Rafael Ortega Leading Off For Cubs

Chicago Cubs outfielder Rafael Ortega is hitting leadoff and serving as the designated hitter on Opening Day on Thursday against Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes. Jason Heyward is starting in center field and batting seventh. Ortega has a big challenge ahead of him against last year's National League Cy Young winner, making him tough […]

Padres Acquire Taylor Rogers, Brent Rooker

The San Diego Padres acquired relief pitcher Taylor Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in exchange for starting pitcher Chris Paddack and relief pitcher Emilio Pagan. Rogers, a 31-year-old left-hander, will likely become the new closer in San Diego, which is bad news for anyone that already drafted Robert Suarez. […]

Jared Bernhardt Visits With Broncos

Former Maryland lacrosse player Jared Bernhardt, who transferred to Ferris State and led them to the Division 2 National Championship as a quarterback, had a top-30 visit with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday. Bernhardt will be a wide receiver/kick returner in the NFL. He's considered a long shot to get drafted, but it's not unheard […]

Danny Gray Making The Rounds

SMU wide receiver Danny Gray, who is ranked as NFL.com's No. 64 overall draft prospect this year, finished up a visit with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday after visiting with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday and spending time with the Dallas Cowboys over the weekend. Gray had an excellent senior season at SMU last […]

Treylon Burks To Visit With Jets, Browns

Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks will visit with the New York Jets on Thursday, and then he's scheduled to meet with the Cleveland Browns. Pro Football Network's Tony Pauline recently reported that Jets general manager Joe Douglas has been "gushing" about Burks. He ran a 4.55-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in February and […]

Chris Olave Visiting With Commanders

Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave is visiting with the Washington Commanders on Thursday, as is San Diego State defensive lineman Cam Thomas. Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III will be with Washington on Friday. Olave is making the rounds, as he's already visited with the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. The 21-year-old […]

Mets Still Evaluating Brandon Nimmo

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (neck) is still being evaluated. He still has a chance to start on Opening Day on Thursday against the Washington Nationals, but he could also sit out a few days or hit the injured list, according to manager Buck Showalter. We probably won't know for sure until Thursday, but […]

Jordan Hicks Named No. 5 Starter

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jordan Hicks will open the year as the team's No. 5 starter. Jack Flaherty (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, so his injury opened up a spot in the starting rotation. Hicks was expected to have a shot at save chances alongside Giovanny Gallegos and others in 2022, […]

Tyrann Mathieu In No Rush To Sign

Free-agent defensive back Tyrann Mathieu visited with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday, and he may visit with other teams, but he's in no rush to sign a deal. "I don't think they really need me, but it would be good to go back home and help them win," Mathieu said. The Honey Badger is […]

Whitney Mercilus Hangs Up His Cleats

Former Houston Texans pass-rusher Whitney Mercilus announced on his Instagram account on Wednesday that he is retiring from the NFL. Mercilus played for the Texans and Green Bay Packers last year, recording 17 tackles (nine solo), five tackles for loss, five QB hits and four sacks in 10 games (two starts). He spent the previous […]

Seahawks Turn Down Jets Offer For DK Metcalf

The Seattle Seahawks have turned down the New York Jets No. 10 overall pick in this year's draft in exchange for wide receiver DK Metcalf, according to a source. The Seahawks originally held the 10th overall pick in this year's draft, but they traded it to New York in the Jamal Adams trade. There have […]

X-Rays Negative On Mickey Moniak

X-rays turned up negative on Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Mickey Moniak's right hand on Wednesday. Moniak suffered a bruised hand in the spring game on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays when he was hit on the right hand in the fourth inning. The 23-year-old former No. 1 overall pick could be forced to miss Opening […]

Jairo Diaz Signs With Mariners

Free-agent relief pitcher Jairo Diaz signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Diaz didn't pitch in the majors in 2021, but the right-hander has some closing experience (nine saves in his last two seasons) and will provide the Mariners with some relief depth this year. The 30-year-old had four saves for […]

Jorge Mateo Takes Batting Practice Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jorge Mateo (hand) took batting practice on Wednesday and should be fine for Opening Day on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Mateo left the Grapefruit League game early on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays when he was hit on the right hand by a pitch. But the 26-year-old avoided structural […]

Jose Cisnero Goes On 60-Day Injured List

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Cisnero (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday due to a right shoulder sprain. Pitchers Will Vest, Drew Hutchison, Jacob Barnes and Elvin Rodriguez have all made the Opening Day bullpen. Infielder Willi Castro will start the year at Triple-A. The injury troubles continue for Cisnero, whose 2021 […]

