Hayden Birdsong Could Be Ticketed To Start At Triple-A

MLB.com's Maria Guardado projects San Francisco Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong to be on the outside looking in for a starting rotation spot to begin the 2025 season. Entering spring training, Guardado lists Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Justin Verlander, Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison as the team's five starters, with Birdsong, Landen Roupp and Keaton Winn […]

Brett Wisely Could Have Inside Track On Bench Job

San Francisco Giants infielder Brett Wisely could have the inside track on a bench job in spring training due to the fact that the team already has a plethora of right-handed infield bats, MLB.com's Maria Guardado writes. Wisely has that going for him, but Casey Schmitt and Osleivis Basabe both offer just as much defensive […]

Jerar Encarnacion Should Get Plenty Of Chances In 2025

MLB.com's Maria Guardado writes that San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnacion should get plenty of chances to stick on the big-league roster in 2025 since he's out of minor-league options, and she even goes as far as to project him as the team's primary designated hitter. Encarnacion hit .248 with a .702 OPS and five […]

Luis Matos A Favorite To Platoon In Right Field

MLB.com's Maria Guardado writes that San Francisco Giants outfielder Luis Matos' impressive stint in winter ball should make him the favorite to serve as Mike Yastrzemski's platoon partner in right field to open the 2025 season. However, the Giants could also take a long look at former infield prospect Marco Luciano, who is expected to […]

Yankees Claim Brent Headrick Off Waivers From Twins

The New York Yankees claimed left-hander Brent Headrick off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Headrick will now head to the American League East and hope to win a roster spot with the Yankees out of spring training. The 27-year-old southpaw made his major-league debut with the Twins in 2023 and had a rough […]

Jake Cousins, Clayton Beeter Dealing With Injuries

New York Yankees right-handers Jake Cousins (forearm) and Clayton Beeter (shoulder) are both dealing with injuries prior to the start of spring training. Cousins is dealing with a forearm strain but could start throwing next week or the week after, according to manager Aaron Boone. The injury has put his status for Opening Day in […]

DJ LeMahieu Healthy Heading Into Spring Training

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that infielder DJ LeMahieu (hip) is healthy entering spring training this year. "DJ is healthy, which is really been the issue for him over the last couple of years. He's had those things that have popped up, that have really zapped his greatness. I'm not going to put […]

Vaughn Grissom Adds Muscle

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said on Tuesday that the team has been very happy with infielder Vaughn Grissom, who gained 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason. Grissom was expected to be Boston's primary second baseman at this time last year, but groin and hamstring injuries limited him to just 31 […]

Red Sox Open To Closer Committee

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said on Tuesday that the team is open to using a closer committee during the 2025 season. When asked if anyone besides lefty Aroldis Chapman and righty Liam Hendriks are closer candidates, manager Alex Cora mentioned right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow). The Red Sox had 20 different pitchers […]

Jackson Jobe Adds Two New Pitches

Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect Jackson Jobe is already one of the favorites to win the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2025, but the former third overall pick isn't a lock to make the team's Opening Day starting rotation. After making his MLB debut in September of 2024 as a reliever, Jobe […]

Michael Taylor, White Sox Agree To Deal

Free-agent outfielder Michael Taylor and the Chicago White Sox agreed to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the deal. Taylor became a free agent last September when he was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and now he'll be heading to the American League Central to compete for an Opening Day roster […]

Javier Assad Has Mild Oblique Strain

The Chicago Cubs announced on Tuesday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) has a mild oblique strain after he underwent testing on Monday. Manager Craig Counsell said there shouldn't be too many days without throwing for Assad. The 27-year-old could be slightly behind the other pitchers that report to spring training this week, but his injury […]

Angels Claim Michael Petersen Off Waivers From Jays

The Los Angeles Angels claimed right-hander Michael Petersen off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday and designated right-hander Kelvin Caceres for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster. Petersen will be on his fourth team of the offseason after being passed around from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami […]

Yoan Moncada Has A Chance To Start At Third For Angels

MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger projects Los Angeles Angels infielder Yoan Moncada as the team's starting third baseman on Opening Day. The Angels signed him to a one-year deal just before spring training, and he will be part of a battle for playing time at third base with Anthony Rendon, Cole Fontenelle, Carter Kieboom and J.D. Davis. […]

Tim Anderson Could Open The Year At Shortstop

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Tim Anderson could have a shot to be the team's Opening Day shortstop in 2025 with Zach Neto (shoulder) expected to open the season on the injured list after having right-shoulder surgery last November. Anderson is on a minor-league deal, though, and will have to earn his spot on the roster […]

