across in the top of the fifth. The veteran right-hander struggled to get ahead in the count for much of the contest and has now issued at least three walks in back-to-back starts, though he's still held opposing teams to two or fewer runs in all three outings to open the campaign. Wednesday also marked Verlander's first start this season in which he's gone at least seven innings.
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Triston McKenzie CLE SP
Guardians' Triston McKenzie: Solid over seven frames
35m agoMcKenzie did not factor into the decision in a win over the Astros on Wednesday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings while striking out six.
McKenzie was highly effective Wednesday despite getting down in the count early and often, striking out at least six batters for the third-consecutive start, with five of those strikeouts coming on his curveball. The right-hander issued only one free pass in the contest, which marked a season low, while also going seven innings for the first time in the early campaign. McKenzie has not allowed more than two runs in either of last three starts after surrendering a season-high five runs against the Yankees back on April 13.
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Kyle Finnegan WAS RP
Nationals' Kyle Finnegan: Strikes out side for 10th save
1h agoFinnegan picked up the save over the Rangers on Wednesday, striking out the side in a perfect ninth inning.
Finnegan took over in the bottom of the ninth with a 1-0 lead and ran right through the Rangers' lineup, retiring all three batters on swinging strikeouts to secure his 10th save of the season, tying him with Ryan Helsey, Robert Suarez and Clay Holmes for the league lead. The right-hander has successfully converted each of his last nine save attempts and hasn't allowed over his last eight appearances (spanning eight innings), posting a 9:1 K:BB over that stretch. Wednesday also marked his first time this season in which he struck out the side.
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James Harden LAC PG
Clippers' James Harden: Goes missing in Game 5 loss
2h agoHarden amassed seven points (2-12 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and seven assists over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Harden was a non-factor in the loss, a far cry from what he has been able to deliver thus far in the series. Both he and Paul George decided to take the night off, much to the joy of Mavericks fans. They are now one loss away from elimination, a result that would leave the future of the current squad in some doubt. If they are to force a Game 7, Harden is going to need to rediscover his early-series form.
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Bones Hyland LAC PG
Clippers' Bones Hyland: Pops for 11 points Wednesday
2h agoHyland contributed 11 points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), one rebound and three assists over seven minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Hyland popped for 11 points in seven minutes as the Clippers were soundly beaten by an impressive Dallas outfit. Now trailing 3-2 in the series, Los Angeles will need to turn things around in a hurry should they hope to extend it to a seventh game.
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Kobe Brown LAC SF
Clippers' Kobe Brown: Rare appearance Wednesday
2h agoBrown contributed no counting stats over six minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 loss to Dallas in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Brown logged six minutes in the loss, a rare appearance and one that should not be happening at this time of the year. The Clippers were blown out by the Mavericks in front of their home fans, now on the brink of elimination.
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Dereck Lively II DAL C
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Perfect from field Wednesday
2h agoLively racked up 12 points (5-5 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 win over the Clippers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Lively was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field, outplaying Daniel Gafford despite coming off the bench. The Mavericks have the luxury of being able to lean on both players equally, providing them flexibility when one is outplaying the other. Lively and Gafford will once again be front and center when the two teams line up again Friday.
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Luka Doncic DAL PG
Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Dominates in Game 5 victory
2h agoDoncic notched 35 points (14-26 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds, 10 assists and one steal in 39 minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 win over the Clippers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Doncic was a man of his word, providing Kyrie Irving with more help on the offensive end, leading all scorers with 35 points. The victory puts Dallas within one win of victory, leaving the Clippers on the brink of another underwhelming playoff campaign. The series will shift back to Dallas where Doncic will be hoping to replicate this performance.
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Maxi Kleber DAL C
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Lands five triples in win
2h agoKleber accumulated 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-7 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist over 19 minutes during Wednesday's 123-93 win over the Clippers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Kleber connected on five three-pointers, helping guide the Mavericks to a comfortable victory. After coming up short in front of their home fans, Dallas was able to make easy work of the Clippers in Los Angeles. The two teams will face off again Friday, where the Mavericks will look to atone for the Game 4 loss.
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Alex Steeves TOR LW
Maple Leafs' Alex Steeves: Headlines Black Aces call-ups
9h 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
13h 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
13h 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
13h 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
17h 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
17h 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.