Articles
Andrelton Simmons Back in the Lineup
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is back in the lineup for a spring training game on Thursday. Simmons missed about a week with a shoulder strain, but is back and 100% healthy. The shortstop slugged 14 home runs and stole 19 bases last season. He is a fine middle infield option in the […]
patton 7 years agoAlbert Pujols Blasts Two Doubles
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols hit two doubles on Monday, his first two extra-base hits of spring training. He drove in a run on each. Pujols is now 6-for-27 (.222) in the spring. However, he has only struck out once, an encouraging sign after he tied a career high with 93 strikeouts last […]
patton 7 years agoLions Bringing in Legarrette Blount For Visit
The Detroit Lions will be bringing in their fourth veteran running back on a visit this week, as former Eagles running back Legarrette Blount will visit with the Lions. New head coach Matt Patricia is known to be a big Blount fan, and the two worked together when Blount was on the Patriots. Blount followed […]
patton 7 years agoLions Tender T.J. Jones
After originally indicating they were not planning to tender him a contract, the Detroit Lions have reversed course and tendered receiver T.J. Jones at his original round. Jones served as the team's No. 3 receiver primarily last season behind Golden Tate and Marvin Jones. With Kenny Golladay healthy heading into 2018, Jones may be relegated to […]
patton 7 years agoLions Do Not Tender Zach Zenner
The Detroit Lions did not tender a contract to running back Zach Zenner, making him a free agent. Even on a poor running team, Zenner only saw 14 carries for 26 yards last season. He seems unlikely to catch on with team in anything more than a deep backup role, and he is not fantasy […]
patton 7 years agoLions Release Eric Ebron
The Detroit Lions are releasing tight end Eric Ebron after failing to find a trade partner. The former first-round pick was a bust in the Motor City. He totaled 53 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns last season and had a major issue with drops. Ebron will now look to catch on with another team […]
patton 7 years agoAndrelton Simmons Expected to Play Thursday
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is expected to play on Thursday. Simmons has missed about a week with a shoulder strain suffered back on March 6. The injury was never considered serious, and Simmons should be fine by opening day. The shorstop slugged 14 home runs and stole 19 bases last season. He […]
patton 7 years agoChris Young Returns to Game Action
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Chris Young (calf) saw some action in an intrasquad scrimmage on Tuesday. He went 2-for-8 with two doubles. Young had not seen game action in a while, as he was recovering from a calf strain. The 34-year-old is expected to serve as LA's fourth outfielder next season and will not hold […]
patton 7 years agoDetroit Lions to Host Frank Gore
The Detroit Lions are hosting free-agent running back Frank Gore on Wednesday. Gore rushed 261 times for 961 yards and three touchdowns last season and has been a reliable running back for over a decade. Detroit's running game struggled mightily last season, and they have been active on the free-agent market. They have been connected to Gore […]
patton 7 years agoMike Trout to Wear Face Guard
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout, who was hit in the helmet by a pitch on Sunday, is planning to wear a face guard with his helmet going forward. “I was thinking about it before, but that sealed the deal,” Trout said. This doesn't project to have any impact on his fantasy value, other […]
patton 7 years agoLions Interested in Trey Burton
The Detroit Lions are serious suitors for free-agent tight end Trey Burton. Burton is not expected to return to Philadelphia this season, and as many as 16 teams have showed some level of interest in Burton. The Lions have come up the most, however. The Lions have not indicated what they are planning to do with […]
patton 7 years agoGarrett Richards to Use Curveball More in 2018
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Garrett Richards intends to use his curveball more often going forward. Up to this point, Richards has only used his curve about 3 to 6 percent of the time, relying much more on his fastball/slider combo. Richards has thrown nine masterful innings in spring training, giving up two runs on […]
patton 7 years agoLions to Host Jonathan Stewart
In addition to free-agent running back Demarco Murray, the Detroit Lions are also bringing in recently-released veteran running back Jonathan Stewart for a visit. Stewart has spent his entire 10-year career with the Carolina Panthers, averaging a solid 4.3 yards per carry. That dipped to 3.4 YPC last season, however. The soon-to-be 31-year-old would be […]
patton 7 years agoJim Johnson, Blake Parker will be Setup Guys
Both Los Angeles Angels relief pitchers Jim Johnson and Blake Parker are expected to start the season in setup roles, with Cam Bedrosian serving as the closer for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Bedrosian began last season as the closer as well, but injuries kept him off the field and allowed veteran Bud Norris to […]
patton 7 years agoMatt Shoemaker Enduring Rough Spring
Los Angeles Angels starter Matt Shoemaker is locked into a spot in LA's six-man rotation, despite his struggles so far in spring training. Through three starts, Shoemaker has an ugly 10.80 ERA and has surrendered a staggering five home runs in just 8 1/3 innings. Still, Shoemaker will find himself on the hill every sixth […]
patton 7 years agoJustin Upton Off to a Hot Start
