Will Smith With No Setbacks

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith (elbow) said he hasn't had any setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and recently threw his seventh bullpen session. However, he's unsure if he'll be ready for opening day, and the training staff is being cautious with him. It's hard to say how Smith will fare […]

Miguel Sano Expected To Be At Camp On Time

Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano (shin) is expected to report to spring camp on time, and he's currently working out in the Dominican Republic. He will be limited early in camp, but he's expected to be ready for the start of the season. Before his shin injury last year, Sano was an elite power […]

Diamondbacks Looking For Ways To Keep J.D. Martinez

The Arizona Diamondbacks remain engaged in talks to re-sign free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez, even though the Red Sox remain the clear favorite for his services. Martinez's agent, Scott Boras, recently had an in-person meeting with Arizona owner Ken Kendrick as the sides try to find common ground. With the Diamondbacks not having as much of […]

Preston Brown Hopes To Re-Sign

Buffalo Bills impending free-agent linebacker Preston Brown, who led the NFL with 144 tackles in 2017, would like to re-sign with the team. "In the exit meeting [after Buffalo's playoff loss to Jacksonville], coach made it sound like they wanted me back," Brown told ESPN. "He said some things that sounded like that. But you […]

Eli Apple, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie In Danger Of Being Cut

New York Giants cornerbacks Eli Apple and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are candidates to be released this offseason. Apple is an extremely athletic 22-year-old former first-round pick, but his immaturity issues have caused a rift in the locker room and with coaches. He'll cost $4.13 million on the salary cap, and the Giants would be hit with […]

Brandon Marshall, Dwayne Harris Could Be Cap Casualties

New York Giants wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Dwayne Harris could be in danger of being cut to save salary cap space this offseason. Marshall is 33 years old and played in just five games in 2017 before landing on Injured Reserve with an ankle injury. Even when he was on the field he wasn't […]

Giants Name Mike Shula As Offensive Coordinator

The New York Giants have hired Mike Shula as their new offensive coordinator, according to sources. Shula was an offensive assistant when David Gettleman was the general manager in Carolina, so this makes sense. Shula could take a back seat to new head coach Pat Shurmur in terms of play calling, however. New York's biggest […]

Red Sox Offer To J.D. Martinez Around $100 Million

The Boston Red Sox's current five-year offer to free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez is in the vicinity of $100 million, closer to that mark than the $125 million figure that has been reported, according to major league sources. Boston covets Martinez's power bat in the middle of their lineup, but they are hesitant to bid against […]

Yankees To Attend Tim Lincecum's Showcase

The New York Yankees will attend free-agent starting pitcher Tim Lincecum's showcase this week, according to sources. The Padres and Giants are also known to be interested in the veteran two-time Cy Young winner. He reportedly has gained some velocity on his fastball in recent workouts and looks to be in better shape, but he […]

Luke Kuechly Underwent Shoulder Surgery

Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (shoulder) is recovering from shoulder surgery that kept him out of the Pro Bowl, according to a league source. The surgery was done on his right shoulder. Kuechly had left shoulder surgery for a torn labrum two years ago after the 2015 season. He remains one of the best all-around […]

Kareem Hunt Involved In Off-Field Incident

A woman told police that Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt "shoved and pushed" her in a weekend dispute in downtown Cleveland, according to the police report. However, no charges have been filed as of Monday. There are varying accounts of the incident, with one report listing Hunt as a suspect and another report […]

Brandon Maurer's Arbitration Hearing Set For Thursday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer's salary arbitration hearing is scheduled for Thursday. He is asking for $3.5 million, while the Royals countered at $2.95 million. The Royals have never gone to an arbitration hearing under general manager Dayton Moore. Maurer had 20 saves with the Padres in 2017 before being traded to KC, […]

Brewers, Twins May Be Finalists For Jake Arrieta

With starting pitcher Yu Darvish signing with the Cubs over the weekend, the market for free-agent starter Jake Arrieta is clearing up, and the Brewers and Twins appear to be the two favorites for his services, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. The Nationals, Phillies and Cardinals are also possible landing […]

Broncos Could Use Second-Round Tender On Shaquil Barrett

With Denver Broncos linebacker Shaquil Barrett being a restricted free agent this offseason, The Denver Post's Nick Kosmider guesses that the team will place a second-round tender on Barrett like they did with linebackers Todd Davis and Brandon Marshall before the 2016 season. Barrett missed most of training camp with an injury last year, but […]

Jordan Zimmermann Receives Injection In Back

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (back, neck) recently visited with Dr. Andrew Dossett and received an injection in his back instead of his neck. As a result, he will resume his throwing program Tuesday. Zimmermann is dealing with a couple of bulging discs in his back, but he said he feels "100 times better" […]

