Could Craig Kimbrel Hold Out Until Midseason?

There is a possibility that free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel and his agent, David Meter, consider holding out until after the MLB draft in June. Kimbrel would then shed the draft-pick compensation attached to him after he rejected the Red Sox's one-year, $17.9 million qualifying offer last fall. Contenders might be more interested in giving Kimbrel […]

Dante Fowler Returning To Rams

The Los Angeles Rams re-signed edge rusher Dante Fowler to a one-year deal worth $14 million, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Rams acquired Fowler via a trade from the Jaguars, and he ended up being an important piece in their run to the Super Bowl. Fowler will receive $12 million in guarantees […]

Corey Dickerson Day-To-Day

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Corey Dickerson is listed as day-to-day after tweaking his right ankle on a slide at second base in the third inning of a spring game on Saturday. He doesn't expect to be sidelined for long. The 29-year-old hit a cool .300/.330/.474 with 13 home runs and 55 RBI in 135 games in […]

DJ LeMahieu To Get Time At First Base

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu is working on expanding his skill set and is set to play first base in a spring game early next week. LeMahieu is expected to be the backup to either Greg Bird or Luke Voit at first this year, even though the 30-year-old has only played 13 innings at […]

Kyle Seager Injured Friday Night

Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager (hand) was taken out of the spring game early on Friday after he injured his glove hand while diving for a ball. Seager said he came out of the game as a precaution, so this injury seems to be very minor. The 31-year-old disappointed last year by hitting just […]

Jameis Winston Wants DeSean Jackson Back

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston said he wants wide receiver DeSean Jackson back in 2019. "He's still one of the best deep-threat targets in the NFL," Winston said Friday on NFL Total Access, "and I hope he comes back." D-Jax had three touchdowns and three 100-yard games in the first four games of 2018, […]

Dolphins Release Danny Amendola

The Miami Dolphins released wide receiver Danny Amendola on Friday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 33-year-old veteran lasted just one year in Miami and caught 59 passes for 575 yards and one touchdown in 15 games. Miami will save $6 million by releasing Amendola, and he won't count for anything on the […]

Eric Weddle Agrees With Rams

The Los Angeles Rams agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $12.5 million with free-agent safety Eric Weddle on Friday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Weddle will have a $10.5 million salary. Weddle will help replace Lamarcus Joyner, who will head to free agency after receiving the franchise tag in 2018. The […]

Luis Severino Receives Injection Friday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (shoulder) received a pain-killing injection on Friday and said he no longer has pain when lifting his arm. Severino has been shut down from throwing for the time being and is now likely to begin the year on the disabled list. It hurts his fantasy value slightly, but […]

Jeff McNeil To Split Time Between Outfield, Infield

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that infielder Jeff McNeil will work 50/50 in the outfield and infield for the rest of spring training. McNeil is expected to see most of his time in left field in 2019, but he might be needed on the infield to start the season with both Todd Frazier […]

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 […]