Top Headlines
-
Football
2024 Rookie RB Preview: Top-5, more
-
Most Viewed Players
-
Baseball
Bullpen Report: Yates over Leclerc?
-
Baseball
Monday's waiver wire targets
-
Baseball
Buy or sell hot starts
-
Baseball
Weekend Stockwatch: Busch breaks out
-
Football
2024 rookie Fantasy QB Preview
Player News
-
Jaelan Phillips MIA LB
Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips: Set for fifth-year option
3h agoThe Dolphins plan to pick up the fifth-year contract option of Phillips (Achilles) before May's deadline, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN reports.
General manager Chris Grier said Tuesday that Miami intends to pick up the fifth-year options of both Phillips and Jaylen Waddle. A right Achilles tear limited Phillips to just eight games last season, but he's reportedly on track to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign. He's been one of the Dolphins' more impactful pass rushers over the past three seasons, and the team will be more in need of those talents than ever with Christian Wilkins having moved on to Las Vegas.
-
De'Von Achane MIA RB
Dolphins' De'Von Achane: Bulks up during offseason
4h agoAchane looks more muscular after working out this offseason, Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post reports.
A photo of Achane showing up for OTAs went viral, with some saying he looks much larger than he did during his rookie campaign. It's his second offseason bulking up for football without also considering track and field, though at this point it's unclear how much he's added relative to his weight from the 2023 NFL Combine (where he ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at 188 pounds). Achane averaged 7.8 yards per carry and scored a TD per game last season, albeit with injuries (six missed games) and Raheem Mostert's presence (209 carries) limiting the rookie to 103 carries and 27 catches in his 11 appearances. The Dolphins still have Mostert under contract -- along with backups Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed (foot) and Chris Brooks -- but they'll presumably task Achane with more of the backfield work in his second pro season.
-
Royce Freeman LAR RB
Cowboys' Royce Freeman: Picked up by Dallas
19h agoFreeman signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys on Tuesday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Freeman spent his first three seasons with the Broncos before stops with the Panthers, Texans and Rams the last three years. The journeyman tallied 319 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in Los Angeles last year across 14 games. Dallas lost Tony Pollard to free agency, so its running back room currently consists of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn (ankle), Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and Freeman. Freeman could get an opportunity to carve out a role for himself, but the Cowboys still seem likely to invest in the position during the 2024 Draft.
-
Trent Taylor CHI WR
49ers' Trent Taylor: Returns to Bay Area
22h agoTaylor signed a one-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, Lindsey Pallares of the team's official site reports.
Taylor started his career in San Francisco before a two-year stay with the Bengals, and he spent the 2023 campaign with the Bears. The 29-year-old will have the opportunity to earn a role in the return game with the Niners after the departure of Ray-Ray McCloud in free agency this offseason.
-
Trent Taylor CHI WR
Trent Taylor: Could return to Bay Area
23h agoTaylor has talked to the 49ers about a potential return to the team, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Taylor was selected by San Francisco in the fifth round of the 2017 Draft and spent three seasons there before stops in Cincinnati and Chicago. The 49ers do currently have a void in their return game, with Ray-Ray McCloud now in Atlanta, which is likely where the interest in Taylor lies.
-
Deshaun Watson CLE QB
Browns' Deshaun Watson: Throwing full speed
1d agoWatson (shoulder) said Tuesday he's already resumed "throwing full speed" but that he's uncertain how large a workload he'll handle during OTAs and minicamp, Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Watson clarified that certain members of the Browns' medical staff are in favor of a more conservative approach to the quarterback's recovery from right shoulder surgery, Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, which would have him wait until training camp to fully practice. Still, Watson is confident he'll be available for the Browns' season opener, and there appears to be no real worries about his Week 1 status. In case Watson misses part of the offseason, or struggles during the fall, Cleveland can lean on experienced backups Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley.
-
Jeimer Candelario CIN 3B
Reds' Jeimer Candelario: Not ready to start Wednesday
3m agoCandelario (illness) remains out of the lineup Wednesday in Seattle.
