Nick Foles Is Expendable

Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles is experienced and capable, but he is, after all, the No. 3 signal-caller behind Andy Dalton and rookie first-rounder Justin Fields, so he is expendable heading into the 2021 season. There's a possibility that he could play elsewhere this year, but the Bears are unlikely to simply release him. He'll […]

Steven Sims Jr. Facing Uphill Battle In Washington

Washington Football Team wide receiver Steven Sims Jr. caught 23 passes in the final five weeks of the 2019 season and created separation with his short-field quickness. He entered last season as the team's top slot receiver, but injuries and drops (three on 39 targets) hurt him. Washington also signed Adam Humphries and drafted Dax […]

Jordan Howard Competing For Final Spot On Depth Chart

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jordan Howard will be competing with Kerryon Johnson and Boston Scott for one of the final spots on the running back depth chart this summer behind starter Miles Sanders. Since Howard re-signed with the Eagles on a one-year deal in April for no guaranteed money, Philadelphia added rookie Kenneth Gainwell in […]

Royce Freeman In Danger Of Being Cut

Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman might need to show out in training camp this summer if he wants to remain on the team's final 53-man roster. The Broncos haven't kept four running backs in their cutdown to 53 players since 2017. Rookie Javonte Williams is expected to get plenty of work alongside Melvin Gordon […]

Mark Ingram II Could Be The Odd Man Out

Houston Texans veteran running back Mark Ingram II, who signed a one-year deal in March, could be the odd man out in the Texans running back room this summer. It seems unlikely that there's room for Ingram, David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay and Rex Burkhead on the final 53-man roster. Houston restructured Johnson's contract and doubled […]

Benny Snell Jr. On The Outside Looking In?

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. had 113 yards on 19 carries in last year's season-opener in place of James Conner, but he wound up averaging 3.3 yards per carry with four touchdowns over the course of the season behind a really bad offensive line. The Steelers drafted Najee Harris and also signed Kalen […]

Allen Hurns Fighting For A Roster Spot

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Allen Hurns is in danger of missing the cut later this summer at training camp. Will Fuller, rookie Jaylen Waddle, DeVante Parker, Preston Williams and Lynn Bowden Jr. are likely locked into the first five receiver spots. Hurns is a versatile veteran, but he'll be competing with Albert Wilson, Jakeem Grant […]

Javier Baez Scratched With Sprained Thumb

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (thumb) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies with a sprained right thumb. It's unclear if this is an injury that could keep Baez out for an extended amount of time, but the Cubs will likely be careful with the All-Star break coming next […]

Matt Breida Could Get Cut This Summer

Buffalo Bills running back Matt Breida gives the team a home run-hitting element in the backfield, but his place on the final 53-man roster this summer isn't secure heading into training camp after he inked a one-year deal with the team in the offseason. Breida must beat out Antonio Williams and Christian Wade for the […]

Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton To Compete For No. 2 Job

New York Giants wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton will compete for the No. 2 job in training camp behind Kenny Golladay. The Giants paid Golladay $72 million to be their top pass-catcher, so he should be expected to play around 90 percent of the offensive snaps. The No. 2 wide receiver role will […]

Kadarius Toney Expected To Be Brought Along Slowly

The Athletic's Dan Duggan expects the New York Giants to bring rookie wide receiver Kadarius Toney along slowly after he missed a lot of offseason work with cleat problems, minor injuries, an unsigned contract and a family emergency. There are a lot of character concerns with Toney, but he has a high ceiling if he […]

Jacob deGrom Strikes Out 10, Allows Two Homers Wednesday

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom allowed multiple home runs (two solo shots) for the first time this season on Wednesday in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers, but he also struck out 10 in seven effective innings to become the second-fastest pitcher to reach 1,500 strikeouts in a career. deGrom […]

Shohei Ohtani Makes More History

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani set the record for most home runs in a season by a Japanese-born player on Wednesday when he passed Hideki Matsui with his 32nd home run of the season in the win over the Boston Red Sox. Ohtani's major-league leading 32nd long ball came off the bat at […]

Vidal Brujan Sent Back Down, Expected To Come Back Friday

The Tampa Bay Rays are technically sending infielder Vidal Brujan back to Triple-A Durham after he was the 27th man for the doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, but they are fully expected to bring him back up before Friday's game. Brujan, the team's No. 2 prospect, went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Game […]

Matt Chapman Resting On Wednesday

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Houston Astros. Chapman has had his ups and downs this year, but he hasn't been at his best recently, so perhaps it's the perfect time for him to take a breather. The 28-year-old has disappointed with his .230/.326/.395 slash […]

