Chris Flexen a Candidate to Enter Cubs Rotation

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that after the team placed right-hander Jameson Taillon (calf) on the 15-day injured list on Friday, right-hander Chris Flexen is "a candidate to be stretched out for sure. He's prepared to do a little bit more." Fantasy managers searching for rotation help or streaming options in deeper leagues should […]

Reese Olson Activated and Starting on Friday

The Detroit Tigers activated right-hander Reese Olson (finger) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy to Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Olson is starting Friday's series opener in Cleveland against the division-rival Guardians. The 25-year-old is returning to an ERA under 3.00 and is worth a waiver-wire pickup in […]

Ivan Herrera Not Expected to Return Until After All-Star Break

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (hamstring) might begin a minor-league rehab assignment, but the team doesn't expect him to return to the major-league roster until after the All-Star break, according to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. Until Herrera returns, Pedro Pages will continue to hold down the starting duties behind the plate in […]

Taijuan Walker to Rejoin Starting Rotation

The Philadelphia Phillies will reinstert right-hander Taijuan Walker into their starting rotation, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, and he'll toe the rubber on Tuesday in San Francisco against the Giants and potentially go four innings. After that, the team will reassess the situation after the All-Star break. The 32-year-old veteran has been solid for […]

Paul Blackburn to Resume Throwing Next Week

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder), who landed on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a right-shoulder impingement, is expected to resume throwing next week. Manager Carlos Mendoza said Blackburn's prognosis was "relatively good news." The 31-year-old veteran will be shut down for only three to five days. With right-hander Kodai Senga (hamstring) […]

Brandon Waddell Tentatively Scheduled to Start on Sunday

New York Mets left-hander Brandon Waddell is tentatively scheduled to make the start in Sunday's series finale of the Subway Series against the visiting New York Yankees, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. The Mets could still change their plans for this weekend, but as of right now, Waddell figures to go on Sunday against the […]

Dedniel Nunez Weighing Another Tommy John Surgery

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that New York Mets right-handed reliever Dedniel Nunez (elbow) is weighing a second Tommy John surgery to fix an injured ligament in his right elbow. Nunez will receive additional medical opinions before making a decision on his next step. The 29-year-old broke out last year while striking out 35.6% of the […]

Kodai Senga to Make Rehab Start on Saturday

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (hamstring) will make a minor-league rehab start with Double-A Binghamton on Saturday, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo. Manager Carlos Mendoza said that the goal is for Senga to throw 60 pitches. If all goes well, Senga should rejoin the team's starting rotation and start next weekend in Kansas City […]

Mets Place Jose Butto on Injured List With Illness

The New York Mets placed right-handed reliever Jose Butto (illness) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with an illness, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma. It comes a day after reliever Dedniel Nunez (elbow) landed on the IL with an injury that could lead to season-ending Tommy John surgery. The good news […]

Tylor Megill to Restart Throwing Program on Saturday

New York Mets right-hander Tylor Megill (elbow) is scheduled to restart a throwing program off flat ground on Saturday, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Megill has ben shut down for three weeks with a right-elbow sprain, but a recent follow-up MRI exam showed a significant reduction in inflammation in his arm. The 29-year-old is hoping […]

Anthony Bradford Working Hard to Win Back Starting Job

Seattle Seahawks offensive guard Anthony Bradford is a big, powerful blocker who doesn't seem like an ideal fit for an outside zone scheme that suits more athletic linemen. However, ESPN's Brady Henderson writes that Bradford looked trimmer this offseason and shared first-team reps with Christian Haynes at OTAs and minicamp this offseason as he looks […]

Byron Young Still Improving?

Despite the fact that Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Byron Young has already had two strong seasons in the NFL with 15.5 sacks, outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio said he's noticed how "intentional" Young has been going into his third season in the NFL. Coniglio said he's challenged the former third-rounder to continue to work […]

Jonathan Gannon has Been Impressed With Cody Simon

Arizona Cardinals rookie fourth-round inside linebacker Cody Simon has caught the attention of head coach Jonathan Gannon in a short amount of time this offseason, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "He's definitely flashed here," Gannon said. "We got him playing a couple different spots, so that's good. He is playing on fourth down right now, […]

SirVocea Dennis has Impressive Offseason

ESPN's Jenna Laine writes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis had one of the most impressive offseasons of any defender on the team. "First day of OTAs, made one of the best plays I've ever seen a linebacker make," linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. said. "He's special, man. Very cerebral and knows the game very […]

Trevor Penning Could Still Have a Role in New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints didn't pick up offensive lineman Trevor Penning's fifth-year option, but they clearly believe in him enough after moving him to left guard, writes ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Penning came into the league with the expectation that he'd be a left tackle after being taken 19th overall in 2022 out of Northern Iowa, […]

Padres Could Have a Tough Time Upgrading at Catcher

The San Diego Padres would like to upgrade offensively over catchers Elias Diaz and Martin Maldonado, but The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal writes that most teams with depth at catcher are reluctant to compromise it. The Athletics' Shea Langeliers is eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason, but his agent is Scott Boras, and […]

Royals Interested in Bryan Reynolds?

