Rob Gronkowski Will Continue To Contemplate Retirement

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is expected to continue to consider retirement. “Weeks before [the AFC Championship game,] Gronkowski was telling people around him the toll on his body was making him lean toward the potential that this was his last season,” ESPN’s Jeff Darlington reported on SportsCenter last week. “This is a […]

Scott Kazmir Says He's Fully Healthy

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Scott Kazmir, 34, said he's fully healthy and is ready to surprise people in 2018. The former three-time All-Star left-hander is determined to win a spot in the starting rotation this spring. He'll be competing with young pitchers Luiz Gohara, Max Fried and Sean Newcomb for the final two spots in […]

Rays To Open Season With Four-Man Rotation

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the team will open the year with a four-man rotation that will last until mid-May, which means starting pitcher Matt Andriese will work out of the bullpen in a mult-inning role to begin the season. This isn't good for Andriese to begin the year, but the trade of […]

Guillermo Heredia Could Be Cleared Monday

Seattle Mariners outfielder Guillermo Heredia (shoulder) is set to meet with doctors Monday and could be cleared for full participation in camp. Heredia should be fine for Opening Day unless he has a setback. He has very minimal power, though, and hits way too many groundballs. Heredia also isn't much of a threat to steal […]

Erasmo Ramirez Shut Down For Two Weeks

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (lat) is dealing with a minor lat strain and has been shut down for two weeks. Ramirez has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day, but this isn't a good start for the right-hander. Ramirez pitched well in the rotation as he returned to his former team, […]

Yasmani Grandal Expected To Be Primary Catcher

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is expected to see the majority of playing time behind the dish in 2018 over Austin Barnes, according to manager Dave Roberts. "Yasmani obviously had more opportunities, more at-bats, more playing time [in 2017]— and I see that again," Roberts said. "But Austin has earned the right to get […]

Chris Owings, Socrates Brito Behind In Camp

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Chris Owings (finger) and outfielder Socrates Brito (pinkie) are slightly behind their teammates in camp, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Owings needed a second surgery on his fractured right middle finger in November, but he's on track for Opening Day. Brito injured his finger in winter ball in the Dominican and is […]

Yasmany Tomas Cleared For Workouts

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas (hernia) has been cleared for workouts in camp by the team's medical staff after a pair of core muscle/sports hernia surgeries last year, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Tomas likely was never fully healthy in 2017, and his season officially ended in July, as he finished with a .241 average, […]

Ian Desmond Expected To Mainly Play Left Field

Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder Ian Desmond said he's expected to mostly play left field this year. "I will be ready to play first base if they need me to, but right now, from what I understand it’s going to be mostly left field," Desmond said. Pegged as a breakout candidate with the move to Coors […]

Kirby Yates Has Twisted Ankle

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Kirby Yates (ankle) is dealing with a twisted ankle, but the injury isn't believed to be a long-term one. Yates was extremely effective for the Friars in 2017, posting a 3.97 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 88 strikeouts in 56 2/3 frames. He misses plenty of bats, but the home run […]

Wil Myers Expected To Play Right Field

San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers will take fly balls in right and left field this spring, but the majority of his playing time will be in right field, where he played with the Rays. Outfielders Jose Pirela and Hunter Renfroe will be in competition for the left field job. With the signing of first […]

Kevin Siegrist Scouted By Mets

The New York Mets have scouted free-agent relief pitcher Kevin Siegrist, according to a source. The Mets are still in the market for relievers and could use a lefty specialist in their bullpen. Siegrist was a dominant lefty arm in recent seasons, but his value is down this offseason after he posted a 4.81 ERA […]

Robbie Erlin, Colin Rea Hoping To Compete For Rotation Spots

San Diego Padres starting pitchers Robbie Erlin (elbow) and Colin Rea (elbow) are taking things cautiously in camp this year as they come back from Tommy John surgery, but they are both among the 10 candidates vying for the team's five starting rotation spots. "Both of those guys, we like where they are right now," […]

