Blake Snell Named Rays Opening Day Starter

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, was named as the team's Opening Day starter on Wednesday by manager Kevin Cash. The 26-year-old southpaw will make his first career Opening Day start March 28 against the Astros after going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and 221 strikeouts in […]

Salvador Perez Out For 2019 Season

A second opinion on Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez's injured right elbow from specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Tuesday confirmed a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. Perez is scheduled to have season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. He could be ready for Opening Day in 2020 if the surgery and rehab go […]

Jose Leclerc Signs Four-Year Extension

The Texas Rangers signed closer Jose Leclerc to a four-year, $14.75 million contract extension on Wednesday, according to sources. The deal includes two team options worth an extra $12.25 million. Leclerc was easily the Rangers best pitcher last year, going 2-3 with a 1.56 ERA and 0.85 WHIP to go with 85 strikeouts in 57 […]

Miguel Sano Out Until May

Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano (Achilles) underwent a wound debridement on the laceration in his right lower Achilles on Tuesday and is expected to stay at the Mayo Clinic for two to three days while the wound is aggressively treated. The Twins don't expect the slugger to begin baseball activity until mid-April, meaning he […]

Howie Kendrick Injured Tuesday

Washington Nationals infielder Howie Kendrick left the game on Tuesday against the Red Sox after limping past first base on an RBI infield single in the third inning. He immediately took himself out of the game and slammed his helmet down in frustration. The 35-year-old tore his right Achilles last May. It doesn't look to […]

Aaron Hicks Still Out Tuesday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (back) remains out of action on Tuesday after he experienced back stiffness after Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles. Hicks certainly has plenty of fantasy appeal as the primary center fielder in a stacked lineup, but injury concerns will push him back to the middle rounds. The switch-hitter […]

Clayton Kershaw In Danger Of Missing Opening Day

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is in doubt for Opening Day because of a left shoulder injury. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw is making steady progress from inflammation and played catch again on Monday. The left-hander is scheduled to throw again on Tuesday. While Kershaw is still ranked as the No. 6 […]

Duke Johnson Receiving Trade Interest

Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson is receiving trade interest and at least three teams are believed to be interested in trading for the running back. General manager John Dorsey said the team hadn't made Johnson expendable "yet" after they signed Kareem Hunt on Feb. 11. Cleveland is in no rush to trade Johnson because […]

Buccaneers Re-Sign Donovan Smith

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed left tackle Donovan Smith to a three-year deal on Tuesday. The contract is worth $41.25 million with $27 million fully guaranteed. The second-round pick in 2015 has played in every game in the last four years and has become a mainstay on Tampa's offensive line. With the Bucs locking up […]

Giants Won't Use Franchise Tag On Landon Collins

The New York Giants informed safety Landon Collins that they won't use the franchise tag on him on Tuesday, which will make Collins the top player on the free-agent market, according to sources. The 25-year-old will receive plenty of interest on the open market. Collins was an All-Pro in 2016 and has recorded 100-plus tackles […]

Chiefs Open To Trading Dee Ford

The Kansas City Chiefs are open to trading pass-rusher Dee Ford despite placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on him on Monday. The thought is that Ford is a better fit for a 3-4 defense, but the Chiefs would be happy keeping him another year if a trade doesn't work out. It may only take a […]

DeMarcus Lawrence Receives Franchise Tag, Not Close To Deal

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who received the franchise tag on Monday, is unlikely to step foot on the field anytime soon for the Cowboys. The deadline for the two sides to agree on a long-term deal is July 15, but the two sides aren't close at all to a deal. Dallas made an […]

Luis Severino Scratched From Tuesday Start

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino was scratched from his spring training start on Tuesday with right shoulder discomfort. He will be further evaluated Tuesday afternoon. Severino is the team's expected Opening Day starter after going 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA while finishing eighth in the majors with 220 strikeouts in 32 starts in […]

Phillies Meeting With Bryce Harper Friday Night

Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton is in Las Vegas for more of a meet-and-greet with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper on Friday night than a sign-a-deal, according to sources. Barring something unexpected, Harper and the Phillies won't strike a deal on Friday evening. However, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Phils locked Harper up over […]

No Timetable For Dustin Pedroia To Play In Games

There is no timetable for when Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) will get into spring training games. He fielded ground balls on Thursday and took batting practice Friday in what is known by team trainers as a "re-generation day." "I just want to see him play enough innings that he’s ready to […]

