Twins To Play Matchups In Late Innings

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the bullpen strategy to start the season will be to play the matchups and situations. However, he'll let things play out and is open-minded to changing that approach. Relievers Trevor May and Blake Parker are expected to accumulate saves throughout the year, and Baldelli also mentioned Taylor Rogers and […]

Albert Almora Jr. Could See More Time Against Righties

Chicago Cubs outfielder Albert Almora Jr. has made some adjustments against right-handed pitchers and could see more playing time against them this year as a starter, according to manager Joe Maddon. The 24-year-old defensive whiz hit .286/.323/.378 with five home runs and 41 RBI in 444 at-bats last year, but he has struggled to hit […]

Andrew Heaney Throws Off Mound Monday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (elbow) made meaningful progress by throwing 20 pitches off a mound on Monday. The Angels don't believe Heaney's arm issues are too serious, so he might only wind up missing a few regular season starts. The 27-year-old southpaw went 9-10 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 180 […]

Kyle Seager Has Cast Removed

Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager had his cast removed on Monday, but he still can't resume baseball activities after undergoing hand surgery and is expected to miss the first two months of the season. There was hope that Seager could bounce back from the worst season of his career in 2018, but an injury […]

Mark Trumbo Goes On 60-Day Injured List

Updating a previous report, the Baltimore Orioles officially placed outfielder Mark Trumbo (knee) on the 60-day injured list on Monday. It means that Trumbo won't be available to play until at least the final week of May after having serious knee surgery last year. The 33-year-old wasn't really in play in mixed leagues to begin […]

Mike Foltynewicz, A.J. Minter To Rehab April 4

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) and relief pitcher A.J. Minter (shoulder) will both make rehab outings on April 4 with Triple-A Gwinnett in their season opener. Folty will start in a minor league game on Friday and throw roughly 50 pitches. He's expected to throw around 65-70 pitches for Gwinnett on April 4 […]

Daniel Norris To Open As Long Reliever

Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris will open the season as a long reliever after losing out on a rotation spot to Spencer Turnbull, manager Ron Gardenhire confirmed. Norris went 0-5 with a 5.68 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 in 11 games (eight starts) last year for the Tigers. The left-hander didn't help matters by […]

Devin Mesoraco Plans To Retire

The New York Mets plan on placing catcher Devin Mesoraco on the restricted list rather than grant him his release. Mesoraco plans to retire, according to a source. He will not report to Triple-A with the Mets. The Mets are quite stacked at catcher with Wilson Ramos, Travis D'Arnaud and Tomas Nido, and they also […]

Spencer Turnbull Wins Rotation Spot

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull has won a spot on the Opening Day roster, according to a source. Turnbull benefits from Michael Fulmer undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing all of 2019. The 26-year-old right-hander had a 1.80 ERA with 15 strikeouts and two walks in 15 innings this spring, but he posted a […]

Jorge Polanco Dealing With Arm Fatigue

Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco is battling some arm fatigue, but he served as the designated hitter in a minor league intrasquad game on Monday. Polanco's injury doesn't seem serious enough to keep him from playing on Opening Day this Thursday. The 25-year-old switch-hitter impressed by slashing .288/.345/.427 with six home runs, 42 RBI and […]

Luis Severino, Dellin Betances Throw Monday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (shoulder) and relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) both threw on Monday. Betances threw for the first time since being shut down and reported feeling good, according to manager Aaron Boone. Severino threw from 120 feet. Severino will miss at least all of April, but he's still a fantasy […]

A.J. Minter Makes Appearance Monday

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter (shoulder) was set to throw an inning in a minor league game on Monday. Both he and starter Kevin Gausman will start the year on the injured list but will be eligible to return on April 4. There is no timetable for Minter, but he's not that far behind. […]

Andrew Cashner Gets Opening Day Nod

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that starting pitcher Andrew Cashner will start on Opening Day against the Yankees on the road. Cashner was one of the worst starters in the majors last year and went 4-15 with a 5.29 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 99 K's in 153 innings. The 32-year-old is an extremely dangerous […]

Mark Trumbo Could Go On 60-Day Injured List

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that outfielder Mark Trumbo (knee) could go on the 60-day injured list to begin the season. The Orioles want him back as soon as possible, but they also want him 100 percent healthy. It's another reason not to roster Trumbo in mixed leagues in 2019 after he hit […]

Rhys Hoskins Plays Monday, Says He's Ready

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/first baseman Rhys Hoskins (shoulder) returned to the Grapefruit League lineup on Monday and said that he's ready for the season opener on Thursday. Hoskins hit .246/.354/.496 with 34 home runs and 96 RBI in 153 games in his first season with Philadelphia and has big-time fantasy upside hitting in the heart of […]

