Red Sox Not Discussing Extension With J.D. Martinez

The Boston Red Sox have not yet engaged in contract-extension talks with outfielder J.D. Martinez, according to a source. Martinez, who is one of the best sluggers in the game, has opt outs in his contract each of the next three seasons. The 31-year-old was in the MVP conversation all year in 2018 after hitting […]

Clayton Kershaw To Make Rehab Start Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (knee) is throwing a bullpen session on Monday in preparation for a minor league rehab start on Thursday. If everything goes well with his rehab start, the Dodgers may determine that Kershaw is ready to make his season debut after that. It'd be welcome news for his fantasy […]

Zack Cozart Taking Day Off

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart is not in the starting lineup on Monday night. Infielder David Fletcher will start at third base and will hit ninth against Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez. Cozart is coming off an injury-plagued first season with the Halos in which he played in just 58 games. He's off […]

Max Muncy, Joc Pederson Out Against Giants

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy and outfielder Joc Pederson are both sitting on Monday against Giants left-hander Drew Pomeranz. Chris Taylor is in left field and is batting seventh, while David Freese draws in at first base and is hitting fifth. The Dodgers will likely continue resting Muncy and Pederson against lefty starters, […]

Andrew Benintendi Back In Lineup Monday

Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (knee) is back in the starting lineup on Monday and is hitting second against A's starting pitcher Aaron Brooks. The left-handed hitter has just two hits in 12 at-bats (.167) in four games to start the year, but there shouldn't be any reason to panic this early on. He'll […]

Nate Karns Will Be Opener On Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Nate Karns will serve as the opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on the road on Wednesday. Karns went two scoreless innings last week against the Yankees as an opener but shouldn't be used in fantasy for another likely short outing. The Orioles are currently using the right-hander in somewhat of a […]

Jon Duplantier Called Up To Pitch In Relief

Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Jon Duplantier, the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been called up to pitch in relief. It could be just a temporary move to provide some length in the bullpen after the Diamondbacks pitching staff was shelled in the opening series against the Dodgers. Infielder Ildemaro Vargas was optioned […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Taking Cuts In Extended Spring Games

Toronto Blue Jays third base prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (oblique) is taking at-bats in extended spring training games, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. The club has liked what they have seen, but Montoyo encouraged the top prospect in baseball to get comfortable with his swing in Florida before they move him to Triple-A Buffalo. Guerrero […]

Clay Buchholz Could Join Rotation In April

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (elbow) will throw 60 pitches on Tuesday and then 75 in his next outing, which might come at Triple-A Buffalo. There's a chance that the veteran right-hander will join the starting rotation against the Rays in mid-April. The 34-year-old was a nice surprise for Arizona's rotation in 2018, […]

Aaron Hicks Still Weeks Away From Return

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (back) has "still got some weeks to go" before he is able to make his season debut, according to manager Aaron Boone. Hicks has yet to resume baseball activities, but the skipper thinks he will soon. The switch-hitting center fielder has a high ceiling when he's healthy for his […]

A.J. Minter To Throw Live BP Tuesday

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter (shoulder) will throw live batting practice on Tuesday and then the team will decide whether to activate him from the injured list on Thursday. With the uncertainty surrounding Arodys Vizcaino's shoulder, Minter could end up being the primary closer like he was for a lot of last season when […]

Giancarlo Stanton To Be Shut Down For 10 Days

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his left biceps and will be shut down for 10 days before resuming baseball activities. Manager Aaron Boone is hoping the team gets him back later this month. It's a blow to the Yanks and fantasy owners, but Stanton and his […]

Luis Castillo To Face Brewers Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Luis Castillo has been moved up a day to face the Brewers on Wednesday. Tyler Mahle will go on Thursday at the Pirates. Castillo allowed just one run on two hits while walking three and fanning eight in 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision last week against the Pirates, but he'll […]

Gerald McCoy Absent For Offseason Workouts

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy didn't attend the first day of voluntary offseason workouts on Monday. The 31-year-old is entering his 10th NFL season and has recorded a total of 12 sacks the last two seasons. He also had just 28 total tackles in 14 games for the Bucs in 2018. McCoy's play […]

Raiders Holding Workout With Kyler Murray

The Oakland Raiders are holding a private workout with Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray on Monday in Dallas, a source informed of the situation told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Oakland's staff is expected to work out Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins next. The Raiders brass insists that Derek Carr remains the starter under center, but they are […]

