David Bednar, Chris Stratton To Split Closing Duties

The Pittsburgh Pirates plan to continue splitting the closing duties between relief pitchers David Bednar and Chris Stratton, which is what they did last year when they traded away then-closer Richard Rodriguez to the Atlanta Braves. Bednar was 3-1 with a 2.23 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and three saves in 60 2/3 innings last year, averaging […]

Evan Longoria To Have Surgery Tuesday

The San Francisco Giants said that third baseman Evan Longoria (finger) will have surgery on Tuesday to fix a ligament in his right index finger. Longoria's prognosis will be determined after his surgery, but the expectation is that his finger will be immobilized for at least 10 days. The 36-year-old will not be ready for […]

Bills Keep Ryan Bates

The Buffalo Bills will match the restricted free-agent offer sheet for offensive tackle Ryan Bates, according to general manager Brandon Beane. Bates will receive a four-year deal from Buffalo. The 25-year-old signed an offer sheet from the Chicago Bears last week, but the Bills decided to match the offer in order to keep him around […]

Blue Jays Send Gabriel Moreno Down

The Toronto Blue Jays sent catching prospect Gabriel Moreno to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday. Moreno is the team's top prospect and is also ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline. Toronto will begin the 2022 season with Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk working behind the dish, giving the 22-year-old Moreno […]

Jarren Duran Optioned To Triple-A

The Boston Red Sox optioned outfielder Jarren Duran, along with Ronaldo Hernandez and Connor Wong, to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday. Duran made his major league debut in Boston last year, but he'll head back to the minors to kick off 2022. He struggled in his first taste of big-league pitching last year, hitting .215/.241/.336 with […]

Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene Not Locks To Make Roster

Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that top prospects Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene aren't locks to make the team's Opening Day roster. "They still have things to do to make this team. I can't put it any more simply than that," Hinch said. Torkelson, a corner infielder, and Greene, an outfielder, are the Tigers […]

Kyle Wright, Huascar Ynoa The Front-Runners For Rotation

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that pitchers Kyle Wright and Huascar Ynoa are likely the front-runners for the two open starting rotation spots to begin the 2022 season. Wright, a 26-year-old right-hander, has a rough 6.56 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in 21 career major league outings (14 starts) over 70 innings pitched. He won't […]

Andrew Heaney, Tony Gonsolin Projected As Starters

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he projects pitchers Andrew Heaney and Tony Gonsolin as starters to begin the season. Left-hander Tyler Anderson will serve as a piggyback option out of the bullpen. Veteran southpaw David Price isn't an option as a starter because he's not built up enough. Heaney will fill in […]

Brent Honeywell Jr. Shut Down Indefinitely

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brent Honeywell Jr. (elbow) has been shut down from throwing indefinitely after an MRI/CT scan showed an olecranon stress reaction in the bone in the back of his right elbow, according to trainer Nick Paparesta. The 26-year-old was once a top prospect for the Tampa Bay Rays, but injuries have derailed […]

Padres Acquire Matt Beaty From Dodgers

The San Diego Padres acquired first baseman/outfielder Matt Beaty from the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday in exchange for right-handed pitcher River Ryan. The Dodgers designated Beaty for assignment last week, and now he'll land in the same division with the Friars. The 28-year-old definitely need some more outfield help, but at best, the […]

Luis Urias To Start Season On Injured List

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Luis Urias (quadriceps) will open the regular season on the injured list, according to manager Craig Counsell. On the bright side, Urias ran on the field for the first time on Saturday and will take some swings in the cage and play catch early this week. The 24-year-old injured his leg […]

Andrew Vaughn Out 1-2 Weeks With Hip Pointer

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Vaughn (hip) has been diagnosed with a hip pointer injury, or bruised pelvis, and is currently projected to return to game action in the next one to two weeks. Vaughn was carted off the field during a Cactus League game on Sunday after he made a diving catch in the […]

Saints Re-Sign Tre'Quan Smith To Two-Year Deal

The New Orleans Saints are re-signing wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith to a two-year deal with a base value of $6 million on Monday. Smith will have a chance to earn another $4.5 million through incentives/escalators. The deal also includes $2 million guaranteed. The 26-year-old finished his fourth year in New Orleans with 32 receptions on […]

Cardinals Expected To Sign Will Hernandez

The Arizona Cardinals are expected to sign former New York Giants offensive guard Will Hernandez, according to a source. The 2018 second-rounder will reunite with offensive line coach Sean Kugler, who was Hernandez's offensive line coach in college. Hernandez will likely start at right guard in the desert in 2022. The 26-year-old started 56 games […]

