Sammy Watkins Won't Play In Divisional Round

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins (calf) and linebacker Willie Gay (ankle) missed practice all week and will not play in the Divisional Round against the Browns on Sunday. Watkins suffered a calf injury in Week 16 and was held out of the Week 17 regular season finale, but two weeks of rest wasn't […]

David Njoku Questionable Against Chiefs

Cleveland Browns tight ends David Njoku (hamstring) and Stephen Carlson (groin), offensive tackle Jack Conklin (hamstring, knee) and linebacker B.J. Goodson (shoulder) are questionable for the Divisional Round against the Chiefs on Sunday. Carlson was the only one of the four who was not able to practice on Friday, so the other three should have […]

Josh Hader, Brandon Woodruff Avoid Arbitration

Milwaukee Brewers relief ace Josh Hader and right-hander Brandon Woodruff avoided salary arbitration on Friday by agreeing to one-year deals. Hader will earn $6.675 million in 2020, while Woodruff's salary wasn't immediately known. Hader set an all-time record with 12 consecutive hitless innings to begin the 2020 season and ended with 31 strikeouts and 10 […]

Angels Sign Kurt Suzuki Friday

The Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with veteran catcher Kurt Suzuki on Friday, according to a source. Suzuki figures to split the catching workload with Max Stassi in 2021, with Anthony Bemboom also an option behind the two on the 40-man roster. Stassi is coming off left hip surgery last […]

Dan Campbell The Favorite For Lions Head-Coaching Gig

New Orleans Saints assistant head coach/tight ends coach Dan Campbell has emerged as the favorite to be the new Detroit Lions head coach, according to sources. However, the Lions can't conduct an in-person interview with Campbell until the Saints season has officially ended, so their pursuit of him is on hold until then. The Saints […]

Ronald Jones II A Game-Time Decision, Leonard Fournette To Start

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians said that running back Ronald Jones II (calf, finger) was feeling better on Friday, but he will be a game-time decision against the Saints in the Divisional Round on Sunday. Leonard Fournette will start the game. Jones was limited in practice on Thursday after not playing in the […]

Dodgers Signing Prospects Wilman Diaz, Jesus Galiz

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed with shortstop Wilman Diaz and catcher Jesus Galiz on Friday, according to industry sources. Diaz is No. 3 on MLB Pipeline's international prospect list, while Galiz comes in at No. 8. Both players hail from Venezuela. Diaz is the highest-ranked teenager of this international class because of his present […]

Cubs Land Five-Tool Shortstop Cristian Hernandez

The Chicago Cubs agreed to a deal with five-tool shortstop Cristian Hernandez, ranked sixth on MLB Pipeline's international prospect list, on Friday for $3 million, according to industry sources. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound 17-year-old has been compared to a young Alex Rodriguez and has a build similar to Manny Machado at the same age. Hernandez could […]

Astros Add Cuban Outfielder Pedro Leon

The Houston Astros agreed to a $4 million deal with Cuban outfielder Pedro Leon, the seventh-ranked international prospect per MLB Pipeline, on Friday, according to industry sources. Leon has a short and compact swing, doesn't swing and miss often and displays power potential to all fields. He's also a plus runner with base-stealing potential. Leon […]

Yoelqui Cespedes, Norge Vera Agree With White Sox

Free-agent outfielder Yoelqui Cespedes, MLB.com's top-ranked international prospect, has agreed to a $2.05 million deal with the Chicago White Sox on Friday, according to industry sources. Chicago also agreed with right-hander Norge Vera of Cuba, who is ranked No. 15 on the list, for $1.5 million. Cespedes is 23 years old and is considered a […]

Yankees, DJ LeMahieu Finalizing Six-Year Deal

The New York Yankees are finalizing a six-year deal worth $90 million with second baseman DJ LeMahieu on Friday, according to sources. LeMahieu had recently grown impatient with the slow pace of negotiations with the Yankees and told his representatives to reach out to other interested teams. The 32-year-old hit .336/.386/.536 in 195 games with […]

Mets The Favorites For Brad Hand?

The New York Mets want to add a left-handed reliever and have been heavily involved with free-agent lefty Brad Hand. MLB Network's Jon Heyman said, "At this point, I think it's probably fair to say they are at least a favorite, if not the favorite [for Hand]." The Blue Jays are another team that has […]

Dodgers, Corey Knebel Avoid Arbitration

The Los Angeles Dodgers and relief pitcher Corey Knebel avoided salary arbitration on Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.25 million deal. Pitcher Dylan Floro did the same by agreeing to a $975,000 contract. The 29-year-old Knebel was acquired from the Brewers on Dec. 2. The hard-throwing right-hander was an All-Star in 2017 but missed […]

Archie Bradley Joins Phillies Bullpen

The Philadelphia Phillies signed relief pitcher Archie Bradley to a one-year, $6 million deal on Thursday, according to sources. Bradley didn't get re-signed by the Reds after he was acquired from the Diamondbacks in a midseason deal in 2020. The right-hander allowed just one run in his 7 2/3 innings with Cincinnati in six regular […]

