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 […]

Antonio Senzatela To Start Saturday

Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (shoulder) will come off the disabled list to start on Saturday against the Braves. Starting pitcher Chad Bettis will likely head to the bullpen to make room. Senzatela has pitched to a 4.56 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 7.0 K/9 in 15 outings (five starts). He's been more effective as a […]

Jose Altuve To Take Batting Practice Wednesday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (knee) will take batting practice on the field on Wednesday. It's a big step for Altuve, who has been slow to recover from a knee injury that has kept him out since July 26. Barring any setbacks, the pint-sized second baseman should be able to return to the Houston […]

Ranger Suarez To Make A Start Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez will be called up to start one of the games of a doubleheader against the Mets on Thursday. Suarez allowed six hits (two home runs) and four earned runs in five innings in a win in his major league debut against the Reds on July 26. The left-hander has […]

Seahawks Expect Rashaad Penny To Be Ready For Week 1

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll expects rookie running back Rashaad Penny (finger) to be ready for Week 1. Penny had surgery to fix a broken finger on Wednesday and is expected to be out three to four weeks, which would put him right on the cusp of the regular season opener against Denver. Penny […]

CC Sabathia Doesn't Plan To Be Out Long

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (knee) plans to play catch on Wednesday now that the swelling has gone down in his knee. "I told Booney I could probably make my next start and push through," Sabathia said. "I'm just trying to listen to my body when it needs time and not try to […]

Luis Cessa Starting Wednesday

The New York Yankees are calling up pitcher Luis Cessa to make the start against the Rays on Wednesday in place of CC Sabathia (knee). Cessa has a 2.55 ERA through 24 2/3 innings with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this year. He was chosen over Sonny Gray, who was recently demoted to the bullpen. Sabathia doesn't plan […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Likely To Make Rehab Start Monday

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle), who tossed a successful simulated game Wednesday, is likely to make his first rehab start on Monday. Rodriguez threw 50 pitches on Wednesday, so he's definitely close to making a return to Boston's rotation as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks on his rehab assignment. The […]

Carlos Henderson Suspended One Game

Denver Broncos wide receiver Carlos Henderson has been suspended one game by the NFL for a violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. Henderson hasn't even reported to training camp, so obviously he's a long shot to crack the 53-man roster. He was reportedly dealing with a personal matter, but his drug-related issue doesn't help matters. […]

Ryan Braun Exits Early Wednesday

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun (rib cage) left the game early on Wednesday with right rib cage tightness. It's unclear how severe his injury is, but given Braun's troubles with injuries, it might be smart to plan for him to land on the disabled list. He was hitless in two plate appearances before departing. Braun […]

Chris Harris Jr., Shaquil Barrett Dealing With Injuries

Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (oblique) and defensive end Shaquil Barrett (hamstring) are both dealing with injuries, but head coach Vance Joseph is hopeful that both will be able to play in the preseason game Saturday against the Bears. Harris is one of the better cover corners in the NFL and is now the […]

Alex Okafor Injured Wednesday

New Orleans Saints defensive end Alex Okafor suffered an undisclosed injury in practice on Wednesday and limped off the field under his own power. This is notable since Okafor is coming off a torn Achilles he suffered in Week 11 last year. Before his injury, he had 43 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Throws Simulated Game

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (ankle) threw 50 pitches in a four-inning simulated game on Wednesday and looked sharp. His next step is likely to pitch in a minor league rehab game. E-Rod is making good progress and should be able to rejoin the rotation before the end of the month. That's good […]