Aaron Nola To Start On Opening Day

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said starting pitcher Aaron Nola will start on Opening Day on March 28 against the Braves. Nola proved he's at the cream of the pitching crop last year by going 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 224 K's in 212 1/3 innings across 33 starts. He's RotoBaller's No. […]

Joe Musgrove To Throw Sim Game Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said that starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (abdomen) is scheduled for a three-inning simulated game on Saturday. Musgrove, who has yet to pitch in a spring game, will then throw four innings against the Rays on March 15. The right-hander has yet to post an ERA under 4.06 in his three […]

Ryan Braun's Revamped Swing Paying Dividends?

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun said that his improved swing is already paying dividends in batting practice in spring training. The 35-year-old is mostly a late-round target in mixed leagues because of injury concerns. He says he's hitting the ball further in batting practice and hopes it carries over to games. Braun hit .254 with […]

Alex Wood Throws Simulated Game

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alex Wood (back) passed a test when he threw a two-inning simulated game against minor leaguers on Friday. He hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since Feb. 25 due to a sore lower back. The left-hander said he felt good and hopes to make his next spring start. Manager David […]

A.J. Minter Should Be Ready For Opening Day

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter said he's no longer bothered by left shoulder tightness after he was in a fender bender last week. The left-hander hasn't been cleared to resume throwing off a mound, but manager Brian Snitker thinks the reliever will be ready by Opening Day. Minter was great last year (3.23 ERA, […]

Kevin Gausman Makes Spring Debut

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (shoulder) allowed four hits and three earned runs to the Phillies in 1 1/3 innings in his Grapefruit League debut on Friday. Gausman fought shoulder fatigue last year and again in the first week of spring training. He was happy with the way his arm felt and is confident […]

Victor Robles Stays Hot In Spring Training

Washington Nationals outfielder Victor Robles reached base three times in the spring game against the Cardinals on Friday with two hits and a walk to raise his average to .381. The 21-year-old is ranked No. 4 on MLB Pipeline and is fighting for playing time this year in center field with Michael Taylor. Robles hit […]

Masahiro Tanaka The Front-Runner To Start Opening Day

New York Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka is likely to be the team's Opening Day starter with Luis Severino (shoulder) injured. It would be Tanaka's fourth career Opening Day assignment. The right-hander went 12-6 with a 3.75 ERA and a complete game in 27 starts for the Yankees last year, ranking seventh among American League […]

Odubel Herrera, Cesar Hernandez Expected To Be Ready

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera (hamstring) and second baseman Cesar Hernandez (hip) are both expected to be ready for Opening Day, according to manager Gabe Kapler. Herrera is dealing with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and is expected to run on Saturday. Hernandez has a strained right hip flexor and took live batting practice […]

Patriots Trading For Michael Bennett

The New England Patriots are working on a trade to acquire Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. New England will send a 2020 fifth-round pick to the Eagles for Bennett and a 2020 seventh-round selection. Bennett will make $7.2 million in 2019 and $8 million in 2020. The 33-year-old […]

Mark Trumbo May Be In Danger Of Missing Opening Day

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo, who tested his surgically repaired right knee during running drills on Friday, may not be ready to play in spring games by his original target date of March 12. "I’m not trying to cram in his rehab to try to make it on that day," manager Brandon Hyde said. "I […]

Mets, Michael Conforto Open To Extension Talks

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen both said they were open to discussing a long-term contract extension on Friday, although there haven't been talks between the two sides. "I would love to explore it," Conforto said. "I’m all ears to anything. I really enjoy playing here, so I’m all […]

Aaron Hicks Still Has Lower Back Pain

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the team will keep outfielder Aaron Hicks (back) out through the March 11 off day, as the outfielder is still experiencing lower back pain. The Yankees are being cautious, but it's another reminder that Hicks is a big injury risk despite all of the things that make him […]

Justin Verlander Named Opening Day Starter

Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch named starting pitcher Justin Verlander as the team's Opening Day starter for March 28 against the Rays. Gerrit Cole will go in Game 2. Verlander, 36, has been rejuvenated in Houston and went 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 290 K's in 214 innings (34 starts) in 2018. […]

Daniel Palka Slowly Getting Back To Action

Chicago White Sox outfielder Daniel Palka (hamstring) struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning against the Brewers on Thursday, and manager Rick Renteria plans to use him at designated hitter gradually after he left early with a tight left hamstring on Feb. 24 against the Padres. Palka hit just .240 in 124 games […]

