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 […]

Jacoby Ellsbury Won't Join Team Until March

New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (hip, foot) isn't expected to join the team in spring training until March after having issues with plantar fasciitis while rehabbing from hip surgery, according to manager Aaron Boone. The 35-year-old just cannot stay healthy as he ages. Ellsbury didn't play at all in 2018 and played in only […]

Jake Arrieta Had Knee Surgery Weeks Ago

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jake Arrieta underwent knee surgery a couple weeks ago, according to manager Gabe Kapler. The meniscus injury he was dealing with was suffered during the offseason while he was weight training. However, the Phillies expect him to be ready for the start of the season. It's not what you want to […]

Alex Wood Wins Arbitration Case Against Reds

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alex Wood won his salary arbitration case and will receive $9.65 million in 2019 instead of the $8.7 million that the Reds offered. Wood came over in a trade from the Dodgers in the offseason and will be guaranteed a rotation spot with a weaker team in a very hitter-friendly park. […]

Trevor Bauer To Make $13 Million In 2019

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer won his salary arbitration case and will make $13 million in 2019 instead of the $11 million the Indians offered. Bauer's Cy Young season was interrupted by a fractured leg in the second half, but it was still an all-out success in 2018 in what was his breakout year. […]

Gerrit Cole Wins Arbitration Case

Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole won his salary arbitration case and will make $13.5 million this year instead of the $11.425 million the Astros offered. Cole had a huge bounce-back season in his first year in Houston and was one of the best pitchers in baseball, going 15-5 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP […]

Jason Vargas Is Mets Fifth Starter

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said that starting pitcher Jason Vargas will be the team's fifth starter to open the 2019 season. The 36-year-old lefty had a pretty ugly year in his first year in New York, going 7-9 with a bloated 5.77 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 8.2 K/9 in 92 innings (20 starts). […]

2019 To Be CC Sabathia's Final Season

New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia will announce at a press conference on Saturday that the 2019 season will be his last. The left-hander will turn 39 in late July and isn't the dominant strikeout guy he was earlier in this career, but he was serviceable for the Yankees in 2018 by going 9-7 […]

Red Sox Still Unlikely To Re-Sign Craig Kimbrel

The Boston Red Sox remain steadfast that they will not have a "big expenditure at the closer position," even on a short-term deal, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. That means it remains unlikely that Boston will re-sign closer Craig Kimbrel for 2019. Boston will likely use an "internal" option for the ninth […]

Padres Being Aggressive On Manny Machado

The San Diego Padres have been very aggressive in their pursuit of free-agent shortstop Manny Machado, but he doesn't know if he wants to play there, according to sources. Some of his representatives are pushing for a shorter deal with the Yankees. The Phillies and White Sox are also in on him. San Diego is […]

Tight End A Priority For Lions

The Detroit Lions are determined to make the tight end position a priority in 2019 after whiffing on their free-agent targets last year and seeing Eric Ebron finish second in the NFL in touchdowns (13) with the Colts after they released him. "This is a position of need," general manager Bob Quinn said. "We know […]