Mazi Smith Could Be A Force In The Middle Immediately

The Dallas Cowboys took defensive tackle Mazi Smith in the first round of this year's NFL draft, and Smith should instantly improve the team's below-average run defense. The Cowboys also think he can eventually contribute more pass rush than he showed in college, but at the very least he should be a force in the […]

Siaki Ika Could Have Big Role In First Season

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Siaki Ika could have the best chance of any of the team's rookies to have a significant role in his first NFL season in 2023. The Browns didn't have enough size or talent at defensive tackle last year, which is why they signed 325-pound Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency and used […]

O'Cyrus Torrence Could Start Immediately

The Buffalo Bills took offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence with a premium pick in this year's draft at No. 59 overall, and although they likely won't commit to it publicly, with his type of talent and fit in the zone-blocking scheme they plan to use more in 2023, they're likely hoping Torrence can win a starting […]

Bijan Robinson To Be A Huge Part Of Rotation

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, who was taken eighth overall in this year's NFL draft, will be a huge part of Atlanta's running back rotation right away, and he can affect every aspect of the offense. Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who played with Robinson at the University of Texas, compared Robinson to the […]

Paris Johnson Jr. Expected To Start Right Away

Arizona Cardinals offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. was regarded by many as the best offensive lineman in this year's NFL draft, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he's expected to start in Week 1 of the 2023 season, if he's healthy. Johnson played both guard and tackle at Ohio State, and that […]

Zach Banner Attempting NFL Comeback

Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner hasn't returned to the NFL since he was released by the Steelers in the spring of last year. However, he announced on Thursday that he's not ready to retire and that he is still attempting to recover from a "devastating" knee injury that he suffered in 2020. "I […]

Phillies Call Up Jeff Hoffman

The Philadelphia Phillies selected the contract of right-hander Jeff Hoffman from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday and optioned right-hander Yunior Marte to Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. The Phillies also designated right-hander James McArthur for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Hoffman, 30, comes to the Phillies in a relief role after […]

No Ligament Damage For Michael Harris II

Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (knee) didn't suffer any ligament damage in his right knee when he jammed it on Wednesday. He hyperextended his knee, and eventually felt lucky it wasn't worse. "I was thinking I was gonna have to be carried off the field at first, and that it was going to be […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Will Be Fine

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) was having trouble bending his knee on Thursday after fouling a ball off of it, so the team felt that it was best to pull him and have him begin getting treatment. Snitker said Acuna is going to be fine. The 25-year-old superstar […]

Giants Agree To Four-Year Extension With Dexter Lawrence

The New York Giants and All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence agreed to a four-year, $90 million contract extension on Thursday, according to sources. The deal includes $60 million guaranteed. The deal makes Lawrence the third-highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. The former first-round pick (17th overall) in 2019 out of Clemson made his first Pro […]

Dan Arnold Agrees To One-Year Deal With Eagles

Former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Dan Arnold agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, according to a source. The former undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin-Platteville will give the Eagles more tight end depth behind Dallas Goedert, but the Eagles also have Jack Stoll, Tyree Jackson, Dalton Keene and Grant […]

Cowboys Want Extensions For CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott

The Dallas Cowboys want to get contract extensions done with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had his 2024 fifth-year option picked up, quarterback Dak Prescott, who is signed through the 2024 season, and cornerback Trevon Diggs, who is in the final year of his contract in 2023. Lamb is Dallas' top priority. He has made […]

Garrett Mitchell Undergoes Surgery, Likely Out For The Year

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (shoulder) had shoulder surgery on Tuesday and is likely out for the rest of the season, although there remains a sliver of hope that he can return to play late in the year. "It was a serious surgery and the timeframe makes it unlikely, like we said," manager Craig Counsell […]

Nolan Gorman Dealing With Lower-Back Tightness

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that infielder Nolan Gorman (back) was removed from Thursday's game early against the Los Angeles Angels because of lower-back tightness. Taylor Motter entered the game in the sixth inning to pinch hit for Gorman. The 22-year-old infielder went 0-for-3 with a run scored in the contest before departing, […]

Michael Harris II Available To Play Thursday

While Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (knee) didn't start on Thursday against the Miami Marlins, he was receiving treatment before the game, and manager Brian Snitker said he'd be available off the bench. Harris is sore after jamming his right knee on Wednesday night, and the Braves were going to think about giving him […]

Zach Plesac Optioned, Peyton Battenfield Expected To Start Friday

The Cleveland Guardians officially optioned right-hander Zach Plesac to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. Rookie right-hander Peyton Battenfield is expected to start on Friday against the Minnesota Twins in Plesac's rotation spot. Plesac had a rough 7.59 ERA in five starts this year, and opponents were posting a .374/.404/.576 slash line against him. The 28-year-old will […]

