Justin Smoak Back In Lineup Friday

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak, who was scratched from the lineup on Thursday with a stiff neck, is back in the starting lineup on Friday. He is at first base and is batting third against Indians starter Shane Bieber. Smoak is just 5-for-25 (.200) with a homer and four RBI in the early […]

Luis Robert Off To Strong Start In Minors

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, who didn't hit a single home run over 186 at-bats in 2018, hit two home runs and drove in four runs in his 2019 season debut with High-A Winston-Salem on Thursday. The No. 39 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will be up in the big leagues sooner than later […]

White Sox Have Contract Talks With Dylan Cease

The Chicago White Sox have had preliminary contract talks with pitcher Dylan Cease about an extension during spring training, according to a source. However, nothing is close to happening. Cease is the No. 21 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and figures to be called up at some point in 2019. The 23-year-old had 124 strikeouts […]

Jake Lamb Placed On Injured List

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed corner infielder Jake Lamb on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a left quadriceps strain, retroactive to April 4. Infielder Ildemaro Vargas from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Lamb was already losing playing time to Christian Walker at first base to begin the season and was only an NL-only […]

Ravens Sign Seth Roberts

The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent wide receiver Seth Roberts to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, according to a source. Baltimore is in serious need of beefing up their receiver corps, and Roberts barely moves the needle alongside Willie Snead, Jordan Lasley, Chris Moore, Quincy Adeboyejo and Jaleel Scott. Roberts had 45 catches for 494 […]

Jeremy Jeffress (RP, MIL) - Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ team leagues OWNED IN: 30% of leagues ANALYSIS: Jeffress was an All-Star in 2018 and had the best season of his career, going 8-1 with a 1.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 89 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings and 15 saves. It helped that Corey Knebel's struggles allowed Jeffress to tally some saves late […]

Cowboys Optimistic About Deal For DeMarcus Lawrence

The Dallas Cowboys and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence's agent are talking again about a long-term extension, and the team is optimistic that a new deal will be reached. The Cowboys were far apart in talks with Lawrence, but they may have closed the gap of late. Both sides have until July 15 to get something […]

Wilmer Flores Not Playing Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Wilmer Flores is not in the starting lineup on Friday. Ketel Marte is starting at second base and is batting sixth, while Jarrod Dyson is in center field and is hitting leadoff against Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello. Flores hasn't gotten as much playing time at second base as everyone expected, […]

Zach Eflin (SP, PHI) - Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in all leagues OWNED IN: 33% of leagues ANALYSIS: Eflin was fantastic in his season debut on Tuesday against the Nationals, allowing three hits in five scoreless innings while walking only one and striking out a career high-tying nine for his first win of the 2019 campaign. The right-hander, who will turn 25 on […]

Chris Davis' Fall Continues

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis struck out in all three of his at-bats and was booed by the fans during the team's home opener on Thursday. He was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning. Davis has twice led the majors in home runs with Baltimore, but he's struggled ever since a seven-year, […]

Byron Buxton Absent On Friday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back, ribs) remains out of the starting lineup on Friday. Max Kepler remains in center field and in the leadoff spot, while Jake Cave is getting another start in right field and is batting sixth against Phillies starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. Buxton needs another day off after colliding with the […]

Colin Moran Draws Start Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Colin Moran is starting in left field and is batting sixth on Friday against Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray. J.B. Shuck is in right field and is hitting seventh. Corey Dickerson and Gregory Polanco are both on the injured list, so the Pirates are having to get creative in the outfield. […]

Carlos Martinez Hopes To Throw Off Mound Next Week

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (shoulder) will continue his rehab in St. Louis and is throwing at a distance of 120 feet. He's hoping to throw off a mound next week. Martinez was on the disabled list twice last year with shoulder issues, and they cropped up again this spring. It's a disappointment […]

Kevin Gausman Activated To Start Friday

The Atlanta Braves are activating starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (shoulder) from the injured list in order for him to make his season debut against the Marlins. The 28-year-old threw 90 pitches in a minor league start last Saturday without complications after he fought through shoulder soreness in spring camp. Gausman had a 2.87 ERA with […]

Browns Sign Morgan Burnett, Garrett Gilbert

The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent safety Morgan Burnett and quarterback Garrett Gilbert to undisclosed deals on Friday. Burnett was released by the Steelers on Monday after just one season and wants to play safety again after being used as a dime linebacker in Pittsburgh. Burnett will have a chance to win a starting job in […]

