Rangers Sign Edinson Volquez

The Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a minor league deal with free-agent starting pitcher Edinison Volquez. The deal includes an invite to spring training and is for 2018 and 2019. Volquez managed to throw a no-hitter in 2017 before he had season-ending Tommy John surgery in August. He'll turn 35 years old in July […]

Splint Will Remain On Travis Wood's Hand

Updating a previous report, the splint will remain on Detroit Tigers pitcher Travis Wood's right index finger, and manager Ron Gardenhire said it will be a while before Wood can catch a baseball. While the injury is to his non-throwing hand, it doesn't help his chances of winning a roster spot. The veteran southpaw can […]

Amari Cooper Struggled With Injuries In 2017

Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr said that wide receiver Amari Cooper fought through injuries all of last season. "He would never say it to you but I'll say it to you to have his back. That man was out there giving anything he could and honestly, a lot of guys probably wouldn't have played with […]

Panthers Won't Stop Cam Newton From Running

Carolina Panthers quarterbacks coach Scott Turner, the son of offensive coodinator Norv Turner, said the team won't keep quarterback Cam Newton from running. “He’s going to run – that’s what makes him the dynamic player he is – but also making the throws in the pocket, going through his reads. All of those things come […]

Brandon Maurer Loses In Arbitration

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer lost his salary arbitration case and will make $2.95 million this year instead of the $3.5 million he requested. Maurer was effective in the ninth-inning role with the Padres early last year, but he struggled mightily in a setup role after being traded to the Royals in the […]

Dan Straily Loses Arbitration Case

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Straily lost his salary arbitration case and will make $3.37 million this year. He had requested $3.55 million. Straily was the Marlins best pitcher in 2017, and he posted a career-high 8.4 K/9 and dropped his walk rate. Allowing home runs was his weakness, but he can remain a fantasy […]

A.J. Cole Could Have Upper Hand On Fifth Rotation Spot

Washington Nationals starting pitcher A.J. Cole has "the upper hand" on the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation if he does what he's capable of, according to manager Dave Martinez. Cole's main competitors for the final rotation spot will be veteran Edwin Jackson and Erick Fedde. Cole was decent in 2017, posting a 3.80 […]

Adam Eaton, Daniel Murphy On Target

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said outfielder Adam Eaton (knee) and second baseman Daniel Murphy (knee) are "right on target" with their rehab. The goal is for both to be ready for Opening Day. A torn ACL cost Eaton the majority of last season, but he should return as the starting center fielder for the […]

Aaron Judge Or Giancarlo Stanton To Hit Second

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he "definitely" sees outfielders Giancarlo Stanton or Aaron Judge hitting second this year. Stanton and Judge are two of the most elite power hitters in the game, and they'll likely hit second and third, in either order. Both are early-round targets with monster potential hitting next to each […]

Markus Wheaton Unlikely To Return

Chicago Bears wide receiver Markus Wheaton, who was a free-agent bust, is expected to be released by the team this offseason. Kevin White is under contract and the Bears are expected to tender a contract to Cameron Meredith if he's recovered from a torn ACL. Wheaton couldn't stay healthy, battling injuries to his shoulder, appendix, […]

AJ McCarron An Option For Browns

Free-agent quarterback AJ McCarron, who won his grievance with the Bengals and the NFL, is expected to be a real option for the Cleveland Browns, especially after head coach Hue Jackson tried to trade for McCarron at last year's trade deadline. McCarron started four games when Jackson was the offensive coordinator for the Bengals and […]

Travis Wood Undergoing X-Rays

Detroit Tigers pitcher Travis Wood (finger) is undergoing X-rays on his broken right index finger Friday, and he may get his splint off if it has healed properly. Wood will be a swingman for a rebuilding Tigers team, and he should have plenty of time to heal before the start of the regular season, especially […]

No Restrictions For Nate Karns

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Nate Karns (shoulder) said he won't have any restrictions this spring after having season-ending surgery to fix thoracic outlet syndrome last summer. He finished the season going 2-2 with a 4.16 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in eight starts for the Royals. The 30-year-old has faded a bit the last two […]

Gerardo Parra Has Surgery Friday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra (hand) underwent surgery to remove a broken hook of his hamate bone in his right hand Friday. He's expected to return to action around March 8-10. Parra should have time to get ready for Opening Day with that timetable, but if he suffers any setbacks, it could open the door […]

Zach Britton Moved To Disabled List

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton (Achilles) was placed on the 60-day disabled list Friday. Britton had surgery on his right Achilles and is expected to miss the first half of the season, although he is ahead of schedule in his rehab. A top fantasy closer in recent seasons, Britton fell off a bit in 2017 […]

