Craig Kimbrel Returning To Closer Role Friday

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Craig Kimbrel (back) will return to his normal role as closer on Friday for the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Kimbrel will return to the fold at the back end of Baltimore's bullpen after not appearing in a game since injuring his back last […]

Gabriel Moreno Back For D-Backs On Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (mouth) is back behind the plate and is batting seventh in the lineup on Friday against the San Diego Padres and right-hander Dylan Cease. Moreno had a dental procedure the other day and was held out of lineup on Wednesday, but he's back in there on Friday and is good […]

No Byron Buxton On Friday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Buxton injured his surgically-repaired right knee on a stolen-base attempt on Wednesday and was sent for an MRI exam, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he's not […]

Estevan Florial Getting A Breather Against Angels

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Estevan Florial is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday to begin a series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. With Florial sitting, Jose Ramirez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third, while Gabriel Arias starts at the hot corner and hits eighth against Angels right-hander Jose Soriano. […]

Isaac Paredes Returns To The Lineup Friday

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Isaac Paredes is serving as the team's designated hitter and will bat second on Friday versus left-hander Jose Quintana and the visiting New York Mets. Paredes got the day off in the team's last game on Wednesday due to general body soreness, but he's back in there on Friday as […]

Yasmani Grandal Activated, Henry Davis Sent Down

The Pittsburgh Pirates are activating veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal (foot) from the injured list on Friday and have optioned catcher/outfielder Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move, according to manager Derek Shelton. Grandal is returning from plantar fasciitis in his left foot and will platoon with Joey Bart being the plate moving forward. […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Tyler Stephenson Back In Lineup

As expected, Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand) and catcher Tyler Stephenson (hand) are both back in the lineup on Friday against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and left-hander Cole Irvin. Encarnacion-Strand is at first base and batting fifth, while Stephenson is behind the plate and batting cleanup. Both Encarnacion-Strand and Stephenson hadn't played since […]

No Restrictions For Aaron Rodgers During Offseason Workouts

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said that there will be no restrictions for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) when Phase 3 of the offseason begins in two weeks, which consists of 10 organized team activity practices. "Once phase three hits, we're not anticipating any restrictions from what we can and can't do with him," […]

Jalen Tolbert Expected To Have Bigger Role For Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, who worked as the team's No. 4 wideout in his second season in 2023, is expected to have a bigger role in 2024 alongside CeeDee Lamb and veteran Brandin Cooks. Tolbert essentially split offensive snaps with Michael Gallup last year, but Gallup is now in Las Vegas. In 17 […]

Jaguars Don't Pick Up Mac Jones' Fifth-Year Option

Unsurprisingly, the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't pick up the fifth-year option on new quarterback Mac Jones, who the team acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots this offseason. Jones was New England's first-round pick in 2021 but failed to make an impact as their starter under center. He went to the Pro Bowl as […]

Daniel Bellinger Could Be No. 1 Tight End

Darren Waller's expected retirement could open the door for Daniel Bellinger to become the New York Giants' No. 1 tight end in 2024 like he was as a rookie. Bellinger's receiving opportunities were limited by Waller's presence last year, but the addition of veteran blocking tight ends this offseason should allow Bellinger to be featured […]

Eric Gray Could Have A Bigger Role In 2024

New York Giants running back Eric Gray has a clear path to a bigger role in New York's backfield in his second season in the league now that Saquon Barkley is no longer in town. The Giants signed Devin Singletary to be their No. 1 back, but he's never been the top dog and there […]

Jayden Daniels Has A Chance To Start Immediately

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was taken in this year's draft with the second overall pick, has the experience and ability to give him a chance to start immediately in his first season in 2024, according to multiple sources. "When that time comes, when he's ready, then that's when we'll do it. But […]

Bills Sign Chase Claypool

The Buffalo Bills signed former Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. Even with the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, Claypool could face an uphill battle to crack the top three in Buffalo after the addition of rookie Keon Coleman with the […]

Gary Sanchez Available Off The Bench

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that catcher Gary Sanchez (hamstring) is "good to go" but not at 100 percent yet. Eric Haase is currently with the team as catching insurance, but it sounds like Sanchez is available off the bench for Friday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 31-year-old veteran […]

Steven Matz Lands On Injured List

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 1) on Friday with a lower-back strain. In a corresponding move, right-hander Kyle Leahy was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. It's unclear how long it will take the 32-year-old veteran southpaw to return, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised […]

