Braves, Ronald Acuna Finalizing Extension

The Atlanta Braves and outfielder Ronald Acuna are finalizing an eight-year, $100 million contract extension on Tuesday, according to league sources. The deal also includes two options for $17 million apiece with a $10 million buyout on each option. The trend of young superstars signing extensions with their clubs continues. Acuna, just 21 years old, […]

Peter Alonso To Sit Tuesday

New York Mets first baseman Peter Alonso, who hit his first major league home run on Monday, will rest in favor of Dominic Smith on Tuesday, according to manager Mickey Callaway. Alonso, 24, has seven hits in 17 at-bats (.412) in his first big league season and also has two runs and six RBI, so […]

Blue Jays Acquire Pitching Prospect Juan DePaula

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired pitching prospect Juan DePaula, infielder Alen Hanson and relief pitcher Derek Law from the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in exchange for outfielder Kevin Pillar. With Pillar now out of the picture, it could clear the way for Anthony Alford, the team's No. 11 prospect. He hit just .238/.314/.339 with […]

Jacob Nix Won't Have Tommy John Surgery

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Jacob Nix (elbow) has elected to rehab instead of undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery after an MRI exam showed a small ulnar collateral ligament tear in his elbow. The good news is that Nix's velocity had been up even as he was feeling tightness in his elbow that led to […]

X-Rays Negative On Juan Lagares

New York Mets outfielder Juan Lagares' X-rays on his finger came back negative on Monday night after he was hit by a pitch while attempting to bunt. He went 1-for-3 with a homer, two runs and an RBI before leaving, so it was a good game for the defensive-minded center fielder. The 30-year-old has never […]

Clint Frazier To See Frequent Playing Time

New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier is expected to see regular playing time in left field while Giancarlo Stanton is on the injured list, according to manager Aaron Boone. Mike Tauchman started in left on Monday, but Frazier could start the next two games. The 24-year-old had seven hits in 49 spring at-bats (.143) with […]

Chiefs Acquire Emmanuel Ogbah Monday

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah from the Cleveland Browns on Monday in exchange for safety Eric Murray, according to a source. Ogbah was expendable once the Browns acquired pass rusher Olivier Vernon from the Giants. The 25-year-old has 12.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in his three seasons with the Chiefs […]

Andrew Heaney To Receive Cortisone Shot

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney's CT scan showed "chronic changes to his elbow." He will receive a cortisone shot and will be cleared to start throwing again in seven to 10 days. The left-hander has the stuff to be the team's fantasy ace and to be valuable in all fantasy leagues, but he […]

Duke Johnson Asks To Be Traded

The representatives for Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson have asked the team to trade him, according to a league source. The Jets, Texans and Eagles have all been interested in Johnson since the Browns signed Kareem Hunt in February, and other teams have inquired as well. Johnson also didn't show up to voluntary offseason […]

Jaguars Sign Alfred Blue

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed free-agent running back Alfred Blue to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday. In five seasons with the Texans, Blue had 2,407 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while catching 69 passes for 470 yards. He rushed for only 499 yards and two touchdowns over a full season last year with […]

C.J. Anderson Reaches Agreement With Lions

The Detroit Lions reached an agreement on an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent running back C.J. Anderson on Monday, according to a source. Anderson only had 24 carries in nine games with the Panthers in 2018 before being released. He was picked up late in the year by the Rams to help fill in for […]

Chris Bassitt To Make Rehab Start Thursday

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (shin) will make a rehab start for Single-A Stockton on Thursday. Bassitt had a fine 3.02 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings over 11 outings (seven starts) for the A's in 2018 and should be a rotation option sometime later this month when he's ready […]

Red Sox Not Discussing Extension With J.D. Martinez

The Boston Red Sox have not yet engaged in contract-extension talks with outfielder J.D. Martinez, according to a source. Martinez, who is one of the best sluggers in the game, has opt outs in his contract each of the next three seasons. The 31-year-old was in the MVP conversation all year in 2018 after hitting […]

Clayton Kershaw To Make Rehab Start Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (knee) is throwing a bullpen session on Monday in preparation for a minor league rehab start on Thursday. If everything goes well with his rehab start, the Dodgers may determine that Kershaw is ready to make his season debut after that. It'd be welcome news for his fantasy […]

Zack Cozart Taking Day Off

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart is not in the starting lineup on Monday night. Infielder David Fletcher will start at third base and will hit ninth against Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez. Cozart is coming off an injury-plagued first season with the Halos in which he played in just 58 games. He's off […]

