News
Andrew Nembhard accumulated 20 points (8-of-14 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, one steal and four three-pointers in 31 minutes in Sunday’s Game 4 win over the Bucks.
After shining in the first two games of the series, Nembhard struggled in Game 3 on Friday. Like Myles Turner, the Pacers guard rebounded nicely as the Pacers rolled in Game 4. Sunday’s win was the fifth in Nembhard’s postseason career in which he’s scored at least 20 points. Indiana will look to close out the series when it hosts Game 5 on Tuesday.
Sam Hauser (ankle) is probable for Game 5 against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Hauser has been out of the Celtics’ lineup since spraining his ankle during Game 1. His likely return will give Boston another rotation player to call upon, as Jayson Tatum (Achilles) is out for the foreseeable future. With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) still not back to full strength, Hauser will play rotation minutes if cleared, potentially as a starter.
Chiefs signed fourth-round WR Jalen Royals to a four-year contract.
Royals doesn’t have an obvious and open spot in the receiving corps to build short-term fantasy value with Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Rashee Rice operating in the opening 11-personnel package. He may or may not play his way into WR4 duties depending on how the team feels about JuJu Smith-Schuster. Royals has plenty of talent and Brown is on a one-year deal, so there is a future where Royals is more than a bit player for the Chiefs. It likely won’t happen in his first season without injuries in front of him.
Jordan Lawlar is at shortstop and batting eighth on Tuesday against the Giants.
Lawlar will make his highly-anticipated season debut on Tuesday night at Oracle Park in place of veteran Geraldo Perdomo after compiling an astronomical 336/.413/.579 with 23 extra-base hits and 13 steals over 37 games this season for Triple-A Reno. The 22-year-old top prospect is expected to make four-to-five starts per-week, splitting time between shortstop, second base and third base, according to Arizona general manager Mike Hazen. He’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats as a result of his immense power/speed upside potential.
Jorge Polanco is not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Yankees.
Polanco continues to sit regularly against left-handed pitchers due to an ongoing side issue that limits his ability to swing right-handed. His overall performance hasn’t been hurt at all this season as he’s batting .327/.372/.673 with 10 homers, 29 RBI and one steal through 31 games in his Seattle debut. He’ll open Tuesday’s contest on the bench with southpaw Max Fried toeing the rubber for New York. It’ll be Mitch Garver taking over at DH to open Tuesday’s contest at T-Mobile Park.
Tommy Pham is not in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Mets.
Pham is available off the bench after serving a league-issued one-game suspension during Monday’s series opener against the Mets.
Yu Darvish (elbow) will make a minor league rehab start on Wednesday for Triple-A El Paso.
Padres manager Mike Shildt told reporters late Monday that Darvish will make his first rehab start later this week. The 38-year-old former fantasy ace doesn’t figure to need too many tune-up outings before he’s ready to make his season debut. He’s been on the shelf since spring training recovering from elbow inflammation. It’s possible he’s ready to make his return to San Diego’s rotation by the end of the month.