Justin Verlander To Start Opening Day

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander will start against the Mariners on Opening Day on July 24. It's looking like Lance McCullers Jr. will start Game 2, with Zack Greinke's throwing schedule affected by the recent missed workouts. McCullers will start the exhibition game on Monday. Verlander was one of the players that benefited from […]

Jose Quintana Has Positive Checkup

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jose Quintana (thumb) had his stitches removed during a checkup on Wednesday and will start throwing on Thursday, according to National League sources. The Cubs will have a better idea on a timeline for a return once he ramps up his throwing program. The left-hander cut his thumb washing dishes and […]

Cristian Pache Has Grade 2 Sprained Ankle

Atlanta Braves outfielder Cristian Pache (ankle), the team's No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has a Grade 2 sprained ankle and is back at the club's satellite camp in Gwinnett. "Not bad, but he's gonna need a few days," manager Brian Snitker said. It's a tough break for the 21-year-old, but the chances of him […]

Rafael Montero Not Expected To Be Ready

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Rafael Montero is not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day on July 24 because he's behind the other pitchers in summer camp due to a late arrival because of a family issue. Montero is on the 40-man roster and is out of minor league options, but the 30-man […]

Isiah Kiner-Falefa Has Edge At Hot Corner

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward said that infielder/catcher Isiah Kiner-Falefa has the "edge" to be a starting corner infielder, which would mean Todd Frazier would shift from third base to first base. Woodward said that Kiner-Falefa "has been out best guy" in summer camp. This is bad news for Greg Bird and Ronald Guzman, who […]

Robinson Chirinos Could Avoid Injured List

There is growing optimism that Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos (ankle) will avoid the injured list, but he might be limited in the first few series of the regular season. Chirinos injured his ankle during an intrasquad game on Monday, but the injury isn't that serious. The 36-year-old can be extremely streaky and is unlikely […]

Willie Calhoun Likely To Miss Opening Day

Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun (hip) has a Grade 1 strain of his right hip and is likely to miss Opening Day, according to general manager Jon Daniels. The Rangers don't expect him to be out long, but he will miss the start of the regular season next Friday. Calhoun has plenty of fantasy and […]

Titans, Derrick Henry Agree To Four-Year Deal

The Tennessee Titans and running back Derrick Henry agreed to a four-year deal worth $50 million on Wednesday, according to a source. Two years will basically be guaranteed. Henry capitalized after winning the NFL's rushing title in 2019 with 1,540 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on 303 carries. The bruising downhill runner is a perfect […]

Browns Finalizing Extension For Myles Garrett

The Cleveland Browns are finalizing a five-year contract extension with star pass-rusher Myles Garrett worth $125 million, according to a league source. The deal will be worth a total of $144 million over seven years, which would make Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. The 24-year-old is expected to sign the deal as early […]

Joe Thuney To Play On Tag In 2020

A source reported that everything is "all quiet" on the front for New England Patriots offensive guard Joe Thuney on Wednesday, the deadline for the two sides to work out a long-term contract extension. He is likely to play under the franchise tag this season, which will pay him $14.78 million. Thuney has been one […]

Jaguars In No Rush To Trade Yannick Ngakoue

The Jacksonville Jaguars have received multiple offers for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, including one involving a Pro Bowl player that doesn't fit their system, but it hasn't been enough value for them to deal a player of Ngakoue's caliber, according to sources. Teams have been told that the pass-rusher would play on the $17.788 million […]

Kenny Stills Arrested At Protest

Houston Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills was arrested on Tuesday night and charged with felony intimidating participant in a legal process, misdemeanor disorderly conduct and criminal trespass for peaceful protest outside of the home of Attorney General Daniel Cameron. The protest was demanding action for Breonna Taylor's case. This will become a situation to watch […]

Chiefs Lock Up Chris Jones Long-Term

The Kansas City Chiefs signed defensive tackle Chris Jones to a four-year contract extension worth up to $85 million on Tuesday. It comes after the Chiefs signed superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes for 12 years and $503 million. If a long-term deal hadn't been reached between the Chiefs and Jones by Wednesday, July 15, Jones would've […]

Jacob deGrom's MRI Shows Nothing Serious

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom's (back) MRI exam didn't show anything concerning on Wednesday, and the team is considering him day-to-day after he left his intrasquad outing early on Tuesday with back stiffness. It's unclear when the back-to-back National League Cy Young winner will pitch again, but it looks like he's dodged a […]

Jose Siri Added To Player Pool

The San Francisco Giants added outfielder Jose Siri to their player pool on Tuesday. He was acquired from the Mariners on Feb. 3 on a waiver claim. With Billy Hamilton on the 10-day injured list for medical reasons and no timetable for his return, Siri gives the team another speed element in center field. The […]

