Clarke Schmidt Guaranteed A Rotation Spot

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt is guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation, according to manager Aaron Boone. Schmidt made a career-high 33 appearances (32 starts) for the Yankees last year, covering 159 innings. He went 9-9 with a 4.64 ERA (4.42 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 46 walks and 149 strikeouts. […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Won't Make Spring Debut Friday

Instead of making his Cactus League debut on Friday, Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will throw live batting practice on a back field. Left-hander Tommy Henry will make the start in the spring training game on Friday against the Colorado Rockies in Rodriguez's place. There's nothing physically wrong with Rodriguez, but he'll get a little […]

Mookie Betts Expects To Play Second Base Exclusively This Spring

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/infielder Mookie Betts expects to play second base exclusively in spring training this year. Betts joked that he didn't bring his outfielder's glove to camp. The Dodgers and Betts are fully committed to him playing on the dirt as the club's full-time second baseman in 2024. The 31-year-old All-Star will still be […]

Andrew Abbott To Make Spring Debut Monday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott will make his first Cactus League start on Monday in a split-squad game against the Seattle Mariners. In his first taste of the big leagues, Abbott acquitted himself well, going 8-6 with a 3.87 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP with 44 walks and 120 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings […]

Nick Lodolo "Feeling Great"

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that left-hander Nick Lodolo's (leg) next step at spring training is to throw a live batting practice session. "He's feeling great," Bell said. Lodolo made just seven starts in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his left tibia, which is why the Reds are slow-playing him in spring […]

Noelvi Marte Scheduled To Play On March 2

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that rookie infielder Noelvi Marte (hamstring) is scheduled to make his spring training debut on March 2 against the Colorado Rockies. Marte suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain in November while playing winter ball, and the Reds are slow-playing the impressive youngster this spring. Barring a setback, the 22-year-old […]

Kyle Isbel The Favorite To Start In Center Field

The Kansas City Royals believe that outfielder Kyle Isbel is their best center field option heading into the 2024 season. They are counting on power at the corner-outfield spots from MJ Melendez and Hunter Renfroe. Drew Waters can play all three outfield spots and could easily play into an Opening Day starting spot. While Waters […]

Kris Bubic Throws First Bullpen Session

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) threw his first bullpen session on Tuesday at spring training since having Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old southpaw threw around 15 pitches (only fastballs) and felt good the day after with no extra soreness in his elbow. It was the first time he's thrown off a mound since […]

Gary Sanchez Cleared For Baseball Activities

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that catcher Gary Sanchez (hand) has been cleared for baseball activities after dealing with right-wrist issues last year. However, he will need some time to ramp up before being ready for spring training games. Sanchez's 2023 season came to an end early last September when he fractured his wrist, […]

Bo Bichette Trained In Variety Of Ways In The Offseason

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette took a longer break than normal from baseball activities to reset after the 2023 season. He also trained in other ways, taking up swimming, pilates and Muay Thai. Bichette is happy with the shape he's in at camp as a result and said he's "in a good place to […]

Casey Mize Getting More Movement On His Fastball

Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize said on Thursday that he's getting around 18 inches of induced vertical break compared to around 15 inches in the past on his fastball. "We just think the fastball up can be more of a weapon," Mize said. The fastball should pair well with his splitter, but Mize also talked […]

Luis Rengifo, Mickey Moniak Are Candidates To Lead Off

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said that he envisions second baseman Luis Rengifo or outfielder Mickey Moniak batting leadoff this year. Washington also sees first baseman Nolan Schanuel as the No. 2 hitter in front of outfielder Mike Trout and third baseman Anthony Rendon. Meanwhile, shortstop Zach Neto will hit ninth in the batting […]

Justin Verlander Showing Encouraging Progress

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander's (shoulder) bullpen session went well on Wednesday. "I am encouraged where he's at right now," according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander is behind the other pitchers at spring training after having a setback with his right shoulder during the offseason. The good news, though, is that the 41-year-old future Hall […]

Broncos Surely To Add At Quarterback Position

The Denver Broncos are likely to soon move on from quarterback Russell Wilson, the veteran signal-caller who went 11-19 as their starting QB in the two seasons since his blockbuster trade from the Seattle Seahawks. Releasing Wilson would leave the Broncos with $85 million in dead money and also a gaping hole at a position […]

