Felix Pena Likely To Open Season As Reliever

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Felix Pena (knee) is likely to open the season as a reliever instead of a starter if he makes the team's Opening Day roster. Pena is recovering from a torn ACL last year and hasn't been built up as a starter this spring. The 29-year-old (30 on Tuesday) Dominican pitched in […]

Hansel Robles Expected To Be Closer

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said it's a pretty safe bet that relief pitcher Hansel Robles will enter the season as the team's closer. This was the expectation all along, with Ty Buttrey likely to serve as the primary eighth-inning setup man. Robles had a nice 2.48 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 23 saves […]

Browns Likely To Move On From Olivier Vernon

The Cleveland Browns will likely be looking to replace defensive end Olivier Vernon this offseason, as he's due to make $15.25 million in 2020. Vernon will either be released or will need to take a pay cut to stay in Cleveland. If Vernon is released, the Browns could look to defensive end Everson Griffen or […]

Justin Simmons Expects To Receive Franchise Tag

Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons said in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Monday that he expects to receive the franchise tag. Over the Cap estimates that the tag for safeties this year will be worth $12.7 million. Simmons is hoping that he'll be able to work out a long-term deal by the deadline […]

Ravens Could Move Hayden Hurst

There's a real chance that the Baltimore Ravens move tight end Hayden Hurst this offseason, and the Patriots could be involved, according to sources. The Patriots were heavily linked to Hurst prior to the 2018 draft. Hurst was selected with the 25th overall pick in the first round that year, but he's underwhelmed with 43 […]

Leighton Vander Esch Expected To Take Part In Spring Workouts

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) is expected to take part in spring workouts to some degree. "Once we see him, we'll have a better feel for it. But he'll have some limitations up until training camp before we really turn him loose," executive vice president Stephen Jones said. Vander Esch was a stud […]

Cowboys Haven't Talked With Dak Prescott's Agent Lately

Dallas Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said that the team hasn't met or negotiated with quarterback Dak Prescott's agent Todd France since September of last year. There haven't been talks between the two sides this offseason, but they may meet during the scouting combine this week. Jones also said that no contracts with Prescott or […]

Titans In The Lead To Land Tom Brady?

In a discussion between ESPN reporters Jeff Darlington and Adam Schefter on the Rich Eisen show last week, Darlington said that he expects the Tennessee Titans to "be in the mix" to sign New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who will become a free agent next month. The Raiders might also try to make a […]

Lucas Giolito To Throw Another Bullpen Tuesday

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (chest) has another bullpen session scheduled for Tuesday, and he seems to be coming along fine after dealing with a strained chest muscle early in camp. Giolito broke out in 2019 by going 14-9 with a 3.41 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 228 strikeouts in 176 2/3 innings over […]

Yasmani Grandal Out Another 7-10 Games

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria estimates that catcher Yasmani Grandal (calf) will miss another seven to 10 spring training games in the Cactus League. Grandal has been hitting and catching and was scheduled to do some sprints on Monday, so they are just being cautious with their big free-agent acquisition. Barring any setbacks, he […]

Yannick Ngakoue Wants $22 Million Annually

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue wants a long-term deal and is looking for $22 million annually. Ngakoue said he would be unlikely to show up until Aug. 11 if he had to play under the franchise tag. The young pass-rusher has compiled 37.5 sacks (second on the all-time franchise list) since being drafted in […]

Colts Unsure If Adam Vinatieri Will Return

The Indianapolis Colts are unsure if kicker Adam Vinatieri, who will be a free agent next month, will return in 2020. The 47-year-old future Hall of Famer is rehabbing the knee injury that he dealt with last season, and he hasn't decided yet on if he will retire. The 2019 season was the worst year […]

Falcons Expected To Pick Up Matt Schaub's Option

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to pick up quarterback Matt Schaub's $2 million option for the 2020 season, according to a source. Schaub made just one start in 2019 and was underwhelming in place of Matt Ryan. The veteran signal-caller attempted 67 passes for 580 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in parts of six […]

Stephen Piscotty Dealing With Oblique Strain

Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty (hip, oblique) said that he's dealing with a strain of some fort on his left side, and he won't be able to play until at least the Vegas later this month. Piscotty should have time to get ready for Opening Day, but oblique/side injuries can often sidelined players for long […]

Chris Archer Scratched With Neck Tightness

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chris Archer (neck) was scratched from his Grapefruit League start on Monday against the Yankees due to neck tightness. It's not a good start to spring action for Archer, who is looking to bounce back after going 3-9 in 2019 with a career-high 5.19 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 143 strikeouts and 55 […]

