About Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Patriots Sign Ja'Whaun Bentley To Two-Year Extension
The New England Patriots agreed to a two-year, $18.75 maximum extension on Thursday with linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, according to sources. The deal includes $9 million fully guaranteed. Bentley earned the extension by recording a team-high 125 tackles (62 solo), career-high three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in 17 games for the Patriots in... Read More
Mike Jackson Making Strong Case To Remain A Regular
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Mike Jackson seemed destined for a backup role despite a solid showing as a first-year starter in 2022 when the team selected Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick in this year's NFL draft. However, Jackson is making a strong case to remain a regular on defense this year, perhaps as the... Read More
Puka Nacua Has Picked Up The Offense Quickly
Los Angeles Rams rookie fifth-round wide receiver Puka Nacua earned steady praise from head coach Sean McVay, quarterback Matthew Stafford and fellow receiver Cooper Kupp during offseason workouts. The BYU product seems to have picked up the offense quickly and has a knack for getting open, which bodes well for him carving out a role... Read More
SirVocea Dennis Battling For Third Inside Linebacker Job
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fifth-round rookie linebacker SirVocea Dennis got ESPN.com's Jenna Laine's attention this offseason for a defense that has struggled to get interceptions. Dennis is known more for his pass-rushing ability than his coverage skills in college at Pittsburgh, but he had two pick-sixes during offseason practices -- one in rookie minicamp and one... Read More
Foster Moreau Could Compete For Targets With Juwan Johnson
New Orleans Saints tight end Foster Moreau had 12 touchdowns in four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, but nobody knew when he'd be returning to football after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in the offseason. But he wasn't limited in organized team activities and minicamp and was a frequent target of quarterback Derek Carr... Read More
Diontae Johnson Building Chemistry With Kenny Pickett
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who disappointed in 2022 in the first season without Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback, thinks having stability and a working relationship with second-year QB Kenny Pickett will be a big advantage as he looks to bounce back in 2023. "Repetition is for real," Johnson said. The 26-year-old had more of... Read More
Nicholas Petit-Frere Suspended Six Games For Gambling
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere is being suspended six games for violating the league's gambling policy. Petit-Frere is adamant that he didn't bet on NFL games, but he is being suspended by the NFL for betting on other sports at the workplace. The 23-year-old former third-round pick last year out of Ohio State made... Read More
Isaiah Rodgers Sr., Rashod Berry Waived After Suspensions
The Indianapolis Colts waived cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. and defensive end Rashod Berry on Thursday after it was announced that they have been suspended indefinitely by the league through at least the 2023 season for betting on NFL games last season. Free-agent defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor has also been suspended. It's bad timing for Rodgers,... Read More
Corey Seager Not In Rangers Lineup Thursday
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is out of the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. In his place, Josh H. Smith will start at shortstop and bat ninth against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson. It will just be a normal day of rest for Seager, who has been one of the best all-around... Read More
Oneil Cruz Throwing Up To 75 Feet
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (leg) is playing catch up to 75 feet and is gaining confidence, strength and range of motion in his rehab from surgery in early April to fix a fractured fibula. Cruz still has a long ways to go before the Pirates think about returning him from the injured list. Barring... Read More
Bryan Reynolds Hits On The Field Thursday
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (back) hit on the field on Thursday and will return from the 10-day injured list "in the coming days." Reynolds said himself that he's hoping to return on Friday for the start of a big series against the Milwaukee Brewers. Even if the 28-year-old isn't able to return Friday, he... Read More
Ke'Bryan Hayes Expected To Miss Minimum Time On Injured List
The Pittsburgh Pirates expect third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) to miss the minimum time on the 10-day injured list after he was placed on it on Wednesday with a lower-back injury. Hayes hadn't played since last Saturday, so the Pirates decided to give him a little rest. But the 26-year-old should be able to rejoin... Read More
Jonah Heim Getting A Breather Against Tigers
Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim will be given the day off on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers. Heim will get a day to rest after serving as the starting catcher for each of the team's last five games. He went 6-for-19 (.316) in those five contests with a homer, RBI, double and a run scored... Read More
Guardians Option Logan Allen To Triple-A
The Cleveland Guardians optioned rookie left-hander Logan Allen to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday and recalled pitcher Michael Kelly from the minors in a corresponding move. Allen tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday while walking two and striking out five, but he wasn't very efficient at all. The 24-year-old southpaw... Read More
Michael Wacha Throwing Bullpen Thursday
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael Wacha (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session on Thursday before the team's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. With Yu Darvish (illness) questionable to make his next start this weekend on the road against the Cincinnati Reds, the Padres are really hoping Wacha's bullpen goes well so he can... Read More
Fernando Tatis Jr. Leading Off On Thursday
San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff for the Friars on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz. Ha-Seong Kim, who had hit leadoff the last couple days, will drop to seventh in the batting order while starting at second base. With... Read More
Marquis Haynes Sr. Stands Out This Offseason
ESPN.com's David Newton writes that nobody stood out more this offseason in the Carolina Panthers' quest to find an edge rusher opposite Brian Burns than sixth-year outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr. He was constantly in the face of rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who said Haynes has "been great." The Panthers are still expected to add... Read More
Josh Ali Steps Up Out Of Nowhere
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Josh Ali, who was on the practice squad last year after suffering a knee injury late in his college career at Kentucky, has stood out this offseason in a wide open receiver room after Drake London. Ali worked a lot with quarterback Desmond Ridder in 2022, and their chemistry was obvious... Read More
Josh Metellus Moving To Slot Corner?
