Brad Miller Expected To Play First Base

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the plan for now is for infielder Brad Miller to play first base, with Micah Johnson, Daniel Robertson, Ryan Schimpf and Joey Wendle battling for the second base duties. Miller is also a candidate to start at the keystone if the Rays add a first baseman before the […]

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez To Rotate At DH

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he plans to rotate the designated hitter position between outfielders Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and catcher Gary Sanchez in 2018. Judge and Stanton are also expected to play left field this spring, although neither has played the position in the majors. All three big-time sluggers will hit somewhere […]

Deshaun Watson Expected To Be Good For OTAs

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (knee) is expected to take part in 7-on-7 drills during organized team activities, according to a source. Watson's rehab is going very well, so it looks like he'll be ready for a full workload in training camp, barring any setbacks. In seven games in his rookie season, Watson shined, posting […]

Patriots Employ Bend-But-Don't-Break Defense

The New England Patriots defense allowed 366 yards per game in 2017, which was 29th in the league, but they also gave up just 18.5 points per game, which was fifth fewest in the league. In their last 14 games, the Patriots defense has given up 21 or more points just twice. They also lead […]

Ryan Shazier Released From Hospital

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (spine) was released from The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Thursday after having spinal-stabilization surgery in December. He'll continue with outpatient work, and he posted a picture on Instagram showing him standing with a brace on one leg. Shazier suffered a potentially career-threatening spinal injury against the Bengals in December, […]

Malcolm Butler Is Good To Go

New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler (flu) arrived late to Minnesota this week after dealing with an illness. "They told me I just had some flu-like symptoms and just needed to rest up a little bit," Butler said after the team's first practice of the week. "I'm good to go." Butler was limited in practice […]

Travis Kelce Has Confidence In Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is looking forward to playing with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in 2018 after the team traded Alex Smith to the Redskins this week. "Yeah, without a doubt. I feel like Patty Cakes can come in and roll the dice on anybody," Kelce told NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano and Brian […]

Jordan Howard Looking Forward To Less Predictable Offense

Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard is looking forward to a less predictable offense under new head coach Matt Nagy in 2018. The offense last season under head coach John Fox and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains ranked third to last in the league with 287.4 yards per game, and they were dead last with 175.7 […]

Mark Appel Stepping Away From Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Mark Appel and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft (ahead of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant) is stepping away from baseball after struggling for several seasons. The 26-year-old right-hander said he's taking an "indefinite break" after posting a 5.60 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2017. He has […]

Mets Still Unlikely To Sign Bartolo Colon

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said it's still unlikely that the team signs free-agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, even to a minor league deal. The 44-year-old veteran pitcher would only like to play for the Mets for one more season, but it appears that they won't give him that opportunity. The right-hander was […]

Brewers Still In Contact With Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb

The Milwaukee Brewers remain in contact with free-agent starting pitchers Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn, although free-agent starter Yu Darvish is at the top of their wish list. However, there aren't believed to be any offers out to Arrieta and Cobb. Milwaukee is clearly going for it in the competitive National League Central […]

Phillies Sign Adam Rosales

The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent infielder Adam Rosales to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.75 million if he makes the big league roster. Rosales will be invited to spring training. The veteran utility player will attempt to serve in a utility role on the infield for the rebuilding Phillies. In 105 games […]

Tom Brady Practicing Wednesday

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (hand) practiced with black tape on his right hand Wednesday, according to AFC practice pool reporter Nicki Jhabvala. Brady was removed from the team's injury report last week, and he'll be all systems go for the Super Bowl against the Eagles this Sunday. After torching both Tennessee and Jacksonville, […]

Brett Anderson An Option For Blue Jays

There is mutual interest between free-agent pitcher Brett Anderson and the Toronto Blue Jays, but the Blue Jays will likely aim higher on the free-agent market for now. Anderson could be an option for the back end of the starting rotation, but the left-hander has made just 20-plus starts only twice in nine seasons. In […]

Todd Monken To Be Full-Time Offensive Coordinator

Todd Monken, previously the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach, will serve as the full-time offensive coordinator in 2018, according to head coach Dirk Koetter. However, Koetter will continue to call plays on offense during games. Offensive assistant Skyler Fulton has been promoted to receivers coach. Tampa ranked 18th in the NFL in 2017 with […]

Tigers Sign Travis Wood

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent pitcher Travis Wood to a minor league deal Monday, according to the Tigers. In 39 games (14 starts) for the Royals and Padres in 2017, Wood boasted an ugly 6.80 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and only 65 strikeouts in 94 innings. the soon-to-be 31-year-old southpaw doesn't have much left at the […]

