Dexter Fowler Hitting The Ball Harder

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler, who could hit anywhere from second to seventh this year, hit two home runs in the spring game on Thursday against the Yankees and has been making consistent hard contact in camp. He entered Thursday with one extra-base hit in his first 40 spring at-bats, but Fowler has put […]

Matt Carpenter To Play In One More Spring Game

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter, who dealt with back tightness last weekend, plans to play in just one more Grapefruit League game before getting the rest of his at-bats in a minor league setting next week. He plans on being ready for Opening Day next Thursday against Milwaukee. Carpenter had five hits, including three […]

Good News For Greg Bird

New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird was relieved to find out that X-rays and a CT scan on his right elbow came back clean on Friday. Bird was hit by a pitch on his right elbow in a spring game on Wednesday. He did not swing or take ground balls on Friday, but he […]

Clint Frazier Optioned Friday

New York Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday. The 24-year-old played in just 69 games last year (15 in the majors) due to the effects of a concussion, and he hit just .130 over 46 at-bats with two doubles, one triple, five RBI and three stolen bases in 17 Grapefruit […]

Yu Darvish, Pedro Strop On Track For Opener

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (finger) and relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) both threw successful bullpen sessions on Friday and should be ready for the season opener next Thursday. Strop will return to game action either Monday or Tuesday against Boston, which will mark his first outing since March 9. Darvish's next test will […]

Justin Upton, Zack Cozart Should Be Ready

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Upton (knee) and third baseman Zack Cozart (calf) will continue to get extra playing time over the next few days in camp so that they are ready for the season opener next Thursday against the A's. Manager Brad Ausmus thinks both players will avoid the injured list, but the team […]

Shohei Ohtani Completes Final Spring Workout

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) took part in his final spring workout on Friday and will head to Anaheim on Saturday to continue his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The Japanese two-way star threw 55 times on flat ground, including 35 throws from 50 feet, and he also took 10 swings […]

Joey Gallo Homers In Minor League Game

Texas Rangers outfielder Joey Gallo (groin) homered, grounded out and walked twice as the designated hitter in a Triple-A game on Friday after being sidelined since March 14 with a strained right groin. The left-handed slugger said he was pain-free and ran at about 80 percent. Gallo will continue to receive at-bats in minor league […]

Willie Calhoun Yet To Report To Triple-A

Texas Rangers outfielder Willie Calhoun was disappointed to learn he was optioned to Triple-A Nashville and has yet to report to the team. A player has 72 hours to report to a team, according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Calhoun still has a lot of potential at the major league level, but he's going to […]

Brewers, Braves In Mix For Craig Kimbrel

The Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves seem to be the two teams in the mix for free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel with Opening Day next Thursday. The Brewers make even more sense with both relievers Corey Knebel (elbow) and Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) injured and questionable for the start of the season. Atlanta's bullpen is inexperienced and […]

Bradley Zimmer To Start Season On Injured List

Cleveland Indians outfielder Bradley Zimmer continues to advance in his rehab from right shoulder surgery last July, but he will begin the regular season on the injured list. “[Zimmer] has done a terrific job of rehabbing and things,” manager Terry Francona said. “He’s light years ahead of where we thought he’d be at this time. […]

Jason Kipnis Out 7-10 Days With Calf Strain

Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis won't do any baseball activities for seven to 10 days after an MRI exam showed a low-grade right calf strain. He has battled tightness in his right calf for the last week and was taken out of Wednesday's spring game after the pain continued. Eric Stamets had some tightness […]

Francisco Lindor To Start On Injured List

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) will start the season on the injured list. The All-Star has been out since Feb. 6 with a moderate right calf strain but has checked off almost every box in order to get back into major league games. The earliest he can return to the lineup is now April […]

Justin Verlander Seeking Extension Before Season Starts

Houston Astros owner Jim Crane said on Friday that both the Astros and starting pitcher Justin Verlander are talking about a contract, and an extension would likely have to be completed before the club breaks camp for the regular season on Sunday. A two-year deal "for more than $60 million" is possible, according to MLB […]

Chris Sale, Red Sox Agree On Long-Term Extension

Updating a previous report, the Boston Red Sox agreed on a long-term contract extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale on a deal that is believed to span from 2020 to 2024, a source told MLB Network's Ken Rosenthal on Friday. The deal is expected to be worth slightly less than $150 million and is likely […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu To Start On Opening Day

With Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Rich Hill dealing with a strained MCL in his left knee and most likely to open the year on the injured list, Hyun-Jin Ryu will start on Opening Day on March 28 against the Diamondbacks. Ross Stripling will start the second game of the year. The soon-to-be 32-year-old Ryu […]

Red Sox Nearing Extension With Chris Sale

The Boston Red Sox have a framework in place for a long-term extension with starting pitcher Chris Sale, a source confirmed to MLB.com's Ian Browne on Friday. The left-handed ace is entering the final year of his contract in 2019. Since being acquired from the White Sox before the 2017 season, Sale has a 2.56 […]

Grant Lavigne Has Chance To Put Up Gaudy Numbers

Colorado Rockies first baseman Grant Lavigne, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is No. 7 on the top-10 prospect first basemen list and could put up gaudy numbers at hitter-friendly Asheville in his first full professional season in 2019. The New Hampshire product could take more time to develop than others, but he […]

MacKenzie Gore Could Dominate In 2019

San Diego Padres starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 15 overall per MLB Pipeline, only threw 60 2/3 innings over 16 starts for Single-A Fort Wayne last year due to a blister issue in his first full season. The third overall pick in 2017 showed improved velocity this spring and […]

Heliot Ramos Has Impressive Power/Speed Combo

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos, the team's No. 2 prospect and No. 91 overall per MLB Pipeline, hit .245/.313/.396 in 2018 as the youngest regular (18 years old) in the South Atlantic League (Low A). However, he sports an impressive power/speed combination and showed improvement with making contact. For a rebuilding Giants squad looking […]

Kristian Robinson Has Impressive Raw Power

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kristian Robinson, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has an exciting package of tools, including raw power that could make him one of the best sluggers in the minors. He also has plus speed and arm strength and could stick in center field long term. Robinson hit .279/.363/.428 with seven […]

Oneil Cruz Has Enormous Offensive Upside

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz, the team's No. 4 prospect and No. 95 overall per MLB Pipeline, reached double-digit home runs and stolen bases in full-season ball last year after being acquired from the Dodgers in 2017 in the Tony Watson trade. While the 6-foot-6 left-handed hitting shortstop might not stick at the 6 at […]

Cole Roederer Compared To Andrew Benintendi

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cole Roederer, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been compared to Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi and he sports a quick left-handed swing and advanced bat-to-ball skills. The 19-year-old hit .275/.354/.465 with five home runs, 24 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 36 games in the Rookie League in […]

Tristen Lutz One Of Brewers Best Prospects

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Tristen Lutz, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, showed his dynamic bat in his first full season in 2018 with 13 home runs and 33 doubles at Single-A. The No. 34 overall pick in 2017 struck out often, but his solid approach showed he could make adjustments as the season […]

Luis Garcia Could Climb Prospect Lists Quickly

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Luis Garcia, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, won the Gulf Coast League batting title in his professional debut last year to open some eyes. The switch-hitter swings well from both sides of the plate and can add some power, can run and plays good defense. Garcia was signed for […]

Ronny Mauricio Has High Ceiling

New York Mets shortstop Ronny Mauricio, the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned a promotion to the Appalachian League at age 17 last year after slashing .279/.307/.421 with 19 extra-base hits in the Gulf Coast League. He's an athletic shortstop who could also develop a plus hit tool and plus power, and he […]

Steelers To Release Morgan Burnett

The Pittsburgh Steelers informed safety Morgan Burnett that they will release him by April 1 per the player's request, according to his agent, Kevin Conner. Both parties discussed trade possibilities before the release, according to a source. Pittsburgh signed the safety to a three-year, $14.25 million contract last season that included a $4.25 million signing […]

Giants Re-Sign Cody Latimer

The New York Giants re-signed wide receiver Cody Latimer to an undisclosed deal on Friday. Latimer played in the first three games and the last two games of the 2018 season but just one of the 11 games in between in his first season in New York because of injuries. He battled a knee injury […]

Malcolm Brown Will Remain With Rams

The Los Angeles Rams are matching the Detroit Lions offer sheet for restricted free-agent running back Malcolm Brown on Friday. Brown's deal with the Rams is for two years with a $3.3 million base salary, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He'll receive $2.1 million in practice guarantees ($1 million base guaranteed and a $1.1 […]

Hans Crouse Mixes Deception With Stuff

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Hans Crouse, the team's top prospect and No. 84 overall per MLB Pipeline, possesses a riding mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider. He also gets animated on the mound in order to disrupt hitters' timing at the plate. The 20-year-old right-hander posted a 2.47 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in […]