Caleb Smith Agrees With Pirates

Free-agent left-hander Caleb Smith agreed to a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Smith previously pitched for the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks. The 31-year-old southpaw spent last year with the Diamondbacks and went 1-3 with a 4.11 ERA (5.57 FIP), […]

Kyle Tucker Loses Arbitration Case

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker lost his salary arbitration case against the team on Thursday and will make $5 million in 2023 instead of the $7.5 million he requested. The $2.5 million gap between Tucker and the Astros was matched by Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette's for the largest among 33 players who exchanged […]

Kadarius Toney Upgraded To Full Practice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (ankle, hamstring) was upgraded to a full practice participant on Thursday. In the toughest practice day of the week, Toney was fully involved and looked to be moving well after injuring his ankle in the AFC Championship. He has developed a real connection with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, so […]

No Injury Concerns For Freddy Peralta

Although Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta (lat, shoulder) won't pitch for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the team is saying that he has no injury concerns heading into spring training, according to sources. Peralta dealt with several injuries in 2022 and only made 17 starts for the Brew Crew, going […]

Gary Sanchez To Play In World Baseball Classic

Free-agent catcher Gary Sanchez remains unsigned after playing for the Minnesota Twins in 2022, but he will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Sanchez should eventually latch on with a team before Opening Day, and competing in the WBC could be a nice way to showcase his skills if he […]

Aaron Ashby Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day

The Milwaukee Brewers aren't expecting left-handed starter Aaron Ashby (shoulder) to be ready for Opening Day this year while dealing with more shoulder issues. "It's a remnant from last year that manifested itself as he ramped up throwing again," manager Craig Counsell said. "We had to take a pretty big step back as far as […]

Mariners Reunite With Leonys Martin

The Seattle Mariners signed free-agent veteran outfielder Leonys Martin to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Martin has been playing in Japan for the Chiba Lotte Marines since the middle of 2019. He made his major-league debut with the Texas Rangers back in 2011 and played briefly for […]

Rays Sign Graham Spraker To Minor-League Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent right-hander Graham Spraker to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Spraker has been in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and spent last season at Triple-A Buffalo, where he went 1-4 with a 4.82 ERA and 1.42 WHIP while walking 25 and striking […]

Padres Expected To Explore Extension With Manny Machado Soon

The San Diego Padres are expected to explore a long-term contract extension with franchise third baseman Manny Machado before Opening Day. Machado can opt out of his contract after the 2023 season, and making him a Padre for the rest of his career might require a new deal of at least six or seven years […]

Rays Sign Charlie Culberson To Minor-League Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays signed free-agent veteran infielder/outfielder Charlie Culberson to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, according to sources. The 33-year-old has played parts of 10 seasons in the majors, most recently with the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves. In 68 games with Texas last year, he […]

Guardians Claim Jason Bilous Off Waivers From White Sox

The Cleveland Guardians claimed right-hander Jason Bilous off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Bilous has a new home for the 2023 season after the White Sox designated him for assignment last week. The 25-year-old has not yet pitched in the major leagues and has pitched in the minor leagues for four seasons […]

Orlando Arcia Could Start At SS; Vaughn Grissom In Minors?

MLB.com's Mark Bowman suggests there's a chance that Atlanta Braves middle infielder Vaughn Grissom will begin the 2023 season in an everyday role with Triple-A Gwinnett if the Braves decide to use Orlando Arcia as the starting shortstop to begin the year. Arcia ranked among the middle of the pack in terms of outs above […]

Tarik Skubal Throwing Off Flat Ground

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) is making 40 flat-ground throws four times a week less than six months after having surgery to fix a flexor tendon in his left elbow last August. Barring any setbacks, the 26-year-old southpaw could gain clearance to work off of a mound during spring training. Despite the good progress, […]

Alejo Lopez Designated For Assignment

The Cincinnati Reds designated infielder/outfielder Alejo Lopez for assignment on Wednesday to make room for recently acquired outfielder Will Benson on the active roster. If Lopez isn't claimed off waivers or traded, he could return to the Reds as minor-league infield and outfield depth. The 26-year-old from Mexico played in 59 games for the Reds […]

Guardians Sign Zack Collins

The Cleveland Guardians signed free-agent catcher Zack Collins to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The Guardians also inked left-hander Phillip Diehl and right-hander Dusten Knight. Collins spent the 2022 season with the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting a combined .155/.231/.320 with a .551 OPS, four […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Will Play In World Baseball Classic

