Griff Whalen Working Ahead Of Ryan Switzer

Both Oakland Raiders wide receivers Griff Whalen and Ryan Switzer have been working out of the slot, but Whalen has worked ahead of Switzer in practices. The two are both undersized slot men with experience in the return game. “It’s neck-and-neck with those guys. When Seth Roberts gets back, it’s a very competitive position at […]

Seth Roberts A Trade Candidate

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts is an obvious trade candidate, and the Raiders could be off the hook for his $2.25 million salary. He hasn't been healthy in training camp, although he returned to practice Wednesday. Ryan Switzer and Griff Whalen have handled most of the slot work in Roberts' absence. It seems as […]

Astros Option Derek Fisher

The Houston Astros optioned outfield prospect Derek Fisher to Triple-A Fresno after the game on Thursday in anticipation of outfielder George Springer (thumb) coming off the disabled list. Fisher has a promising future in the long term, but he's the odd man out in a crowded Houston outfield with Springer set to return. The left-handed […]

Zach Eflin To Start Game 2 Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin will be recalled to start Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Mets on Thursday. The 24-year-old has posted an 8-4 record, 3.57 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and career-high 8.5 K/9 over 16 starts for the Phils this year and will absolutely be a fine starting option for fantasy owners […]

X-Rays Negative On Jeremy Hellickson

X-rays came back negative on Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (wrist) after he was injured during his start on Wednesday against the Cardinals. However, manager Dave Martinez said Hellickson is stiff, and they will determine if a disabled list stint is necessary depending on how he feels Thursday. The veteran allowed three hits and […]

Julio Urias Allows Two Runs In Rehab Outing

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias (shoulder) allowed two hits and two runs while hitting a batter and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday. Urias is slowly making his way back from left shoulder surgery but is expected to contribute for the Dodgers in a relief role […]

Brendan Rodgers Lands On DL In Minors

Colorado Rockies shortstop prospect Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) landed on the disabled list with Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Rodgers is the team's No. 1 prospect and was hitting .271 with 17 home runs, 64 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 103 combined games between Double-A Hartford and Albuquerque this season. This could hurt his chances of […]

Ryne Stanek To Open For Rays Friday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryne Stanek will "open" against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Stanek has a 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and enticing 11.7 K/9 overall in 39 outings (19 starts). He's been a little better as a reliever but hasn't been bad as a starter, either (2.51 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 12.6 K/9). However, […]

Tommy Pham Activated From DL

The Tampa Bay Rays activated outfielder Tommy Pham (foot) from the disabled list on Wednesday and optioned pitcher Jake Faria to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Pham had played in only two games for the Rays before being injured after being acquired at the trade deadline. He's been somewhat of a disappointment with his […]

X-Rays Negative On Ronald Acuna

Atlanta Braves rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna's (elbow) X-rays on his left elbow came back negative after he left the game in the first inning after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday. He underwent a CT scan as well, and those results will be announced Thursday. While it's good news, Acuna isn't out of the […]

Jeremy Hellickson Injured Wednesday

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (wrist) exited his start early on Wednesday with an injury to his right wrist. Hellickson injured himself after throwing a wild pitch and covering home plate. The veteran right-hander had allowed three hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out two in 4 1/3 innings against […]

X-Rays Negative On Matt Carpenter

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (hand) left the game early after being hit by a pitch on his right hand on Wednesday, but X-rays came back negative. His fantasy owners just took a collective sigh of relief, but Carpenter could still wind up missing some games. He was hitless in four plate appearances with […]

Jeff Samardzija To Face Hitters Friday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) will face live hitters on Friday and is expected to begin a rehab assignment after that, barring any setbacks. It's been a nightmare season for the Shark, who just hasn't been able to stay healthy. The 33-year-old is 1-5 with an ugly 6.25 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and […]

Hunter Strickland To Make Back-To-Back Rehab Appearances

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (hand) will throw in back-to-back games with Triple-A Sacramento for the first time and is eligible to come off the disabled list on Saturday. He's nearing a return, but it's unknown if he'll boot Will Smith out of the closer's role upon his return. Those desperate for saves […]

Shohei Ohtani Throws Bullpen Wednesday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday with hitters in the box. He's expected to return to San Diego to join the team for the game Wednesday, but he won't be starting. Ohtani continues to make progress in rejoining the rotation, but he's running out of time […]

