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 […]

Noelvi Marte To Serve On M's Taxi Squad

Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect Noelvi Marte, the team's No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected to be on the team's taxi squad when the rosters are officially announced. Marte doesn't turn 19 years old until October, so the Mariners are clearly just including him on the taxi squad to continue the youngster's development. In […]

Ivan Herrera Expected To Be On Taxi Squad

St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Ivan Herrera, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is expected to be on the team's taxi squad when rosters are officially announced. Herrera hit a combined .284/.374/.405 with nine home runs, 47 RBI and 48 runs scored in 87 games for Single-A Peoria and High-A Palm Beach in […]

Diamondbacks Sign First-Rounder Bryce Jarvis

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed their top pick Bryce Jarvis to a deal that includes a $2.65 million signing bonus on Thursday. The bonus is less than the $3.48 million that the No. 18 overall slot was worth. The right-hander out of Duke has a fastball that sits at 94-96 mph, a changeup and an improved […]

Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo Will Be On Taxi Squad

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Corbin Carroll and shortstop prospect Geraldo Perdomo will be on the team's taxi squad when rosters are announced, according to a source. Carroll hasn't played above short-season A-ball but is one of the team's best young players and is rated as Arizona's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Perdomo comes in […]

Wander Franco Expected To Be On Taxi Squad

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, the top prospect in baseball in 2020 per MLB Pipeline, is expected to be on the team's taxi squad when the roster is officially announced, according to a source. Franco should already be owned in dynasty/keeper leagues, but it might still be a long shot for him to see […]

Giants Might Not Use Five-Man Rotation

San Francisco Giants president Farhan Zaidi said that the team may not have a five-man rotation for the shortened 60-game 2020 season. Zaidi said that the Giants may use "tandem guys" this year. San Francisco isn't the only major league team that is considering something similar, as the Braves and Dodgers also hinted that they […]

Kike Hernandez The Primary Option At DH For Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Kike Hernandez is the primary projected designated hitter for the team during the shortened 2020 season, but Matt Beaty, Gavin Lux, Joc Pederson, A.J. Pollock, Edwin Rios, Chris Taylor and Will Smith could also be options. The Dodgers have an extremely deep roster with plenty of options to rotate at DH […]

Dodgers Have Positive COVID-19 Tests

Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman said that members of the organization have tested positive for COVID-19, but Friedman didn't say how many and whether they were players or coaches. None of those that tested positive had "problematic" symptoms. The Dodgers are not alone, as a handful of other teams around the league have reported […]

Pete Crow-Armstrong Signs For Full Slot Value

The New York Mets signed rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong for $3.359 million on Thursday at full slot value for the No. 19 overall pick of the draft. Crow-Armstrong, a Vanderbilt commit, is an excellent defender in center field because of his plus speed. He can also hit and should add additional power as his body […]

Mariners Sign First-Rounder Emerson Hancock

The Seattle Mariners signed rookie right-handed pitcher Emerson Hancock, their first-round pick at No. 6 overall, for $5.7 million on Thursday. It comes just under the slot value of $5.742 million for the sixth overall pick in the draft. Hancock comes out of Georgia and has the best combination of polish and stuff in this […]

Lance Lynn To Start On Opening Day

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Lance Lynn will get the nod for the team on Opening Day in late July. Of course, Lynn must remain healthy and virus-free during spring training 2.0, which will kick off late next week. The 33-year-old right-hander had one of the best seasons of his career in his first season with […]

Several D-Backs Players Test Positive For COVID-19

One player on the Arizona Diamondbacks 40-man roster, "several" minor leaguers and one minor league coach have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last week, according to a team official. No identities have been released, but a source says that more than 70 of the 80-plus tests came back negative. All of the positive tests […]

Training Camps To Open As Scheduled

The NFL has advised teams that training camps are expected to begin as scheduled on July 28, with rookies and selected players allowed to report earlier, according to executive vice president Jeff Pash. Commissioner Roger Goodell also said that the league's focus is to "get ready for games at our stadiums and to engage our […]