Corey Knebel To Be Given A Break

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said closer Corey Knebel will not be used in the ninth inning his next time out. “The next time out, we’ll give him an easier spot, for sure. But at some point, we’re going to try to work to get him back to big spots in the game," Counsell said. […]

Dez Bryant Not Returning Cleveland's Calls

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey said free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant would be in for a workout "if he returns a phone call." The Browns have been the only team interested in Bryant's services this offseason, but he wants more money. They may be willing to up their offer to him now that Josh […]

No Timetable For Josh Gordon To Join Team

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey said there is no updated timetable for when wide receiver Josh Gordon will report to the team. The longer Gordon is away, the more he'll fall in fantasy drafts and the bigger risk he is to fantasy owners. When on the field and not distracted off of it, Gordon […]

Drew Pomeranz Demoted To Bullpen

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz has been demoted to the bullpen. The southpaw sports an ugly 6.31 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings over 11 starts this year and hasn't gone more than five innings in a start since May 8 against the Yankees. […]

Mariners Not Committed To Felix Hernandez For Next Start

Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais hasn't made a decision on whether starting pitcher Felix Hernandez will make his next start on Sunday. In his last five starts, King Felix has gone 0-5 with an 8.37 ERA while allowing six home runs, 32 hits and 22 earned runs while walking 10 and striking out 14 over […]

Julio Urias To Pitch For Single-A Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias (shoulder) will pitch for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Friday. Urias is getting closer to pitching in the big leagues again after having left shoulder surgery 13 months ago. However, the young lefty should only be owned in dynasty leagues, as he's expected to pitch out of the bullpen […]

Gary Sanchez Working Out In Florida

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (groin) has been working out in Tampa, Fla., and is scheduled to run on the field. He has been hitting off a tee, doing soft toss and throwing drills, and the team plans to have him fly back to New York on Sunday. While Sanchez does have 14 home […]

Aaron Judge Runs Bases Thursday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (wrist) ran the bases on Thursday as he works on his range of motion. However, he has yet to resume swinging a bat. He'll visit with a team doctor Thursday night. There remains no timetable for the slugger's return. Judge was batting .285/.398/.548 with 26 home runs, 61 RBI […]

Chris Sale Throws Bullpen Thursday

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (shoulder) threw his pre-start bullpen session Thursday and felt fine. He's set to come off the disabled list and start against the Orioles on Sunday. The Cy Young candidate couldn't ask for a better matchup in his return from the DL. He's one of the best pitchers in […]

Carlos Correa Expected To Be Activated Friday

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (back) is with the team on Thursday and is expected to be activated before the game on Friday. Correa has been out since June 25, so he'll be a welcomed addition to the lineup, especially with Jose Altuve and George Springer also sidelined. Correa was hitting .268/.352/.480 with 13 home […]

Anibal Sanchez Should Be Ready For Next Start

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker thinks that starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (calf) will be ready to make his next start after leaving early on Thursday after taking a line drive off his left calf in the second inning. The veteran right-hander tossed two scoreless innings with one strikeout before departing against the Nationals. His ERA […]

Aaron Sanchez Struggles In First Rehab Start

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez (finger) allowed five hits and four runs while walking two and striking out four in three innings in his first rehab start on Thursday in the Gulf Coast League. That's not a very encouraging sign for the 26-year-old, who hasn't pitched for Toronto since June 21. He wasn't […]

Ross Stripling Activated From DL

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated starting pitcher Ross Stripling (toe) from the 10-day disabled list on Thursday and optioned relief pitcher Pat Venditte to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. Stripling was an All-Star but had a 4.73 ERA with six home runs allowed in 26 2/3 innings in his last five starts in […]

Antonio Callaway Expected To Play Thursday

Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway is expected to play in the team's preseason opener on Thursday against the Giants despite being cited for marijuana possession and a suspended driver's license on Sunday, according to a person familiar with the situation. Callaway was promoted to the starting unit when the team traded Corey Coleman […]

Odell Beckham Jr. Not Expected To Play Thursday

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is not expected to play in the preseason opener on Thursday against the Browns, barring a change of decision. OBJ is completely over his broken ankle that limited him to just four games in 2017, but the Giants are taking it slow with him, and he probably […]

