Phillies Meeting With Bryce Harper Friday Night

Philadelphia Phillies owner John Middleton is in Las Vegas for more of a meet-and-greet with free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper on Friday night than a sign-a-deal, according to sources. Barring something unexpected, Harper and the Phillies won't strike a deal on Friday evening. However, it wouldn't be a surprise if the Phils locked Harper up over […]

No Timetable For Dustin Pedroia To Play In Games

There is no timetable for when Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) will get into spring training games. He fielded ground balls on Thursday and took batting practice Friday in what is known by team trainers as a "re-generation day." "I just want to see him play enough innings that he’s ready to […]

Bears Release Cody Parkey

The Chicago Bears released kicker Cody Parkey before the start of the new league year on Friday, according to sources. The Pro Bowler is still due $3.5 million on his 2019 contract, and he's unlikely to be out of work for long. The 27-year-old made just 23 of 30 field-goal tries (76.7 percent) and 42 […]

Josh Hill Expected To Be Starter In 2019

New Orleans Saints tight end Josh Hill is expected to be the team's starting tight end in 2019, according to The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Josh Katzenstein. Veteran Benjamin Watson has retired, so Hill will have more opportunity next season. He caught just 16 passes (24 targets) for 185 yards and a touchdown in a full […]

Michael Pineda Says He's Ready

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Michael Pineda is being brought along slowly this spring, but he says he is "ready to pitch." He was clocked at 93 mph with his fastball while throwing to live hitters on Friday and said he felt good. Pineda hasn't faced major league hitters since July of 2017 due to a […]

Mets Calling Jed Lowrie's Injury Knee Soreness

The New York Mets are calling third baseman Jed Lowrie's injury "soreness behind his left knee." An MRI exam on the knee showed no structural damage on Thursday, and the team will ease him back into spring activities and games once he's 100 percent. It doesn't sound serious and he should have plenty of time […]

Eagles Re-Sign Jake Elliott

The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed kicker Jake Elliott to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. Elliott made 26 of his 31 field-goal attempts (83.9 percent) and 33 of his 35 extra-point tries in 2018. He has made 83.9 percent of his kicks in his two seasons in the NFL and will remain a low-end fantasy kicker […]

Kyle Seager Slimmer And Healthier

Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager had a new plan this offseason to help him feel better in 2019 after a down year last season. He did new workouts and had a new diet and routine that allowed him to arrive to spring training slimmer and healthier. The left-handed slugger hit just .221/.273/.400 (all career […]

Shohei Ohtani To Hit Off Tee Friday

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is scheduled to hit off a tee for the first time on Friday. It's good news for the Japanese two-way star, but he won't be ready for game action until sometime in May and will not pitch at all in 2019 after having Tommy John surgery on […]

Clayton Kershaw Taking A Few Days Off

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw said he is "going to take a few days right now" but offered no specifics on what "not feeling right" means. He would not elaborate when asked if his issues were back-related and he said he should resume playing catch in the next few days and go from […]

Billy McKinney, Devon Travis Candidates For Leadoff Spot

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said that outfielder Billy McKinney and second baseman Devon Travis are the two guys he's considering for the leadoff spot right now, but he'll use the spring to make the final determination. McKinney is in a battle with Teoscar Hernandez for playing time in left field this year, but […]

Three Teams Interested In Antonio Brown

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said that three teams have already reached out on a potential Antonio Brown trade. The identity of the teams is unknown, but Colbert is adamant that the Steelers won't just give Brown away. The two sides met last week and agreed that a trade was the best course of […]

Mike Soroka To Be Shut Down 4-5 Days

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka's shoulder is bothering him again, and he also had some pain while lifting weights a month ago. He will be shut down from throwing for the next four to five days. Soroka is one of Atlanta's more promising young pitchers, but he was shut down early last year due […]

Matt Chapman Could Play In Games Early Next Week

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman (shoulder, thumb) has been making good progress from his offseason surgeries and could play in Cactus League games by early next week. Chapman really showed his upside in his second year in the big leagues, hitting .278/.356/.508 with an .864 OPS, 24 home runs and 68 RBI in 145 […]

Marwin Gonzalez Agrees With Twins

The Minnesota Twins agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal with free-agent infielder Marwin Gonzalez on Friday, according to league sources. The soon-to-be 30-year-old utility player had a down year in 2018 after putting up career numbers with the Astros the season prior. He can play all over the infield and in the outfield, giving […]

