Lance McCullers Jr. Throws On Flat Ground

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow) threw on flat ground on Tuesday for the first time since he had Tommy John surgery on Nov. 6. Dr. Neal ElAttrache gave McCullers full clearance to start a throwing game the day before, and he made 25 to 30 tosses at around 45 feet. The right-hander […]

Michael A. Taylor To Start Rehab Assignment Thursday

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael A. Taylor (hip, knee) will have his rehab assignment bumped up a day from Friday to Thursday with Double-A Harrisburg. Barring any setbacks this weekend, Taylor should be able to rejoin the team sometime next week. He'll serve as a fourth outfielder behind Adam Eaton, Victor Robles and Juan Soto in […]

White Sox-Mariners Postponed Thursday

The game between the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners will be postponed on Thursday due to inclement weather. White Sox starter Reynaldo Lopez will match up against Mariners left-hander Yusei Kikuchi for the team's home opener on Friday now. Lopez gave up four earned runs and six hits while striking out just two in […]

No Set Timetable For Francisco Lindor

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (ankle) has no set timetable for a return, but he will do some light baseball activities in Cleveland for the next seven to 10 days before being re-evaluated. He was throwing on the field before the game on Wednesday with the club's head athletic trainer. It'll probably be at least […]

Browns Re-Sign Orson Charles

The Cleveland Browns re-signed tight end/fullback Orson Charles to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday. Charles appeared in 13 games (two starts) for the Browns last year and had only three catches for 23 yards as mainly a blocker for running back Nick Chubb. The former fourth-rounder appeared in 49 games with the Bengals, Lions, […]

Jason Kipnis To Begin Rehab Assignment This Weekend

Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (calf) will join Triple-A Columbus for a rehab assignment this weekend. He could make his season debut next which, which is good news for an Indians middle infield that is also currently without shortstop Francisco Lindor (ankle). Brad Miller and Max Moroff have been holding down the fort at […]

Jeremy Jeffress To Start Rehab Assignment Friday

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said he saw "all good signs" from relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress' (shoulder) outing in extended spring training on Tuesday. The reliever will pitch on Friday with Triple-A San Antonio. Jeffress had a fine 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 10.4 K/9 and 15 saves in 73 outings for the Brew Crew last […]

Tim Anderson Expected To Play On Thursday

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria said he expects shortstop Tim Anderson to play in the home opener on Thursday. Chicago is set to face Mariners left-hander Yusei Kikuchi on Thursday afternoon. The 25-year-old Anderson left the team on paternity leave Monday and is hitting .333 (4-for-12) with a run scored, RBI and stolen base […]

Byron Buxton Not In Lineup

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back, ribs) is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday after crashing into the outfield wall on Tuesday night. He's dealing with a ribs contusion and a sore back, but it's not considered serious. Jake Cave is in right field and is hitting sixth, while Max Kepler shifts over to […]

Indians Give Terry Francona Two-Year Extension

The Cleveland Indians signed manager Terry Francona to a two-year contract extension through the 2022 season on Wednesday. His current deal was set to expire after the 2020 season. The soon-to-be 60-year-old has led the Tribe to three straight American League Central titles and the World Series in 2016. The club has made the playoffs […]

Nationals Not Ready To Bring Up Carter Kieboom

Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said the team isn't ready to call up shortstop prospect Carter Kieboom just yet, and they want him to get repetitions and at-bats at Triple-A Fresno to begin the season. Kieboom is the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 25 overall, per MLB Pipeline. He's only 21 years old […]

Daniel Robertson Back In Lineup Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Daniel Robertson (illness) is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday, batting sixth and starting at third base against Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez. Robertson was removed from the last game with an illness, but it obviously proved to be a minor issue. The 25-year-old has only two hits in […]

Yasiel Puig Sitting Out Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday. Outfielder Jesse Winker is starting in right field and is hitting leadoff against Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Matt Kemp is in left field and is batting third. Puig is off to a slow start in his first year in Cincy with […]

Byron Buxton Hoping To Play Wednesday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is dealing with a contusion on his ribs and a sore back after crashing into the outfield wall on Tuesday night, but his head checked out fine after the game. He is hoping to play on Wednesday, but the Twins might give him the day off with a scheduled off […]

Byron Buxton Injured Tuesday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton was removed from the game early on Tuesday and is being evaluated for back pain after crashing into the center field wall. Buxton was hitless with a run scored and three strikeouts in four plate appearances in this one before departing. He has four hits (three doubles) in 14 plate […]

