Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist Out Against Lefty

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber and utility man Ben Zobrist are both absent from the lineup on Monday with the team facing Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb. Mark Zagunis is in left field and batting ninth, while David Bote draws the start at the keystone and is hitting sixth. Schwarber homered twice over the weekend and […]

Trent Williams Should Be Ready For Training Camp

Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams should be ready for training camp after having a health scare the last several weeks. The issue was related to a growth or tumor on his head that doctors worried was malignant. He had the growth removed and should be unaffected once he recovers. Williams' teammates were worried that […]

Duke Johnson Not Present Monday

Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson was not present on Monday for the start of voluntary offseason workouts. Johnson has been mentioned in trade talks this offseason after the team acquired Kareem Hunt, and he also saw his usage drop significantly in the second half of the 2018 season. The Browns say they have a […]

Alex Kirilloff To Start On Injured List In Minors

Minnesota Twins outfielder Alex Kirilloff, the No. 9 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, will open the 2019 season at Double-A Pensacola on the injured list with a minor wrist injury that he suffered late in spring training. He's expected to return in April, so his injured stint shouldn't be long. The young prospect missed all […]

Drew Lock To Visit With Giants, Redskins

Missouri quarterback Drew Lock has visits scheduled this week with the Washington Redskins and New York Giants. The Giants also spent time with Lock during his school's Pro Day and own the No. 6 and No. 17 picks in the first round. It's no secret that they are looking for Eli Manning's successor, and Lock […]

Brandon Lowe In Cleanup Spot Again

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe is starting at second base and is batting cleanup on Monday against Rockies right-handed starter Chad Bettis. Lowe has power upside and needs to be considered by those in AL-only and deep mixed leagues, especially with second baseman Joey Wendle (hamstring) on the injured list now. Lowe's left-handed stick […]

Xavien Howard Not Holding Out

Despite not having a new contract, Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard showed up to the start of the team's voluntary offseason program on Monday. Howard wants to become the league's highest-paid cornerback. He's currently still on his rookie deal and is set to make $1.3 million in 2019. The Dolphins have expressed interest in keeping […]

Emmanuel Ogbah Anticipates Being Traded

Cleveland Browns defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah didn't report to the start of the team's offseason program on Monday in anticipation of being traded in the future, according to a source. The 25-year-old has only 12.5 combined sacks in three seasons with the Browns after being a second-round pick in 2016. He's expendable after the club […]

Browns Re-Sign Rashard Higgins

The Cleveland Browns re-signed restricted free-agent wide receiver Rashard Higgins to a one-year deal worth $2.025 million on Monday. The fifth-round tender had been placed on Higgins last month. Receiver Ricardo Louis was also cut on Monday. Higgins caught a career-high 39 passes for 572 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games in his third […]

Julio Jones Not Worried About Contract Situation

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones isn't concerned about his contract situation and isn't publicly lobbying to become the league's highest-paid player at his position. The six-time Pro Bowler doesn't seem pressured to get anything done for the time being, as he has two years and $21.026 million left on the five-year, $71.25 million extension […]

Homer Bailey Likely To Start Wednesday

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Homer Bailey is likely to make his season debut on Wednesday against the Twins. Bailey isn't currently on the 40-man roster, but the Royals will likely option another pitcher to Triple-A Omaha to make room for the veteran right-hander. Pitching coach Cal Eldred confirmed that Bailey threw 6 1/3 innings […]

Jedd Gyorko Ready To Return Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Jedd Gyorko (calf) has joined the team and said he will be ready to come off the injured list on Thursday for the team's home opener. Gyorko has some pop in his lumber still but will be mostly a utility infielder for the Red Birds, limiting his appeal in mixed leagues. […]

Jed Lowrie Still Has Work To Do

New York Mets third baseman Jed Lowrie (knee) spent the weekend in Washington rehabbing his knee, but at some point he'll need to go to Florida and take part in minor league games. Lowrie is at least several days or more away from live game action, but he did take ground balls, hit in an […]

Nate Jones Not Worried About Velocity

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Nate Jones' fastball has averaged 94.9 mph in the two games he's appeared in 2019, which is down from the 97.2 mph he averaged in each of his last two seasons. The 33-year-old believes his velocity will pick back up as the season progresses, even though he appeared in only […]

Jon Jay Feeling Better

Chicago White Sox outfielder Jon Jay, who is on the injured list with a right hip strain that has also affected his back area, is feeling much better, according to manager Rick Renteria. Jay will be re-evaluated this week in Chicago. Jay's absence to begin the season has allowed Leury Garcia to start in center […]

