Ryan Madson To Close For Nats

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ryan Madson will move into the closer's role, but the team will watch his workload like usual. Koda Glover, who was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday, could also be used in high-leverage situations. Madson has a 4.32 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings this year and […]

Sean Doolittle Throwing Off Flat Ground Wednesday

Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle (foot) threw off flat ground without a boot on Wednesday and was encouraged with how he felt. However, he is aware that he cannot rush himself back. Doolittle was one of the best closers in baseball before his injury, sporting a 1.45 ERA, 0.54 WHIP, 11.8 K/9 and 22 saves. […]

Lewis Brinson Increasing Baseball Activities

Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson (hip), who has been on the disabled list with right hip inflammation since July 4, is increasing weight-bearing activities and has been taking batting practice. Brinson should go on a minor league rehab assignment before he returns. The 24-year-old has hit an ugly .184 with 10 home runs and 30 […]

Yu Darvish Throws Simulated Game Wednesday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (biceps) threw around 31 pitches in a two-inning simulated game on Wednesday. He has not pitched in a game for the Cubs since May 20 due to right biceps tendinitis. Darvish wasn't pitching well before his injury either, going 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in eight […]

Samaje Perine Could Be Odd Man Out

Washington Redskins running back Samaje Perine could be the odd man out for the final roster. Rookie Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson will be their top two backs, and head coach Jay Gruden continues to praise Rob Kelley in training camp. Washington would like to keep either Byron Marshall or Kapri Bibbs as a backup […]

Ryon Healy Leaves Game Early

Seattle Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy left the game early on Wednesday with a heat-related illness. Healy was hitless in two plate appearances before departing and is batting a poor .235 on the year, but he does have 21 home runs and 56 RBI for the Mariners. With Robinson Cano expected to mix in at […]

Donald Penn Asked To Take Pay Cut

Oakland Raiders left tackle Donald Penn (foot), who is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list while recovering from Lisfranc surgery, has been asked to take a "small pay cut," according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. If Penn declines, the Raiders could release him or trade him. Rookie offensive tackle Kolton Miller could […]

Lamar Jackson Struggling On Deep Balls

Baltimore Ravens rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson's spirals have consistently been wobbly throughout training camp, especially on the deep ball. "It's still a work in progress," offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. For all the hype around Jackson pushing Joe Flacco for the starting job, it seems that Jackson has a ways to go. He was considered […]

Hayden Hurst Could Be Immediate Contributor

Baltimore Ravens rookie tight ends Hayden Hurst and Mark Andrews are often featured together in packages with the starting offense, and their size and outside ability can create matchup problems. Hurst has made several big plays and diving catches during joint practices with the Rams this week, and he could contribute immediately if he can […]

Cooper Kupp Has Been Jared Goff's Go-To Guy

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was unstoppable in the team's joint practice with the Ravens on Tuesday and has been the go-to guy for quarterback Jared Goff in 11-on-11 drills. Kupp was a matchup problem for Baltimore and remains in line for a lot of targets in this offense. He and Goff have […]

Kelvin Herrera Placed On DL

The Washington Nationals placed relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera (shoulder) on the disabled list on Wednesday with a right rotator cuff impingement. In a corresponding move, reliever Koda Glove has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse after two years of shoulder problems. Herrera blew the save in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Braves on Tuesday […]

John Hicks Placed On DL

The Detroit Tigers placed catcher/first baseman John Hicks (groin) on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday with a right groin strain. The move is retroactive to Aug. 7. Reliever Daniel Stumpf was also optioned to Triple-A Toledo, while catcher Grayson Greiner and pitcher Artie Lewicki were recalled from Toledo. Since the beginning of July, Hicks […]

Reds Hope To Have Joey Votto Back By Friday

The Cincinnati Reds are hoping to have first baseman Joey Votto (knee) back on Friday when they start a series against the Diamondbacks. Votto sat out Tuesday and Wednesday with a right knee contusion after being hit by a pitch on Saturday. "He felt somewhat, a little better yesterday," manager Jim Riggleman said. "Today with […]

Martavis Bryant Struggling To Pick Up Playbook

Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver James Jones said on NFL Network that wide receiver Martavis Bryant is struggling to learn the team's playbook after talking to offensive coordinator Greg Olson. “They’ve only got him lining up in one spot to try to slow it down and help him out,” Jones said. “They need him to […]

Whitney Mercilus Out With Minor Injury

Houston Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus has been out of practice the last few days with a minor undisclosed soft-tissue injury, and he is not expected to play in the first preseason game on Thursday against the Chiefs. Mercilus is expected to make a full recovery in the preseason. The 28-year-old played in just five games […]

Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani Out Wednesday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (wrist) and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani are not in the starting lineup on Wednesday. Trout has now been out for a week, but the team is expecting him to return sometime this weekend. Eric Young Jr. is starting in center field again and hitting ninth against Tigers starter Blaine […]

Erasmo Ramirez Likely To Make Another Rehab Start

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (shoulder) is likely to make another rehab start this week after his last rehab outing on Sunday didn't go as well as the team would've liked, according to manager Scott Servais. Ramirez last pitched in the big leagues on April 27, so the M's won't rush him back. He […]

Jadeveon Clowney Still Not Practicing In Full

Houston Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee) still hasn't practiced in full two weeks into training camp. Head coach Bill O'Brien said that Clowney is still "trying to work back to football shape" on Sunday. O'Brien said on Tuesday that he thinks Clowney is getting closer. Regardless, O'Brien said he is "not concerned about him." Clowney […]

Rams, Aaron Donald Closer In Contract Talks

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said that the team and defensive tackle Aaron Donald are "in the same zip code, area code, ballpark" in contract extension talks. Donald continues to hold out with no end in sight, but this at least sounds like some progress is being made. The 27-year-old Donald is an […]

Erik Swoope A Trade Candidate?

Indianapolis Colts tight end Erik Swoope is having a strong training camp but is currently behind Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle on the depth chart, making him a strong trade candidate. The Colts also like tight ends Ross Travis and Mo Alie-Cox. Swoope finished the 2016 season strong but missed all of last season with […]

Philip Rivers, Virgil Green Gaining Chemistry

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Virgil Green have been gaining chemistry in training camp practices lately. "(Our connection) is growing,” the quarterback said. “We're working through how I like things, what I'm expecting on certain routes. He's getting a feel for this offense. He was in it similarly with (Mike) McCoy […]

Padres Plan To Bring Up Jacob Nix

The San Diego Padres plan to bring up pitching prospect Jacob Nix later this week to make his major league debut, according to sources. He would be likely to start one of the three games against the Phillies. Nix is the team's 14th-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and has a 1.84 ERA in the minors […]

Adalberto Mejia Confident He'll Make Next Start

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia (wrist) is confident that he'll make his next start on Sunday against the Tigers. Mejia's wrist stinger ran up the outside of his arm, not the inside, which would suggest that he avoided a dreaded UCL injury. The left-hander picked up the win against the Indians on Tuesday by […]

Jed Lowrie Still Feeling Effects Of Mid-July Collision

Oakland Athletics second baseman Jed Lowrie (leg) said he's still feeling the effects of a collision in San Francisco in mid-July. “I haven't been able to do the lower body work that has made me successful. ... I need to build that leg strength back up," Lowrie said. It would help explain why he's hitting […]

Kelvin Herrera To Undergo MRI

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera (shoulder), who has been filling in as the closer in Sean Doolittle's absence, left his outing early on Tuesday with right shoulder tightness and will undergo an MRI exam on Wednesday. Herrera entered a 1-1 game and allowed three hits and two earned runs in just one-third of an […]

Adalberto Mejia Has Wrist Strain

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia (wrist) left his start early with a left wrist strain on Tuesday. He still managed to pick up the win against the Indians by allowing just a single hit while walking one and striking out three in five solid innings. The left-hander is now 2-0 on the season with […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu Gives Up One Run In Rehab Start

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu (groin) allowed just one run on five hits while striking out three in five innings (71 pitches) during his rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Ryu is getting awfully close to being able to rejoin the Dodgers rotation for the stretch run. The Korean left-hander was […]

Marcus Stroman Says He Won't Miss Next Start

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (finger) is confident that he can manage the blister that developed during his start on Tuesday and said, "I won't be missing my next start." He was pulled from the game after giving up just two hits and an unearned run while walking three and fanning four in […]

Rafael Devers To Be Activated Wednesday

The Boston Red Sox will activate third baseman Rafael Devers (hamstring) from the disabled list on Wednesday and will send infielder Tony Renda back to Triple-A Pawtucket in a corresponding move, according to a source. Devers has been up and down with a .245/.295/.425 slash line but does have 15 home runs, 52 RBI and […]

Ben Zobrist Feeling Better After Game

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon said second baseman/outfielder Ben Zobrist (hip) was feeling better by the end of the game on Tuesday, and the manager is optimistic that Zobrist can play Wednesday. Zobrist managed a double, run scored and RBI in three plate appearances before leaving the game as a precaution. Don't be surprised if […]