Steelers To Spread The Ball Around In 2019

With Antonio Brown now in Oakland, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense will look a lot different in 2019. JuJu Smith-Schuster will be the team's No. 1 wideout and will be targeted often by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but behind him there are inexperienced yet intriguing options. The team thinks they have at least nine viable pass-catching options […]

Jimmy Graham Wants To Be Better In Red Zone

Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham wants to improve in the red zone after scoring just twice in his first season with the team in 2018. "Obviously there was a lot going on last year for all of us in the building. But all that's in the past. I know the player that I […]

Justin Turner Back In Lineup Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup on Wednesday and is hitting third against Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jon Duplantier. Turner missed some games over the weekend and Tuesday as well, but he's back in there in the heart of the order against a rookie. The veteran third baseman […]

Dawson Knox Impressing Early On

Buffalo Bills rookie tight end Dawson Knox, a third-round pick, impressed with his speed and athleticism in rookie workouts and organized team activities. Knox will mainly be competing with Tyler Kroft and Lee Smith at the tight end position in training camp this summer. He has a decent shot at seeing valuable snaps in his […]

Vic Beasley Will Attend Mandatory Minicamp

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley said he will "definitely be there" when the team's mandatory minicamp gets underway in a couple of weeks. The Falcons were disappointed that Beasley didn't attend voluntary organized team workouts, but he has been training on his own in his hometown in Georgia. He's entering the final year of […]

Braves Not A Finalist For Craig Kimbrel

The Atlanta Braves are not among the finalists for free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, according to a source. As of right now, the Cubs and Twins appear to be the favorites to land him. Kimbrel is reportedly still seeking a multi-year deal, so the price may be too high for the Braves to stomach. They could […]

Mario Addison Drops Weight

Carolina Panthers defensive end Mario Addison weighs 255 pounds this year due to better eating habits after weighing 265 pounds in 2018. With Carolina moving to a hybrid defense that will feature more 3-4 in 2019, Addison may be asked to drop back in coverage more often. Addison is very athletic, but dropping into coverage […]

Matt Beaty Lands On Injured List

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed infielder/outfielder Matt Beaty (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left hip flexor strain and recalled outfielder Kyle Garlick from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Beaty was hitting .286 (12-for-42) with no homers and seven RBI in a utility role for the Dodgers. He probably […]

Andy Dalton Admires Drew Sample

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has been impressed with rookie tight end Drew Sample so far in offseason workouts. "He’s picked up on things quickly," said Dalton. "He’s what you want in a tight end. 'Polished,' is a good word for him." Sample was the best blocking tight end in the draft, but pass-catching isn't […]

A.J. Brown Expected To Work Outside

Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver A.J. Brown is expected to play the majority of his snaps in 2019 on the outside, even though he showed he could play inside as well at Mississippi in college. Brown, who is 6-foot-1, 226 pounds, was taken with the 51st overall pick of the draft. Not only is he […]

Matt Strahm Put On Injured List, Cal Quantrill Recalled

The San Diego Padres placed starting pitcher Matt Strahm (rib) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left rib strain and recalled starter Cal Quantrill from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. The team also activated pitcher Miguel Diaz from the 60-day injured list and optioned reliever Brad Wieck to El Paso. […]

Phillip Dorsett A Fit For No. 3 Role, Demaryius Thomas Not A Lock

New England Patriots wide receiver Phillip Dorsett seems like a logical fit for the No. 3 wideout duties this year, although Dontrelle Inman also has a chance to be a big-bodied option who can play inside and out. Inman played over a third of his snaps in the slot last year and played over 60 […]

Dinelson Lamet Makes Second Rehab Start

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet (elbow) allowed a grand slam and five runs in his second rehab start for High-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday night, but his right elbow felt good. The right-hander will have at least one more rehab start at Elsinore before the Padres determine Lamet's next step in the rehab […]

Joey Bart Homers In Return From Injured List

San Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart (hand), the team's top prospect, went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run on Tuesday in his first game off the injured list for High-A San Jose. Bart missed 45 games with a fractured hand after he was hit by a pitch on April 15. The 22-year-old should rise quickly […]

Braden Bishop Dealing With Neck Injury

Seattle Mariners outfielder Braden Bishop (neck) said that his trapezius muscle cramped up on Tuesday night and he was in intense pain for around 45 minutes. His status moving forward is unknown at the moment. Bishop, the team's No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has two hits in his 24 at-bats at the major league […]