Steelers Impressed With Malik Willis

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin came away impressed with Liberty quarterback Malik Willis. "Really impressive. Sharp, grounded. Comfortable in his skin," Tomlin said. ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported on Sunday that general manager Kevin Colbert said that adding Mitchell Trubisky in free agency doesn't preclude the team from drafting another QB. "We've been at top […]

Matt Patricia To Work With Offense In 2022

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said that assistant coach Matt Patricia, whose background is on defense, will work with the offense in 2022. The Patriots are looking to replace offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who left to become the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. The Patriots also brought back former […]

Jonnu Smith To Be Full Participant In Voluntary Program

New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith plans to spend the offseason in New England as a full participant in the voluntary offseason program, according to a source. Smith didn't do so last year while awaiting the birth of his daughter, but he's looking to bounce back in 2022 after posting a disappointing 28 catches […]

Panthers Have First-Round Grades On Three QBs

The Carolina Panthers are looking for an upgrade under center over current starting quarterback Sam Darnold. The 2022 draft is believed to be one of the weaker classes of QBs in recent years. The Panthers view Malik Willis, Kenny Pickett and Matt Corral as the top quarterbacks of the class and have first-round draft grades […]

Commanders Eyeing Sam Howell

The Washington Commanders had a big turnout at North Carolina's Pro Day to watch quarterback Sam Howell. The New Orleans Saints are also among the team's in attendance on Monday. The Commanders pulled off a big trade to acquire quarterback Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts this offseason, but he's probably not the long-term answer […]

Derrius Guice Trying To Make A Return

Former Washington Commanders running back Derrius Guice is hoping to relaunch his career and auditioned for NFL scouts on Monday at the HUB Football Camp in California. Knee injuries and legal issues derailed the 24-year-old's NFL career after he was a second-round pick in 2018, but he looks to be in outstanding shape and displayed […]

Albert Okwuegbunam To Serve In Hybrid Role

Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam will be more of a "move tight end" and a hybrid receiver/tight end this year, according to head coach Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett said he's "excited to get the ball in his hands." The 23-year-old had a career-high 33 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns on 40 targets in […]

J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards Likely To Begin Camp On PUP List

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that running backs J.K. Dobbins (knee) and Gus Edwards (knee) are making progress but will likely start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Ravens will play it safe with both players after they missed the entire 2021 season with torn ACLs. Baltimore didn't have […]

Michael Gallup Will Be Question Mark For Week 1

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (knee) will be a question mark for Week 1 of the 2022 season after having surgery to fix a torn ACL. "Optimistically, I expect him to give us a question mark around the first game. And I see a conversation that says conservatively, you would like to have a […]

Justin Upton Playing First Base

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton is starting at first base and hitting fourth in Monday's Cactus League game against the Oakland Athletics. It's the first time that Upton will play first base in a major league game, although he's been working at the position this spring. If the Angels actually decide to use the […]

Manny Machado Back In The Lineup Monday

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (back) is in the starting lineup for Monday's Cactus League game against the Chicago White Sox and is hitting second. Machado took two days off while battling back tightness, but he's fine now and will return to spring action. So far in the Cactus League, the 29-year-old is […]

Nick Ahmed Battling Shoulder Discomfort

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (shoulder) is dealing with discomfort in his right shoulder, the same shoulder that caused him to miss the final two weeks of last season. He has had a platelet-rich plasma injection and a cortisone shot and will have an MRI exam to see where things stand. Ahmed may need to […]

C.J. Cron Clears Concussion Protocol

Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron (head) cleared the league's concussion protocol after leaving the Cactus League game on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to manager Bud Black. Cron was hit in the head by a pitch, but it luckily hit his shoulder before hitting his helmet. The 32-year-old slugger will likely be back […]

Adam Wainwright Will Start On Opening Day

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright will start on Opening Day on April 7 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 40-year-old right-hander will get the nod with Jack Flaherty set to open the year on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Wainwright has been very solid for the Cardinals the last two seasons and […]

Cardinals Finalize Deal With Albert Pujols

The St. Louis Cardinals finalized a one-year, $2.5 million deal with free-agent first baseman Albert Pujols on Sunday, according to sources. Pujols is expected to arrive in Jupiter, Florida, this week. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer has come full circle and will sign with the team that he began his illustrious career with. Now […]

Andrew Vaughn Dealing With Hip Discomfort

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Vaughn (hip) left the Cactus League game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers with right hip discomfort. Vaughn had to be carted off the field after making a diving catch in the fourth inning. It's usually not good when a player is carted off the field, but the actual […]