Luis Robert Improving From Jammed Thumb

Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Luis Robert is improving from the jammed left thumb he suffered in an intrasquad game last Saturday. He took regular batting practice on Thursday and is hoping to return to action on Friday. Robert will wear protective gear under his glove in the field and on the basepaths. The Cuban […]

Michael Kopech Progressing In Throwing Program

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Michael Kopech (elbow) is throwing Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is making around 35 throws at 60 feet. His next step will be 75 feet and then to 90 and 120 feet. The team's No. 4 prospect and No. 18 overall per MLB Pipeline is recovering from Tommy John surgery […]

Jose Altuve Says He's Fine

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve said he's fine after being scratched from the lineup on Thursday with general side soreness. The Astros were likely just being extra cautious with their star second baseman. The 28-year-old dealt with knee issues last year and hit .316 with 13 home runs, 61 RBI and 17 stolen bases. […]

Jaguars Release Carlos Hyde, Malik Jackson

The Jacksonville Jaguars released running back Carlos Hyde and defensive tackle Malik Jackson on Friday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Jags traded for Hyde last year as depth for Leonard Fournette, and he ran for 411 yards and five touchdowns on 120 touches. Hyde won't count against the salary cap and the team […]

Jimmy Nelson To Make Spring Debut Monday

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) will make his Cactus League debut by throwing an inning against the White Sox on Monday. Nelson came out of his simulated game without any issues on Thursday. The right-hander was excellent for Milwaukee in 2017 before suffering the shoulder injury that kept him out all of last […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Having Wisdom Teeth Removed

San Diego Padres shortstop prospect Fernando Tatis Jr. will miss a couple days in spring training after having his wisdom teeth removed. Tatis is MLB Pipeline's No. 2 overall prospect entering the 2019 season, and he has lived up to the expectations so far in spring training. If he continues to impress, the Padres will […]

Shohei Ohtani Throwing On Friday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is throwing on Friday, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Ohtani will be brought along slowly after having Tommy John surgery last October and won't pitch at all in 2019. The Angels are hoping he can still be their primary DH, though, beginning sometime in May. He […]

Mark Trumbo Doing Some Running Friday

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Mark Trumbo (knee) is doing some running in camp on Friday. Trumbo played in just 90 games last year before having knee surgery. The 33-year-old hit .261/.313/.452 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI in his 330 at-bats for the O's. It's been all downhill since he slugged a career-high 47 round-trippers […]

Chris Davis Undergoes MRI

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis underwent an MRI on his hip on Friday. It remains to be seen if this is a serious injury that could keep Davis out for the start of the season. The left-handed slugger still has plenty of power to spare, but he hit an embarrassing .168 with only 16 […]

Carlos Martinez 5-7 Days From Throwing

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (shoulder) is still five to seven days away from throwing, and his chances of being ready for Opening Day are shrinking. Martinez dealt with arm issues last year that caused him to be moved to the bullpen late in the season. With St. Louis having plenty of rotation […]

Jorge Alfaro Dealing With Knee Inflammation

Miami Marlins catcher Jorge Alfaro was told by a doctor to rest his knee after being diagnosed with inflammation in his knee. Alfaro's injury doesn't sound too serious, so he shouldn't be in danger of missing Opening Day. In his first full season in the majors with the Phillies he hit .262 with 10 long […]

Yadier Molina Making Spring Debut Friday

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (knee) is making his Grapefruit League debut as the designated hitter on Friday. Molina should be ready to go for Opening Day despite having knee surgery last year. He hit .261 with 20 home runs and 74 RBI in just 123 games. Molina will turn 37 in July and […]

Browns Acquire Olivier Vernon From Giants

The Cleveland Browns acquired defensive end Olivier Vernon and the No. 132 overall pick (fourth round) from the New York Giants on Friday in exchange for offensive guard Kevin Zeitler and the No. 155 overall pick (fifth round), according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. Zeitler has been one of the better guards […]

Bills Out On Antonio Brown Trade

The Buffalo Bills are now saying they are out on trade talks for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown after they were in intense talks for the star wideout on Thursday night, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Bills general manager Brandon Beane said the team has moved on from Brown and is focused on […]

Maurkice Pouncey Becomes Highest-Paid Center

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed center Maurkice Pouncey to an extension through the 2021 season on Thursday for an average of $11 million per year, making him the highest-paid center in the league. The 29-year-old has been a foundation on the team's offensive line since he was the 18th overall pick in the 2010 draft. Pouncey […]