Max Kepler Hitting Leadoff Against Royals

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler is starting in right field and is batting leadoff for the Twins on Friday against right-hander Jordan Lyles and the Kansas City Royals. Kepler has been the Twins' leadoff hitter more often than not so far in 2023 against right-handed pitchers. However, he hasn't been all that great for fantasy […]

Justin Verlander Strikes Out Six In Rehab Outing

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his minor-league rehab start with Double-A Binghamton on Friday, giving up two hits while walking one and striking out six. He is scheduled to come off the injured list to make his debut for the Mets early next week against his […]

Yu Chang Has Surgery, Expected To Miss Six Weeks

Boston Red Sox infielder Yu Chang (hand) had successful surgery on Thursday to remove the hamate bone from his left hand/wrist and is expected to miss around six weeks of action. Chang was injured on Monday and will now miss around the next two months for the Red Sox. Before the injury, the 27-year-old infielder […]

Royals Recall Nick Pratto On Friday

The Kansas City Royals recalled first baseman Nick Pratto from Triple-A Omaha on Friday and optioned catcher Freddy Fermin to Omaha in a corresponding move. Pratto is starting at first base and batting sixth for the Royals in Friday's starting lineup against the Minnesota Twins and right-hander Pablo Lopez. The 24-year-old was slashing just .159/.259/.319 […]

Rafael Devers Hitting Cleanup For Boston

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is starting at the hot corner and batting cleanup for the team on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Shane Bieber. Meanwhile, outfielder Masataka Yoshida is starting in left field and batting in the two-hole for the BoSox. Devers and Yoshida are basically flip-flopping to begin the […]

Franmil Reyes, Nicky Lopez Not Playing Against Twins

Kansas City Royals outfielder Franmil Reyes and infielder Nicky Lopez are not in the team's starting lineup on Friday against right-hander Pablo Lopez and the Minnesota Twins. Reyes went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Thursday and is hitting just .200 (11-for-55) with two home runs, seven RBI and 22 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances through […]

Salvador Perez Returns Friday

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (back) is back in the starting lineup on Friday and is hitting third in the order against Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez. Perez sat out the team's last two games due to general soreness, and he was also hit in the back by a pitch earlier this week, but […]

Kevin Pillar Steals First Base Of The Season

Atlanta Braves outfielder Kevin Pillar stole his first base of the season in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the visiting Miami Marlins. Pillar finished the day 1-for-2 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk as well. The 34-year-old's work on the defense should continue to earn him playing time in Atlanta, but it will […]

Raisel Iglesias Throws Scoreless Rehab Inning

Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias (shoulder) made his first minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday and worked a clean inning with no hits or runs allowed while striking out one batter. The 33-year-old's velocity was a bit down despite the clean outing, so the Braves will likely want to see more from him […]

Mychal Givens Starts Rehab Assignment Friday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Mychal Givens (knee) will start his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Friday. Givens has yet to pitch in the big leagues this year for Baltimore due to left-knee inflammation, but he's getting closer to making his 2023 debut. While the 32-year-old right-hander probably won't need to spend a ton […]

Travis Jankowski Targeting A Friday Return

Texas Rangers outfielder Travis Jankowski (hip) felt he was in "a good spot" on Thursday after leaving Wednesday's series finale against the Cincinnati Reds with left-hip tightness. Jankowski said a trip to the injured list is "unlikely" and thinks he'll be an option to return to Friday's lineup. "Maybe one day I'll learn. But I […]

Josh Jung Expected To Return Friday

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (hand) was hit in the left hand by a pitch on Wednesday and was held out of Thursday's game, but manager Bruce Bochy expects Jung to try and push his way into Friday's lineup. Bochy said the decision would come down to the medical staff. Ezequiel Duran started at […]

J.D. Martinez Not Expected To Play Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) is still dealing with a lower-back issue and isn't expected to play for the series opener on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Martinez will be missing his fourth straight game this week and hasn't even swung a bat in a few days, so this is trending […]

Will Smith Likely To Return Friday Night

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (concussion) will likely return from the injured list on Friday night as the team's designated hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals with J.D. Martinez still dealing with a lower-back issue. As long as Smith comes out of his live batting practice session on Friday without any setbacks, he will […]

Michael Harris II Reinstated From Injured List

The Atlanta Braves reinstated outfielder Michael Harris II (back) from the 10-day injured list on Friday. The Braves also reinstated outfielder Eli White from the paternity list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett, while outfielder Nick Solak was optioned to Gwinnett after Thursday's game. Harris should be back in Atlanta's starting lineup on Friday against […]

