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Marcell Ozuna, Austin Riley DH Options For Braves
Atlanta Braves outfielder Marcell Ozuna's range has declined in recent years, and his arm strength hasn't really returned since he had right shoulder surgery after the 2018 season. The presence of the designated hitter for National League teams this year will allow the Braves to put Ozuna's power bat in the middle of the lineup […]
Cowboys-Steelers Hall Of Fame Game Canceled
The NFL is canceling the preseason opener Hall of Fame game between the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 6 due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to league sources. The Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony on Aug. 8 is being postponed until next year. With COVID-19 cases on the rise in […]
Stephen Piscotty Should Be Ready For Season Opener
Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty (oblique), who was shut down from baseball activities earlier this spring, told NBC Sports Bay Area in April that he was pain-free and taking swings. Piscotty said that he was "fully confident" that he will be ready for the 2020 season opener. Fantasy owners will probably want the 29-year-old to […]
A.J. Puk, Jesus Luzardo Could Be Free Of Innings Restrictions
Oakland Athletics left-handed pitching prospects A.J. Puk (shoulder) and Jesus Luzardo, the team's No. 3 and 1 prospects at MLB Pipeline, respectively, could be free of innings restrictions in 2020 now that the season will only consist of 60 games and start in late July. Puk was shut down in March when he suffered a […]
Eugenio Suarez 100 Percent Recovered
Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams said that third baseman Eugenio Suarez (shoulder) is 100 percent recovered from offseason shoulder surgery in January. Prior to COVID-19 delaying the 2020 season, Suarez was a question mark to be ready for Opening Day, but it looks like he'll be full strength when the season finally […]
Shaquil Barrett Unsure If He'll Sign Franchise Tag
Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett, the reigning NFL sack leader, is one of five remaining NFL players (A.J. Green, Chris Jones, Yannick Ngakoue and Justin Simmons) that have yet to sign their franchise-tag tenders. Barrett said on NFL Total Access on Wednesday that he is "about 50-50" on whether he'll sign it. He […]
Howie Kendrick One Of Many Options For DH Role
The Washington Nationals used second baseman Howie Kendrick as their designated hitter last year in the World Series against the Astros. Kendrick is back for his 15th season, and while he's expected to be a backup infielder, he's now the top candidate to serve as their DH with National League adopting the rule for the […]
Ryan Braun's Career Could Be Extended With New DH Rule
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/first baseman Ryan Braun's career could be extended with a universal designated hitter in the National League for the shortened 2020 season and possibly in 2021 and beyond. Braun is 36 years old and is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, leading to questions in March about this potentially being his […]
Braves To Be Cautious With Starting Pitchers Early In Season
Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that the team will be cautious with their starting pitchers early in the shortened 2020 season, with some of them potentially going just two to three innings for the first couple of times through the rotation. Other pitchers would then piggy back off the starters and go two […]
Red Sox Player Tests Positive For COVID-19
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that "one player who was exposed in his hometown, got tested, was positive but he's been asymptomatic and that's resolving. We've been fortunate that's the only other positive test we've had." The identity of the player hasn't been revealed, but Bloom said he is on the […]
Collin McHugh Could Be Ready For Start Of Season
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that pitcher Collin McHugh (elbow) could be ready to play by Opening Day in late July. McHugh is already throwing off a mound and is getting close to pitching in games. The right elbow issue that he dealt with last year was still bothering him in […]
Alex Verdugo Should Be Ready To Go
Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that outfielder Alex Verdugo (back) should be "all systems go" for spring training 2.0 and the start of the 2020 regular season in late July. Verdugo was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers, and he said that […]
Diamondbacks Player Tests Positive For COVID-19
The Arizona Diamondbacks had a player test positive for COVID-19 in the last month in Arizona, according to general manager Mike Hazen. However, the player that tested positive wasn't using the team's spring training facilities, so it sounds as though no other players or staff members that were using the team's spring training facilities were […]
John Brebbia Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said that relief pitcher John Brebbia (elbow) had Tommy John surgery three weeks ago. Brebbia will miss all of the shortened 2020 season and likely at least half of the 2021 season. The 30-year-old right-hander would've likely served in a middle-relief role this year after posting a 3.59 […]
Dodgers To Start Season With Five-Man Rotation
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team is planning to start the 2020 regular season with a five-man starting rotation. However, Roberts doesn't anticipate the starters going beyond four innings per game during their first turn through the rotation. With the 2020 season shortened to 60 games because of COVID-19, we're likely […]
Cole Hamels Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Season