Roquan Smith's Holdout Continues

Chicago Bears rookie linebacker Roquan Smith's contract holdout has continued with no end in sight. He remains the only unsigned rookie in the league after being taken eighth overall by the Bears. Part of the reason for his holdout is language in his contract that would allow Chicago to reclaim guaranteed money if he's suspended […]

Dede Westbrook In A Better Place Entering Second Season

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dede Westbrook isn't lost in the playbook and is healthy and confident entering his second season in the NFL. As a rookie he was overwhelmed trying to learn an offense that differed from his college program, and a core muscle injury kept him out of the first nine games. "It's totally […]

Martavis Bryant Shows Well In Practice Wednesday

After being criticized recently by Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, wide receiver Martavis Bryant had an excellent practice against the Lions on Wednesday with several quality receptions that showcased his speed and hands. Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson are ahead of Bryant, and Ryan Switzer has found a home in the slot, leaving Bryant […]

Stefon Diggs, Xavier Rhodes Disciplined Wednesday

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs and cornerback Xavier Rhodes were held out of practice by head coach Mike Zimmer on Wednesday after arguing. “They did not make me happy,” Zimmer said, confirming that it was his decision that both players did not practice. “It’s not injury related.” There's really nothing to see here. Both […]

Eric Decker Could Benefit From Familiarity With Josh McDaniels

New England Patriots wide receiver Eric Decker could have a leg up for the slot role to begin the season due to his familiarity with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels from their days in Denver. Decker was drafted by McDaniels in 2010 and spent his rookie year learning from him. “He’s a smart guy,” said head […]

Tom Brady To Have Contract Adjusted

The New England Patriots are expected to make adjustments to quarterback Tom Brady's contract, according to a source. He's scheduled to make $15 million this year, and the team will be adding performance-based incentives to bring him closer to his market value. Brady is entering his age-41 season but hasn't shown any signs of slowing […]

Chris Carson Looks To Be No. 1 Back

Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson has been the team's clear lead back in training camp and is getting first-team repetitions. "He reminds me a lot of Fred Taylor. That's a good comparison for him," linebacker K.J. Wright said. "Fred Taylor was just all cut up and kind of stickily built. He's just straight-ahead, man, […]

Rams Plan To Move Brandin Cooks Around

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said the team plans on moving wide receiver Brandin Cooks all around the field this year. "But I think, as we get more comfortable with understanding what exactly does Brandin do best, there's a lot of ways that we anticipate using him: moving him around the formation, not […]

Ryan Switzer Could Have Big Role

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Ryan Switzer has impressed head coach Jon Gruden and has shown more than the coaches expected out of the slot. Gruden isn't sold on Martavis Bryant and Jordy Nelson is in his age-33 season. Switzer is a lock to make the team because of his role on special teams, and he […]

Mike Williams Has Big Red-Zone Role

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams said he's being used often in the red zone and is gaining chemistry with quarterback Philip Rivers. "I've got a big role in the red zone right now," Williams said. "Henry was a big red zone threat, and that's a spot where I can help. So we're working […]

Jerick McKinnon May Not Be Bell-Cow Running Back

San Francisco 49ers running back Jerick McKinnon, who is being hyped up in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, may not be a bell-cow running back, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Dan Graziano. Backup Matt Breida should still have a role, and there could be some weeks where Breida is the early-down back over McKinnon. The […]

Jimmy Garoppolo More Comfortable With Offense

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo says he's much more comfortable running the offense this year. "Sometimes, he would call something, and I'd be in the game like, 'I'm not sure what this side has, but I know what this side has, so we're going to run it to this side. So now it's full […]

Kirk Cousins Needs To Improve His Freelancing

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins admitted that he'd like to get better outside of the pocket when a play breaks down. "I'd love to be a better quarterback off-schedule when the pocket breaks down," Cousins said. "Although, I have been a very good quarterback, I believe, on keepers, meaning bootlegs outside the pocket, which are […]

Julio Jones Focused On Fixing Red-Zone Woes

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is adamant about fixing the team's red-zone woes from last season. "It's very important for me and Matt to be on the same page down there in the red zone," Jones said. "Over the years, I have the ability to make plays, and he has the ability to put […]

Aaron Slegers Suffers Setback In Rehab

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Aaron Slegers (shoulder) was pulled off his rehab assignment after feeling pain in his shoulder. An MRI exam showed only inflammation, but he's being shut down for now. Slegers has made just three appearances over 12 2/3 innings in the majors this year and has a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and […]