He'll give way to Santiago Espinal at third base for a second game in a row while he recovers from an illness. The Reds have off Thursday, so Candelario will have some additional time to shake off the ailment before Cincinnati opens its homestand Friday versus the Angels.
-
Christian Encarnacion-Strand CIN 1B
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Resting for first time in 2024
5m agoEncarnacion-Strand is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Seattle.
He'll be riding pine for the first time this season while Spencer Steer replaces him at first base and while Stuart Fairchild steps in as the Reds' No. 3 hitter. Before an 0-for-4 showing in Tuesday's 3-1 loss, Encarnacion-Strand had delivered exactly two hits in four of his preceding six starts.
-
Daniel Palencia CHC RP
Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Heads back to Triple-A
11m agoThe Cubs optioned Palencia to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
One of six relievers who worked in Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona, Palencia will be swapped off the 26-man active roster for a fresh bullpen arm in Hayden Wesneski, who was recalled from Iowa in a corresponding move. Palencia had given up at least one run in each of his three relief appearances for Chicago this season and posted a 5:7 K:BB over six innings.
-
Luke Little CHC RP
Cubs' Luke Little: Sent to Triple-A
12m agoThe Cubs optioned Little to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Little was one of seven pitchers used by the Cubs in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks and is being sent out in favor of a fresh arm. The lefty has yielded two runs with a 5:5 K:BB over 6.2 innings during his time with the big club this season.
-
Hayden Wesneski CHC RP
Cubs' Hayden Wesneski: Summoned from Triple-A
14m agoThe Cubs recalled Wesneski from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Wesneski was called up from Triple-A to give the Cubs some length out of the bullpen after six relievers were needed to cover the final 4.2 innings of Tuesday's 12-11 loss to Arizona. The right-hander has yet to make his 2024 big-league debut but has accrued a 2.53 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 10.2 innings with Iowa this season.
-
Trevor Rogers MIA SP
Marlins' Trevor Rogers: Pitches well in no-decision
18m agoRogers didn't factor in the decision Wednesday versus the Giants after he gave up a run on four hits and no walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out six.
The left-hander gave up a run during the second inning on a single and a double, but he otherwise held San Francisco in check. Rogers was pulled after allowing a two-out, infield single in the sixth inning, so he fell short of his first quality start of the season. A matchup with Atlanta likely awaits early next week.
-
Zion Williamson NO PF
Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Out at least two weeks
1h agoThe Pelicans announced Wednesday that Williamson was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in approximately two weeks.
Williamson suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Tuesday's Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers and was already ruled out for the win-or-go-home matchup versus the Kings on Friday. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick's career has been defined by injuries, but he showed off his unique skill set when healthy this season and was dominant before leaving Tuesday's game, posting 40 points (17-27 FG) and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes. If Williamson is cleared right at the two-week mark, he could return late in a potential first-round series versus the Thunder, but the Pelicans must defeat Sacramento first to keep their season alive.
-
Sam Merrill CLE SG
Cavaliers' Sam Merrill: Participates in practice
1h agoMerrill (neck) went through Wednesday's practice without issue, Chris Fedor of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Merrill missed the final three games of the regular season due to a neck strain. However, Merrill's participation in practice is a good sign of his availability for Saturday's Game 1 against the Magic.
-
Zion Williamson NO PF
Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Won't play Friday
2h agoWilliamson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's Play-In Game against the Kings, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Williamson suffered a left hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's Play-In Tournament loss to the Lakers and won't be available for the win-or-go-home matchup versus Sacramento on Friday. This is a huge blow for Williamson, who shined during his first playoff exposure by posting 40 points (17-27 FG) and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes before leaving the contest. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick's career continues to be defined by injuries, but the extent of his latest one remains unclear. If the Pelicans defeat the Kings and advance to the opening-round series against the Thunder, Williamson's next chance to suit up would come Sunday night.
