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 […]

Rashan Gary Looking Lean

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary had as good a spring as anyone in an offseason in which the Packers did almost no full-speed 11-on-11 work. Gary looked lean and muscular and is coming off a career-best season in which he racked up 9.5 sacks and 28 quarterback hits. He was one of the […]

Trinity Benson Has Productive Offseason

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell praised wide receiver Trinity Benson during minicamp as one of the players who is "having a hell of a spring." Benson has learned the team's playbook and elevated his confidence by adding speed to his skill set. The 25-year-old will still have to fight for a roster spot in […]

Adrian Martinez To Make Second Start Thursday

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitching prospect Adrian Martinez will be called up from Triple-A Las Vegas to make his second major league start against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday, according to manager Mark Kotsay. In his first start against the Detroit Tigers during a May 10 doubleheader, Martinez tossed 5 1/3 scoreless frames while walking none […]

Phillies Calling Up Darick Hall

The Philadelphia Phillies are calling up first baseman Darick Hall from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday after he hit his 20th home run in the minors on Tuesday night. The left-handed slugger isn't among the team's top-30 prospects on MLB Pipeline, but that doesn't mean he won't be able to make an impact in fantasy […]

Michael Chavis Not Playing Against Nationals

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Michael Chavis is out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals. It's the second straight game that Chavis has started on the bench against a right-handed pitcher. Instead, Josh VanMeter will get another start at the cold corner and will hit fifth in the batting order against […]

Lane Thomas Sitting Wednesday

Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Thomas had been in the starting lineup each of the last four games for the Nats. Although he's hitting just .231/.294/.406, he has eight home runs, 30 RBI, 27 runs scored and a stolen base through 67 games. […]

Eduardo Escobar Out Against Astros

New York Mets third baseman Eduardo Escobar is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Houston Astros. Escobar is hitting just .114 (4-for-35) with a homer and five RBI in 10 games over the last two weeks, so it's a good time for him to take a seat. Overall, he's slashing just .222/.283/.376 […]

Aaron Ashby Throws Bullpen Wednesday

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby (forearm) threw a bullpen session at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, and everything went well. It's unclear if Ashby will make his next appearance in a game for the Brewers, so stay tuned for more information. The 24-year-old southpaw has been on the injured list since June 17 with forearm inflammation, […]

Jacob deGrom Nearing Rehab Assignment

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (shoulder) threw 27 pitches on Wednesday in his third live batting practice session, and skipper Buck Showalter said the team will discuss his next steps on Thursday. A minor league rehab assignment for deGrom could be close. "All these things he's doing are setting him up to pitch […]

Josh H. Smith Back In There Wednesday

Texas Rangers rookie infielder Josh H. Smith (calf) is starting at third base and is hitting leadoff on Wednesday against Kansas City Royals right-hander Zack Greinke. Smith left Tuesday's game early with a right calf contusion, but he'll be back in there a day later. In 11 games since being called up from the minors […]

Gleyber Torres Returns, Anthony Rizzo Out Wednesday

New York Yankees middle infielder Gleyber Torres (ankle, wrist) is back at second base and is hitting fifth on Wednesday against Oakland Athletics left-hander Cole Irvin, while first baseman Anthony Rizzo will take the day off against the southpaw. Torres exited Sunday's game late against the Houston Astros with a mild ankle sprain, and he […]

Braxton Jones Emerges With First-Team Offense

Chicago Bears rookie fifth-round offensive tackle Braxton Jones quickly emerged this offseason with the first-team offensive line at left tackle during spring practices and supplanted Teven Jenkins, who was moved to right tackle with the second team. Jones said he was "a little bit surprised" he was already competing with the starting unit, but he's […]

Benjamin St-Juste Looks Good This Offseason

Washington Commanders cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, who was selected in the third round last year, has worked mostly in the slot in the nickel package. He stands at 6-foot-3, but he plays with good footwork, which allows him to handle slot duties against smaller, quicker wide receivers. St-Juste looked good this offseason going against impressive rookie […]

Eagles Impressed With Quez Watkins

Philadelphia Eagles third-year wide receiver Quez Watkins made some splash plays this spring, including a 40-plus-yard touchdown catch during organized team activities from quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Eagles coaching staff has talked up Watkins every chance they get and believe he has the tools to be a highly productive receiver. However, finding consistent targets for […]

Daniel Bellinger Could Make An Impact In Rookie Season

New York Giants rookie fourth-round tight end Daniel Bellinger had plenty of opportunities with the first-team offense this spring and caught the ball well. Given the way he caught the ball and the way he was moving at organized team activities and minicamp, it's likely that he was underutilized at San Diego State. The Giants […]

T.J. Vasher Stands Out This Offseason

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver T.J. Vasher, who was signed as an undrafted free agent last year, wasn't able to practice with the team due to a knee injury. However, he's put himself into the receiver conversation this offseason and got a lot of work in at organized team activities and minicamp. "He's made some really […]

Alex Leatherwood Could Win His Starting Job Back

Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood was moved from right tackle to right guard after just four games in his rookie season after being a first-round pick, but he has spent a lot of time back at right tackle this offseason. Leatherwood was drafted to be a tackle, and head coach Josh McDaniels said […]

Zach Davies Placed On Injured List

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Zach Davies (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation and recalled reliever Sean Poppen from the minors in a corresponding move. Davies will now miss at least the next two weeks and possibly longer, depending on the severity of his injury. The 29-year-old allowed two […]

Aroldis Chapman Strikes Out Two In Tuesday's Rehab Outing

New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman (Achilles) struck out two, walked none and gave up no hits in a scoreless inning of work in his minor league rehab outing on Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Chapman threw seven of his 13 pitches for strikes, and he's expected to be activated from the injured list now, […]

Liam Hendriks To Throw Simulated Game Friday

Chicago White Sox skipper Tony La Russa is hoping that closer Liam Hendriks (forearm) can return from the injured list for the team's next homestand, which begins next Monday against the Minnesota Twins. Hendriks felt good after his bullpen session on Monday and will throw a simulated game in San Francisco on Friday. The 33-year-old […]

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Leaves Game Early Against Cardinals

Miami Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (back) was replaced in the bottom of the second inning on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals after likely aggravating his back injury. Chisholm missed the two previous games due to back spasms that have plagued him recently, so this isn't a good sign that he had to […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Expected To Take Full Swings In Two Weeks

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (wrist) expects to begin swinging a bat full speed in two weeks. Tatis visited with the same doctor on Tuesday that had surgery on his fractured wrist. "This was the first time I came out happy after a doctor's appointment," Tatis said. After he starts swinging full speed […]

Tommy Pham Scratched With Back Tightness

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tommy Pham (back) was scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the Chicago Cubs with lower-back stiffness. Fantasy managers should consider Pham day-to-day until we know more about his back injury. In his place, Max Schrock will start in left field and hit sixth against Cubs right-hander Keegan Thompson. Schrock has just 11 […]

Nothing Wrong With Max Scherzer

New York Mets starting pitcher Max Scherzer's (oblique) minor league rehab start for Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday has been pushed back to Wednesday, but the move is simply precautionary due to the nature of the injury. "Listening to Max and watching him and everything, just felt like we had the benefit of an extra day... […]