Tom Murphy To Ramp Up Baseball Activities

Seattle Mariners catcher Tom Murphy (thumb) was "given clearance to take baseball activities to the next level" by Dr. Donald Sheridan, according to general manager Justin Hollander. Murphy suffered a left-thumb sprain earlier in August. "Some of this is just going to be a pain discomfort tolerance thing," Hollander said, adding that surgery is not […]

Colin Selby To Start For Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander Colin Selby will make the start on Saturday against the visiting Chicago Cubs, with rookie right-hander Osvaldo Bido expected to be the bulk-relief pitcher. Selby has made only seven relief appearances for the Pirates in his first MLB season and hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his outings, […]

Kevin Kiermaier Retreats To The Bench

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier will start Saturday's game against the visiting Cleveland Guardians on the bench with left-hander Logan Allen on the mound. The left-handed-hitting Kiermaier is actually hitting .299 (20-for-67) against southpaws in 2023, but he's yet to go deep against them in 43 games. Daulton Varsho will start in center field […]

Fernando Cruz To Serve As Opener Against Diamondbacks

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Fernando Cruz will serve as the team's opener on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cruz will only go an inning or two before likely giving way to right-hander Ben Lively (pectoral), who is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured to serve as the bulk reliever for this one. The 33-year-old […]

Brandon Belt Sitting Against Southpaw

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Brandon Belt is retreating to the bench on Saturday with the Cleveland Guardians starting left-hander Logan Allen. Bo Bichette is getting a day off his feet and will serve as the designated hitter and bat in the two-hole, while Santiago Espinal is starting at shortstop and batting eighth against Allen. […]

Alejandro Kirk Resting Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is not in the starting lineup on Saturday against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Danny Jansen will do the catching and bat sixth against Guardians left-hander Logan Allen. Kirk continues to share playing time behind the dish with Jansen, limiting his overall fantasy appeal to two-catcher leagues. The 24-year-old Mexican […]

Cubs Calling Up Jordan Wicks

The Chicago Cubs are calling up their 2021 first-round pick, left-hander Jordan Wicks, from the minors on Saturday. Wicks, who turns 24 next week, was 7-0 with a 3.55 ERA between Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa this year, also adding a 1.17 WHIP, 32 walks and 99 strikeouts in 91 1/3 total innings over 20 […]

Mike Evans In For A Big Season?

Contrary to popular belief, The Athletic's Dan Pompei writes that the expectation in Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp is that veteran wide receiver Mike Evans will actually have more production with quarterback Baker Mayfield throwing him the ball than he did with Tom Brady. Brady never forced passes to any receivers, but Mayfield is more […]

DK Metcalf Remains Geno Smith's Go-To Target

The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar writes that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf remains quarterback Geno Smith's go-to target after Metcalf accounted for 25.5 percent of Seattle's targets last year. The fifth-year wideout started his career as mostly an outside receiver, but he's evolved into a player who can stress defenses from the slot as well. […]

Tyrion Davis-Price Has Made Second-Year Leap

The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that San Francisco 49ers running back Tyrion Davis-Price has made a big second-year leap heading into the 2023 season and put on 14 pounds in the offseason after being a third-round selection a year ago. Davis-Price has been quick and explosive and is a much better pass-catcher than he was […]

George Pickens Ready For Second-Year Leap?

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is extremely athletic, leading ESPN analyst Ryan Clark to say that he thinks Pickens is more athletic than Vikings All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly thinks Pickens could be a WR1 on many fantasy teams in his second season with quarterback Kenny Pickett already firing on all […]

Dallas Goedert A Solid Investment

The Athletic's Bo Wulf writes that Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is as integral a part of the team's passing game as wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but he remains mired around TE7 in most fantasy drafts. There are health questions surround Goedert, but he has been dominant in training camp this […]

Mecole Hardman Jr. Could Have A Big Role

New York Jets wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have quickly built chemistry in training camp this summer, and Hardman has been a frequent target on Rodgers' quick passes shortly after the snap. Hardman is perfect for those plays because of his speed and after-the-catch ability, and the Jets should be able […]

Commanders Remain High On Sam Howell

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said that quarterback Sam Howell has a chance to be a "really good" quarterback for the team. Since Kirk Cousins last played for the team in 2017, the franchise has started 12 different QBs due to injuries and ineptitude. In Rivera's three seasons in D.C., the team has started […]

Nick Chubb Won't Play In Preseason Finale

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb won't suit up for the team's preseason finale on Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, quarterback Deshaun Watson and wide receivers Amari Cooper and Elijah Moore will play. Top backup Jerome Ford (hamstring) will also sit out with an injury, so Demetric Felton Jr., John Kelly Jr., Hassan […]

Jake Cronenworth Leaves After Hit By Pitch

San Diego Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth (wrist) left Friday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the top of the ninth inning after he was hit by a pitch in his right wrist area. He was replaced by Jose Azocar, who entered as a pinch-runner. Before leaving early, Cronenworth had gone 1-for-3 in the eventual […]

Jalin Hyatt Could Have Breakout Rookie Season

The Athletic's Charlotte Carroll thinks that New York Giants rookie wide receiver Jalin Hyatt could be a surprise rookie breakout in 2023. He has become quite comfortable in the offense at training camp despite questions about his route-tree abilities coming out of college. Hyatt has shown speed, made a few long touchdown receptions in practice […]

Kendre Miller Should Be Involved Early On

New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams will be the starting RB for the Saints during the first three weeks of the season with Alvin Kamara suspended. However, rookie Kendre Miller made his case in the team's second preseason game to be involved in the offense while Kamara is away. The third-rounder had 59 yards […]

Starling Marte Unsure If He'll Return This Year

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte's (groin) optimism for a quick return has waned over the last two weeks after a second opinion on his right-groin strain. "We don't know yet," Marte said when asked if he will play in September. "It could be. It could not be. We're just trying to go through the […]

Ozzie Albies Unlikely To Return This Weekend

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (hamstring) is in San Francisco with the team and is progressing, but manager Brian Snitker said Albies returning this weekend against the Giants is unlikely to happen. The 26-year-old was eligible to return from the injured list on Friday after being sidelined with a left-hamstring strain, but the Braves […]

Nolan Arenado Leaves With Lower-Back Tightness

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (back) left Friday night's game early against the Philadelphia Phillies due to lower-back tightness. Before leaving prematurely, Arenado went hitless in three at-bats to drop his season average to .281. He was replaced at the hot corner by Taylor Motter, who shifted over from second base. Fantasy managers […]

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 […]