Rockies Avoid Arbitration With Mychal Givens

The Colorado Rockies signed right-handed reliever Mychal Givens to a one-year, $4.05 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration. The Rockies traded for Givens in a deal with the Orioles on Aug. 3, and he allowed at least one run in five of his 10 outings for Colorado. He allowed two runs in 13 […]

Alex Wood Signs With Giants

The San Francisco Giants signed left-hander Alex Wood to a one-year, $3 million deal on Friday. The 30-year-old can make an extra $3 million in performance bonuses for the number of games in which he gets 10 or more outs. Wood was an All-Star in 2017 and went 0-1 with a 6.39 ERA in two […]

Yiddi Cappe Among Marlins International Signings

The Miami Marlins signed 18-year-old infielder Yiddi Cappe among 11 players on Friday during baseball's international signing period. Cappe is widely regarded as one of baseball's top-10 international prospects. He stands at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds and has played shortstop in national competition in Cuba since he was 16 years old. The Marlins also were able […]

Chiefs Defense Vulnerable Against Browns?

The Kansas City Chiefs Defense finished the 2020 regular season ranked 21st against the run, allowing 122.1 rushing yards per game. The Browns, led by running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, averaged 148.4 yards per game. Chubb had his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season and another Pro Bowl selection, averaging a career-high 5.6 yards […]

Bills Defense Confident They Can Contain Ravens

The Buffalo Bills Defense is confident that they can contain Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the Divisional Round matchup on Saturday night. Buffalo held Jackson to only 40 rushing yards on 11 carries last year. "We're pretty confident in being able to contain him," said linebacker Matt Milano. The Bills defense held opponents to […]

Browns Activate Joel Bitonio From COVID-19 List

The Cleveland Browns activated offensive guard Joel Bitonio from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday. Bitonio should be active for the team's Divisional Round game against the Chiefs on Sunday after he sat out of the wild-card upset win over the division-rival Steelers last weekend. A Pro Bowler each of the last three seasons, Bitonio's return […]

Falcons Make Offer To Arthur Smith

The Atlanta Falcons have made an offer to Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to become their next head coach, according to sources. Smith has been the offensive coordinator for the Titans for the last two seasons. Tennessee ranked No. 3 in the league in total yards per game (396.4) and No. 2 overall in […]

Jets Hire Robert Saleh As Head Coach

The New York Jets hired former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next head coach on Thursday night, according to league sources. The two sides have reached an agreement on a five-year deal. 49ers passing-game coordinator Mike LaFleur is expected to be the first member of Saleh's staff and serve as the […]

Panthers Hire Scott Fitterer As General Manager

The Carolina Panthers officially reached an agreement on a five-year deal with former Seattle Seahawks vice president Scott Fitterer on Thursday night to become their next general manager. Fitterer was a late addition to the interview process but made a quick impression on the Carolina decision-makers. He was one of 15 candidates to interview for […]

Corey Kluber Could Find A Team By This Weekend

The bidding for free-agent starting pitcher Corey Kluber is moving quickly and will likely reach a conclusion by this weekend. The two-time Cy Young winner impressed scouts from 25 different teams on Wednesday during a throwing session, causing interested teams to move more quickly on the right-hander. Kluber is returning from a torn right teres […]

Yadier Molina Could Retire

Free-agent catcher Yadier Molina remains unsigned with around a month remaining before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to spring training. The 38-year-old would prefer to return to the St. Louis Cardinals for two more years, and the team has mutual interest in bringing him back, but Molina said that he will consider retirement […]

Mets Sign Jose Martinez To Split Contract

The New York Mets signed veteran Jose Martinez to a split contract on Thursday to give them more right-handed bench depth. Martinez will make $1 million, with another $500,00 in incentives if he makes the major league roster or $225,000 in incentives if he's in the minors, according to a source. He hit .298 with […]

A's Acquire Reliever Nik Turley

The Oakland Athletics acquired left-hander Nik Turley from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday in exchange for $60,000. Turley was 0-3 with a 4.98 ERA and one save in 25 relief appearances -- the most of any major league rookie in 2020 -- for the Pirates in 21 2/3 innings in the shortened season. The 31-year-old […]

Panthers Expected To Hire Scott Fitterer As Next GM

The Carolina Panthers are expected to hire Seattle Seahawks vice president of football operations Scott Fitterer as their new general manager, according to sources. Fitterer was a late addition to the interview process but made a quick impression on the Carolina decision-makers. He was one of 15 candidates to interview for the position when the […]

Mac Jones, Jaylen Waddle Declare For NFL Draft

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and defensive end Christian Barmore announced on Thursday their intentions to forego their remaining collegiate eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL draft. Jones led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season (13-0) while setting new single-season marks at Alabama in passing yards (4,500) […]

Melvin Gordon III Pleads Not Guilty In DUI Case

Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III pleaded not guilty in his DUI case on Thursday. His next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 24, with a potential jury trial on April 8 if the case isn't resolved before then. Gordon could still face league discipline in 2021 after being arrested on Oct. 3 in downtown […]