Tigers Reportedly Sign Duque Hebbert To Minor-League Deal

Detroit Tigers scout Luis Molina reportedly signed Team Nicaragua's relief pitcher Duque Hebbert to a minor-league contract Monday after his performance in the World Baseball Classic's 6-1 loss to Team Dominican Republic. The 21-year-old pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing a double to Manny Machado but striking out Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Rafael Devers. The […]

Cristian Javier Strikes Out Four In Monday's Win

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier looked strong in his World Baseball Classic debut for Team Dominican Republic Monday, pitching four scoreless innings in a 6-1 win over Team Nicaragua. Javier struck out four while allowing two hits and a walk. The 25-year-old took another successful step forward in his young career in 2022, going […]

Manny Machado Homers For Dominican Republic Monday

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado played his part offensively Monday in Team Dominican Republic's 6-1 World Baseball Classic win over Team Nicaragua. Machado went 2-for-5 with a double and a solo home run, his first of the spring. The 30-year-old had an outstanding 2022 season, slashing .298/.366/.531 with 32 HR, 102 RBI, and […]

Juan Soto Hits Leadoff, Homers In World Baseball Classic Monday

San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto gave Team Dominican Republic the spark it needed in Monday's 6-1 World Baseball Classic win over Team Nicaragua. Batting leadoff, Soto went 2-for-4 with a single, a solo home run, a walk, and a strikeout. The 24-year-old has gotten off to an encouraging start this spring after having a […]

Jorge Polanco (2B, MIN) - 2023 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 135 CURRENT ADP: ~150 overall ANALYSIS: Minnesota Twins second baseman Jorge Polanco had a disappointing, injury-riddled 2022 season for fantasy managers after a standout 2021 season. The 29-year-old slashed .235/.346/.405 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI in 445 plate appearances while spending time on the injured list with low back tightness […]

Garrett Mitchell Hits Third Homer Of Spring Tuesday

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell continued to flash surprising power this spring in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the White Sox. The 24-year-old went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, his third of the spring. He has gotten off to a strong start this spring, batting .353 in 17 at-bats. Mitchell is set to serve as […]

Corbin Burnes Not Sharp Tuesday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes had a poor showing in his second spring training start as the White Sox beat the Brewers 5-2. The ace pitched 3 innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk with no strikeouts. He has only pitched 5 1/3 innings this spring, but Burnes has […]

Henry Davis Assigned To Minor-League Camp Tuesday

Pittsburgh Pirates catching prospect Henry Davis was one of the players assigned to the team's Minor League camp on Tuesday. This is not surprising, as the 23-year-old only reached Double-A Altoona last season while dealing with a left wrist injury. When he did play, Davis slashed .207/.324/.379 with four home runs, 18 RBI, and three […]

Mookie Betts To See Time At Second In World Baseball Classic

Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said Tuesday that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts will play some second base for Team USA during this year's World Baseball Classic. Team USA's only true second baseman on the roster is Mets Jeff McNeil, but Betts began his career as a second baseman and has sporadically played it […]

Triston Casas Stays Hot At The Plate This Spring

Boston Red Sox first base prospect Triston Casas continued to hit in Tuesday's 10-2 Grapefruit League win over the Braves. The 23-year-old went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, an RBI, a walk and a strikeout. He is now batting .444 with two home runs in 18 spring at-bats. Casas is Boston's top-ranked prospect and […]

Tanner Houck Earns Win Tuesday

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck picked up the win in Tuesday's 10-2 Grapefruit League win over the Braves. Making his second start of the spring, Houck pitched three innings and faced a number of the Braves' starting bats, allowing two runs on three hits (including a two-run home run) and two walks with four […]

Aaron Judge Hits First Homer Of Spring Monday

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge hit his first long ball of the season in Monday's 9-2 Grapefruit League win over the Pirates. The 30-year-old hit an impressive opposite-field, three-run shot in the sixth inning and is now batting .500 this spring. The 2022 American League Most Valuable Player obviously did a great job of […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Continues To Hit This Spring

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand continued to make a strong impression this Spring in Monday's 6-1 Cactus League win over the Rockies. The 23-year-old went 2-for-3 with a single and a solo home run. He mashed in Double-A in 2022 and is now batting .647 with three HR in 17 spring at-bats. With Joey […]

Ian Happ "Would Love To Stay" With Cubs In 2024

Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ said Monday that he "would love to stay" with the Cubs following the 2023 season. The 28-year-old agreed to a one-year, $10.85 million deal entering his final year of arbitration. Happ has had an up-and-down career with his bat but had a solid 2022 season, slashing .271/.342/.440 with 17 home […]

Shohei Ohtani Hits Two Homers In Team Japan Exhibition

Los Angeles Angels star designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani got the pre-World Baseball Classic festivities off to a strong start in Monday's exhibition game between Team Japan and the Hanshin Tigers. After striking out in his first at-bat, Ohtani proceeded to hit a pair of three-run home runs in his next two at-bats, including one […]