Colts Not Pursuing Extension For Marlon Mack

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said on Sunday that the team isn't pursuing a long-term contract extension with running back Marlon Mack currently. It doesn't mean that it's not on the table or that the Colts don't want to keep Mack around for the long-term, but it's not a pressing issue. The 23-year-old (24 next […]

Jose Alvarado Scheduled To Make Spring Debut Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvarado (elbow) threw a successful live batting practice session on Sunday and used around 20 pitches. He's tentatively scheduled to make his spring debut in the Grapefruit League on Wednesday against the Twins. The southpaw reliever's 2019 season ended in August, but barring any setbacks in spring training, he […]

Ryan Yarbrough Could Become More Of A Traditional Starter

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, who served as the "bulk" pitcher following an opener mostly in 2019, enters spring training this year with a chance to be a traditional starter. Yarbrough threw a scoreless inning against the Yankees in his spring debut on Sunday, striking out one while throwing 14 of his 21 pitches […]

Ben Roethlisberger A Few Months From Full Clearance

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) had a doctor visit on Friday and said, "It was a good report. I got to bypass the tennis ball throwing for a month and go right to the football. Still going to be about 2.5-3 months until I get total clearance from doc but we are doing good!" […]

Matthew Judon Expected To Receive Franchise Tag

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon is expected to receive the franchise tag this year. The NFL Players Association has pushed back the start of the franchise-designation period from Tuesday, Feb. 25, to Thursday, Feb. 27, and the period will now end on March 12 instead of March 10, according to a source from ESPN's Adam […]

Mason Crosby Receives Three-Year Extension

The Green Bay Packers agreed to a three-year contract extension with kicker Mason Crosby on Saturday, according to a source. Crosby has been with the Packers since he was drafted in 2007, and he missed just two field goals and one extra point in 2019. The veteran kicker will turn 36 before the start of […]

Ben Roethlisberger Throwing The Football

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) was seen lightly throwing a football in a video that the Steelers posted on Twitter on Saturday. Roethlisberger only played in two games in 2019 before needing reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, but it looks like he's making progress. He's focused on returning to finish out his contract, […]

Danny Amendola Re-Signs With Lions

The Detroit Lions re-signed wide receiver Danny Amendola to a one-year deal on Saturday, according to his agent, Erik Burkhardt. All three of Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and Amendola are in contract years in 2020. Amendola, 34, had 62 catches for 678 yards and a touchdown in his first season with Detroit last year. The […]

Seth Lugo Back On A Mound Saturday

New York Mets pitcher Seth Lugo (pinkie) returned to the mound on Saturday and threw a bullpen session five days after breaking his pinkie toe in an accident in his hotel room. It's obviously not a very serious injury and Lugo should be ready to go by Opening Day. The 30-year-old right-hander is extremely valuable […]

Jets Sign Josh Doctson

The New York Jets signed wide receiver Josh Doctson to an undisclosed deal on Saturday. Doctson was taken 22nd overall in the first round by the Redskins in 2016, but he's mostly been a disappointment in his career to this point. He finished three seasons with Washington with 81 catches, 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns. […]

Jimmy Nelson Throws Successful Bullpen

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (back, groin) came out of his bullpen session on Friday healthy, according to manager Dave Roberts. Nelson is a little behind the other starters in camp as he competes for the No. 5 rotation spot, but he could still be ready for Opening Day as long as he […]

Joc Pederson Dealing With Sore Hip

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson (hip) had a light day on Friday to receive treatment for a sore right hip, which he said was a minor injury. Pederson should be just fine as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks in spring training. After a nixed trade to the Angels, the left-handed slugger will […]

Kenley Jansen Working On Slider In Camp

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen threw a bullpen session on Friday with Rick Honeycutt, Orel Hershiser and Joel Peralta in order to work on his slider. Jansen said he worked on his cutter and two-seamer in the offseason, but he said he needs to devote some time to improving his slider. Jansen had a […]

Mookie Betts To Lead Off For Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that outfielder Mookie Betts will be the team's primary leadoff hitter in 2019. Betts has hit leadoff in 562 of his career 780 at-bats. The 2018 American League MVP and four-time All-Star is moving to the top of perhaps the best lineup in baseball. He hit .295/.391/.524 with […]

Austin Hooper Could Reset Tight End Market

Atlanta Falcons two-time Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper will become a free agent on March 16, and he could reset the tight end market with his next deal. Hooper was fifth in the league in catches among all players with 52 through the first eight games of last season. He missed three games with […]