Demario Douglas Could Be No. 3 Receiver

The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that New England Patriots rookie sixth-round wide receiver Demario Douglas has been the team's most pleasant training camp surprise this summer. Douglas has seen more snaps with the starters in recent practices than 2022 second-rounder Tyquan Thornton and has a chance to take playing time away from veteran Kendrick Bourne […]

Alexander Mattison To See Heavy Workload

Even before the Minnesota Vikings parted ways with long-time running back Dalvin Cook, the coaching staff was regretful for not giving Alexander Mattison more touches last year. The Vikings clearly believe in him and think he's a key piece in their attempt at improved rushing efficiency. Mattison might not be as explosive as Cook, but […]

Jeff Wilson Jr. The Most Valuable Dolphins RB?

Barring an unexpected acquisition of Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor by next Tuesday, running backs Jeff Wilson Jr., Raheem Mostert and rookie De'Von Achane will make up the Miami Dolphins' backfield to open the 2023 season. The Athletic's Jim Ayello writes it's impossible to know which of the threesome will emerge as the most […]

Kyren Williams Could Have Big Impact As Pass-Catcher

The Los Angeles Rams want to see if lead-back production is possible from running back Cam Akers, but both Akers and Kyren Williams will likely be featured early in the 2023 season. The touch distribution will be situational, depending on the weekly matchup. The Athletic's Jourdan Rodriguez writes that Williams excelled throughout training camp in […]

Joshua Palmer Ahead Of Quentin Johnston On Depth Chart?

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer has earned more first-team repetitions in three-receiver packages at training camp alongside Keenan Allen and Mike Williams than rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston. Johnston is in the early stages of his development and has struggled with drops. His role early in his first […]

Michael Conforto Dealing With Grade 2 Hammy Strain

Updating a previous report, the San Francisco Giants are saying that outfielder Michael Conforto (hamstring) is dealing with a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, but he'll likely need more than 10 days to return to the big-league roster. Conforto was injured in Wednesday's contest against the […]

Jarred Kelenic To Start Rehab Assignment Next Week

Seattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic (foot) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma next week. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, Kelenic should be able to return to the Mariners early in September. The 24-year-old ditched his walking boot last week and has been building up his baseball activities ever since. He […]

Cowboys Acquire Trey Lance From 49ers

The Dallas Cowboys acquired former third overall pick, quarterback Trey Lance, from the San Francisco 49ers on Friday in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick, according to sources. The writing was on the wall for Lance to find a new home after the Niners announced Sam Darnold as Brock Purdy's backup earlier this week. The […]

Trevor Rogers Resumes Playing Catch

Miami Marlins left-hander Trevor Rogers (lat) started playing catch at Single-A Jupiter on Friday. It's been a lost season for Rogers this year, as he's made just four starts for the Marlins due to injuries. He was initially placed on the injured list in April with a left-biceps strain and then suffered a partial tear […]

Jonah Heim Getting A Breather Against Twins

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim is starting Friday's contest against the Minnesota Twins on the bench. Austin Hedges will do the catching for Texas and will hit in the nine-hole against Twins right-hander Sonny Gray. It's quite possible that Heim is still bothered by a left-wrist injury that caused him to miss around a month […]

Anthony Rizzo Taking Batting Practice

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (concussion) was seen hitting home runs in batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Thursday. Rizzo said he was encouraged about his progress from post-concussion syndrome, and the expectation is he'll be back before the end of the season. However, the Yankees are taking his recovery week-to-week. The 34-year-old […]

Sal Frelick Remains Out Against Padres

Milwaukee Brewers rookie outfielder Sal Frelick (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting San Diego Padres. Frelick said his hamstring is feeling good, but the Brewers want him to get through a full pre-game warmup before he returns to the lineup. He's hoping to return to action on Saturday for […]

Robert Suarez Receives 10-Game Suspension

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez has received a 10-game suspension from Major League Baseball on Friday after being ejected for foreign substances on Wednesday. Suarez is appealing the suspension, so he'll be available out of the bullpen for the Friars in the start of a series on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. […]

Jarren Duran To See A Specialist Monday

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder Jarren Duran (toe) will see a specialist on Monday. Duran was placed on the 10-day injured list this week after injuring his left toe last weekend against the New York Yankees. While it was initially expected to be more of a minor injury, the 26-year-old could […]

Michael Taylor Taking Friday Off

Minnesota Twins outfielder Michael Taylor will get a day of rest on Friday against the visiting Texas Rangers. Joey Gallo will patrol center field instead and will hit eighth in the batting order against Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning. It's an odd time for a day off for Taylor, as he hit two home runs in […]

