Jason Vargas Is Mets Fifth Starter

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that starting pitcher Jason Vargas will be the team's fifth starter to open the 2019 season. The 36-year-old lefty had a pretty ugly year in his first year in New York, going 7-9 with a bloated 5.77 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 in 92 innings (20 starts). […]

2019 To Be CC Sabathia's Final Season

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia will announce at a press conference on Saturday that the 2019 season will be his last. The left-hander will turn 39 in late July and isn't the dominant strikeout guy he was earlier in this career, but he was serviceable for the Yankees in 2018 by going 9-7 […]

Red Sox Still Unlikely To Re-Sign Craig Kimbrel

The Boston Red Sox remain steadfast that they will not have a "big expenditure at the closer position," even on a short-term deal, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. That means it remains unlikely that Boston will re-sign closer Craig Kimbrel for 2019. Boston will likely use an "internal" option for the ninth […]

Padres Being Aggressive On Manny Machado

The San Diego Padres have been very aggressive in their pursuit of free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, but he doesn't know if he wants to play there, according to sources. Some of his representatives are pushing for a shorter deal with the Yankees. The Phillies and White Sox are also in on him. San Diego is […]

Tight End A Priority For Lions

The Detroit Lions are determined to make the tight end position a priority in 2019 after whiffing on their free-agent targets last year and seeing Eric Ebron finish second in the NFL in touchdowns (13) with the Colts after they released him. "This is a position of need," general manager Bob Quinn said. "We know […]

Jets Expected To Move On From Isaiah Crowell

New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell is not expected to return after the team signs a free-agent running back next month. He has $2 million fully guaranteed if he's on the roster by the third day of the new league year (March 15), so he'll likely be cut by then. Crowell just turned 26 […]

Mike Minor The Favorite To Start On Opening Day

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward hasn't officially announced the team's Opening Day starter, but he made it clear that starting pitcher Mike Minor is the favorite. "He is our best pitcher," Woodward said. Texas will be facing the dangerous Cubs at home in the opener, so Minor won't be an attractive streamer for that one […]

Nick Tropeano Suffers Setback With Shoulder

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Tropeano (shoulder) said he had a setback with his right shoulder in December and just recently resumed light throwing. That means he's unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after initially being a candidate for a rotation spot. The 28-year-old also missed all of the 2017 season due to […]

Broncos To Shop Case Keenum

The Denver Broncos will shop quarterback Case Keenum on the trade market after agreeing to acquire Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, according to a source. Keenum is guaranteed $7 million this year. If they can't find a taker for him, they could release him, which would mean clearing up $11 million in […]

Jordan Montgomery Has Been Throwing

New York Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (elbow) said he is making 50 throws at 90 feet and has been doing that for around three weeks. He'll throw off a mound next month and is aiming to return to big league action after the All-Star break after he had Tommy John surgery last June. The […]

Yankees Having Extension Talks With Luis Severino

The New York Yankees and starting pitcher Luis Severino have engaged in contract talks, but no deal is close yet. Severino's salary arbitration has yet to be heard. The rising right-hander requested $5.25 million for the 2019 season, while the Yanks are offering $4.4 million. The soon-to-be 25-year-old has big upside as one of the […]

A.J. Puk, Jharel Cotton Progressing

Oakland Athletics starting pitchers A.J. Puk (elbow) and Jharel Cotton (elbow), who are both rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, both took the mound for bullpen sessions in camp on Tuesday. They both threw at roughly 70 percent effort level as they gradually rebuild strength in their arms. Both pitchers are expected to be ready around […]

Alex Reyes To Throw Bullpen Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Alex Reyes (shoulder) passed his physical at camp on Wednesday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session. One of St. Louis' top pitching prospects for the last several seasons, Reyes has monumental upside but hasn't been able to stay healthy. He missed all of the 2017 season due to […]

Carlos Martinez Could Pitch In Relief Again

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez, who saw action as the closer late last year, could be moved to a relief role again in 2019. Pitching coach Mike Maddux said he "liked him out of the bullpen a lot." Martinez is slated for a rotation role right now, but the Cardinals have flexibility with […]

A's Signing Robbie Grossman

The Oakland Athletics are signing free-agent outfielder Robbie Grossman to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Grossman hit .273/.367/.384 with five home runs and 48 RBI in his final season with the Twins last year in 129 games. At best, the switch-hitter figures to be in a platoon role in Oakland's […]

