Starlin Castro Will Mostly Play Second Base

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that infielder Starlin Castro will mostly play second base, while Howie Kendrick will mostly play first and second base in spring training. Castro and Kendrick could play some third base later this spring, but Carter Kieboom and Asdrubal Cabrera are expected to be the primary options at the hot […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Working To Improve Launch Angle

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said he has been working to improve his launch angle, which at 6.7 degrees in his rookie season in 2019 ranked 372nd out of 406 major league hitters who put 100 or more balls into play. Hitting coach Guillermo Martinez and the team's strength and conditioning staff […]

Lions Having Trade Talks Involving Darius Slay

The Detroit Lions have talked with multiple teams about a potential trade for Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, according to sources. However, any team that trades for Slay must compensate the Lions and Slay with a new deal, and Detroit is determined to get fair value for Slay. The 29-year-old former second-round pick in 2013 […]

Dolphins Have Lukewarm Interest In Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins don't view Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as a slam-dunk pick with the fifth overall selection in this year's draft. On the flip side, the team has an increasingly positive view of Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert after he impressed at the Senior Bowl, according to sources familiar with the team's thinking. One source […]

Browns Release Demetrius Harris

The Cleveland Browns released tight end Demetrius Harris, cornerback T.J. Carrie, offensive guard Eric Kush and linebacker Adarius Taylor on Monday. Harris played in 15 games (six starts) in 2019 and caught 15 passes for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Mostly known for his blocking prowess, Harris couldn't even take advantage when David Njoku was […]

Dion Lewis Could Be Cap Casualty

Tennessee Titans running back Dion Lewis could be a salary cap casualty this year. Lewis carries a $5.1 million salary for 2020, and the Titans can save $4 million if they cut him, with $1.1 million in dead money. He basically served in a change-of-pace role behind bell-cow Derrick Henry in 2019, carrying the ball […]

Jordan Reed Still Experiencing Concussion Symptoms

Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol six months after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in the preseason. It was the seventh documented concussion of his career, and it caused him to miss all of the 2019 season. His future in the league and with Washington is up in the air. […]

Mike Tomlin Confident Ben Roethlisberger Will Be Ready

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he has "no hesitation" that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (elbow) will be ready for Week 1. "This guy is the ultimate competitor. He dropped the gauntlet down. He made the statement he's coming back," Tomlin said. Roethlisberger played in just two games last year before needing season-ending right elbow […]

Jets Unlikely To Trade Le'Veon Bell

The New York Jets won't cut running back Le'Veon Bell because of the $19 million in dead salary cap money if they do so, and because of his massive salary, a trade is remote as well. If they really wanted to trade Bell, they'd have to be willing to pay a portion of his 2020 […]

Brian Snitker, Alex Anthopoulos Receive Extensions

The Atlanta Braves extended the contracts of manager Brian Snitker and general manager Alex Anthopoulos on Monday. Anthopoulos will be promoted to the team's president of baseball operations, and his contract is extended through 2024. Snitker and his coaching staff are now extended through the 2021 season. Snitker, 64, is 318-292 in three full seasons […]

Chris Davis Tried To Regain Strength In Offseason

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said that he gained around 25 pounds in the offseason in order to regain his strength. Davis calls it "good weight" and said that being leaner hurt his power and confidence. Hitting .179/.276/.326 is bound to hurt anyone's confidence, and the power-hitting left-handed swinger has now hit under .200 […]

Adam Frazier Played Through Finger, Shoulder Injuries Last Year

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Adam Frazier (finger, shoulder) revealed that he played through a broken right index finger and separated shoulder in 2019. Frazier said he broke his finger in spring training and separated his shoulder on Opening Day, but he didn't want the team to disclose his injuries and he played 152 games. Despite […]

Nathaniel Lowe Drops 20 Pounds

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Nathaniel Lowe has slimmed down by around 20 pounds. In his rookie season in 2019, Lowe hit .263/.325/.454 with seven home runs and 19 RBI in 50 games for the Rays in 152 at-bats. There's definitely some intrigue here, but the Rays have plenty of other options for first base, […]

Miguel Cabrera Back To 2015 Playing Weight

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera said he put on weight last year, but he's now back to his playing weight from the 2015 season. Cabrera changed his diet in the offseason to include more vegetables and fewer carbohydrates. The 36-year-old (37 in April) Dominican hit .338/.440/.534 with 18 home runs and 76 RBI in […]

Jean Segura Comes To Camp Lighter

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jean Segura came to camp 14 pounds lighter this year. He achieved that in the offseason by eating better, sleeping more and cutting out whiskey from his diet. Segura is willing to play anywhere the team wants him to play. The Phils said they plan on using him at either third or […]

