Matt Carpenter Makes His 2018 Debut

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back, shoulder) made his 2018 Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday, walking twice and scoring two runs. Carpenter has been recovering from a back injury and is still dealing with a shoulder issue that plagued him last season. Still, it seems like everything went OK on Tuesday, and unless something changes, […]

Eagles Working to Keep Patrick Robinson Around

The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly working to keep cornerback Patrick Robinson with the team. They are expected to get it done before the tampering window opens. Robinson signed a one-year deal in 2017 before emerging as one of the top defenders on a strong Eagles defense. He should be returning to the same role in […]

Francisco Mejia to Play the Outfield in Minor League Camp

Cleveland Indians catching prospect Francisco Mejia will work in the outfield in minor league camp and early on in the minor league season. "He's still a catcher" according to the team, but they want him better positioned for potentially helping the big league club later this season. He had been working a bit at third […]

Orlando Scandrick Requests a Release

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick has requested to be released from the Cowboys so that he can join the free-agent market when it opens on Wednesday. Rumors have been swirling that Scandrick had fallen out of favor in Dallas with Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis and Xavier Woods returning as cornerbacks and Byron Jones moving there, […]

Luke Weaver Tosses Four No-Hit Innings

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Luke Weaver tossed four no-hit innings in his Grapefruit League start on Sunday. Facing a Nationals lineup that included several regulars, Weaver was excellent. He struck out four in his four innings and has now allowed just one run through his nine Grapefruit League innings. He still seems to be […]

Cardinals Sign Yefri Perez

The St. Louis Cardinals signed outfielder Yefri Perez to a minor league contract. Perez got a few at-bats with the Marlins in 2016 but didn't do much with them, then played poorly in Double-A last season, slashing .169/.280/.242 over 293 plate appearances. He's a 27-year-old organization filler with plus speed but nothing else. He's highly […]

Matt Carpenter's Back Feels "Perfect"

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said his injured back felt "perfect" after playing an intrasquad game on Sunday. He'll make his 2018 Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday as a designated hitter. At this point, unless he suffers some other setback, it looks like Carpenter should be ready for Opening Day. Aside from his back, […]

Carlos Carrasco Dominates on Sunday

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco was dominant in his Cactus League start on Sunday, striking out six while tossing three shutout innings. Carrasco has been in midseason form lately, notching 10 strikeouts over his last six Cactus League innings. He's not the ace of his own team thanks to Corey Kluber being around, but […]

Michael Brantley Does a Baserunning Workout

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (ankle) participated in a baserunning workout on Sunday. Brantley's rehab from an ankle surgery that stabilized the ligaments has been slow but steady. He likely won't be ready on Opening Day, but assuming no setbacks, he should be back on the field not too long after the opener. Brantley is […]

Danny Salazar Will Throw a Weighted Baseball

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar (shoulder) will progress to throwing a weighted baseball in his recovery from right rotator cuff inflammation. He'd been on a long-toss program, so the progression to a weighted ball is a step in the right direction. He's already been ruled out for Opening Day, but it's unclear just how far […]

Abraham Almonte and Others Optioned to Triple-A and Minor League Camp

Cleveland Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte was optioned to minor league camp. Almonte, Francisco Mejia, Julian Merryweather, Shawn Morimando and Adam Plutko will all head to Triple-A while Bobby Bradley, Louis Head, Josh Martin and Adam Wilk were reassigned to minor league camp. Almonte was battling for a reserve outfield spot, and he'll basically still have […]

Alex Reyes Pitches in an Intrasquad Game on Sunday

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Alex Reyes (elbow) pitched in an intrasquad game on Sunday. It was the first game-like action for Reyes, who is returning from Tommy John Surgery. He's been throwing live batting practice for a few weeks now, but this was his first time back on a mound in a somewhat competitive […]

Tyler O'Neill Optioned to Minor League Camp

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill was optioned to minor league camp. A power-hitting prospect who mashed 31 homers in the minors last season, O'Neill may have had a chance to break the Opening Day roster, but he's had to deal with an oblique injury and a hamstring strain this spring. He'll likely make his […]

FOX Interested in Bringing Jason Witten into the Broadcast Booth

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has been targeted by FOX as their new Thursday Night Football analyst. Seeing the success CBS had with Tony Romo, FOX is trying to grab another Cowboy who is just out of the league. The issue this time is that Witten has already said he would like to play […]

2018 Bullpen Outlooks - National League West

The National League West wraps up our 2018 Bullpen Outlooks series. Check out all of the American League divisions here: AL East, AL Central, AL West, and the rest of the National League here: NL East, NL Central. Stick with Rotoballer all season long for weekly Closer Reports including recaps of the week that passed, outlooks for […]

