Jon Lester Dealt With Back Spasms

Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (back) suffered from back spasms during his start on Monday against the Brewers, according to manager Joe Maddon. Lester is expected to be fine for his next start, which should come this weekend against the Reds. The left-handed veteran gave up eight hits and three […]

Jon Lester Injured Monday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (back) left the game early on Monday with lower back tightness. Lester had allowed eight hits and three earned runs over 5 2/3 innings against the Brewers before leaving, so he was probably close to being done regardless. The left-hander walked two and struck out seven in the outing. […]

Brandon LaFell, DeAndre Washington Inactive

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Brandon LaFell and running back Deandre Washington (knee) are both inactive in Week 1 against the Rams on Monday night. LaFell is a healthy scratch, while Washington was never expected to be active for the season opener. The veteran LaFell recently signed with the Raiders and is currently buried on the […]

Joe Haden Has Mild Hamstring Pull

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (hamstring) was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain on Monday, according to a source. It's a minor hamstring injury, but the Steelers won't push their veteran cornerback, and he isn't a lock to play in Week 2 against the Chiefs unless he heals right this week. The 29-year-old Haden […]

Ezekiel Ansah Injured Monday Night

Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury on Monday night against the Jets and is questionable to return. Ansah has a history of nagging ailments in his career, so this isn't a good start for the 29-year-old. The Lions are counting on Ansah to help anchor a pass rush in 2018.

Marquise Goodwin Day-To-Day This Week

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said wide receiver Marquise Goodwin (thigh) is dealing with a bruised thigh and will be day-to-day this week. Goodwin could be questionable for Week 2 against the Lions after missing his only target in the Week 1 loss to the Vikings. If Goodwin is able to suit up, […]

Ryder Jones To Have Surgery In A Few Days

San Francisco Giants first baseman Ryder Jones (knee) will have surgery in a couple of days to fix his dislocated left knee. Jones is a promising prospect for the Giants, so it was a shame for him to go down and lose a chance at regular at-bats down the stretch. He had hit two homers […]

Ryan Rua Activated From DL

The Texas Rangers activated first baseman/outfielder Ryan Rua (back) from the 10-day disabled list on Monday. Rua gives the club an extra option at multiple positions against left-handers to close out the year. He has hit .194/.223/.371 with six long balls and 12 RBI in just 124 at-bats this year. Rua is only worth considering […]

Daniel Descalso To See More Time At Second Base

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Daniel Descalso will see more time at second base down the stretch at the expense of Ketel Marte, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Descalso and Marte have basically been pretty close to the same player this year, but Descalso brings more of a veteran presence to the starting lineup, offers more position […]

Carlos Martinez Is The New Closer

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Carlos Martinez, who saved his second game of the week against the Tigers on Sunday, has been named the permanent closer by manager Mike Shildt. Bud Norris will move to another role in the back end of the bullpen. Norris loses the job after suffering two losses in his last […]

Brandon McCarthy Won't Return This Year

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (knee) doesn't have enough time left in the season to make a return and will be shut down, according to manager Brian Snitker. The veteran McCarthy was only able to make 15 starts this year for the Braves due to injury, and he went 6-3 with a 4.92 ERA, […]

Arodys Vizcaino To Rejoin Team Friday

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) will throw a side session on Tuesday and will come off the disabled list on Friday in Atlanta. Manager Brian Snitker said Vizcaino feels strong. With Vizcaino's last appearance in the big leagues coming on July 11, it's hard to imagine the Braves throwing him right back into […]

Luke Voit Dealing With Stiff Back

New York Yankees first baseman Luke Voit (back) has been dealing with back stiffness for a couple of days, and it is one of the reasons why he is not playing on Monday, according to manager Aaron Boone. Greg Bird is seeing a start on Monday as a result. With Bird struggling with the stick, […]

Tyler Skaggs Close To Returning, Nick Tropeano Isn't

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Skaggs (groin) is close to a return to the rotation, but starter Nick Tropeano (shoulder) isn't making a lot of progress and is "not close to returning," according to manager Mike Scioscia. The left-handed Skaggs has gone 8-8 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 123 strikeouts in 116 […]

Albert Pujols Having Surgery On Elbow

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols (elbow, knee), who just had knee surgery, will also have surgery on Wednesday to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. He will receive an injection for tendinitis in his left elbow on Friday. Father Time has officially caught up to the 38-year-old Pujols, although he should be […]

