Enmanuel Valdez Hitting Leadoff For Pirates On Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Enmanuel Valdez is starting at second base and is hitting leadoff for Friday's series opener at Great American Ball Park against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Brady Singer. Valdez will get a shot at leadoff with outfielder Oneil Cruz (finger) sitting out for the second straight game. The Pirates continue to […]

Andrew McCutchen Starting On Bench On Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen will start on the bench for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Adam Frazier is making the start in right field and will hit eighth against Reds right-hander Brady Singer. Bryan Reynolds (triceps) continues to serve as Pittsburgh's designated hitter, leaving the […]

Oneil Cruz Out Again On Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (finger) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Cruz was hit by a pitch on his finger on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals and will sit out for the second straight day as a result. It's […]

Angel Martinez Starting In Center Field For Cleveland

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez is making the start in center field and will bat seventh in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and left-hander Kris Bubic at Progressive Field. Nolan Jones has been starting in center the last few days with Lane Thomas (wrist) out of the lineup, but he'll take […]

Jordan Walker Getting Shot In Two-Hole On Friday

With struggling St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras on the bench on Friday, outfielder Jordan Walker is being bumped up to the No. 2 spot in the batting order against Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola in the series opener. The Cardinals are considering moving Contreras down in the batting order moving forward after his […]

Lane Thomas Still Out In Friday's Series Opener Against KC

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas (wrist) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Progressive Field against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. Thomas will miss a third straight start for Cleveland after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist in the team's home opener on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has reportedly […]

Spencer Steer Ramping Up His Throwing Program

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that outfielder/infielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) will take his throwing program to the next step and will start working on throws from first base over the next few days. Steer battled a right-shoulder injury in spring training and has only served as a designated for the Reds early in the […]

Alexis Diaz To Work On Back-To-Back Days On Rehab Assignment

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) will throw on back-to-back days over the next two days on his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. Diaz struggled mightily with his command in spring training before suffering a hamstring injury in camp that landed him on the injured list to begin […]

Matt McLain Expected To Return On Tuesday

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said he's pretty confident that second baseman Matt McLain (hamstring) will return from the 10-day injured list when he's eligible next Tuesday, April 15. The Reds placed McLain on the IL early this week as a precaution with a left-hamstring strain, and he should be able to rejoin the team […]

Jake Fraley On The Bench Against A Lefty

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley is out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park with a left-hander on the mound. Blake Dunn will get the start in right field for the Reds and will bat second against Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter. Fraley is often […]

Darren McCaughan Re-Signing With Twins

The Minnesota Twins will be re-signing right-handed reliever Darren McCaughan and will head to Triple-A St. Paul after he initially elected free agency after being designated for assignment. McCaughan got caught in an early-season roster crunch but has now returned to the organization and should reappear in Minnesota's bullpen at some point this year. The […]

Aaron Bummer Placed On Bereavement List

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they placed left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer on the major-league bereavement list and recalled right-hander Zach Thompson from the minors in a corresponding move. Bummer will most likely miss the entire three-game series in St. Louis against the Cardinals, but he should be able to rejoin the team next […]

Liam Hendriks Looks Good In First Rehab Outing

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Liam Hendriks (elbow) had a very successful first minor-league rehab outing on Thursday with Triple-A Worcester, tossing a scoreless inning with one hit and three strikeouts. The 36-year-old veteran threw 13 of his 18 pitches for strikes and said he felt good after needing an injection in his elbow two […]

Jorge Polanco Likely To DH For Another Week Or Two

The Seattle Times' Adam Jude reports that Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco (side) is likely to serve as the designated hitter for another one to two weeks, according to a source. With Ryan Bliss out for the foreseeable future after tearing his biceps, it has the M's short-handed with infield options at the major-league level. […]

Gleyber Torres Returning From Injured List On Friday

Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (oblique) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to the Detroit News' Chris McCosky. In a corresponding move, outfielder Brewer Hicklen was optioned back to Triple-A Toledo. Fantasy managers will want to check back for confirmation, but Torres should be back in the […]

Chiefs Officially Re-Sign Jack Cochrane

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Friday that they officially re-signed linebacker Jack Cochrane after he signed his right-of-first-refusal tender. Cochrane will make $3.263 million in 2025. The 26-year-old will return to Chiefs Kingdom for his fourth season after he originally went undrafted out of South Dakota. In his three seasons with the Chiefs, he […]

