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Browns | Brandon Weeden confident in WR
Cleveland Browns QB Brandon Weeden indicated that he and WR Josh Gordon are jelling nicely at organized team activities (OTAs). "I have so much confidence in him. I'm not afraid to throw at any corner with him," Weeden said. "He's that good."
Browns | Johnson Bademosi moves around
Cleveland Browns CB Johnson Bademosi moved from cornerback to free safety during organized team activities (OTAs) this week, and he worked with the second-team defense. "He is aggressive, good tackler and he goes 100 mph on that," head coach Rob Chudzinski said. "We felt like from an athletic and physical standpoint, that it would be worth trying to look at him at safety."
Browns | Shawn Lauvao to move left
Cleveland Browns OG Shawn Lauvao spent the first three years of his career at right guard, but he practiced on the left side during organized team activities (OTAs) this week. OT John Greco moved from left guard to right guard, but head coach Rob Chudzinski indicated that the moves are not necessarily permanent. "We are working all the guards at all the different spots," Chudzinski said.
Browns | Jason Pinkston continues to progress
Updating a previous report, Cleveland Browns OG Jason Pinkston (lung) is not only participating in organized team activities (OTAs), but he is hopeful of competing for a starting job. "(I want to) compete for a starting job," Pinkston said. "No one's job here is safe. New coaches, everybody's competing, so just try to get a starting job and get back in there and hopefully run out of that tunnel opening day for the Browns." Pinkston said he has about eight points to lose, with a target of 318 pounds in mind.
Chiefs | Two expected to compete for starting ILB job
Cardinals | LaRon Byrd suffered minor injury
Mets | Jonathon Niese raises arm angle
New York Mets SP Jonathon Niese said he unconsciously dropped his arm angle early this year due to arm discomfort, which led to poor results. Niese tried to fix the issue with a 70-plus pitch bullpen session Monday, May 13. He held the St. Louis Cardinals to two runs and six hits while walking two in 7 1/3 innings Thursday, May 16, after giving up 15 runs in 8 1/3 innings in his previous two starts. "I tried to keep my arm in that good arm slot and it worked out today," Niese said about throwing from a higher arm angle. "… I'm just glad (pitching coach) Dan (Warthen) and I were able to get that good work in the bullpen and figure out what was going wrong mechanically. Fortunately, I was able to fix it."
Texans | Trevardo Williams contract update
Browns | Brian Hoyer to start as No. 3 QB
Angels | Jered Weaver throws sim game
FANTASY TIP: Weaver is nearing a return to the Halos' rotation, and they'll be happy to have him back. So will fantasy owners. Start making plans to adjust your roster to prepare for his arrival.
Dodgers | Jerry Hairston injures knee
Lions | Shaun Hill in walking boot
Blue Jays | Dustin McGowan moving to Class AAA
Toronto Blue Jays SP Dustin McGowan (shoulder) is moving his rehab from Single-A Dunedin to Triple-A Buffalo. He tossed two innings and allowed a hit while walking one and striking out four at Dunedin.
Lions | Corey Williams unlikely to return
Lions | Joique Bell could get more touches in 2013
Athletics | Chris Young hopes to return Saturday
Phillies | Roy Halladay needs three months to recover
Philadelphia Phillies SP Roy Halladay (shoulder) will need three months to recover after undergoing shoulder surgery this week. Dr. Neal ElAttrache said the surgery "identified what we anticipated," so there were no surprises. However, Dr. Michael Ciccotti was hesitant to say that Halladay would come back this season. "There are a lot of ifs between now and then," Ciccotti said of Halladay's return. "Does he get his motion back? Does he feel strong again? How is he when he is throwing a ball? There are a lot of things between now and then that might prevent that from happening. But we remain cautiously optimistic about it." Halladay's bursa sac, which was removed during surgery, should grow back naturally and shouldn't be a problem in the future. If he doesn't have any setbacks, he could be throwing in six to eight weeks.
FANTASY TIP: Halladay will be out for an extended period of time, but there are no guarantees he'll come back this year, let alone be effective. That's a big gamble to take if you're willing to hang onto him. The more shallow the league, the less incentive you have to hang onto hope.
Orioles | Two players improving
Lions | Believe Dominic Raiola best option at C
Phillies | Carlos Zambrano, John Lannan could enter rotation
Philadelphia Phillies SP Carlos Zambrano will pitch two innings at extended spring training Saturday, May 18, and pitch every five days thereafter. SP John Lannan (knee) will throw a bullpen session early next week and is "closer, but he's not close" to coming back.
FANTASY TIP: Both Zambrano and Lannan could become options to take Roy Halladay's (shoulder) spot in the rotation with him out indefinitely. Both hurlers are dart throws in NL-only leagues if you're desperate.