Le'Veon Bell's Trainer Refutes Weight-Gain Reports

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent running back Le'Veon Bell's trainer responded to "ridiculous" speculation about Bell's shape by pointing out that he is feeling better in February than guys who played in 2018. "He’s going to be the same Le'Veon Bell — only better, quicker and faster," Bell's trainer said. Bell sat out all of the […]

Jonathan Villar Likely To Stay At Second Base

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Villar is likely to spend most of his time at second base in 2019, with former All-Star Alcides Escobar the favorite to play shortstop. Escobar, 32, was signed to a minor league deal but will most likely make the team if he stays healthy. Villar played 36 games at second […]

Jed Lowrie's MRI Shows No Structural Damage

The MRI exam on New York Mets third baseman Jed Lowrie's sore left knee showed no structural damage on Thursday, according to general manager Brodie Van Wagenen. The GM said the Mets will be cautious with Lowrie and "bring him along slowly." Lowrie first felt soreness while running and it bothered him while doing "high-explosive" […]

Mets, Jacob deGrom's Agents To Meet About Extension

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom's agents, Jeff Berry and Matt Ricatto, and general manager Brodie Van Wagenen will meet in Florida, according to a source. deGrom set a deadline of Opening Day for the team to agree to a long-term contract extension with him. As of last week, deGrom said the Mets had […]

Ross Stripling Going Back To Windup

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling will go back to a windup in his delivery full time in 2019 after abandoning it after the spring of 2017. "I think the reason you bring it back, it gives you a little more rhythm and it gives hitters a different timing. Out of the stretch, it’s easy […]

Clayton Kershaw Frustrated After Bullpen Session

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was given the day off on Thursday by manager Dave Roberts after he was discouraged with the way he was feeling during a bullpen on Wednesday. The ace lefty also wasn't happy with his live batting practice on Monday. Roberts said Kershaw didn't mention a specific injury and […]

White Sox Not Bidding On Bryce Harper

The Chicago White Sox will not bid on free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper, according to a source. The White Sox also lost out on their primary target on Tuesday when Manny Machado agreed to a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres. Harper, a six-time All-Star and 2015 National League MVP, is expected to command a […]

Jorge Soler Says He's Fully Healthy

Kansas City Royals outfielder Jorge Soler (foot) showed up healthy and ready to go in camp this week. He was hitting .265 with 18 doubles, nine home runs and 28 RBI in mid-June last year when he fractured the first metatarsal bone in his left foot and missed the rest of the season. Soler (27 […]

Mike Soroka Won't Pitch In Early Spring Games

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that starting pitcher Mike Soroka (shoulder) will not pitch in early spring training games. The young hurler finished last year on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation and will be brought along slowly. The good news is the 21-year-old doesn't have any limitations, but the team is just being […]

Sean Manaea Ahead Of Schedule

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea (shoulder) continues to play catch as he begins his throwing program and is well ahead of schedule of where he was initially projected after his shoulder injury was diagnosed last year. There's still no guarantee that Manaea will even pitch in 2019, but it's looking more likely that he'll […]

Cardinals Easing Andrew Miller Into Spring Action

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt said he doesn't think relief pitcher Andrew Miller will pitch in the first couple of Grapefruit League games this weekend. Given the knee issues the left-hander dealt with last year, the Cardinals are also being careful with him in fielding drills in camp. So far Miller's knee and arm […]

Kyle Gibson Being Eased Into Spring Action

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Kyle Gibson (illness) may not appear in a spring training game for another week or so as the team brings him along slowly after his bout with E. coli last month. Gibson should be just fine for Opening Day. The 31-year-old right-hander had his best season in the majors in 2018, […]

Miguel Sano Cleared For Light Activity

Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano (foot) has been cleared for "light activity" in camp. Sano is dealing with a minor laceration on his foot, but he'll be fine for Opening Day. The 25-year-old dealt with an injury last year and was also demoted to the minors, hitting just .199/.281/.398 with 13 home runs and […]

Bengals Hire Lou Anarumo As Defensive Coordinator

The Cincinnati Bengals hired New York Giants defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo as their next defensive coordinator on Thursday. New head coach Zac Taylor and Anarumo worked together in their time with the Dolphins. Anarumo has only been a coordinator on an interim basis with Miami, so this will be his first full-time gig as […]

Steelers GM Supports Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said he supports quarterback Ben Roethlisberger 100 percent as the team's unquestioned leader amid criticism from disgruntled receiver Antonio Brown. "I have no problem with him. He can call me out and that’s fine. What he does I totally respect because I’ve seen him too many times win games […]