49ers Running Back Situation Is Complicated

The San Francisco 49ers have five running backs on the roster heading into the 2019 season, and it's unclear how the pecking order will shake out. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the running backs on the roster will decide who plays and not him. "It’s up to the players. They will define their roles. That’s […]

Josh Rosen Expected To Report For Offseason Workouts

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, who has been the subject of rampant trade speculation this offseason, is expected to report and participate in the team's offseason program on Monday. With the Cardinals expected to select Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray with the first overall pick, last year's No. 10 overall pick would become expendable. The Giants […]

Robby Anderson Motivated In 2019

New York Jets wide receiver Robby Anderson expects a lot of himself in 2019 after a disappointing 2018 campaign that saw him catch 50 passes for 752 yards and six touchdowns, down from 63 receptions, 941 yards and seven scores in 2017. He also thinks new head coach Adam Gase will utilize him better than […]

Scott Schebler Sitting Against Righty

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Scott Schebler is not in the starting lineup on Friday. Jesse Winker will slide over to center field and hit leadoff, while Matt Kemp is starting in left field and is batting fifth against Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove. Schebler is off to a brutal 1-for-20 (.050) start with eight strikeouts in […]

No Timetable For Jon Jay

Chicago White Sox outfielder Jon Jay (groin) said that there is no timetable for his return, although he is feeling much improved. The veteran outfielder should see decent playing time in Chicago's outfield when he's ready, but he doesn't offer much fantasy appeal outside of AL-only leagues. The 34-year-old hit a mediocre .268/.330/.347 with three […]

Marcell Ozuna Back In Lineup Friday

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna (side) is back in left field and is hitting cleanup on Friday against Padres left-handed starter Nick Margevicius. Ozuna went for an MRI exam on Thursday, but it was reassuring and he's back in the lineup after missing just one game. He has just five hits in his first […]

Daniel Palka, Yolmer Sanchez Sitting Friday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Daniel Palka and infielder Yolmer Sanchez are out of the starting lineup on Friday. Leury Garcia is in right field and leading off, Adam Engel draws the start in center field and is hitting ninth and Jose Rondon is at the keystone and batting eighth against Mariners left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Garcia […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Has Hit In First Rehab Game

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (oblique) went 1-for-4 and scored a run in his first rehab game with Single-A Dunedin on Thursday. The top prospect in baseball hadn't played in a game since straining his left oblique in spring training on March 8. He's expected to go to Triple-A Buffalo eventually and […]

Mike Foltynewicz Looks Good In Rehab Start

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) gave up no hits and only two baserunners in five scoreless innings in his rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. He struck out two and walked two and didn't show any issues with his right elbow. Folty's fastball velocity ranged between 92-96 mph. He's expected to make […]

Cardinals Activate Jedd Gyorko

The St. Louis Cardinals activated infielder Jedd Gyorko (calf) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned outfielder Drew Robinson to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Gyorko has 61 home runs since joining the team in 2016, which is second only to Matt Carpenter's 81 dingers in that span. He can play all […]

Marcell Ozuna Receives Good News

The St. Louis Cardinals have been reassured with the results of outfielder Marcell Ozuna's (side) MRI exam, but they will discuss his pain and make a decision on him on Friday. There's still a chance that the 28-year-old will need to go on the injured list, but it looks like he's at least avoided a […]

Andrelton Simmons Injured Thursday

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons was removed from the game early on Thursday night with lower back tightness. Simmons struck out in his only at-bat before leaving the game with the injury. Consider him day-to-day for now and check back to see if he's in the lineup on Friday. If he's forced to miss […]

Shohei Ohtani Thinks He Can Return In April

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) took 50 swings on Thursday and believes he can return to the team this month. The Angels have said all along that they didn't think Ohtani would return before the start of May after recovering from Tommy John surgery. He finished his rookie season with a .925 […]

Dustin Pedroia Has Two Hits In First Rehab Game

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) went 2-for-3 with a single and a double in his first rehab game with High-A Greenville on Thursday, and he also walked and lined out in his other two plate appearances. He was perfect on his chances in the field, too, and even turned a double play. […]

Clayton Kershaw Allows Two Runs In Rehab Start

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) gave up two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out six in 4 1/3 innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. He touched 90 mph twice with his fastball in the first inning, but he mainly sat in the upper-80s. The 31-year-old lefty also […]