Bears Release Cody Parkey

The Chicago Bears released kicker Cody Parkey before the start of the new league year on Friday, according to sources. The Pro Bowler is still due $3.5 million on his 2019 contract, and he's unlikely to be out of work for long. The 27-year-old made just 23 of 30 field-goal tries (76.7 percent) and 42 […]

Josh Hill Expected To Be Starter In 2019

New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill is expected to be the team's starting tight end in 2019, according to The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Josh Katzenstein. Veteran Benjamin Watson has retired, so Hill will have more opportunity next season. He caught just 16 passes (24 targets) for 185 yards and a touchdown in a full […]

Michael Pineda Says He's Ready

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Michael Pineda is being brought along slowly this spring, but he says he is "ready to pitch." He was clocked at 93 mph with his fastball while throwing to live hitters on Friday and said he felt good. Pineda hasn't faced major league hitters since July of 2017 due to a […]

Mets Calling Jed Lowrie's Injury Knee Soreness

The New York Mets are calling third baseman Jed Lowrie's injury "soreness behind his left knee." An MRI exam on the knee showed no structural damage on Thursday, and the team will ease him back into spring activities and games once he's 100 percent. It doesn't sound serious and he should have plenty of time […]

Eagles Re-Sign Jake Elliott

The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed kicker Jake Elliott to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. Elliott made 26 of his 31 field-goal attempts (83.9 percent) and 33 of his 35 extra-point tries in 2018. He has made 83.9 percent of his kicks in his two seasons in the NFL and will remain a low-end fantasy kicker […]

Kyle Seager Slimmer And Healthier

Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager had a new plan this offseason to help him feel better in 2019 after a down year last season. He did new workouts and had a new diet and routine that allowed him to arrive to spring training slimmer and healthier. The left-handed slugger hit just .221/.273/.400 (all career […]

Shohei Ohtani To Hit Off Tee Friday

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is scheduled to hit off a tee for the first time on Friday. It's good news for the Japanese two-way star, but he won't be ready for game action until sometime in May and will not pitch at all in 2019 after having Tommy John surgery on […]

Clayton Kershaw Taking A Few Days Off

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw said he is "going to take a few days right now" but offered no specifics on what "not feeling right" means. He would not elaborate when asked if his issues were back-related and he said he should resume playing catch in the next few days and go from […]

Billy McKinney, Devon Travis Candidates For Leadoff Spot

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said that outfielder Billy McKinney and second baseman Devon Travis are the two guys he's considering for the leadoff spot right now, but he'll use the spring to make the final determination. McKinney is in a battle with Teoscar Hernandez for playing time in left field this year, but […]

Three Teams Interested In Antonio Brown

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said that three teams have already reached out on a potential Antonio Brown trade. The identity of the teams is unknown, but Colbert is adamant that the Steelers won't just give Brown away. The two sides met last week and agreed that a trade was the best course of […]

Mike Soroka To Be Shut Down 4-5 Days

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka's shoulder is bothering him again, and he also had some pain while lifting weights a month ago. He will be shut down from throwing for the next four to five days. Soroka is one of Atlanta's more promising young pitchers, but he was shut down early last year due […]

Matt Chapman Could Play In Games Early Next Week

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman (shoulder, thumb) has been making good progress from his offseason surgeries and could play in Cactus League games by early next week. Chapman really showed his upside in his second year in the big leagues, hitting .278/.356/.508 with an .864 OPS, 24 home runs and 68 RBI in 145 […]

Marwin Gonzalez Agrees With Twins

The Minnesota Twins agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal with free-agent infielder Marwin Gonzalez on Friday, according to league sources. The soon-to-be 30-year-old utility player had a down year in 2018 after putting up career numbers with the Astros the season prior. He can play all over the infield and in the outfield, giving […]

Tyler Eifert Recovered From Ankle Surgery

Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent tight end Tyler Eifert suffered an ugly ankle injury last September that required season-ending surgery. The 28-year-old former first-round pick in 2013 posted a video on Twitter on Thursday that showed him doing ladder drills. Because of his extensive injury history -- Eifert has played in a total of 14 games […]

Justus Sheffield Will Be Delayed Due To Blister

Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield, who was acquired in the trade that sent James Paxton to the Yankees, will have his Cactus League debut delayed a day or two due to a small blister on his finger. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday. The left-hander is MLB Pipeline's No. 43 […]