James Paxton Back To Full Health

After being shut down last August with a lat strain, Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton (lat) is back to full strength. He threw eight bullpen sessions this winter and had his first bullpen session of spring training on Thursday. Boston turned down a two-year, $26 million club option this winter, but Paxton exercised a […]

Corey Kluber Throws First Bullpen Session

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Corey Kluber threw his first bullpen session of spring training on Friday. The veteran right-hander made 31 starts for the Tampa Bay Rays last season and posted a 4.34 ERA in his first healthy season since 2018. "In that regard, just the mental side of knowing I'm still capable of […]

Garrett Whitlock, Joely Rodriguez Throw On Friday

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (hip) and left-hander Joely Rodriguez (shoulder) threw for the first time in spring training on Friday. Whitlock is coming off a hip injury that required surgery and is expected to be a full-time starter for the BoSox in 2023. The 26-year-old finished his second MLB season in 2022 with […]

Reds Re-Sign Hunter Strickland To Minor-League Deal

The Cincinnati Reds re-signed relief pitcher Hunter Strickland to a minor-league deal on Saturday. Strickland had seven saves for the Reds last year to go along with a 4.91 ERA (4.78 FIP), 1.51 WHIP, 33 walks and 60 strikeouts in 62 1/3 relief innings. He lost his handle on the closing gig in August due […]

Felix Bautista Hopes To Be Ready For Opening Day

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) is feeling good and hopes to be ready for Opening Day. He has thrown four bullpen sessions in spring training and went at 70 percent effort on Friday. Bautista thinks he can start getting into spring games on March 15 or 16. Since he's a reliever, he will […]

Cubs Sign Edwin Rios To One-Year Deal

The Chicago Cubs signed free-agent corner infielder Edwin Rios to a one-year, $1 million deal on Friday. In a corresponding move, the team placed relief pitcher Ethan Roberts (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Rios became a free agent in 2022 when he was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers after hitting .244 with seven […]

Eagles Request To Interview Sean Desai For DC Job

The Philadelphia Eagles have requested permission to interview Seattle Seahawks associate head coach/defensive assistant Sean Desai for their open defensive coordinator position, according to a league source. Desai coached at Temple from 2006-10 and also spent nine seasons in various roles for the Chicago Bears before becoming a defensive assistant under head coach Peter Carroll […]

Cardinals Request To Interview DeMarcus Covington

The Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview New England Patriots defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington for their defensive coordinator position under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, according to a source. The 33-year-old is a rising young coach who developed a relationship with new Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort while the two were in New England. […]

Dave Borgonzi To Interview For Cardinals DC Position

Chicago Bears linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi will interview with the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday for their defensive coordinator position. Borgonzi coached linebackers for the Indianapolis Colts for four years before moving to the Bears in 2022, along with head coach Matt Eberflus. He has also worked for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys. New […]

Cardinals Request Permission To Interview Troy Walters

The Arizona Cardinals requested permission to interview Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters for their offensive coordinator position, according to a league source. In addition to Walters, the Cardinals are looking at Drew Petzing, Drew Terrell and Joel Thomas as their new offensive coordinator on new head coach Jonathan Gannon's staff. Walters has been […]

Bears Release Al-Quadin Muhammad

The Chicago Bears released defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad on Friday, according to a source. The move comes after Muhammad had a tough season in his first year in Chicago. He played in 16 games and made nine starts, recording 29 tackles (15 solo), three QB hits, one sack and a forced fumble in 2022 while […]

Panthers Hire Thomas Brown As Offensive Coordinator

The Carolina Panthers officially hired Los Angeles Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas Brown as their new offensive coordinator on Friday. The Panthers went with Brown after he impressed in his second interview for the job, and it's an important hire for new head coach Frank Reich. The 36-year-oLD Brown spent the last three […]

Commanders Finalizing Deal With Eric Bieniemy For OC Job

The Washington Commanders and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy are finalizing a deal on Friday for Bieniemy to be Washington's new offensive coordinator, according to sources. Bieniemy was the Commanders' first choice all along, and they appear to be on the verge of hiring him after meeting with him for a second consecutive […]

Joseph Ossai Has Shoulder Surgery

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (shoulder) had surgery on his shoulder after suffering a torn labrum that he played through this season, according to sources. Offensive tackle Jonah Williams (knee) also recently had knee surgery after dislocating his kneecap late in the year. The 22-year-old Ossai was taken in the third round of the […]

Matthew Slater Will Return For 16th Season

The New England Patriots announced on Friday that wide receiver and special teams ace Matthew Slater will return to the team in 2023 for his 16th season. The 37-year-old is a veteran of 15 NFL seasons (all with New England) after originally coming into the NFL as a fifth-round pick out of UCLA in 2008. […]

Packers Ready To Move On From Aaron Rodgers?

