Cubs, Red Sox Express Interest In Ryne Stanek

The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are two big-market teams that have expressed interest in veteran free-agent reliever Ryne Stanek this winter. In his third season for the Houston Astros and seventh overall in the big leagues, Stanek had a 4.09 ERA (4.60 FIP), 1.24 WHIP, 21 walks and 51 strikeouts in 50 2/3 […]

Jordan Westburg Not A Lock For Opening Day Roster

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg said he doesn't think he's a lock to make the team's Opening Day roster, so he will come to spring training ready to compete for a spot this year. "100%. I don't think I solidified anything in my role. I'd love to win a job," Westburg said. He's probably right […]

Dillon Tate Looking Healthy Ahead Of Spring Training

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he saw right-hander Dillon Tate (forearm) in Sarasota, Florida, a few days ago and said Tate looks "unbelievable" and healthy. The skipper is hoping that Tate will be a contributor again in 2024 after a forearm injury kept him out for the entire 2023 season. Barring a setback, the […]

Giants Sign Tommy Romero To Minor-League Deal

The San Francisco Giants signed free-agent right-hander Tommy Romero to a minor-league deal on Thursday. Romero made his major-league debut in 2022 with the Tampa Bay Rays and also saw action with the Washington Nationals, allowing 12 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits (seven home runs) while walking nine and striking out seven in 8 […]

Rangers Sign Jared Walsh, Matt Duffy To Minor-League Deals

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent first baseman Jared Walsh, infielder Matt Duffy and left-hander Blake Taylor to minor-league deals with invitations to major-league spring training on Thursday. Walsh was a first-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021, when he hit .277 (147-for-530) with a career-high 29 home runs in 144 games. However, he […]

Rockies Sign John Curtiss To Minors Deal

The Colorado Rockies signed free-agent reliever John Curtiss to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league spring training on Thursday, according to a source. Curtiss is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season after having arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow last August. Before his injury, the 30-year-old right-hander allowed […]

Carl Edwards Jr., Cubs Agree On Minor-League Deal

Free-agent relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to a source familiar with the deal. Edwards had a 3.69 ERA in 31 2/3 innings with the Washington Nationals last season. His deal with the Cubs includes an invitation to spring training. Edwards will be reuniting […]

Rangers Bringing Back Travis Jankowski

Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young announced on Friday that the team is re-signing outfielder Travis Jankowski to a one-year, $1.7 million deal plus performance bonuses for the 2024 season. Jankowski will return to give the World Series-champion Rangers outfield depth for the upcoming campaign. The 32-year-old left-handed hitter batted .263/.357/.332 with a home run, […]

J.P. France Working On New Pitch

Houston Astros right-hander J.P. France intimated that he's adding a new pitch this offseason, but he wants to keep it "on the low down" before eventually debuting it in spring training. France was forced into starting-rotation duty in 2023 due to all of Houston's injuries and finished with 158 1/3 innings, including the playoffs, after […]

Hunter Brown Working On Mechanical Issues

Houston Astros right-hander Hunter Brown, who threw 50 more innings last year than he had in any other season, wasn't as effective late in 2023 due to subtle mechanical changes after the All-Star break because fatigue was setting in. Brown finished the first half with a 4.12 ERA and 3.32 FIP but stumbled to a […]

Blue Jays High On Spencer Horwitz

While Toronto Blue Jays first base prospect Spencer Horwitz lacks high-end power and could be limited to first base in the big leagues, but his on-base ability is rare and is something that should translate well to the majors after he had a .450 on-base percentage at Triple-A Buffalo in 2023. He has also beat […]

Damiano Palmegiani Has Path To Big Leagues In 2024

Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Damiano Palmegiani, who is ranked as the team's No. 18 prospect on MLB Pipeline, offers a positional fit at third base, power potential and the ability to crush left-handed pitching. At some point in 2024, the Blue Jays will need all three of those things, making Palmegiani a candidate to […]

Bowden Francis Could Compete For No. 5 Rotation Spot

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Bowden Francis, who came to Toronto in 2021 alongside Trevor Richards in the Rowdy Tellez trade, held his own in 2023 and posted a 1.73 ERA with 35 strikeouts and just eight walks in 36 1/3 innings in his first taste of the big leagues. His curveball is a […]

Blue Jays' Interest In Jorge Soler Is Real

The Toronto Blue Jays have serious interest in free-agent outfielder/designated hitter Jorge Soler. He became a free agent this offseason after opting out of the final year of his three-year contract with the Miami Marlins. The 31-year-old right-handed slugger clubbed 36 home runs with an .853 OPS in 580 plate appearances in 2023 and is […]

Jeimer Candelario To Be Everyday Player For Reds

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Jeimer Candelario was signed this offseason to be a steady presence in a very young lineup, despite an already crowded infield picture in Cincinnati. He has played in 746 major-league games, and no other Reds position player has appeared in more than 380 games. "Adding a guy like Jeimer takes some […]

Wilyer Abreu Likely To Start In Right Field

Boston Red Sox rookie outfielder Wilyer Abreu, who impressed in limited action late in 2023, appears likely to serve as the team's starting right fielder to begin the season, although fellow rookie outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela could also factor into the outfield picture in Boston. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow has also said this offseason that […]

Trevor Story Looking Primed For Big Season?