-
Jontay Porter TOR C
Jontay Porter: Receives lifetime ban
3h agoPorter has received a lifetime ban from the NBA for violating the league's gaming rules, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Commissioner Adam Silver suggested last week that a lifetime ban was on the table for Porter, and the league officially announced his punishment Wednesday. Per a press release from the NBA, Porter "disclosed confidential information about his own health status to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor" and limited his playing time to impact his prop bets in at least one Raptors game. Porter also placed at least 13 bets on NBA games between January and March of 2024, although none of the wagers involved a game in which Porter played. The league's investigation remains open, but Porter will be permanently barred from playing in the league.
-
Kenyon Martin Jr. PHI SF
76ers' KJ Martin: Full participant in shootaround
5h agoMartin (toe), who is questionable for Wednesday's Play-In Game against Miami, was a full participant in Philadelphia's morning shootaround, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.
Martin continues to deal with a toe issue that forced him to miss the final three games of the regular season, but his participation in shootaround creates optimism that he'll be able to return as postseason play begins Wednesday. Over his final five appearances during the regular season, Martin averaged 5.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 17.6 minutes per game.
-
Joel Embiid PHI C
76ers' Joel Embiid: Goes through shootaround
5h agoEmbiid (knee) participated in Wednesday's morning shootaround, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.
Embiid logged two straight practices coming into the morning shootaround, but he's still carrying a questionable tag for Wednesday's game against Miami. Despite the questionable designation, it would be a big surprise if Embiid was unable to suit up Wednesday.
-
Calvin Pickard EDM G
Oilers' Calvin Pickard: Slated to face Coyotes
14m agoPickard is expected to start on the road against Arizona on Wednesday, per Bob Stauffer of the Oilers Radio Network.
Pickard will get a chance to rebound after stopping 25 of 28 shots en route to a 3-2 overtime loss to the Coyotes in his last start Friday. He has a 12-6-1 record, 2.41 GAA and .912 save percentage in 21 contests this season. Edmonton is resting defensemen Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci against Arizona, which might make Pickard's task somewhat tougher.
-
Cody Ceci EDM D
Oilers' Cody Ceci: Healthy scratch Wednesday
17m agoCeci is expected to be a healthy scratch Wednesday versus Arizona, according to Mark Spector of Sportsnet.
Ceci has five goals, 25 points, 90 hits and 106 blocks in 78 appearances this season. The 30-year-old is getting a breather as the Oilers look toward the playoffs, but he might draw back into the lineup for the season finale against the Avalanche on Thursday.
-
Darnell Nurse EDM D
Oilers' Darnell Nurse: Resting Wednesday
20m agoNurse will be a healthy scratch Wednesday versus Arizona, per Mark Spector of Sportsnet.
Nurse has 10 goals, 32 points, 79 PIM, 168 hits and 169 blocks in 80 contests this season. Resting the defenseman will interrupt his four-game scoring streak (one goal, six points), but it will help keep him fresh for the playoffs. Nurse might draw back into the lineup for the season finale against Colorado on Thursday.
-
Anthony Mantha LV RW
Golden Knights' Anthony Mantha: Practices without contact
23m agoMantha (undisclosed) practiced Wednesday but didn't take contact, Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Mantha missed Tuesday's 3-1 win over Chicago because of the injury. His status for Thursday's season finale against Anaheim hasn't been determined. If does play against the Ducks, then he will likely serve in a middle-six capacity.
-
Jayden Struble MON D
Canadiens' Jayden Struble: Reassigned to AHL Laval
1h agoStruble was demoted to the minors Wednesday.
Struble saw action in 56 games in his rookie campaign, registering three goals, seven assists and 120 hits while averaging 16:07 of ice time. The 22-year-old blueliner is unlikely to offer more than mid-range fantasy value given his limited offensive upside, though he could have value in formats that value hits and blocks.
-
Joshua Roy MON RW
Canadiens' Joshua Roy: Moved to minors
1h agoRoy has recovered from his upper-body injury and was sent to AHL Laval on Wednesday.
Roy hasn't played since March 19 due to the injury. He has four goals and nine points in 23 contests with the Canadiens this campaign. Montreal's season is done, so this is a chance for Roy to get in additional work. The 20-year-old has already supplied 13 goals and 32 points in 40 appearances with Laval in 2023-24.