Steelers Won't Trade Antonio Brown Within Division

The Pittsburgh Steelers will not trade wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Ravens, Browns, Bengals or Patriots. Most teams are hesitant to trade a star player within their division, so this isn't a surprise. The Patriots continue to dominate the league, so it also makes sense why the Steelers wouldn't want to help them as […]

Aaron Nola Agrees To Four-Year Extension

The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Aaron Nola agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension through the 2022 season on Wednesday. The deal also includes a club option for the 2023 season for $16 million. Nola, 25, is one of the best young pitching talents in baseball and went 17-6 with a sparkly 2.37 […]

Broncos Trading For Joe Flacco

The Denver Broncos agreed in principle on a trade with the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday to acquire quarterback Joe Flacco, according to league sources. The trade can't officially be processed until the new NFL league year begins on March 13. When the deal is officially completed it will likely be for a mid-round pick. Baltimore […]

Sergio Romo Agrees With Marlins

The Miami Marlins agreed to a one-year, $1.25 million deal with free-agent relief pitcher Sergio Romo on Tuesday, according to a league source. The soon-to-be 35-year-old was a versatile piece for Tampa last year, posting a 4.14 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 25 saves while also serving as an opener five times. The slider-heavy right-hander has […]

Danny Salazar Hopes To Pitch Late In Spring Training

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar (shoulder) is playing catch, but his goal is to be back on the mound by the end of spring training. If he's able to achieve that goal, he thinks he will be ready to pitch in a game before the All-Star break. The 29-year-old didn't pitch at all in […]

Corbin Burnes To Compete For Rotation Spot

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes, who pitched out of the bullpen last year, was told he'd be a starting pitcher in 2019. "You know, as we get close to the season, the need may be [different], but I came into camp as a starter and I fully intend on being a starter," Burnes said. The […]

Albert Pujols Cleared For All Activities

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (elbow, knee) is in camp already and is cleared for all activities, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Pujols had multiple surgeries last year and is quickly declining at the plate as he enters his age-39 season. The future Hall of Famer still has some pop (19 homers last […]

Zack Cozart Says He's Ready For Season

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart, who missed the second half of 2018 after having surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, said he's feeling healthy and should be ready for Opening Day. "Honestly, if today was Day 1 of the actual season, I could play," Cozart said Tuesday. He also […]

Cardinals Sticking With Josh Rosen

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury said that quarterback Josh Rosen "is our guy" amid speculation that the Cardinals might draft Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray with the No. 1 overall pick this year. Kingsbury is known to be enamored with Murray and Rosen had a terrible rookie season in the desert as the starter for […]

Jimmy Nelson Throws Bullpen Tuesday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session this spring on Tuesday and used his full arsenal while throwing 45 pitches. Nelson said everything is on track for him to be ready for the start of the season. The 29-year-old missed all of last year after having surgery, but he should […]

Gerardo Parra Lands With Giants

The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent outfielder Gerardo Parra to a minor league deal on Tuesday, according to sources. Parra, 32 in May, hit .284/.342/.372 with six home runs, 53 RBI and 11 stolen bases as a platoon player in his final season in Colorado in 142 games. He makes decent contact and can hit […]

Angels Targeting May For Shohei Ohtani's Return

Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus said that designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow) doesn't have a set timetable, but "we're thinking May." He'll miss at least the first month of the season and possibly more, but Ohtani can still be a difference maker at a reduced cost with his bat after hitting .285/.361/.564 with […]

Bucs An Option For Matt Bryant

Free-agent kicker Matt Bryant said that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a real option for him when free agency kicks off. The 43-year-old believes he could play another three seasons in the NFL. He missed three games last year due to various injuries, but he made 20 of his 21 field goals and 33 of […]

Bryce Harper Down To Giants And Phillies?

USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale thinks it's a two-team race between the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies for free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper. The Dodgers and Nationals are "definitely out of it." The Giants don't want to do a long-term deal with Harper, but they're likely willing to give him five or six years at around […]

Rays Not Rushing To Name Closer

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said there is "no urgency" to name a closer entering the 2019 season. He likes the team's bullpen flexibility and will have a bunch of guys sharing the ninth-inning role. Sergio Romo was the team's primary closer last year, but he's likely to depart in free agency, leaving relievers […]