Los Angeles Angels left fielder Justin Upton is looking to build off his strong 2017 season in his first full year with the Angels. The slugger posted career highs in home runs (35) and RBI (109) last year, split between the Tigers and the Angels. He is off to a hot start this spring, hitting […]
patton 7 years agoZack Cozart to Play Shortstop in Andrelton Simmons' Absence
Los Angeles Angels new third baseman Zack Cozart will start at shortstop in place of Andrelton Simmons, who is nursing a sore shoulder. Cozart will be entering familiar territory, as he spent his time with the Reds at shortstop. The Angels signed the infielder to play third base, however, a position he has been working to learn. […]
patton 7 years agoMike Trout Goes 3-for-3 with Home Run
Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout broke out of his spring training slump on Saturday. After starting 1-for-14, Trout hit two line drive singles and a home run on Saturday. While there is obviously no doubt about taking Trout with the first or second pick in all fantasy formats, it is nice to see […]
patton 7 years agoRichard Sherman to Visit Lions
The Detroit Lions are bringing in free-agent cornerback Richard Sherman for a visit next week. Sherman, despite his age and injury history, remains one of the elite corners in the NFL and would be a nice boost to an already solid Lions secondary. Sherman, along with Darius Slay and Glover Quin, would make a formidable […]
patton 7 years agoKole Calhoun to Benefit from Ballpark Change
The Los Angeles Angels are lowering the yellow home run line in right field from 18 feet to eight feet. That will benefit the left-handed swinging Kole Calhoun, while also changing how he plays the position considerably. StatCast estimates that this change would have added 17 more home runs last season, with 11 of them […]
patton 7 years agoShohei Ohtani Roughed up
Los Angeles Angels starter Shohei Ohtani was roughed up in a spring training start on Friday. He surrendered six runs in three innings, striking out six but also hitting two batters and walking one. His fastball sat between 92-95 mph but was erratic. He was facing the Tijuana Toros, a Mexican League team with only […]
patton 7 years agoLions Met with Eric Ebron
The Detroit Lions met with tight end Eric Ebron on Thursday to discuss his future. The team is open to dealing him and let him know that, while not supplying any guarantees that he will be on the team next year. The 2014 first-round draft pick has failed to live up to expectations in the […]
patton 7 years agoCam Bedrosian Expected to Close in LA
Los Angeles Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian is considered the favorite to start the season as the closer, reports Jon Heyman of Fan Rag sports. Bedrosian was the favorite last year, but an injury limited him and ended up giving Bud Norris and Keynan Middleton opportunities to close out games. Bedrosian finished the year with six […]
patton 7 years agoIan Kinsler with a Strong Start in Spring
Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler is off to a strong start this spring. The 35-year-old is 4-for-11 with five walks so far with the Angels. Kinsler was traded to the Angels from the Tigers back in December for a pair of prospects. The veteran posted a career-low .236 batting average last season, but […]
patton 7 years agoTyler Skaggs Developing a Changeup
Los Angeles Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs is working on adding a consistent changeup to his repertoire during spring training. “I can be a two-pitch pitcher, but I can only go so far doing that,” Skaggs said. “I need to make a cognizant effort to throw it, even if I’m not throwing it for a strike." […]
patton 7 years agoAndrelton Simmons Suffers Strained Left Shoulder
The MRI on Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons showed a strained left shoulder. He is considered day-to-day. Simmons left Thursday's spring training game after diving for a baseball. He was examined by the medical team on the field and had an MRI scheduled, although the expectation was that it was not that serious. That […]
patton 7 years agoAndrelton Simmons to have MRI on Shoulder
Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons is getting a precautionary MRI on his shoulder after he strained it diving for a ball on Thursday. Reports indicate that Simmons is fine and that the MRI is just the team being cautious. Simmons left the game after rolling over his shoulder while diving for a baseball. The […]
patton 7 years agoCharges Dropped Against Tyler Boyd
Drug charges against Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd were dismissed in Pittsburgh. Boyd was originally charged with possessing a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after his vehicle was wrecked in Pittsburgh in July. Boyd has maintained that he was not at the scene of the car and that a friend was driving the car […]
patton 7 years agoTyler Eifert Claims He's Healthy
Free-agent tight end Tyler Eifert (back) says he is healthy and ready to head into NFL free agency. Eifert, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, had season-ending surgery on his back in Week 2 last year. He has now missed 41 out of 80 potential NFL games in his five NFL seasons. Eifert's health will be a big factor […]
patton 7 years agoShohei Ohtani Strikes out Eight
Los Angeles Angels starter Shohei Ohtani struck out eight of the 12 Brewers that he faced on Friday. He threw 52 pitches in the outing. Although he surrendered two runs, he only gave up one hard hit ball and looked sharp throughout. His fastball sat around 93 mph and got up to 96. Overall, Ohtani has […]
patton 7 years ago