Martin Maldonado Finalizes One-Year Extension With Astros

The Houston Astros finalized an undisclosed one-year contract extension with catcher Martin Maldonado on Tuesday that will keep him in Houston through 2022 with a vesting option for the 2023 season, according to a source. The Astros traded for Maldonado two years in a row and signed the veteran to a two-year deal before the […]

Buccaneers Re-Sign Ross Cockrell

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed cornerback Ross Cockrell to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. The former fourth-round pick had 11 tackles and one pass deflection in 12 games (two starts) for the team last season and also played in all four playoff games. General manager Jason Licht called Cockrell "one of the best pickups" the […]

Trevor Lawrence Compared To Andrew Luck

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is expected to be taken first overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in this year's draft, grew up idolizing Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, which is why he wore the No. 16 in college. But NFL scouts continue to compare Lawrence to former Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck. Several scouts […]

Justin Houston Visiting The Ravens

Free-agent edge rusher Justin Houston is visiting with the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday. The 32-year-old recorded 19 sacks while playing for the Indianapolis Colts the last two years. Houston, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive end, and he could help to fill a huge void on the end of Baltimore's defensive line. Even on the wrong […]

Washington Signs Sammis Reyes

The Washington Football Team signed former Tulane basketball player Sammis Reyes to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Reyes finds his way to the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program (IPP). He grew up in Chile before moving to the United States at 14 years old. Reyes decided to turn his attention to football when […]

Nate Lowe Driving In Runs Early In The Season

Texas Rangers first baseman Nate Lowe, who was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the offseason, has been the team's best player so far this year. He looked great through the first two series and has three home runs and 14 RBI, but he also struck out three times in four at-bats on Monday […]

Mechanical Adjustments Serving Mike Trout Well

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout has made some mechanical adjustments at the plate, including being more squared in the batter's box. He's gone 13-for-33 to start the year, and his swings are looking more short and powerful than ever. Heading into Tuesday's action, Trout is sporting a .394/.545/.848 slash line with three doubles, four […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Living Up To His Contract So Far

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. has lived up to his five-year, $85 million contract extension early in the 2021 season. The 27-year-old right-hander went 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in A games in spring training. His velocity is up into the high-90s and his wipeout curveball looks excellent. McCullers is 1-0 with a […]

Yermin Mercedes Has Been The Best Story In Baseball

Chicago White Sox designated hitter Yermin Mercedes has been baseball's best story early this season. The 28-year-old rookie set an MLB record with eight straight hits after he wasn't even expected to make the team out of spring training. Eloy Jimenez's early season injury opened up a spot at DH for Mercedes, and it'd be […]

Justin Turner Still Getting It Done

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, often considered the heart and soul of this Dodgers team for his elite work ethic and leadership qualities, continues to get it done offensively. His on-base percentage has been at .400 or higher in three of the last four years, and he's on pace to do it again […]

Alex Reyes Has Been Dominating In Closer Role

St. Louis Cardinals closer Alex Reyes has been given every save opportunity -- he's 3-for-3 so far -- over relievers Jordan Hicks and Giovanny Gallegos so far this year. Reyes is reaching 100 mph with his fastball and hasn't allowed more than one hit on any of his pitches. The right-hander is expected to throw […]

Tyler Naquin Has Been A Big Surprise

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Tyler Naquin has been one of the biggest surprises in baseball in the early going, as he's tied for the National League lead in home runs with five and leads the league with 14 RBI. Coming out of spring training, Naquin was expected to be the fifth outfielder behind Nick Castellanos, Nick […]

J.T. Realmuto Remains The Best Catcher In Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto has been excellent on defense in terms of framing, blocking balls in the dirt and limiting the opponents' running game. He's helped starting pitchers Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola get off to solid starts on the mound. On offense, Realmuto leads the team in average, is second in RBI and […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Showing Why He's Elite

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. has gotten off to a blazing start to the season and is showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy drafts. Acuna is making exceptional plays on defense, taking extra bases on the basepaths and is hitting for power and showing his high-end speed while […]

Gerald McCoy Doesn't Plan To Retire

Free-agent defensive lineman Gerald McCoy (quadriceps), a six-time Pro Bowler, doesn't plan to retire after missing all of the 2020 season due to an injury. "I just know I have so much more to give this game, even if for a short period of time," McCoy said. The pass-rusher had 54.5 sacks in his nine […]

