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 […]

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. […]