Elijah Mitchell Expected To Play Against Eagles

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (groin) is expected to play in the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Mitchell is listed as questionable to play. It's unclear what Mitchell's workload will be if he's active, but there's a good chance we'll see a heavy dose of running back Christian McCaffrey […]

Travis Kelce Expected To Play In AFC Championship

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (back), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bengals after experiencing back spasms during practice this week, is expected to play, according to a source. Kelce showed up on Friday's injury report but was a full participant in practice, so it seemed […]

Chiefs Don't Know How Patrick Mahomes Will Respond

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) looked good this week, but there is true uncertainty about how his high right ankle sprain will respond during the AFC Championship game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Mahomes didn't do any sprints in practice this week and didn't go full speed at all, so the Chiefs […]

Brock Burke Could Be In The Closing Mix

Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young isn't ruling out the possibility that left-hander Brock Burke could close some games for the team in 2023. Burke made his major-league debut as a starter for the Rangers in 2019 and had a 7.43 ERA (6.55 FIP) and 1.54 WHIP in his first six starts. But he was […]

Hirokazu Sawamura Returns To Japan

After two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, right-hander Hirokazu Sawamura signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Saturday to return to Japan. He appeared in 104 games for Boston from 2021-22 and had a 3.39 ERA (4.59 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, 101 strikeouts and 59 walks in 103 2/3 innings pitched […]

Nick Senzel Expected To Be Starting Center Fielder

It's still unknown if Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Senzel (toe) will be ready for the start of spring training after he had surgery to fix a broken toe last November, but manager David Bell said Senzel is still expected to be the team's starting center fielder on Opening Day. "He can play all over the […]

Nationals Sign Alexander Colome To Minor-League Deal

The Washington Nationals signed free-agent reliever Alexander Colome to a minor-league deal on Friday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The Nationals have had plenty of interest in Colome before, including advanced trade talks with the Chicago White Sox at the 2019 trade deadline. The 34-year-old right-hander was an All-Star back in 2016 […]

Yandy Diaz Closing In On Extension With Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays and infielder Yandy Diaz are closing in on a three-year, $24 million contract extension on Saturday, according to sources. The deal would include an option for a fourth year. Diaz battled through nagging injuries in 2022 but still managed to play a career-high 137 games in his sixth season in the […]

Todd Monken To Interview For Tampa's OC Job

University of Georgia offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach and former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Monken will interview for the Buccaneers' open offensive coordinator position next week, according to sources. Monken served as Tampa's offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach from 2016-18 under Dirk Koetter and has always been thought of highly in Tampa. Under […]

Buccaneers Interview Dan Pitcher For OC Position

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a virtual interview with Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan Pitcher for their vacant offensive coordinator position on Friday. Pitcher has been with the Bengals since 2016 and has served as an offensive assistant, wide receivers coach and assistant quarterbacks coach. He was promoted to QBs coach in 2020. It's unknown […]

Falcons Name Ryan Nielsen As Defensive Coordinator

The Atlanta Falcons hired New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their new defensive coordinator on Friday. The 43-year-old Nielsen has spent the last six seasons as an assistant with the Saints, where he was the defensive line coach for all six years. He spent the first 15 years of his coaching career in […]

DeMeco Ryans A Top Candidate For Texans Head-Coach Job

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans has emerged as a top candidate for the Houston Texans' head-coaching position, and he's expected to get a second interview with the team next week. Ryans is one of the hottest head-coaching candidates this cycle and is also a finalist for the same position with the Denver Broncos. […]

Reds Planning On Full Season For Tyler Stephenson

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that the team is planning for catcher Tyler Stephenson (collarbone) to be in the lineup for 140-150 games in 2023 if he can remain healthy. They will be able to achieve that by using Stephenson as the designated hitter to give him days off behind the plate. The 26-year-old […]

Rangers Sign Clint Frazier, Danny Duffy To Minor-League Deals

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent outfielder Clint Frazier and left-hander Danny Duffy to minor-league deals on Friday. Once a top prospect for the Cleveland Guardians, Frazier spent the 2022 season with the Chicago Cubs and hit just .216 with a .653 OPS and no home runs in 19 games. Staying healthy has always been a […]

Jesus Aguilar To Split Time At First Base, DH

Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst said he expects the newly signed Jesus Aguilar to split his time in 2023 at first base and designated hitter in an everyday role, similar to what he was doing last year with the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles. The 32-year-old right-handed slugger spent most of his time with […]

