Jordy Mercer Being Evaluated

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer (calf) is not in the lineup on Wednesday and is being evaluated for left calf discomfort, according to head trainer Todd Tomcyzk. It doesn't sound like a serious injury, but you need to remove him from your starting lineups on Wednesday. Adeiny Hechavarria is at shortstop and is hitting ninth […]

Jimmy Nelson Running Out Of Time

Milwaukee Brewers general manager David Stearns said starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) "is running out of time" to make a return this year. It sounds unlikely that Nelson will return to the rotation for the stretch run. He might not be worth the stash at this point if you were holding onto him in a […]

Brandon Morrow To Throw Off Mound This Weekend

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) will attempt to throw off a mound this weekend. “It’s just kind of a deep thing that’s just sticking around. I can’t put my finger on it,” said Morrow, who went on the disabled list when the pain didn’t go away through the break. “I think the muscle is […]

Michael Wacha Could Start Rehab Assignment Soon

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (oblique) took fielding and batting practice on Tuesday and could throw his last bullpen session on Wednesday or Thursday before heading out on a rehab assignment. Wacha has been out since June 20, so he'll surely require a handful of rehab outings before the Cards are comfortable inserting […]

Bud Norris' Hip Injury Isn't Serious

St. Louis Cardinals closer Bud Norris (hip) said he's been fighting right hip discomfort all year, and it's something that only bothers him when he has to cover first base or back up other bases. “It’s something I really have to start monitoring,” said Norris. “Some days it’s good and some days it’s bad. I […]

Wilson Ramos To Come Off DL Wednesday

Philadelphia Phillies catcher Wilson Ramos (hamstring) will be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday. He's expected to be in the lineup to make his debut with the team after being acquired from the Rays on July 31. Get ready to insert him back into your lineups if he starts Wednesday night. Ramos has been […]

James Paxton To Miss At Least One Start

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (forearm) will miss at least one start after being hit in the left forearm by a line drive in his start on Tuesday. However, manager Scott Servais says the injury could have been much worse. Felix Hernandez is the logical replacement to take Paxton's next turn in the rotation. […]

Rashaad Penny Suffers Broken Finger In Practice

Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Rashaad Penny (finger), a first-round pick, suffered a hand injury that includes a broken finger in practice on Monday, according to multiple reports. Penny is expected to miss some time, but the exact timetable for his return is unknown. He had 16 yards on eight carries in the first preseason […]

Marquise Goodwin Is Jimmy Garoppolo's Favorite Target

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin continues to establish himself as the team's top receiver and has been quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's "favorite target." Veteran Pierre Garcon should still see plenty of targets, especially on third downs, but Goodwin should have more touchdowns and more yards per catch, according to ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner. Goodwin could […]

Jamaal Williams Should Open Year As Workhorse Back

Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams, who had five carries for 16 yards and an eight-yard touchdown catch in the first preseason game, should start the year as the team's workhorse back, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Ty Montgomery figures to serve as the no-huddle/two-minute back. However, Aaron Jones could emerge as the most […]

Jeremy Kerley Has Solidified Slot Role

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Jeremy Kerley has solidified a role as the team's slot receiver in offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's system, according to ESPN.com's Mike Rodak. Rodak said, "it's the Patriots system, and we know that spot has put up numbers in the past (Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, etc.)." There is a lot of opportunity […]

Cole Beasley The Leader Of Receiving Group

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Cole Beasley has been the leader of the team's committee approach to the receiver position in the absence of Dez Bryant this year. Beasley, who is 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, has always excelled out of the slot, leading the team with 75 catches for 833 yards in 2016 out of the position. […]

Ben Roethlisberger Likes James Washington

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is intrigued by rookie wide receiver James Washington. "You see him getting better every day," Roethlisberger said. "Early in camp, we were talking about he couldn't even get on the field with me. Now we're asking for him to be on the field so he can get some reps and […]

Burch Smith Being Demoted To Bullpen

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Burch Smith is being moved to the bullpen in favor of Jorge Lopez, who will start against the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Lopez was acquired in the trade that sent third baseman Mike Moustakas to the Brewers. In his last three starts, Smith allowed 18 hits (five home runs) and […]

Joe Mixon Is The Guy In Cincinnati

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is "the guy" with Jeremy Hill now with the Patriots, according to ESPN.com's Katherine Terrell. He's set for a Year 2 surge but will still split some touches with Giovani Bernard. Mixon was lined up as a receiver during his touchdown catch in the first preseason game last week. […]

