Orioles Sign Jordan Westburg, Hudson Haskin

The Baltimore Orioles signed draft picks Jordan Westburg (No. 30 overall) and Hudson Haskin (No. 39 overall) on Saturday. Westburg, the No. 33 prospect in the draft per Baseball America, hit .285/.385/.446 in three seasons at Mississippi State at shortstop. He had four homers and slashed .326/.385/.516 in the Cape Cod League last summer. Westburg's […]

Mariners Release Wei-Yin Chen

The Seattle Mariners released starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen on Saturday. Chen declined to say whether he would consider playing for professional teams in Japan or South Korea. The Taiwanese left-hander made his MLB debut in April of 2012 as a pitcher for the Orioles. Chen signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Marlins in […]

Vita Vea Undergoes Minor Hand Surgery

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (hand) suffered an unspecified hand injury and underwent a minor surgical procedure a few weeks ago. Vea is expected to miss some time at the beginning of training camp, which is scheduled to start on July 28, but he's not expected to be limited for the start of […]

Rangers Employees Fear For Health Amid Positive COVID-19 Tests

Texas Rangers employees told ESPN on Friday that they fear for their health and hope the team will allow them to work from home after feeling pressure to come into the office after the revelation that multiple co-workers have tested positive for COVID-19. Multiple employees said that their managers said working from home was not […]

Indians Sign First-Rounder Carson Tucker

The Cleveland Indians signed rookie shortstop Carson Tucker, their first-round pick at 23rd overall, for $2 million on Friday, according to a source. Tucker is the younger brother of Pirates shortstop Cole Tucker. The 18-year-old prep prospect hits right-handed and has excellent bat control and bat speed over power, but he could grow into more […]

Teams Remain Interested In Colin Kaepernick

There is interest from teams around the NFL in free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick. They seem to be doing more homework on him than in recent years, although teams haven't yet engaged in direct negotiations with Kaepernick's representation. The new Lions owner said she'd be completely fine with Detroit bringing in Kap if they felt it […]

Zach Putnam, Matt Skole Among Five Released By White Sox

The Chicago White Sox released relief pitchers Zach Putnam and Caleb Frare, starting pitcher Matt Tomshaw, first baseman Matt Skole and infielder Ramon Torres on Friday. The White Sox are starting to trim their roster to get down to a list of 60 players by Sunday. Putnam missed all of the 2018 and 2019 seasons […]

Giants Release Tyson Ross, Nick Vincent

The San Francisco Giants released starting pitcher Tyson Ross, reliever Nick Vincent and outfielder Jaime Westbrook on Friday ahead of the deadline to submit up to 60 names for their player pool this year. All three were non-roster invites on minor league deals. Ross, 33, struggled to a 6.11 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 and […]

Andrew Toles Jailed For Sleeping Behind Airport

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andrew Toles was jailed this week after police said they found him sleeping behind the Key West airport in Florida. Toles was arrested on June 22 on a misdemeanor charge of trespassing after he refused to leave the area. Police gave him several chances to leave the area, but he wouldn't […]

Salvador Perez In Better Shape

Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny said that catcher Salvador Perez (elbow) "is in better shape" now than he was back in spring training in March. We'd hope so, as everyone has had several months now to take care of their bodies, especially those coming off serious injuries like Perez. The 30-year-old missed the entire […]

Adalberto Mondesi Looking Good

Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi (shoulder) has sent the team some video and is looking good after having offseason surgery to fix a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, according to manager Mike Matheny. There's less risk with the speedy infielder now that he's had extra time to heal, and his stolen-base prowess (43 […]

49ers Sign Brandon Aiyuk, Javon Kinlaw

The San Francisco 49ers signed first-rounders, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, to four-year rookie deals on Friday. Aiyuk went with the 25th overall pick out of Arizona State, while Kinlaw was the 14th overall pick from South Carolina. Aiyuk, 22, is known as a yards-after-the-catch monster and should fit in nicely […]

Adam Gase Wants Jamal Adams To Stick Around

New York Jets head coach Adam Gase was asked if he wanted All-Pro safety Jamal Adams on the team in 2020. "Yes, I want Jamal on our team," Gase said. Adams has been in an ongoing contract dispute with the team and requested a trade last week. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams made similar comments on […]

Indians Have Handful Of Positive COVID-19 Cases

The Cleveland Indians have had a handful of positive COVID-19 cases from players at home, in the Dominican Republic and in Arizona. "All of those cases have been isolated. There has not been any spread within our environment," according to president Chris Antonetti. The affected players are either recovered or are showing only mild symptoms. […]

Panthers Like Teddy Bridgewater's Ability To Go Deep

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater wasn't asked to go deep often in the Saints offense that focused more on yards after the catch, but head coach Matt Rhule thinks Bridgewater "is exactly what we want." His 6.2 intended air yards per pass attempt last year is right in line with Drew Brees' 6.4 intended air […]

