Aaron Judge To Be Held Out Of Spring Games Until March 1

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and catcher Austin Wells will be held out of Grapefruit League games until around March 1, according to manager Aaron Boone. "He played 150, 160 games last year. I don't want to rush him," Boone said. The Yankees are just giving the 32-year-old MVP a little extra time off […]

Spencer Steer To Start Throwing Soon

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that first baseman/outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) "is going to start throwing here fairly soon." Steer dealt with right-shoulder soreness late last season, and it has followed him into the early part of spring training, causing the Reds to play it safe with him early on. Cincy will probably also […]

Eury Perez Placed On 60-Day Injured List

The Miami Marlins placed right-hander Eury Perez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday and also claimed right-hander Seth Martinez off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a corresponding move. The move to send Perez to the 60-day IL opens a 40-man roster spot for Martinez. The 21-year-old Perez is currently rehabbing from Tommy […]

Paul Blackburn Throws To Hitters

New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back) threw to hitters for one inning in a live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday. "I feel like I'm in a good spot right now," Blackburn said. "Just excited to be here, just trying to go day by day, not try to do too much and just […]

Adam Macko Has Knee Surgery

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Adam Macko (knee) had arthroscopic surgery on his knee on Thursday morning, according to manager John Schneider. "We'll kind of see the timeline when he gets back here and recovered a little bit," Schneider said. Macko torn the meniscus in his left knee early in training camp and now does not […]

Dylan Floro Joins A's

MLB.com's Martin Gallegos reports that free-agent right-hander Dylan Floro has agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Athletics and is in their clubhouse at spring training on Thursday. Floro will now compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot in Sacramento for the A's after pitching for the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. In […]

Luis Arraez's Thumb Injury A Thing Of The Past

San Diego Padres first baseman/designated hitter Luis Arraez (thumb) had surgery last October to fix a torn UCL in his left thumb that he suffered on June 25, but it shouldn't be an issue going forward. " I feel like I got a new thumb," Arraez said. The three-time All-Star still managed to win his […]

Adolis Garcia Enters 2025 With New Swing

After a disappointing 2024 campaign, Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia revamped his swing and is gunning for 50 home runs and 100 RBI in 2025. Even during a down year, Garcia had 25 home runs, 85 RBI and 11 stolen bases, but his .224 average and .684 OPS were career-lows. The 31-year-old has worked to […]

Josh Hader Looking To Simplify His Movements, Bolster Changeup

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader said that he's trying to simplify and limit his movements before his windup to the plate this year. "Not really with my mechanics, but just the initial coming set," Hader said. "That's where a lot of things can be picked up by hitters, when you're coming set. You tend to […]

Shohei Ohtani To Remain Dodgers Leadoff Hitter

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will remain in the leadoff spot heading into his second season with the team, according to manager Dave Roberts. Roberts said a lineup that starts with Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman "makes the most sense." Ohtani won his third MVP award and first in the National League […]

Zach Penrod Dealing With Elbow Soreness

Boston Red Sox left-hander Zach Penrod (elbow) is dealing with left-elbow soreness in camp and has gone for an MRI exam. This could be why the Red Sox signed veteran left-handed reliever Matt Moore to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training. The 27-year-old Penrod made his major-league debut for […]

Quinn Priester To Start Grapefruit League Opener On Saturday

Boston Red Sox right-hander Quinn Priester, who was acquired at last year's trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Nick Yorke, is scheduled to start the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. If the Red Sox need an extra starter to open the 2025 season, Priester will be an […]

Lucas Giolito To Throw Live Batting Practice Soon

Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (elbow) is a few days behind the rest of the team's starting pitchers in camp, although he's already thrown several bullpen sessions in spring training. The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey reports that Giolito is scheduled to throw live batting practice in the coming days. The 30-year-old veteran is recovering from […]

Ceddanne Rafaela Alters Stance, Adds Muscle

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela will continue using an altered batting stance in 2025 in which he lowers his hands so that he's connected with his front leg with a small leg kick to help his timing at the plate. A new strength routine in the offseason also […]

Matt Moore Signs Minors Deal With Red Sox

Free-agent left-handed reliever Matt Moore (forearm) signed a minor-league deal on Thursday with the Boston Red Sox that includes an invite to major-league spring training, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Moore missed the last month of the 2024 season due to a strained left forearm, but he's apparently past the injury and […]

