Lance McCullers Jr. Could be an "Option" to Start on Saturday

Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (foot) did some fielding practice on Thursday and it "went well," according to manager Joe Espada. If McCullers feels good on Friday, he'll be an "option" to start against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The 31-year-old will apparently skip a minor-league rehab assignment after recovering from a sprained right […]

Bryce Harper Could Return on Monday

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (wrist) had another good day on Thursday and took 75 swings off a high-velocity machine, according to manager Rob Thomson. Harper will hit outside on Friday at Truist Park before the series opener against the division-rival Atlanta Braves and could face a live pitcher. If the 32-year-old two-time MVP […]

Casey Schmitt Out for Series Finale

San Francisco Giants infielder Casey Schmitt (wrist) is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale at Oracle Park against the visiting Miami Marlins. Christian Koss is making the start at the hot corner and will bat seventh, while Brett Wisely starts at second base and hits in the eight-hole against Marlins right-hander Janson […]

Jordan Walker Avoids Surgery

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (appendix) was placed on the 10-day injured list this week due to appendicitis, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports that he didn't require surgery. It's good news for Walker, but he probably still won't rejoin the big-league roster until after the All-Star break in mid-July. And when […]

Lars Nootbaar Dealing With Intercostal Injury

Updating a previous report, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (intercostal) received a pain-relieving shot in his intercostal on Tuesday night, according to manager Oliver Marmol. It requires 48 hours of inactivity, which is why he was unavailable to play on Wednesday and Thursday. The Cardinals think they got ahead of any potential side injury […]

J.T. Realmuto Out Against Astros

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will take a seat for Thursday's series finale in Houston against the Astros at Daikin Park. Rafael Marchan is behind the plate and will catch left-hander Cristopher Sanchez while hitting eighth against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. The 34-year-old Realmuto will get a breather after playing in each of the team's […]

Salvador Perez Getting a Day Off on Thursday

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez is not in the team's starting lineup for the series finale on Thursday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Freddy Fermin will do the catching for right-hander Michael Lorenzen and will hit eighth against Rays right-hander Shane Baz. Perez gets a much-needed day of rest for the first time […]

Walter Nolen III Fitting in Well Early On

Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round defensive tackle Walker Nolen III has impressed coaches and teammates right away during OTAs and minicamp and looks the part while fitting into a veteran defensive line room from not only a physical perspective, but also while standing out on the field at practice, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "He has […]

Jalon Walker Making Seamless Transition to the NFL

ESPN's Marc Raimondi writes that people have done nothing but rave about Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker, from his physical abilities to his football acumen. The Georgia Bulldog alumni has made a seemingly seamless transition so far at the NFL level at the Falcons' team facility, which is around 43 miles northeast of […]

Kenneth Grant Impressing With his Work Ethic

ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques writes that Miami Dolphins rookie first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant has impressed during offseason workouts with his work ethic and mentality away from the football field. Head coach Mike McDaniel said that Grant "works endlessly" at the stuff he's asked to do. "You're hitting a home run with the team when a […]

Tyler Booker Viewed as Day 1 Starter

Dallas Cowboys rookie first-round offensive guard Tyler Booker is being viewed as a Day 1 starter heading into his first NFL season, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "Whether it's the responsibilities that he has to bring to the huddle or whether it's his communications on the line, he's doing a hell of a job," quarterback […]

Buccaneers Extend Todd Bowles, Jason Licht

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced on Thursday that they signed head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht to multi-year contract extensions. Bowles' extension is for three seasons, according to sources, and will push his deal through the 2028 season. He is entering his fourth year as the head coach in 2025 with a […]

Justin Fields Putting in the Work

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is impressing the coaching staff this offseason with his work ethic as he heads into his first season with the team. "He’s going out there and he’s busting his a– trying to be the best quarterback he can be for this team. Everybody sees that — and I like […]

Cubs Making Inquiries on Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal writes that the Chicago Cubs are already canvassing the starting pitching market and have made inquiries on Miami Marlins right-handers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, among many others, according to sources briefed on their plans. Alcantara is owed the balance of his $17 million salary this year and $17 million in […]

Astros, Jeremy Pena Deep in Contract Discussions

The Houston Astros and shortstop Jeremy Pena were deep in contract discussions on a deal worth more than $105 million over five years, multiple league sources told KPRC 2 Sports' Ari Alexander. The Astros first approached Pena early in the year, but in the midst of a career year for the 27-year-old in 2025, his […]

