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Spencer Steer chose to receive a cortisone shot in his right shoulder after an evaluation from team doctors Saturday, the Reds announced to the media (including Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer). As a result, Steer was removed from the lineup for the Reds’ spring training game on Saturday, and he’ll be out of action for a few days while the shot takes effect.
The lingering issue has bothered Steer since last season, and he recently described the issue to reporters as a tweak within his right shoulder whenever he is preparing to throw. Steer said he doesn’t feel any discomfort while hitting, though it is fair to wonder if this shoulder problem contributed to the dropoff in production between Steer’s 2023 and 2024 seasons. Steer batted .271/.356/.464 with 23 homers over 665 plate appearances in 2023, but then followed up by hitting only .225/.319/.402 in 656 PA, though he still cracked 20 home runs.
A change in batted-ball luck (.318 BABIP in 2023 and a .260 BABIP in 2024) might have been a larger factor, as Steer’s other advanced metrics between the two seasons are pretty similar. The larger change in regards to throwing was that Steer played much more regularly in left field last season than he did in 2023, so the longer throws may have put more stress on his shoulder.
Multiple MRI scans haven’t revealed any structural damage, and Steer has still felt good enough to play as a designated hitter in Cincinnati’s spring action to date. However, the simple fact that Steer’s shoulder is still bothering him even after an offseason of rest is naturally some concern, and the cortisone shot can hopefully correct the problem once and for all.
There hasn’t been any suggestion that Steer’s injury might cause him to miss any time during the regular season, or that the Reds’ decision to DH him is based on necessity rather than precaution on the team’s part. The injury does add yet another wrinkle within a roster full of question marks for Cincinnati, as the Reds are coming off a disappointing 77-85 season marred by injuries and under-performance from several key players (Steer included).
Heading into 2025, Steer was expected to contribute at both corner infield slots and in left field, though exactly how the playing time will be divvied up between these positions and the DH spot has yet to be determined. The newly-acquired Gavin Lux looks to be the Reds’ top option at third base, while Jeimer Candelario is looking to bounce back from a tough 2024 season as part of the corner infield mix, plus Christian Encarnacion-Strand could play first base or DH.
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Braves Catcher Named Team's Top Potential Trade Candidate
The Atlanta Braves had an unsurprising trade candidate listed among a list of one for each team. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand listed Sean Murphy as the team's potential piece to be moved. While it doesn't use the phrase "most likely," there is an implication of it here, and it isn't off base. Murphy is certainly the most likely player to get traded, and for a well-known reason. The argument made is that the lack of quality catching options this offseason, and Drake Baldwin's existence, put the Braves in a good position to deal Murphy. Injuries won't, in theory, hinder his value at this point. "Given the dearth of catching options on the free-agent market, the Braves – who also have reigning NL Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin – could receive interest in Murphy, who is under club control for three more years at $45 million. Murphy has been dealing with a hip injury for the past two years that has impacted his performance at the plate, but he remains a top defender behind the plate." There were no potential trade partners listed. It was simply an argument for why he is a candidate. Fortunately for Murphy, that hip has been addressed. He had surgery toward the end of the 2025 season, and he's currently recovering from it. His recovery is expected to play a factor in the team's plans for 2026. The plan is to see how he's looking around January. If he's healthy, maybe a team will look to make a deal with the Braves. It would have to be the right deal, however. They're willing to test rotating Murphy and Baldwin at the catcher and DH spots this upcoming season. In the right circumstance, trading Murphy truly does make sense. There is a reason he has come up in previous rumors and speculation. Having two starting-caliber catchers is not a bad thing, but it creates a puzzle to solve. Ideally, the team has a full-time catcher and a full-time designated hitter. A Murphy trade could be what nets them a designated hitter and opens space for Baldwin to be the starting catcher. If not a designated hitter directly, it opens up the spot to acquire one in a separate move. The Braves also need starting pitching. Murphy could be a trade piece to get one with some control. Nothing is imminent, but if a move were to happen, it wouldn't catch anyone off guard. There is plenty of time for any current plans to change. More From Atlanta Braves on SI