Dodgers Place Clayton Kershaw On Injured List

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (forearm) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with left forearm inflammation. Right-hander Mitchell White was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. This is a troubling development for the Dodgers and fantasy managers, and we'll update you when we know more about the […]

Joe Smith Returns From Injured List

The Houston Astros activated relief pitcher Joe Smith (elbow) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned infielder Taylor Jones to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Smith has been out since June 9 with right elbow soreness and had a rough 6.23 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 17 1/3 relief innings for […]

Orioles Put Maikel Franco On Injured List

The Baltimore Orioles placed third baseman Maikel Franco (ankle) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a sprained ankle and recalled infielder Kelvin Gutierrez from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Franco sprained his ankle last Wednesday and tried to get back into the lineup on Tuesday before getting scratched. The 28-year-old has provided […]

Albert Pujols Starting At First Base Against Lefty

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Albert Pujols will draw into the lineup at first base and bat second on Wednesday against Miami Marlins left-hander Ross Detwiler. Pujols doesn't have a ton of upside at this point in his career, but he's been decent with the Dodgers as a part-time player and is hitting a nice […]

Jake Reed To Serve As Opener Against Marlins Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Jake Reed will get the nod to start on the mound on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Reed will serve as the opener in this one, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to go long enough to qualify for a potential win. The 28-year-old has gone just two-thirds of an inning […]

Ryan Brasier Hasn't Cleared Concussion Protocols

Boston Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush said that relief pitcher Ryan Brasier (head) still has not cleared the concussion protocols after he was hit in the head on June 4. Brasier has been throwing every day but has yet to get back on the mound. The 33-year-old right-hander's timetable for a return in the […]

Juan Soto Will Compete In Home Run Derby

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto announced on his Twitter account on Wednesday that he will compete in the 2021 Home Run Derby next Monday at Coors Field. Soto is a first-time All-Star this year and has hit 10 home runs for the Nationals this year. In four major league seasons, the star outfielder has slugged […]

Five Rays Pitchers Combine For Seven-Inning No-Hitter

Five Tampa Bay Rays pitchers combined to throw a seven-inning no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday in the second game of a doubleheader. Because it was only a seven-inning game, it won't officially count as a no-hitter in the history books. Collin McHugh, Josh Fleming, Diego Castillo, Matt Wisler and Pete Fairbanks combined to […]

Mecole Hardman To Enter Camp As No. 2 Receiver

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman will enter training camp as the second receiver on the depth chart behind Tyreek Hill, and Hardman is in a position to have a breakout season. He's expected to have the role previously held by Sammy Watkins, but it's possible that Byron Pringle or Demarcus Robinson could push […]

Amari Cooper Could Be Cutting It Close For Training Camp

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Amari Cooper (foot) is still recovering from foot surgery, and with the team scheduled to depart for training camp on July 20 with the first workout scheduled for July 22, Cooper will be "cutting it close" in terms of his rehab being complete in time for a debut on the first […]

Dee Strange-Gordon Agrees With Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a minor league deal with infielder Dee Strange-Gordon on Wednesday, according to a source. Strange-Gordon will report to Triple-A Indianapolis. The 33-year-old has now been with four National League Central teams this year -- the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and now Pirates. And he's yet to appear in […]

Joey Gallo Will Participate In Home Run Derby

Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo will take part in this year's Home Run Derby during the All-Star festivities next week at Coors Field. Gallo has monster power from the left side of the plate, so he should put on a show in the hitter-friendly ballpark and could even be the favorite. The 27-year-old slugger is […]

Ozzie Albies Leaves Early With Neck Tightness

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (neck) was removed from the game early on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates as a precaution with tightness in his neck. Albies managed to go 1-for-3 and scored a run before he was pulled from the contest. Until we know more about his injury, fantasy managers should consider him […]

Justin Upton Likely To Be Activated After All-Star Break

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Justin Upton (back) is likely to be activated from the injured list after the All-Star break, according to manager Joe Maddon. "It hasn't progressed like we thought. I thought he'd be playing several days ago. It has not loosened up for him. Has a tightness he can't get rid of," […]

Chris Sale Will Be Built Back Up Before Being Activated

Boston Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush said that the plan is for starting pitcher Chris Sale (elbow) to be built all the way up to five or six innings before he's activated from the injured list. Sale is getting closer to a return and has been facing live hitters in live batting practice sessions, […]