Brandon Nimmo Out Against Lefty

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo is out of the starting lineup on Monday against Marlins left-handed starter Caleb Smith. Jeff McNeil gets the nod in left field and is batting seventh, while shortstop Amed Rosario moves to the leadoff spot. McNeil has proven that he can hit in the big leagues but loses some […]

Tim Beckham Named AL Player Of The Week

Seattle Mariners shortstop Tim Beckham was named the American League Player of the Week to open the 2019 season. Beckham went 5-for-7 in the team's two-game sweep of the A's in Tokyo with a homer, double, two walks, two RBI and four runs. The 29-year-old then hit a two-run homer in the U.S. opener and […]

Christian Yelich Named NL Player Of The Week

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder and 2018 National League MVP Christian Yelich was named the NL Player of the Week for the first week of the 2019 season after he homered in each of the team's first four games, tying the major league record to open the season. He also hit a walkoff double to give his […]

Miguel Andujar Resting Monday

New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar is not in the starting lineup on Monday. Infielder DJ LeMahieu will take his place at the hot corner and bat seventh against Tigers starting pitcher Tyson Ross. Andujar has three hits in 13 at-bats (.231) with one RBI to start the season, but his fantasy owners shouldn't […]

Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist Out Against Lefty

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber and utility man Ben Zobrist are both absent from the lineup on Monday with the team facing Braves left-hander Sean Newcomb. Mark Zagunis is in left field and batting ninth, while David Bote draws the start at the keystone and is hitting sixth. Schwarber homered twice over the weekend and […]

Trent Williams Should Be Ready For Training Camp

Washington Redskins left tackle Trent Williams should be ready for training camp after having a health scare the last several weeks. The issue was related to a growth or tumor on his head that doctors worried was malignant. He had the growth removed and should be unaffected once he recovers. Williams' teammates were worried that […]

Duke Johnson Not Present Monday

Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson was not present on Monday for the start of voluntary offseason workouts. Johnson has been mentioned in trade talks this offseason after the team acquired Kareem Hunt, and he also saw his usage drop significantly in the second half of the 2018 season. The Browns say they have a […]

Alex Kirilloff To Start On Injured List In Minors

Minnesota Twins outfielder Alex Kirilloff, the No. 9 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, will open the 2019 season at Double-A Pensacola on the injured list with a minor wrist injury that he suffered late in spring training. He's expected to return in April, so his injured stint shouldn't be long. The young prospect missed all […]

Drew Lock To Visit With Giants, Redskins

Missouri quarterback Drew Lock has visits scheduled this week with the Washington Redskins and New York Giants. The Giants also spent time with Lock during his school's Pro Day and own the No. 6 and No. 17 picks in the first round. It's no secret that they are looking for Eli Manning's successor, and Lock […]

Brandon Lowe In Cleanup Spot Again

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe is starting at second base and is batting cleanup on Monday against Rockies right-handed starter Chad Bettis. Lowe has power upside and needs to be considered by those in AL-only and deep mixed leagues, especially with second baseman Joey Wendle (hamstring) on the injured list now. Lowe's left-handed stick […]

Xavien Howard Not Holding Out

Despite not having a new contract, Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard showed up to the start of the team's voluntary offseason program on Monday. Howard wants to become the league's highest-paid cornerback. He's currently still on his rookie deal and is set to make $1.3 million in 2019. The Dolphins have expressed interest in keeping […]

Emmanuel Ogbah Anticipates Being Traded

Cleveland Browns defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah didn't report to the start of the team's offseason program on Monday in anticipation of being traded in the future, according to a source. The 25-year-old has only 12.5 combined sacks in three seasons with the Browns after being a second-round pick in 2016. He's expendable after the club […]

Browns Re-Sign Rashard Higgins

The Cleveland Browns re-signed restricted free-agent wide receiver Rashard Higgins to a one-year deal worth $2.025 million on Monday. The fifth-round tender had been placed on Higgins last month. Receiver Ricardo Louis was also cut on Monday. Higgins caught a career-high 39 passes for 572 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games in his third […]

Julio Jones Not Worried About Contract Situation

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones isn't concerned about his contract situation and isn't publicly lobbying to become the league's highest-paid player at his position. The six-time Pro Bowler doesn't seem pressured to get anything done for the time being, as he has two years and $21.026 million left on the five-year, $71.25 million extension […]

Homer Bailey Likely To Start Wednesday

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Homer Bailey is likely to make his season debut on Wednesday against the Twins. Bailey isn't currently on the 40-man roster, but the Royals will likely option another pitcher to Triple-A Omaha to make room for the veteran right-hander. Pitching coach Cal Eldred confirmed that Bailey threw 6 1/3 innings […]