Shohei Ohtani Will Pinch Run And Pinch Hit

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia said that starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani will be available to pinch run and pinch hit on days that he isn't pitching. “Normally I would never have a pitcher pinch run but with three-man bench we’re gonna tap into Shohei’s ability to come off bench," Scioscia said. Ohtani is the […]

Felix Hernandez Throws First Bullpen

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez said he felt good after throwing 27 pitches in his first bullpen session Saturday. He is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on March 3 against the Cubs. King Felix is far from the fantasy ace he once was, as he made just 16 starts last season due […]

Scooter Gennett Wins Arbitration Case

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett won his salary arbitration case and will earn $5.7 million in 2018 instead of the $5.1 million the Reds proposed. Gennett was one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball in 2017, going from being a pinch hitter to one of the most productive second basemen in the […]

Dustin Pedroia Feels Great

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) said he's been feeling great after his knee surgery. "I feel great. I don’t hurt. I’m ready...It’s been pretty enjoyable to not be in pain," Pedroia said. It's good news to see that the veteran is feeling good, but Boston will surely play it safe and slow […]

Chris Tillman Expected To Make Decision Soon

Free-agent starting pitcher Chris Tillman is expected to sign with a team in the next 48 to 72 hours, and he's had significant talks with the Orioles, Twins and two other teams, according to an industry source. There remains mutual interest between Tillman and the Orioles in a reunion. Baltimore remains focused on adding to […]

Manny Machado Reiterates Desire To Move To Shortstop

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado said shortstop is where his heart is and playing there will play a role as he approaches free agency next offseason. The Orioles have not had any extension talks with Machado, but he'd like to remain with the team if possible. Machado has been mentioned heavily in trade talks […]

Twins Sign Anibal Sanchez

The Minnesota Twins signed free-agent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez to a $2.5 million major league deal, with $2.5 million available in incentives. The deal is pending a physical. The Twins were desperate for rotation help with last year's ace, Ervin Santana, set to begin the year on the disabled list. While Sanchez should open the […]

Dilson Herrera Past His Shoulder Issues

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Dilson Herrera said he's past the lingering shoulder issues that have slowed him down since landing with the Reds. "Everything is good," Herrera said Friday. "I am feeling really better, much better than last year. I'm ready to work." Herrera came to the Reds in the trade that sent outfielder Jay […]

Marcus Stroman Interested In Multi-Year Deal

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher, who will implement a sidearm delivery this year to keep hitters off balance, is interested in a multi-year contract extension with the team after losing out in salary arbitration this week. While Stroman expressed frustration with the team on Twitter after his arbitration case, both he and general manager Ross […]

Twins Considering Anibal Sanchez

The Minnesota Twins are in the mix for free-agent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez, according to sources. The Twins are getting desperate for arms for their rotation with Ervin Santana set to begin the year on the disabled list after losing out on Yu Darvish. Sanchez, 34 later this month, is a veteran arm, but he […]

Vontae Davis Visiting With Browns

Ex-Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis is visiting the Cleveland Browns on Friday, according to a source. He has more expected visits next week, too. Davis dealt with injuries and was a disappointment in 2017, but Davis could provide a nice veteran presence in Cleveland's secondary.

Rangers Sign Edinson Volquez

The Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a minor league deal with free-agent starting pitcher Edinison Volquez. The deal includes an invite to spring training and is for 2018 and 2019. Volquez managed to throw a no-hitter in 2017 before he had season-ending Tommy John surgery in August. He'll turn 35 years old in July […]

Splint Will Remain On Travis Wood's Hand

Updating a previous report, the splint will remain on Detroit Tigers pitcher Travis Wood's right index finger, and manager Ron Gardenhire said it will be a while before Wood can catch a baseball. While the injury is to his non-throwing hand, it doesn't help his chances of winning a roster spot. The veteran southpaw can […]

Amari Cooper Struggled With Injuries In 2017

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said that wide receiver Amari Cooper fought through injuries all of last season. "He would never say it to you but I'll say it to you to have his back. That man was out there giving anything he could and honestly, a lot of guys probably wouldn't have played with […]

Panthers Won't Stop Cam Newton From Running

Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Scott Turner, the son of offensive coodinator Norv Turner, said the team won't keep quarterback Cam Newton from running. “He’s going to run – that’s what makes him the dynamic player he is – but also making the throws in the pocket, going through his reads. All of those things come […]

