Jose Leclerc Will Be Rangers Closer

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward said on Friday that relief pitcher Jose Leclerc will open the 2019 season as the closer. Leclerc was one of the best relievers in baseball last year (1.56 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 12 saves, 13.3 K/9), so he certainly has earned it. He's ranked by RotoBaller as the No. 15 fantasy […]

Cam Newton Hopes To Throw At OTAs

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) is hoping to be cleared to throw at organized team activities in the spring after he had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Thursday. His surgery wasn't serious by any means and he should be ready for training camp in the summer. However, it's his second straight offseason […]

Brent Honeywell Feeling Good

Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brent Honeywell (elbow) said he's feeling good in his recovery from Tommy John surgery after 11 months. The right-hander said he hasn't had any setbacks and has been throwing fastballs, changeups and screwballs during his bullpen sessions for the last three weeks. Honeywell is the team's third-ranked prospect and was […]

Philip Rivers Going Year-To-Year

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, who has one year remaining on his current deal, said he's taking things year-to-year at this point in his career. The 37-year-old will make a base salary of $11 million in 2019 and count $23 million against the salary cap. General manager Tom Telesco said last week that the […]

A's Agree With Marco Estrada

The Oakland Athletics agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent starting pitcher Marco Estrada on Friday, according to a source. It's a nice place for Estrada to try and bounce back after posting an ugly 5.64 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and mediocre 6.5 K/9 in 28 starts for the Blue Jays in 2018. He'll also […]

Padres The Mystery Team In Manny Machado Sweepstakes

The San Diego Padres have been identified as the "mystery team" in pursuit of free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, according to multiple sources aware of talks between the sides. The Padres would use Machado at third base if they were to sign him. San Diego started pursuing Machado last week when reports surfaced of a price […]

Mets Agree With Justin Wilson

The New York Mets agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with free-agent relief pitcher Justin Wilson on Friday. Wilson put up a 3.46 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 11.4 K/9 in 54 2/3 innings for the Cubs in 2018. The left-hander will merely be a lefty specialist as a setup guy with his new team […]

Matthew Boyd Has Lost Weight

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matthew Boyd has lost 15 pounds in the offseason as part of a calculated plan to take his game to another level in 2019. He hired a performance coach this offseason in Devin McKee. “We did DNA-based testing,” said Boyd, who turns 28 next Saturday. “We basically looked at my genes […]

Marcell Ozuna Takes Batting Practice

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna (shoulder) took batting practice and played catch at the team's complex in the Dominican Republic on Thursday and will meet with president of baseball operations John Mozeliak on Monday. Mozeliak called it a "positive first step" for Ozuna in his recovery from shoulder surgery. Ozuna managed to hit .280 […]

Yankees Offer To Manny Machado Is Low

While an exact years/dollar amount hasn't been confirmed, the New York Yankees offer to free-agent shortstop Manny Machado is "low," according to sources. Machado initially was asking for 10 years and at least $300 million at the start of free agency, but it appears no team is willing to that high in both years and […]

Kellen Moore Expected To Become Cowboys Offensive Coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys haven't made an official decision, but Kellen Moore is expected to be the team's next offensive coordinator, while Jon Kitna is expected to be hired as quarterbacks coach. Head coach Jason Garrett won't be calling plays, but tight ends coach Doug Nussmeier will also have more influence over the offense. Moore was […]

Giants Expected To Release Jonathan Stewart

The New York Giants are expected to release running back Jonathan Stewart before Feb. 4, when his 2019 option decision is due. J-Stew was a massive free-agent bust for the Giants, playing in just three games with six carries for 17 yards before getting injured. He'll turn 32 in March and will likely struggle to […]

Colts, Adam Vinatieri Finalizing One-Year Deal

The Indianapolis Colts and kicker Adam Vinatieri are finalizing a one-year deal on Friday, according to league sources. The NFL's all-time leading scorer will return for his 24th season at the age of 46. Despite missing a field goal and extra point in the divisional round against the Chiefs, Vinatieri was one of the better […]

Jimmy Garoppolo, Jerick McKinnon Progressing Well

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) and running back Jerick McKinnon (knee), who both tore their ACLs in 2018, are both doing well in their rehabs and haven't had any setbacks. McKinnon tore his ACL a week before the regular season began, while Garoppolo tore his in the fourth quarter of Week 3 against […]

Greg Zuerlein Has Foot Strain

Los Angeles Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein (foot) is dealing with a strained foot that he suffered in the NFC Championship game, but the Rams don't think it's too serious. “Didn’t look like it affected him, did it?" head coach Sean McVay asked. Legatron hit all four of his field-goal tries, including the 57-yard game-winner in […]