James Kaprielian, Paul Blackburn Expected To Be Ready

The Oakland Athletics expect starting pitchers James Kaprielian (shoulder) and Paul Blackburn (finger) to be ready for spring training, according to general manager David Forst. It's the reason the team felt comfortable trading left-hander Cole Irvin to the Baltimore Orioles this week. Kaprielian had surgery to fix the AC joint in his right-shoulder in the […]

Pete Fairbanks Agrees To Three-Year Extension With Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays and reliever Pete Fairbanks agreed to a three-year, $12 million contract extension on Friday, according to sources. The deal includes a fourth-year team option and comes off a year in which Fairbanks tossed 22 scoreless innings. The 29-year-old right-hander avoids his remaining arbitration-eligible years with the deal, and his fourth-year option […]

Braves Sign Brian Snitker Through 2025 Season

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they signed manager Brian Snitker to a contract extension that will carry him through the 2025 season. The 67-year-old skipper captured a World Series title with the team in 2021 and guided them to 101 wins during the regular season in 2022. The Braves have won the National […]

Cole Hamels Looks Great During Showcase

Free-agent left-hander Cole Hamels threw for interested teams in Arlington, Texas, on Friday and was said to look "insanely good." Hamels was hitting 88-91 mph with his fastball, and the observer expects Hamels to draw serious interest on the open market with spring training quickly approaching. The 39-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched since the 2020 shortened […]

Jeff McNeil, Mets Agree On Four-Year Extension

The New York Mets and National League batting champion Jeff McNeil agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension on Friday, according to sources familiar with the deal. The contract includes a fifth-year team option that could take the total value of the deal to $63.75 million. Not only can McNeil hit, but he can […]

Sean Payton Could Land Cardinals Head-Coaching Job

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday that former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton had a good interview for the Arizona Cardinals head-coaching position on Thursday, so there remains a chance that he could be a head coach again in the NFL in 2023. The Carolina Panthers already […]

Jonah Williams, Alex Cappa Ruled Out Against Chiefs

Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams (knee) and right guard Alex Cappa (ankle) have officially been ruled out for the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Williams and Cappa were also out in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills, and even though Cincy's offensive line played great in that […]

Tua Tagovailoa Still In Concussion Protocol

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol and will not take part in next week's Pro Bowl, according to a source. Tagovailoa was named the first alternate at QB for the Pro Bowl. He initially entered the protocol on Dec. 26 for the second time this year after suffering a […]

Elijah Mitchell Questionable To Face Eagles

San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (groin) is listed as questionable to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the NFC Championship game. Mitchell took part in Friday's walkthrough practice after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but there's a chance he could be out or limited this weekend. We'd be surprised if […]

Christian McCaffrey A Full-Go For NFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) returned to practice on Friday and was removed from the final injury report. Despite missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, he will play on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. CMC is dealing with a bruised right calf, but he could be forced into […]

Mecole Hardman, Justin Watson Questionable

Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers Mecole Hardman (pelvis) and Justin Watson (illness) are both listed as questionable to play on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Championship tilt. Hardman was limited all week, while Watson popped up on the injury report on Friday with a DNP. Hardman scored touchdowns in each of his […]

Travis Kelce Listed As Questionable For AFC Title Game

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (back) popped up on Friday's injury report and has been listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship against the Cincinnati Bengals despite practicing in full on Friday. Kelce's injury is notable, but it would be a big surprise if he doesn't play this weekend. The 33-year-old could be […]

Patrick Mahomes Off The Final Injury Report

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) managed to somehow practice in full all week with a right high-ankle sprain, and he's been removed from Friday's final injury report. Mahomes will suit up in the AFC Championship game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, although his mobility will certainly be limited. Expect the 27-year-old to […]

Orioles Sign Curtis Terry To Minor-League Deal

The Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent third baseman Curtis Terry to a minor-league deal on Friday. Terry made his major-league debut with the Texas Rangers in 2021 and went 4-for-45 with no homers, one RBI, three runs scored and 15 strikeouts in 48 plate appearances over only 13 games played. The 26-year-old spent the 2022 campaign […]

Cubs Add Tyler Duffey On Minor-League Deal

The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent right-hander Tyler Duffey as a non-roster invitee on Friday, according to a source. Duffey will compete for a bullpen job in spring training. He made 295 appearances for the Minnesota Twins over the last eight seasons, and the Cubs have a good track record with these types of free-agent relievers. […]