Nick Vespi Undergoes Hernia Surgery

Baltimore Orioles left-hander Nick Vespi (hernia) had successful hernia surgery on Thursday morning that was performed by Dr. Russell Novak. Vespi will begin his rehab in Sarasota, Fla., next week. The Orioles expect him to be available for the early part of the 2023 season. The 27-year-old southpaw made his major-league debut for the O's […]

Orioles Claim Lewin Diaz Off Waivers From Braves

The Baltimore Orioles claimed first baseman Lewin Diaz off waivers from the Atlanta Braves on Thursday and designated first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn for assignment in a corresponding move. Diaz continues to get passed around multiple MLB clubs this offseason, but he'll make a return to Baltimore for now. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting first baseman played in […]

Blue Jays Claim Junior Fernandez Off Waivers From Yankees

The Toronto Blue Jays claimed right-hander Junior Fernandez off waivers from the New York Yankees on Thursday. Fernandez has had a tumultuous couple of months, spending time with the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees since last September. The 25-year-old Dominican spent the 2022 season with the Cardinals and Pirates, appearing in 16 games […]

Tommy La Stella Released By Giants

The San Francisco Giants placed infielder Tommy La Stella on unconditional release waivers on Thursday, the team announced. La Stella was designated for assignment last week and is still owed $11.5 million for the 2023 season. The 33-year-old wasn't going to be claimed on waivers with that kind of price tag, but now he's free […]

Reds Release Mike Moustakas

The Cincinnati Reds released infielder Mike Moustakas on Thursday after designating him for assignment on Dec. 22 when the team signed catcher Curt Casali. Moustakas went unclaimed on waivers and is now free to sign with any team he so chooses. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger finished the 2022 season on the injured list with a […]

Mets Gaining Momentum Toward Deal With Carlos Correa

The New York Mets and the representatives for free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa continue to negotiate contract details after the team cited an issue with his physical following the 12-year, $315 million agreement in hopes of finally getting something done. It's been more than two weeks since Correa and the Mets initially agreed on a deal. […]

Diontae Johnson Returns To Full Practice

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hip) was a full participant in practice on Thursday after he was held out of Wednesday's session. In a must-win game in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, Johnson should be on the field and available to fantasy managers still playing for […]

Jerry Jeudy Limited Again Thursday

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (ankle) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second day in a row. Meanwhile, Kendall Hinton (hamstring) missed his second straight day of practice. Jeudy should be just fine to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, barring a setback […]

DeSean Jackson Still Out Sick Thursday

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver DeSean Jackson (illness) was absent from practice on Thursday for the second day in a row. Jackson's status for the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals is now in jeopardy, although a return to practice on Friday would put him in a good spot to be […]

Jonnu Smith Back At Practice

New England Patriots tight end Jonnu Smith (concussion) returned to practice on Thursday after picking up a DNP on Wednesday. Smith is progressing through the league's concussion protocol, but there's still no guarantee he will be out there in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills in a must-win game. However, the […]

Aaron Rodgers Returns To Thursday's Practice

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee, thumb) returned to practice on Thursday after getting a regular maintenance day off on Wednesday. Rodgers has been dealing with a minor knee issue in recent weeks, but he will absolutely be on the field this Sunday night in a divisional showdown against the Detroit Lions to close […]

Lamar Jackson Misses 14th Straight Practice

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) was absent for his 14th straight practice on Thursday. Meanwhile, Tyler Huntley (shoulder, wrist) didn't throw during the portion of practice open to the media. Huntley is likely to be listed as limited for the second straight day. Because the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals aren't going to finish their Week […]

Giants Seem Likely To Rest Starters In Week 18

Based on what the New York Daily News' Pat Leonard witnessed during the New York Giants' practice on Thursday, it seems more likely that the team will rest several starters in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Eagles are still trying to clinch the No. 1 overall seed […]

Skyy Moore Ruled Out For Week 18

Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Skyy Moore (hand) did not practice on Thursday and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular season finale on Saturday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Moore's injured hand remains swollen and sore, so the Chiefs will take precaution and hold him out so that he's ready […]

Bill-Bengals Game Won't Be Finished

The Week 17 game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals that was postponed on Monday night after Bills safety Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest in the first quarter will not be finished. The league is currently figuring out how to configure the AFC playoffs without that game being played. It's possible that an […]

