Marcell Ozuna Looking Strong

St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said outfielder Marcell Ozuna (shoulder) was "looking strong, working hard and will begin his throwing program in early February" when he visited with him in the Dominican Republic. The team is encouraged with his progress since having surgery, and Ozuna should be ready for Opening Day, […]

Blue Jays Sign Freddy Galvis

The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent shortstop Freddy Galvis to a one-year, $4 million deal with a team option for 2020 on Tuesday. In a corresponding move, the team designated relief pitcher Danny Barnes for assignment. Galvis is more of a glove-first player and he'll provide insurance in case Lourdes Gurriel Jr. isn't up to […]

A.J. Green To Shed Walking Boot Soon

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (toe), who had season-ending toe surgery last year, said he will shed his walking boot in around a week. "Next step is I put on a shoe and I start bending it back more and moving it more," Green said. "The biggest thing is it's the offseason and we […]

Dalvin Cook Could Break Out In 2019

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook could thrive in 2019 with Gary Kubiak joining the team as an offensive assistant who is expected to implement a zone running scheme. Cook tore his ACL early in his rookie season and missed six games in 2018, so he should surpass his career numbers if he can just […]

Todd Gurley Expected To Be Big Part Of Super Bowl

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is expecting running back Todd Gurley (knee) to play a lot on Super Bowl Sunday against the Patriots. “He’s gonna be a big part of this game," McVay said. It's hard to take McVay for his word after Gurley touched the ball just five times in the NFC […]

Brad Peacock A Candidate For Rotation Spot

Houston Astros relief pitcher Brad Peacock is a candidate for one of the team's final two rotation spots this year behind Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Collin McHugh. Peacock wasn't useful to fantasy owners in a relief role in 2018 for Houston, but he went 13-2 with a solid 3.00 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 11.0 […]

Rangers Agree With Shawn Kelley

The Texas Rangers agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with free-agent relief pitcher Shawn Kelley on Monday, according to sources familiar with the deal. Including the buyout and the club option, the deal could be worth $2.75 million. Kelley will turn 35 in April and has injury concerns at his age, but he was […]

Josh Gordon Receiving Treatment While On Suspension

New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon, who was suspended indefinitely for more failed diluted drug-test samples, is currently receiving treatment at an inpatient facility in Florida, according to a source with knowledge of Gordon's situation. The Patriots are paying for Gordon's treatment and a return to New England is still possible. The talented yet […]

Reds Making Progress In J.T. Realmuto Talks

The Cincinnati Reds are making progress in trade talks for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, but they are not at the finish line yet. The Padres have also stepped up their pursuit of late, while the Dodgers and Braves could also be involved. If Realmuto were to land in Cincinnati, it'd obviously be bad news […]

Antonio Brown Doesn't Have Permission To Seek Trade

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not given wide receiver Antonio Brown permission to seek a trade yet. While both sides may be heading for a divorce this offseason, both sides have pumped the brakes on a potential split in recent weeks, possibly because of the large dead salary cap hit that Brown would come with if […]

Royals, Whit Merrifield Agree On Four-Year Extension

The Kansas City Royals signed second baseman Whit Merrifield to a four-year, $16.25 million extension on Sunday, according to a source. The deal also includes $2 million in performance bonuses and a fifth-year club option. Merrifield's deal can top $30 million if he maxes out on the contract. It's well-earned for the 30-year-old after he […]

Ryan Braun Working To Hit More Fly Balls

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun has been working with a private hitting coach in the offseason and is making changes to his swing for the first time in his career. Braun is focused on turning his hard outs into more home runs. The 35-year-old hit a disappointing .254/.313/.469 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI and […]

Paul DeJong Could Hit Third For Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong, who has hit 44 home runs in the last year and a half over 223 games, could be the team's third hitter in 2019. He hit 19 home runs and had 68 RBI while hitting .241 last year after slugging 25 long balls and hitting .285 in his rookie […]

Second Base Could Be Timeshare In Milwaukee

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said he envisions second base being a "shared" position with candidates Hernan Perez, Cory Spangenberg and Tyler Saladino being candidates. Prospects Mauricio Dubon and Keston Hiura are also on the horizon in the minor leagues. That's if the team doesn't sign an established second baseman before the season starts. Spangenberg […]

Tom Brady Will Return For Another Season

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said there is a "zero" percent chance that he will retire after the Super Bowl. Brady threw for 4,355 yards (65.8 completion percentage), 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in the regular season but looked more his age down the stretch. He has been excellent in the playoffs, however, and […]