Kenley Jansen Fully Available Thursday

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that closer Kenley Jansen (back) is fully available to pitch on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Jansen will be available for the first time since dealing with back tightness in his last outing on Saturday, but he was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday […]

Jeurys Familia Designated For Assignment

The Oakland Athletics designated right-handers Jeurys Familia and Domingo Acevedo for assignment on Thursday. The team also recalled right-handers Rico Garcia, Spencer Patton and Austin Pruitt from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned right-hander Adam Oller to Las Vegas. Familia has a team-leading two saves on the year, but his 6.39 ERA (7.31 FIP), 2.05 WHIP […]

Vince Velasquez Leave's Early With Right-Elbow Discomfort

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (elbow) left his start early on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays due to right-elbow discomfort, the team announced. Velasquez's velocity took a dip in the ballgame as well, and he was removed in the bottom of the fourth inning after he allowed a run on two hits (one […]

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Not Playing Against Lefty

Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not in the starting lineup on Thursday for the series finale against the Atlanta Braves and left-hander Dylan Dodd. The Marlins will give Chisholm a normal day of rest in a day game and against a southpaw. Fantasy managers will want to pull him out of their lineups. […]

Luke Goedeke The Favorite To Start At Right Tackle

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Luke Goedeke, who struggled at left guard in his rookie season in 2022, is the front-runner to start at right tackle in 2023 with Tristan Wirfs moving to left tackle. Brandon Walton and Matt Feiler will be competing with Goedeke in training camp this summer. Tampa sees second-round pick Cody […]

Browns Agree With Rodney McLeod

The Cleveland Browns agreed to terms on an undisclosed deal on Thursday with veteran free-agent safety Rodney McLeod, according to a source. He will likely step into a key backup role in Cleveland's secondary behind starting safeties Grant Delpit and Juan Thornhill. McLeod was a key member of the Indianapolis Colts' defense in 2022 in […]

Colts Waive Chris Williams, Others

The Indianapolis Colts waived defensive tackle Chris Williams, defensive end Kameron Cline, tight ends Nikola Kalinic and Jalen Wydermyer and linebacker Forrest Rhyne on Thursday. Williams played in 13 games (zero starts) for the Colts the last two years and had just six combined tackles and a QB hit. The moves free up space for […]

Jake Burger Goes On Injured List

The Chicago White Sox placed infielder Jake Burger (oblique) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a strained left oblique and recalled infielder Lenyn Sosa from Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. Burger injured himself during a swing on Wednesday night and will likely miss more than 10 days on the injured list. It's […]

Tim Anderson Resting Against Twins

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is not in the starting lineup versus right-hander Pablo Lopez and the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Anderson returned from the injured list on Tuesday and went hitless, but he rebounded with three hits on Wednesday and will get a breather as we head into the weekend. The 29-year-old All-Star […]

Mike Trout Resting, Zach Neto Returns Thursday

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is not in the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Meanwhile, rookie shortstop Zach Neto (finger) is back at shortstop and is hitting leadoff against Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty. Trout is getting a normal day of rest after starting each of the team's last 11 […]

Ke'Bryan Hayes Hitting Seventh Against Rays

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes is starting at third base and batting seventh in the lineup on Thursday against right-hander Zach Eflin and the Tampa Bay Rays. With Hayes moving down the order, Tucupita Marcano will get the nod in the leadoff spot for the Bucs. Hayes has really struggled of late at the […]

Brett Baty Out Of Lineup Against Lefty

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty is not in Thursday's starting lineup against the Detroit Tigers and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Baty has performed nicely in his first 14 games with the Mets so far in 2023, hitting .311 (14-for-45) with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI and five runs scored, but he'll take […]

Justin Verlander Activated And Making Season Debut Thursday

The New York Mets activated starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) from the injured list on Thursday, and he will be making his 2023 debut against his old team, the Detroit Tigers. In corresponding moves, the Mets signed right-hander Dominic Leone and activated him, optioned right-hander John Curtiss and left-hander Zach Muckenhirn to the minors, returned […]

Jameson Taillon Activated From Injured List To Start Thursday

The Chicago Cubs activated right-hander Jameson Taillon (groin) from the injured list on Thursday, and he will make the start against the Washington Nationals on the road. In a corresponding move, the Cubs optioned pitcher Jeremiah Estrada to the minors. Taillon is returning from a left-groin strain in an excellent matchup against the Nats. However, […]