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 […]

Jets Expected To Move On From Isaiah Crowell

New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell is not expected to return after the team signs a free-agent running back next month. He has $2 million fully guaranteed if he's on the roster by the third day of the new league year (March 15), so he'll likely be cut by then. Crowell just turned 26 […]

Mike Minor The Favorite To Start On Opening Day

Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward hasn't officially announced the team's Opening Day starter, but he made it clear that starting pitcher Mike Minor is the favorite. "He is our best pitcher," Woodward said. Texas will be facing the dangerous Cubs at home in the opener, so Minor won't be an attractive streamer for that one […]

Nick Tropeano Suffers Setback With Shoulder

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Nick Tropeano (shoulder) said he had a setback with his right shoulder in December and just recently resumed light throwing. That means he's unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after initially being a candidate for a rotation spot. The 28-year-old also missed all of the 2017 season due to […]

Broncos To Shop Case Keenum

The Denver Broncos will shop quarterback Case Keenum on the trade market after agreeing to acquire Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday, according to a source. Keenum is guaranteed $7 million this year. If they can't find a taker for him, they could release him, which would mean clearing up $11 million in […]

Jordan Montgomery Has Been Throwing

New York Yankees starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery (elbow) said he is making 50 throws at 90 feet and has been doing that for around three weeks. He'll throw off a mound next month and is aiming to return to big league action after the All-Star break after he had Tommy John surgery last June. The […]

Yankees Having Extension Talks With Luis Severino

The New York Yankees and starting pitcher Luis Severino have engaged in contract talks, but no deal is close yet. Severino's salary arbitration has yet to be heard. The rising right-hander requested $5.25 million for the 2019 season, while the Yanks are offering $4.4 million. The soon-to-be 25-year-old has big upside as one of the […]

A.J. Puk, Jharel Cotton Progressing

Oakland Athletics starting pitchers A.J. Puk (elbow) and Jharel Cotton (elbow), who are both rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, both took the mound for bullpen sessions in camp on Tuesday. They both threw at roughly 70 percent effort level as they gradually rebuild strength in their arms. Both pitchers are expected to be ready around […]

Alex Reyes To Throw Bullpen Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Alex Reyes (shoulder) passed his physical at camp on Wednesday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session. One of St. Louis' top pitching prospects for the last several seasons, Reyes has monumental upside but hasn't been able to stay healthy. He missed all of the 2017 season due to […]

Carlos Martinez Could Pitch In Relief Again

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez, who saw action as the closer late last year, could be moved to a relief role again in 2019. Pitching coach Mike Maddux said he "liked him out of the bullpen a lot." Martinez is slated for a rotation role right now, but the Cardinals have flexibility with […]

A's Signing Robbie Grossman

The Oakland Athletics are signing free-agent outfielder Robbie Grossman to an undisclosed one-year deal on Wednesday, according to a source. Grossman hit .273/.367/.384 with five home runs and 48 RBI in his final season with the Twins last year in 129 games. At best, the switch-hitter figures to be in a platoon role in Oakland's […]

Steelers Won't Trade Antonio Brown Within Division

The Pittsburgh Steelers will not trade wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Ravens, Browns, Bengals or Patriots. Most teams are hesitant to trade a star player within their division, so this isn't a surprise. The Patriots continue to dominate the league, so it also makes sense why the Steelers wouldn't want to help them as […]