Robbie Anderson Missing Again Thursday

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Robbie Anderson (back) wasn't seen on the practice field on Thursday in the portion of practice open to the media. If Anderson doesn't practice on Thursday, it will be his second straight missed session of the week, leaving his status up in the air for Sunday's season finale against the San […]

James Conner Back On The Practice Field

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee, shin) was on the field for the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday. Conner was held out of practice on Wednesday, but the fact that he's back out there means that he should be available to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against […]

Brian O'Keefe Returns To Mariners

The Seattle Mariners re-signed catcher Brian O'Keefe to a minor-league deal this week. O'Keefe is likely to be invited to major-league spring training. He made his major-league debut for the Mariners in 2022 but only appeared in two games, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts in his four plate appearances. The 29-year-old backstop […]

Nick Wittgren Lands With Royals

The Kansas City Royals signed free-agent right-hander Nick Wittgren to a minor-league deal this week. Wittgren is likely to receive a non-roster invitation to big-league spring training. The 31-year-old has had a couple bad seasons in 2021 and 2022 with the Cleveland Guardians and St. Louis Cardinals, posting a combined 5.32 ERA (4.52 FIP), a […]

Padres Agree To Minor-League Deal With Wilmer Font

The San Diego Padres agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent right-hander Wilmer Font on Thursday. The deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Font returns to the big leagues after posting a 3.03 ERA with a 24.5 percent strikeout rate over 28 starts in Korea over the last two seasons for the SSG […]

Dodgers Sign David Freitas To Minor-League Deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free-agent catcher David Freitas to a minor-league deal on Thursday. Freitas didn't reach the major leagues in 2022 after signing a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees. In 36 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he hit .239/.310/.345 with a .655 OPS, two home runs, nine RBI and nine runs scored […]

Rangers Agree With Kyle Funkhouser

The Texas Rangers agreed with free-agent right-hander Kyle Funkhouser (shoulder) on a minor-league deal on Thursday, according to a source. Funkhouser was a key part of the bullpen for the Detroit Tigers in 2021 but missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. The 28-year-old had a 3.42 ERA (4.27 FIP), 1.40 WHIP, one […]

Tony Wolters Agrees To Minor-League Deal With Twins

The Minnesota Twins agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent catcher Tony Wolters on Thursday. Wolters will likely receive a non-roster invitation to major-league spring training, but the 30-year-old backstop will likely begin the 2023 season in the minor leagues. He played in just two big-league games in 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and […]

Brian Robinson Jr. Not Practicing On Thursday

Washington Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. (knee) is missing from practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. The Commanders also put Antonio Gibson (foot, knee) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, so the team would be left with Jonathan Williams and Jaret Patterson in their backfield in Week 18 against the […]

Tyler Lockett Considered Day-To-Day

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (leg) got through a fractured finger while returning to action in Week 17, but now he's day-to-day after suffering a leg contusion in last week's win over the New York Jets. "He's still sore, we're going to hold him out today," head coach Pete Carroll told reporters on Wednesday. […]

Julio Jones Missing Again Thursday

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) was not seen on Thursday during the portion of practice open to the media. It will mark Jones' second straight missed practice this week if he's officially a DNP on the final practice report. Jones will have to return to practice in some capacity on Friday in […]

Antonio Gibson Placed On Injured Reserve

The Washington Commanders placed running back Antonio Gibson (foot, knee) on Injured Reserve on Thursday, so he will not finish out the regular season in Week 18 against the Dallas Cowboys. In corresponding moves, the team signed running back Jaret Patterson from the practice squad to the active roster and signed running back Reggie Bonnafon […]

Damar Hamlin Making Steady Progress

The Buffalo Bills released a statement on Thursday regarding safety Damar Hamlin, saying, "Per the physicians caring for Damar Hamlin at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Damar has shown remarkable improvement over the past 24 hours. While still critically ill, he has demonstrated that he appears to be neurologically intact. His lungs continue to […]

Joey Votto Uncertain If He'll Be Ready For Spring Training

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (shoulder) is unsure if he'll be ready for spring training, which begins in about six weeks, after he had surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder and damage to his bicep nearly five months ago. Votto has taken swings in a batting cage recently, but […]

Brian O'Neill Placed On Injured Reserve

Minnesota Vikings standout offensive tackle Brian O'Neill (Achilles) was placed on the Injured Reserve on Tuesday after suffering a partially torn Achilles last week, according to sources. He will miss the rest of the season, including playoffs, and is on the road to recovery. It's a big loss for the Vikings offensive line as they […]