X-Rays Negative For James Paxton

Updating a previous report, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton's (forearm) X-rays came back negative after he was forced from his start in the first inning after taking a liner to his left arm on Tuesday. He's dealing with a left forearm contusion. It's great news for the Mariners and Paxton's fantasy owners, as he […]

Forrest Whitley Makes Return To Minor League Action

Houston Astros pitching prospect Forrest Whitley (oblique), who hasn't pitched in the minors since July 5, threw 35 pitches over two scoreless innings for Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday. He walked two and struck out two in the outing. Whitley was also suspended 50 games this year, so he's gone just 0-1 with a 4.29 […]

Jose Iglesias Injured Tuesday

Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (thumb) left the game early on Tuesday with a right thumb contusion. Iglesias had a double, run scored and two strikeouts in four plate appearances before exiting. It seems to be just a day-to-day injury, so Iglesias shouldn't have to miss too much time. He's hitting .264 on the season […]

Bud Norris Not Used Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals closer Bud Norris (hip), who is dealing with soreness in his right hip, was not used in a save situation on Tuesday night against the Nationals. Instead, relief pitcher Jordan Hicks came on to record the save -- his fourth of the year. Norris blew his fourth save of the season on […]

James Paxton Hit By Liner, Leaves Early Tuesday

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton (arm) left his start early after taking a line drive off his left arm in the first inning Tuesday against the A's. He allowed a solo homer to Marcus Semien, struck out Matt Chapman and then was hit by a liner off the bat of Jed Lowrie to end […]

Ronald Jones II Off To Slow Start

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Ronald Jones II got off to a slow start in the preseason opener last week and dropped some passes. Head coach Dirk Koetter has been more complimentary of Peyton Barber's performance in the first game than of Jones' performance. ESPN.com's Jenna Laine said Barber could start the season and […]

Royce Freeman Has Opportunity To Emerge As No. 1 Back

Denver Broncos rookie running back Royce Freeman may have the best shot of any rookie runner not named Saquon Barkley to emerge as a true No. 1 back for their team. Freeman was more impressive than Devontae Booker in the first preseason game with four carries for 38 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown. ESPN.com's Jeff […]

Brandon McCarthy To Retire After Season

Atlanta Braves veteran starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy (knee) said he has decided to retire after the 2018 season. He will spend the next few weeks making mechanical adjustments so that he can potentially boost the bullpen for the stretch run. The right-hander is 6-3 with a 4.92 ERA on the season in 15 starts. He […]

Jerad Eickhoff Has Successful Rehab Outing

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (shoulder, wrist) allowed one hit and no runs in four innings (52 pitches) while walking three and striking out four in his third rehab start for Single-A Clearwater on Tuesday. Eickhoff appears close to making his first appearance in an MLB game in 2018. He posted a 4.71 ERA, […]

Jay Bruce Hitless In First Rehab Game

New York Mets outfielder/first baseman Jay Bruce (hip) played five innings in right field for Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday and was 0-for-2 with a walk, strikeout and a fly out in his first rehab game. Bruce will play first base on Wednesday. He could be back with the Mets sometime next week if he […]

Julio Urias To Throw Two Innings Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias (shoulder) will throw two innings for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday. Urias is being brought along slowly after shoulder surgery and is expected to be used out of the bullpen after rosters expand in September. That means he won't be attractive for those in single-year leagues for the […]

Ross Stripling May Not Be Available Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling (back) is dealing with a sore back muscle and may not be available out of the bullpen on Tuesday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Stripling, an All-Star this year, has been moved to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for Hyun-Jin Ryu. It kills most of his […]

Kenley Jansen Making Progress

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (heart) ran sprints on Tuesday and will throw to hitters on Wednesday and Friday. He's optimistic that he will be cleared to return after a follow-up exam with a cardiologist next Monday. Jansen continues to wear a wireless heart monitor around his chest. It looks like Jansen's irregular heartbeat […]

Will Smith Unavailable Tuesday

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy wants to avoid using closer Will Smith on Tuesday after the lefty reliever threw 20 pitches to earn the save on Monday. Smith has thrown back-to-back days. The southpaw has been great with Hunter Strickland sidelined, posting a 2.06 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 12.4 K/9 and nine saves. Because of […]

Brandon Crawford Expected To Avoid Concussion DL

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (head) was feeling better on Tuesday and is expected to avoid the seven-day concussion disabled list after a nasty collision with outfielder Gorkys Hernandez on Monday. Both players were out of the lineup on Tuesday. “He’s feeling pretty good,” manager Bruce Bochy said of Crawford. “I think he’s feeling […]