Franchise Tag An Option For Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has acknowledged that using the franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason is an option. Pittman has been the team's leading receiver the past three seasons and will be one of the league's top free agents if he reaches the open market. The Colts […]

Raiders, Josh Jacobs Haven't Engaged In Extension Talks

The Las Vegas Raiders and impending free-agent running back Josh Jacobs have yet to engage in contract-extension talks this offseason, according to a league source. If the Raiders want to prevent Jacobs from becoming a free agent on March 13, they could place the franchise tag on him for $13.669 million (by March 5) in […]

Tommy Henry To Start Cactus League Opener

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Tommy Henry was named the team's starter for their Cactus League opener on Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Lefty Eduardo Rodriguez was initially supposed to get the starting nod, but the D-backs have decided to let him throw another live batting practice session on the back fields on Friday instead. The 26-year-old […]

Austin Nola Joins Royals On Minor-League Deal

Free-agent catcher Austin Nola has signed with the Kansas City Royals on a minor-league deal, according to a source. Nola initially signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on a minors deal this offseason, but he was released after Gary Sanchez's deal with the Brewers became official this week. The older brother of Phillies starting pitcher Aaron […]

Nathan Webb Throwing Bullpen Sessions

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Nathan Webb (elbow), who was signed to a minor-league deal in October, has thrown five bullpen sessions in camp and hopes to be available to pitch in games by the first week of May. "I haven't had a single issue so far," Webb said. "I'm in the bullpen phase. I feel really […]

Shane Drohan Has Shoulder Surgery

Chicago White Sox left-hander Shane Drohan (shoulder), the team's Rule 5 pick, underwent left-shoulder surgery on Thursday morning. Drohan is expected to start a throwing program by the end of spring training. The 25-year-old is probably going to be sidelined for a while before he's cleared to pitch in minor-league games in 2024. The former […]

Corey Knebel A Bit Behind Other Pitchers

Chicago White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz said that reliever Corey Knebel (shoulder), who didn't pitch at all last year while working his way back from right-shoulder surgery, is a bit behind the team's other relievers in camp. Knebel will need to throw a few more bullpen sessions before he's cleared to pitch in a […]

Packers Need Upgrades At The Safety Position

The Green Bay Packers are going to need upgrades at the safety position this offseason, writes The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. Their top three safeties from last year, Darnell Savage Jr., Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford, will all be unrestricted free agents next month. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley loves one-high safety looks, which require an […]

David Bakhtiari An Obvious Cut Candidate

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman writes that veteran left tackle David Bakhtiari (knee) is an obvious cut candidate for the Green Bay Packers this offseason. The five-time All-Pro has played in only 25 of a possible 72 games in the regular season and playoffs over the last four seasons. The torn ACL he suffered in a […]

Lions In Desperate Need Of Cornerback Help

The Athletic's Colton Pouncy writes that the Detroit Lions are in desperate need of cornerback help this offseason. Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs and Kindle Vildor were largely ineffective in 2023, and the loss of Emmanuel Moseley (knee) didn't help matters for their secondary. The Lions defense allowed 7.4 yards per attempt in 2023 (third-worst) and […]

Charvarius Ward Undergoes Surgery

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (undisclosed) announced on his Instagram account that he had successful surgery for an undisclosed injury. In the overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, Ward wasn't targeted at all while playing 55 defensive snaps. The 27-year-old was a Pro Bowler for the first time in […]

Michael Badgley Re-Signs With Lions

Free-agent kicker Michael Badgley has returned to the Detroit Lions by signing an undisclosed one-year deal with them on Thursday, according to his agent. Badgley only appeared in four games for the Lions in 2023, going 4-for-4 on his field-goal tries while making 13 of his 15 extra-point attempts. The 28-year-old spent most of the […]

Rams Still Undecided On Stetson Bennett's Future

The Los Angeles Rams still sound undecided on quarterback Stetson Bennett's future with the team, with head coach Sean McVay saying the team will "connect with" Bennett "at the appropriate time." "And you figure out, 'All right, where are you at? And is this something we feel like is best for him and our football […]

Eagles Re-Sign Albert Okwuegbunam To One-Year Deal

The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed tight end Albert Okwuegbunam to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to a source. Okwuegbunam was scheduled to become a free agent in March, but he'll stick around in Philadelphia for at least another season. The Denver Broncos' former fourth-round pick in 2020 out of Missouri landed with the Eagles […]

Seahawks Restructure Geno Smith's Contract

The Seattle Seahawks restructured quarterback Geno Smith's contract on Thursday, converting his $9.6 million roster bonus into a signing bonus and creating $4.8 million in 2024 salary cap space, according to a source. The Seahawks made the call to bring Smith back for the 2024 season when they decided to keep him on the roster […]

