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 […]

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 […]