Hunter Strickland Out A Couple Months

Seattle Mariners closer Hunter Strickland will be out up to "a couple months" after an MRI exam showed a Grade 2 strain of his right lat muscle, according to manager Scott Servais. Doctors haven't actually set a timetable for his return, but Strickland is optimistic that he won't need surgery. He will rehab his shoulder […]

Darren Sproles Won't Make Decision Until May

Free-agent running back Darren Sproles said he won't make a decision on whether he'll retire until May. He'll turn 36 in June but has had talks with the Philadelphia Eagles about coming back for one more year. While Sproles could still be useful as a return man and as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, […]

More Details On Xander Bogaerts' Extension

Updating a previous report, Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts' new six-year, $120 million contract extension will pay him a straight $20 million per season. It'll include a vesting option for the 2026 season at 535 plate appearances and will also pay $20 million. Bogaerts is already set to make $12 million in 2019, and […]

Jon Gray Suffers Cramping In Sunday Start

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray suffered through some cramping in his right calf during his start on Sunday against the Marlins and had to leave the game early. However, it's a minor issue and he doesn't expect it to be a problem moving forward. The right-hander took a loss in his season debut against […]

Padres In The Mix For Dallas Keuchel

The San Diego Padres are engaged in ongoing dialogue with free-agent starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel's camp. The Padres also made a serious push to trade for Indians starter Trevor Bauer as the season began and have also spoken with the Blue Jays about right-hander Marcus Stroman, according to major league sources. The Padres aren't close […]

Chris Jones Wants To Stay With Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Chris Jones, who had 15.5 sacks, 40 tackles, two forced fumbles, 19 tackles for loss and an interception returned for a touchdown last year, said he wants to be a Chief for life. He finished third in sacks and was a second-team All-Pro selection. Jones and the Chiefs are discussing […]

Dustin Pedroia Approaching Rehab Assignment

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) played eight innings in extended spring training on Sunday and is scheduled for nine innings on Tuesday. He will then head to Single-A Greenville to start a rehab assignment. There remains no timetable for Pedroia's return to Boston, but there's a chance he could play in the […]

Hunter Strickland Has Grade 2 Lat Strain

Seattle Mariners closer Hunter Strickland's MRI exam showed a Grade 2 lat strain, so he won't require surgery. Strickland will be on the injured list for a while, but he should be stashed if possible as the team's clear closer when healthy. In the meantime, it'll likely be some combination of Cory Gearrin and Matthew […]

Freddy Galvis Scratched Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Freddy Galvis (back) was scratched from the starting lineup on Sunday with a sore back. He is being replaced in the lineup by Richard Urena, who will hit eighth against Tigers starting pitcher Matt Moore. It doesn't sound like a serious injury for Galvis, who played all 162 games each of […]

Shane Bieber Pushed Back

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber won't make his season debut on the mound until likely late next week or weekend. Carlos Carrasco is going on Sunday, Mike Clevinger will start on Monday and Corey Kluber will start on Wednesday after the team's off day on Tuesday. Bieber, a popular breakout candidate in 2019, will […]

Giants Discussing Josh Rosen

The New York Giants are discussing a potential trade for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen as they investigate possible options to find their quarterback of the future. There have been "rumors" that the Cardinals plan to take Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the first overall pick, which would make Rosen expendable. But those are just […]

Giants Could Select Pass Rusher At Six Overall

The New York Giants would love to find quarterback Eli Manning's success in this year's draft, but it'll be hard for them to pass up a pass rusher with the No. 6 overall pick. "There are a ton of great defensive players in this draft," a team source told SNY at the NFL owners meetings […]

Giants May Stick With Eli Manning Longer

The New York Giants would love to find the successor to quarterback Eli Manning in this year's draft, but they aren't sure if they are enamored with Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins enough to take him at sixth overall. Trading for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen might be another option, but the team also isn't kidding […]

Jimmy Garoppolo Expected To Be Fine For Training Camp

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) is on schedule in his rehab from a torn ACL last season and should be fully cleared to participate at the start of training camp, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Garoppolo has been working out on the field and looks to be ready for the offseason program. […]

Jeremy Jeffress Nearing Rehab Assignment

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) threw an inning in extended spring training on Saturday and will pitch again on Tuesday. If that goes well, he'll begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A San Antonio at the end of next week. Even though he's currently on the injured list, Jeffress became a lot more interesting […]