Jed Lowrie Undergoing MRI

New York Mets third baseman Jed Lowrie (knee) is not at camp on Thursday and is in New York getting an MRI exam on his sore left knee. The team is awaiting the results. It could be nothing serious but it could also be something that would put him in danger of missing the start […]

Odubel Herrera Looks To Be Fine

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera (hamstring) took batting practice and threw long toss on Thursday, and manager Gabe Kapler said Herrera is penciled in to play in the third or fourth Grapefruit League game next week. Herrera tweaked his leg running the bases this week, but it doesn't seem to be very serious. Barring any […]

Carlos Hyde Likely To Be Cut

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Carlos Hyde is likely to be cut this offseason, as Hays Carlyon projects there's an 80 percent chance of that happening. The Jags would save $4.75 million if they were to release him. Hyde didn't do much at all after the team gave up a fifth-round pick for him in the […]

Antonio Callaway's Marijuana Charge Dismissed

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway had his marijuana charge dropped on Thursday, according to his lawyer Kevin Spellacy. Callaway pleaded guilty to speeding on Oct. 14 in a hearing on Jan. 25. He paid $911 in fines and court costs and received one year of monitored probation for driving with a suspended license. The […]

Twins Discussing Deal With Marwin Gonzalez

The Minnesota Twins are discussing parameters of a three-year deal with free-agent infielder Marwin Gonzalez on Thursday, according to multiple baseball sources. The soon-to-be 30-year-old can play pretty much all over the infield and anywhere in the outfield, which makes him extremely valuable to a lot of clubs looking to make a late addition before […]

Phillies Confident They'll Land Bryce Harper

The Philadelphia Phillies are confident that they will eventually sign free-agent outfielder Bryce Harper and have ramped up negotiations after being motivated after losing out on shortstop Manny Machado, according to a source. The Phillies weren't prepared to give $300 million to Machado, but Harper and his agent, Scott Boras, are likely to want to […]

Ryan Brasier Returns To Camp

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Ryan Brasier, who is dealing with an infected right little toe, has returned to camp and is hoping to resume workouts soon. It's not exactly clear what is wrong with his toe, but it doesn't appear to be too serious. Brasier, along with Matt Barnes, are the favorites for closing […]

Chris Archer, Joe Musgrove Expected To Be Ready

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitchers Chris Archer and Joe Musgrove are "on target to begin the season healthy" after they both underwent core/abdominal surgery early in the offseason, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Archer threw live batting practice on Wednesday, while Musgrove threw a bullpen. Musgrove is scheduled to pitch in the team's […]

Gregory Polanco Looking Strong And Healthy

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) is looking strong and healthy while working in the batting cages at camp and is hitting the ball with authority during batting practice. He's currently swinging the bat "without any reservations and restrictions," according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. However, Polanco is still working through a throwing […]

Noah Syndergaard Not Worried About Extension

New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal in January to cover his second year or arbitration eligibility, said he's not in any rush to sign a long-term contract extension. "I trust my ability and the talent that I have. So I feel like I'm going to bet (on) […]

Anthony Rendon Not Putting Deadline On Extension Talks

Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is in the final year of his current deal in 2019, isn't putting a firm deadline on contract-extension talks. The Nationals expect talks to resume this spring once Bryce Harper's free agency is resolved. "We can talk as much you want, I’m all ears," Rendon said. "I’m a […]

Nationals Encouraging Trea Turner To Run More

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez has told shortstop Trea Turner that he wants him to attempt more stolen bases this year. Martinez thinks if Turner "attempts 75-80, we'll be in great shape." Only nine players have attempted at least 75 stolen bases in a season over the last decade and only four (Juan Pierre, Dee […]

Dodgers Slow-Playing Walker Buehler

The Los Angeles Dodgers are slow-playing starting pitcher Walker Buehler in spring training after his spike in innings last season. As a result, he's about a week behind the other starters in camp who are already throwing live batting practice in preparation for games that start this weekend. Buehler expects to throw one or two […]

Troy Tulowitzki Expected To Make Spring Debut Early Next Week

New York Yankees shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut at home on Monday or Tuesday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The Yankees are easing Tulo in this spring because he has played in just 66 games the last two seasons due to injuries. The 34-year-old was one of the better […]

Greg Bird Packs On Weight

New York Yankees first baseman Greg Bird added around 20 pounds this offseason, mostly by making changes to his diet. Manager Aaron Boone said there is a "noticeable difference" in Bird's swing quality and believes the first baseman will benefit from the added weight. Bird has yet to capitalize on his potential and hit just […]