Kyle Hendricks To Make Another Rehab Start

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Kyle Hendricks' (back) minor-league rehab start with Double-A Tennessee on Thursday was "encouraging," but Hendricks will make another rehab start on Tuesday with Iowa. The 34-year-old veteran gave up two runs while fanning seven batters in five innings for Tennessee on Thursday, but the Cubs want to […]

Justin Steele To Start On Monday

Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) will come off the injured list and start on Monday at Wrigley Field against the visiting San Diego Padres, assuming his bullpen session on Saturday goes well. Steele made just one minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday and gave up three runs on […]

Nationals Not Giving Up On Eddie Rosario

Washington Nationals outfielder Eddie Rosario is hitting .086 in 23 games so far this year, including an 0-for-2 performance with two strikeouts in Thursday's loss to the Texas Rangers. Despite his slow start, manager Dave Martinez plans to stick with the nine-year big-leaguer who has a history of struggling at the plate in March and […]

Jordan Wicks, Drew Smyly Playing Catch

Chicago Cubs left-handers Jordan Wicks (forearm) and Drew Smyly (hip) have been cleared to resume playing catch. Wicks just landed on the 15-day injured list this past Sunday with a left-forearm strain, while Smyly has been out for two weeks due to a right-hip impingement. Wicks' injury is obviously a bit less serious, but it's […]

Seiya Suzuki Taking Batting Practice

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) took batting practice on the field this week and continues to progress from the right-oblique strain that he suffered on April 14. It was the first time that Suzuki took batting practice, so he's certainly getting closer to a return from the injured list. The 29-year-old said he's around […]

Justin Steele To Throw Bullpen Saturday

Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) is slated to throw a bullpen session on Saturday in Chicago and will be re-evaluated from there. Manager Craig Counsell said that Steele had a successful minor-league rehab outing for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday despite giving up three runs on six hits in just 3 1/3 innings pitched. He […]

Nathan Eovaldi Undergoing MRI Exam

Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (groin) is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam on Friday after being forced to leave his start early on Thursday against the visiting Washington Nationals with a groin injury. Manager Bruce Bochy said the club is "being cautious" with the 34-year-old veteran starter, but it doesn't mean the oft-injured pitcher […]

Jackson Chourio Out Again Friday

Milwaukee Brewers rookie outfielder Jackson Chourio will take another day off on Friday for the series opener against the division-rival Chicago Cubs. Infielder Joey Ortiz is also starting on the bench. Chourio is now on the bench for the second straight game as he tries to get through a slump after a strong start to […]

Michael Onwenu Set To Start At Right Tackle

After starting at right tackle, right guard, left guard and as a tackle-eligible tight end in his first four NFL seasons, New England Patriots offensive lineman Michael Onwenu signed a three-year, $57 million contract extension and is now viewed as the team's starting right tackle. He started 10 games at right tackle as a rookie […]

Packers Decline Fifth-Year Option For Eric Stokes

The Green Bay Packers declined the fifth-year option for cornerback Eric Stokes on Thursday, according to a source. The 29th overall pick in 2021 out of Georgia, Stokes played well in his rookie season but has battled injuries the last two years. He will now be slated for free agency next spring and can make […]

Titans To Decline Fifth-Year Option On Caleb Farley

The Tennessee Titans plan to decline the fifth-year option on cornerback Caleb Farley (back), according to a source. It was the expected move for the Titans after Farley played in just 12 games (two starts) since 2021. The former 22nd overall pick in 2021 out of Virginia Tech will now hit the free-agent market after […]

Mason Miller Could Spark Bidding War At Trade Deadline

There has been speculation that Oakland Athletics rookie closer Mason Miller, who has the most pitches at 102-plus mph (19) this year, could be dangled at this summer's trade deadline. Rival executives are split on whether the A's would actually dare trade their biggest start with a move to Sacramento coming next year. Miller has […]

Justin Lawrence Headed For Paternity List

The Colorado Rockies are expected to place right-handed reliever Justin Lawrence on the paternity list and to summon right-hander Angel Chivilli from Double-A Hartford for their upcoming series in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Lawrence is technically the Rockies' closer with two saves on the year, but he's also sporting an ugly 7.20 ERA (2.94 FIP) […]

Gavin Williams Throwing Pain-Free

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (elbow) has been cleared to begin throwing and did so on Thursday pain-free, according to manager Stephen Vogt. An elbow injury has kept Williams from making his 2024 debut with the Guardians after a fine rookie season in 2023 in which he went 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA (4.05 FIP) […]