Vikings Say Sam Darnold "Earned The Right To Be A Free Agent"

In Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell's Coach of the Year news conference, he said, "Our goal is to win a championship and Sam Darnold is going to be a huge part of it when we do it," When asked to clarify, O'Connell said that Darnold has "earned the right to be a free agent, […]

Jhostynxon Garcia Likely To Start In Double-A

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia isn't expected to make his major-league debut until 2026 and will likely start the 2025 season back at Double-A Portland. Per The Athletic's Keith Law, Garcia was ranked as the team's No. 8 prospect last year, and he was added to the […]

Jarren Duran Expected To See More Time In Left Field

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is expected to see more playing time in left field in 2025 with Ceddanne Rafaela in center field. Rafaela was forced to move to shortstop last year out of necessity when Trevor Story suffered a season-ending shoulder injury early in the season. With […]

David Hamilton To Compete For Utility Role

Boston Red Sox middle infielder David Hamilton (finger) carved out a nice little role off the bench for the BoSox last year against right-handed pitchers, but his season ended early due to a broken index finger. Hamilton is a full-go with spring training right around the corner in 2025 and will be looking to carve […]

Angels Sign Carter Kieboom

The Los Angeles Angels signed former Washington Nationals top prospect Carter Kieboom to a minor-league deal that includes a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. The 27-year-old was a former 28th overall pick by the Nats in 2016, and he made his big-league debut in 2019. Kieboom ended up being a big bust for the […]

Masataka Yoshida Not Guaranteed To Be Ready For Opening Day

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) said at Fenway Fest last month that he expected to be swinging by late January and throwing by March, but he didn't want to put a timetable on whether he'd be ready for Opening Day, writes The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey. Yoshida had shoulder surgery last October, with […]

Antonio Gates, Sterling Sharpe Headline 2025 Hall Of Fame Class

Tight end Antonio Gates, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, defensive end Jared Allen and cornerback Eric Allen were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Thursday night as part of the 2025 class. Gates played 14 of his 16 NFL seasons for with the San Diego Chargers before the franchise moved to L.A. for […]

Kevin O'Connell Named Coach Of The Year

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was named the 2024 NFL Coach of the Year on Thursday evening. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell finished in second place in the voting. O'Connell led the Vikings to a surprising 14-3 record in 2024, and they narrowly missed out on the NFC's top seed for the postseason […]

Jared Verse Named Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Los Angeles Rams pass-rusher Jared Verse was named the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday night. The rookie out of Florida State made an immediate impact in his first year in the NFL and totaled 37 first-place votes to beat out Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell. The 19th overall pick finished with 4.5 […]

Patrick Surtain II Named Defensive Player Of The Year

Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II was named the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday night. Surtain tallied 26 first-place votes and became just the second defensive back to win the award since 2010, joining Stephon Gilmore, who won the award as a member of the New England Patriots in 2019. The […]

Josh Allen Named MVP

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was named Most Valuable Player for the 2024 NFL season on Thursday. Allen barely beat out Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson for the first MVP award of his career. Despite losing receivers Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, the 28-year-old signal-caller got even better on his way to completing 64 percent […]

Skyy Moore Limited Again On Thursday

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (abdomen), who remains on Injured Reserve, was listed as limited on Thursday in practice for the second straight day this week. Although the Chiefs opened Moore's practice window to come off IR recently, he has yet to put in a full practice and was listed as doubtful to […]

Brandon Graham Stays Limited On Thursday

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham (elbow) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Since the Eagles opened Graham's practice window to be activated from Injured Reserve last week, he's only been able to put in limited practice sessions. However, he said earlier this week that he remains on track […]

Jalen Carter Back To Full Practice

Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (illness) was feeling better on Thursday and was listed as a full participant after he was limited on Wednesday. Carter hasn't been at either of the media availabilities for Super Bowl LIX this week because of his illness, although his return to a full practice on Thursday means he […]

Kenneth Gainwell Upgrades To Full Practice

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (concussion, knee) upgraded to a full practice on Thursday after he was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Gainwell suffered a concussion in the NFC Championship win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and didn't practice at all last week, putting his status in […]

DeVonta Smith Limited Again On Thursday

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. After not practicing at all last week, Smith wasn't listed on last Friday's final injury report. It means that he will most likely practice in full on Friday and be cleared […]

