Yordan Alvarez Still Not Swinging

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) still isn't swinging a bat at spring training, according to manager Dusty Baker. General manager Dana Brown said on Tuesday that Alvarez "should definitely be back for Opening Day," but the longer he goes without swinging, the greater the chance that he might need an injured list stint […]

Justin Dirden Impressing Dusty Baker

Houston Astros outfielder Justin Dirden has been impressing manager Dusty Baker in spring training. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder isn't on Houston's 40-man roster, but he's already hit two home runs in the Grapefruit League. "We're impressed with him and that's why he's here," said Baker. "He's getting a lot of playing time, getting a lot […]

Hunter Brown Fine-Tuning His Slider

Houston Astros top pitching prospect Hunter Brown, MLB Pipeline's No. 43 overall prospect, appears headed toward a spot in the starting rotation to begin the 2023 season with Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) injured. Brown struggled with his command in his Grapefruit League start on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox, and he said refining the […]

James Paxton Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day

Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain, which is the least serious. However, he'll be shut down for a bit in spring training and seems unlikely to be on the Opening Day roster. The Red Sox's rotation will be thin to open the season, with both […]

Marco Gonzales Fans Three Against D-Backs

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales turned in a nice performance on Friday in Cactus League play in the 6-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gonzales picked up the win and allowed three hits while walking two and striking out three in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. It was a nice bounce-back outing in spring training […]

Tom Murphy Homers Friday Night

Seattle Mariners catcher Tom Murphy went 3-for-3 with a home run and three runs scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Cactus League play. Murphy hadn't done much in his first three spring games, but he broke out at the plate on Friday. The 31-year-old backstop is returning after having season-ending surgery […]

Ozzie Albies Playing Second Base Saturday

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (shoulder) is starting at second base and is hitting fifth in the batting order on Saturday in the team's Grapefruit League game against the Minnesota Twins. Albies had a clean-up procedure on his right shoulder last October and had been serving as the designated hitter in spring games up […]

Dodgers The Early Favorites For Shohei Ohtani?

Some folks around major-league baseball see the Los Angeles Dodgers as the very early favorite to sign Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani if he reaches free agency after the 2023 season. The Dodgers are perennial winners in a geographically desirable area for Ohtani, and they also cut up to $40 million out of […]

Rangers Sign Will Smith

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-hander Will Smith to an undisclosed one-year major-league contract on Saturday. Smith will join the team's spring training workouts on Saturday. The 33-year-old reliever pitched for the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros in 2022, posting a 3.97 ERA (4.26 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, five saves and 65 strikeouts in 59 relief […]

Andrew Painter Going For Tests On Elbow

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter (elbow) felt some tenderness in his right elbow and went for tests on Friday. The Phillies will know more on Saturday, so check back then for updates. The 19-year-old right-hander is extremely impressive and came into spring training with a shot to win an Opening Day rotation spot. Although […]

Nick Gordon Suffers Ankle Sprain

Minnesota Twins utility man Nick Gordon (ankle) suffered a mild to moderate left ankle sprain in the team's Grapefruit League game on Friday against the Boston Red Sox. X-rays ruled out a fracture, but he was in a walking boot and was using crutches after the game. The Twins will continue to evaluate him, and […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Injury Isn't Serious

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) will be evaluated on Saturday, depending on how he feels, according to manager John Schneider. Guerrero isn't scheduled for an MRI exam or any tests as of right now, and his removal from the Grapefruit League game on Friday was precautionary. Check back on Saturday for […]

Dalton Kincaid Won't Do Drills At Combine

University of Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (back), who could be the top prospect at the tight end position this year, will not participate in any drills at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend. Kincaid is dealing with a tiny fracture in his back that he suffered in the regular season finale last year. He […]

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Won't Run At Combine

Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (hamstring) confirmed that he will do everything at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday except run the 40-yard dash. Smith-Njigba is feeling 100 percent healthy, but it's only been two to three weeks, so he hasn't gotten as many repetitions with the 40-yard dash as he wants. He will […]

Bryce Young The Probable No. 1 Pick

University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young will be measured at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, but whatever his results end up being, he's still likely to be the probable No. 1 overall pick in April's draft. When asked about concerns about his size, Young said, "I've been this size, respectfully, my whole life. I […]

Randall Cobb Undergoes Ankle Surgery

Green Bay Packers veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb (ankle) recently had surgery to clean out the back of his ankle to fix a persisting issue, according to sources. Cobb continues to weigh his future this offseason, but if he returns to play in 2023, he should be pain-free with his ankle. The 32-year-old will hit […]

Jalen Ramsey A Good Fit For Cowboys?