Bailey Falter In Line For Fifth Rotation Spot

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Bailey Falter currently seems to have the best shot at the team's fifth rotation spot with Andrew Painter (elbow) dealing with a tender throwing elbow, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The 25-year-old had a solid 2022 season serving mostly as a starter, going 6-4 in 20 appearances (16 starts) with a 3.86 […]

Andrew Painter Unlikely To Make Opening Day Roster

The Philadelphia Phillies did not provide any update on starting pitcher prospect Andrew Painter's (elbow) sore right elbow Monday. The 19-year-old felt some tenderness and went for tests last Friday. While the No. 6 overall prospect did have a shot to make the Opening Day roster, it now seems highly unlikely that that will come […]

Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker Make Spring Debuts Tuesday

Texas Rangers starting pitching prospects and former Vanderbilt college teammates Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker both made their Cactus League debuts out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 6-4 win over the Rockies. Both pitched scoreless innings, with Leiter hitting a batter and striking out a hitter and Rocker allowing one hit. While Leiter struggled in […]

Shintaro Fujinami Makes Spring Debut Tuesday

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Shintaro Fujinami looked impressive in his start in Tuesday's 11-5 loss to the Angels. Fujinami pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three and showcasing a darting split-finger fastball and 98-MPH four-seam fastball. However, he did walk three, which was one of his issues when pitching in Japan. While the 28-year-old presents […]

Justin Steele Throws Successful Bullpen Tuesday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (arm) threw a successful bullpen Tuesday, per Marquee Sports Network's Tony Andracki. The 27-year-old was scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Sunday but was scratched with general arm fatigue. He is now expected to make his next scheduled start after his successful bullpen session. Steele turned in […]

Austin Wells Goes For Another MRI Tuesday

New York Yankees catching prospect Austin Wells (ribs), who sustained a bone bruise in his right rib cage in mid-February, was sent for another MRI Tuesday after he felt some discomfort while receiving treatment. Manager Aaron Boone said the 23-year-old is "not doing much yet," as the club awaits the results of his latest MRI. […]

Mike Yastrzemski Scratched Tuesday With Right Knee Soreness

San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (knee), who was expected to start in center field against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, was a late scratch due to right knee soreness. Manager Gabe Kapler said that the Giants are not overly concerned and are simply proceeding cautiously with Yastrzemski. Bryce Johnson started in Yastrzemski's place. […]

Cal Raleigh Makes Spring Debut Tuesday

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (thumb) made his spring debut in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Guardians. Batting fifth, Raleigh went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. The 26-year-old had surgery this off-season for a broken left thumb and torn ligaments, so he has been intentionally eased into action. Raleigh provided power from a weak fantasy position […]

Teoscar Hernandez Returns To Lineup Tuesday And Homers

Seattle Mariners outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (back) returned to the lineup in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Guardians. Batting third and playing right field, Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a strikeout. The newly-acquired outfielder was scratched from Sunday's Cactus League lineup with back soreness but looked just fine in Tuesday's game. Seeing […]

Kris Bryant Homers In Cactus League Game Monday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant looked good at the plate in Monday's 7-3 win over the A's, going 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk. The 31-year-old served as the designated hitter in the game, but will likely play left field during the regular season. This is encouraging for both the Rockies and […]

Logan Webb Scuffles In Spring Debut Monday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb looked rusty in his first spring appearance in Monday's 8-6 win over the Angels. Webb pitched 2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits (including a two-run home run) and no walks with a strikeout. This is not all that concerning, as the 26-year-old was making his first […]

Drew Pomeranz Hopeful To Be Ready By End Of March

San Diego Padres pitcher Drew Pomeranz (elbow) is currently eight bullpen sessions into his latest rehab stint, with the team aiming to have him healthy by the end of March, per the Athletic's Dennis Lin. Pomeranz last pitched for the Padres in 2021 before suffering a torn flexor tendon in his left forearm. He had […]

Jordan Luplow Dealing With Oblique Soreness

The Athletic's David O'Brien reported Monday that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jordan Luplow (oblique) has been slowed by oblique soreness early in spring camp. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Braves this off-season. While he is a strong defensive player, Luplow slashed just .176/.274/.361 with 11 home runs, 28 RBI, and five steals in […]

Trey Mancini, Patrick Wisdom The Main Right Field Backups

Chicago Cubs manager David Ross said Monday that Trey Mancini and Patrick Wisdom (groin) are "the first guys that come to mind" as fill-ins for right field if Seiya Suzuki (oblique) ends up having to miss time with a left oblique injury. Mancini, who was signed this off-season, has played outfield throughout his career in […]

Seiya Suzuki Withdraws From World Baseball Classic

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) officially withdrew from the World Baseball Classic Monday, per MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. The 28-year-old received tests on Sunday for a left oblique injury and more should be known Tuesday. While this news sounds discouraging, it may simply be that Suzuki and the Cubs want to be cautious so that […]