Nick Madrigal In Line For Bench Role

Chicago Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal provides the Cubs with an elite contact-based bat and can fit as a backup at second and third base. Nico Hoerner is set to be the club's primary second baseman, while manager Craig Counsell has made it clear that he wants to take a long look at Christopher Morel at […]

Graham Ashcraft To Make Spring Debut Thursday

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is set to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ashcraft has been slow-played in spring training after having surgery on his toe last September, but he's ready to go now and is expected to part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, […]

Raiders Must Address Quarterback Position

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell stayed afloat in his rookie season while being forced into action in 2023 over 10 starts, but he mostly looked like someone best suited for a role as a backup. At the very least, the Raiders need to bring in a starting-caliber QB in free agency to compete for […]

Hunter Renfrow A Cut Candidate

The Athletic's Tashan Reed suggests that Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow is a cut candidate this offseason. Renfrow was excellent in 2021, was named a Pro Bowler and was rewarded with a two-year, $32.3 million contract extension the following offseason that felt like a no-brainer at the time. But the extension has aged […]

Bobby Miller Gives Up A Run In Spring Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller allowed back-to-back doubles to the Chicago White Sox in his Cactus League debut on Tuesday, but he eventually settled down and allowed only the two hits and a run while striking out one and walking none in his two innings of work. "I thought Bobby threw the ball well," […]

Pablo Lopez, Jhoan Duran Beat Up Wednesday

Minnesota Twins Opening Day starter Pablo Lopez and closer Jhoan Duran were beat up in the team's 12-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. In total, Twins pitchers allowed 17 hits. Lopez, who struck out two and gave up three hits in his two innings of work, surrendered a two-run homer to […]

Aaron Nola Looks Great In Spring Debut

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola looked to be in midseason form in his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday when he threw two perfect innings with three strikeouts against the New York Yankees. Nola had a 4.62 ERA in his first 30 starts last year before recording a 2.27 ERA in his final six starts down […]

Zach Eflin Headlining Rays Rotation

With lefty Shane McClanahan (elbow) sidelined by his second Tommy John surgery and with righty Tyler Glasnow now pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, right-hander Zach Eflin is set to headline the Tampa Bay Rays' starting rotation in 2024. Eflin had a career year in 2023 in his first year in Tampa, producing a career-best […]

Freddy Peralta To Start Opening Day For Brewers

With Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) recovering from shoulder surgery and Corbin Burnes recently being traded to the Baltimore Orioles, right-hander Freddy Peralta was the logical choice to be the team's Opening Day starter in 2024 on the road against the New York Mets on March 28. General manager Matt Arnold confirmed this. "We are counting on […]

Max Muncy Day-To-Day With Left-Hand Contusion

Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (hand) was diagnosed with a left-hand contusion and is day-to-day, according to the team. Muncy was hit by a pitch on his left hand in his first at-bat of Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers and was removed early. X-rays on his left […]

Yu Chang To Miss A Couple Of Weeks

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yu Chang (oblique) is dealing with a left-oblique injury in camp and is expected to miss a couple of weeks. The 28-year-old Taiwanese infielder suffered the injury during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game versus the Toronto Blue Jays and is now likely to open the 2024 regular season on the injured list. […]

Mets Looking At Michael Lorenzen, Other Pitchers

The New York Mets have recently checked in on free-agent starting pitchers, including right-hander Michael Lorenzen, according to league sources. However, the communication likely reflects a desire to stay connected if they have another injury rather than imminent, serious interest. New York's top starter, Kodai Senga, has already been shut down for three weeks due […]

Mike Yastrzemski Makes Spring Debut Wednesday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (shoulder) made his spring training debut on Wednesday, serving as the designated hitter and batting third in the lineup for the Cactus League game against the Oakland Athletics. Yastrzemski was held back a bit due to a left-shoulder impingement, but he has improved now and is ready to play […]

Max Muncy Going For X-Rays On Left Hand

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (hand) is heading for X-rays on Wednesday after being hit on the left hand by a pitch in his first at-bat in the Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers and pitcher Cody Bradford. Muncy played a few more innings on defense before eventually being removed from the contest. […]

Yankees Claim Jahmai Jones Off Waivers From Brewers

The New York Yankees claimed infielder Jahmai Jones off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday and designated infielder Jordan Groshans for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for Jones. The 26-year-old Jones, a former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels from Wesleyan School, made seven appearances at […]

Rockies Place Antonio Senzatela On 60-Day Injured List

To make room for the recently acquired outfielder Sam Hilliard on the 40-man roster, the Colorado Rockies placed right-hander Antonio Senzatela (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. Senzatela had Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2024 season, so he's completely off the fantasy radar. The 29-year-old Venezuelan pitcher was […]