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. will play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela. Acuna got permission from the Braves to take part in the tournament, which will take him away from the team's spring training. There's a good chance that the 25-year-old will be limited to designated-hitter duties in an effort […]

Padres Give Yu Darvish A Six-Year Extension

The San Diego Padres and right-hander Yu Darvish agreed to a six-year, $108 million contract extension on Thursday, according to sources. The deal will start in 2023 and runs through 2028, when Darvish will be 42 years old. The 36-year-old was previously due $18 million this season and was scheduled to become a free agent […]

Sam Darnold Could Return As A Bridge Option

The Carolina Panthers are still searching for their next quarterback. The team could choose to re-sign Sam Darnold as a bridge option, but he isn't the long-term answer. But if the Panthers go with a signal-caller early in this year's draft, it wouldn't be surprising if Darnold moved on. The 25-year-old didn't make his 2022 […]

J.J. Watt Not Interested In Joining Texans Coaching Staff

Retired defensive lineman J.J. Watt said that he's not interested in joining the Houston Texans' coaching staff under new head coach DeMeco Ryans, whom Watt spent the 2011 season with as a player in Houston. Watt retired after the 2022 season after 10 years with the Texans and two for the Arizona Cardinals, leaving speculation […]

Texans To Interview Matt Burke For Defensive Coordinator

The Houston Texans will interview Arizona Cardinals defensive line coach Matt Burke for their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to a league source. Burke served as the Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018 and has also worked for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans in his career. […]

Eric Bieniemy Remains A Candidate For Commanders, Ravens

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy remains a prime candidate for the offensive coordinator jobs with the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens, according to sources. The Commanders have interviewed six candidates for the job, but Bieniemy sounds like the clear front-runner. With the Chiefs playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday against the Philadelphia […]

Commanders Undecided On Chase Young's Option

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said the team hasn't decided on whether to exercise defensive end Chase Young's fifth-year option, which would be worth $17.452 million. The Commanders need to discuss his health and review his growth and development. The 23-year-old former second overall pick in the 2020 draft played only three games in […]

Extension Coming For Darnell Mooney?

Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney was one of the first holdovers that general manager Ryan Poles praised at the combine last year. Despite a disappointing 2022 season that ended early due to injury, Poles' positive feelings about Mooney remain. He finished the year on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury and had 40 catches […]

Cole Kmet Likely To Receive Extension This Offseason

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet is the most likely to receive a contract extension from the team this offseason with one year remaining on his rookie deal. "I thought he elevated his game from the film that I watched last year to what it was this year," general manager Ryan Poles said. "So that's […]

Kadarius Toney Flying Around At Practice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (ankle, hamstring) was officially listed as limited in Wednesday's practice, but he appears to be making good progress ahead of the Super Bowl this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Toney didn't practice at all last week after injuring his ankle in the AFC Championship, but he said earlier […]

Reds Acquire Will Benson From The Guardians

The Cincinnati Reds acquired outfielder Will Benson from the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday in exchange for outfielder Justin Boyd and a player to be named later. Benson is a left-handed-hitting outfielder that was taken 14th overall by Cleveland in the 2016 draft. The 24-year-old made his major-league debut in 2022 and played in 28 games, […]

Tommy Eveld Signs With Reds

Free-agent right-hander Tommy Eveld signed a minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, according to sources. Eveld was great out of the bullpen for Triple-A Jacksonville in the last two years. In 2022, he posted a 3.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 31 strikeouts and 10 walks in 34 2/3 innings pitched over 23 outings (one […]

A.J. Puk To Compete For Rotation Spot

Oakland Athletics left-hander A.J. Puk will get a chance to compete for a starting rotation spot in 2023, according to general manager David Forst. The 27-year-old southpaw was a starter as a prospect in the minor leagues, but he's made 84 appearances for the A's in three seasons, with all of them coming in relief. […]

Michael Brantley Hopes To Be Ready For Opening Day

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) said that he remains hopeful that he'll be ready for the March 30 regular season opener. However, any kind of setback could push his timetable back and open up a roster spot on the bench. Brantley had arthroscopic labral surgery on his right shoulder and hasn't played since last […]

Framber Valdez Won't Pitch In World Baseball Classic

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez won't pitch in this year's World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, according to new general manager Dana Brown. It makes total sense, as Valdez tossed a career-high 201 1/3 innings in the regular season in 2022, which was a big jump from his previous career-high of 134 2/3 […]