Johnny Cueto To Start Opening Day

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced that starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will start on Opening Day on July 23 against the Dodgers. Cueto also received the nod on March 11, the last day of spring training before MLB paused camps due to COVID-19. The veteran right-hander threw more than 60 pitches in a three-inning […]

Anthony Santander Confirms Positive COVID-19 Test

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19, which is why he wasn't in summer camp. The good news is that Santander joined the team's workouts on Tuesday, which means he could still have time to get ready for Opening Day next Friday. If healthy, he should have a starting role […]

Joe Smith Placed On Restricted List

The Houston Astros placed relief pitcher Joe Smith on the restricted list on Wednesday, but Smith has not informed the team of his final intentions for the 2020 season. It was reported earlier that Smith was opting out of the 2020 season due to concerns around the coronavirus pandemic, but he hasn't made a final […]

Jacob deGrom Going For MRI Exam

New York Mets manager Luis Rojas said starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (back) is day-to-day and is going for an MRI exam on Wednesday. Rojas said it's too early to speculate on deGrom's status for Sunday's exhibition game against the Yankees and for Opening Day next Friday. The right-hander left his intrasquad start early on Tuesday […]

Pirates Add Nick Gonzales To Player Pool

The Pittsburgh Pirates added first-round pick Nick Gonzales to their 60-player pool on Wednesday after they drafted the New Mexico State shortstop seventh overall in June. Gonzales will report to the team's alternate training site in Altoona if he returns a negative COVID-19 test. Pittsburgh had an opening on their roster when pitcher Hector Noesi […]

Joe Musgrove Lined Up For Opening Day

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove will make his final intrasquad start this Saturday, which likely means he'll pitch on Opening Day on July 24 against the Cardinals. The Pirates could slot him fourth in the starting rotation to have him start the home opener on July 28, but that would require another start next […]

Gerson Bautista Suffers Injury Saturday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Gerson Bautista hit 101 mph with a fastball during an intrasquad game on Saturday, but his next pitch came out at 94 mph and he threw one more pitch before something looked wrong. Athletic trainer Rob Nodine came to the mound to check with Bautista before they both walked off moments […]

Zach Eflin Day-To-Day With Back Spasms

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin (back) is day-to-day with back spasms and has yet to face hitters in game situations in summer camp, according to manager Joe Girardi. If he's ready for the start of the regular season, Eflin projects to be the club's No. 4 starter. The 26-year-old right-hander had a career-low 4.13 […]

Brian Dozier Not Expected To Join Player Pool

San Diego Padres second baseman Brian Dozier isn't expected to be added to the team's 60-man player pool in the upcoming week, meaning he can opt out of his contract on July 18. Instead of Dozier, it seems likely the Padres will add a relief pitcher in the wake of recent injuries to Jose Castillo […]

Socrates Brito Back In Camp Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Socrates Brito is back in summer camp on Saturday after he confirmed his positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Brito is just hoping to somehow crack the team's Opening Day roster, but his late arrival to camp will make that even more of a long shot. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter was decent on the farm […]

Bobby Dalbec Cleared To Resume Workouts

Boston Red Sox third base prospect Bobby Dalbec has been cleared to resume summer camp workouts with the team after previously testing positive for COVID-19. He will join the team at Fenway Park on Sunday. The 25-year-old should be on the team's roster at some point in 2020, but it remains to be seen how […]

Shohei Ohtani Dealing With Stiff Back

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (back) is being held back a bit in camp because he's dealing with a little bit of a stiff back, but manager Joe Maddon said he's still on schedule to make his next intrasquad outing. Ohtani is feeling well and it's "nothing alarming." It's probably not much to […]

NFL, Players Union Haven't Agreed To Training Camp Report Dates

The NFL was hoping to start training camp on July 28, but the league and the players' union have not agreed on dates of reporting to camp or prior dates for testing of COVID-19, according to a source. Most importantly, the two sides need to agree on what the testing protocols will be as players […]

Patriots Gain Valuable Salary Cap Space

The New England Patriots were down to less than $500,000 in salary cap space earlier this week, but they now stand at $7.794 million with flexibility for in-season roster moves. They achieved that by reaching settlements in compensation grievances with wide receiver Antonio Brown ($4 million) and tight end Aaron Hernandez ($2.55 million). For a […]

Hunter Henry Not Expecting Extension Before Deadline

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry isn't expecting a long-term contract extension before the deadline of Wednesday, July 15, so he expects to play the 2020 season under the $10.6 million franchise tag. The 25-year-old doesn't seem to be too worried about it, though, and he's focused on the 2020 season. He views this […]