Alex Bregman Focused On Mobility In Offseason

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman focused on his mobility in the offseason and came to camp weighing 195 pounds after he weighed in at 215 pounds last year. Typically a slow starter, Bregman is hoping to jump out of the gates quickly in 2020. The 25-year-old (26 in March) hit .296/.423/.592 with 41 home […]

Clayton Kershaw Healthy Entering 2020 Season

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder), who didn't pitch in a single spring training game last year and who missed the first three weeks of the regular season due to a left shoulder injury, said he feels "a lot better" after a healthy offseason. The left-hander also said he "never really did stop […]

Joey Wendle Recovered From Wrist Injury

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Joey Wendle (wrist) is confident that the right wrist injury that sidelined him twice last season is fully healed. "It feels really good," Wendle said. "I don’t foresee it being an issue whatsoever this season, and I’m looking forward to hopefully a fully healthy season." Wendle hit just .231 with a […]

Tommy La Stella, David Fletcher Could Platoon At Second Base

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said the most likely situation to fit both infielders Tommy La Stella and David Fletcher into the lineup together is with La Stella at second base and Fletcher in right field. “Obviously you want to get Tommy out there as often as you can against righties,” Maddon said. “The […]

No Timetable For Ryan Shazier's Return

There remains no timetable for a potential return for Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier (back) as he rehabs from spinal stabilization surgery. Shazier has not played for the last two seasons, and it remains to be seen if he'll ever play again. His contract from the 2019 season will not toll over to 2020, but […]

Jimmy Nelson, Dustin May Dealing With Minor Injuries

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (groin) is dealing with minor "benign" groin soreness, while Dustin May has some tightness in his side. Of the two, May is the more attractive fantasy option at just 22 years old with a lot of upside. He'll be a late-round upside selection […]

Jurickson Profar To Work Exclusively At Second Base

San Diego Padres infielder Jurickson Profar will work exclusively at second base in camp, according to manager Jayce Tingler. Profar could bounce around at other positions during the season, but that's unlikely if everyone stays healthy. The 26-year-old struggled at second base last year, committing 11 throwing errors. Profar hit .218/.301/.410 with 20 home runs […]

Eugenio Suarez Taking One-Handed Swings

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (shoulder), who is recovering from shoulder surgery, took one-handed swings in the batting cage and is doing some non-throwing defensive work on Sunday. It's a good sign, but at this point Suarez is a real question mark to be ready by Opening Day, and he must resume regular swinging […]

Jed Lowrie Sporting Brace

New York Mets infielder Jed Lowrie (knee) is in camp with a big brace on his left knee/leg. Lowrie was a big free-agent bust for the Mets in 2019, seeing just seven at-bats because of various injuries, most notably to his knee. That came after his first All-Star selection in 2018 with the A's when […]

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Will Be Used Primarily As Left Fielder

The Tampa Bay Rays current plan is to use Yoshitomo Tsutsugo as a left fielder, but he'll also be a designated hitter and will work at first base this spring. The Rays are looking forward to acclimating the Japanese power hitter in spring training, but his biggest adjustment will be with the increase in velocity […]

Gregory Polanco Won't Be Limited In Camp

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) reported to camp on Saturday and will not have any physical limitations in workouts. Polanco had left shoulder surgery after the 2018 season and wound up playing in only 42 games last year because of complications with his shoulder. The 28-year-old Dominican says he's finally healthy, which could help […]

Xander Bogaerts Has Sore Ankle

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (ankle) has a sore ankle and will take the next three days easy. However, this isn't a long-term concern. Bogaerts hit an impressive .309/.384/.555 with 33 home runs, 110 runs scored, 117 RBI and four steals in 614 at-bats for the Red Sox last season. It was a career […]

Chris Sale Says His Elbow Feels Good

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (elbow, illness) said his left elbow is "good, really good," and he felt strong all winter after being shut down last August with pain in his throwing arm. "I feel better than I have in a long time, actually," Sale said. He also said that "no one was […]

Hunter Renfroe Feels 100 Percent Healthy

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Hunter Renfroe (ankle, foot) said on Saturday that he feels "100 percent" healthy after undergoing three procedures for his right foot and ankle. “Everything is good, everything is fixed,” Renfroe said. “I was going to the physical therapist and stuff like that and strengthening the ankle and getting it back to […]

Ty Johnson Not A Lock To Make 2020 Roster

Detroit Lions running back Ty Johnson won't be a guarantee to make the team's roster going into training camp, in the opinion of The Athletic's Chris Burke. Johnson, a sixth-round pick in 2019, ended his rookie season with 63 carries for 273 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and no touchdowns on the ground. The Lions […]