Austin Hays Has Sprained Thumb

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that outfield prospect Austin Hays' MRI exam showed a sprained thumb. Hays will be out for "weeks" rather than "months." Hays also dealt with injuries last year and played in just 75 games between Low-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, hitting a combined .235 with 12 home runs, 46 […]

Alex Cobb Likely To Start On Injured List

Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias said it's likely that starting pitcher Alex Cobb (groin) will start the year on the injured list, but he would be able to return for the home opener. Andrew Cashner is likely to step in and start on Opening Day in place of Cobb. The 31-year-old was 5-15 with […]

Rays Consider Extensions For Willy Adames, Brent Honeywell

The Tampa Bay Rays have reached out to shortstop Willy Adames and pitching prospect Brent Honeywell about potential long-term contract extensions. Honeywell was approached after he had Tommy John surgery. This comes after the Rays inked long-term deals for ace Blake Snell and utility man Brandon Lowe this spring. Tampa is looking to the future […]

Clayton Kershaw Throws Sim Game Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw a simulated game on Monday. Manager Dave Roberts said "it was a good day for the Los Angeles Dodgers today." Kershaw will start on the injured list and might miss most of April for the Dodgers. Injuries the last two seasons and a noticeable drop in […]

Walker Buehler Could Start Fourth Game Of Season

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (shoulder) threw a four-inning, 60-pitch bullpen session without any issues on Monday and told reporters the next step is to start in a regular season game. Buehler said he could start the team's fourth game of the regular season against the Diamondbacks on Sunday. It's not a guarantee […]

Adam Eaton To Hit Leadoff For Nats

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced on Monday that outfielder Adam Eaton will serve as the club's leadoff hitter this year, with shortstop Trea Turner hitting second. Turner is the more prolific base stealer, but Eaton has a better on-base percentage over the last two seasons (.394). Martinez also confirmed that outfielder Victor Robles will […]

Ryan Braun Won't Take Part In Exhibition Games

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun will not play in exhibition games in Montreal against the Blue Jays on Monday and Tuesday because he does not have his passport with him. Braun his .318 with a home run in nine spring games this year after clubbing 20 home runs with a career-low .254 average in 125 […]

Jose Ramirez Takes Grounders Monday

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (knee) took ground balls on Monday at the team's spring training complex a day after he fouled a pitch off his left knee and had to be carted off the field. He will rejoin the team for a workout on Wednesday, but it's unknown if he will play on […]

Browns Have Plan For Kareem Hunt

Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey said the team has a plan for running back Kareem Hunt up until his suspension begins for the 2019 season. Hunt was suspended eight games by the NFL for two violations of the personal-conduct policy. The running back won't appeal the suspension and Dorsey said he is "most proud" […]

Raiders Sticking With Derek Carr As Starting Quarterback

Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden confirmed that Derek Carr will be the team's starting quarterback in 2019. While the Raiders believe in Carr, they will still send personnel to meet with Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray and Ohio State signal-caller Dwayne Haskins. The Raiders own the fourth overall pick in the first round of this […]

Daniel Descalso Expected To Be Fine For Opening Day

Chicago Cubs utility man Daniel Descalso (shoulder) had a handful of at-bats and played multiple positions on the infield in a minor league game on Sunday. He'll likely play in one of the two upcoming games against the Red Sox and is expected to be fine for Opening Day. The 32-year-old veteran has proved to […]

Mark Zagunis On Track To Earn Roster Spot

Chicago Cubs outfielder Mark Zagunis appears to be the team's final bench player heading into Opening Day on Thursday. He went 2-for-3 with two walks in spring action on Sunday to list his Cactus League average to .357. "He's healthy," president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said, "and he's combining his really outstanding plate discipline […]

Yu Darvish To Throw Bullpen Thursday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (finger) said he is scheduled for a bullpen session on Thursday. He's currently lined up to start the third game of the season on March 31 against the Rangers. The Japanese right-hander pitched with a bandage on his finger for parts of five innings in a minor league game […]

Carlos Martinez, Jedd Gyorko Put On Injured List

The St. Louis Cardinals placed starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (shoulder) and third baseman Jedd Gyorko (calf) on the 10-day injured list on Monday. Joining them there will be relief pitchers Brett Cecil (hand) and Luke Gregerson (shoulder) and outfielder Justin Williams (hand). Martinez dealt with arm issues in a disappointing 2018 campaign as well, so […]

Greg Holland Named D-Backs Closer

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Greg Holland will serve as the team's closer this year, with Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano serving as late-inning setup men. The 33-year-old does have the most closing experience in Arizona's bullpen with 189 career saves over eight big league seasons. The right-hander posted a league-leading 41 saves in 2017 with […]