Raiders Hiring Brian Callahan

The Oakland Raiders are hiring former Lions quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan as their quarterbacks coach, according to a source. Callahan is rising in the ranks of assistant coaches, and he'll be tasked with working alongside new head coach Jon Gruden to improve quarterback Derek Carr after his disappointing 2017 season. There's a good chance Carr […]

Benardrick McKinney Plans To Drop Weight

Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney plans to drop around 10 pounds in the offseason. McKinney posted 95 combined tackles in 2017 after recording 129 combined tackles in 2016, and he also recorded just three sacks. He's not much of a pass rusher, but McKinney is excellent in run defense and is a core player for […]

Baker Mayfield In Play For The Browns

After impressing during Senior Bowl practices this week, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is squarely in play for the Cleveland Browns at the top overall pick in this year's draft. Mayfield's skills on the field have left many to think that the Browns will have a debate between Mayfield and USC quarterback Sam Darnold with the […]

Browns Not Turned Off By Josh Allen's Senior Bowl Practices

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey insisted that Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen's airball pass at Senior Bowl practice this week didn't faze him. NFL talent evaluators agreed that Allen was inconsistent in practice Wednesday, but he was more impressive in the red zone and during goal-line drills on Thursday. Despite Allen's inconsistencies (56.3 career completion […]

Matt Kemp Not In Dodgers Plans

It's become obvious that the Los Angeles Dodgers have no intention of keeping outfielder Matt Kemp on their active roster to begin the regular season, and they will instead continue to look for a trade partner. The Dodgers have targeted "three or four" potential landing spots for Kemp, according to someone closer to the situation. […]

Amir Garrett Feeling Stronger After Surgery

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Amir Garrett (hip), who finished 3-8 with a 7.39 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 14 starts in 2017, said he feels stronger after undergoing right hip surgery. He received platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell injections in his hip as well. "It helped a lot. I feel a lot stronger and stuff now. […]

Mets Starters Healthy Leading Up To Spring Training

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said starting pitchers Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler have shown good results in their respective throwing programs, and each are expected to be full participants when spring workouts start Feb. 14. That doesn't mean that the Mets won't be careful with each pitcher's […]

Mets Not Expected To Name Closer Before Season

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway doesn't plan on naming a specific closer in spring training. Relief pitchers Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, Anthony Swarzak and Jerry Blevins are all suited for high-leverage situations. "I don't think we're going to name a closer to start the season," Callaway told MLB.com in a telephone interview. "If there […]

Jets Expected To Hire Rick Dennison

The New York Jets are expected to hire Bills former offensive coordinator Rick Dennison as their run-game coordinator/offensive line coach, according to a league source. The addition of Dennison for the Jets would be a positive development, as Buffalo was very successful on the ground in 2017 on their way to a playoff berth. However, […]

Chiefs Hiring Mike Kafka To Work With Quarterbacks

The Kansas City Chiefs are hiring Mike Kafka as their new quarterbacks coach Friday. Kafka will be tasked with working with Patrick Mahomes, as the team is expected to move on from Alex Smith this offseason. Kafka played under head coach Andy Reid for two seasons with the Eagles and joined Kansas City last year […]

Earl Thomas Willing To Hold Out For New Deal

Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas would like to finish his career with the team, and he's confident they can work out another contract extension, but he would be willing to hold out to get one. "As far as my future in Seattle, I think if they want me, you know, money talks. We'll get something […]

Rams Would Like To Re-Sign Sammy Watkins

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said the team would like to re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Sammy Watkins this offseason. If a long-term deal cannot be reached, placing the franchise or transition tag on Watkins is an option. “A goal of ours is to keep that (wide receiver) group together because a lot […]

Miguel Cabrera Unlikely To Be Traded

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila doesn't see it as likely that the club will trade first baseman Miguel Cabrera amidst their rebuild. "That's hard to predict as far as Miggy's concerned,'' Avila said. "That's a huge contract, and those kind of contracts are not usually moved or easily moved.'' Cabrera had the worst season […]

Michael Fulmer, Victor Martinez On Track For Spring Training

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (elbow) and designated hitter Victor Martinez (heart) are expected to be at full strength for spring training. Fulmer had elbow surgery in September and Martinez had a surgical procedure to fix an irregular heartbeat around the same time. "He's thrown out to 180 feet with no restrictions and no […]