Buccaneers Not Against Drafting Tom Brady's Successor

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said he's not against taking a developmental quarterback at the end of the first round (pick No. 32) of this year's draft. The Buccaneers are returning 22 starters from their championship season a year ago, so they could take the best player available when their turn is up […]

Cardinals Agree To Terms With James Conner

The Arizona Cardinals agreed to terms on an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent running back James Conner on Tuesday. Conner visited with the team on Monday and took a physical after he had offseason surgery to fix a turf-toe injury that he sustained recreationally this offseason. The 25-year-old is expected to make a full recovery […]

Falcons Could Stack Quarterbacks

With the No. 4 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons are in a prime position "to stack good quarterbacks" alongside Matt Ryan, according to general manager Terry Fontenot. "It's a prime time to do it when you have a player like Matt Ryan because when you can get in the right […]

Mitch Moreland Takes Batting Practice

Oakland Athletics first baseman Mitch Moreland (hamstring) has missed the last three games due to a sore right hamstring, but he was able to take batting practice before the game on Monday and is a candidate to fill in at first base with Matt Olson (thumb) listed as day-to-day after suffering a thumb contusion when […]

Matt Olson Day-To-Day After Being Hit On Hand

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson (thumb) is being listed as day-to-day after he was removed in the eighth inning after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand on Monday night. Manager Bob Melvin said that X-rays on Olson's hand showed no broken bones after the game. Olson suffered a thumb contusion. "It […]

Jonathan Hernandez Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

Texas Rangers right-hander Jonathan Hernandez (elbow) underwent Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his elbow on Monday, less than two weeks after reliever Jose Leclerc had the same procedure. The Rangers bullpen will also be without right-hander Matt Bush until at least July due to injury. Hernandez and Leclerc will be out until at least early […]

Stephon Gilmore's Future Out Of His Control

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is entering the final year of his five-year deal. He may not be elite like he was two years ago, but Gilmore is still a very good cornerback as he approaches his 31st birthday this September. As such, Gilmore isn't guaranteed […]

Julian Edelman Officially Retires Monday

After being released by the New England Patriots on Monday with a failed-physical designation, wide receiver Julian Edelman officially announced his retirement from football. Edelman tried to play through a pretty serious knee injury last year that eventually required surgery, and he was not going to be able to make it back in 2021 for […]

Steelers Sign Abdullah Anderson

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday. The 25-year-old spent most of last season with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, although he was elevated to the active roster for one game. He was signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2018 draft by the Chicago […]

Trevor Lawrence Impressing Jaguars On Zoom Calls

The Jacksonville Jaguars have spent hours zooming with Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and the presumed No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft has impressed the team with his retention of their offensive scheme. Similar to what the Cincinnati Bengals did with quarterback Joe Burrow last year, the Jaguars are making the most of […]

Julian Edelman Released By Patriots; Retirement Coming?

The New England Patriots released veteran wide receiver Julian Edelman (knee) on Monday, following 11 seasons and three Super Bowl victories with the team. Edelman was listed as a failed physical after he'd been working to return from an injured knee last season. He'll now be facing a decision on his future in the league […]

Thaddeus Moss Reunites With Joe Burrow

Former Washington Football Team tight end Thaddeus Moss, the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss, has been claimed by the Cincinnati Bengals off waivers, according to a source. The former LSU star will be reunited with quarterback Joe Burrow and profiles as a low-risk, possible high-reward pickup. The Bengals were interested in […]

Jaelan Phillips Tests Positive For COVID-19

University of Miami defensive end Jaelan Phillips, who has been rising up draft boards after his impressive Pro Day, was not in Indianapolis last weekend for medical evaluations because he tested positive for COVID-19, according to a source. However, Phillips will receive his physical with plenty of time prior to draft night later this month. […]

Giovani Bernard Signs With Buccaneers

Veteran free-agent running back Giovani Bernard is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, according to a source. Quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bruce Arians both personally recruited Bernard, who is one of the league's best receiving backs, after he was released by the Cincinnati Bengals. It's another weapon […]

Panthers In No Rush With Teddy Bridgewater

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule confirmed that the team is allowing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to seek a trade after they acquired Sam Darnold from the New York Jets, but the Panthers are in no hurry to make a move with Bridgewater. Rhule still thinks Bridgewater can win in the NFL as a starter, but […]