Hanley Ramirez Feels Fantastic

Boston Red Sox first baseman/designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) said he feels "fantastic" and that throwing won't be a problem for him this year. Han-Ram continued his downfall in 2017, hitting .241 with 23 home runs and 62 RBI in 133 games, but his shoulder injury might've been the main culprit. Ramirez was also terrible […]

Albert Pujols Looking Leaner

Los Angeles Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols said he lost 12 to 15 pounds in the offseason, and he's looking lean and strong. He's looking forward to playing more first base in 2018. Pujols managed to hit 23 home runs and drive in 101 runs, but the Machine will turn 38 years old this […]

Alex Wood Undergoing X-Rays

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (ankle) will undergo X-rays on his right ankle and will not take part in workouts Friday. Wood had an excellent first half in 2017, going 11-0 with a 1.56 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, but he predictably struggled a bit more in the second half with a 3.89 ERA […]

Corey Seager's Elbow Issues A Thing Of The Past

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (elbow) said his elbow held up well during offseason throwing exercises, but he has yet to throw past 100 feet. His nagging injuries didn't really slow him in 2017, as Seager hit .295 with 22 home runs, 77 RBI and a .375 on-base percentage in 145 games. He's become […]

Stephen Vogt Not Guaranteed A Roster Spot

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said catcher Stephen Vogt isn't guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster over catchers Manny Pina and Jett Bandy. "Stephen, we brought him back, signed him to a contract, but I think he's got something to prove, and that will be part of his camp," Counsell said. Pina and […]

Jon Gruden Hoping Marshawn Lynch Returns

Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden said that running back Marshawn Lynch is currently "our leading ball carrier. He's our back, and we're counting on him." Gruden further went on, saying, "Hopefully we get an opportunity to work together. that’s a man that has a lot of respect in this league as a player […]

Tim Lincecum Looks Improved In Showcase

Free-agent starting pitcher Tim Lincecum looked improved from two years ago during his showcase for scouts on Thursday, and he was reportedly throwing 90-93 mph with his fastball in front of 25 to 30 scouts for at least 15 teams. Lincecum appears to be in good shape, so he'll probably at least sign a minor […]

Derek Wolfe Feeling Better After Surgery

Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe (neck) underwent offseason surgery to fix a nerve issue in his neck that had been bothering him for two years, and he said he feels much better. The foraminotomy surgery completely took away the nerve pain that caused him to miss two games in 2016 and the final five […]

Cliff Pennington Signs With Reds

The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent infielder Cliff Pennington to a split contract. He'll receive $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster. The 33-year-old switch-hitter can play all over the infield, but mainly profiles as middle infield depth for the Reds in what could be a utility role. He hit just .253 with three […]

Phillies Trying Roman Quinn At Shortstop

The Philadelphia Phillies are giving outfield prospect Roman Quinn a try at shortstop at camp, despite the fact that he hasn't played there since 2014 and amassed 61 errors in 149 games in the low minors at the position. The Phillies value positional versatility, and if Quinn can prove adequate on the infield, it will […]

Juan Lagares Expected To Open Season As Starting Center Fielder

New York Mets outfielder Juan Lagares is unlikely to be traded, and the Mets are expecting him to open the season as the everyday center fielder with Michael Conforto (shoulder) sidelined. Lagares continues to see major league playing time because he's an excellent defender. You can't say much about his bat, though. Lagares has zero […]

Brandon Finnegan Heads Into Camp Healthy

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan (shoulders) had surgery on his left shoulder and also had surgery on his right shoulder to repair a torn labrum last July, but he's reporting to spring camp this year completely healthy. The left-hander tossed seven shutout innings against the Phillies in his first start last year, but it […]

Nick Senzel Working At Second Base And Shortstop

Cincinnati Reds third base prospect Nick Senzel arrived to the team's spring complex about a month early, and their No. 1 ranked prospect and No. 7 prospect in all of baseball has been working diligently at second base and shortstop. The 22-year-old has worked exclusively at third base since he was selected second overall in […]

Raiders Won't Bring Sebastian Janikowski Back

The Oakland Raiders have informed place kicker Sebastian Janikowski that they will not bring him back for the 2018 season, according to a source. His 18-year run with the Raiders will come to an end. One of the best and strongest-legged kicker in the NFL during his prime, Janikowski missed all of last season with […]

Rick Dennison Hired As Run-Game Coordinator

The New York Jets hired rick Dennison as their offensive line coach and run-game coordinator. The team also officially announced Jeremy Bates as the new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and Steve Jackson as an assistant defensive backs coach. Dennison and the Buffalo running game was a disappointment in 2017 in his lone year there, […]