Max Muncy, Joc Pederson Out Against Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy and outfielder Joc Pederson are both sitting on Monday against Giants left-hander Drew Pomeranz. Chris Taylor is in left field and is batting seventh, while David Freese draws in at first base and is hitting fifth. The Dodgers will likely continue resting Muncy and Pederson against lefty starters, […]

Andrew Benintendi Back In Lineup Monday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (knee) is back in the starting lineup on Monday and is hitting second against A's starting pitcher Aaron Brooks. The left-handed hitter has just two hits in 12 at-bats (.167) in four games to start the year, but there shouldn't be any reason to panic this early on. He'll […]

Nate Karns Will Be Opener On Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Nate Karns will serve as the opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on the road on Wednesday. Karns went two scoreless innings last week against the Yankees as an opener but shouldn't be used in fantasy for another likely short outing. The Orioles are currently using the right-hander in somewhat of a […]

Jon Duplantier Called Up To Pitch In Relief

Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Jon Duplantier, the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been called up to pitch in relief. It could be just a temporary move to provide some length in the bullpen after the Diamondbacks pitching staff was shelled in the opening series against the Dodgers. Infielder Ildemaro Vargas was optioned […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Taking Cuts In Extended Spring Games

Toronto Blue Jays third base prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (oblique) is taking at-bats in extended spring training games, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. The club has liked what they have seen, but Montoyo encouraged the top prospect in baseball to get comfortable with his swing in Florida before they move him to Triple-A Buffalo. Guerrero […]

Clay Buchholz Could Join Rotation In April

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (elbow) will throw 60 pitches on Tuesday and then 75 in his next outing, which might come at Triple-A Buffalo. There's a chance that the veteran right-hander will join the starting rotation against the Rays in mid-April. The 34-year-old was a nice surprise for Arizona's rotation in 2018, […]

Aaron Hicks Still Weeks Away From Return

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (back) has "still got some weeks to go" before he is able to make his season debut, according to manager Aaron Boone. Hicks has yet to resume baseball activities, but the skipper thinks he will soon. The switch-hitting center fielder has a high ceiling when he's healthy for his […]

A.J. Minter To Throw Live BP Tuesday

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter (shoulder) will throw live batting practice on Tuesday and then the team will decide whether to activate him from the injured list on Thursday. With the uncertainty surrounding Arodys Vizcaino's shoulder, Minter could end up being the primary closer like he was for a lot of last season when […]

Giancarlo Stanton To Be Shut Down For 10 Days

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his left biceps and will be shut down for 10 days before resuming baseball activities. Manager Aaron Boone is hoping the team gets him back later this month. It's a blow to the Yanks and fantasy owners, but Stanton and his […]

Luis Castillo To Face Brewers Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo has been moved up a day to face the Brewers on Wednesday. Tyler Mahle will go on Thursday at the Pirates. Castillo allowed just one run on two hits while walking three and fanning eight in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision last week against the Pirates, but he'll […]

Gerald McCoy Absent For Offseason Workouts

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy didn't attend the first day of voluntary offseason workouts on Monday. The 31-year-old is entering his 10th NFL season and has recorded a total of 12 sacks the last two seasons. He also had just 28 total tackles in 14 games for the Bucs in 2018. McCoy's play […]

Raiders Holding Workout With Kyler Murray

The Oakland Raiders are holding a private workout with Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray on Monday in Dallas, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Oakland's staff is expected to work out Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins next. The Raiders brass insists that Derek Carr remains the starter under center, but they are […]

Brandon Nimmo Out Against Lefty

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is out of the starting lineup on Monday against Marlins left-handed starter Caleb Smith. Jeff McNeil gets the nod in left field and is batting seventh, while shortstop Amed Rosario moves to the leadoff spot. McNeil has proven that he can hit in the big leagues but loses some […]

Tim Beckham Named AL Player Of The Week

Seattle Mariners shortstop Tim Beckham was named the American League Player of the Week to open the 2019 season. Beckham went 5-for-7 in the team's two-game sweep of the A's in Tokyo with a homer, double, two walks, two RBI and four runs. The 29-year-old then hit a two-run homer in the U.S. opener and […]

Christian Yelich Named NL Player Of The Week

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder and 2018 National League MVP Christian Yelich was named the NL Player of the Week for the first week of the 2019 season after he homered in each of the team's first four games, tying the major league record to open the season. He also hit a walkoff double to give his […]