The Los Angeles Rams remain tight-lipped on the trade availability of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but there's a rumor picking up steam around league circles that the Dallas Cowboys would be a good fit for his services. Pairing Ramsey with cornerback Trevon Diggs would give Dallas one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. Dallas' […]

Brandin Cooks Not Close To Being Traded?

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks requested a trade last year, and the Texas were open to working with him to deal him, but nothing materialized. Cooks could still be moved this offseason, but it hasn't appeared that anything is imminent, according to a person involved in the matter who was not authorized to speak […]

Browns Could Restructure Deshaun Watson's Contract

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said this week that the team could restructure quarterback Deshaun Watson's contract this offseason. Watson signed a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal in 2022. If a restructure ends up happening, Cleveland would likely convert a portion of his $46 million base salary in 2023 into a signing bonus […]

Mac Jones Expected To Be Starter In 2023

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones, the team's 2021 first-round pick, is still expected to be the team's starter in 2023. Multiple people involved in the situation who weren't authorized to speak publicly are calling it Jones' job to lose, but backup Bailey Zappe will have a chance to push Jones. Jones was second in […]

Cowboys Plan To Use Franchise Tag On Tony Pollard

The Dallas Cowboys will place the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Tony Pollard if the two sides cannot work out a long-term deal by Tuesday's deadline to use the franchise tag, according to sources. The Cowboys have been clear that the tag is an option with Pollard and they aren't in the business […]

Giants, Daniel Jones Making Progress In Talks

There has been progress in recent days between the New York Giants and impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones on a contract extension, according to sources. Getting a deal done by Tuesday's deadline to use the franchise tag doesn't seem unreasonable. Jones had the best season of his young career in 2022 under head coach Brian […]

Jets Could Take A Quarterback In The Draft

It wouldn't be shocking if the New York Jets took a quarterback in this year's draft, according to sources. It's unlikely that they'd go that route in the first round, though, unless a potential franchise QB fell to them at pick No. 13. A more likely scenario would be them selecting a signal-caller on Day […]

Jets The Favorites For Derek Carr?

The New York Jets met for a second time with free-agent quarterback Derek Carr at the scouting combine this week. However, they are also willing to wait out Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' decision on whether he wants to continue his career. It's shaping up as the Packers, Jets or bust for Rodgers in […]

Raiders Plan To Use Franchise Tag On Josh Jacobs

The Las Vegas Raiders plan to place the franchise tag on impending free-agent running back Josh Jacobs if the two sides don't reach a contract extension by Tuesday's deadline, according to sources. Jacobs was the NFL's leading rusher in 2022 and is viewed as a big part of the team's future. The 25-year-old rushed for […]

James Paxton Tweaks His Hamstring

Updating a previous report, Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton (hamstring) said that he tweaked his right hamstring in his Grapefruit League appearance against the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Paxton said he's unsure how much time he'll have to miss, but he'll see how he's feeling on Saturday and go from there. The 34-year-old southpaw […]

Ryan McMahon Likely To Move To 2B This Year

Colorado Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said that the team will likely move infielder Ryan McMahon to second base with Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) potentially missing the entire 2023 season. Colorado will also look at Nolan Jones and Elehuris Montero at third base while keeping Kris Bryant in the outfield. Schmidt also didn't completely rule out […]

Jon Gray Scratched With Back Tightness

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (back) was scratched from his Cactus League start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants with back tightness. The Rangers starter for Friday's spring game is now left-hander Taylor Hearn. We're still early enough in spring training that Gray may not be in danger of missing Opening Day, but […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Departs Early With Sore Knee

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) left Friday's Grapefruit League game early with right knee discomfort. Guerrero singled early in the game and took second base on a throw to home, but his final steps into second base looked awkward. The Blue Jays will likely have an update on Guerrero after the […]

Nick Gordon Leaves Game Early With Injury

Minnesota Twins outfielder Nick Gordon (undisclosed) was slow to get up after tumbling to the ground during a throw to first base in the Grapefruit League game on Friday against the Boston Red Sox. He walked off the field gingerly with head athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. It's unclear exactly what Gordon's injury is, so check […]