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, […]

Doug Baldwin Has Grade 2 MCL Tear

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (knee) was diagnosed with a Grade 2 partial tear of his MCL, according to a source. The team is still trying to determine how much time he will miss. Baldwin didn't have a single catch in Week 1 against the Broncos before leaving the game and will likely miss […]

Jeremy Hill's 2018 Season Is Over

New England Patriots running back Jeremy Hill (knee) tore his ACL in Week 1 against the Texans and will miss the rest of the season, according to a source. Hill was expected to fill the short-yardage/goal-line role for the team this season, but that obviously won't happen now. Hill wasn't much of a fantasy option […]

Hayden Hurst, Kenneth Dixon Miss Practice

Baltimore Ravens rookie tight end Hayden Hurst (foot) and running back Kenneth Dixon (knee) were both absent during the team's walkthrough practice on Monday. Neither player is expected to play this Thursday against the Bengals. Nick Boyle had three catches for 40 yards and rookie Mark Andrews had three grabs for 31 yards in the […]

Brandon Morrow To Play Catch Monday

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) said he feels good on Monday after a light bullpen session on Sunday. The right-hander will play catch on Monday. Morrow has been out since before the All-Star break. While he's getting close to a return, manager Joe Maddon is unlikely to immediately re-insert him in the ninth-inning role […]

Kevin Kiermaier Seeing Doctor Monday

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (illness) has shown multiple symptoms and will visit with a doctor on Monday. Manager Kevin Cash is hoping it's no worse than a severe head cold. Depending on the diagnosis, Kiermaier is now in danger of missing more than just one game. He has been red-hot in the month […]

K.J. Wright Unlikely To Return In Week 2

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said linebacker K.J. Wright (knee) will run hard for the first time in practice on Monday, but Carroll said it would be a "miraculous return" if Wright played in Week 2 against the Bears next Monday. Rookie linebacker Shaquem Griffin would likely receiver another start with Wright not expected […]

Deion Jones Misses Practice Monday

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones (foot) did not practice on Monday. Jones had four tackles and an interception in Week 1 against the Eagles last Thursday. It's unclear if he'll be able to play in Week 2 against the Panthers, but if he does, he's a strong IDP choice for fantasy owners.

Kevin Johnson To Be Out A While

Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (concussion) is expected to be out four weeks, and potentially up to six weeks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Johnson has a history of concussions, suffering one on Aug. 18 and in 2017. Aaron Colvin, Kayvon Webster and Johnson Bademosi are potential replacements for Johnson. His absence will weaken […]

Kenley Jansen Will Need Offseason Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (heart) met with a cardiologist that performed his heart surgery last Thursday, and it was determined that he is 100 percent certain that Jansen will have another surgery around two weeks after the season ends. Jansen didn't join the team in Colorado for their weekend series against the Rockies, […]