Nationals Deal With Bud Norris Falls Through

The Washington Nationals deal with free-agent relief pitcher Bud Norris (forearm) has fallen through. The Nats felt he was still four to five weeks away from being ready to pitch in the majors. Norris had a 3.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings while also recording 28 saves for the Cardinals […]

Blake Martinez In Better Shape

Green Bay Packers linebacker Blake Martinez said he got in better shape over the offseason. “I basically gained seven pounds and lost 3½ percent body fat,” Martinez said. “I think, they said, like (I) lost eight pounds of fat, gained 15 pounds of muscle. Not messing around this year. Last year, I wasn’t happy – […]

Davante Adams Looking Forward To Playing In Slot

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Davante Adams is looking forward to being utilized out of the slot under new head coach Matt LaFleur. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Adams is bigger than the average slot receiver in the NFL. “I think that’s something that Matt is definitely looking forward to having me do, and I’m definitely […]

Christian McCaffrey Not Worried About Reduced Workload

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey said he's not worried about the team reducing his workload in 2019 after he played 91.3 percent of the offensive snaps last year. He played 75 more snaps than any other running back in the league and led all running backs with an NFL single-season record of 107 catches […]

Jefry Rodriguez To Start Saturday

Cleveland Indians pitcher Jefry Rodriguez will be recalled to start on Saturday against the Royals in place of Mike Clevinger (back). After that, the Tribe will reassess its options with an off day coming next week. The 25-year-old right-hander appeared in 14 games (eight starts) for Washington last year and posted an ugly 5.71 ERA, […]

Matt Olson Taking One-Handed Swings

Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson (hand) is taking one-handed swings and has also been taking grounders and doing cardio work, according to manager Bob Melvin. Olson was injured in the opening series in Japan and needed surgery on his hamate bone. Even though he won't return until sometime next month, the left-handed slugger is […]

Alex Wood Has Been Throwing

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that starting pitcher Alex Wood (back) is throwing but hasn't pitched in a game yet. "He sounded upbeat. He’s getting there," Bell said. Wood is still a ways away from making his Cincinnati debut and will still need to go on a rehab assignment before he returns. The left-hander […]

Nick Senzel Weeks Away From Playing Games

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that third baseman/outfielder Nick Senzel's (ankle) progression has been encouraging, but the team's top prospect is still a couple of weeks away from playing in games at any level. Senzel made a case to be the team's starting center fielder to open the season, but his injury set him […]

Clayton Kershaw To Make Season Debut Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) will make his season debut on Monday against the Reds. The 31-year-old left-hander and future Hall of Famer's fantasy stock dropped like a rock this spring as he dealt with another injury in spring training. His velocity has suffered the last couple seasons and we're beginning to […]

Cody Bellinger Not In Lineup Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger is not in the starting lineup on Thursday. He'll be replaced at first base by David Freese, who will hit sixth against Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha. Freese is normally a better bet in DFS when he faces a lefty, but he does have a career .389 average […]

Marcell Ozuna, Matt Carpenter Sitting Out

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna and third baseman Matt Carpenter are both taking the day off on Thursday. Carpenter gets the day off a day after signing a two-year contract extension with the Red Birds. Tyler O'Neill draws into left field and will bat fifth, while Jedd Gyorko is starting at the hot corner […]

Jay Bruce Won't Play Against Royals

Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Jay Bruce (Achilles) is not in the starting lineup on Thursday after being removed from the game early on Wednesday night with Achilles tightness. Consider him day-to-day for now. Bruce expectedly isn't hitting for average, but he does have seven home runs on the season and will remain useful in mixed […]

Terrance Gore Draws Another Start, Billy Hamilton Sitting

Kansas City Royals outfielder Terrance Gore is starting in center field and is batting ninth on Thursday against Mariners starting pitcher Mike Leake. Gore also started on Wednesday night and rewarded the team with three hits (two surprisingly for extra bases) and two stolen bases. Gore has world-class speed, but he is a zero with […]

Matt Chapman Resting Thursday

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman is not in the starting lineup on Thursday. Infielder/outfielder Chad Pinder will start at the hot corner and is hitting sixth against Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy. Chapman is hitting .305 (18-for-59) with four home runs, nine runs and nine RBI in the early going and is quickly becoming […]

Chris Davis Back In Lineup Thursday

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is back in the starting lineup on Thursday. He's at first base and is batting seventh against A's starting pitcher Aaron Brooks. The matchup is a nice one, but Davis is now 0-for-50 dating back to last season after a pinch-hit flyout on Wednesday night. Nobody should have Davis […]