Ronald Acuna Leaves Game After Hit By Pitch

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna left the game early on Wednesday after being hit by a pitch in the second inning. He was seen flexing his hand, indicating that his elbow had tightened. The extent of the injury is unknown, and the Braves will likely update his condition after the game. Acuna is one of […]

Ross Stripling Lands On DL

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed relief pitcher Ross Stripling (back) on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday with lower back inflammation. The move is retroactive to Aug. 12. Stripling basically loses most of his fantasy value with a move to the bullpen and now he's on the DL, so you can likely drop him at […]

Kenley Jansen Throws To Hitters Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (heart) said he felt great while throwing around 25 pitches to hitters on Wednesday, although he got tired toward the end of the session after also running on a treadmill and throwing before. Jansen is making good progress after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, and he could return […]

Texans Signing Nick Rose

The Houston Texans are signing free-agent place kicker Nick Rose to an undisclosed deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Rose made 11 of his 14 field goal attempts with the Redskins and Chargers last year, including one of two from 50-plus yards. He'll compete with Ka'imi Fairbairn for kicking duties. Despite Houston's offense being […]

Victor Martinez Likely To Retire At Season's End

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez said he's likely to retire at the end of the 2018 season. The 39-year-old is in the final year of his contract and is hitting .244/.294/.331 with six home runs and 39 RBI in 402 plate appearances this year. He's just a shell of his former self at the […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu Activated From DL, Starting Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin) has been activated from the 60-day disabled list and is starting against the Giants on Wednesday. Ryu is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and career-high 10.9 K/9, but he's made just six starts this year and hasn't pitched in the majors since May 2. Expect […]

Manny Pina Needs Tests On Left Shoulder

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Manny Pina (shoulder) will head back to Milwaukee to have his left shoulder examined on Thursday. Pina left the game early on Wednesday with the injury. He had a hit, run scored, walk and a strikeout in three plate appearances before leaving. It's good news that it's to his non-throwing shoulder, but […]

Ryan Braun Listed As Day-To-Day

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun (rib cage) is listed as day-to-day with a rib issue after leaving the game early on Wednesday, according to manager Craig Counsell. Braun injured himself on a sliding catch attempt in the third inning. Given Braun's injury history, he could still find his way onto the disabled list if he […]

Rene Rivera Back From DL

The Los Angeles Angels activated catcher Rene Rivera (knee) from the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday and optioned catcher Jose Briceno to the minors in a corresponding move. Rivera has been out since May 16 but is right back in the starting lineup on Wednesday. He is hitting .259 with three home runs and 10 […]

Luke Weaver To Start Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver (finger) will move up to start Thursday against the Nationals. That will push starter Jack Flaherty to Friday against the Brewers. Weaver's overall numbers on the year don't look that great (4.66 ERA), but he has fanned 111 hitters in 121 2/3 innings and hasn't allowed more than […]

Brice Butler Won't Play In Second Preseason Game

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Brice Butler (foot) will not play against the Saints in the preseason game this Friday, according to head coach Steve Wilks. This is bad news for Butler, who is in a competition with rookie Christian Kirk, among others, for the No. 3 job behind Larry Fitzgerald and J.J. Nelson. The 28-year-old […]

Max Fried To Make Rehab Start Friday

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (groin) will make a rehab start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. Fried just landed on the disabled list on Aug. 7 and is making a very quick recovery from a groin strain. The young left-hander has been great for the Braves this year, going 1-4 with a 3.14 ERA, […]

Tommy Pham Could Return Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Tommy Pham (foot) will be re-evaluated on Wednesday after playing in his first minor league rehab game, according to manager Kevin Cash. There's a chance that he could come off the disabled list and rejoin the Rays on Thursday. Pham was injured just two games into his Tampa career after being […]

Marcus Davenport Back At Practice Wednesday

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive end Marcus Davenport (groin), who has missed most of training camp with a pulled groin, was back at practice on Wednesday, although he didn't participate. "It's good," head coach Sean Payton said. "The news we're hearing is real good, so he's going to be kind of ramping up and accelerating […]

Stephen Strasburg Throws Simulated Game

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (neck) said his simulated game on Wednesday went well. He doesn't see any reason he won't feel good on Thursday and said if he does, "I'll get ready for a start." Strasburg has been out since July 20, so he'll likely need several minor league rehab starts before the […]