J.D. Martinez Expected Back Next Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (groin) will take part in a simulated game on Saturday, and if that goes well, he's scheduled to join Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday for a few minor-league rehab games. If Martinez can avoid any setbacks from a lingering back/hamstring injury next week, the Dodgers expect him to […]

Joe Kelly Throws Bullpen Session Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitcher Joe Kelly (forearm) threw around 20 pitches in a bullpen session on Friday and used his whole pitch mix. It's unclear what the next step for Kelly will be. If Kelly feels good this weekend, he could move to facing hitters early next week. The […]

Kyren Paris Gets On Base Twice In Big-League Debut

Los Angeles Angels infield prospect Kyren Paris didn't record a hit in his first major-league game on Friday night against the Oakland Athletics, but he did get on base twice via walk and hit by pitch in four plate appearances in a 9-2 loss. The 21-year-old is the team's No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, […]

Julio Rodriguez Picks Up Where He Left Off

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez returned to the lineup on Friday against the New York Mets after missing several games due to a nerve issue in his foot, but he picked up right where he left off after a fabulous month of August. Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout in the 2-1 […]

Ronny Mauricio Records Two Hits In MLB Debut

New York Mets infield prospect Ronny Mauricio made an impact in his first major-league game on Friday night in the team's 2-1 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners. Mauricio went 2-for-3 with a double and a strikeout and set a Statcast record with a 117.3 mph exit velocity, the highest exit velocity for a player […]

Matt Thaiss Close To Starting Throwing Program

Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss (shoulder) will start a throwing program "very shortly," manager Phil Nevin said on Friday. Nevin also said he expects to see Thaiss return at some point before the end of the season. The 28-year-old backstop jammed his right shoulder on a slide into third base on Aug. 19 and […]

Zach Neto Close To Starting Rehab Assignment

Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin said on Friday that rookie shortstop Zach Neto (back) has experienced "no setbacks and no pain" as he continues to rehab lower-back inflammation. Neto has taken part in all on-field activities during warmups except for hitting, which he has been doing in an indoor cage. Nevin said Neto is […]

Riley Greene Could Return Sunday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (elbow) jammed his right elbow on a diving catch in the fifth inning in Friday night's game against the Chicago White Sox and was removed as a precaution. Greene is considered day-to-day. He won't play on Saturday but could return on Sunday. "Things are pointing in a positive direction," manager […]

Christian McCaffrey's Ceiling Still Incredibly High

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has already gone for 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving in a season before, and ESPN's Dan Graziano wouldn't be surprised if he does it again in 2023. McCaffrey was 259 receiving yards short of accomplishing the feat a second time in 2022, even after being traded […]

Aaron Donald A Trade Candidate?

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that we shouldn't be surprised if Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald's name gets kicked around as the trade deadline gets closer. It's no surprise that the Rams are rebuilding, and they're carrying almost $75 million in dead money on their salary cap in 2023 as a result of big […]

More Trades Could Be Coming For Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals already made three trades on Aug. 24. They have a brand-new coaching staff and a brand-new front office and are looking forward to 2024 and beyond. The Cardinals have two first-round picks next year as a result of a draft-day trade with Houston, and they aren't going to shy away from amassing […]

Jaleel McLaughlin May Be Counted On Early

Denver Broncos undrafted rookie running back Jaleel McLaughlin could be counted on heavily early on in his first NFL season. McLaughlin did nothing but impress the coaching staff and teammates with his play in training camp and the preseason, which has put him in a position to contribute right away in Denver's backfield in 2023. […]

Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Could End Up In Trade Discussions

ESPN's Dan Graziano says not to be surprised if one or both of Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin end up in the trade mix at this year's deadline at the end of October. The demand for receivers will continue as the season goes on and as injuries set in. With […]

Jonathan Mingo Could Be Bryce Young's Favorite Target

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, one of the reasons the Carolina Panthers selected rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo with the 39th overall pick in April's draft was because they thought he'd be a good fit with rookie first-round quarterback Bryce Young. Mingo is behind DJ Chark Jr. and Adam Thielen on the depth chart, but […]

Drake London Ready For Second-Year Breakout?

ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is ready for a second-year breakout in 2023. He was the first receiver selected in the 2022 draft and caught 72 of his 117 targets (tied for 25th in the league) for 866 yards as a rookie in the run-heaviest offense in the NFL (51.1 […]

Cardinals To Keep Kyler Murray Out All Year?

