Charlie Blackmon To Play Right Field

The Colorado Rockies plan is for outfielder Charlie Blackmon to play right field this year, with David Dahl in left and Ian Desmond patrolling center. Manager Bud Black likes the way Dahl's range plays in Coors Field's large left side. Blackmon wasn't as good in 2018 as he was the previous year during his breakout, […]

Hunter Pence To Miss First Full-Squad Workout

Texas Rangers outfielder Hunter Pence (shoulder) is dealing with a sore right shoulder and will miss the team's first full-squad workout. However, his injury isn't expected to be serious and he might only miss a few days. Pence has a decent shot to make the Opening Day roster with a rebuilding club, but this doesn't […]

Dellin Betances Having Extension Talks

New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances said his agent, Jim Murray, and general manager Brian Cashman have had contract-extension talks this offseason. Betances really struggled with his control in 2017 with a career-high 6.6 walks per nine innings, but he bounced back last season with a 3.5 BB/9 and lowered his ERA to 2.70 […]

Mallex Smith Cleared For Defensive Drills

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mallex Smith (elbow) has been cleared for defensive drills on Tuesday, but he won't be allowed to throw yet due to his sore elbow. Smith will likely be kept from throwing for about a week, but it shouldn't keep him from starting the season on time as the team's center fielder. Smith […]

Miguel Sano In Much Better Shape

Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano made it an offseason priority to get his body in much better shape, and he has noticeably slimmed down entering spring training. He might have to wait a bit longer to join his teammates after suffering a cut on his right heel in the Dominican Republic, but his conditioning […]

Red Sox Having Extension Talks With Chris Sale

The Boston Red Sox have had contract-extension talks with starting pitcher Chris Sale as the season approaches. Sale is due to become a free agent after the 2019 season, so the Red Sox may want to lock him up now. The hard-throwing left-hander has been excellent for the Red Sox but had some shoulder fatigue […]

Marcus Stroman Wants Long-Term Deal

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman is disappointed he hasn't come to a long-term contract extension with the club. Stroman had the worst season of his career in 2018 and dealt with injuries, going 4-9 with a career-high 5.54 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 6.8 K/9 in only 19 starts (102 1/3 innings). The 27-year-old […]

Robinson Cano Feels Great

New York Mets second baseman Robinson Cano, 36, said he feels "like I'm 25" heading into his first camp with the team after being traded from the Mariners this offseason. "I always feel like that," Cano said. "I never feel like I'm 30. … I feel good, physically and mentally. For me, that's what matters […]

Aaron Judge Past His Wrist Issues

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is confident that outfielder Aaron Judge is past the issues that were caused by his fractured right wrist that cost him around seven weeks last season. "Oh yeah, he's good to go," Boone said. "He's healthy. I think he's as healthy as he's been probably since he's been in […]

Demaryius Thomas Involved In Car Crash

Free-agent wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was involved in a car crash near downtown Denver early Saturday, according to Denver police. Thomas' vehicle rolled over after he lost control. He and a male passenger suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital, while a female passenger sustained possible serious injuries that weren't life-threatening. The cause […]

Rob Gronkowski Still Weighing His Future

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski remains non-committal about his playing future, but he has shown up to Gillette Stadium multiple times over the last couple of weeks. Gronk might just be receiving treatment for his thigh, but ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss views it as the tight end being in a good place with […]

Mets Sign Adeiny Hechavarria

The New York Mets signed free-agent shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Sunday, according to a source. Hechavarria is a defense-first infielder that will provide veteran depth behind starter Amed Rosario. Hechavarria is a career .254 hitter with a .635 OPS over seven seasons in the […]

Didi Gregorius Could Begin Hitting Program In Early March

New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (elbow) will have a doctor's assessment in the beginning of March, at which point he could be cleared to begin a hitting program shortly thereafter. He has already been cleared to throw. Gregorius is likely to miss around half the season after having Tommy John surgery, which means you […]

Aaron Hicks The Front-Runner To Be Leadoff Hitter

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks is the front-runner to be the team's leadoff hitter this year, according to manager Aaron Boone. The Yanks will also flirt with Aaron Judge in the top spot against lefties, but Boone said that scenario is less likely. Hicks is a bit of an injury concern, but leading off […]

Carlos Santana Could See Time In Outfield

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona said the team is considering using first baseman Carlos Santana in the outfield this year. Santana could also serve as the primary designated hitter if Jake Bauers ends up playing first base regularly. The 32-year-old Santana has played only 10 games in the outfield in his career after spending most […]