Walker Buehler Encouraged By His Progress

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) said he felt good during his first live batting practice session of camp on Tuesday and that his fastball was sitting at 94-95 mph. Buehler said he will probably need another three to four live batting practice sessions before being ready for game action, but he sounded encouraged […]

Patriots Making The Rounds With QBs At Combine

The New England Patriots have met with North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, LSU QB Jayden Daniels, Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy and Oregon QB Bo Nix at the NFL scouting combine this week in Indianapolis, according to sources. They are also scheduled to meet with USC's Caleb Williams on Wednesday night. With the No. 3 overall […]

Dolphins Not Considering Trading Jaylen Waddle

When asked about speculation as to whether the Miami Dolphins would consider trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, general manager Chris Grier laughed and said: "No thoughts of trading Jaylen Waddle. He'll be around here for a long time." The Dolphins have one of the best receiving duos in the league in Waddle and All-Pro Tyreek […]

Colts Not Planning On Letting Michael Pittman Jr. Go

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that impending free-agent wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will be on the roster come Week 1 of the 2024 season this fall, either by an extension or the franchise tag, if necessary. The Colts aren't planning to let Pittman get away in free agency this offseason. The 26-year-old […]

DeVonta Smith Not Worried About Extension

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith said earlier this month that he's not worried about a long-term contract extension this offseason. "It's all in God's hands," Smith said. "At the end of the day, extension or not, I'm going to have to come in and do what I have to do." The 25-year-old pass-catcher is […]

Dolphins Hope To Extend Tua Tagovailoa This Offseason

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he "absolutely" hopes to get a long-term contract extension done with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. Tagovailoa is currently set to play the 2024 season under his fifth-year option unless the two sides can agree on an extension this offseason. The 25-year-old led the NFL in passing yards […]

Ryan Ramczyk Expected To Be Ready For Training Camp

New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) had a minor procedure on his knee after the season, according to head coach Dennis Allen. However, Ramczyk is expected to be ready for the start of training camp this summer, if not before that. The 29-year-old offensive lineman missed the team's last three games in 2023 […]

Jets Give Zach Wilson Permission To Seek A Trade

The New York Jets have given quarterback Zach Wilson's agent permission to seek a trade, according to general manager Joe Douglas. The Jets are fully expected to trade Wilson this offseason after he struggled yet again in 2023 while being forced into starting duties when Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles early in the first quarter […]

Travis Etienne Jr.'s Touches To Be Scaled Back?

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.'s 325 touches last year were third-most in the NFL for a RB, but head coach Doug Pederson said that Etienne as a workhorse back "is not the recipe" he prefers. Pederson mentioned that D'Ernest Johnson was injured in 2023, and Tank Bigsby was learning as a rookie. The […]

Forrest Wall Making A Case For Roster Spot

Atlanta Braves rookie outfielder Forrest Wall, who has game-changing speed on the basepaths, is making a case to open the year on the team's Opening Day roster out of camp. Wall also plays all three outfield positions. He totaled 57 stolen bases in 66 attempts in 2023 at Triple-A Gwinnett and in the majors. Wall […]

Jose Caballero Looking To Pull The Ball More

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that hitting coach Chad Mottola has informed infielder Jose Caballero that he has the freedom to pull the ball in the air, advice that has paid dividends in recent years for Rays hitters like Yandy Diaz and Isaac Paredes. "He's letting it loose," Cash said. "He seems to […]

Nick Senzel, Keibert Ruiz Scratched Wednesday

Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (illness) and catcher Keibert Ruiz (illness) were both scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League lineup due to illnesses. Senzel has been sick now for a few days, and Ruiz may have caught the same bug. Both players should be able to return to the lineup in a few days at […]

A's To Ease Mason Miller Into Closer's Role?

Oakland Athletics right-hander Mason Miller, along with Dany Jimenez and Trevor Gott, could get an opportunity to close out games this season. However, when asked about the possibility of Miller seeing save chances, manager Mark Kotsay indicated he'd like to see Miller succeed in high-leverage spots and gradually move up the ladder rather than anoint […]

Graham Ashcraft, Nick Lodolo Nearing Spring Debuts

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is to be scheduled for his first Cactus League start "within the next week," according to manager David Bell. Meanwhile, left-hander Nick Lodolo's (leg) spring training debut would be a bit behind Ashcraft's. The 26-year-old Ashcraft is returning from surgery on his right big toe last September and is […]