Minnesota Vikings defensive back Josh Metellus has been a backup safety and special teams ace in his first three seasons in the NFL, but Minnesota's new defensive staff made a clear effort to find him a place to play this offseason. Metellus worked extensively as the slot cornerback in the team's nickel set during offseason... Read More
Ifeatu Melifonwu Making Serious Progress At Safety
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu was limited to 17 total games in his first two NFL seasons due to injuries, but head coach Dan Campbell said he's seen growth in the 2021 third-round selection. Melifonwu made the switch from cornerback to safety before his second season, and he's making serious progress in adapting to the... Read More
Tyrique Stevenson Looks Primed To Start
Chicago Bears rookie second-round cornerback Tyrique Stevenson quickly grabbed hold of first-team repetitions in offseason practices this spring and looks primed to start opposite Jaylon Johnson in his first NFL season. The former Miami product's confidence is "a little bit ahead" of that of a typical rookie, according to head coach Matt Eberflus, and it... Read More
Khaleke Hudson Impresses Coaches This Spring
Washington Commanders linebacker Khaleke Hudson has been a backup/special-teamer in his first three NFL seasons, but he worked with the starters during spring practices in part because Jamin Davis was recovering from offseason knee surgery and free-agent signee Cody Barton was working with backups as he learned the defense. Hudson impressed the coaching staff and... Read More
Christian Elliss Makes Highlights In Offseason
Philadelphia Eagles third-year linebacker Christian Elliss made several highlight plays during offseason practices in the spring, including intercepting quarterback Jalen Hurts and returning it for a touchdown during 7-on-7 drills on the final day of organized team activities. The Eagles lost both of their starting linebackers in free agency this offseason, so it would be... Read More
Darren Waller A Difference-Maker For Giants Offense
ESPN New York's Jordan Raanan writes that it took all of one play this offseason to see the difference that tight end Darren Waller can make for the New York Giants offense this year. On the first play of organized team activities with the media in attendance, Waller blew by the nickel cornerback and caught... Read More
Domingo German Makes History Wednesday Night
New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German accomplished what only 23 other pitchers have ever done in the history of the game on Wednesday night when he tossed a perfect game in the 11-0 win over the Oakland Athletics. In doing so, he struck out nine of the 27 batters he faced. What a turnaround... Read More
Braves Option Jared Shuster To Triple-A
The Atlanta Braves optioned rookie left-hander Jared Shuster to Triple-A Gwinnett following their game on Wednesday. It comes after the young southpaw allowed four runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out two in just 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Cincinnati Reds on June 24. Shuster certainly has things to... Read More
Blue Jays Expect Alek Manoah To Pitch In Big Leagues Again This Year
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he "absolutely" expects right-hander Alek Manoah to pitch in the big leagues again this season. Manoah has a bullpen session coming up on Friday, after which the team will determine where he will pitch next. It's hard to imagine right now after the 25-year-old coughed up a... Read More
Jose Urquidy Throws Bullpen Session
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (shoulder) said he felt good after throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday. Urquidy hasn't pitched since April 30, though, while dealing with right-shoulder inflammation, and he's going to need some time to build his arm back up. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect the 28-year-old to return until after the All-Star... Read More
Michael Brantley Hits Again Wednesday
Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) hit on the field on Tuesday and hit in the batting cages on Wednesday. He was also fielding balls in left field before Wednesday's game. Believe it or not, but Brantley has yet to play in a game in 2023 after having shoulder surgery last August. The 36-year-old was... Read More
Yordan Alvarez Hits Off Tee Wednesday
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (oblique) hit off a tee on Wednesday and also did soft toss in the batting cages. Alvarez has been out since early June with a right-oblique strain, but he's making some progress. There's still no timetable for his return to the Astros' lineup, though, and fantasy managers shouldn't get... Read More