Boston Red Sox hitting coach Peter Fatse has liked what he's seen out of shortstop Trevor Story this offseason. "He looks great," Fatse said. "He's moving well, and those are the signs you want to see at this point. He's explosive, I think his offseason program was really good and it's the first time in […]

William Smith The Leading Candidate To Close For Royals

At the moment, Kansas City Royals left-hander William Smith is the team's leading candidate to open the 2024 season as the closer after they signed him to a one-year, $5 million contract early in free agency. Smith, who turns 35 years old in July, has won three straight World Series titles with three different teams. […]

Panthers Won't Retain Chris Tabor

The Carolina Panthers have informed interim head coach/special teams coordinator Chris Tabor that he will not be retained despite the two years left on his contract. He will now be free to seek employment elsewhere, according to a source. Carolina interviewed Tabor for the full-time head-coaching position before officially hiring Dave Canales on Thursday. The […]

Saints To Speak With Brian Johnson About Offensive-Coordinator Position

The New Orleans Saints will interview former Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson for their vacant offensive-coordinator position next week, according to a source. In addition to the Saints, Johnson has already interviewed for the same position with the Cleveland Browns and is expected to interview with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent the last […]

Bills To Interview Thad Lewis For Offensive-Coordinator Job

The Buffalo Bills plan to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Thad Lewis for their offensive-coordinator job, according to a source. Lewis is expected to get other looks for offensive-coordinator positions around the league, too, based on his work with quarterback Baker Mayfield in 2023. He's in the mix for the same position with the […]

New Titans Coach Open To A Derrick Henry Return

New Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that he'd be fine with impending free-agent running back Derrick Henry returning in 2024. "A player like Derrick Henry fits into any offense. If he's open to a return, that fits for us. I'm never going to reject good players. There's no offense that would say I […]

Deebo Samuel Doesn't Carry Injury Designation Into NFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that star wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) isn't on the team's final injury report on Friday and will play on Sunday versus the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship game. "Full-go today," Shanahan said about Samuel's practice status on Friday. Samuel didn't practice on Wednesday and was […]

Kirk Cousins Ahead Of Schedule

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery to fix a torn Achilles that he suffered in the Week 8 win over the Green Bay Packers and will be throwing in the next month or so. It's good news for Cousins, who is scheduled to hit the […]

Marlon Humphrey, Rock Ya-Sin Questionable Against Chiefs

Baltimore Ravens cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey (calf) and Rock Ya-Sin (knee) are both listed as questionable to play in Sunday's AFC Championship tilt against the Kansas City Chiefs. The good news is that both players put in a full practice on Friday. Meanwhile, linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips (shoulder) is doubtful to play. Humphrey has missed eight games […]

Tylan Wallace Questionable For AFC Championship

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace (knee) is listed as questionable for the AFC Championship on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Wallace missed practice on Wednesday and was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, giving him a chance to suit up this weekend. The 24-year-old is primarily a contributor for the Ravens on […]

Mark Andrews Removed From Final Injury Report

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) was a full practice participant all week and was removed from the team's final injury report for the AFC Championship game on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Andrews was officially activated from Injured Reserve on Friday as well and will play this weekend for the first time […]

Jonah Jackson Ruled Out For Lions

Detroit Lions offensive guard Jonah Jackson (knee) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's NFC Championship game on the road in San Francisco against the 49ers. Jackson was injured in the Divisional Round win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last Sunday and underwent surgery to fix a minor meniscus tear in his knee. It's unclear […]

Kalif Raymond Ruled Out For NFC Championship

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) has officially been ruled out for the NFC Championship game on Sunday versus the San Francisco 49ers. Raymond injured his knee in the Week 18 regular season finale and is now going to be forced to miss the team's third straight playoff game. It's unknown if the 29-year-old […]

Chiefs Rule Out Joe Thuney For Sunday's Game

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially ruled out All-Pro offensive guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) for the AFC Championship tilt on Sunday versus the Ravens in Baltimore. This was the likely outcome after Thuney was injured in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills last Sunday. It's unclear if Thuney would be ready in a […]