Elvis Andrus Will Wait To Make Decision On Opt-Out Clause

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus seems to be leaning toward not opting out of his contract, but he will wait until after the season to make his final decision. Andrus had a career year in 2017 but has fallen back to Earth big time in 2018. He managed to smash 20 homers last year with […]

Dylan Covey To Start Tuesday

Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Covey will get the start on Tuesday against the Royals. Covey has a weak 5.44 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and mediocre 6.5 K/9 in 23 outings (17 starts) this year for the White Sox. The right-hander also hasn't started a game since Aug. 18, making him an extremely risky streaming option […]

Patriots Waive Riley McCarron, Chad Hansen

The New England Patriots waived wide receivers Riley McCarron and Chad Hansen on Monday, according to a source. The team also put running back Jeremy Hill (knee) on Injured Reserve. McCarron dropped his only target and muffed a punt in Week 1 against the Patriots. New England will search for more receiver depth with Julian […]

Ameer Abdullah A Healthy Scratch

Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah is a healthy inactive in Week 1 against the Jets on Monday night. Also a healthy scratch is wide receiver Brandon Powell. This comes as no surprise for Abdullah, who is buried on the depth chart behind LeGarrette Blount, rookie Kerryon Johnson and third-down back Theo Riddick. He can […]

Jermaine Kearse Inactive Monday Night

New York Jets wide receiver Jermaine Kearse (abdomen) is inactive in Week 1 against the Lions on Monday night. Kearse was never expected to play in this game, but he could be back as soon as Week 2. With Kearse out, Robby Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Terrelle Pryor should be the team's top three wideouts. […]

Drew Smyly Shut Down

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Drew Smyly (elbow) has been shut down for the season. Smyly just didn't have enough time to make it back for the Cubbies. The left-hander has not pitched in the major leagues since 2016 with the Rays, but he could become an option for the team's rotation next season. Smyly probably […]

Jedd Gyorko Hitting In Cages Monday

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Jedd Gyorko (groin) is taking batting practice in the cages on Monday. Gyorko doesn't have a timeline to return and isn't a lock to make it back before the end of the season. Fantasy owners shouldn't be holding out for him to return any more fantasy value. Infielders Matt Carpenter […]

Yadier Molina Could Return During Homestand

The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping that catcher Yadier Molina (hamstring) can play during the team's current homestand. Molina has been out since late last week with his injury. His fantasy owners are hoping he returns sometime soon as well, as Molina has once again been one of the more productive fantasy catchers, batting .273/.324/.447 […]

Daniel Poncedeleon To Start Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon will start on Wednesday against the Pirates. It will allow all the other starters to have an extra day of rest for the upcoming series against the Dodgers. Poncedeleon has a nice 2.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 23 K's in 27 innings over nine outings (three starts), but […]

Trevor Bauer To Throw Bullpen Wednesday

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (leg) is tentatively scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, with another one coming either Friday or Saturday if he can avoid setbacks. Bauer was having a career year (2.22 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 11.6 K/9) before fracturing his leg last month. If he is able to make it […]

Eric Skoglund Gets The Nod Wednesday

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Eric Skoglund will make the start on Wednesday against the White Sox, according to manager Ned Yost. Skoglund hasn't made a start in the big leagues since May 25 and missed multiple months due to injury. The left-hander has a 1-5 record, 6.45 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in […]

Julio Urias To Continue To Pitch In Relief

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias will continue to pitch in relief with the team, and manager Dave Roberts said he will go in one-inning stints with a day between appearances. The talented southpaw has only thrown 11 2/3 innings in the minors this year after recovering from left shoulder surgery. The Dodgers will […]

Ross Stripling To Start Wednesday Against Reds

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling will make the start on Wednesday against the Reds, but manager Dave Roberts said Stripling will go three innings or 45 pitches. Stripling has a fine 2.61 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and career-high 9.9 K/9 on the season, but he's been used in relief since he returned from the disabled […]

Leonard Fournette Has Minor Hamstring Injury

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) is dealing with a minor hamstring injury after undergoing further testing, according to head coach Doug Marrone. Fournette was wearing a protective sleeve over his right leg on Monday. The star running back had nine carries for 41 yards and played 21 of 63 snaps before leaving Week […]

Jason Heyward's Return Not Imminent

Chicago Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward (hamstring) hasn't had any setbacks, but he remained non-committal on a return date. Heyward isn't a lock to return before the regular season ends, making him not worth stashing in any redraft league the rest of the way. The defense-first outfielder actually surprised a bit with the bat in 2018, […]