Jon Lester Getting Close To A Return?

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jon Lester threw 90 pitches over six innings on Sunday in a simulated game and was scheduled to throw a light bullpen session on Tuesday. Manager Dave Martinez, general manager Mike Rizzo and Lester will meet with pitching coach Jim Hickey to establish a plan for his next throwing session, including […]

Stephen Strasburg Throwing From 150 Feet

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (shoulder) threw from 150 feet on Tuesday and "everything went well," according to manager Dave Martinez. "We're hoping that he continues to build strength, and we can get him on the mound here real soon," Martinez said. Stras has been on the injured list since April 18 with right […]

Falcons Keeping Options Open At No. 4 Overall

Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot isn't sure exactly which way the team will go with the No. 4 overall pick in the first round of Thursday's NFL draft. The first-year GM insists there's "definitely no pressure" heading into his first draft, because he thinks the pressure comes in the process of preparing for the […]

Three Quarterbacks Could Go In Day 2 Of Draft

Stanford's Davis Mills, Florida's Kyle Trask and Texas A&M's Kellen Mond could all be selected in Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday night on Day 2 of this year's NFL draft. A handful of teams have done "extra legwork" on some or all of the potential Day 2 quarterbacks. The list of teams includes the […]

Saints Looking To Trade Up In First Round?

The New Orleans Saints are a team weighing a potential move up in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night, according to sources. According to a source, the Saints may want to move up to grab Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley, and they feel that they may need to move ahead of […]

Saquon Barkley On Track For Start Of Season

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (knee), who tore his ACL in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears last year, is on track to be ready for the start of the 2021 season, according to sources. It was reported several months ago that Barkley was doing very well in his rehab, and this is […]

Christian Darrisaw Expected To Be Fully Healed

Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (core, groin), who played with a significant groin injury late in 2020, also had surgery to fix a core muscle injury in January, according to a source. However, he took part in position drills at his Pro Day and should be fully healed soon after receiving a thumbs up […]

Bengals Won't Pick Up Billy Price's Fifth-Year Option

The Cincinnati Bengals will not pick up the fifth-year option for the 2022 season on 2018 first-round pick Billy Price, according to a source. Price will now become a free agent after the 2021 season. He would have earned an estimated base salary of $10.4 million in 2022 had the Bengals picked up the options, […]

Caleb Farley Tests Positive For COVID-19, Won't Attend Draft

Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and will not be attending the NFL draft in Cleveland this week. "Fortunately he is completely asymptomatic and feels totally normal," said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. "He will be watching the draft at home in North Carolina while in quarantine." Farley has the potential […]

Buccaneers Bring Back Antonio Brown

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed wide receiver Antonio Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $6.25 million on Wednesday. He'll receive $3.1 million fully guaranteed, including a $2 million signing bonus. There was always mutual interest on both sides in a reunion, and Brown all along wanted to return to continue playing with quarterback […]

Brett Phillips Hits Clutch Two-Run Home Run

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips hit a clutch two-run home run (his first of the season) in the top of the sixth inning on Tuesday to help beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3. It was the hit the Rays couldn't get the previous two days in one-run losses to the Toronto Blue Jays and A's. […]

Corey Kluber Breaks Through Against O's

New York Yankees starting pitcher Corey Kluber tossed 6 2/3 innings to beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on Tuesday in his longest start in more than two years. Kluber's cutter, sinker and curveball were all in fine form, and he gave up just one run on six hits in 96 total pitches. It was the […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Hits Another Mammoth Homer

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a 481-foot home run in the team's 5-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, the second-longest home run tracked in the big leagues this year. His fifth-inning homer came off the bat at 111.9 mph and halted a small slump he had been in since returning from […]

Jerry Blevins Announces Retirement

Left-handed reliever Jerry Blevins announced his retirement on Tuesday after 13 major league seasons, the majority of that time with the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets. The 37-year-old southpaw last pitched for the Atlanta Braves in 2019, and he had been working at the New York Mets alternate training site after not making the […]

Cowboys Impressed With Dak Prescott's Rehab Progress

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (ankle) "is right on track or maybe a little ahead of schedule" in his rehab from a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle last year, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. The head coach was impressed with Prescott's extensive workout last Saturday. A second surgery in December to […]

