Dan Altavilla Likely To Win Final Bullpen Job

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Dan Altavilla is the likeliest candidate to win the final spot in the bullpen over Tim Hill, Taylor Williams and Michael Baez. Altavilla pitched meaningful innings down the stretch last year and is out of minor-league options. Hill, a left-hander, still has options. He'll almost certainly join the team if […]

Jorge Mateo Leading The Competition For Last Bench Spot?

San Diego Padres outfielder Jorge Mateo might be in the slight lead over outfielders Jorge Ona and Brian O'Grady and catcher Luis Campusano in the battle for the last spot on the bench to open the season. Mateo is hitting the ball hard and reaching base. He has elite speed, but he's also struck out […]

Wil Myers Posting Gaudy Spring Numbers Again

San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers has posted some big Cactus League numbers in springs past, and he's doing it again in 2021. Myers went 2-for-2 with a walk on Thursday against Cleveland and hit his second home run in as many games. He's hitting .389 with a 1.310 OPS in spring training action. We […]

Joe Musgrove Works Three Innings Thursday

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove allowed two runs on four hits and a walk and was victimized by shaky defense in his Cactus League start against Cleveland on Thursday. "I actually felt a little better today with my delivery, my timing," Musgrove said. "The results weren't the same, but I attribute that to […]

Trent Grisham Injures His Hamstring Thursday

San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) left the Cactus League game against Cleveland on Thursday with "a slight strain in his hamstring," according to manager Jayce Tingler. Grisham will be re-evaluated on Friday to determine the extent of the injury. Tingler said Grisham has dealt with minor hamstring issues in the past and that […]

Juan Soto Still Battling Sinus Discomfort

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto (illness) remained out of the spring lineup on Thursday due to sinus discomfort. Soto has tested negative for COVID-19, according to manager Dave Martinez. "He's been sick for a couple days," Martinez said. "I just want to make sure he's OK. … It was just me being cautious. It's still […]

Scott Kingery Shows Some Life This Spring

Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder Scott Kingery, who entered Thursday's Grapefruit League game 2-for-14 following a three-strikeout performance on Tuesday, went 1-for-2 with a double on Thursday against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. "I think he needed it for his psyche," manager Joe Girardi said. Fantasy managers shouldn't glean a whole lot from spring slumps, but it's worth […]

Joe Girardi Likes What He Sees From Andrew McCutchen

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-2 with an RBI against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole on Thursday, while also helping the defense with an outfield assist in the third inning. "That's a really good day for Cutch," manager Joe Girardi said. "Cutch is moving so much better this year than he was last year, and […]

Aaron Nola Makes Second Spring Start

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola made his second official start of spring training on Thursday and allowed two runs on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts over four innings (61 pitches). Nola allowed a wind-aided leadoff homer to Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks, but he retired six of the next seven batters he […]

J.T. Realmuto Cleared For Baseball Activities

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (thumb), who is recovering from a fractured right thumb, was cleared to begin baseball activities on Thursday. Manager Joe Girardi said that the catcher made around 40 throws, took 10 dry swings and 20 swings off a tee, reporting "no issues." Realmuto will continue to wear a protective splint on […]

Chad Green, Darren O'Day, Justin Wilson To Have Bigger Roles

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boon mentioned relievers Chad Green, Darren O'Day and Justin Wilson among those who are projected to have added responsibilities with Zach Britton (elbow) out for three to four months. Boone expects the assignments in the later innings to be fluid and matchup-based in front of closer Aroldis Chapman. With Chapman […]

Robinson Chirinos Diagnosed With Fractured Wrist

New York Yankees catcher Robinson Chirinos (wrist) was diagnosed with a fractured right wrist, ending his bid to make the Opening Day roster as Gary Sanchez's backup. Chirinos was hit by a pitch in the Grapefruit League game on Wednesday night. Wrist and hand specialists will be consulted in the coming days to determine the […]

Lions Release Jesse James

The Detroit Lions released tight end Jesse James on Thursday, according to a source. James was two years into a four-year, $22.6 million deal and had just 30 receptions for 271 yards and two scores in his 32 games for the Lions in 2019 and 2020. His contract was one of the worst handed out […]

Jed Lowrie Getting Back In Action

Oakland Athletics infielder Jed Lowrie (knee) missed the first week of spring action while working his way back from left knee surgery in the offseason, but he played in his second Cactus League game on Thursday and impressed manager Bob Melvin by making solid contact. The 36-year-old is trying to make the squad on a […]

Jesus Luzardo Unveils New Pitch Thursday

Oakland Athletics left-hander Jesus Luzardo unveiled a new pitch he calls the Turkey Sub on Thursday, a funky 65 mph looping breaking ball to complement his mid-90s fastball. The 23-year-old hasn't thrown the pitch in a major league game, but he's been working to incorporate it into his arsenal this spring. He held the Rangers […]