Tyler O'Neill Dealing With a Brand New Injury

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill was forced to leave Friday's Grapefruit League game due to a hamstring injury. O'Neill had just gotten back on the field after recovering from an injury to his oblique. The new hamstring injury is unrelated and is a brand new issue for the top outfield prospect in the Cardinals […]

Carlos Martinez Named Opening Day Starter

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez was named the team's Opening Day starter on Friday. He'll take the ball on March 29 in New York to take on the Mets. It'll be Martinez's second straight Opening Day start. He has some nice upside this season, but comes with a bit of risk. The 26-year-old […]

Cardinals Are OK With Not Naming a Closer

The St. Louis Cardinals seem content to go into the season without naming a closer. While reliever Luke Gregerson was seen as the favorite to man the ninth inning, he is dealing with an oblique injury and has been limited to just one Grapefruit League appearance. Meanwhile, Dominic Leone and Tyler Lyons have pitched well enough […]

Matt Carpenter Begins Fielding and Batting Practice

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back, shoulder) began hitting and fielding drills this week. The team is reportedly concerned about both Carpenter's back and his shoulder, which may lead them to sticking him at first base. Originally, Carpenter was being looked at as a super-utility infielder who could play almost any infield position. For […]

Tyler O'Neill Off the Injury List and Into the Lineup

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill (oblique) is off the injury list and into a Grapefruit League starting lineup. O'Neill has been dealing with a strained left oblique muscle that has caused him to miss more than half of the spring training schedule. He'll get the start in right field against the Astros. O'Neill hit 31 […]

Trevor Bauer Is Struggling His Way Through Spring

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer is having a hard time getting outs so far this spring in Cactus League play. In 8 1/3 innings spread across three games, Bauer has an 8.64 ERA. He's allowed 11 hits, nine runs and three walks while striking out 10. It's nice to see the strikeouts, but Bauer […]

Yonder Alonso Looking Good in His New Uniform

Cleveland Indians first baseman Yonder Alonso is looking good in his new uniform, starting off Cactus League play by playing well. He's slashing .375/.500/.938 with two home runs so far. He's walked four times and struck out just three times. Alonso was signed to replace Carlos Santana, who joined the Philadelphia Phillies as a free […]

Edwin Encarnacion Off to a Slow Start So Far in Spring Training

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is off to a slow start in Cactus League play this spring. He's slashing just .167/.211/.333 with one home run and two RBI. He has struck out eight times in just 18 at-bats. Encarnacion was somewhat disappointing last season when compared to previous years, and while the spring sample […]

Jason Kipnis Is Putting On a Show This Spring

Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis has gotten off to an excellent start in Cactus League play this spring. Kipnis is slashing .450/.450/1.350 with six home runs, 12 RBI, and only three strikeouts. After what was mostly a lost 2017 due to injuries and prolonged slumps, Kipnis is looking to come out of the gates […]

Francisco Lindor Off to an OK Start This Spring

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is off to a decent start in Cactus League play. He's slashing .238/.360/.476 with one home run and five RBI. He's struck out twice and walked three times. Lindor looks set for another excellent season and should be one of the first few shortstops taken in most formats. While he […]

Michael Brantley to Face Live Pitching

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (ankle) was scheduled to face live pitching during Wednesday's team workout. Brantley is recovering from surgery on his ankle to stabilize ligaments that forced him to miss most of last season. He comes with tons of upside, but is a big injury risk as well. Owners who snag him later […]

Luke Gregerson Dealing With an Oblique Injury

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson is dealing with an oblique injury. Gregerson was scheduled to pitch Tuesday and didn't, then he missed Wednesday's scheduled appearance as well. Manager Mike Matheny described the issue as "minor," but oblique injuries are tricky for pitchers and can sometimes linger, taking much longer than expected to recover from. Gregerson […]

2018 Bullpen Outlooks - National League Central

The National League Central continues our series of National League bullpen outlooks. Check out all of the American League divisions here: AL East, AL Central, AL West, and the first National League article here: NL East The NL Central has several strong closers who could make some significant noise in fantasy leagues this season. Even with that being […]

Francisco Mejia Suffers a Right Foot Contusion

Cleveland Indians catcher Francisco Mejia suffered a right foot contusion and was forced to leave Tuesday's game. He was hit by a pitch in the eighth inning, but he was able to walk off the field on his own power. He'll probably need a day or two off for swelling to go down, but it […]

Matt Carpenter Might Not Be Ready for Opening Day

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back) may not be ready for Opening Day. He has resumed baseball activities in Cardinals camp, but still hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said, "If this doesn't stay on track, I don't know if he'll be timed up. Physically, I think he'll be […]