Trades May Be Rare In First Round This Year

There isn't a whole lot of trade activity just two days ahead of the NFL draft's first round on Thursday, so we may not see many trades go through. This draft class may not be rich in elite-level talent at the top. "Now, depending on which quarterbacks are available in the top 10, I would […]

Ravens Will Pick Up Lamar Jackson's Fifth-Year Option

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh guaranteed that the team will pick up quarterback Lamar Jackson's fifth-year option for the 2022 season. Jackson, the 2019 NFL MVP, isn't the only big-name player that hasn't had his option exercised yet, as Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Bills quarterback Josh Allen are in the same boat. […]

Chris Martin Could Be Activated Next Week

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Chris Martin (shoulder) will throw one more bullpen session and two more simulated games before he's possibly activated from the injured list at some point next week. It looks as though the Braves don't think he'll need any time at the club's alternate training site after he's missed three weeks with […]

Juan Soto's Arm Still Tender

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that outfielder Juan Soto (shoulder) took batting practice at the team's alternate training site in Fredericksburg, but he hasn't thrown yet because his left shoulder is "still tender." Once Soto is able to throw, he'll play in a few minor league games with Fredericksburg. The Nationals will take it […]

Luis Patino Could Be Used In Relief

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Luis Patino remained on the roster on Monday after he made his debut with the team on Sunday by throwing 2 2/3 hitless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays. He worked as a multi-inning opener and gave way to lefty Josh Fleming. Manager Kevin Cash said that the team will look […]

Collin McHugh, Cody Reed On The Comeback Trail

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Collin McHugh (back) "bounced back (and) felt good" after throwing a bullpen session, according to manager Kevin Cash. McHugh threw off a mound again on Monday and is eligible to come off the injured list on Wednesday. Left-hander Cody Reed (thumb) will not come off the injured list when he's eligible […]

Pete Fairbanks To Throw Bullpen Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, at which point the Rays should have a better understanding of his timetable for a return. Manager Kevin Cash said the team is "very encouraged" by his progress, and he seems to be ahead of scheduled from a […]

Ji-Man Choi Closer To Game Action

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Ji-Man Choi (knee) reported to the team's alternate training site on Monday and will hit in simulated games in Port Charlotte, Fla. He will work out with the team this weekend and then join Triple-A Durham for the start of the minor league season. Choi only played in five spring […]

Max Fried Making Really Good Progress

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (hamstring) threw a pain-free side session on Monday and also took part in fielding drills. He will throw live batting practice later this week and could be activated from the injured list to make a start during next week's three-game series against the Washington Nationals from May 4-6. The […]

Roquan Smith Has Fifth-Year Option Exercised

The Chicago Bears exercised linebacker Roquan Smith's fifth-year option for the 2022 season on Tuesday. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Smith had his best season for Chicago last year, recording 139 combined tackles (18 for loss). He also pitched in four sacks, and his 98 solo tackles ranked second in the […]

Steelers Exercise Minkah Fitzpatrick's Fifth-Year Option

The Pittsburgh Steelers exercised safety Minkah Fitzpatrick's fifth-year option for the 2022 season on Tuesday, according to a source. The move was a no-brainer for the Steelers, as Fitzpatrick has been a Pro Bowler and All-Pro each of the last two seasons. Pittsburgh acquired the No. 11 overall pick in the 2018 draft early in […]

Tyler Beede Could Become Rotation Option At The End Of May

San Francisco Giants right-hander Tyler Beede (elbow) looked good in his first post-Tommy John live bullpen session on Monday, giving the team optimism that he'll be a starting rotation option when he's eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 31. "It went great," manager Gabe Kapler said. "The velocity was there. He […]

Reyes Moronta Could Return By May 3

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Reyes Moronta (forearm) is slated to throw a live bullpen session and could be activated from the injured list as soon as May 3 on the road against the Colorado Rockies, according to manager Gabe Kapler. Moronta is dealing with a right flexor strain. The 28-year-old right-hander saw a drop […]

Johnny Cueto To Throw Bullpens This Week

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (lat) is scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Wednesday and Saturday and is expected to ramp up to live batting practice next week. Cueto is dealing with a Grade 1 lat strain and isn't expected to rejoin the starting rotation until May 9, at the earliest. The 35-year-old […]

Wilmer Flores Fully Recovered

San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores (illness) left the game early on Sunday against the Miami Marlins with an illness that required an IV, but he's fully recovered and started at second base on Monday and went 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Flores had been filling in at third base with Evan Longoria dealing with […]