Baker Mayfield Making Consistent Progress

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to impress the coaching staff after one week in the preseason. “He’s made consistent progress, and that’s a good sign,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said Wednesday before the 15th practice of training camp. “But, for his first game, he had an opportunity to get out there and run […]

Sam Darnold Looks Poised To Be Starter

New York Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold is in line to make his first preseason start Thursday against the Redskins, and the Jets have been privately giddy about him. He's been the real deal, and barring a deer-in-the-headlights moment in the next couple of weeks, it'd be an upset if Darnold isn't the team's Week […]

Several Jets Players Won't Play Thursday

New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell (head), wide receivers Quincy Enunwa (thumb) and Terrelle Pryor (ankle) and tight end Chris Herndon are not expected to play in the preseason game on Thursday. All of these players should be fine, but the Jets are just being cautious with several weeks to go before the regular […]

A.J. Green Not Planning On Slowing Down

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, who is now 30 and is the oldest receiver on the team by six years, said he still has a lot left in the tank. “I ain’t an old man,” Green said. “I've always got juice. I've had it for a long time. I'm not going anywhere any time […]

Ben Roethlisberger Out Of Concussion Protocol

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (head) is no longer in the concussion protocol. Big Ben is fine, although he's still unlikely to play in the second preseason game this week. The oft-injured quarterback needs to take better care of his body as he ages, and that's one of the biggest reasons why he's not as […]

Saquon Barkley Sitting Out Of Practice

New York Giants rookie running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) is sitting out of practice for the third straight day on Thursday. The Giants are being extra cautious with their stud rookie, and it's probably unlikely that he'll play in the second preseason game on Friday. Barkley was as advertised in the first preseason game and […]

Odell Beckham Jr. Not Worried About Contract

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. isn't worried about long-term contract extension talks. "I definitely think it's going to work itself out. When is it going to happen? You don't know ... It's a matter of time, just like everything in life," Beckham said. He's likely to continue to sit out preseason games […]

Rex Burkhead, Sony Michel Not Expected To Play Thursday

New England Patriots running backs Rex Burkhead and Sony Michel (knee) are not expected to play in the preseason game against the Eagles on Thursday. The Patriots are just being cautious here, and Michel might not play at all in the preseason. That'll obviously hurt his fantasy stock going into the season in what'll be […]

Tom Brady Expected To Play Thursday

The plan is for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (back) to play in the preseason game on Thursday against the Eagles, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he plays deep into the first half. Brady was dealing with a minor back injury last week and was unsurprisingly held out of the first preseason […]

Jhoulys Chacin To Start Sunday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin will start against the Cardinals in the series finale on Sunday. Chase Anderson will be pushed back to Monday against the Reds to get some extra rest. Chacin has been the much more reliable pitcher this year for the Brew Crew and is 12-4 with a 3.72 ERA, 1.19 […]

Griff Whalen Working Ahead Of Ryan Switzer

Both Oakland Raiders wide receivers Griff Whalen and Ryan Switzer have been working out of the slot, but Whalen has worked ahead of Switzer in practices. The two are both undersized slot men with experience in the return game. “It’s neck-and-neck with those guys. When Seth Roberts gets back, it’s a very competitive position at […]

Seth Roberts A Trade Candidate

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Seth Roberts is an obvious trade candidate, and the Raiders could be off the hook for his $2.25 million salary. He hasn't been healthy in training camp, although he returned to practice Wednesday. Ryan Switzer and Griff Whalen have handled most of the slot work in Roberts' absence. It seems as […]

Astros Option Derek Fisher

The Houston Astros optioned outfield prospect Derek Fisher to Triple-A Fresno after the game on Thursday in anticipation of outfielder George Springer (thumb) coming off the disabled list. Fisher has a promising future in the long term, but he's the odd man out in a crowded Houston outfield with Springer set to return. The left-handed […]

Zach Eflin To Start Game 2 Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin will be recalled to start Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Mets on Thursday. The 24-year-old has posted an 8-4 record, 3.57 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and career-high 8.5 K/9 over 16 starts for the Phils this year and will absolutely be a fine starting option for fantasy owners […]

X-Rays Negative On Jeremy Hellickson

X-rays came back negative on Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (wrist) after he was injured during his start on Wednesday against the Cardinals. However, manager Dave Martinez said Hellickson is stiff, and they will determine if a disabled list stint is necessary depending on how he feels Thursday. The veteran allowed three hits and […]

Julio Urias Allows Two Runs In Rehab Outing

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias (shoulder) allowed two hits and two runs while hitting a batter and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday. Urias is slowly making his way back from left shoulder surgery but is expected to contribute for the Dodgers in a relief role […]

Brendan Rodgers Lands On DL In Minors

Colorado Rockies shortstop prospect Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) landed on the disabled list with Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Rodgers is the team's No. 1 prospect and was hitting .271 with 17 home runs, 64 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 103 combined games between Double-A Hartford and Albuquerque this season. This could hurt his chances of […]

Ryne Stanek To Open For Rays Friday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryne Stanek will "open" against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Stanek has a 2.45 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and enticing 11.7 K/9 overall in 39 outings (19 starts). He's been a little better as a reliever but hasn't been bad as a starter, either (2.51 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 12.6 K/9). However, […]

Tommy Pham Activated From DL

The Tampa Bay Rays activated outfielder Tommy Pham (foot) from the disabled list on Wednesday and optioned pitcher Jake Faria to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Pham had played in only two games for the Rays before being injured after being acquired at the trade deadline. He's been somewhat of a disappointment with his […]

X-Rays Negative On Ronald Acuna

Atlanta Braves rookie outfielder Ronald Acuna's (elbow) X-rays on his left elbow came back negative after he left the game in the first inning after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday. He underwent a CT scan as well, and those results will be announced Thursday. While it's good news, Acuna isn't out of the […]

Jeremy Hellickson Injured Wednesday

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson (wrist) exited his start early on Wednesday with an injury to his right wrist. Hellickson injured himself after throwing a wild pitch and covering home plate. The veteran right-hander had allowed three hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out two in 4 1/3 innings against […]

X-Rays Negative On Matt Carpenter

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (hand) left the game early after being hit by a pitch on his right hand on Wednesday, but X-rays came back negative. His fantasy owners just took a collective sigh of relief, but Carpenter could still wind up missing some games. He was hitless in four plate appearances with […]

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 […]