John Brebbia Dealing With Right-Calf Strain

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) suffered a right-calf strain in a live batting practice session that he threw on Wednesday. Manager Pedro Grifol said the team is hopeful Brebbia will be ready for Opening Day. An already weak White Sox's bullpen might have just lost their expected close for the start of […]

Austin Slater Cleared To Play In Games

San Francisco Giants outfielder Austin Slater (elbow) is throwing at a distance of 150 feet and said he has been cleared to play in spring training games. He did cutoffs and relays in camp on Thursday for the first time since having elbow surgery in October, which also included moving his ulnar nerve. Barring some […]

Eury Perez Suffers Cut On His Finger

Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (finger) said he had a little cut on his right middle finger during Thursday's live batting practice session. The cut was formed due to his changeup grip, but it wasn't causing him any pain and he's not concerned moving forward. Perez might be held back a bit before his next […]

Bryan Woo Looking To Improve Versus Lefties

Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo, who went 4-5 with a 4.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 93 strikeouts in his first 18 major-league starts in 2023, is hoping to improve against left-handed hitters in 2024. Lefties slashed .283/.389/.540 with a .928 OPS against Woo last year. The 24-year-old had just 16 minor-league games under his belt, […]

Clarke Schmidt Guaranteed A Rotation Spot

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt is guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation, according to manager Aaron Boone. Schmidt made a career-high 33 appearances (32 starts) for the Yankees last year, covering 159 innings. He went 9-9 with a 4.64 ERA (4.42 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 46 walks and 149 strikeouts. […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Won't Make Spring Debut Friday

Instead of making his Cactus League debut on Friday, Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will throw live batting practice on a back field. Left-hander Tommy Henry will make the start in the spring training game on Friday against the Colorado Rockies in Rodriguez's place. There's nothing physically wrong with Rodriguez, but he'll get a little […]

Mookie Betts Expects To Play Second Base Exclusively This Spring

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/infielder Mookie Betts expects to play second base exclusively in spring training this year. Betts joked that he didn't bring his outfielder's glove to camp. The Dodgers and Betts are fully committed to him playing on the dirt as the club's full-time second baseman in 2024. The 31-year-old All-Star will still be […]

Andrew Abbott To Make Spring Debut Monday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott will make his first Cactus League start on Monday in a split-squad game against the Seattle Mariners. In his first taste of the big leagues, Abbott acquitted himself well, going 8-6 with a 3.87 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP with 44 walks and 120 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings […]

Nick Lodolo "Feeling Great"

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that left-hander Nick Lodolo's (leg) next step at spring training is to throw a live batting practice session. "He's feeling great," Bell said. Lodolo made just seven starts in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his left tibia, which is why the Reds are slow-playing him in spring […]

Noelvi Marte Scheduled To Play On March 2

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that rookie infielder Noelvi Marte (hamstring) is scheduled to make his spring training debut on March 2 against the Colorado Rockies. Marte suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in November while playing winter ball, and the Reds are slow-playing the impressive youngster this spring. Barring a setback, the 22-year-old […]

Kyle Isbel The Favorite To Start In Center Field

The Kansas City Royals believe that outfielder Kyle Isbel is their best center field option heading into the 2024 season. They are counting on power at the corner-outfield spots from MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe. Drew Waters can play all three outfield spots and could easily play into an Opening Day starting spot. While Waters […]

Kris Bubic Throws First Bullpen Session

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) threw his first bullpen session on Tuesday at spring training since having Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old southpaw threw around 15 pitches (only fastballs) and felt good the day after with no extra soreness in his elbow. It was the first time he's thrown off a mound since […]

Gary Sanchez Cleared For Baseball Activities

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that catcher Gary Sanchez (hand) has been cleared for baseball activities after dealing with right-wrist issues last year. However, he will need some time to ramp up before being ready for spring training games. Sanchez's 2023 season came to an end early last September when he fractured his wrist, […]

Bo Bichette Trained In Variety Of Ways In The Offseason

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette took a longer break than normal from baseball activities to reset after the 2023 season. He also trained in other ways, taking up swimming, pilates and Muay Thai. Bichette is happy with the shape he's in at camp as a result and said he's "in a good place to […]

Casey Mize Getting More Movement On His Fastball

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize said on Thursday that he's getting around 18 inches of induced vertical break compared to around 15 inches in the past on his fastball. "We just think the fastball up can be more of a weapon," Mize said. The fastball should pair well with his splitter, but Mize also talked […]