Brandon Maurer Loses In Arbitration

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer lost his salary arbitration case and will make $2.95 million this year instead of the $3.5 million he requested. Maurer was effective in the ninth-inning role with the Padres early last year, but he struggled mightily in a setup role after being traded to the Royals in the […]

Dan Straily Loses Arbitration Case

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Straily lost his salary arbitration case and will make $3.37 million this year. He had requested $3.55 million. Straily was the Marlins best pitcher in 2017, and he posted a career-high 8.4 K/9 and dropped his walk rate. Allowing home runs was his weakness, but he can remain a fantasy […]

A.J. Cole Could Have Upper Hand On Fifth Rotation Spot

Washington Nationals starting pitcher A.J. Cole has "the upper hand" on the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation if he does what he's capable of, according to manager Dave Martinez. Cole's main competitors for the final rotation spot will be veteran Edwin Jackson and Erick Fedde. Cole was decent in 2017, posting a 3.80 […]

Adam Eaton, Daniel Murphy On Target

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said outfielder Adam Eaton (knee) and second baseman Daniel Murphy (knee) are "right on target" with their rehab. The goal is for both to be ready for Opening Day. A torn ACL cost Eaton the majority of last season, but he should return as the starting center fielder for the […]

Aaron Judge Or Giancarlo Stanton To Hit Second

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he "definitely" sees outfielders Giancarlo Stanton or Aaron Judge hitting second this year. Stanton and Judge are two of the most elite power hitters in the game, and they'll likely hit second and third, in either order. Both are early-round targets with monster potential hitting next to each […]

Markus Wheaton Unlikely To Return

Chicago Bears wide receiver Markus Wheaton, who was a free-agent bust, is expected to be released by the team this offseason. Kevin White is under contract and the Bears are expected to tender a contract to Cameron Meredith if he's recovered from a torn ACL. Wheaton couldn't stay healthy, battling injuries to his shoulder, appendix, […]

AJ McCarron An Option For Browns

Free-agent quarterback AJ McCarron, who won his grievance with the Bengals and the NFL, is expected to be a real option for the Cleveland Browns, especially after head coach Hue Jackson tried to trade for McCarron at last year's trade deadline. McCarron started four games when Jackson was the offensive coordinator for the Bengals and […]

Travis Wood Undergoing X-Rays

Detroit Tigers pitcher Travis Wood (finger) is undergoing X-rays on his broken right index finger Friday, and he may get his splint off if it has healed properly. Wood will be a swingman for a rebuilding Tigers team, and he should have plenty of time to heal before the start of the regular season, especially […]

No Restrictions For Nate Karns

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Nate Karns (shoulder) said he won't have any restrictions this spring after having season-ending surgery to fix thoracic outlet syndrome last summer. He finished the season going 2-2 with a 4.16 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in eight starts for the Royals. The 30-year-old has faded a bit the last two […]

Gerardo Parra Has Surgery Friday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra (hand) underwent surgery to remove a broken hook of his hamate bone in his right hand Friday. He's expected to return to action around March 8-10. Parra should have time to get ready for Opening Day with that timetable, but if he suffers any setbacks, it could open the door […]

Zach Britton Moved To Disabled List

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton (Achilles) was placed on the 60-day disabled list Friday. Britton had surgery on his right Achilles and is expected to miss the first half of the season, although he is ahead of schedule in his rehab. A top fantasy closer in recent seasons, Britton fell off a bit in 2017 […]

Hanley Ramirez Feels Fantastic

Boston Red Sox first baseman/designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) said he feels "fantastic" and that throwing won't be a problem for him this year. Han-Ram continued his downfall in 2017, hitting .241 with 23 home runs and 62 RBI in 133 games, but his shoulder injury might've been the main culprit. Ramirez was also terrible […]

Albert Pujols Looking Leaner

Los Angeles Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols said he lost 12 to 15 pounds in the offseason, and he's looking lean and strong. He's looking forward to playing more first base in 2018. Pujols managed to hit 23 home runs and drive in 101 runs, but the Machine will turn 38 years old this […]

Alex Wood Undergoing X-Rays

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (ankle) will undergo X-rays on his right ankle and will not take part in workouts Friday. Wood had an excellent first half in 2017, going 11-0 with a 1.56 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, but he predictably struggled a bit more in the second half with a 3.89 ERA […]

Corey Seager's Elbow Issues A Thing Of The Past

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (elbow) said his elbow held up well during offseason throwing exercises, but he has yet to throw past 100 feet. His nagging injuries didn't really slow him in 2017, as Seager hit .295 with 22 home runs, 77 RBI and a .375 on-base percentage in 145 games. He's become […]