Cody Bellinger To Play The Field Next Week

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that outfielder Cody Bellinger (shoulder) will play center field in a major league spring training game next Tuesday. Bellinger had offseason surgery on his shoulder and has missed the first half of spring games so far. The Dodgers are mostly being cautious with the 25-year-old former MVP, though, […]

Jacob deGrom Dominates In Thursday's Outing

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom routinely hit triple digits on the radar gun and struck out seven of the nine Astros hitters that he faced on Thursday in spring training. One scout clocked the right-hander as high as 102 mph. "Totally dominated," the scout wrote. In context, deGrom faced an Astros lineup that […]

Ender Inciarte's Injury Giving Cristian Pache An Opportunity

Atlanta Braves outfielder Cristian Pache has a greater chance to open the season as the team's center fielder with Ender Inciarte (thumb) spending the last week bothered by a sore left thumb. Inciarte might not have enough time to prove he's capable of the handling the center field job with just three weeks until Opening […]

Bears Reward Cairo Santos With Five-Year Deal

The Chicago Bears Agreed to a five-year, $16 million deal with kicker Cairo Santos on Thursday after his record-breaking season in 2020. The deal has a maximum value of $17.5 million, and the final two years are voidable, so it really breaks down to a three-year, $9 million contract with a maximum value of $11 […]

Kyle Wright Making Bid For Rotation Spot

Atlanta Braves starting pitchers Kyle Wright, Bryse Wilson and Huascar Ynoa are the top candidates to fill the final rotation spot until Mike Soroka returns from Achilles surgery. If Soroka returns on schedule within the first few weeks of the regular season, Atlanta might need one of those pitchers to make just a start or […]

Michael Harris Impressing The Skipper

Atlanta Braves outfield prospect Michael Harris has played in just 53 minor league games since graduating high school in 2019, but the 20-year-old has made an impression on manager Brian Snitker in camp. Harris hit his first homer off Rays hard-throwing right-hander Pete Fairbanks on Thursday, making him 3-for-7 through seven games. Ranked as the […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Goes Deep For First Time This Spring

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. hit his first spring training home run on Thursday, a solo shot to left field off Rays right-hander Collin McHugh. Acuna entered the day 2-for-14 with five strikeouts in spring training but had two hits on the day. He was 5-for-32 with no extra-base hits and 14 strikeouts last […]

Amed Rosario To Try His Hand At Outfield

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona said that he talked about the idea of shortstop Amed Rosario taking some fly balls in center field next week. Andres Gimenez, 22, entered Thursday with a .333 batting average and a 1.242 OPS in six Cactus League games, and he's also showcased his defense at shortstop. Gimenez made his […]

Hector Yan Becomes First Spring Cut For Angels

The Los Angeles Angels optioned left-handed pitching prospect Hector Yan on Thursday, marking their first roster cut of spring training. The 21-year-old allowed two runs on four hits while recording just two outs in his lone spring outing against Arizona on March 4, and his velocity was down to 91-92 mph, which was a few […]

Mike Trout Blasts First Spring Homer

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout hit his first home run of spring training on Thursday, a towering two-run shot off Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto. Trout was previously 2-for-8 in five Cactus League games. Including his home run Thursday, the three-time American League MVP and eight-time All-Star is a career .346 hitter with 27 home […]

Yasiel Puig Facing Sexual-Assault Allegations

Major League Baseball investigators recently interviewed a woman who said free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig sexually assaulted her in a Staples Center bathroom, but she hasn't taken further steps due to her desire to remain anonymous while awaiting further evidence to emerge, according to an MLB source. The 30-year-old Puig remains without a team with the […]

Trevor Lawrence Ahead Of Schedule In Rehab

Former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) has been doing very well and is ahead of schedule in his rehab about a month after having surgery on his non-throwing (left) shoulder. The surgery specifically was done to repair a torn labrum, and the rehab is expected to last around five to six months. Lawrence remains in […]

Bills Re-Sign Matt Milano To Four-Year Deal

The Buffalo Bills re-signed linebacker Matt Milano to a four-year, $44 million deal on Thursday, according to a source. The deal includes $24 million guaranteed. Milano was willing to forego free agency for another shot at a Super Bowl run with the up-and-coming Bills. Many people expected Milano to depart in free agency for a […]

Taylor Moton Signs Franchise Tender

Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Taylor Moton already signed his franchise tender, according to the league's transaction wire. It means that Moton will make between $13.5 and $14 million for the 2021 season on the tag. Carolina made the move mostly because there just aren't many high-level tackles slated to become free agents when the new […]

Damontae Kazee Not Expected To Return To Falcons

Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent starting safety Damontae Kazee (Achilles) is not expected to re-sign with the team this offseason, according to a source. The three-year starter tore his Achilles during the 2020 season, but he recently received clearance from Dr. Robert Anderson and will be cleared by training camp. The 27-year-old former fifth-rounder in 2017 […]