Paul Blackburn Expected To Start Saturday

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn is expected to be called up to start one of the games of a doubleheader against the Rangers this Saturday. Blackburn has made 11 starts for Triple-A this year, going 6-1 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 18 walks and 45 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings at Las Vegas. […]

Kyle Funkhouser Makes Rehab Start

Detroit Tigers starting pitching prospect Kyle Funkhouser was activated off the injured list and made a rehab start for High-A Lakeland on Tuesday night. He allowed just two hits while walking one and fanning four in five shutout innings in his return. That's after the 25-year-old went 0-3 with a 7.64 ERA, 1.87 WHIP, 18 […]

Jordan Zimmermann To Make Rehab Start Wednesday

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (elbow) will make his first rehab start on Wednesday for Triple-A Toledo. The 33-year-old right-hander is 0-4 so far on the year with an ugly 5.93 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 11 walks and 21 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings over his six starts. On a bad Detroit team with a […]

Niko Goodrum To See Bulk Of Shortstop Work

Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said that infielder Niko Goodrum will likely get the bulk of playing time at shortstop with Jordy Mercer (quadriceps) still out. Gordon Beckham, Ronny Rodriguez and Harold Castro will rotate at second base with Josh Harrison (hamstring) out another six to eight weeks. Goodrum has picked it up a bit […]

Alex Reyes To Make One More Start In Minors

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said that starting pitcher Alex Reyes (finger) will make at least one more start for Triple-A Memphis before he joins the major league squad. "Alex is clearly a guy who, when right, we’d like to have available if the need is there. He’s definitely in the mix," Shildt said. […]

Zach Eflin To Return Friday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin (back) will come off the injured list on Friday to start against the Reds at home. Eflin will come back when he's eligible after missing just the 10 days. The right-hander has been solid in 2019 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings […]

Twins Making Craig Kimbrel A Priority

The Minnesota Twins have made free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel a priority, according to team executives. Kimbrel is also still trying to land a multi-year deal now that draft-pick compensation is no longer tied to his name. Minnesota has been using Taylor Rogers and Blake Parker to handle saves in 2019, so adding Kimbrel would be […]

Adam Jones Dealing With Cramps

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the team is hopeful that outfielder Adam Jones (hamstring) was just dealing with cramps when he was pulled from the game early on Tuesday with a tight hamstring. He'll be re-evaluated on Wednesday. Jones should be considered day-to-day, but don't be surprised if he's held out on Wednesday as […]

Collin McHugh Hoping To Throw Off Mound This Week

Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh (elbow) is hoping to throw off a mound before the team leaves for Seattle on Thursday. The right-hander has been out since May 21 but has been playing catch of late. There remains no timetable for McHugh's return. The 31-year-old has a rough 6.04 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 48 […]

Aledmys Diaz Works Out Tuesday

Houston Astros infielder Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) took ground balls and batting practice on Tuesday, one day after running in the outfield. Diaz will need a minor league rehab assignment before returning, but he should rejoin the team soon. The 28-year-old has been solid as a utility infielder for Houston in his first season with them, […]

George Springer Making Great Progress

Houston Astros outfielder George Springer (hamstring) sprinted on Monday and said he was at 90 percent. He is expected to take batting practice on the field on Wednesday. Springer will need a minor league rehab assignment before he returns, but his progress is very encouraging for the Astros. Springer has been among the league leaders […]

Jose Altuve Takes BP Again Tuesday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (hamstring, knee) took batting practice on the field for the second straight day on Tuesday since he was pulled from his rehab assignment. He showed strength pushing off his back leg on his swing follow-through, which has been his most pressing issue. Altuve has been out since May 10 […]

Charlie Blackmon Could Start Rehab Assignment Wednesday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (calf) tested his right calf in batting practice on Tuesday and could go on a minor league rehab assignment as early as Wednesday. That means that Blackmon could return to the lineup as early as this weekend, barring any setbacks. He's hitting a cool .300/.356/.565 with 10 home runs, 35 […]

Mitch Moreland To Return Soon, Steve Pearce Will Take Longer

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (back) continues to hit off a tee in Boston and is expected to rejoin the team on the upcoming homestand. He's eligible to come off the injured list on Wednesday, but the team is likely to wait to the weekend to make the move. First baseman Steve Pearce […]

Nathan Eovaldi Throws Two-Inning Simulated Game

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) threw a two-inning simulated game on Tuesday. He threw 37 warmup pitches before throwing 20 pitches in the first inning and 16 in the second inning for a total of 73. He could go out on a rehab assignment and return to the rotation in mid-June, barring […]