Ross Stripling Could Start Year In Rotation

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said pitcher Ross Stripling is the next man up for a rotation spot to begin the season if Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) must begin the year on the disabled list. Stripling was a first-time All-Star in 2018 but faded in the second half due to an injury and was relegated […]

Yankees Won't Have Platoon At First Base

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said they won't have a platoon at first base this year, meaning it'll be either Luke Voit or Greg Bird at the position. "It's tough for me to envision us having two first basemen, especially when I feel like (DJ) LeMahieu would be that guy that gets backup reps […]

Aaron Hicks Aiming To Return This Weekend

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks (back) has "significantly improved," according to manager Aaron Boone. Hicks will likely do some throwing and hitting on Thursday and is aiming to return to the spring lineup this weekend after dealing with lower back stiffness. Injuries are always a concern with Hicks, but he managed a career-high 27 […]

Shohei Ohtani To Resume Throwing Soon

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will soon be medically cleared to start his rehab as a pitcher, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Ohtani hasn't thrown since having Tommy John surgery Oct. 1 of last year. Ausmus said Ohtani's workload as a hitter will be scaled back when he is cleared to […]

Jose Altuve Scratched From Lineup Thursday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve was scratched from the spring lineup on Thursday with "general left side soreness." The team is listing him as day-to-day. It doesn't seem like a very serious injury and the Astros are likely just being cautious. Altuve was a bit of a disappointment in 2018 and has a bit […]

Howie Kendrick Has Mild Hammy Strain

Washington Nationals infielder Howie Kendrick's MRI exam confirmed a mild left hamstring strain. The team will be cautious with him for now, but manager Dave Martinez thinks Kendrick will be ready for Opening Day. The veteran infielder missed most of the year in 2018 due to a lower-body injury and is strictly infield depth for […]

Josh James Throws Bullpen Session

Houston Astros pitcher Josh James (quadriceps) threw his first bullpen session on Thursday since straining his quadriceps on Feb. 24. The Astros still think he has plenty of time to be ready for the Opening Day bullpen. James' spring injury has taken him out of the running for the final rotation spot, but he could […]

Clayton Kershaw Playing Catch Every Day

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) is playing catch every day now and is throwing beyond 70 feet and increasing the intensity of his throws. However, there remains no timetable for him to throw off a mound. The seven-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner is in doubt for Opening Day at this […]

Jalen Richard Receives Second-Round Tender

The Oakland Raiders placed a second-round tender on free-agent running back Jalen Richard and cornerback Daryl Worley. Safety Erik Harris received an original-round tender. Second-round tenders are worth $3.095 million this year. With Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin both free agents, keeping Richard as backfield depth will be important. Richard tied for the team lead […]

Nick Boyle Signs Three-Year Deal

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed tight end Nick Boyle to a three-year extension worth $18 million on Thursday, with $10 million in guarantees, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. The former fifth-round pick will become the 15th highest paid tight end in the league. In four seasons with Baltimore, Boyle had 75 catches for 613 […]

Yadier Molina Could Be Playing In Games Soon

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (knee) worked with starter Miles Mikolas during a simulated game on Wednesday and threw out all three attempted base stealers. The 36-year-old who had offseason left knee surgery, hasn't played in a spring game yet but could serve as the designated hitter soon. Molina is expected to catch in […]

Khris Davis Expected To Return Friday

Oakland Athletics outfielder Khris Davis (calf) is expected to be in the Cactus League lineup on Friday against the Padres "if everything goes well," according to manager Bob Melvin. Davis has been held out with a left calf strain and must run the bases on Thursday pain-free before he is cleared to play on Friday. […]

Shohei Ohtani Hitting In Cages

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) took soft tosses in the indoor cages again on Wednesday for the fifth time. The soft-toss regimen will continue for a while, and the plan beyond that has yet to be revealed. The Japanese two-way star won't pitch at all this year after having Tommy John surgery, […]

Danny Duffy Behind Other Starters

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy has been dealing with left shoulder tightness in camp and played catched on Monday and Wednesday with no issues. However, his readiness for the start of the season is in question and he is behind the other pitchers in his progression. Duffy thinks he'll build his arm strength […]

Several Teams Interested In Dallas Keuchel

The Houston Astros remain in touch with free-agent starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, and the Philadelphia Phillies are also in on the left-hander, although they'd prefer something short-term. Keuchel may also be an option for the Yankees now that Luis Severino (shoulder) is sidelined for two weeks, but general manager Brian Cashman downplayed the chances of […]