Jerry Jones claims Jets turned down absurd trade offer involving Micah Parsons, Quinnen Williams
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently revealed that he offered Micah Parsons plus a first-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for Quinnen Williams during training camp. Jerry Jones says Jets turned out incredible trade offer for Quinnen Williams “I wanted a one and Parsons for Williams,” Jones said on 103.5 The Fan. That seems like an absurd offer, but Jones left little up to interpretation. “A one and Parsons for Williams,” he repeated. Later, he added that the deal did not go through because the Jets “did not have the cap room to pay [Parsons].” Jones also said something similar to WFAA’s Ed Werder: “We tried at training camp with the Jets to basically make an exchange that was ready to go, heads up, with Quinnen and Micah and a one, and we didn’t get it done.” Parsons, of course, was instead sent to the Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. The Cowboys later acquired Williams before the trade deadline for a package including a 2027 first-rounder, a 2026 second-rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith. Jones has slowly revealed more and more information about the Parsons trade since it was completed. During a September radio appearances on ESPN New York, Jones said that called the Jets regarding Williams when he was shopping Parsons before the season. The Jets were not interested, he claimed, because they “didn’t have the resources to entertain [the] conversation,” similar to his pronouncement on 103.5. If true, Jets made a big mistake If Jones’ latest revelation is true, that means two things. First, he was willing to sacrifice a massive amount of value to move Parsons and acquire Williams. Second, the Jets made a huge mistake in not accepting the deal. Although Williams is an excellent defensive tackle, Parsons is undoubtedly a better and more valuable player, even at a higher price point. This year, Williams has 2.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss this season; per Pro Football Focus, he ranks fifth among interior defenders with 40 pressures but 38th with a 12.1% pass-rush win rate. Parsons, meanwhile, has 12.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss, plus 67 pressures and a 24.3% pass-rush win rate, both top-three marks among NFL edge-rushers. In his career, he has averaged 0.89 sacks and one tackle for loss per game; Williams’ per-game numbers are 0.41 sacks and 0.60 tackles for loss. Those numbers may not tell the complete story of either player, but it seems like the Jets should have taken Jones’ offer. Sure, they would have had to pony up for Parsons’ mega-extension, but they were already prepared to move on from Williams. Adding an extra first-round pick on top would also give the Jets an opportunity to add another starter — if not a star — on a rookie contract. That would help to offset the financial cost of acquiring Parsons. How realistic is Jerry Jones' claim? But Jones’ words should also be taken with a grain of salt. He has spent a lot of time trying to retroactively justify trading away Parsons, especially after using some of the resulting draft capital to acquire Williams. Claiming that the Jets were not interested in Parsons and a first-rounder for Williams serves to downplay the former’s value and boost the latter’s. The idea that the Jets could not afford to pay Parsons does not hold water, either. After his extension, the All-Pro edge-rusher’s cap hit in 2025 is just $9.97M. New York certainly could have designed a similar contract structure and absorbed Perhaps the Jets didn't want to commit so much money to Parsons as they were clearly contemplating a rebuild. Parsons would still be a cornerstone for that effort, but he may not have wanted to weather any losing seasons in the hopes of a future turnaround. But again, adding another first-round pick would have accelerated that process, and a core of Parsons, cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson seems like a solid foundation for the Jets to build from. That is an expensive trio, but having elite players at three of the sport’s most important positions is a good problem to have. Instead, the Jets declined the Cowboys’ initial offer for Williams before moving him and Gardner at the deadline as part of what appears to be a full-on franchise reset.
