Joey Votto Out, Nick Senzel Leading Off

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has the day off on Thursday. Kyle Farmer will fill in at first base and hit eighth, while rookie Nick Senzel is in the leadoff spot and in center field against A's starting pitcher Chris Bassitt. Derek Dietrich is also serving as the designated hitter and is batting third. […]

David Dahl Absent Thursday

Colorado Rockies outfielder David Dahl is not in the starting lineup on Thursday against Giants left-handed starting pitcher Derek Holland. With Wednesday's game being postponed, Dahl hasn't played since Sunday with the team facing two left-handers in a row. Raimel Tapia, who also bats from the left side, will get the start in left field […]

Brandon Belt, Joe Panik Sitting Against Southpaw

San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt and second baseman Joe Panik are not in the starting lineup on Thursday against Rockies left-handed starting pitcher Kyle Freeland. Tyler Austin is starting at first and hitting second, while Donovan Solano is at the keystone and is batting eighth. Outfielder Mac Williamson, who has been on a […]

Tyler Beede Back In Rotation

The San Francisco Giants recalled starting pitcher Tyler Beede from the minors on Thursday to replace Drew Pomeranz (lat) in the starting rotation. Beede, 25, was lit up for seven hits (two home runs) and seven earned runs in just 2 1/3 innings in his first start in the big leagues in 2019 last Friday […]

Jorge Alfaro, Curtis Granderson Sitting Thursday

Miami Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro and outfielder Curtis Granderson are not in the starting lineup on Thursday. Chad Wallach is doing the catching and is hitting seventh, while Peter O'Brien is in left field and is batting sixth against Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish. The biggest DFS beneficiary will be shortstop Miguel Rojas, who is […]

Leonys Martin Out Against Lefty

Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin is not in the starting lineup against White Sox left-handed starting pitcher Manny Banuelos on Thursday. Jordan Luplow draws into the lineup and is playing center field and batting fifth. Luplow has seven hits in his 30 at-bats (.233) this season for the Tribe with no home runs, three runs […]

Jaguars Release Cody Kessler

The Jacksonville Jaguars released quarterback Cody Kessler on Thursday, according to league sources. Kessler played in five games for the Jags last year and threw for 709 yards while throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions in 131 attempts. He was hoping to serve as Nick Foles' primary backup in 2019, but now that'll be a […]

Alexander Mattison Compared To Latavius Murray

Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison, selected late in the third round of the draft, has similarities to Latavius Murray, who previously backed up Dalvin Cook. Mattison, 5-foot-11, 221 pounds, resembles Murray in stature and also had the third most missed tackles of any running back in the draft in 2018. There's little doubt that […]

Benjamin Watson Visiting With Patriots

Free-agent tight end Benjamin Watson, who has unretired, is visiting with the New England Patriots on Thursday, according to a source. He is also considering the Chiefs, Bills and 49ers. The veteran tight end had 35 catches for 400 yards and two touchdowns last year with the Saints. He started his career with the Pats […]

Kenneth Dixon's Roster Spot In Jeopardy?

Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon's roster spot may be in jeopardy after the team drafted Justice Hill in the fourth round of the draft last month. Dixon missed all of 2017 due to injury and played in just six games for the Ravens last year, so he'll surely need to show better health in […]

Corey Coleman Has Big Opportunity In 2019

New York Giants wide receiver Corey Coleman, the former first-round pick of the Browns, is the early favorite to be the team's No. 3 receiver behind Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate. Coleman has 61 catches for 789 yards and five touchdowns since he was the 15th overall pick in 2016. He still has first-round talent […]

Corey Davis' Chemistry With Marcus Mariota Improving

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis, the fifth overall pick in 2017, has developed a greater chemistry with quarterback Marcus Mariota. He had 65 catches for 891 yards and four touchdowns last season. “Me and Marcus, our chemistry is growing every day, and it’s continuing to grow,” Davis said. “Our job is to get open […]

Dean Kremer Heading To Single-A

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer (oblique), who has been out since spring training with an oblique injury, will be assigned to Single-A Frederick. Kramer is the team's No. 9 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he went 10-5 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 12.2 K/9 in 25 starts over three minor league stops […]

Khris Davis To Be Re-Evaluated Friday

Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin said that outfielder Khris Davis (hip) will have Thursday off and be re-evaluated on Friday. He wasn't feeling comfortable in batting practice and was removed from the game early on Wednesday due to residual effects from his left hip contusion that he suffered on Sunday. The 31-year-old slugger is trying […]

Ezekiel Ansah Signs With Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks signed free-agent defensive end Ezekiel Ansah to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. The former Detroit Lion pass rusher will try to help fill the void on the defensive line that was left when Frank Clark was traded to the Chiefs just several weeks ago. The fifth overall […]

