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 […]

Adalberto Mejia To Throw Long Toss Thursday

With the swelling in Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia's wrist down, he will do some long tossing on Thursday and throw a bullpen session on Friday. A decision will be made after that if he can make his next start on Sunday against the Tigers. The left-hander tossed five scoreless innings against the first-place […]

Elehuris Montero Promoted To High-A

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Elehuris Montero was promoted to High-A Palm Beach a day after he was named Midwest Player of the Month for July. The 19-year-old hit a league-best .321 in 102 games with Single-A Peoria with 15 home runs, 28 doubles, 69 RBI and a .910 OPS. Montero is ranked as the […]

Nolan Gorman Promoted To Single-A

St. Louis Cardinals first-round pick Nolan Gorman has been promoted from the Rookie League to Single-A Peoria after hitting .345 with 11 home runs in 37 games with Johnson City. Gorman is ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect despite being just 18 years old. MLB.com already has him as the No. 100 prospect in […]

Austin Hays Back In Action At Double-A

Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Austin Hays (ankle), who was out for two months with a lingering ankle injury, returned to Double-A Bowie this week. Hays took the time off to refocus mentally and mechanically, and he seems to be in a much better place with his approach at the plate. He's hitting .223 with six […]

Christian Vazquez Working Out In Florida

Boston Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez (pinkie) is working out in Florida during the team's road trip. He's been out since July 8 with a broken right pinkie that needed surgery. Vazquez was batting just .213/.249/.300 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 60 games before his injury. He's more of a defensive player. […]

Ian Kinsler To Rehab At Single-A

Boston Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler (hamstring) will work with Single-A Lowell over the weekend and then join the team in Philadelphia on Tuesday. He is eligible to return from the disabled list on Wednesday, but the Red Sox may wait a few extra days to make sure he's fully recovered. Kinsler only played […]

Blake Swihart To Take Swings Friday

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (hamstring) will meet up with the team on Friday to take live batting practice on Friday. If all goes well, it appears that the team will activate Swihart from the disabled list next Tuesday when he's eligible. The 26-year-old has hit just .226 with one homer, six RBI and […]

Leonys Martin Placed On DL

Cleveland Indians outfielder Leonys Martin (illness) was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with a non-baseball condition. He did not play due to a stomach illness on Wednesday. He was hitting .333 with two home runs and four RBI in six games since being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline. Outfielder […]

Dalvin Cook Confident And Ready

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (knee) is very ready to begin the season after missing most of his rookie year in 2017 with a torn ACL. "I'm a thousand-percent confident in what I got going," Cook assured NFL Network's Stacey Dales on Wednesday's edition of NFL Total Access. "I put enough work and enough […]

Kendall Wright Could Be Game-Day Inactive Often

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Kendall Wright doesn't do much on special teams, so head coach Mike Zimmer hinted that Wright could be inactive on game days. "Probably won't be dressed on game day," Zimmer said. "I can't dress six WRs on game day and they don't help us on special teams." The 28-year-old has one […]

Frank Gore Impressed By Kenyan Drake

Miami Dolphins veteran running back Frank Gore is impressed by fellow teammate Kenyan Drake. “I was like, ‘Man, I kinda see why they traded Jay Ajayi,’” Gore said. “He’s very talented. Jay Ajayi was a great back, too, but Kenyan is a very talented guy. He’s smart. He can do everything on the field. I […]