Ender Inciarte Expected To Be Leadoff Hitter

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that manager Brian Snitker is leaning toward using outfielder Ender Inciarte as the leadoff man, with Josh Donaldson, Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuna and Nick Markakis following him. Inciarte hit .265/.325/.380 with 10 home runs, 61 RBI, 83 runs scored and career-high 28 stolen bases in 2018, but he […]

Redskins Planning To Be Without Alex Smith In 2019

The Washington Redskins are planning to be without quarterback Alex Smith (leg) next season, according to sources. The team thinks he'll miss the entire season after suffering a gruesome broken leg last year and are acting accordingly. Smith will turn 35 this May, so it's fair to wonder if he will ever play again. It's […]

Chad O'Shea Expected To Become Dolphins Offensive Coordinator

New England Patriots wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea is the favorite to be hired as the Miami Dolphins next offensive coordinator, according to a league source. Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores is expected to become Miami's next head coach, but nothing can become official until after the Super Bowl. Flores has worked with O'Shea in […]

Antonio Brown Not Closing Door On Return To Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown hasn't closed the door on returning to the team in 2019 despite the Steelers exploring their trade options with him. Brown has maintained a steady dialogue with some people in the organization that he's close with to express that sentiment. The 30-year-old just posted his sixth straight season with […]

Austin Hays In Final Stages Of Rehab

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays (ankle, shoulder), who entered last year as the team's top prospect, said he's in the final stages of his rehab and is hoping to be healthy in spring training after his season was derailed by injuries. Hays said the last step of his rehab will be base running in spring […]

Tyler Thornburg Could Have Shot At Closer Role

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg (shoulder), who was shut down last September due to complications from thoracic outlet syndrome, could be a wild card in the team's bullpen this year. His injury in 2018 led to him allowing 15 earned runs in just 24 innings all year. The hard-throwing right hasn't been healthy […]

Dylan Covey, Manny Banuelos Candidates For Fifth Starter Spot

Chicago White Sox starting pitchers Dylan Covey and Manny Banuelos are the top contenders for the fifth starter spot behind Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, Ivan Nova and Lucas Giolito, according to general manager Rick Hahn. Covey should be considered the favorite after finishing up the 2018 season strong. He'll be worth a dollar investment in […]

Jimmy Nelson To Be Full Go In Spring Training

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) said he will be full go in spring training. "Absolutely. But not just opening-day roster. One of my goals is to start opening day. I'm not going to beat around the bush," Nelson said. The right-hander missed all of 2018 due to his injury, but he went 12-6 […]

Byron Buxton Bulks Up

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton added 21 pounds of muscle to his skinny frame in the offseason during an extra long winter workout schedule. He believes that the added muscle will keep him healthy in 2019. A former top prospect, Buxton has been a bust in the big leagues due to injuries and ineffectiveness, and […]

Bradley Zimmer Hopes To Be Ready By Spring Training

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer (shoulder), who had surgery to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder in July, is hoping to return for spring training. His initial recovery time was estimated at eight to 12 months. “Based on how I’m feeling now, I feel like I’ll be ready for spring training,” Zimmer said. […]

Charlie Blackmon Could Be Moved To Corner Outfield Spot

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon could be moved to a corner outfield spot in 2019 as the team toys with the idea of positional adjustments. Blackmon is open to a move that would likely mean a mix of David Dahl and Ian Desmond in center field. Blackmon hasn't played any position other than center field […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Not Rushing His Rehab

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow), who will miss the entire 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Nov. 6, said he will take longer with his rehab process since time is on his side. He is targeting being ready in time for the start of spring training in 2020 and is […]

Astros Bringing Alex Bregman Along Slowly

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow), who had surgery on Jan. 11 to remove bone chips from his right elbow, said the team is bringing him along slowly. He could throw and hit now if he wanted to, but the Astros are holding him back "because they're smart." Bregman broke out in his third […]

Jose Altuve Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (knee), who underwent surgery on Oct. 19 to repair a patella avulsion fracture in his right knee, said he expects to be ready for spring training in two weeks. He has progressed to the point where he can hit and work out, but he hasn't tried to run at […]

Garrett Celek Undergoes Surgery

San Francisco 49ers tight end Garrett Celek (thumb) underwent thumb surgery following the season. General manager John Lynch called the procedure a "straightforward thing" and it doesn't sound like Celek will miss the offseason program. Celek played in 15 games last season, but apparently he played through a broken thumb for the majority of the […]