On the Go Long Podcast, Bob McGinn said he's learned that the Green Bay Packers have all but moved on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. In addition, the team is more confident in ever in Jordan Love. The four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer has yet […]

Derek Carr Set To Visit The Jets

Free-agent quarterback Derek Carr will visit with the New York Jets this weekend, according to sources. Jets owner Woody Johnson shared with ESPN last week that the team's priority this offseason is to bring in a veteran quarterback such as Carr. More visits are likely to come for Carr, and he's already met with the […]

Robbie Grossman Heads To Rangers

Free-agent outfielder Robbie Grossman signed with the Texas Rangers on Friday. The New York Post's Joel Sherman reported the deal is for one year and $2 million. Grossman comes to Texas after a disappointing 2022 campaign for the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves. He hit a combined .209/.310/.311 with a .622 OPS, seven home runs, […]

Noah Syndergaard Showing Uptick In Velocity

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Noah Syndergaard has already shown an uptick in velocity in bullpen sessions compared to the sessions he threw a year ago. "There's going to be a marked increase in velocity (this year), in our opinion," Roberts said. The 30-year-old worked on his mechanics in the offseason, […]

Brayan Bello Shut Down With Forearm Soreness

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander Brayan Bello (forearm) has been shut down briefly due to right forearm soreness that he experienced in his last bullpen session when he threw a lot of breaking balls. Bello is scheduled to resume throwing on Monday. "We're very confident Monday he's back on his throwing […]

Michael Soroka Dealing With Hamstring Soreness

Atlanta Braves right-hander Michael Soroka (hamstring) is dealing with hamstring soreness in spring training, according to manager Brian Snitker. Soroka reported the soreness when he arrived in camp, and the Braves are holding him out for now as a precaution. It's not a great start to the spring for the 25-year-old starter as he looks […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Dealing With Arm Soreness

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (arm) experienced some arm soreness in camp, but the skipper didn't specify what kind of soreness exactly after McCullers threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Baker isn't very concerned. It sounds as if the 29-year-old right-hander is dealing with the same forearm injury […]

Clayton Kershaw Won't Pitch In World Baseball Classic

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced on Friday that he will not be participating for Team USA in this year's World Baseball Classic. Kershaw declined to give a specific reason, but he said it is "super disappointing." The most likely reason is a complication with insurance for Kershaw after he missed time due to […]

Aaron Nola, Phillies In Extension Talks

The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Aaron Nola have begun discussions on a long-term contract extension, according to multiple major-league sources. He's currently scheduled to become a free agent after the 2023 season. There appears to be momentum to reach an agreement sometime this spring, and Nola has expressed his interest in remaining in Philadelphia. […]

Bryce Harper Won't Be In Camp Until March

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) will not arrive at spring training with the team until early March, according to manager Rob Thomson. It's not much of a surprise after Harper had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in late November. The 30-year-old former MVP is expected to be out for most of the […]

Julio Rodriguez Could Run More This Year

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez only had four of his 25 stolen bases in the second half of last season, but part of that was due to health, and part of it was pitchers paying more attention to him on the bases. But Rodriguez could be running even more in 2023. "It's a big part […]

Dustin May Will Face Restrictions In 2023

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said right-hander Dustin May will be under some limitations in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery this year, but the Dodgers haven't exactly decided what that entails. "But I'm excited for him to start the season healthy and not being in that rehab mode," Roberts added. […]

Cionel Perez, Bryan Baker Could Be Closing Options

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that relievers Cionel Perez and Bryan Baker could get opportunities to close out games if closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) isn't ready for the start of the 2023 season. In addition to Bautista, late-inning reliever Dillon Tate (elbow) is slated to miss the first month of the season. Fantasy […]

Jameson Taillon Tweaking His Slider

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon has been working on tweaking his slider grip in spring training. Taillon agreed to a four-year, $68 million deal with the Cubs in free agency after spending the last two years with the New York Yankees, where he went 22-11 with a 4.08 ERA (4.16 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 76 walks […]

Nestor Cortes Throws Bullpen Session Friday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (hamstring), who had to pull out of this year's World Baseball Classic due to a right hamstring injury, threw a bullpen session on Friday. Cortes' injury appears to be very minor, but the Yankees aren't taking any chances this early in spring training, and it was a no-brainer […]