Mike Trout Currently Healthy

MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger writes that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) is currently healthy heading into spring training after having the meniscus in his left knee repaired twice last year. The 33-year-old had a normal offseason, but the Angels have talked about moving him to a corner outfield spot more often to try and […]

Zach Neto Expected To Miss Start Of The Season

MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger writes that Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) is expected to miss the start of the 2025 regular season after undergoing right-shoulder surgery in early November of last year. As for who will replace Neto at the 6 early on, the Angels have options in Tim Anderson, Kevin Newman, Scott Kingery, […]

Rhett Lowder Limited Due To Elbow Soreness

MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (elbow) is dealing with some elbow soreness and is being limited with his throwing program right before the official start of spring training. The good news is that an MRI exam showed no structural damage to his arm. The 22-year-old's injury doesn't sound […]

Spencer Steer Still Recovering From Shoulder Soreness

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer reports that Cincinnati Reds infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) is still recovering from the shoulder soreness he dealt with late last year and will likely serve as the designated hitter when Cactus League games kick off in spring training. Steer will eventually work up to returning to the field. It's certainly […]

Nick Madrigal To Get A Look At Shortstop

The New York Mets will take a look at infielder Nick Madrigal at shortstop, among other positions, in spring training, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma. Madrigal has never played shortstop in the big leagues, but the Mets don't have a real backup option to Francisco Lindor at the position to start the […]

Mets Planning To Use Six-Man Rotation To Open The Year

The New York Daily News' Abbey Mastracco reports that the New York Mets plan to use a six-man starting rotation to open the 2025 regular season, but that will also depend on the health of right-hander Kodai Senga (calf, shoulder), who made only one regular-season start in 2024 due to multiple injuries. The good news […]

Jose Butto To Work As Reliever, Tylor Megill Stretching Out As Starter

New York Mets right-hander Jose Butto will be a reliever this year, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Meanwhile, Mendoza said that right-hander Tylor Megill will be stretched out as a starter during spring training. Butto went 7-3 with a nice .255 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, his first three career saves and a 79:38 K:BB in 74 […]

Ronny Mauricio Won't Play In Games Until Mid-March

New York Mets infield prospect Ronny Mauricio (knee) isn't expected to appear in spring training games until at least mid-March as he continues to rehab from knee injuries. Mauricio torn his right ACL and had surgery on his knee in December of 2023 before needing a cleanup procedure in August of last year. The 23-year-old […]

Mets Optimistic About A.J. Minter

New York Mets left-handed reliever A.J. Minter (hip), who is recovering from surgery on his labrum, isn't a lock to be ready for Opening Day in late March, but the Mets are optimistic he'll be with the team then. When healthy, the Mets are expecting Minter to be a key left-handed, high-leverage setup man in […]

Francisco Lindor To Hit Leadoff In 2025

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Tuesday that shortstop Francisco Lindor will hit leadoff again in 2025. New outfielder Juan Soto has mostly hit second or third in his career, but Mendoza won't reveal more of expected lineup spots until he talks with Soto, first baseman Pete Alonso and others. The 31-year-old Lindor […]

Twins Sign Ty France To One-Year Deal

The Minnesota Twins signed former Seattle Mariners All-Star infielder Ty France to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical. France, who had an .813 OPS in 2021 with Seattle, is an interesting addition to a first base picture in Minnesota that also includes Jose Miranda, Edouard Julien and Mickey Gasper. The 30-year-old right-handed […]

Christian Yelich Not A Lock To Be Ready For Opening Day

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy writes that Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) isn't a lock to be ready for Opening Day in late March after having back surgery last August. When Yelich does make his return, it's a good bet that the Brewers will ease him in as the designated hitter often. The good news is […]

Caleb Durbin Could Start At Second Base For Brewers

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy is guessing that Milwaukee Brewers infielder Caleb Durbin could start the 2025 season as the team's regular second baseman, with Brice Turang moving to shortstop after the departure of Willy Adames in free agency. However, Turang won the National League Gold Glove at second base in 2024, so it could be a […]

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers Agree To New Deal

Left-hander Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to an undisclosed new contract, a source told ESPN's Alden Gonzalez on Tuesday. Financial terms of the deal are still pending, and Kershaw still needs to take a physical. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer declined his option for the 2025 season, but the expectation […]

49ers Committed To Brock Purdy

San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York reaffirmed the team's commitment to keeping quarterback Brock Purdy around long-term. "I know we want Brock to be here for a long time and we'll do everything we can to make that work," York said Monday. After selecting Purdy with the final pick of the 2022 draft, he has […]