Yandy Diaz Tweaks Ankle Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Yandy Diaz tweaked his ankle on Tuesday, but manager Kevin Cash doesn't think the injury is very serious. Diaz was already scheduled to have the day off on Wednesday anyway. The 27-year-old had a double, run scored, walk and two strikeouts in five plate appearances in Tuesday's win over the […]

Ravens Expect Marshal Yanda To Play In 2019

The Baltimore Ravens expect Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda to play in 2019. There had been speculation that Yanda was considering retirement, but the Ravens fully believe he'll be their starting right guard this year. It would be a big blow to the Ravens, an extremely run-first team under new franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson, […]

X-Rays Negative On Brandon Nimmo

X-rays came back negative on New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo's hand after he was hit by a pitch on Tuesday and removed from the game. He'll be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Nimmo had a run, single, RBI and walk in five plate appearances before leaving the game Tuesday night and now has just two hits […]

Matt Adams Dealing With Back Spasms

Updating a previous report, Washington Nationals first baseman Matt Adams was removed from the game on Tuesday with back spasms. Adams struck out in his only plate appearance against the Phillies and starter Zach Eflin on Tuesday before he was taken out and replaced by Ryan Zimmerman. Adams is hitless on the year with three […]

Edwin Encarnacion Has Soreness In Hand

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion was scratched from the lineup Tuesday night due to soreness in his left hand. The move was strictly precautionary, and he could be back in the lineup on Thursday after the off day on Wednesday. The veteran slugger has five hits in his first 21 at-bats (.238) with a […]

Shawn Armstrong Could Return Next Homestand

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong (oblique) will make a few minor league rehab outings and could return from the injured list on the team's next homestand. With closer Hunter Strickland (lat) out two months, Seattle's save's picture is wide open and includes arms like Chasen Bradford, Roenis Elias, Matthew Festa, Cory Gearrin, Nick Rumbelow […]

Todd Frazier To Start Rehab Assignment Thursday

New York Mets corner infielder Todd Frazier (oblique) will start a rehab assignment with High-A St. Lucie on Thursday. Frazier could be ready to return from the injured list sometime next week if everything goes according to plan. With rookie first baseman Peter Alonso raking so far, though, it's fair to wonder how much Frazier […]

Chiefs Sign Blake Bell

The Kansas City Chiefs signed free-agent tight end Blake Bell to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. The former fourth-round pick in 2015 had eight receptions for 67 yards and no scores in 10 games with the Jaguars in 2018. He has all of 30 catches for 357 yards and no touchdowns in his four years […]

Russell Wilson Gives Seahawks Deadline For Extension

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has given the team an April 15 deadline to complete negotiations for a long-term contract extension, according to a source with knowledge of the talks. April 15 is the first day of the team's offseason workout program. The star QB has one year left on his four-year, $87.6 million contract. […]

Howie Kendrick Could Return Thursday

Washington Nationals second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) is taking batting practice on Tuesday, and manager Dave Martinez said that the veteran infielder could come off the injured list when eligible on Thursday without going on a minor league rehab assignment. Kendrick will give the Nats a nice veteran presence as a utility infielder, but he […]

Royals Acquire Andrew Susac

The Kansas City Royals acquired catcher Andrew Susac from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. Susac has hit just .221/.283/.373 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in five big league seasons with the Giants, Brewers and Orioles and will merely be depth for KC with Salvador Perez out for the […]

Jonathan Loaisiga To Start Wednesday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga will start on Wednesday against the Tigers, according to manager Aaron Boone. The 24-year-old right-hander is the team's No. 2 prospect (No. 65 overall) and posted a shiny 2.89 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 67 punchouts in 56 innings (14 starts) in three minor league stops in 2018. He'll […]

CC Sabathia Could Return This Month

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (heart) threw a four-inning simulated game on Monday, and manager Aaron Boone thinks the veteran left-hander could return in mid-April or just after. Sabathia was also serving a short suspension to begin the year for throwing at the Rays' Jesus Sucre in his last start in 2018. Sabathia […]

Dellin Betances To Face Hitters Soon

New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) will face hitters soon and is likely to return quickly after he reaches that step in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement. The hard-throwing righty's injury isn't too serious, so he should be able to make his season debut this month, barring setbacks. Even in the […]

Luis Severino Not Throwing Off A Mound

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (shoulder) continues to play long toss but has yet to throw off a mound. The Yankees are being cautious with their ace after he developed rotator-cuff inflammation. He's unlikely to be ready to make his season debut until sometime in May, but he needs to be owned in […]