Phillies The Favorite To Sign Bryce Harper

Things are heating up with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper, and the Philadelphia Phillies are now the favorites to sign him, although nothing is official as of Sunday. His deal will be a long-term one and he has multiple long-term offers for more than $30 million per year on the table. However, the market is "evolving." […]

Albert Pujols Will Be Ready For Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols (knee) said his knee is healthy and that he'll be ready for Opening Day. He is unsure if he will play in Cactus League games right away, but he'll be fine for the start of the regular season. The 39-year-old was limited to just 465 at-bats last […]

Shohei Ohtani Hopes To Hit Off Tee Next Week

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is hoping he can move to hitting off a tee in the next week. Ohtani is a two-way star that won American League Rookie of the Year in 2018, but he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and won't pitch at all in 2019. […]

Padres Have Made Serious Offers To Manny Machado, Bryce Harper

The San Diego Padres are believed to have made serious offers for both free-agent shortstop Manny Machado and outfielder Bryce Harper. Their bid for Machado is believed to be for around $250 million and eight years. Their bid for Harper is believed to be for more than that. Recent word in Miami circles has been […]

Brewers Re-Sign Mike Moustakas

The Milwaukee Brewers re-signed third baseman Mike Moustakas to a one-year deal on Sunday, according to sources. The deal is expected to be for around $10 million. His numbers were down from his final season with the Royals, and he hit .251/.315/.459 with 49 walks, 103 strikeouts and 28 home runs with Milwaukee in 2018. […]

Curtis Granderson Is Leadoff Candidate

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly said that outfielder Curtis Granderson is a possible leadoff hitter for the team this season. The Fish plan to experiment with many different lineups, but the soon-to-be 38-year-old has been good at getting on base in his healthy 15-year career. Grandy hit .242/.351/.431 with 13 long balls and 38 RBI […]

Miguel Sano Suffers Heel Laceration

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that third baseman Miguel Sano suffered a heel laceration while in the Dominican Republic and the team will have it checked out. The 25-year-old slugger was slowed by injury and ineffectiveness in 2018, hitting a putrid .199/.281/.398 with 13 home runs and 41 RBI in just 266 at-bats. His […]

Yan Gomes, Kurt Suzuki To Split Playing Time

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez intends to have catchers Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki split playing time this year. Both Gomes and Suzuki had strong 2018 seasons, but they are both on board with a timeshare at the position and are hoping it'll make the team stronger overall. Gomes was an All-Star last year, posting […]

Michael Brantley Unlikely To Play First Base

Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch said that outfielder Michael Brantley will play some right field in spring training in addition to left field, but it's unlikely that he will play any first base. Brantley stayed healthy all year in 2018 for the first time in three years and hit .309/.364/.468 with 17 home runs, 76 […]

Willy Adames Eliminates Toe Tap

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames, who will enter 2019 as the starting shortstop, said that he eliminated the toe tap in his swing and will only have a leg kick this year. If he struggles with the adjustment early on, he'll go back to his toe tap. Adames finished his rookie season with a […]

Tyler Glasnow Shortening Delivery

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow is working with pitching coach Kyle Snyder to become quicker to the plate to help him remain more consistent in the strike zone and to contain the opponent's running game. The 6-foot-8 right-hander is expected to be the team's No. 3 starter in 2019. As a result, he's […]

Orioles Sign Alcides Escobar

The Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent shortstop Alcides Escobar to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Saturday. The 32-year-old former All-Star and Gold Glove winner will give the team experience and middle infield depth for 2019. He hit just .231/.279/.313 with 29 extra-base hits and 34 RBI in 140 games for […]

Mallex Smith To Be Rested For A Week

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mallex Smith (elbow, forearm) is expected to be a spectator in camp for at least seven to 10 days while dealing with a sore right throwing arm. Manager Scott Servais said he doesn't know if this will impact Smith's availability for the two-game series in Japan or the team's home opener. Smith […]

Peter Alonso Has Improved Defensively

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said first base prospect Peter Alonso is "probably the most improved defensive guy" the coaches have seen "in a long time." Alonso is ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 51 prospect in 2019 after hitting .285/.395/.579 with a whopping 36 home runs and 119 RBI in 132 games with Double-A […]

Ronald Acuna May Stay In Leadoff Spot

The Atlanta Braves may move outfielder Ronald Acuna to the cleanup spot this year, but manager Brian Snitker said Acuna may still get his wish and remain atop the lineup. Outfielder Ender Inciarte struggled in the leadoff spot in the first half last year, and Acuna thrived when he was moved to leadoff in the […]