Commanders Re-Sign Michael Wiley To Futures Deal

The Washington Commanders announced on Thursday that they re-signed running back Michael Wiley to a Reserve/Futures deal. Wiley was an undrafted rookie out of the University of Arizona but eventually found his way onto the Commanders' practice squad during the 2024 season. The 24-year-old never got brought up to the active 53-man roster for a […]

Bub Means Back To Full Speed

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) said that he was cleared from his ankle injury in late January and is back to full speed as he prepares for his sophomore season in 2025. Means suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 8 and then had a setback that cost him the final nine games […]

Adam Thielen Plans To Play In 2025

ESPN's David Newton reports that Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen plans to play in 2025. Thielen said at the end of the 2024 regular season that he was contemplating retirement, but after hinting toward a return recently, it appears that he will indeed return to the team next season. The 34-year-old veteran pass-catcher has […]

MLB Owners To Discuss Push For Salary Cap

The Athletic's Evan Drellich reports that Major League Baseball owners will discuss whether to pursue a salary cap at this week's meetings in Florida. According to people briefed on the talks, opinions among owners are mixed, but time remains to discuss the topic, as the collective bargaining agreement doesn't expire until after the 2026 season. […]

Brooks Baldwin An Option At Shortstop For White Sox

In addition to prospect Colson Montgomery, Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz mentioned Brooks Baldwin, Chase Meidroth and Josh Rojas as options to play shortstop in 2025. Baldwin made his big-league debut in 2024 for the Pale Hose and went 24-for-114 (.211) with two homers, eight RBI and four steals in only 33 games. […]

Cam Smith Expected To Get Plenty Of Run In Grapefruit League

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that he will give the team's young players a long look in spring training, which means infielder Cam Smith, who was acquired from the Cubs in the trade that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago this offseason, should get plenty of run in Grapefruit League action in spring training. […]

Jacob Melton Has Opportunity To Make Impact For Astros

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart mentions outfielders Jacob Melton and Zach Dezenzo as having real opportunities to make an impact at the major-league level in 2025 for the Houston Astros. Per MLB Pipeline, Melton is the club's No. 2 prospect, while Dezenzo checks in at No. 6. Melton could push to make the team out of spring […]

Hayden Wesneski Penciled In As No. 5 Starter

Houston Astros pitchers Framber Valdez, Hunter Brown, Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti -- each of whom made at least 28 starts in 2024 -- are locked into the starting rotation. Right-hander Hayden Wesneski, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs this offseason in the deal that sent outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago, is penciled in […]

Orioles Invite Samuel Basallo To Spring Training

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Thursday that catching prospect Samuel Basallo will be a non-roster invite at major-league spring training this year. Per MLB Pipeline, Basallo is the No. 13 prospect in all of baseball for the 2025 season. In addition to Basallo, outfield prospects Enrique Bradfield and Dylan Beavers will be at spring training. […]

Giants Acquire Osleivis Basabe From Rays

The San Francisco Giants acquired infielder Osleivis Basabe from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Basabe had been designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week. Basabe played in only 78 games in the minors in 2024 due to a […]

Pierce Johnson Will Have Bigger Role In 2025

Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson will be relied on even more in 2025 with Joe Jimenez (knee) expected to miss most of the season after having knee surgery last October. Johnson split primary setup duties in Atlanta's bullpen last year with Jimenez, but he should be the primary late-inning setup man in front of […]

Daysbel Hernandez Could Fill Key Setup Role For Atlanta

The Athletic's David O'Brien writes that Atlanta Braves right-hander Daysbel Hernandez will get a chance to fill a key setup role in the bullpen that opened up when Joe Jimenez had knee surgery in October. As a result, Jimenez is expected to be out for most of the 2025 season. The 28-year-old Hernandez mostly pitched […]

Braves May Lean On Aaron Bummer More In High-Leverage Situations

The Athletic's David O'Brien suggests that the Atlanta Braves will need left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer more in high-leverage situations in 2025 with A.J. Minter gone to the division-rival New York Mets in free agency. Bummer had 69 strikeouts and 18 walks in 55 1/3 innings in his first year with Atlanta in 2024, and his […]

Chadwick Tromp Expected To Be Backup Catcher

Atlanta Braves catcher Chadwick Tromp is expected to open the 2025 season as Sean Murphy's backup now that Travis d'Arnaud is with the Angels, which likely means he'll receive a start or two per week. Tromp had a similar role last year when Murphy missed two months with an injury, and again when d'Arnaud missed […]