
Articles

Browns Trade Cody Kessler To Jacksonville
The Cleveland Browns agreed to trade quarterback Cody Kessler to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday. The Jaguars will send a 2019 conditional seventh-round pick as compensation for the third-year signal-caller. The Browns Sunday signing of backup quarterback Drew Stanton marked the end of Kessler's tenure in Cleveland, as the Browns already have Tyrod Taylor as […...
Matt T
Vance Worley Reassigned To Minor League Camp
The Cincinnati Reds reassigned right-hander Vance Worley to minor league camp on Wednesday. Worley was in camp as a non-roster invitee for the Reds and turned in a 6.17 ERA in 11 2/3 innings this spring. The 30-year-old was once thought to have a bright future but really struggled in 24 appearances with the Miami […...
Matt T
Reds Have Home Opener Postponed
The Cincinnati Reds will see their Opening Day game against the Washington Nationals postponed due to impending inclement weather. The game will be rescheduled for Friday, March 30 at 4:10 PM. Originally scheduled starters Homer Bailey and Max Scherzer will both move back a day and make their first start of 2018 on Friday. Be […...
Matt T
Brian Dozier Wraps Up Slow Spring
Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier wrapped up a slow spring on Tuesday. Dozier finished the spring batting .222 with two homers, four runs, three RBI and one steal. The slow spring shouldn't be a cause for concern, as the veteran infielder has established himself as one of the premiere fantasy options at second base […...
Matt T
Browns Add Drew Stanton As Backup, Expected To Shop Cody Kessler
The Cleveland Browns and quarterback Drew Stanton agreed to a two-year deal worth $6.5 million on Sunday. Stanton is expected to serve as a backup for Tyrod Taylor in the 2018 season. The team is fully expected to use an early draft pick on a rookie quarterback in the NFL draft in April, which could […...
Matt T
Ryan LaMarre Makes Team, Zack Granite To Minors
The Minnesota Twins informed outfielder Ryan LaMarre that he has made the team, claiming the final roster spot and bumping outfielder Zack Granite to Triple-A Rochester. LaMarre was Minnesota's best hitter this spring, batting .475 with two homers and four doubles in 40 at-bats. It had appeared that Granite had the inside track to the […...
Matt T
Kennys Vargas Back With Twins, Heading To Triple-A
Minnesota Twins first baseman/designated hitter Kennys Vargas has cleared waivers and will report to Triple-A Rochester. Vargas had a busy week as the Twins tried to get him through waivers earlier, only to have the Cincinnati Reds claim him. The Twins then got Vargas back two days later after Cincinnati waived the slugger. Vargas is […...
Matt T
Lance Lynn Throws Successful Bullpen Monday
Minnesota Twins right-hander Lance Lynn threw a successful bullpen session on Monday, according to reports. Lynn is next scheduled to make a start for the Twins on Wednesday as a final tuneup before the beginning of the regular season. Lynn signed with the Twins late in the spring, but that will not prevent the veteran […...
Matt T
Phil Hughes To DL With Oblique Injury
The Minnesota Twins will place right-hander Phil Hughes (oblique) on the 15-day disabled list to open the season. Hughes came down with an oblique injury this past Thursday and won't be ready to start the season. Prior to the injury, Hughes was slated to open the season in the bullpen for Minnesota. After the injury, Gabriel […...
Matt T
Jose Berrios Concludes Spring In Style
Minnesota Twins right-hander Jose Berrios pitched well in his final spring tuneup before the start of the regular season. Berrios pitched three innings, allowing just one walk to Bryce Harper, and striking out three. The 23-year-old sounded confident after his start, stating, “My arm slot was very good. My pitches were right where I wanted […...
Matt T
Mike Napoli Agrees To Report To Triple-A
Cleveland Indians first baseman/designated hitter Mike Napoli will accept an assignment to Triple-A Columbus, according to reports. Napoli was released by the team on Thursday and returned on a minor league deal, but he was said to be weighing his options for his next move. At the time of the transaction on Thursday, the club […...
Matt T
Michael Brantley To Open Season On DL
Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley will open the 2018 season on the 15-day disabled list. Brantley had offseason surgery on his ankle and only just made his spring debut this past Wednesday. Manager Terry Francona told reporters that Brantley has not suffered a setback and is just not ready to "carry the load" just yet. […...
Matt T
Zack Granite Will Play Sunday
Minnesota Twins outfielder Zack Granite (shoulder) told reporters that he will play Sunday. Granite was dealing with a right shoulder contusion but it appears he will be fine. Granite picked up the bruise while making a diving catch on Thursday. Granite is hoping to make the Twins as a fourth outfielder although the shoulder issue […...
Matt T
Kevin Quackenbush Makes Reds
The Cincinnati Reds informed right-hander Kevin Quackenbush on Sunday that he has made the team. The 29-year-old reliever will help round out the Reds' bullpen in 2018. Quackenbush struggled with the San Diego Padres in 2017, posting a 7.86 ERA in 26 1/3 innings of work. That being said, Quackenbush turned in a solid spring […...
Matt T
Reds Option Cody Reed, Release Ben Revere
The Cincinnati Reds made a bevy of roster moves on Sunday. Among the most notable, left-hander Cody Reed was optioned to Triple-A and veteran outfielder Ben Revere has been released. Reed has a special arm but has struggled with his control at the big league level. He's expected to be one of the first names […...