Chiefs Hire Steve Spagnuolo To Run Defense

The Kansas City Chiefs hired former New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday, according to sources. Spagnuolo was also the Rams head coach for a short period of time and worked as an Eagles assistant when Andy Reid was in Philadelphia. Spags has overseen some pretty good defenses, […]

Felix Hernandez To Start Year In Rotation

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed that starting pitcher Felix Hernandez will start the season in the starting rotation. "There is no consideration of putting him in the bullpen," Dipoto said. Hernandez is nearing the end of his illustrious career. While he was a high-end fantasy ace for most of it, he's now become […]

Nick Castellanos Wants To Be Traded

Detroit Tigers outfielder Nick Castellanos, who is a year away from free agency and who is on the trading block, would prefer to be traded sooner rather than later. “He wants to win and understands the direction of the franchise right now is to procure prospects,” Castellanos’ agent, David Meter, said Tuesday night. “That being […]

Carlos Correa's Back Issues In The Past

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (back), who isn't discussing a long-term contract extension with the team as he waits for his arbitration hearing next Thursday, said there is "not even a slight bother" with his back after struggling with injuries last year. He underwent surgery in the offseason to fix his deviated septum. The 24-year-old […]

Ravens Give John Harbaugh A Four-Year Extension

The Baltimore Ravens signed head coach John Harbaugh to a four-year contract extension on Thursday that will take him through the 2022 season. Harbaugh is the winningest coach in franchise history (104-72) and has been one of the most successful coaches in the league during his 11-year tenure. The Ravens have been to the playoffs […]

Jags To Decline Austin Seferian-Jenkins' Option

The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to decline the 2019 option on tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. There were high hopes for ASF in Jacksonville after he finally stayed out of trouble off the field in 2017 with the Jets, but a core injury limited him to just five games in 2018. He's still only 26 years […]

Cam Newton Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Thursday. Newton's surgery was a success and he will start his rehabilitation process immediately. The 29-year-old was extremely limited with what he could do down the field late in the season and missed the final two games as a precaution. Newton […]

Anthony Swarzak Will Be Behind In Spring Training

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak (shoulder) will be behind when he reports to spring training. Swarzak was listed as the favorite for save duties in Seattle, but that was before the team signed Hunter Strickland on Thursday. The right-hander was limited to only 26 1/3 innings with the Mets in 2018 because of injury, […]

Jordan Zimmermann Has Resumed Throwing

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (abdomen) said he has already started throwing in Florida after core muscle surgery in October. He hasn't had any neck or back issues and isn't expected to need a nerve-block injection for the first time in a few years. Zimmermann will be 33 in May and just isn't much […]

Hunter Strickland Agrees With Mariners

The Seattle Mariners agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent relief pitcher Hunter Strickland on Thursday, according to sources. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Strickland missed time with a fractured hand last season and posted a 3.97 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 14 saves and 37 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings for the Giants. Now […]

Dodgers Moving Focus To J.T. Realmuto

The Los Angeles Dodgers are focusing on a potential trade for Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto, with intensive talks on-going. The Dodgers have been one of a handful of teams interested in the backstop all offseason, but things may be getting more serious. Realmuto hit .277/.340/.484 with 21 home runs and 74 RBI last year […]

Cubs Agree With Brad Brach

The Chicago Cubs agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent relief pitcher Brad Brach on Thursday, according to sources. Brach struggled with Baltimore in 2018, posting a 4.85 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 and 11 saves in 42 outings before being traded to Atlanta, where he was much better in 27 games (1.52 ERA, 1.31 […]

Dodgers Agree With A.J. Pollock

The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to an undisclosed deal with free-agent outfielder A.J. Pollock on Thursday, according to sources. Pollock is a big addition for the Dodgers even if they already have a somewhat stacked outfield despite trading Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp this offseason. The 31-year-old helps bring more balance to a left-handed heavy […]

Bengals Content With Andy Dalton

Despite the Cincinnati Bengals firing of head coach Marvin Lewis after the season, league sources indicate more than one candidate during the team's coaching search expressed approval in quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton has proven himself capable in the eyes of the personnel department and also has two years remaining with no dead salary cap charge […]

Steelers Talking Extension With Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said the team has already started talking about a contract extension with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who will be in the final year of his current deal in 2019. “So, I think that Ben has some good years left. He’s still, I would say, close to being in the prime […]