Franklin Barreto Has Chance To Win Second Base Job

Oakland Athletics second baseman Franklin Barreto has a real chance to make the team's Opening Day roster as the starter at second base after previously being blocked by Jurickson Profar and Jed Lowrie. “There’s not one particular guy in front of him right now. This is his best shot,” manager Bob Melvin said. The 23-year-old […]

Jimmy Nelson Could Work Out Of Bullpen

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson could become a Brandon Morrow-type of late-inning reliever if he's not in the starting rotation. Nelson isn't a lock to win a rotation spot, especially since he's already dealing with a groin injury in camp. The 30-year-old had a fine […]

Alex Reyes Being Stretched Out As Starter

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Alex Reyes is on a starter's workload this spring and impressed during live batting practice on Monday. With Miles Mikolas (elbow) expected to miss the start of the regular season, Reyes, along with John Gant, Ryan Helsley, Genesis Cabrera, Daniel Poncedeleon and Austin Gomber, will be looking to win the No. […]

Buccaneers Will Try To Re-Sign Shaquil Barrett

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will make an attempt to re-sign linebacker Shaquil Barrett, who led the NFL in 2019 with 19.5 sacks in his first year with the team. Barrett, who is scheduled to be a free agent in March, would be looking at potentially $20 million per season on the open market, so it […]

Younghoe Koo Receives One-Year Extension

The Atlanta Falcons signed kicker Younghoe Koo and punter Ryan Allen to one-year contract extensions on Tuesday. Koo, 25, played in the team's final eight games in 2019 after the club parted ways with veteran Matt Bryant. He made 23 of his 26 field-goal attempts and made 15 of his 16 extra points. Koo made […]

Joe Flacco's MRI Yields Encouraging Results

An MRI exam taken on Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco (back) last week showed encouraging results, but his agent, Joe Linta, is seeking a second opinion from spine specialist Dr. Andrew Dossett. "Joe has every intention to play but not at the risk of his long-term health," Linta said Tuesday. Flacco went on season-ending Injured […]

Kareem Hunt Expects To Remain With Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt expects to be in the team's plans for 2020 despite admitting that he would fail a drug test during a routine traffic stop. Hunt is a restricted free agent, so he's hoping Cleveland will place a first-round tender on him or try to sign him to a long-term deal. […]

Brad Peacock Likely Out Of Rotation Competition

Houston Astros pitching coach Brent Strom said that starting pitcher Brad Peacock (neck) is likely out of the competition for the No. 5 rotation spot because of his injury. With Peacock likely to start in the bullpen when he's ready, the No. 5 spot will come down to Josh James, Austin Pruitt or Framber Valdez. […]

Greg Olsen Signs With Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are signing former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen to a one-year, $7 million deal on Tuesday, according to a source. The deal includes $5.5 million in guarantees. Olsen visited with the Bills and Redskins before making the decision to go to Seattle. Will Dissly ruptured his Achilles in 2019, Ed Dickson […]

Trea Turner Could Hit Third In Lineup

Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner is an option to hit third in the batting order now that Anthony Rendon is with the Angels. "We'll see. I talked to Davey briefly about it. I thought it was kind of a joke for the last month or so. But now I guess it's somewhat serious," Turner said. […]

Saints Likely To Give Taysom Hill A Tender Offer

The New Orleans Saints seem likely to give quarterback Taysom Hill, who will be a restricted free agent in March, at least a first- or second-round tender offer now that Drew Brees has announced he will return for at least one more season. Teddy Bridgewater is expected to have a big market in free agency […]

Seth Lugo Has Small Fracture On Toe

New York Mets pitcher Seth Lugo (toe) has a small fracture on his left pinkie toe, but it's "no major concern," according to manager Luis Rojas. Lugo will take around three days off from throwing. It looks like this isn't an injury that will keep the 30-year-old out for the start of the regular season. […]

Benardrick McKinney Undergoes Ankle Surgery

Houston Texans middle linebacker Benardrick McKinney (ankle) underwent arthroscopic ankle surgery, according to league sources. McKinney is expected to make a full recovery before next season. The 27-year-old just finished up his fifth season in the NFL with Houston and recorded 101 tackles (54 solo), one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in […]

Keone Kela Dealing With Viral Infection

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Keone Kela (illness) didn't throw his scheduled live batting practice session on Tuesday because he's dealing with a viral infection. It's something that shouldn't keep Kela out for long. The 26-year-old (27 in April) right-hander will open the year as the team's ninth-inning man after posting an excellent 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP […]

Padres Still Motivated To Move Wil Myers

The San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox continue to discuss a potential trade involving outfielder Wil Myers in the last two days, according to sources. A deal to send Myers to Boston seems contingent on the Red Sox taking on roughly half of the $61 million owed to Myers over the next three years. […]

