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 […]

Brandon Morrow Throws Wednesday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Morrow (elbow) threw up to 90 feet during workouts on Wednesday. A right elbow injury that kept Morrow out in the second half last year will also keep him out for the first month of the regular season this year. He's hoping to be cleared to play catch daily next […]

Carlos Rodon An Early Favorite For Opening Day

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon is fully healthy and is the early favorite to start on Opening Day in 2019. "You can tell that the psychological burden of being hurt or recovering is gone. He's ready to take that next step in his career now. Knock on wood he looks good. He's in […]

Pirates Cautiously Optimistic About Gregory Polanco

The Pittsburgh Pirates are "cautiously optimistic" about outfielder Gregory Polanco's (shoulder) progress, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Polanco is in the early stages of his throwing program after having surgery on his left shoulder and is "uninhibited" when it comes to swinging. The 27-year-old won't be ready for the start of the season, which […]

Joe Musgrove Not Throwing Full-Intensity Bullpens

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove, who had abdominal surgery last October, isn't throwing full-intensity bullpen sessions yet but is done rehabbing. He also had surgery to heal a stress reaction on the front of his pelvic bone. The Pirates are expected to be conservative with Musgrove's workload this spring. He's thrown off a mound […]

Franmil Reyes Fully Cleared For Workouts

San Diego Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes (knee) has recovered from offseason surgery on a torn meniscus in his right knee and has been fully cleared for workouts, but the Padres might take it slow with the 23-year-old this spring. "Coming back from a knee injury, we might hold him out of some running drills early," […]

Luis Urias To Play Shortstop This Spring

San Diego Padres infield prospect Luis Urias will primarily play shortstop in the early stages of spring training. Urias debuted at the keystone in San Diego last year, but he's seen time at both short and second in the minors and is projected to start at the 6 this year while the Padres wait for […]

Lourdes Gurriel To Move Around Diamond

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Lourdes Gurriel is expected to move around the field this year instead of being limited to shortstop. Third baseman Brandon Drury might also serve in a utility role once prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is called up. Second baseman Devon Travis could also see time in the outfield when Gurriel is playing […]

Teoscar Hernandez, Billy McKinney Battling For Starting Spot

Toronto Blue Jays outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Billy McKinney are battling for the starting job in left field this spring. The two could wind up platooning at the position as well. Hernandez has far more power in his bat, while McKinney offers better defense and contact at the plate. McKinney also hits left-handed, so he […]

Danny Jansen The Favorite To Start At Catcher

Toronto Blue Jays catchers Danny Jansen and Reese McGuire will compete for the starting job in spring training, but Jensen enters with a clear edge after he had an .863 OPS in 88 games for Triple-A Buffalo and a .779 OPS in 31 games for the Blue Jays last year. McGuire is the better defender. […]

Ross Stripling May Pitch In Relief

With Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda in the rotation to begin the year, it could mean that Ross Stripling will begin the season in the bullpen. Stripling made his first All-Star team last year by going 8-6 with a 3.02 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and career-high 10.0 K/9 in 33 outings (21 starts). He […]

Joc Pederson, Alex Verdugo Fighting For Playing Time In Left Field

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielders Joc Pederson and Alex Verdugo will fight for playing time in left field this spring. Both are left-handed hitters and both could see considerable playing time with manager Dave Roberts' penchant for moving his lineup around often. It makes it hard to predict their production if they'll be splitting time and […]

Astros Easing Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman In

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (knee) and third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) will be brought along slowly this spring as a precaution, according to manager A.J. Hinch. Altuve underwent surgery on Oct. 19 to fix a patella avulsion fracture, while Bregman had surgery Jan. 11 to remove bone chips in his elbow. Both players […]

Brad Peacock Throwing Changeup

Houston Astros starting pitcher Brad Peacock, who has bounced around as a starter and reliever in recent seasons, has started using a changeup this year. He discovered the changeup grip of Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman and started experimenting with it. Peacock has primarily been a fastball-slider guy, and his slider wasn't very effective […]

Corey Seager's Recovery Going Well

Los Angeles Dodgers president Andrew Friedman said that shortstop Corey Seager's (elbow, hip) progress is "a best case at this point." Seager is also dairy-free now and has lost around 25 pounds since last year. Despite playing in just 26 games in 2018, Seager is RotoBaller's No. 11 fantasy shortstop. His price is down because […]

Chris Sale Open To Contract Extension

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale is open to discussing a contract extension with the team. The ace left-hander is scheduled to be a free agent after the 2019 season. Sale has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last few seasons, but left shoulder inflammation limited him in the second half […]

Giants Not Ready To Name Closer

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he will not name a closer for a few weeks. Lefty Will Smith was San Fran's best reliever in 2018, posting a 2.55 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 14 saves and 71 K's in 54 outings, but the Giants are excited about the way Mark Melancon is throwing this spring. […]

Maikel Franco, Scott Kingery Competing At Third Base

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said that infielders Maikel Franco and Scott Kingery could compete for playing time at third base this spring. However, everything would change if the team signs free-agent shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado. Franco is the superior fantasy option, but he has disappointed somewhat the last two seasons. The 26-year-old batted .270/.314/.467 […]