Tight End An Obvious Early Target For The Colts In The Draft

ESPN's Matt Miller writes that tight end is the obvious first-round target for the Indianapolis Colts going into the 2025 NFL draft. The Colts had the fewest receptions from its tight ends in the league last year, so both Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland makes sense for Indy for both need and […]

Patrick Paul Set To Take Over At Left Tackle

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul, who the team selected in the second round of 2024, is fully expected to take over as the team's starting left tackle after Terron Armstead announced his retirement this offseason. "It's his time. He knows it," Armstead said. "Pat Paul will do his part. I promise you that. He […]

Defensive Line A Glaring Need For 49ers Heading Into The Draft

ESPN's Nick Wagoner thinks that defensive line is the San Francisco 49ers' biggest priority heading into this year's NFL draft, and they arguably need three new starters on the defensive line next to edge rusher Nick Bosa. They need significant upgrades after releasing starting defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins and edge rusher Leonard […]

Raiders Could Trade Aidan O'Connell On Draft Weekend

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, but it's extremely team-friendly, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur thinks bringing in a young QB in this year's NFL draft to learn behind Smith makes sense. Tafur also thinks the Raiders might trade backup Aidan O'Connell on draft […]

Trevor Story Picks Up Two Hits, Two Steals In Walk-Off Win Over Blue Jays

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story went 2-for-5 with two singles, an RBI and two stolen bases in the team's 4-3 walk-off win against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at Fenway Park, but it was his squibber off the end of the bat to second base with the bases loaded in the bottom […]

Bears Could Go With Left Tackle With Pick No. 10

Despite the Chicago Bears being aggressive in acquiring offensive linemen this offseason, ESPN's Courtney Cronin isn't ruling out the team addressing their offensive line at No. 10 overall in this year's NFL draft, especially since incumbent starting left tackle Braxton Jones (ankle) is expected to be limited at the start of training camp this summer […]

Jets Expected To Go With Offensive Player With Their First Pick

ESPN New York's Rich Cimini thinks the chances are good that the New York Jets go offense with the No. 7 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, taking either a plug-and-play right tackle like Missouri's Armand Membou or a much-needed aerial target for new quarterback Justin Fields like Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. […]

Raiders Could Target Cornerback If They Trade Back

ESPN's Jordan Reid writes that cornerback could be a position that the Las Vegas Raiders target early in this year's NFL draft, especially if they trade down from No. 6 overall. University of Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron is an option for Vegas if they trade back, according to multiple league sources. ESPN's Ryan McFadden also […]

Jaguars Targeting Mason Graham At No. 5 Overall?

Although nothing is set in stone, ESPN's Matt Miller writes that there is an expectation that the Jacksonville Jaguars will take Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham with the No. 5 overall pick in this year's NFL draft. However, a scout recently told Miller not to rule out Jacksonville going with an offensive lineman with their […]

Armand Membou Could Be In Play For Patriots At No. 4

ESPN's Matt Miller writes that Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou could be in play for the New England Patriots at No. 4 overall in this year's NFL draft, as they've done a lot of homework on him as they look to improve their offensive line in front of quarterback Drake Maye. Scouts have also said […]

Three Potential Outcomes For Giants At No. 3 Overall In The Draft

ESPN's Jordan Reid writes that there seems to be three potential outcomes for the New York Giants at No. 3 overall in this year's NFL draft, assuming the Tennessee Titans take Miami quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1 overall. There three options are Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, […]

Shemar Stewart To Visit With 49ers, Patriots

Texas A&M pass-rusher Shemar Stewart visited with the New England Patriots on Thursday and is also scheduled for a top-30 visit with the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Stewart is also scheduled to visit with the Chicago Bears. Stewart is a puzzling NFL prospect who could end up being a steal […]

Jaylen Reed Visits With Eagles On Thursday

The Philadelphia Eagles hosted Penn State safety Jaylen Reed on a top-30 visit on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. While the Eagles don't really have any glaring holes at any key positions after coming off a Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs, they could use a playmaking safety after trading C.J. […]

Kaleb Johnson Visits With Bengals

University of Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson visited with the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday after visiting with the New York Giants on Wednesday, sources told The Bergen Record's Art Stapleton. The Bengals currently have the 49th and 81st overall picks in this year's NFL draft in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively, and it seems clear […]