Tutu Atwell Shows Improvement

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp both pointed out second-year receiver Tutu Atwell's improvement this spring. Stafford said he's noticed that "everything" Atwell does "seems to be that much more intentional." The 22-year-old played only 10 offensive snaps last year but had a role on special teams before injuring his […]

Sam Howell Will Be Commanders No. 3 QB

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Sam Howell will enter the year as the team's No. 3 QB. Carson Wentz will be the starter, and the team considers Taylor Heinicke to be a high-end backup. But Heinicke is in the final year of his contract, so Howell has a chance to become the primary back in 2023. […]

Bailey Zappe Likely To Be Third-Stringer

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Bailey Zappe will most likely be the team's third QB behind second-year man Mac Jones and veteran Brian Hoyer. It seems like a long shot that Zappe will challenge Hoyer for the backup job at this time, but Hoyer was also viewed in the same way back in 2009 when […]

Matt Corral Unlikely To Start In Week 1

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Matt Corral is unlikely to start in Week 1, as ESPN.com's David Newton gives him a 5% chance to start the season opener. The plan is to have a veteran, whether it be Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield or someone else, start the year and keep Corral ready to take over […]

Malik Willis Likely To Sit His Rookie Season

ESPN.com's Turron Davenport gives a 75% chance that Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis sits all season behind Ryan Tannehill in 2022. Barring injury or some kind of catastrophic failure, Tannehill will take the bulk of the snaps this year. The Titans are taking a ground-up approach with Willis, first getting him used to calling […]

Jacob deGrom Could Make Rehab Start Sunday

The New York Mets are discussing the possibility of a Sunday night minor league rehab start for starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (shoulder) with Single-A St. Lucie. deGrom threw 27 pitches in his third live batting practice session on Wednesday, and he's close to taking the next step on a rehab assignment. The 34-year-old right-hander hasn't […]

Tyler Naquin Starting Rehab Assignment Thursday

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tyler Naquin (quadriceps) is starting his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. Naquin hasn't played in a major league game since May 31 due to a left quadriceps strain, so this could be a lengthy rehab assignment for the 31-year-old left-handed hitter. However, barring any setbacks on his rehab […]

Vimael Machin Being Called Up

The Oakland Athletics are calling up infielder Vimael Machin from the minors on Thursday. Machin went 4-for-32 (.125) with an RBI, three walks and 10 strikeouts in 15 games for the A's earlier this year, but he's had a breakout offensive season at Triple-A Las Vegas, slashing .324/.401/.457 with an .858 OPS, four home runs, […]

Jorge Polanco Out Against Cleveland

Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco is not in the starting lineup against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Polanco will get his first day of rest since returning from a back injury that landed him on the injured list. In two starts since his return, he's gone 2-for-9 with a home run and three RBI, […]

Ryan Jeffers Gets A Breather

Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians. While splitting time behind the plate this year with Gary Sanchez, Jeffers is hitting a lowly .198/.283/.341 with five home runs, 20 RBI and 19 runs scored in 167 at-bats. He should only be rostered in deep two-catcher […]

Franmil Reyes Resting Against Twins

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Franmil Reyes is not in the starting lineup against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Reyes is hitting just .205/.259/.311 with four home runs, 16 RBI and 11 runs scored on the season in 42 games as a massive disappointment for fantasy managers that were expecting much more of a power display. He […]

Luke Maile Sitting Out Thursday

Cleveland Guardians catcher Luke Maile is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Minnesota Twins. With Austin Hedges on the injured list, Maile has become Cleveland's primary backstop, but he'll take a seat after starting each of the last two games. The 31-year-old should only be an option for fantasy managers in […]

Max Scherzer Gives Up Two Runs In Rehab Start

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer (oblique) allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking one and striking out eight in 4 2/3 innings pitched in his second minor league rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Wednesday. Most importantly, Scherzer was stretched out to 80 pitches. The 37-year-old right-hander is extremely close to […]

Garrett Whitlock Could Return In Relief Role

The Boston Red Sox are considering moving right-hander Garrett Whitlock (hip) to the bullpen when he returns from the injured list. Skipper Alex Cora sounds as if the team is leaning toward making him a reliever when he returns. Whitlock has been on the injured list since June 10 with right hip inflammation, but he's […]

Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena Evaluated For Concussions

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (head) and rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena (head) are both being evaluated for concussions after the two were involved in a scary collision in the outfield on Wednesday against the New York Mets, according to the team. The Astros will provide an update on Thursday. Alvarez laid motionless on the ground […]

