Multiple Mariners Test Positive For COVID-19

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that "more than one" player on the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Dipto also said that a "few" of them, not all, are showing symptoms of the virus. With spring training 2.0 set to begin next week in Seattle for the Mariners, all of their players will […]

Mariners To Use Six-Man Rotation For Start Of Season

The Seattle Mariners will use a six-man starting rotation to begin the delayed 2020 season at the end of July. Some starters will get piggy-backed. Marco Gonzales is expected to be the team's Opening Day arm, followed by the likes of Yusei Kikuchi, Justus Sheffield, Kendall Graveman and Taijuan Walker. Justin Dunn, Nestor Cortes and […]

Austin Adams Will Be Full-Go For Spring Training

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that relief pitcher Austin Adams (knee) will be full-go for spring training 2.0 next week. Adams underwent surgery last October for a torn left ACL. The delay to the 2020 season thanks to COVID-19 was a positive for Adams, and he could factor into high-leverage situations at the […]

Mitch Haniger's Status Uncertain For Spring Training 2.0

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is uncertain about outfielder Mitch Haniger's (back, groin) status for spring training 2.0 in early July. Because Haniger has had two core surgeries and a back operation since last June, his readiness for Opening Day in late July should also be in question. The 29-year-old hit .285 with 26 […]

Joely Rodriguez Not Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Season

Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez (lat), who strained a late muscle in April, is throwing but is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2020 season in late July. Barring any setbacks, the southpaw should be able to pitch before the shortened season is over. The 28-year-old Dominican could figure into […]

Pirates Sign First-Rounder Nick Gonzales

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed rookie shortstop Nick Gonzales, the seventh overall pick this month, to a $5.432 million signing bonus on Wednesday, which matches the slot value for the No. 7 pick. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound middle infielder might have been the best pure hitter in this year's draft class. Gonzales was the Cape Cod League […]

Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez Could Serve On Taxi Squad

Seattle Mariners CEO John Stanton said that he expects young prospects like outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, catcher Cal Raleigh and pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby to be on the 30-man taxi squad for the shortened 2020 season. Even this year's first-round pick, Emerson Hancock, has a shot. Kelenic and Rodriguez are one […]

Angels Hopeful Shohei Ohtani, Griffin Canning Will Be Ready

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said he's "very" hopeful that starting pitchers Shohei Ohtani (elbow), Griffin Canning (elbow) and Felix Pena (knee) will be ready for Opening Day in late July. None of the three were likely to be able to pitch on the original Opening Day, but the coronavirus pandemic has bought them […]

Mohamed Sanu Sr. In Better Shape After Surgery

New England Patriots wide receiver Mohamed Sanu Sr. (ankle) is almost 16 weeks removed from offseason ankle surgery for a high ankle sprain, and his recovery is going better than expected. "I would tell you he's probably faster, quicker, leaner and in better shape now than prior to the surgery," said Hilton Alexander, who is […]

Rockies Sign First-Rounder Zac Veen

The Colorado Rockies signed rookie outfielder Zac Veen, their first-round selection at No. 9 overall, to a $5 million bonus on Wednesday. The top-ranked high school player received over-slot value for the ninth overall pick ($4.949 million). Veen features a great left-handed swing with leverage and power. He also features a projectable 6-foot-4 frame, and […]

Kyle Gibson A High-Risk Individual For COVID-19

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disorder, which makes him a high-risk individual amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It means that the right-hander isn't required to take part in the shortened 60-game season, but he would still receive his pay. It's unclear whether Gibson has decided to sit out the season, […]

Garrett Cooper, Matt Joyce Candidates For DH Role

With the designated hitter being used in both leagues this season, Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper and outfielder Matt Joyce are two candidates to be used in the role a lot. Cooper is the much more attractive fantasy commodity in deeper leagues for his ability to hit for average and modest power for the […]

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Plans To Head Back To The States

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is planning to head back to the U.S. after going back to Japan during the coronavirus pandemic, according to general manager Erik Neander. Players that spent their down time overseas during the shutdown will now need to make their way back to the States with players expected to report […]

Jameson Taillon Throws Off Bullpen Mound

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (elbow), who is roughly 10 months removed from his second Tommy John surgery, threw off a bullpen mound at PNC Park on Tuesday. It's good progress for Taillon, but it remains unlikely that the Bucs will risk using him during the shortened 2020 season that is set to begin […]

Ben Roethlisberger Opens Up About Addiction Issues

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said that he has fought off-the-field addictions over the years. "I've fallen as short as anybody. I've been addicted to alcohol. I've been addicted to pornography, which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be," Roethlisberger said. Big Ben also […]

