Nick Burdi Looks Amazing

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Nick Burdi was impressive in spring training earlier this year and has picked up where he left off in summer camp workouts. “He looks amazing,” starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “No matter how many injuries this dude’s had, he still throws 100 mph. His slider’s still disgusting.” Burdi had Tommy John […]

Gregory Polanco Says He's Healthy

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) feels like he's almost back to where he was before a left shoulder injury ended his promising 2018 season and ruined his 2019 campaign. "Last year, I wasn’t healthy. This year, I’m healthy," Polanco said. He said he's feeling no pain or tightness in his surgically repaired left shoulder […]

Chris Stratton An Option In Piggyback Role

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Stratton, along with Steven Brault and Chad Kuhl, is a candidate to function as a piggyback starter in the shortened 2020 season. Stratton leaned on a high-spin fastball and had a 3.66 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 46 2/3 relief innings for the Bucs over 28 relief outings last season. He […]

Ke'Bryan Hayes Hasn't Taken Part In Summer Camp

Pittsburgh Pirates third base prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes hasn't taken part in any of the team's summer camp workouts, and manager Derek Shelton hasn't provided an explanation for his absence. Outfielder Socrates Brito, who tested positive for COVID-19, and Hayes were the only position players absent on Thursday. Hayes is the team's No. 2 prospect, per […]

Jose Osuna To Benefit From DH In National League

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/first baseman Jose Osuna, who has mostly been a bench bat for the team the last three years, stands to benefit from the universal designated hitter in 2020. Osuna hasn't played more than 104 games or recorded more than 285 plate appearances in a single season. The Pirates plan to rotate players through […]

Danny Santana Struggling At Summer Camp

Texas Rangers outfielder/infielder Danny Santana was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the intrasquad game on Thursday against starting pitcher Corey Kluber, and he's now 0-for-13 with 10 strikeouts in summer camp action. "I think he’s just getting his timing back," manager Chris Woodward said. "I’m not overly concerned." Fantasy owners shouldn't expect the same kind […]

Eli White Sidelined With Oblique Tightness

Texas Rangers outfielder Eli White (oblique) has been sidelined with left oblique tightness in summer camp and is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam. Oblique injuries can be tough to return from quickly, which could definitely hurt White's chances of making the Opening Day roster with just two weeks until the regular season begins. The […]

Eric Lauer Joining Team On Friday

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer (illness) has been dealing with a non-COVID-related illness, but he'll be joining the team for workouts on Friday. Lauer was part of the trade that sent Zach Davies and Trent Grisham to the Padres. The southpaw was 8-10 with a 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP […]

Corey Knebel Expected To Make Roster

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (elbow) is expected to be on the Opening Day roster, according to manager Craig Counsell. Knebel is scheduled to pitch in the team's scrimmage on Friday. The 28-year-old hard-throwing right-hander is making his way back from Tommy John surgery, so the Brewers will be cautious with his workload even […]

Anthony Santander, Dwight Smith Jr. Not At Camp

Baltimore Orioles outfielders Dwight Smith Jr. and Anthony Santander haven't taken part in summer camp workouts a week into action for unspecified reasons. With two weeks until Opening Day, it's fair to wonder if they'll be ready. If one or both of Smith and Santander aren't ready for the start of the season, Mason Williams […]

Buster Posey Opts Out Of 2020 Season

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey is opting out of the 2020 season amid the coronavirus pandemic. Posey and his wife are adopting identical twin girls that were born prematurely and stable, but they will be in the intensive-care unit for some time, which surely contributed to the decision. Posey missed time in summer camp […]

Jake Vogel, Brett de Geus Added To Player Pool

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jake Vogel and right-handed pitcher Brett De Geus were added to the summer camp player pool on Thursday. de Geus was a spring training non-roster invitee, while Vogel, just 18 years old, was the team's third-round pick in June out of Huntington Beach High School. The Dodgers are adding Vogel to […]

Kenley Jansen Still Absent From Camp

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he has spoken with closer Kenley Jansen, who is "in good spirits" and is expected to arrive in summer camp "soon." Jansen is one of nine players who have not reported, along with Pedro Baez, Gavin Lux, A.J. Pollock, Scott Alexander, Keibert Ruiz, Zach Reks, Cody Thomas and […]

Tony Gonsolin A Rotation Option

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin showed up at summer camp for the first time on Wednesday after being one of seven players absent from camp earlier in the day. Manager Dave Roberts said he couldn't discuss the reason for Gonsolin missing the first week of camp. With David Price opting to sit out of […]