Payton Turner Says He's Cleared

New Orleans Saints defensive end Payton Turner (shoulder), who had major shoulder surgery last November, announced on his Twitter page on Wednesday that he's been cleared. Turner was the 28th overall pick in the first round of last year's draft out of Houston, but he played in only five games in his rookie campaign, recording […]

Trevor Story Resting Wednesday Against Toronto

Boston Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. It will be Story's first day off since June 10. In 24 games in June, he's hitting .232 (22-for-95) with three home runs, 15 RBI and 31 strikeouts in 103 plate appearances. Story has struggled […]

Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena Leave After Scary Collision

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez and shortstop Jeremy Pena both left the game early on Wednesday against the New York Mets after being involved in a scary collision in the outfield as they tracked down a Dominic Smith pop-up. Alvarez was carted off the field, and Pena later walked off the field after trying to […]

Darick Hall Hitting Cleanup In MLB Debut

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Darick Hall is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup in his major league debut on Wednesday against Atlanta Braves right-hander Kyle Wright. The Phillies are in need of another left-handed power bat with Bryce Harper (thumb) out for at least six weeks, and Hall had been one of […]

Blue Jays Interested In Andrew Benintendi

The Toronto Blue Jays and Kansas City Royals are potential trade partners ahead of the Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline, and Toronto is among the teams with interest in outfielder Andrew Benintendi. The Royals have appealing bullpen arms as well. The rebuilding Royals will be sellers this year, and Benintendi is perhaps their most valuable […]

Mariners Put Taylor Trammell On Injured List

The Seattle Mariners placed outfielder Taylor Trammell (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a right hamstring strain. In corresponding moves, the team selected outfielder Marcus Wilson from Triple-A Tacoma, recalled infielder/outfielder Sam Haggerty from Tacoma, optioned infielder Kevin Padlo to Tacoma and moved catcher Tom Murphy (shoulder) to the 60-day IL. Trammell […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Still Missing From Lineup

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (foot) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Acuna hasn't played since fouling a ball off his foot last Saturday, and although X-rays were negative for any fractures, he's missed three straight games and could still wind up on the injured list if he […]

LaMonte Wade Jr. Activated From Injured List

The San Francisco Giants activated outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. (knee) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned catcher/infielder Yermin Mercedes to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Wade is starting in right field and is batting leadoff in his first game back on Wednesday against Detroit Tigers right-hander Rony Garcia. The 28-year-old has […]

Aroldis Chapman Likely To Return Friday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (Achilles) could be activated from the injured list on Thursday, but skipper Aaron Boone said he is "probably leaning more towards Friday" at the Cleveland Guardians. Chapman struck out two in a scoreless inning of work on Tuesday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in what is expected to be his […]

David Bednar Unavailable For Second Straight Day

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (back) is unavailable for the second straight day on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals. "He is progressing and we envision him being available in the coming days," director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said. The good news is Bednar is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list, but […]

Manny Machado Out Again Wednesday

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Machado will miss his ninth straight game after tweaking his ankle on Father's Day on June 19. The 29-year-old superstar was hoping he'd be available in the series against Arizona, but hopefully he'll be able […]

Eno Benjamin Taking Advantage Of Repetitions

Arizona Cardinals running back Eno Benjamin has been taking advantage of his repetitions this offseason and has married his quickness, pass protection and receiving abilities into a player who could end up backing up James Conner in 2022. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has raved about Benjamin this offseason. With Chase Edmonds leaving in free agency, […]

Bryce Thompson Projected To Make The Roster

New Orleans Saints second-year defensive back Bryce Thompson earned his way onto ESPN.com's Mike Triplett's 53-man roster projection based on how often he flashed during organized team activities and minicamp practices, and how the Saints were working him into packages with both the first- and second-string defenses. Thompson had a strong summer as an undrafted […]

Nate Landman Could Make The Roster

Atlanta Falcons undrafted rookie linebacker Nate Landman was active in 7-on-7 drills in the only heavy action during organized team activities and seemed to have a knack for finding the ball. Landman is still probably fighting an uphill battle to make the final roster as an inside linebacker out of training camp, but he might […]

Brian Asamoah Showcases His Speed

Minnesota Vikings rookie third-round linebacker Brian Asamoah's sideline-to-sideline speed was evident in non-contact practices this offseason, as was his confidence. He joked with an assistant coach that he wanted $5 every time he ran past someone. "I'm a rich man now," Asamoah said, "because I keep passing them." The 22-year-old was a two-year starter at […]