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Cole Hamels (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the start of the 60-game 2020 season in late July, according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos. It's usually not a good sign when a 36-year-old develops shoulder issues in the spring, but Hamels has had time to recover because of COVID-19 and […]
Players Set To Report To Training Camp On July 28
The National Football League has set a date of July 28 for veterans to arrive to training camp amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, the league and Players Association are still negotiating what training camps will look like and how the health and safety protocols will be handled. But as of now, it looks like the […]
Multiple Mariners Test Positive For COVID-19
Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that "more than one" player on the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Dipto also said that a "few" of them, not all, are showing symptoms of the virus. With spring training 2.0 set to begin next week in Seattle for the Mariners, all of their players will […]
Mariners To Use Six-Man Rotation For Start Of Season
The Seattle Mariners will use a six-man starting rotation to begin the delayed 2020 season at the end of July. Some starters will get piggy-backed. Marco Gonzales is expected to be the team's Opening Day arm, followed by the likes of Yusei Kikuchi, Justus Sheffield, Kendall Graveman and Taijuan Walker. Justin Dunn, Nestor Cortes and […]
Austin Adams Will Be Full-Go For Spring Training
Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that relief pitcher Austin Adams (knee) will be full-go for spring training 2.0 next week. Adams underwent surgery last October for a torn left ACL. The delay to the 2020 season thanks to COVID-19 was a positive for Adams, and he could factor into high-leverage situations at the […]
Mitch Haniger's Status Uncertain For Spring Training 2.0
Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is uncertain about outfielder Mitch Haniger's (back, groin) status for spring training 2.0 in early July. Because Haniger has had two core surgeries and a back operation since last June, his readiness for Opening Day in late July should also be in question. The 29-year-old hit .285 with 26 […]
Joely Rodriguez Not Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Season
Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez (lat), who strained a late muscle in April, is throwing but is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2020 season in late July. Barring any setbacks, the southpaw should be able to pitch before the shortened season is over. The 28-year-old Dominican could figure into […]
Pirates Sign First-Rounder Nick Gonzales
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed rookie shortstop Nick Gonzales, the seventh overall pick this month, to a $5.432 million signing bonus on Wednesday, which matches the slot value for the No. 7 pick. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound middle infielder might have been the best pure hitter in this year's draft class. Gonzales was the Cape Cod League […]
Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez Could Serve On Taxi Squad
Seattle Mariners CEO John Stanton said that he expects young prospects like outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, catcher Cal Raleigh and pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby to be on the 30-man taxi squad for the shortened 2020 season. Even this year's first-round pick, Emerson Hancock, has a shot. Kelenic and Rodriguez are one […]
Angels Hopeful Shohei Ohtani, Griffin Canning Will Be Ready
Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said he's "very" hopeful that starting pitchers Shohei Ohtani (elbow), Griffin Canning (elbow) and Felix Pena (knee) will be ready for Opening Day in late July. None of the three were likely to be able to pitch on the original Opening Day, but the coronavirus pandemic has bought them […]
Mohamed Sanu Sr. In Better Shape After Surgery
New England Patriots wide receiver Mohamed Sanu Sr. (ankle) is almost 16 weeks removed from offseason ankle surgery for a high ankle sprain, and his recovery is going better than expected. "I would tell you he's probably faster, quicker, leaner and in better shape now than prior to the surgery," said Hilton Alexander, who is […]
Rockies Sign First-Rounder Zac Veen
The Colorado Rockies signed rookie outfielder Zac Veen, their first-round selection at No. 9 overall, to a $5 million bonus on Wednesday. The top-ranked high school player received over-slot value for the ninth overall pick ($4.949 million). Veen features a great left-handed swing with leverage and power. He also features a projectable 6-foot-4 frame, and […]
Kyle Gibson A High-Risk Individual For COVID-19
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disorder, which makes him a high-risk individual amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It means that the right-hander isn't required to take part in the shortened 60-game season, but he would still receive his pay. It's unclear whether Gibson has decided to sit out the season, […]
Garrett Cooper, Matt Joyce Candidates For DH Role
With the designated hitter being used in both leagues this season, Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper and outfielder Matt Joyce are two candidates to be used in the role a lot. Cooper is the much more attractive fantasy commodity in deeper leagues for his ability to hit for average and modest power for the […]
Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Plans To Head Back To The States
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is planning to head back to the U.S. after going back to Japan during the coronavirus pandemic, according to general manager Erik Neander. Players that spent their down time overseas during the shutdown will now need to make their way back to the States with players expected to report […]