Matt T
Justin Nicolino Claimed By Reds
The Cincinnati Reds claimed left-hander Justin Nicolino from the Miami Marlins on Sunday. He will represent the 39th man on Cincinnati's 40-man roster as they gear up for the start of the regular season. Nicolino, a former second-round draft pick, has not lived up to his draft status in his three-year MLB career. Over 50 […...
Matt T
Homer Bailey Will Start Opening Day
The Cincinnati Reds have tabbed veteran right-hander Homer Bailey as their Opening Day starter according to manager Bryan Price. Many onlookers expected this to be the case based on how the team's starters were arranged but Price made it official on Friday. Price explained his decision by saying, "He's best-suited for it. This is a […...
Matt T
Jason Castro Scratched Due To Lineup Error, Not Injury
Updating a previous report, Minnesota Twins catcher Jason Castro was scratched from Spring Training action on Friday due to a lineup error, not an injury. It appears he was mistakenly put in the starting lineup but was actually scheduled to have the day off. Mitch Garver, who took his place, was the intended starter all […...
Matt T
Jason Castro Scratched Friday
The Minnesota Twins scratched starting catcher Jason Castro from Friday's lineup. The team has not yet offered a reason for why they scratched the veteran backstop. Backup catcher Mitch Garver took Castro's place behind the plate and would presumably assume most of the playing time if this is a multi-day issue for Castro. Castro missed […...
Matt T
Reds Finalize Starting Rotation
The Cincinnati Reds have finalized their starting rotation coming out of Spring Training. The team will go with Homer Bailey, Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, and Sal Romano with either Amir Garrett or Brandon Finnegan waiting in the wings as the fifth starter. Cincinnati isn't expected to need a fifth starter at least until April 11. […...
Matt T
Erick Aybar Will Not Make 25-Man Roster
The Minnesota Twins informed shortstop Erick Aybar on Thursday that he will not be including on the 25-man roster for Opening Day. The 34-year-old veteran was in camp on a minor league contract which included an invitation to Spring Training and hit .257 with four runs and five RBI in 35 at-bats. The move signals […...
Matt T
Twins Set Rotation: Jake Odorizzi To Start Opening Day
The Minnesota Twins have tabbed right-hander Jake Odorizzi as their Opening Day starter. Odorizzi, formerly of the Tampa Bay Rays, came to Minnesota in an off-season trade and has posted a 2-0 record, 0.87 ERA, and four strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings of work this spring. The Twins will round out their starting rotation with […...
Matt T
Reds Claim Kennys Vargas
The Cincinnati Reds claimed first baseman/designated hitter Kennys Vargas off of waivers on Thursday. Vargas was waived by the Minnesota Twins earlier in the week. Vargas became expendable in Minnesota following the off-season signing of Logan Morrison. Vargas has loads of power in his bat but it is unclear how much playing time he will […...
Matt T
Twins Being Cautious With Eddie Rosario
The Minnesota Twins are still bringing Eddie Rosario (tendinitis) along slowly as he works his way back from triceps tendinitis in his throwing arm. Rosario has yet to play in the field in a game this spring but he did take part in infield drills on Wednesday and, according to reports, Rosario wasn't holding back. […...
Matt T
Trevor May Inching Toward Return From Tommy John Surgery
Minnesota Twins right-hander Trevor May is inching toward a return to the mound. May had Tommy John surgery in March last year, which caused him to miss the entire 2017 season. The 28-year-old has progressed to throwing bullpen sessions, as he threw 35 pitches on Tuesday. He is scheduled to throw another 50 pitches on […...
Matt T
Tyler Duffy, Alan Busenitz Optioned To Triple-A
The Minnesota Twins optioned relievers Tyler Duffy and Alan Busenitz to Triple-A on Thursday. The two relievers were key parts of the Minnesota bullpen in 2017, combining to make 84 relief appearances. The Twins focused on strengthening their bullpen this offseason, which pushed Duffy and Busenitz off the big league roster. Neither player helped his […...
Matt T
Michael Lorenzen Strains Muscle
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen has strained the teres major muscle near his right shoulder and will not throw for several days. Lorenzen was a candidate to make the starting rotation out of Spring Training but the injury will likely preclude him from further consideration for the rotation. This is the same injury which ended […...
Matt T
Morgan Burnett To Sign With Steelers
Free-agent safety Morgan Burnett is expected to finalize a deal to join the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday morning. The Steelers were expected to make a move to shore up their secondary after releasing safeties Mike Mitchell and Robert Golden earlier in the month. Burnett, who had spent his entire eight-year career with the Packers, is […...
Matt T
Ervin Santana Progressing As Expected
Updating a previous report, Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana is progressing as expected after having surgery on his right middle finger in February. Santana's initial timetable for return was set at eight to 10 weeks but an updated report stated that it may be closer to 12 weeks before he's able to pitch. The veteran […...
Matt T
Nick Gordon Sent To Minors Sunday
The Minnesota Twins optioned shortstop Nick Gordon to minor league camp on Sunday. Gordon had a nice showing this spring, going 9-for-22 for a cool .409 batting average. Gordon has never played above Double-A and wasn't expected to make the big league club coming out of Spring Training. The 22-year-old shortstop is regarded as one […...
Matt T