Collin McHugh's Arbitration Hearing To Take Place Tuesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Collin McHugh's salary-arbitration hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Phoenix. The right-hander asked for $5 million, but the Astros countered with $4.55 million. McHugh's 2017 season was essentially lost after he didn't make his season debut until July 22. When he did pitch, though, he was better than he was in […]

Mike Evans To Play Out Fifth-Year Option

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, said that he and his client are in no rush to sign an extension. Evans is currently set to play the 2018 season under his $13.2 million fifth-year option, and Gilmore said they aren't negotiating a long-term contract extension with the team right now. Evans […]

Casey Hayward In Line For Extension?

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward will make $4.25 million in 2018 in the final year of a three-year deal, and the Chargers could consider offering him a contract extension after he finished with four interceptions and was second in the league with 26 pass breakups while earning his second Pro Bowl invite. He was […]

Marshawn Lynch Meets With Jon Gruden

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch and new head coach Jon Gruden have met at the team's headquarters on multiple occasions, according to a source familiar with the situation. Lynch's agent, Doug Hendrickson, refuted the notion that Lynch has been blowing off Gruden. After missing all of 2016, the soon-to-be 32-year-old didn't have a bad […]

Matt Wieters Expected To Be In Platoon

Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters is expected to be involved in more of a platoon situation behind the plate in 2018, with Pedro Severino the favorite to win the backup job. Severino must beat out Miguel Montero for the backup job in spring training, and Washington believes that Severino is ready to become a full-time […]

Zack Greinke Has Impressive Streak Going

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke has gone 445 1/3 innings over 70 regular season starts since the last time he hit a batter. The last time he plunked a hitter was Mets outfielder Michael Conforto on July 26 of 2015. It's the longest active streak for a pitcher in the big leagues. The all-time […]

Josh McDaniels Received No Assurances Of Replacing Bill Belichick

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels didn't receive any assurances that he would succeed head coach Bill Belichick after he retired. Belichick did offer to include McDaniels on more of the inner workings of the organization, from roster construction to salary-cap related decisions, which was viewed as "extremely valuable" to McDaniels. A source also […]

Dion Sims Could Be Roster Casualty

Chicago Bears tight end Dion Sims, who was signed to an $18 million deal over three years with $10 million guaranteed, could be a candidate for release this offseason after catching just 15 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. The Bears expected Sims to be much more involved in the passing […]

Colts To Interview Leslie Frazier On Saturday

The Indianapolis Colts will interview Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for their head coaching gig on Saturday, according to a source. Frazier didn't have much success as Minnesota's head coach, but the Colts aren't really in a place to be picky after Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels backed out of a deal earlier this week. […]

Darrelle Revis Released By Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs released veteran cornerback Darrelle Revis on Thursday. Revis sat out most of the 2017 season before signing a two-year deal with KC on Nov. 23, and he played in just five games with two starts. Revis was once one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, but at age 32, he's […]

Nationals Could Pursue Jake Arrieta

The Washington Nationals could pursue free-agent starting pitcher Jake Arrieta given the relationship between owner Tom Werner and Arrieta's agent, Scott Boras. The Nationals showed interest in Arrieta during the winter meetings, but there has been no indication that the two sides have been engaged in active negotiations. General manager Mike Rizzo said he'd be […]

Ronald Acuna Could Force Braves Hand

Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Ronald Acuna, who is ranked as the No. 2 prospect by MLB.com entering the year, could force the team's hand if he dazzles in spring training camp. The 20-year-old is a five-tool talent that would secure an extra season of control if he starts the year with Triple-A Gwinnett, but he […]

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton To See Time In Left Field

New York Yankees outfielders Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will see time in left field this spring under the tutelage of new first base coach and outfield instructor Reggie Willits. Both Judge and Stanton have predominantly played right field in their major league careers, with Stanton playing all but one big league inning in right […]

Yu Darvish's Strikeout Rate Is Impressive

Free-agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish has struck out 29.7 percent of the batters he's faced in his career, which is the highest rate in history for a starter with at least 500 innings, ahead of Chris Sale (29.2 percent), Stephen Strasburg (29.0 percent) and Randy Johnson (28.6 percent). Darvish is only behind Max Scherzer (30.4 […]

Titans Offense Planning To Be More Aggressive

Under new Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur, the team's offense in 2018 under quarterback Marcus Mariota figures to be more aggressive downfield. LaFleur intends to tailor the offense to Mariota's abilities, which should include a heavy dose of play-action. He also excels using read-option or run-pass option plays where he can utilize his legs. […]