Ildemaro Vargas Lands on Injured List, Blaze Alexander Recalled

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Wednesday that they placed infielder Ildemaro Vargas (foot) on the 10-day injured list with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot and recalled infielder Blaze Alexander from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Vargas was hit by a pitch on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox and is now […]

Jordan Lawlar Returns to Action at Triple-A

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) returned to the starting lineup for the Triple-A Reno Aces on Wednesday and made the start at third base while batting in the two-hole. Lawlar hadn't played since last Thursday in the minors due to a sore hamstring, but he's back now. With third baseman Eugenio Suarez (hamstring) […]

Eugenio Suarez Confident he will Return by Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (hand) took light batting practice on Wednesday and expressed confidence that he'd be back in the starting lineup by Friday's series opener at home against the visiting Miami Marlins, according to MLB.com's Casey Drottar. Suarez was hit on his right hand by a pitch on Monday against the Chicago […]

Daulton Varsho Resumes Running

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (hamstring) resumed running in the outfield on Wednesday after experiencing some hamstring tightness while running the bases on Monday. Varsho's MRI exam showed scar-tissue irritation but no structural damage, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The 28-year-old center fielder is hoping to get back to running the bases soon. Before […]

Carson Spiers Expected to Start Rehab Assignment Soon

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Carson Spiers (shoulder) is chomping at the bit and is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment soon, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. Spiers is working his way back from a right-shoulder impingement that has kept him sidelined since the middle of April, but the 27-year-old could be nearing a return. […]

Jake Fraley Dealing With Shoulder Injury

FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) is dealing with a shoulder injury, and he was held out of Wednesday's starting lineup against the visiting New York Yankees. Not only is Fraley dealing with a banged-up shoulder, but the Reds have faced left-handed starting pitchers each of the last two […]

Hunter Greene to Throw a Bullpen Next Week

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (back, groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session when the team is in Boston next week for a series against the Red Sox. Greene is working his way back from multiple injuries that have kept him out for over three weeks now. It's good to see the hard-throwing 25-year-old […]

No Structural Damage for Zach Neto

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto's (shoulder) MRI exam didn't reveal any structural damage in his surgically-repaired right shoulder, and he's considered day-to-day, according to Bally Sports' Erica Weston. Neto aggravated his right shoulder when he jammed it during a stolen base attempt in Tuesday's extra-inning win over the visiting Boston Red Sox and was […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. to Take Part in Home Run Derby

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. announced on Wednesday that he will participate in this year's Home Run Derby on July 14 during All-Star festivities that will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta. Despite not making his 2025 debut until late May, almost one year after he tore the ACL in his left knee, […]

Will Smith Out on Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will grab some pine to start Wednesday's contest at Coors Field against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Rookie Dalton Rushing will be the battery mate for right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and will hit ninth against Rockies rookie right-hander Chase Dollander. Smith is just receiving a regular day off. The two-time All-Star […]

Mykel Williams has Received Positive Reviews

San Francisco 49ers rookie first-round defensive end Mykel Williams has earned positive early reviews for his willingness to learn from veteran pass-rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "He's got a lot of talent, a lot of eagerness to learn, more so than I've seen probably from any young guy," […]

Kelvin Banks Jr. Looking Like Saints' Future Left Tackle

ESPN's Katherine Terrell writes that the New Orleans Saints seem prepared to make rookie first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. their future starting left tackle, which will free up last year's first-rounder, Taliese Fuaga, to move to right tackle, the position he played in college. Banks was moved around during offseason workouts, but it's clear […]

Armand Membou Expected to Start at Right Tackle

New York Jets rookie first-round offensive tackle Armand Membou will be the Week 1 starter at right tackle for the Jets, barring something unforeseen, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. Membou moves extremely well for being 332 pounds -- he ran a 4.92-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine. The 21-year-old did struggle against Will McDonald […]

Ashton Jeanty has Made a Strong Impression

Las Vegas Raiders rookie first-round running back Ashton Jeanty has made a strong impression within the organization, according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden. Head coach Pete Carroll said Jeanty was "every bit" of what the team hoped for during offseason workouts as he showcased his pass-catching abilities and understanding of the offense. The Boise State product […]

Abdul Carter Looks Explosive

ESPN's Jordan Raanan writes that New York Giants rookie first-round defensive end Abdul Carter has looked explosive during offseason workouts, and it was evident from the moment he first set foot on the field. "He looks quick," veteran middle linebacker Bobby Okereke said of Carter. The 21-year-old third overall pick in this year's NFL draft […]