Lions Receiving Trade Calls On D'Andre Swift

The Detroit Lions are receiving trade calls on running back D'Andre Swift, whose representatives have been in contact with the team about potentially moving to a new team, according to sources. The Lions took talented Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 overall in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft, and now […]

Davis Mills, Case Keenum To Compete For Backup Job

Houston Texans quarterbacks Davis Mills and Case Keenum are expected to compete for the backup job this summer after the team took C.J. Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night. There's no guarantee that the Texans will feel that Stroud is ready to start […]

Falcons Think Highly Of Bijan Robinson

The Atlanta Falcons took University of Texas running back Bijan Robinson with the eighth overall pick in Round 1 of Thursday night's NFL draft. "Bijan's more than a running back. He's an impact football player," head coach Arthur Smith said. "We just feel he's an explosive weapon. He's a home run hitter however he gets […]

Steelers Getting Calls For No. 32 Pick

The Pittsburgh Steelers' phone was already ringing for the No. 32 overall pick before Round 1 of this year's NFL draft ended on Thursday night, according to sources. Multiple teams made calls to teams at the bottom of the first round and were believed to be targeting University of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis. The bidding […]

Jahmyr Gibbs Projected To Be Lions' Lead Back

The Detroit Lions surprisingly took Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft. How he fits in Detroit's backfield will be interesting with D'Andre Swift and David Montgomery already in the fold. It's hard to know exactly what the team's long-term play is, […]

Phillies Think Taijuan Walker Will Make His Next Start

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker (forearm) played catch and saw a doctor on Thursday, and it was determined that an MRI exam wasn't necessary after Walker left his outing early on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners with right forearm tightness. The Phillies think he'll make his next start on Monday against the Los Angeles […]

Will Smith Could Come Off Injured List Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said "there's a chance" that catcher Will Smith (concussion) could be activated from the injured list to serve as the designated hitter on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals if he comes out of his simulated-game at-bats on Friday afternoon in good shape. Smith hasn't played since April 12 […]

Justin Verlander To Make Rehab Start Friday

New York Mets starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start on Friday for Double-A Binghamton, providing the weather cooperates. Verlander said earlier this week that he expects to come off the 15-day injured list to make his Mets debut after making just one rehab start. The 40-year-old three-time Cy […]

Aaron Judge Expects To Miss "Next Couple Of Days"

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (hip) said he expects to miss the "next couple of days," but that he's not concerned after leaving Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers early with right-hip discomfort. He felt his hip on Thursday morning when he got up. It was the result of the awkward head-first slide from […]

Will Levis' Toe Causing Him To Slide?

University of Kentucky quarterback Will Levis' left toe injury that caused him to miss two games last year was "problematic" for one team that considered taking him in the first round of Thursday night's NFL draft. Levis said his "toe has healed" and he's good to go. Another team thinks Levis could manage the toe […]

49ers Not Expected To Trade Trey Lance

The San Francisco 49ers aren't expected to trade quarterback Trey Lance, as no substantive talks have transpired over the last 72 hours-plus, according to sources. If Lance was going to be traded, it would have happened before the first round of the NFL draft commenced on Thursday night. The Houston Texans were one of the […]

Cardinals Don't Anticipate Trading DeAndre Hopkins

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort said, "I don't foresee that happening," when discussing a potential trade of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The 30-year-old pass-catcher didn't attend the team's voluntary offseason workouts, and he could be a holdout candidate once training camp comes at the end of July. Still, the Cardinals haven't seen any offers […]

Chiefs Close Out First Round With Felix Anudike-Uzomah

The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kansas State edge rusher Felix Anudike-Uzomah with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to close out the first round on Thursday night. Anudike-Uzomah stays in his hometown after earning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award while also being named a second-team All-American. He […]

Eagles Take Another Defender In Nolan Smith At No. 30

The Philadelphia Eagles selected University of Georgia edge rusher Nolan Smith with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Eagles were expected to place an emphasis on their defensive line early in this year's draft, and that's exactly what they did by taking Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter […]

Saints Go With Defense In Bryan Bresee At No. 29

The New Orleans Saints selected University of Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday night. Bresee is not a small human by any means. He stands at 6-foot-5, 298 pounds and will give New Orleans a monstrous presence on the interior of their defensive […]