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 […]

Clayton Kershaw Expected To Start On Opening Day

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts basically said that starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw will be the team's Opening Day starter. It's not a surprise at all, even though the perennial Cy Young candidate had a down year by his standards in 2018 and has dealt with injuries the last couple of seasons. The left-hander will […]

Padres Meet With Manny Machado

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller flew to Miami to meet free-agent shortstop Manny Machado and his wife at some point in the last week. The 26-year-old is San Diego's first choice to fill their third base vacancy. Along with the Friars, the Phillies and White Sox are also involved, but Machado isn't believed […]

Julio Urias To Be On Innings Limit

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias will be on an innings limit in 2019, but manager Dave Roberts doesn't know the exact number yet. The promising left-hander is still only 22 years old and threw just four innings at the big league level in 2018 due to a serious shoulder injury, so it makes […]

Dustin Pedroia Works Out Thursday

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) took grounders and hit in the batting cage on Thursday after playing in just three games last year due to complications from left knee surgery. "He looks good. We talked a little bit," said manager Alex Cora. "He met with the medical staff and he'll be out […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Likely To Start At Triple-A

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that third base prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the top overall prospect at MLB Pipeline, is expected to start the year at Triple-A Buffalo while Brandon Drury temporarily starts as the third baseman. The Blue Jays want to make sure that the 19-year-old phenom develops properly after playing […]

Brandon Woodruff Being Stretched Out As Starter

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff will be stretched out as a starter this year, according to manager Craig Counsell. Woodruff, 26, was 3-0 with a 3.61 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings (19 outings, four starts) in 2018 and played a key role in their bullpen down the stretch. He might […]

Jake Arrieta Had Torn Meniscus Last Year

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Arrieta (knee) said he pitched the second half of last season with a torn meniscus in his knee. However, he expects to be ready for the start of the season after having surgery last month. The soon-to-be 33-year-old finished with a disappointing 3.96 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 138 strikeouts over […]

Nolan Arenado Not Setting Deadline For Extension Talks

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, who is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2019 season, said on Thursday that he won't make Opening Day a hard deadline for negotiations towards a long-term extension. The star third baseman signed a one-year, $26 million deal to avoid salary arbitration for 2019. "When serious games […]

Pierre Garcon To Hit The Open Market

The San Francisco 49ers will not pick up the 2019 option on wide receiver Pierre Garcon, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The 32-year-old declining wideout played in just 16 total games in his two seasons in San Francisco and missed eight games last season with shoulder and knee issues. The Niners will be hit […]

Keke Coutee Fully Healthy

Houston Texans wide receiver Keke Coutee, who dealt with hamstring injuries off and on his entire rookie season, is fully healthy again in the offseason and is excited going into his second season. "I'm feeling great," Coutee said. "I'm feeling really good. I'm feeling like myself." He managed to play in only six games in […]

Jacob deGrom Named Opening Day Starter

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom was named the team's Opening Day starter by manager Mickey Callaway. It's the least-surprising news of the day after deGrom won the National League Cy Young award in 2018 by going 10-9 with a 1.70 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 269 K's in 217 innings across 32 starts. The […]

Matt Harvey Suffers Gluteus Strain

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Matt Harvey (gluteus) suffered a glute strain during agility drills in camp and will be out for around a week and a half. Manager Brad Ausmus said that Harvey should still be ready for the start of the season. Formerly known as the Dark Knight, Harvey is now approaching 30 […]

Orioles Not Committing To Late-Inning Bullpen Roles

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde isn't ready to commit to late-inning bullpen roles just yet. Relief pitcher Mychal Givens, who is the favorite for saves in Baltimore, will be deployed in "high-leverage" situations, but Hyde said he "won't manage to the save stat." More managers are starting to take this approach with their bullpen, which […]

Twins Reach Extensions With Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler

The Minnesota Twins reached long-term contract extensions with shortstop Jorge Polanco and outfielder Max Kepler on Thursday. Polanco will receive a seven-year deal that guarantees him $25.75 million through the 2023 season. It also includes two team options for 2024 and 2025. Kepler's contract is for five seasons and $35 million with a sixth-year option […]

Jose Urena Will Start On Opening Day

Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly said that starting pitcher Jose Urena will get the nod on Opening Day. While Urena was the team's most consistent starter last year, it's not saying much. The 27-year-old was 9-12 with a 3.98 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 130 strikeouts in 174 innings (31 starts). He's managed just 6.1 strikeouts […]

Yadier Molina Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day

The St. Louis Cardinals expect catcher Yadier Molina (knee) to be ready by Opening Day. He has had no setbacks since undergoing left knee surgery two months ago, but the Cardinals plan to limit how much catching he does early in camp. "Yadi is going to be gaining his strength," manager Mike Shildt said. "He's […]

Ian Desmond To Be Primary Center Fielder

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said that outfielder Ian Desmond will be the team's primary center fielder this year while also seeing occasional time in left field. It's part of Colorado's plan to move Charlie Blackmon to a corner outfield spot to take some stress off his body in spacious Coors Field. Desmond's fantasy stock […]

Gary Sanchez On Track For Second Week Of Spring Games

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (shoulder) said he is on track to begin playing in spring training games in the second week of action. It was a frustrating year for the Yankees backstop in 2018, as he played in just 89 games and hit .186/.291/.697 with 18 home runs and 53 RBI. Fantasy owners […]

Jaguars Sign Josh Lambo To Extension

The Jacksonville Jaguars signed kicker Josh Lambo to an undisclosed four-year contract extension on Wednesday. He has missed only three of 41 field-goal attempts and three of 44 extra points since he joined the team in 2017. Lambo is the only kicker in franchise history to have back-to-back seasons with a field-goal percentage of at […]

Christian Kirk Optimistic For OTAs

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (foot) is optimistic about his chances of participating in organized team activities this spring. The wideout broke his foot in Week 13 against the Packers and finished the year on Injured Reserve after a promising rookie campaign. "I’m feeling great," Kirk told 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Burns & […]

Buster Posey Unrestricted In Camp Wednesday

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey, who had right hip surgery last year, caught bullpen sessions, put in some work in the batting cage and took batting practice on the field without issue on Wednesday in camp. "Really was pretty much a normal day," manager Bruce Bochy said. "Once we get a little closer to […]

Marlins To Mix And Match In Ninth Inning

The Miami Marlins are prepared to play the matchups in the ninth inning this year, but relievers Drew Steckenrider and lefty Adam Conley are the front-runners to split the role. Steckenrider had five saves in his rookie season in 2018 but was mostly used in setup situations. Conley had three saves last year but made […]

Ned Yost Not Defining Closer Role

Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost may not name a specific closer heading into the regular season. "The roles will define themselves over time," Yost said. "My mindset has been [to go with a] closer in the past. Now, I think more in terms of high-leverage situation. When do you use that guy in high […]

Archie Bradley's Finger Issues Behind Him

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley said the cracked-fingernail issue that he dealt with last year isn't an issue any longer. "This nail is solid. I’m throwing some hammers this year. I’m going to have one of the best curveballs in the big leagues this year. It’s nasty," Bradley said. It's unclear if the D-Backs […]

Scott Kingery Looking To Be More Aggressive

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Scott Kingery, who will compete for playing time at third base with Maikel Franco, is looking to be more aggressive early in the count in his second season in the majors. Kingery, who bulked up from 180 pounds last year to 193 pounds this spring, made changes to his swing in the […]