Giants Sign Rod Smith

The New York Giants signed free-agent running back Rod Smith to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday. He spent most of the last four seasons with the Cowboys and will compete for a backup role behind Saquon Barkley with Wayne Gallman, Paul Perkins, Elijah Penny, Robert Martin and Jon Hilliman. Smith was mostly a backup to […]

Bilal Powell Cleared From Neck Injury

Free-agent running back Bilal Powell (neck) has been fully cleared from the neck injury that was thought to be career-threatening. Powell averaged 4.3 yards per carry last year with the Jets and is healthy and says he's "really looking forward to getting back to work." He was only able to play in seven games due […]

Khris Davis Leaves Game Early Wednesday

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis (hip) left the game early on Wednesday and was replaced by first baseman Kendrys Morales. Davis has been dealing with a left hip contusion since Sunday and didn't look right on Wednesday before departing. The slugging outfielder was hitless in two plate appearances with a walk before leaving. He […]

Austin Riley To See Outfield Reps In Minors

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley has homered nine times in his last 46 at-bats for Triple-A Gwinnett, but he's about to start seeing more time in the corner outfield spots, perhaps foreshadowing his role if he's called up to the Braves. Riley, the team's No. 5 prospect and No. 34 overall per MLB Pipeline, […]

Giovanny Urshela Injured Wednesday

New York Yankees infielder Giovanny Urshela (knee) left the game early on Wednesday after fouling a ball off his left knee. However, X-rays came back negative and he was diagnosed with a left knee contusion. Consider him day-to-day for now. Urshela was hitless in three plate appearances on Wednesday, but he's still hitting an impressive […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Might Not Return This Weekend

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green said that shortstop prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. (hamstring) will move to the team's spring training complex in Arizona to continue his rehab. It's unknown how long he'll stay in Arizona, but the Padres might not activate him from the injured list on Friday. It would make sense for the […]

David Price Might Not Need Rehab Assignment

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price (elbow) played catch for the second straight day on Wednesday, and the expectation is that he won't require a rehab assignment before he returns from the injured list. Price was one of the team's better starters before going down with an injury, going 1-2 with a 3.75 ERA, […]

J.C. Ramirez Throwing Live BP

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher J.C. Ramirez (elbow) has started to throw live batting practice. Ramirez is recovering from Tommy John surgery and could become an option for the team's starting rotation sometime in June. The 30-year-old right-hander made just two starts in 2018 but had a 4.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 6.4 K/9 in […]

Justin Upton Running On Treadmill

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton (toe) is jogging on an anti-gravity treadmill as he recovers from turf toe. Upton probably won't return until next month and has been out all season. The Halos are missing his power strike tremendously, especially as protection for superstar Mike Trout. The sooner they can get him back, the […]

Garrett Cooper Starting Rehab Assignment Wednesday

Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper (hand) is starting a rehab assignment with High-A Jupiter on Wednesday. He should be able to rejoin the team before long and could get semi-regular at-bats at either first base or in the outfield. The 28-year-old is hitless in his eight at-bats so far this year and has already […]

Brock Holt Hopes To Start Rehab Assignment Soon

Boston Red Sox infielder Brock Holt (shoulder) received a pain-killing injection in his shoulder and is feeling much better. He's hoping to start a rehab assignment soon. The Red Sox have Michael Chavis and Eduardo Nunez as second base options, and Dustin Pedroia (knee) and Holt should return soon. That's too many bodies for one […]

Delino DeShields Sent To Minors

The Texas Rangers optioned outfielder Delino DeShields to Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday. General manager Jon Daniels expects DeShields to play every day down on the farm and help the big league club eventually again this year. The speedster did have seven steals in 30 games, but he was also batting just .182 with a homer […]

Daniel Descalso Still Not Ready For Full Game

Chicago Cubs infielder Daniel Descalso (ankle) is still a few days from being ready to play a full nine innings, according to president Theo Epstein. It's the reason why the team called up Addison Russell to play the keystone on Wednesday with Ben Zobrist (personal) away from the team. Descalso, 32, doesn't have a whole […]

Andrew Heaney To Face Hitters Friday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (elbow) will go three innings and/or 45 pitches against hitters in extended spring training on Friday, according to general manager Billy Eppler. Heaney is getting close to some rehab starts and to making his season debut for the Halos. The 27-year-old left-hander has ace potential for the Halos […]

Pedro Strop Goes On Injured List

The Chicago Cubs placed closer Pedro Strop (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left hamstring strain and activated pitcher Mike Montgomery (shoulder) from the injured list in a corresponding move. It's the same injury that Strop dealt with at the end of last year, so this is concerning, especially since he […]