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 […]

Alex Bregman Throws Past 90 Feet

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) is progressing from arthroscopic surgery he had a month ago to remove bone chips. He has been hitting in the cage and fielding ground balls at third base and on Saturday he progressed to throwing past 90 feet. Bregman estimated he was throwing at 90 to 95 percent […]

Jameson Taillon Named Opening Day Starter

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon will start on Opening Day and will be followed in the rotation by Trevor Williams, Joe Musgrove and Chris Archer. The 27-year-old went 14-10 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 in 32 starts (191 innings) in his third major league season for the Pirates. Taillon is […]

Charles Clay Released By Bills

The Buffalo Bills released tight end Charles Clay on Friday. Clay provided only 21 catches (36 targets) for 184 yards (career-low 8.8 yards per catch) and no touchdowns in 13 games for Buffalo in 2018. He was rarely in the game plan for the Bills the last two seasons and won't be a very popular […]

Lions Release Bruce Ellington

The Detroit Lions released wide receiver Bruce Ellington, safety Glover Quinn and linebacker Nicholas Grigsby on Friday. Ellington signed with the Lions after they traded Golden Tate to the Eagles and became their slot receiver until he landed on Injured Reserve on Dec. 22. He had 23 catches for 132 yards in four games for […]

Nick Foles Interested In Giants?

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles would "probably" be interested in playing for the New York Giants if they decide to move on from Eli Manning, according to one person with knowledge of Foles' thinking. Foles landing with the Giants would be less likely if the Eagles place the franchise tag on him, which is unlikely. […]

Adam Humphries Might Be Too Expensive For Bucs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers impending free-agent wide receiver Adam Humphries is expected to seek $8 million a year on his next contract, and that might be about $2 million more than the team is willing to pay. Humphries was second in targets last year behind Mike Evans with 105 and also was second in catches (76) […]

Steelers Expected To Use Transition Tag On Le'Veon Bell

All indications are that the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to use the transition tag on running back Le'Veon Bell by the deadline on March 5. It's expected to have a value of $9.5 million to $14.5 million for one season and gives the Steelers a chance to match any offer he'd receive on the open market. […]

Platoon At First Base For Ryan O'Hearn, Hunter Dozier?

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost said he's considering a "loose" platoon with first basemen Ryan O'Hearn and Hunter Dozier this year. Fantasy managers may not have heard of either player, but that is the state of the rebuilding Royals in 2019. O'Hearn, who swings left-handed, hit .262/.353/.597 with 12 home runs and 30 RBI […]

Jeremy Hellickson Has Inside Track On Fifth Starter Spot

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson has the inside track on the fifth starter spot early in camp. The team would prefer it if Joe Ross and Erick Fedde were to start at Triple-A if they don't make the rotation, but they won't rule them out in long relief. Even […]

Ryan Braun Not Expected To Play Much First Base

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun isn't expected to see much time at first base this year after the trades of Domingo Santana and Keon Broxton this offseason, according to manager Craig Counsell. The 35-year-old still squares the ball up regularly and hit .254/.313/.469 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 405 […]

Bradley Zimmer Looking Good In Rehab

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona had good things to say about outfielder Bradley Zimmer's (shoulder) rehab. "I’d be comfortable saying he is kind of knocking it out of the park. He’s really gotten after it. He’s doing really well. He’s coming quick. He has a ways to go, but he’s done a terrific job," Francona […]

Michael Fulmer Loses Arbitration Case

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer lost his salary arbitration hearing and will make $2.8 million in 2019 instead of the $3.4 million he was seeking, according to a source. Fulmer made just 24 starts last year due to injury and posted a disappointing 4.69 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 7.5 K/9 in 132 1/3 innings. […]

Mike Soroka In Normal Spring Schedule

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (shoulder) has already thrown six pain-free bullpen sessions and is ready for a normal spring schedule as he prepares to fight for a rotation spot. The 21-year-old made five starts for the Braves last year before being shut down due to right shoulder pain, but he's ranked by MLB […]

Raisel Iglesias Won't Be Used Exclusively In Closer's Role

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that closer Raisel Iglesias won't be used strictly in a traditional closer's role. "He’ll be used in the most important spots in the game. We don’t want to limit him," Bell said. The hard-throwing 29-year-old could be used in high-leverage situations before the ninth inning at times, but he […]

Yoenis Cespedes Expected To Do Baseball Activities Next Week

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heels), who is almost four months removed from the second of two surgeries to remove calcification and bone spurs from both of his heels, is expected to begin baseball activities next week. He is confident he will return to play this year, but he's unsure if it'll be in […]

Jeff McNeil To See Most Of His Time In Left Field

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil will see the bulk of his repetitions in left field this year and won't see much time -- if any -- in center. The Mets regular outfield against right-handed pitchers will be McNeil in left, Brandon Nimmo in center and Michael Conforto in right. […]

Troy Tulowitzki To Be Brought Along Slowly

The New York Yankees plan to bring shortstop Troy Tulowitzki along slowly this spring since he hasn't played in a game since July of 2017. The 34-year-old has been plagued by injuries the last couple of seasons and isn't expected to move the needle much in fantasy, even if he'll be helping fill the void […]

Mallex Smith Dealing With Sore Elbow

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mallex Smith is dealing with a sore right elbow and won't be taking part in defensive drills during the first team workouts in camp. Smith should be fine for the start of the regular season and earned a starting job after hitting .296/.367/.406 with two home runs, 40 RBI, 65 runs scored […]

Cesar Hernandez To Receive Look In Leadoff Spot

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said the team likely will give second baseman Cesar Hernandez "a long look" in the leadoff spot this spring and described him as "an ideal leadoff hitter" based on his .378 on-base percentage in the first half last season. Hernandez wasn't nearly as good in the second half and finished […]

Johnny Cueto Loses 20 Pounds

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (elbow), who said he pitched with a stabbing right pain in his right elbow for nearly three years before having Tommy John surgery last year, is down around 20 pounds thanks to regular meals of salad and fish. The 33-year-old is expected to miss most or all of […]

Steven Duggar Likely To Hit At Top Of Order

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that he would like to have outfielder Steven Duggar in one of the top two spots in the lineup. He also doesn't have any restrictions this spring after having shoulder surgery. The 25-year-old should play regularly in San Fran's weak outfield after hitting .255/.303/.390 with two home runs, […]

Giants Agree With Yangervis Solarte

The San Francisco Giants agreed to a minor league deal with free-agent infielder Yangervis Solarte on Friday. The deal includes an invite to spring training, and his deal will be worth $1.75 million with an additional $250,000 in incentives if he makes the big league roster. The 31-year-old can play all four infield spots, but […]

Yankees Sign Luis Severino To Multi-Year Deal

The New York Yankees signed starting pitcher Luis Severino to a four-year contract extension that can max out at $52.25 million on Friday. The deal includes a fifth-year team option that would cover one season of free agency. The 24-year-old has become the team's ace over the last few years. He'll make $4 million with […]