Cody Bellinger Looking To Pick Up Where He Left Off

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger is healthy and looking to make the most of baseball's shortened 60-game season amid the coronavirus pandemic this year. The reigning National League MVP hit .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBI for the National League West champions last season. The soon-to-be 25-year-old isn't putting pressure on […]

Anthony Rendon Says He'll Be Ready

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon said he didn't have much time for baseball activities to stay ready for the season during the coronavirus shutdown, but he thinks he'll be able to flip the switch by the time the season begins on July 24 in Oakland. Manager Joe Maddon also isn't worried that Rendon […]

Shaquem Griffin A Bubble Player

Seattle Seahawks third-year linebacker Shaquem Griffin is one of The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta's "bubble" players for training camp this summer. He has yet to carve out a role as a starting linebacker after being a fifth-round pick out of Central Florida in 2018. Seattle has also added three draft picks in the last two […]

Dolphins Haven't Discussed Extension With Matt Breida

The Miami Dolphins have yet to discuss a contract extension with running back Matt Breida after giving up the No. 153 overall pick in April's draft to acquire him from the 49ers. The running back is scheduled for unrestricted free agency after the 2020 season and is scheduled to make $3.3 million in the final […]

Jaguars Sign Second-Rounder Laviska Shenault Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed second-round wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. to his rookie deal on Thursday. When fully healthy, Shenault can end up being one of the most explosive receivers in a stacked class at the position. Shenault played at Colorado and was the 42nd overall pick in the draft. He was twice an All-Pac […]

Jets Sign Rookie Lamical Perine

The New York Jets announced on Thursday that they signed rookie running back Lamical Perine to his rookie contract after they selected him in the fourth round (120th overall) back in April. The Florida product became the fourth of the team's nine draft picks to sign. He rushed for a team-high 826 yards and seven […]

Jon Duplantier Likely To Miss Start Of Season

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jon Duplantier (elbow) "slowly initiated a throwing program" as he works his way back from elbow issues that popped up in April, according to manager Torey Lovullo. The skipper said it's safe to assume that Duplantier will not be ready in time for Opening Day on July 24. The right-hander had […]

Seth Beer Cleared To Return To Camp

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Thursday that first base/outfield prospect Seth Beer, who was announced as a positive for COVID-19 just two days ago, has been cleared to return to summer camp at Salt River Fields. It's unclear when Beer tested positive for the virus. Beer is the team's No. 12 prospect, per […]

No Explanation For Starling Marte's Absence

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he was unable to update the status of outfielder Starling Marte on Thursday after he was missing from summer camp for a third straight day. Arizona announced on Wednesday that they have a new positive COVID-19 test on Wednesday, but they didn't identify the player. There's a chance it's […]

Justin Verlander Showing Revamped Delivery

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (groin) is completely healed from March groin surgery and was also able to make some adjustments to his mechanics during the COVID-19 shutdown that have him feeling "fantastic." He threw three scoreless and hitless innings in an intrasquad game Thursday. The right-hander was 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA last […]

Josh Reddick Has Leg Up In Right Field

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is giving outfielder Josh Reddick the leg up in the right field competition over youngster Kyle Tucker. Baker intimated that Tucker will have to win the job from Reddick, who is in the fourth year of his contract. “The future is probably Tucker’s, but the now is probably Reddick’s,” Baker […]

Billy Hamilton Put On Injured List

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced on Thursday that outfielder Billy Hamilton and left-handed reliever Jarlin Garcia have been put on the 10-day injured list. The two players are on the injured list for "medical reasons" but wasn't more specific. It's likely that they've either tested positive for COVID-19 or have come in contact […]

Buster Posey Still Weighing Decision To Play In 2020

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey was absent on Thursday for a second straight day and missed a practice for the third time since summer workouts started at Oracle Park. Manager Gabe Kapler said Posey is dealing with a personal matter away from the field and is still weighing the option of sitting out of […]

Anthony Rizzo Sits Out Again Thursday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) sat out of the team's intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday, missing the last two days of workouts with lower back tightness. “I spoke to him yesterday and he felt much better,” manager David Ross said, “so he’s moving the right direction.” Rizzo remains day-to-day and typically deals with some […]

Javier Baez In No Rush To Resume Extension Talks

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez doesn't regret declining the team's offer during negotiations on a long-term extension over the winter, and he's in no "rush" to resume talks in the uncertain climate of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baez will be eligible for free agency after the 2021 season, and he said that talks were "progressing" in […]

Yu Darvish's Fingernail Issue Not A Concern

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (finger) had a brief mound visit during his intrasquad outing on Thursday due to a minor fingernail issue on his right index finger. It's not a concern, though, as the right-hander stayed in the contest and faced six more batters after the mound visit. There's nothing to worry about […]