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 […]

Odubel Herrera Hitless In Return To Majors

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera went 0-for-3 on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals in his first major league game since May 26, 2019, following a suspension for domestic violence. He was suspended for 85 games and didn't play last year after being designated for assignment. The 29-year-old publicly apologized for his actions several years […]

Washington Picks Up Daron Payne's Fifth-Year Option

The Washington Football Team exercised defensive tackle Daron Payne's fifth-year option for the 2022 season on Tuesday. Payne will make roughly $8.5 million fully guaranteed in 2022. He is due a fully guaranteed $2.5 million in base salary in 2021 with a $4.6 million salary cap hit. Payne was the No. 13 pick in the […]

Broncos Don't Feel Pressured To Take A QB In The Draft

The Denver Broncos have been a candidate to add another quarterback this offseason after Drew Lock was highly inconsistent under center in 2020. However, they may not add a signal-caller in the draft, as they feel they have options at QB outside of picking one with the ninth overall pick in the first round this […]

Najee Harris In Play For Steelers At Pick No. 24?

Alabama running back Najee Harris is one of the top-three running backs heading into Thursday's NFL draft -- along with Clemson's Travis Etienne and North Carolina's Javonte Williams -- and most teams think that Harris will be taken by No. 24 overall (Pittsburgh Steelers) in the first round. Harris is a top between-the-tackles runner that […]

DeVonta Smith Says He's Not A Body Builder

Alabama wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who had 1,856 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns last season, has been criticized for weighing in at just 166 pounds at the medical checkup in Indianapolis earlier this month. But Smith doesn't think he's too light to be successful at the next level. "We play football. […]

Washington Trades For Ereck Flowers

The Washington Football Team acquired offensive guard Ereck Flowers from the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday in a trade that involves a swap of late-round draft picks, according to sources. The move frees up some money for the Dolphins, while Washington receives an offensive lineman that will compete for a starting job this year. Flowers initially […]

Jose Altuve Records Three Hits In Return

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve went 3-for-5 with two RBI, a run scored and a stolen base out of the leadoff spot in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday in his return after missing nearly two weeks due to a positive COVID-19 test. In the process, he raised his batting average […]

Corbin Burnes Taken Down By Marlins Monday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes struck out nine hitters through five innings against the Miami Marlins on Monday, but five straight hitters recorded knocks to begin the sixth inning on the way to an 8-0 defeat of the Brew Crew. On the bright side, the hard-throwing right-hander will still have a chance for history, […]

Shohei Ohtani Does It All In Win Over Rangers

Los Angeles Angeles starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani allowed four runs in the first inning on Monday against the Texas Rangers, but he went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and three runs scored in the 9-4 win. He also struck out nine hitters in five innings to pick up his first win since […]

Rangers Call Up Hyeon-Jong Yang, Option Leody Taveras

The Texas Rangers called up former Korean standout pitcher Hyeon-Jong Yang from the alternate site on Monday before their series opener against the Los Angeles Angels. Struggling rookie center fielder Leody Taveras was optioned in a corresponding move. First baseman/outfielder Ronald Guzman (knee) was also moved to the 60-day injured list. The 33-year-old left-hander was […]

Jake Odorizzi Placed On Injured List Monday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi (arm) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a strained muscle in his right arm. Odorizzi left his start early on Saturday after just five pitches, and manager Dusty Baker announced on Monday that Odorizzi has a strained right pronator. The Astros are hoping that the […]

Baker Mayfield Not Worried About Contract Extension

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield is under contract through the 2022 season after the team recently picked up his fifth-year option, and he said on Monday that he's not worried about a long-term deal. "The fifth-year option just happened, so a long-term deal I think is a little bit on the back burner for me," […]

Raiders Sign Carson Williams

The Las Vegas Raiders signed free-agent tight end Carson Williams to an undisclosed deal on Monday. Williams has not played football since eighth grade but played college basketball at Northern Kentucky and Western Kentucky. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder started 117 collegiate games as a forward. He caught the attention of scouts and the Raiders at his […]

Packers Expected To Exercise Jaire Alexander's Fifth-Year Option

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that "I would certainly expect us to do so," when asked about cornerback Jaire Alexander's fifth-year option for the 2022 season. It comes as no surprise after Alexander made his first Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020. The question now becomes do the Packers […]

Asante Samuel Jr. Could Be A First-Rounder

NFL Network's Brian Baldinger praised Florida State cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. on Monday and could see Samuel being selected in the first round of this Thursday's NFL draft. "I mean, it's a cornerback-driven league as much as it's a quarterback-driven league. I think five could go and I think Asante Samuel is going to be […]

Titans Want Plug-And-Play Prospects

Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson said that he's looking to add plug-and-play prospects in this year's NFL draft, which starts this Thursday. "I think as soon as those guys can contribute, the sooner the better," Robinson told reporters. "And we've had guys that maybe it's been injuries … but the quicker they can acclimate […]