Mookie Betts Taking Batting Practice Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (ribs), who is on the injured list with a right-rib fracture, is taking batting practice on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. The team is hopeful that he will return by the All-Star break, although he could initially be limited to designated hitter duties. The 29-year-old superstar landed on the […]

Jason Heyward Lands On Injured List

The Chicago Cubs placed outfielder Jason Heyward (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with right knee inflammation. In corresponding moves, the team selected Narciso Crook's contract from Triple-A Iowa and moved Michael Hermosillo to the 60-day injured list. Heyward's IL placement is retroactive to June 27. The 32-year-old veteran hasn't done much offensively […]

Tyler Stephenson Could Return In 7-10 Days

Cincinnati Reds skipper David Bell said that catcher Tyler Stephenson (thumb) could be back from the injured list within seven to 10 days. He will hit live batting practice on Friday, and the next step after that will be a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. The 25-year-old backstop needs to be stashed in […]

Nationals Haven't Offered Juan Soto $425 Million

Contrary to a previous report, the Washington Nationals reported offer of 13 years and $425 million to outfielder Juan Soto is inaccurate, according to sources. There is no evidence that the two sides are in active contract negotiations, especially considering the Lerner family is currently exploring a sale of the team. It appears that a […]

J.P. Crawford Not Playing Thursday

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against the Oakland Athletics. If he doesn't get into the game on Thursday, Crawford will finish the month of June with a disappointing .202/.263/.289 slash line with one home run, nine RBI, 12 runs scored and two stolen bases in 26 games […]

Jarren Duran, Tanner Houck Back From Restricted List

The Boston Red Sox activated outfielder Jarren Duran and right-hander Tanner Houck from the restricted list on Thursday and optioned infielder Yolmer Sanchez to Triple-A Worcester and designated right-hander Silvino Bracho for assignment in corresponding moves. Duran and Houck were unavailable for the series against the Blue Jays in Toronto this week because they aren't […]

Talks Intensifying Between Nationals, Juan Soto

Talks are intensifying between the Washington Nationals and outfielder Juan Soto regarding a second offer from the team for 13 years and $425 million, which will increase the initial $350 million offer by $75 million. Soto is just 23 years old, but he was a first-time All-Star in 2021 and has proven to be one […]

Yordan Alvarez, Jeremy Pena Both Out Thursday

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (head) and rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena (head) are both out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the New York Yankees. Alvarez and Pena were involved in a scary collision in the outfield on Wednesday, with Alvarez needing to be carted off the field. Both players were being evaluated for […]

Brett Phillips Out Against Southpaw

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Phillips will start on the bench for the second straight day with the Rays facing two lefties on back-to-back days. The 28-year-old lefty hitter is batting just .159/.226/.269 on the season with four home […]

Odubel Herrera Not Facing The Braves

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera is out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Atlanta Braves. It will be Herrera's second straight game starting on the bench, and his 2-for-33 (.061) stretch at the plate in nine games over the last two weeks probably has a lot to do with it. The recent cold […]

Ji-Man Choi Resting Thursday Against Lefty

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Believe it or not, Choi has gone 13-for-28 (.464) against left-handed pitchers on the season, but he'll take the day off on Thursday after facing a southpaw on Wednesday. Overall, he's hitting a […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Out Against Phillies

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (foot) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Acuna will miss his fourth straight game after fouling a ball off his foot last Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 24-year-old remains in Atlanta while receiving treatment, but fantasy managers will be crossing their […]

Brooks Raley Unavailable Against Toronto

The Tampa Bay Rays placed relievers Brooks Raley and Ryan Thompson on the restricted list on Thursday, and they will not be joining the team in Toronto for a five-game series this weekend due to Canada's COVID vaccination requirement. The Rays bullpen will be a bit short-handed this weekend against the Blue Jays. The left-handed […]

Jeffrey Springs Won't Make Start Thursday

The Tampa Bay Rays placed left-hander Jeffrey Springs on the family medical emergency list on Thursday, which explains why he won't make the start against the Toronto Blue Jays as originally scheduled. Ryan Yarbrough has been called up from the minors as the likely bulk pitcher for Thursday's game, while Matt Wisler is listed as […]

L.J. Collier Could Finally Be Coming Around

Seattle Seahawks former first-round defensive end/defensive tackle L.J. Collier has had an underwhelming start to his career, but defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt said during organized team activities that Collier was having one of the best springs of any Seattle defender. Collier will be fighting for playing time in a defensive-line rotation that is crowded after […]

Jauan Jennings Showing Chemistry With Trey Lance

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings emerged as one of the team's most reliable targets on third down and in the red zone, but that didn't happen until late in the year. Jennings had 16 catches for 212 yards in the final five games, with 11 of those going for either a touchdown or […]

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 […]