Joe Mauer Wants To Stay With Twins

Minnesota Twins first baseman Joe Mauer, who is in the final year of an eight-year, $184 million deal, would like to continue his playing career with the Twins after the 2018 season. “If I can still contribute, I’m planning to keep going. I’d like that. I really enjoy playing this game, and I want to […]

Gleyber Torres 100 Percent Healthy

New York Yankees shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres (elbow) has been in camp with the team and is 100 percent healthy after having Tommy John surgery last year on his non-throwing elbow. Manager Aaron Boone said Torres has no restrictions in camp. Torres hit .287/.383/.480 in 55 games in the minors last year and has a […]

Shohei Ohtani Will Pinch Run And Pinch Hit

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia said that starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani will be available to pinch run and pinch hit on days that he isn't pitching. “Normally I would never have a pitcher pinch run but with three-man bench we’re gonna tap into Shohei’s ability to come off bench," Scioscia said. Ohtani is the […]

Felix Hernandez Throws First Bullpen

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez said he felt good after throwing 27 pitches in his first bullpen session Saturday. He is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on March 3 against the Cubs. King Felix is far from the fantasy ace he once was, as he made just 16 starts last season due […]

Scooter Gennett Wins Arbitration Case

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett won his salary arbitration case and will earn $5.7 million in 2018 instead of the $5.1 million the Reds proposed. Gennett was one of the biggest surprises in all of baseball in 2017, going from being a pinch hitter to one of the most productive second basemen in the […]

Dustin Pedroia Feels Great

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) said he's been feeling great after his knee surgery. "I feel great. I don’t hurt. I’m ready...It’s been pretty enjoyable to not be in pain," Pedroia said. It's good news to see that the veteran is feeling good, but Boston will surely play it safe and slow […]

Chris Tillman Expected To Make Decision Soon

Free-agent starting pitcher Chris Tillman is expected to sign with a team in the next 48 to 72 hours, and he's had significant talks with the Orioles, Twins and two other teams, according to an industry source. There remains mutual interest between Tillman and the Orioles in a reunion. Baltimore remains focused on adding to […]

Manny Machado Reiterates Desire To Move To Shortstop

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado said shortstop is where his heart is and playing there will play a role as he approaches free agency next offseason. The Orioles have not had any extension talks with Machado, but he'd like to remain with the team if possible. Machado has been mentioned heavily in trade talks […]

Twins Sign Anibal Sanchez

The Minnesota Twins signed free-agent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez to a $2.5 million major league deal, with $2.5 million available in incentives. The deal is pending a physical. The Twins were desperate for rotation help with last year's ace, Ervin Santana, set to begin the year on the disabled list. While Sanchez should open the […]

Dilson Herrera Past His Shoulder Issues

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Dilson Herrera said he's past the lingering shoulder issues that have slowed him down since landing with the Reds. "Everything is good," Herrera said Friday. "I am feeling really better, much better than last year. I'm ready to work." Herrera came to the Reds in the trade that sent outfielder Jay […]

Marcus Stroman Interested In Multi-Year Deal

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher, who will implement a sidearm delivery this year to keep hitters off balance, is interested in a multi-year contract extension with the team after losing out in salary arbitration this week. While Stroman expressed frustration with the team on Twitter after his arbitration case, both he and general manager Ross […]

Twins Considering Anibal Sanchez

The Minnesota Twins are in the mix for free-agent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez, according to sources. The Twins are getting desperate for arms for their rotation with Ervin Santana set to begin the year on the disabled list after losing out on Yu Darvish. Sanchez, 34 later this month, is a veteran arm, but he […]

Vontae Davis Visiting With Browns

Ex-Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis is visiting the Cleveland Browns on Friday, according to a source. He has more expected visits next week, too. Davis dealt with injuries and was a disappointment in 2017, but Davis could provide a nice veteran presence in Cleveland's secondary.

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 […]