Tyler Eifert Recovered From Ankle Surgery

Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent tight end Tyler Eifert suffered an ugly ankle injury last September that required season-ending surgery. The 28-year-old former first-round pick in 2013 posted a video on Twitter on Thursday that showed him doing ladder drills. Because of his extensive injury history -- Eifert has played in a total of 14 games […]

Justus Sheffield Will Be Delayed Due To Blister

Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Justus Sheffield, who was acquired in the trade that sent James Paxton to the Yankees, will have his Cactus League debut delayed a day or two due to a small blister on his finger. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday. The left-hander is MLB Pipeline's No. 43 […]

Ervin Santana Heading To White Sox

The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent starting pitcher Ervin Santana to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Friday. The veteran right-hander made just five starts in 2018 with the Twins due to finger issues and was terrible when he was on the mound. However, he went 16-8 with a 3.28 […]

Sonny Gray Scratched Due To Elbow Stiffness

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray has been scratched from his spring training outing on Saturday due to right elbow stiffness. Tanner Roark will make the start in his place against the Indians. It's a bad start to Gray's tenure with the Reds after being traded over from the Yankees this offseason. The 29-year-old right-hander […]

Nationals Moving On From Bryce Harper

The Washington Nationals are officially moving on from free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper. "Nothing's certainly changed on our end," owner Mark Lerner told NBC Sports Washington's Todd Dybas Friday. "We've moved on. As I said back then and we had to. There was no way we could wait around. Bryce, I'm sure will make his decision […]

Phillies Waiting For Price To Drop On Craig Kimbrel, Dallas Keuchel

The Philadelphia Phillies are unlikely to engage free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel or starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel unless either pitcher's current asking price drops, according to those close to the situation. Keuchel is believed to be seeking a five-year deal, while Kimbrel is looking for something similar. The Phillies see themselves as favorites to land outfielder […]

Le'Veon Bell's Trainer Refutes Weight-Gain Reports

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent running back Le'Veon Bell's trainer responded to "ridiculous" speculation about Bell's shape by pointing out that he is feeling better in February than guys who played in 2018. "He’s going to be the same Le'Veon Bell — only better, quicker and faster," Bell's trainer said. Bell sat out all of the […]

Jonathan Villar Likely To Stay At Second Base

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Villar is likely to spend most of his time at second base in 2019, with former All-Star Alcides Escobar the favorite to play shortstop. Escobar, 32, was signed to a minor league deal but will most likely make the team if he stays healthy. Villar played 36 games at second […]

Jed Lowrie's MRI Shows No Structural Damage

The MRI exam on New York Mets third baseman Jed Lowrie's sore left knee showed no structural damage on Thursday, according to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. The GM said the Mets will be cautious with Lowrie and "bring him along slowly." Lowrie first felt soreness while running and it bothered him while doing "high-explosive" […]

Mets, Jacob deGrom's Agents To Meet About Extension

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom's agents, Jeff Berry and Matt Ricatto, and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen will meet in Florida, according to a source. deGrom set a deadline of Opening Day for the team to agree to a long-term contract extension with him. As of last week, deGrom said the Mets had […]

Ross Stripling Going Back To Windup

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling will go back to a windup in his delivery full time in 2019 after abandoning it after the spring of 2017. "I think the reason you bring it back, it gives you a little more rhythm and it gives hitters a different timing. Out of the stretch, it’s easy […]

Clayton Kershaw Frustrated After Bullpen Session

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was given the day off on Thursday by manager Dave Roberts after he was discouraged with the way he was feeling during a bullpen on Wednesday. The ace lefty also wasn't happy with his live batting practice on Monday. Roberts said Kershaw didn't mention a specific injury and […]

White Sox Not Bidding On Bryce Harper

The Chicago White Sox will not bid on free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper, according to a source. The White Sox also lost out on their primary target on Tuesday when Manny Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres. Harper, a six-time All-Star and 2015 National League MVP, is expected to command a […]

Jorge Soler Says He's Fully Healthy

Kansas City Royals outfielder Jorge Soler (foot) showed up healthy and ready to go in camp this week. He was hitting .265 with 18 doubles, nine home runs and 28 RBI in mid-June last year when he fractured the first metatarsal bone in his left foot and missed the rest of the season. Soler (27 […]

Mike Soroka Won't Pitch In Early Spring Games

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that starting pitcher Mike Soroka (shoulder) will not pitch in early spring training games. The young hurler finished last year on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation and will be brought along slowly. The good news is the 21-year-old doesn't have any limitations, but the team is just being […]