The Arizona Cardinals have a legitimate business reason for keeping quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) off the field for the entire 2023 season. Murray has millions in injury guarantees that will become fully guaranteed in the not-too-distant future. If a player can't pass a physical on the date the guarantees convert, the team cannot avoid the […]

Jordan Addison Should Be Valuable Right Away

The Minnesota Vikings offense still centers around All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and for good reason. However, the team drafted rookie Jordan Addison in the first round this year for a reason, and ESPN's Dan Graziano writes he's been nothing short of amazing all summer. Addison is an upgrade over the 32-year-old Adam Thielen from […]

AJ Dillon Could Overtake Aaron Jones In The Backfield

ESPN's Dan Graziano says we shouldn't be surprised if Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon overtakes Aaron Jones in the backfield. The Packers love using Jones and Dillon in tandem. Green Bay was expecting a bigger passing-game addition from Dillon last year, but it didn't come to fruition. Jones is now 28, though, an […]

Justin Fields Might Keep Running In 2023

The Chicago Bears are expected to keep finding creative ways to use quarterback Justin Fields' running ability as an asset that keeps drives alive and occasionally leads to a big scoring play. When asked if the team wanted Fields to run less this year to avoid putting himself in harm's way, a Bears official said, […]

Dyami Brown Could Have A Real Role On Offense

ESPN's Dan Graziano hears that Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown has been a standout this offseason, even in a talented receiving room that includes 2022 first-rounder Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin. McLaurin suffered a toe injury in the final preseason game that could linger into the regular season, which might open up opportunities for […]

Jalen Carter Ready To Make Big Impact Right Away

Philadelphia Eagles rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter is a candidate to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, in the opinion of ESPN's Dan Graziano. Carter was seen as maybe the most talented prospect in this year's draft, but he fell to ninth overall due to an off-the-field incident. He's been the talk of the Eagles' […]

Darren Waller Expected To Be Busy In 2023

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that we shouldn't be surprised if New York Giants tight end Darren Waller leads the team in catches in his first year in the Big Apple. The Giants have an intriguing receiver room this year, but no one in it has established themselves as a true No. 1 target. Waller can […]

Cowboys To Add A Running Back Eventually?

The Dallas Cowboys weren't in on running backs Dalvin Cook or Jonathan Taylor at the contracts they were seeking, but ESPN's Dan Graziano suggests the Cowboys could add another RB at some point. Dallas wasn't even on of the team's that worked out free-agent Kareem Hunt. If they add a name to the RB room, […]

Jose Altuve Injures His Leg Friday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (leg) left Friday's game early after only one inning against the New York Yankees with a left-leg contusion. Altuve went 0-for-1 in his only plate appearance of the contest and was replaced by Mauricio Dubon at the keystone. Altuve injured himself fouling a ball off his left and was […]

J.D. Davis Scratched With Hand Soreness

San Francisco Giants third baseman J.D. Davis (hand) was scratched from Friday's starting lineup against the San Diego Padres with left-hand soreness. Casey Schmitt replaced Davis at third base and was hitting ninth in the batting order against Padres right-hander Michael Wacha. For now, fantasy managers should consider Davis to be day-to-day. The 30-year-old has […]

Gavin Williams To Return Next Wednesday

Cleveland Guardians rookie right-hander Gavin Williams (knee) is set to make his next start next Wednesday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins. Williams left his last start on Tuesday against the Twins with right-knee soreness, but it's clearly not too serious of an issue for the 24-year-old. He has more than held his own in his […]

Lucas Giolito To Make Guardians Debut Monday

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Lucas Giolito, who was claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, will make his debut for Cleveland in the series opener on Monday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins. Giolito wasn't very good in his six starts for the Halos, surrendering 28 runs (25 earned) on 33 hits (10 home […]

Ben Lively Placed On COVID Injured List

The Cincinnati Reds placed right-handers Ben Lively (illness) and Fernando Cruz (illness) on the COVID injured list on Friday and recalled right-hander Lyon Richardson from Triple-A Louisville and activated reliever Tejay Antone (elbow) from the 60-day injured list in corresponding moves. Richardson made the start for Game 2 of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs […]

Graham Ashcraft Getting MRI For Sore Toe

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) dealt with a sore toe in his start in the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Friday and went for an MRI exam. Ashcraft lost his ninth game of the year by allowing three earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking one and […]

Sean Murphy Heading To The Bench Friday

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will start Friday's contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the bench. Travis d'Arnaud will catch left-hander Max Fried and hit sixth against Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias. Murphy is having a strong first season in Atlanta with a .271/.379/.520 slash line, an .899 OPS, 20 home runs, 67 RBI and […]