Howie Kendrick One Of Many Options For DH Role

The Washington Nationals used second baseman Howie Kendrick as their designated hitter last year in the World Series against the Astros. Kendrick is back for his 15th season, and while he's expected to be a backup infielder, he's now the top candidate to serve as their DH with National League adopting the rule for the […]

Ryan Braun's Career Could Be Extended With New DH Rule

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/first baseman Ryan Braun's career could be extended with a universal designated hitter in the National League for the shortened 2020 season and possibly in 2021 and beyond. Braun is 36 years old and is entering the final guaranteed year of his contract, leading to questions in March about this potentially being his […]

Braves To Be Cautious With Starting Pitchers Early In Season

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that the team will be cautious with their starting pitchers early in the shortened 2020 season, with some of them potentially going just two to three innings for the first couple of times through the rotation. Other pitchers would then piggy back off the starters and go two […]

Red Sox Player Tests Positive For COVID-19

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that "one player who was exposed in his hometown, got tested, was positive but he's been asymptomatic and that's resolving. We've been fortunate that's the only other positive test we've had." The identity of the player hasn't been revealed, but Bloom said he is on the […]

Collin McHugh Could Be Ready For Start Of Season

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that pitcher Collin McHugh (elbow) could be ready to play by Opening Day in late July. McHugh is already throwing off a mound and is getting close to pitching in games. The right elbow issue that he dealt with last year was still bothering him in […]

Alex Verdugo Should Be Ready To Go

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said that outfielder Alex Verdugo (back) should be "all systems go" for spring training 2.0 and the start of the 2020 regular season in late July. Verdugo was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers, and he said that […]

Diamondbacks Player Tests Positive For COVID-19

The Arizona Diamondbacks had a player test positive for COVID-19 in the last month in Arizona, according to general manager Mike Hazen. However, the player that tested positive wasn't using the team's spring training facilities, so it sounds as though no other players or staff members that were using the team's spring training facilities were […]

John Brebbia Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

St. Louis Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said that relief pitcher John Brebbia (elbow) had Tommy John surgery three weeks ago. Brebbia will miss all of the shortened 2020 season and likely at least half of the 2021 season. The 30-year-old right-hander would've likely served in a middle-relief role this year after posting a 3.59 […]

Dodgers To Start Season With Five-Man Rotation

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team is planning to start the 2020 regular season with a five-man starting rotation. However, Roberts doesn't anticipate the starters going beyond four innings per game during their first turn through the rotation. With the 2020 season shortened to 60 games because of COVID-19, we're likely […]

Cole Hamels Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Season

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Cole Hamels (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the start of the 60-game 2020 season in late July, according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos. It's usually not a good sign when a 36-year-old develops shoulder issues in the spring, but Hamels has had time to recover because of COVID-19 and […]

Players Set To Report To Training Camp On July 28

The National Football League has set a date of July 28 for veterans to arrive to training camp amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, the league and Players Association are still negotiating what training camps will look like and how the health and safety protocols will be handled. But as of now, it looks like the […]

Multiple Mariners Test Positive For COVID-19

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that "more than one" player on the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Dipto also said that a "few" of them, not all, are showing symptoms of the virus. With spring training 2.0 set to begin next week in Seattle for the Mariners, all of their players will […]

Mariners To Use Six-Man Rotation For Start Of Season

The Seattle Mariners will use a six-man starting rotation to begin the delayed 2020 season at the end of July. Some starters will get piggy-backed. Marco Gonzales is expected to be the team's Opening Day arm, followed by the likes of Yusei Kikuchi, Justus Sheffield, Kendall Graveman and Taijuan Walker. Justin Dunn, Nestor Cortes and […]

Austin Adams Will Be Full-Go For Spring Training

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that relief pitcher Austin Adams (knee) will be full-go for spring training 2.0 next week. Adams underwent surgery last October for a torn left ACL. The delay to the 2020 season thanks to COVID-19 was a positive for Adams, and he could factor into high-leverage situations at the […]

Mitch Haniger's Status Uncertain For Spring Training 2.0

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is uncertain about outfielder Mitch Haniger's (back, groin) status for spring training 2.0 in early July. Because Haniger has had two core surgeries and a back operation since last June, his readiness for Opening Day in late July should also be in question. The 29-year-old hit .285 with 26 […]

Joely Rodriguez Not Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Season

Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez (lat), who strained a late muscle in April, is throwing but is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2020 season in late July. Barring any setbacks, the southpaw should be able to pitch before the shortened season is over. The 28-year-old Dominican could figure into […]