Chris Harris Jr. Could Reach Open Market

Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr., whose name was thrown around before last year's draft and at the October trade deadline, thinks that the team will allow him to test the open market once he officially becomes a free agent next month. "If they want me back, then I’ll be back," Harris said. The 30-year-old […]

Red Sox Close To Signing Jonathan Lucroy

The Boston Red Sox are close to a deal with catcher Jonathan Lucroy on Tuesday, according to sources. Lucroy would become a depth option behind Christian Vazquez and Kevin Plawecki and would likely be settling for a minor league deal. The 33-year-old veteran backstop hit just .232/.305/.355 with eight homers and 36 RBI in 101 […]

Miles Mikolas To Miss Start Of Season

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Miles Mikolas (elbow) will miss the start of the regular season because of a flexor-tendon issue in his right elbow, according to manager Mike Shildt. Mikolas will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection and be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. The right-hander had a PRP injection after last season ended […]

D.J. Humphries Receives Three-Year Deal From Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals agreed with left tackle D.J. Humphries on a three-year, $45 million deal on Monday, according to sources. Humphries will make $30 million over the first two years, and the deal includes $29 million guaranteed. The 26-year-old played in a full season in 2019 for the first time since going 24th overall in […]

Teddy Bridgewater Expected To Have Big Free-Agent Market

Multiple teams expect New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to have a strong free-agent market as a starting or bridge quarterback for a team in transition this offseason. Bridgewater is expected to sign with another team unless Drew Brees retires. The 27-year-old Louisville alumni played in nine games in 2019 and held his own with […]

Panthers Think Cam Newton Will Be Cleared By March

The Carolina Panthers think that quarterback Cam Newton (foot) is likely to pass a physical and be cleared for some football activities in March, according to a source. However, they will still likely use caution with him in spring workouts if he remains on the team. Newton continues to rehab a surgically repaired Lisfranc injury […]

Francis Martes Suspended 162 Games

Houston Astros pitcher Francis Martes was suspended for 162 games without pay after testing positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing drug. Martes was suspended for a similar offense last March, so he'll miss the entire 2020 season for his second violation. The 24-year-old Dominican last pitched in the big leagues in 2017, making 32 appearances (four […]

Nick Solak Has Chance To Be Starter In Center Field

Texas Rangers second baseman/outfielder Nick Solak has a chance to win the starting center field job this spring. Acquired from the Rays last year, Solak hit a cool .293/.393/.491 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 33 games for the Rangers to finish the season. The 25-year-old ended the year ranked as the team's […]

Francisco Lindor Might Not Hit Leadoff

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is in negotiations with the team on a multi-year deal, might not hit leadoff in 2020. Lindor has been the team's primary leadoff hitter for the last two and a half years. He's hit 70 home runs in the last two years and could be better off in the […]

Avisail Garcia, Ryan Braun To Split Time In Right Field

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that outfielders Avisail Garcia and Ryan Braun will share time in right field this year, with Braun also playing some first base. Christian Yelich will move from right field to left field in 2020. Braun, 36, managed to play in 144 games for Milwaukee last year, hitting .285 with […]

Yoenis Cespedes, Jed Lowrie Take Part In Monday's Workout

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (ankle, heels) and infielder Jed Lowrie (side) both took part in the team's workout on Monday. Lowrie had no physical restrictions, according to manager Luis Rojas. He took ground balls and live batting practice and is a full-go in practice. Cespedes took part in most activities but remains a […]

Jonathan Villar To Begin In Center Field

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly said that infielder Jonathan Villar will start camp working in center field. Villar will continue to get repetitions in the infield, but the Marlins are hoping Villar becomes their center fielder. It remains to be seen if Villar can stick at the position having little experience in the outfield, but […]

Starlin Castro Will Mostly Play Second Base

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that infielder Starlin Castro will mostly play second base, while Howie Kendrick will mostly play first and second base in spring training. Castro and Kendrick could play some third base later this spring, but Carter Kieboom and Asdrubal Cabrera are expected to be the primary options at the hot […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Working To Improve Launch Angle

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said he has been working to improve his launch angle, which at 6.7 degrees in his rookie season in 2019 ranked 372nd out of 406 major league hitters who put 100 or more balls into play. Hitting coach Guillermo Martinez and the team's strength and conditioning staff […]

Lions Having Trade Talks Involving Darius Slay

The Detroit Lions have talked with multiple teams about a potential trade for Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, according to sources. However, any team that trades for Slay must compensate the Lions and Slay with a new deal, and Detroit is determined to get fair value for Slay. The 29-year-old former second-round pick in 2013 […]