Charlie Blackmon, Two Other Rockies Test Positive For COVID-19

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon and pitchers Phillip Diehl and Ryan Castellani have tested positive for COVID-19 following recent workouts at Coors Field, according to major league sources. One player was showing symptoms and the other two were asymptomatic. All of the other players who were working out were also tested for the virus, but […]

New Lions Owner Would Support Colin Kaepernick Signing

Sheila Ford Hamp took on principal ownership and chairwoman duties of the Detroit Lions from her mother Martha Firestone Ford, who stepped down from the role on Tuesday. Hamp said she would support the coaches and general manager if they thought it was a good idea to sign free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Matthew Stafford is […]

Twins Sign First-Rounder Aaron Sabato

The Minnesota Twins signed first baseman Aaron Sabato, their first-round pick (27th overall), on Tuesday to a $2.75 million signing bonus, slightly above the $2.57 million slot value for the 27th pick. Sabato hit .343 in his freshman year at North Carolina with a .453 on-base percentage and a .696 slugging percentage. He also had […]

Baseball Officially Back; 60-Game Season To Start July 23 Or 24

The Major League Baseball Players Association and the league ironed out the final details on Tuesday, allowing players to report to camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season starting on either July 23 or 24. An agreement on healthy and safety protocols, which was the final hurdle, was ironed out on Tuesday night. […]

Rays Sign Top Pick Nick Bitsko

The Tampa Bay Rays signed right-handed pitcher Nick Bitsko, the No. 24 pick of the first round, to a $3 million signing bonus on Tuesday, slightly above the $2.831 million slot value. Bitsko recently turned 18 years old and said he has cut back on his throwing, not knowing when he will next need to […]

Zach Banner, Chukwuma Okorafor To Compete At Right Tackle

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Zach Banner and Chukwuma Okorafor will battle for the right tackle spot in training camp, with Matt Feiler starting camp at left guard, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. However, the Steelers could move Feiler back to right tackle and Stefen Wisniewski to left guard if they aren't comfortable with the […]

Ben Roethlisberger Pleased With His Progress

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) has been pleased with his progress. "He's comfortable and pleased where he is. Some people who had the opportunity to work with him are impressed and pleased where he is. The medical experts are comfortable where he is and his readiness for 2020," […]

Ravens, Seahawks Discussing Antonio Brown

The Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks have had internal discussions about signing free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown's off-the-field issues have piled up and ran him out of the league last year in failed stints with the Raiders and Patriots. Because of that, he's likely facing at least an eight-game suspension if he signs with […]

MLB Teams To Open With 30-Man Rosters

Major League Baseball teams can have 30-man rosters for Opening Day in late July. Rosters will be reduced to 28 on Day 15 of the season and reduced to 26 for the rest of the year on Day 29 of the season. Teams must submit a list of up to 60 players -- entire 40-man […]

Royals Agree With First-Rounder Asa Lacy

The Kansas City Royals agreed with their first-round pick (fourth overall), left-handed pitcher Asa Lacy, on Tuesday. Lacy had a career 2.07 ERA with a 13.3 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 152 total innings (21 starts, 21 relief outings) at Texas A&M. His bonus figure wasn't announced by the Royals, but the No. 4 slot […]

Players Agree To Report By July 1

The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to report to training camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season, according to sources. However, a deal is not yet finalized, as there is one last health-and-safety hurdle to get over amid the coronavirus pandemic. USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that there aren't any major […]

Breshad Perriman Excited About Jets Offense

New York Jets wide receiver Breshad Perriman thinks the team's offense can be dangerous this year after they ranked 32nd in the league last season. Perriman had 645 receiving yards and six touchdowns last year in a Buccaneers offense that ranked No. 1 in passing (302.8 yards per game), No. 3 overall (397.9 YPG) and […]

Tom Brady, Teammates Still Working Out Privately

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady and at least a dozen Bucs players were back working out on Tuesday despite an NFL Players Association doctor recently recommending that players stop private workouts amid a rising number of COVID-19 cases across the country in recent weeks. Tampa Bay has also had multiple members of the team […]

Tua Tagovailoa's Rookie Projection Contains Lots Of Variance

The Miami Dolphins offense this year has many question marks, including rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's role in it. The fifth overall pick has also dealt with an abbreviated offseason while he continues to rehab from hip surgery, and nobody knows how long Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter. Over the course of his college career, […]

Justin Herbert An Ideal Fit For Chargers Offense?

Los Angeles Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, taken sixth overall in April out of Oregon, was extremely productive in college. Herbert threw 52 touchdowns and only seven interceptions from a clean pocket (fourth-most TDs) in the last two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. He also completed 62.2 percent of his passes (sixth-best) against man […]