Falcons Add Germain Ifedi

The Atlanta Falcons are signing free-agent offensive lineman Germain Ifedi to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. The former Seattle Seahawks first-rounder will head to Atlanta after playing the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears. Ifedi spent the first four of his NFL seasons in Seattle, playing both right guard […]

Taylor Stallworth Joins The Chiefs

Free-agent defensive lineman Taylor Stallworth signed an undisclosed one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, according to his agent, Brett Tessler. Stallworth played in 32 games the last two seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, but he made just two starts and totaled 16 solo tackles (five for loss), 13 QB hits, 3.5 sacks, […]

Steelers To Visit With Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most interested teams when it comes to quarterback draft prospects, and they'll visit with Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder on Thursday and North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell on Friday. Pittsburgh has the 20th overall pick in the first round of the draft, and even though they signed Mitchell […]

Dodgers Haven't Offered Trea Turner An Extension

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner said that there has been nothing new in contract-extension talks between him and the team. Turner is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2022 season, but he said at the start of spring that he'd be open to signing a long-term contract to remain in LA. The […]

Ryan Pressly Reaches Two-Year Extension With Astros

The Houston Astros and closer Ryan Pressly agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract extension on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the situation. The deal includes a 2025 vesting option that can make the deal worth up to $42 million. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports Pressly will make $14 million in 2023 and 2024 […]

Ravens Won't Rule Out Taking RB In The Draft

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said he doesn't see any first-round running backs in this year's draft class, but he isn't ruling out taking one on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft. "If the right guy falls, we will certainly strike," DeCosta said. The Ravens may have learned their lesson in 2021 […]

Angels Optimistic Mike Trout Will Be Ready

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said he's optimistic that outfielder Mike Trout (illness) will be available on Opening Day on Thursday against the Houston Astros. Trout missed his second straight Cactus League game on Tuesday with a stomach bug, but he's scheduled to take batting practice again on Wednesday. Even if the three-time American […]

Reds Release Shogo Akiyama

The Cincinnati Reds released outfielder Shogo Akiyama on Tuesday. Akiyama declined to be optioned to Triple-A Louisville after being informed that he wouldn't make the Opening Day roster, so the Reds cut him. The 33-year-old Japanese outfielder hit a disappointing .224/.320/.274 with no home runs, 21 RBI, 32 runs scored and nine stolen bases in […]

Tommy La Stella Scratched Tuesday

San Francisco Giants infielder Tommy La Stella (Achilles) was scratched from the Cactus League lineup on Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics. La Stella was originally scheduled to play three to five innings at second base. La Stella has been held back this spring while recovering from Achilles surgery last October, but it's unclear if this […]

Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm Make Opening Day Roster

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Bryson Stott and third baseman Alec Bohm have been informed that they've made the Opening Day roster. The Phillies believe they can make it work with both players in April without sacrificing too much playing time. Stott is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he had a 1.261 OPS with […]

Dellin Betances Agrees To Minor League Deal With Dodgers

Free-agent relief pitcher Dellin Betances agreed to a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, according to a source. Betances pitched just one inning for the New York Mets last year before having season-ending shoulder surgery. The 34-year-old right-hander has tossed only 13 1/3 relief innings over the last three years combined […]

Manuel Margot Close To Contract Extension

The Tampa Bay Rays and outfielder Manuel Margot are closing in on a contract extension on Tuesday that would be for $19 million over two years, in addition to the $5.6 million that he's due this season, according to sources. Margot will now be with Tampa through the 2024 season, if this deal becomes official. […]

Elieser Hernandez Suffers Forearm Contusion Tuesday

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Elieser Hernandez (forearm) left his Grapefruit League outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday with a right forearm contusion after being hit by a comebacker. The line drive that hit his arm had an exit velocity of 105 mph off the bat of outfielder Tyler O'Neill. Hernandez is fortunate to […]

Boston Discussing Extensions For Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts

The Boston Red Sox have had recent discussions with both third baseman Rafael Devers and shortstop Xander Bogaerts about long-term contract extensions. However, neither player is expecting to reach an agreement before Opening Day this week, and neither Devers nor Bogaerts want to discuss contracts during the regular season. Devers can become a free agent […]

Brandon Nimmo Receives Cortisone Injection

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (neck) received a cortisone-type injection in his neck and remains questionable for Opening Day on Thursday against the Washington Nationals. Manager Buck Showalter remains optimistic and said, "We should get good results." Nimmo was held out of Grapefruit League action on Monday and Tuesday due to neck soreness. If […]