According to sources briefed on their thinking, the Kansas City Royals are interested in acquiring Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds. However, talks between the two teams haven't commenced in earnest. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal points out that the Royals are last in the league in runs per game. If the 30-year-old Reynolds is still the […]

T.J. Watt Likely to Reset the Edge-Rush Market

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt is due to around $21 million in the last year of his current contract, but the question for the Steelers is whether they are willing to pay a player that will turn 31 this fall upwards of $40 million per year on a new extension. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero […]

Adolis Garcia Could Emerge as a Trade Candidate

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal writes that Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia could be an interesting trade candidate with the Rangers' odds of making the playoffs at under 25%. Garcia is under club control through next season, is a two-time All-Star and has been better since being benched so he could make mechanical adjustments in late […]

Diamondbacks Haven't had Contract Talks With Eugenio Suarez

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal writes that the Arizona Diamondbacks haven't had any contract talks with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, even though his 26 home runs on the year are tied with Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber for fourth-most in the majors. Suarez is on the verge of making his second All-Star team and first since 2018. […]

Justin Verlander on the Verge of a Breakthrough?

San Francisco Giants right-hander Justin Verlander is winless in his first 13 starts this year, which is the longest streak by a Giants pitcher since at least 1901. It increases the odds that Verlander won't reach the 300-win milestone for his career since he's 42 years old and needs 38 wins to get there. The […]

Corbin Carroll Starts Rehab Assignment

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (wrist) began a minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday and is playing in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League, according to Jody Jackson. Carroll has recovered quickly from a chip fracture in his wrist. The 24-year-old former National League Rookie of the Year is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list […]

Max Muncy Out at Least Six Weeks

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (knee) said he will miss at least the next six weeks, but he also has the consolation that he will play again in 2025. The Dodgers placed Muncy on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left-knee bone bruise after an MRI exam didn't show any serious […]

Max Muncy Goes on Injured List With Knee Bruise

The Los Angeles Dodgers placed third baseman Max Muncy (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a left-knee bone bruise and recalled outfielder Esteury Ruiz from Triple-A Oklahoma City in a corresponding move. This was the expectation after Muncy injured his knee on Wednesday night in a win over Chicago when White Sox […]

Will Smith Absent Against White Sox

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will take the day off against the Chicago White Sox in Thursday's series finale at Dodger Stadium. Rookie Dalton Rushing is behind the plate to catch right-hander Dustin May and will bat eighth against White Sox right-hander Aaron Civale. It's an odd day to give Smith the day off […]

Max Muncy Out of Thursday's Lineup

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (knee) is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the visiting Chicago White Sox. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised after Muncy had a scary-looking injury to his left knee in Wednesday's victory over the White Sox when outfielder Michael Taylor collided with his knee […]

Jac Caglianone Getting a Day Off Against Mariners

Kansas City Royals rookie first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone will start Thursday's game against the hosting Seattle Mariners on the bench. John Rave draws into the starting lineup and will bat sixth for the Royals against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo. Caglianone has elite power from the left side as one of the best power-hitting prospects in […]

Christian Yelich Out on Thursday

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich will take a seat for Thursday's series finale against the New York Mets at Citi Field with left-hander David Peterson starting on the mound. Eric Haase is serving as the designated hitter and is batting seventh versus Peterson. Yelich snapped a 12-game hitting streak in the first game of Wednesday's […]

Brice Turang Resting Against a Lefty

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Brice Turang is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the hosting New York Mets at Citi Field with a left-hander on the mound. Andruw Monasterio is starting at second base and will bat ninth against Mets southpaw David Peterson. Turang is getting a well-deserved breather after he snapped a 14-game […]

Max Scherzer Cleared to Start on Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that all systems are go for right-hander Max Scherzer (forearm, thumb) to start on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels after he threw a bullpen session on Thursday afternoon at the Rogers Centre. A right-thumb issue has been bothering Scherzer all year and is the reason he's only […]