Pirates Sign First-Rounder Nick Gonzales

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed rookie shortstop Nick Gonzales, the seventh overall pick this month, to a $5.432 million signing bonus on Wednesday, which matches the slot value for the No. 7 pick. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound middle infielder might have been the best pure hitter in this year's draft class. Gonzales was the Cape Cod League […]

Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez Could Serve On Taxi Squad

Seattle Mariners CEO John Stanton said that he expects young prospects like outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, catcher Cal Raleigh and pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby to be on the 30-man taxi squad for the shortened 2020 season. Even this year's first-round pick, Emerson Hancock, has a shot. Kelenic and Rodriguez are one […]

Angels Hopeful Shohei Ohtani, Griffin Canning Will Be Ready

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said he's "very" hopeful that starting pitchers Shohei Ohtani (elbow), Griffin Canning (elbow) and Felix Pena (knee) will be ready for Opening Day in late July. None of the three were likely to be able to pitch on the original Opening Day, but the coronavirus pandemic has bought them […]

Mohamed Sanu Sr. In Better Shape After Surgery

New England Patriots wide receiver Mohamed Sanu Sr. (ankle) is almost 16 weeks removed from offseason ankle surgery for a high ankle sprain, and his recovery is going better than expected. "I would tell you he's probably faster, quicker, leaner and in better shape now than prior to the surgery," said Hilton Alexander, who is […]

Rockies Sign First-Rounder Zac Veen

The Colorado Rockies signed rookie outfielder Zac Veen, their first-round selection at No. 9 overall, to a $5 million bonus on Wednesday. The top-ranked high school player received over-slot value for the ninth overall pick ($4.949 million). Veen features a great left-handed swing with leverage and power. He also features a projectable 6-foot-4 frame, and […]

Kyle Gibson A High-Risk Individual For COVID-19

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disorder, which makes him a high-risk individual amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It means that the right-hander isn't required to take part in the shortened 60-game season, but he would still receive his pay. It's unclear whether Gibson has decided to sit out the season, […]

Garrett Cooper, Matt Joyce Candidates For DH Role

With the designated hitter being used in both leagues this season, Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper and outfielder Matt Joyce are two candidates to be used in the role a lot. Cooper is the much more attractive fantasy commodity in deeper leagues for his ability to hit for average and modest power for the […]

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Plans To Head Back To The States

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is planning to head back to the U.S. after going back to Japan during the coronavirus pandemic, according to general manager Erik Neander. Players that spent their down time overseas during the shutdown will now need to make their way back to the States with players expected to report […]

Jameson Taillon Throws Off Bullpen Mound

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (elbow), who is roughly 10 months removed from his second Tommy John surgery, threw off a bullpen mound at PNC Park on Tuesday. It's good progress for Taillon, but it remains unlikely that the Bucs will risk using him during the shortened 2020 season that is set to begin […]

Ben Roethlisberger Opens Up About Addiction Issues

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said that he has fought off-the-field addictions over the years. "I've fallen as short as anybody. I've been addicted to alcohol. I've been addicted to pornography, which makes me then not the best husband, not the best father, not the best Christian I can be," Roethlisberger said. Big Ben also […]

Charlie Blackmon, Two Other Rockies Test Positive For COVID-19

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon and pitchers Phillip Diehl and Ryan Castellani have tested positive for COVID-19 following recent workouts at Coors Field, according to major league sources. One player was showing symptoms and the other two were asymptomatic. All of the other players who were working out were also tested for the virus, but […]

New Lions Owner Would Support Colin Kaepernick Signing

Sheila Ford Hamp took on principal ownership and chairwoman duties of the Detroit Lions from her mother Martha Firestone Ford, who stepped down from the role on Tuesday. Hamp said she would support the coaches and general manager if they thought it was a good idea to sign free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Matthew Stafford is […]

Twins Sign First-Rounder Aaron Sabato

The Minnesota Twins signed first baseman Aaron Sabato, their first-round pick (27th overall), on Tuesday to a $2.75 million signing bonus, slightly above the $2.57 million slot value for the 27th pick. Sabato hit .343 in his freshman year at North Carolina with a .453 on-base percentage and a .696 slugging percentage. He also had […]

Baseball Officially Back; 60-Game Season To Start July 23 Or 24

The Major League Baseball Players Association and the league ironed out the final details on Tuesday, allowing players to report to camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season starting on either July 23 or 24. An agreement on healthy and safety protocols, which was the final hurdle, was ironed out on Tuesday night. […]