Raiders Re-Sign Jalen Richard

The Oakland Raiders re-signed running back Jalen Richard to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday. Richard set career highs in catches (68) and receiving yards (607) last season, and his 68 catches tied for the team lead and Marcus Allen for the fourth-most receptions by a running back in team history. He also had 55 carries […]

Redskins Not Going After Josh Rosen

The Washington Redskins are "not actively" pursuing a trade for Arizona Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said on the Around the NFL podcast on Wednesday. Washington has already met with some of this year's draft prospects, including Dwayne Haskins, Drew Lock, Daniel Jones, Clayton Thorson and Jarrett Stidham. The Redskins traded for […]

Spencer Ware Visits With Jets Wednesday

Free-agent running back Spencer Ware, who had 246 rushing yards with the Chiefs last year, visited with the New York Jets on Wednesday. The Jets are looking for depth behind Le'Veon Bell but also still have Trenton Cannon and Elijah McGuire. Ware has shown flashes before with KC when he's had opportunities, but he'd be […]

Jets To Visit With Ty Montgomery

The New York Jets are scheduled to visit with free-agent running back Ty Montgomery on Thursday, according to a source. The Jets would like to bolster their depth behind Le'Veon Bell, but they already have Trenton Cannon and Elijah McGuire, so there'd be little room for Montgomery to carve out a role with Gang Green. […]

Giants Extend Sterling Shepard

The New York Giants finalized a four-year, $41 million contract extension with wide receiver Sterling Shepard on Wednesday, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Shepard was set to have a base salary of $1.2 million in the final year of his deal in 2019. The deal will make him the […]

Yusei Kikuchi Deals With Cramps In Wednesday Outing

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi was dealing with left calf cramps in the sixth inning during his outing on Wednesday against the Royals. The Japanese left-hander allowed five hits (two home runs) and three earned runs while walking one and striking out just three in six innings in the no-decision in KC, but he […]

Travis Shaw Suffers Hand Contusion

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Travis Shaw suffered a right hand contusion after being hit by a pitch in the second inning on Wednesday. He left the game early, but X-rays came back negative and he's considered day-to-day. Don't be surprised if he misses a game or two, but it'll help that the Brewers have the day […]

A's Sign Edwin Jackson

The Oakland Athletics signed free-agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson to a minor league deal on Wednesday. Jackson probably won't immediately enter Oakland's starting rotation, but he should be an option at some point after the 35-year-old had a decent 3.33 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 92 innings (17 starts) for the A's last […]

Jay Bruce Injured Wednesday Night

Seattle Mariners outfielder/first baseman Jay Bruce left the game early on Wednesday with left Achilles tightness. While not hitting for much average (.204), the left-handed slugger already has seven home runs and 13 RBI in his 57 plate appearances to start 2019. He had a double, run scored and a walk in two plate appearances […]

Mike Trout Might Not Be Back Friday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (groin), who sat out on Wednesday with a strained groin he suffered Tuesday night, might not be ready to get back into the lineup on Friday after an off day on Thursday. The superstar outfielder said he felt "a lot better" on Wednesday, but he's also not trying to […]

Pedro Avila To Start On Thursday

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green announced that pitcher Pedro Avila will start on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It'll be San Diego's third starting pitcher to make their major league debut already this season. Robbie Erlin will be optioned to the minors in a corresponding move. Avila, a 22-year-old right-hander, posted a 4.27 ERA, […]

Shohei Ohtani Thinks He Could Play Now

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) said he is feeling good enough to where he thinks he could play now, but he has a checkup with a doctor soon and must take live batting practice before he can return. It doesn't matter if he's ready or not, the Angels have the final say. […]

Jose Osuna Cleared For Baseball Activities

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jose Osuna (neck) has been cleared for full baseball activities in extended spring training and will likely move to a simulated game next week. Osuna has yet to play in 2019 and will mostly just be outfield depth when he returns to the Pirates. His chance to see more playing time would've […]

Gregory Polanco Plays Nine Innings

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) played nine innings with High-A Bradenton and is scheduled to serve as the designated hitter on Thursday. Polanco is recovering from serious left shoulder surgery last year, but he looks to be on track to make his season debut with the Pirates early next month. He hit .254 last […]

Jameson Taillon On Track For Next Start

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (head), who was hit in the head by a line drive on Monday, continues to pass his concussion tests and played flat-ground catch on Wednesday. He's still on schedule to start on Sunday against the Nationals. The right-hander is 0-2 but has a decent 3.00 ERA with 13 strikeouts […]