Kyle Wright Dealing With Mild Hamstring Strain

MLB.com's Anne Rogers reports that Kansas City Royals right-hander Kyle Wright (hamstring) has a mild right-hamstring strain at spring training that he suffered while throwing the other day. Wright has been able to continue playing catch, but this is a setback in his progression in camp. The Royals will re-evaluate him next week. While it's […]

Javier Assad Resumes Playing Catch

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Thursday that right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) has resumed playing catch at spring training. Assad is recovering from a mild oblique strain that he suffered early in spring training. As long as the 27-year-old doesn't suffer another setback as he begins to ramp up, he should have enough time […]

Matt Shaw "Doing Great"

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) is "doing great" hitting in the batting cages and throwing at camp. Shaw, the No. 19 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, injured his oblique early in spring training but has already resumed baseball activities and should be fine for Opening Day on […]

Owen Caissie Shut Down With Groin Tightness

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Thursday that outfield prospect Owen Caissie (groin) has been shut down in camp with left-groin tightness. Caissie also had core-muscle surgery over the winter, so this is a concerning development, especially after the Cubs designated outfielder Alexander Canario on Thursday. Per MLB Pipeline, Caissie is baseball's No. 54 […]

Trea Turner Could Return To Leadoff Role

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that the Philadelphia Phillies think they can improve their chances of winning the World Series by making shortstop Trea Turner their leadoff hitter, although manager Rob Thomson won't make a final decision on the batting order until the end of spring training. "As long as he's got the mindset of getting […]

A's Talking Extension With Lawrence Butler

Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler is engaged in talks with the team about a long-term contract extension after his breakout performance in 2024, according to people briefed on the discussions who weren't authorized to speak publicly. The 24-year-old power and speed threat hit .262/.317/.490 with an .807 OPS, 22 home runs, 57 RBI, 18 stolen bases […]

Yusei Kikuchi Named Angels Opening Day Starter

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington named left-hander Yusei Kikuchi as the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the Chicago White Sox. Washington said it was an "obvious" decision. The Angels signed Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal this offseason after the Japanese lefty went a combined 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA […]

Jo Adell, Nolan Schanuel To Play In Spring Opener

MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell (oblique) and first baseman Nolan Schanuel (leg) are both scheduled to play in the team's Cactus League opener on Saturday against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Adell is fully recovered from the left-oblique strain that caused him to end last season on the injured list. […]

Mike Trout To Make Cactus League Debut On Monday

MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports that Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) will make his Cactus League debut this year on Monday against the San Francisco Giants. The Angels are planning to move Trout to right field in 2025 in order to try and keep him healthy for the entire season. The 33-year-old three-time American […]

Cubs Designate Alexander Canario For Assignment

The Chicago Cubs designated outfielder Alexander Canario for assignment on Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster for newly-signed infielder Justin Turner, sources told ESPN Chicago's Jesse Rogers. Canario hasn't really gotten a fair shake in Chicago and has played in just 21 big-league games, so Rogers suggests he'll be a pretty good trade […]

Clarke Schmidt To Throw Bullpen On Friday

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (back) said that he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday and expects to be pitching in games soon. Despite dealing with a cranky back in spring training, Schmidt has no concerns about being ready for Opening Day in late March. Schmidt also missed three months of […]

Yankees Sign Aaron Boone To Two-Year Extension

The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they signed manager Aaron Boone to a two-year contract extension through the 2027 season. Boone led the Yankees to the World Series last fall for the first time since 2009 and is one of three managers in franchise history to lead the team to the playoffs in […]

Gerald Everett Unlikely To Stick Around With Bears

The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain writes that it's hard to see Chicago Bears tight end Gerald Everett sticking around in 2025 to be part of new head coach Ben Johnson's offense after he fell into the team's No. 2 TE role behind Cole Kmet in 2024. Everett signed a two-year, $12 million contract last offseason and […]

Panthers Likely To Cut Miles Sanders

Running back Miles Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers before the 2023 season, but his biggest supporters, head coach Frank Reich and assistant coach Duce Staley, were fired 11 games into that season. Sanders then took on a backup role behind Chuba Hubbard. The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that the […]

Bills Must Do Something About Von Miller's Contract

Buffalo Bills edge rusher Von Miller had a bounce-back season in 2024, but he carries the second-largest salary cap hit on the team for 2025 at $23.8 million as a rotational player. The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia writes that the Bills must do something about Miller's contract, and without taking a pay cut, he's likely to […]