CC Sabathia Expected To Begin On Disabled List

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (heart) is expected to begin the season on the disabled list, according to manager Aaron Boone. However, the team thinks Sabathia will make starts in April. Boone also thinks Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga could both be in the rotation to begin the year with Luis Severino (shoulder) […]

Sonny Gray To Throw Thursday

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray (elbow) is scheduled to throw a side session on Thursday and could start pitching in spring games after that if everything goes well. Gray was very unproductive in his two years in New York and had a 4.90 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 123 K's in 130 1/3 innings in […]

Nick Senzel Dealing With Hamstring Tightness

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that third baseman/outfielder Nick Senzel is dealing with tightness in his hamstring. However, Bell expects that Senzel will return to spring games Thursday or Friday. Senzel is MLB Pipeline's No. 6 prospect heading into the 2019 season and has a chance to start in center field for the Reds […]

Alex Bregman Leaves With Back Stiffness Wednesday

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left the game with back stiffness on Wednesday, but manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman will play again on Friday. Bregman's injury isn't serious at all and the Astros are being extra cautious with their star player. This shouldn't affect Bregman's status at all as RotoBaller's No. 11 fantasy player […]

Jacoby Ellsbury To Join Team Soon

New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (foot, hip) is expected to join the team on March 16 or 17. The oft-injured outfielder is highly unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season. Ellsbury didn't play at all last season and managed to play in just 112 games for the Yanks in 2017 […]

Andrew Heaney To Start On Friday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (elbow) is set to make his next Cactus League start on Friday, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Heaney felt good after Tuesday's bullpen session after he missed a start with elbow inflammation. The 27-year-old left-hander had a decent season in 2018, going 9-10 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.20 […]

Justin Upton On Track To Play In Games Soon

Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus said outfielder Justin Upton (knee) is on track to get into a game "sooner than later." The knee tendonitis that Upton has been dealing with shouldn't hurt his chances of being ready for Opening Day. The slugging left fielder hit 30 home runs and 85 RBI in 145 games […]

Josh James Will Run Wednesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Josh James (quadriceps) said he will run on Wednesday. Manager A.J. Hinch said earlier this week that James can't get off a mound until he can run pain-free. The soon-to-be 26-year-old struck out 11.3 hitters per nine innings in his first 23 major league innings last year and has plenty of […]

Steve Pearce Making Spring Debut Wednesday

Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce (illness) is making his spring training debut on Wednesday against the Pirates. The 2018 World Series MVP has been out with an illness the last week. Don't let his postseason heroics fool you into thinking he's suddenly relevant in mixed leagues. Pearce hit .284/.378/.512 but had only 11 […]

Trey Mancini Back In Wednesday Lineup

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday against the Rays after jamming his pinkie finger last weekend. Mancini has hit exactly 24 home runs each of the last two seasons for the Orioles, but he hit an underwhelming .242/.299/.416 in 2018. Despite playing in one of the more […]

Gregory Polanco Playing Catch And Sliding

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) is playing catch from 120 feet and doing sliding drills, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. The plan is for Polanco to receive "game-like reps" in right field within the next week. Polanco will miss at least the first month of the season, but he's still worth […]

Jimmy Nelson Throws Live BP

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) threw live batting practice for the first time this spring on Monday. Nelson was delayed in camp after he felt right forearm discomfort during a bullpen session, but he's making progress once again. If Nelson is healthy for the start of the season, he should have himself a […]

Amed Rosario Undergoes X-Rays On Hand

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario underwent X-rays on his left hand after he was hit by a pitch on Monday. However, the X-rays came back negative and he shouldn't miss much time this spring. Rosario should be fine for Opening Day. The 23-year-old hit .256/.295/.381 with nine home runs, 51 RBI and 24 stolen […]

Dustin Pedroia Expected To Make Spring Debut This Week

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) is expected to make his spring training debut this week. He was limited to only three games in 2018 after undergoing left knee surgery in October of 2017. Pedroia could play as soon as Thursday, but manager Alex Cora may hold him out until Friday as a […]

Zack Cozart Out A Few Weeks

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will be out for a few weeks, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Cozart played in just 58 games in his first year with the Angels due to injury, and he hasn't gotten rid of the injury bug […]