Massive injury news in Buffalo gives Steelers a huge advantage
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very crucial game coming up, as they face the Buffalo Bills in a contest that could have strong playoff implications down the road. After all the bad news and reports of dysfunction coming out of the locker room, they need this win to turn everything around and prove that they aren't just a total mess. Not only that, but a win would also set them up to take back control of the AFC North, especially with a date with the Baltimore Ravens just around the corner. The Steelers may have an advantage with a mismatch in the trenches. Joe Buscaglia, a beat writer for the Bills on The Athletic, explained how Buffalo could be put in a rough situation due to an injury to right tackle Spencer Brown. "Losing that level of talent [from Spencer Brown] is bad enough, but it’s multiplied by the disparity of on-field results between him and his likely backup, Ryan Van Demark," Buscaglia wrote. "Van Demark’s best position is left tackle, and when he’s subbed in at right tackle, it has led to some real opportunities for the opposition." Buscaglia also gave examples of how backup tackle Ryan Van Demark had his issues in the Bills' Week 12 loss, when he seemed to have no chance against elite edge-rusher Will Anderson. He was a big part of quarterback Josh Allen getting sacked eight times, and if he has to play against the Steelers' pass rush, there may be some big problems there. In fact, the Bills have not only ruled out Brown, but now left tackle Dion Dawkins is officially out with a concussion. Both tackles will be backups. Buscaglia noted that Van Demark is more comfortable at left tackle, but now they have a conundrum on the other side. He mentioned that Chase Lundt has only been active once for the Bills in 2025, and now he may have to start against TJ Watt. That is a nightmare matchup for anyone, let alone someone as inexperienced as Lundt. Either way, this is going to be a massive challenge for the Bills' offensive line. Two backup offensive tackles will be going up against a very strong pass rush. Van Demark will have his battles with Alex Highsmith, and both him and Lundt will have to try and slow down Nick Herbig as well, as he can wreak havoc on both sides of the line. Steelers and Bills will be intense coaching battle Head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady will have to help this makeshift offensive line in any way they can. Watt is still the most chipped player in the NFL currently, and there is no reason to not expect at least four hands to be on him on every single snap. Priority No. 1 is keeping these great edge-rushers from taking full advantage of the Bills' injuries in the trenches. Meanwhile, many teams have figured out how to slow down Mike Tomlin's defense, whether the opposing offensive line is at full strength or not. If the Bills successfully shut down the Steelers' pass rush, Tomlin will have to find a way to make adjustments and throw new things that these inexperienced tackles have not seen, like certain stunts and personnel shifts. Despite all the talent on both teams, coaching will most likely decide the victor.
Kevin Durant has decided the next team he wants to join after Houston Rockets, claims ex-star
Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets during the NBA offseason and so far the move has paid off. The Houston Rockets have already established themselves as one of the best teams in the Western Conference, sitting in fourth place at 12-4. The Rockets are coming off a thrilling win over the Golden State Warriors without Kevin Durant, who has been out the last two games due to personal reasons. Reed Sheppard led the way for the Rockets in Durant’s absence. But for as good as the Rockets are without Durant, they are even better with him, as Durant has averaged 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists this season. Kevin Durant could join another team before his career is over If and when the NBA expands, Seattle along with Las Vegas is expected to be in the mix to revive the SuperSonics. Stephen Curry gets INJURED vs. Houston Rockets Worst Case Scenario for the Warriors – Stephen Curry suffers a right quad contusion! Seattle was awarded the SuperSonics in 1967, making them the city’s first major pro sports team. According to Gary Payton, the SuperSonics are very close to returning and the NBA legend thinks Durant could leave Houston and join them. “Gary Payton told me the return of the SuperSonics is “very close, very very close” and that he thinks Kevin Durant is waiting to retire until the team returns.” Why did the SuperSonics leave Seattle? The SuperSonics left Seattle in July 2008, as Durant and company relocated to Oklahoma City where they became the Oklahoma City Thunder. The SuperSonics left Seattle primarily because the new ownership group, led by Clay Bennett, intended to relocate the team to Oklahoma City. Key factors in why the SuperSonics left Seattle included the failure to secure public funding for a new or renovated arena in Seattle. There was also a lack of political support for an arena deal and legal and political battles over the team’s future. Additionally, Oklahoma City effectively positioned itself as an ideal relocation candidate, where the Thunder have been since.
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