Esteury Ruiz Getting Another Day Off

Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz is out of the starting lineup again on Friday with the team taking on the Chicago White Sox. With Ruiz slumping at the plate, the A's will give him a second straight day off to mentally and physically recharge. The 24-year-old speedster has really struggled offensively since returning from the […]

Shohei Ohtani In The Lineup Friday

Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is serving as the designated hitter and batting in the two-hole on Friday against the New York Mets and right-hander Kodai Senga. Ohtani received bad news on Wednesday night when he was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow, and he won't pitch again the […]

Wilyer Abreu Retreats To The Bench

Boston Red Sox rookie outfielder Wilyer Abreu will get a day off on Friday against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Masataka Yoshida is playing left field and batting cleanup, with Justin Turner serving as the designated hitter and batting third against Dodgers right-hander Lance Lynn. Abreu has burst on the scene in his first three […]

J.T. Realmuto Getting A Breather Friday

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is getting a day off on Friday with the team taking on the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. With Realmuto starting on the bench, Garrett Stubbs will catch left-hander Cristopher Sanchez and will bat in the nine-hole against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Stubbs is hitting just .210 (17-for-81) on the year […]

James McCann Back For The Orioles

Baltimore Orioles catcher James McCann (hand) is back behind the plate doing the catching and is hitting sixth for the Orioles against the visiting Colorado Rockies and left-hander Kyle Freeland on Friday. McCann will return to action after missing the team's last few games due to a bruised left hand. The 33-year-old veteran backstop has […]

Cedric Mullins Sitting Against Southpaw

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins is starting on the bench on Friday against the visiting Colorado Rockies with left-hander Kyle Freeland on the mound. Ryan McKenna will get the start in center field and will bat eighth in the order against Freeland. Mullins is an everyday player for Baltimore, but he hasn't been as productive […]

Keibert Ruiz Back In Action Against Marlins

Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz (head) is back in the lineup as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup on Friday against Miami Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett. Riley Adams will do the catching and bat seventh. The Nationals scratched Ruiz due to light-headedness in Thursday's series finale against the New York Yankees after he took […]

Javier Baez Returns To Friday's Lineup

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (illness) has returned to the starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Houston Astros and left-hander Framber Valdez, playing shortstop and batting eighth in the order. Baez is feeling better after sitting out the team's last two games. Not much has gone right for the free-swinging infielder in 2023. He's […]

Nolan Gorman Activated From Injured List

The St. Louis Cardinals activated infielder Nolan Gorman (back) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Jose Fermin to Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. The Cardinals also placed right-hander Drew VerHagen on the bereavement list and recalled right-hander Guillermo Zuniga from Memphis. Gorman spent the minimum 10 days on the IL with a […]

Tony Kemp Hits Fourth Home Run Of The Year

Oakland Athletics outfielder Tony Kemp did something in Thursday night's 8-5 win over the Chicago White Sox that he normally doesn't do, hit a home run. Kemp finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run a double, RBI and two runs scored. Outside of his 12 stolen bases this year, fantasy managers haven't gotten much […]

Brent Rooker Goes Deep In Win Over White Sox

Oakland Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker added to his strong season on Thursday by homering in the team's 8-5 win over the Chicago White Sox. Rooker finished the game 1-for-4 with a solo home run, his 22nd of the season. Before 2023, Rooker's career-high for home runs was nine, set back in 2021 with the Minnesota […]

Brewers Sign Fernando Abad To Minor-League Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers signed free-agent left-hander Fernando Abad to a minor-league deal on Thursday. Abad began the 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies but was released after posting a 4.26 ERA (8.16 FIP), 2.21 WHIP, three walks and two strikeouts in just 6 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The 37-year-old veteran southpaw was a […]

William Smith Gives Up Game-Winning Hit Thursday

Texas Rangers relief pitcher William Smith allowed the game-winning hit in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins during his inning of work when he came in with the bases loaded and no outs. Smith allowed a two-run home run to catcher Ryan Jeffers and didn't walk or strike out a batter. Josh Sborz was […]

Enrique Hernandez Busy In Win Over Guardians

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Enrique Hernandez was right in the middle of the team's 9-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, two RBI, two runs scored and a strikeout. Hernandez's home run was his first since Aug. 7, and he's now hitting .296 (24-for-81) with two […]

Brandon Belt Homers Again In Losing Effort

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Brandon Belt went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and a strikeout in the team's 5-3 loss to the division-rival Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. Belt now has four home runs in his last four games to bring his season total to 15 through 301 at-bats in his first […]