DeVante Parker Excels On Contested Catches

Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker had the second-most receiving yards last year on contested catches (400), behind only Kenny Golladay, according to Pro Football Focus. Parker's ability to make catches with defenders draped all over him helped him to a breakout season in 2019. He finished with career highs across the board in receptions […]

Gary Jennings Learning The Slot, Boundary Positions

Miami Dolphins second-year wide receiver Gary Jennings is learning the slot, where he had success at West Virginia, and the boundary receiver positions. If Jennings makes the team, he could be used to create mismatches on smaller, slower players. He was drafted by the Seahawks in the fourth round last year and claimed off waivers […]

Dolphins Offensive Line In Transition

Miami Dolphins right tackle Jesse Davis could be the only 2019 starter assured of a starting job in 2020. Offensive line coach Steve Marshall is the team's third offensive line coach in the last 11 months. Miami is still determining whether second-rounder Robert Hunt is better suited to play guard or tackle as a rookie. […]

Jake Lamb Should Have Inside Track At DH

Arizona Diamondbacks corner infielder Jake Lamb should have the inside track as the primary designated hitter this year with the universal DH in play in both leagues. However, injuries and inconsistency (75 OPS+) the last two years have left him with plenty to prove. Lamb has a weak .594 OPS against lefties, too. But if […]

Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce Could Split DH Role

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen (knee) could be used frequently in the designated hitter spot early in the season so that he can ease his way into a tight schedule while coming off a torn ACL. But when he's ready for the outfield full time, veteran outfielder Jay Bruce could be the primary option at […]

Daniel Murphy Likely To Be Primary Rockies DH

Colorado Rockies youngsters Garrett Hampson, Sam Hilliard and Brendan Rodgers could be options for the designated hitter with the universal DH in play this year, but the Rockies will likely use first baseman/second baseman Daniel Murphy for much of the time. With Murphy at DH, Ryan McMahon could play first, with Hampson or Rodgers at […]

Not Much Traction Between Chiefs, Chris Jones

There hasn't been much traction on long-term contract talks between the Kansas City Chiefs and defensive tackle Chris Jones, according to a source. The Chiefs want Jones back long-term, but the coronavirus pandemic has played a big part with teams not know what the salary cap will be next year. Clarity from the league before […]

Kyle Schwarber Profiles Better As DH

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber has never been much to look at defensively, which is why he figures to be the team's primary designated hitter with the universal DH in play in 2020. Steven Souza Jr. missed all of last year with a left knee injury, but if he's healthy, left field should be his […]

Matt Carpenter Could Preserve Health In DH Spot

MLB.com's David Adler projects St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter to be the team's primary designated hitter with the universal DH in play this year. Carpenter has been in the MVP conversation multiple times in his career, most recently in 2018, but injuries caused him to struggle to a .226/.334/.392 slash line in 2019. […]

Aaron Jones Will Work Harder With A.J. Dillon Around

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones, who had a career year in 2019, thinks rookie running back A.J. Dillon's arrival will push him to work even harder entering the 2020 season. The Packers drafted Dillon 62nd overall in the second round back in April. Jones is also entering the last year of his deal, […]

Dominic Smith Could Be An Option At DH

If New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is healthy, he figures to be the team's primary designated hitter this year, given his recent injury history. But if he's not ready for the start of the season in late July, first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith and third baseman/outfielder J.D. Davis are both good options. Neither player is […]

Jesse Winker Could Be Beneficiary Of DH

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos and infielder Mike Moustakas could both see time at designated hitter this year if the team wants to improve defensively, but outfielder Jesse Winker might be the biggest beneficiary of the new rule this year in the National League. Winker has a career .909 OPS against right-handers but hasn't impressed […]

Gregg Williams Wants To Keep Jamal Adams Around

New York Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams doesn't want All-Pro safety Jamal Adams going anywhere after he asked for a trade. “He has to handle his contract,” Williams said. “He’ll do all that kind of stuff… I’m hoping everything goes well. I love coaching him. And I got his back.” Adams was tied for the […]

Indians To Put George Valera On Taxi Squad

Cleveland Indians outfield prospect George Valera, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected to be on the team's taxi squad when rosters are officially announced. Valera will turn 20 years old in November, so he's a long shot to see a major league call-up during the shortened 60-game regular season. The native […]

Marco Luciano Expected To Be On Taxi Squad

San Francisco Giants shortstop prospect Marco Luciano, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected to be on the team's taxi squad when rosters are officially announced. Luciano will not turn 19 years old until September, so he's an extreme long shot to get a big league call-up during the shortened 60-game regular […]