Tim Patrick An Obvious Choice To Be Cut

The Athletic's Nick Kosmider writes that Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick (Achilles) stands out as an obvious cut candidate as the team enters the offseason at around $24 million over the salary cap threshold. Patrick has missed each of the last two years with injuries suffered during training camp -- first a torn ACL […]

Linebacker A Position Of Need For Cowboys

The Athletic's Saad Yousuf writes that linebacker is a position of need for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason, as well as running back, defensive line and offensive line with uncertainty surrounding Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz's future. At linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch's future is uncertain, at best, and 2023 rookie DeMarvion Overshown has yet to […]

Michael Gallup A Possible Cut Candidate

The Athletic's Jon Machota suggests that wide receiver Michael Gallup is a potential cut candidate this offseason. The 27-year-old has three years left on the five-year, $57.5 million extension he signed in March of 2022. He was coming off a season-ending knee injury when he signed that deal, and he hasn't been the same player […]

Browns Need To Give Deshaun Watson More Weapons

The Cleveland Browns' vertical passing game didn't really take off until quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was already out for the year with a shoulder injury in November of last year. Cleveland feels good having receiver Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku leading their pass-catching group, but the rest of the bunch has plenty of […]

Nick Chubb Could Be Salary Cap Casualty

The Cleveland Browns want to keep running back Nick Chubb (knee) around, but he's also recovering from two surgeries on his injured knee this offseason and is due to carry a salary cap charge of just under $16 million in 2024, the final year of his contract and his age-28 season. The Browns would take […]

Bengals Need More Help For Trey Hendrickson

Outside of pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson, the Cincinnati Bengals didn't have much of a pass rush in 2023. Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks and 79 pressures. Sam Hubbard was second on the team in sacks at six, while B.J. Hill was second in pressures with 42. The Bengals could also lose defensive tackle DJ Reader, who tore […]

Khari Blasingame A Candidate For Release

Chicago Bears fullback Khari Blasingame is the team's next candidate to be released this offseason after the Bears already released safety Eddie Jackson and guard/center Cody Whitehair in cost-cutting moves. The moves to release Jackson and Whitehair saved nearly $22 million against the 2024 salary cap. Releasing Blasingame would result in $1.6 million in savings […]

Gio Urshela Chooses The Tigers

Free-agent infielder Gio Urshela and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Thursday, according to sources. The 32-year-old veteran should help the Tigers at third base and can also play the outfield and at first base. His ability to hit left-handers suits what the Tigers have been seeking over the winter. […]

Ricky Tiedemann To Start Spring Opener

Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann will make the start in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday versus the Philadelphia Phillies. The 21-year-old is the team's top prospect entering the 2024 campaign and is fully expected to make his major-league debut this year, but he's expected to begin the season with Triple-A […]

Cavan Biggio Taking Batting Practice Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays infielder Cavan Biggio (shoulder) is taking batting practice on the field at spring training on Thursday. Biggio has been dealing with left-shoulder tendinitis in camp, but the issue never sounded serious, and he has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day in late March. The 28-year-old probably won't play in […]

Mitch Keller To Start On Opening Day

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that right-hander Mitch Keller will start on Opening Day on March 28 against the Marlins in Miami. This doesn't come as a surprise at all, especially after the club announced a five-year, $77 million extension with Keller earlier on Thursday. The 27-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and […]

Shohei Ohtani Could Make Spring Debut Next Week

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) won't play in Cactus League games this weekend but could be in the lineup next week, according to manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers aren't rushing their prized free-agent acquisition into spring training games after he had right-elbow surgery following the 2023 season. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar said […]

Kyle Bradish Feeling "Good"

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) is doing well at spring training. "He feels good. Everything's going well. Progressing nicely, and he's feeling good after he's playing catch," Hyde said. Bradish is recovering from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow and was able to extend out to playing […]

J.P. France Throws Off Mound

Houston Astros right-hander J.P. France (shoulder) said he threw a little off the mound on Wednesday and it went well. France was limited to flat-ground throwing during the first week of camp due to right-shoulder inflammation. It appears that the 28-year-old starter is making some progress, but he's not going to be available to pitch […]

Gunnar Henderson Feeling Better

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson (oblique) is going to miss around the first week of spring training games due to his left-oblique aggravation, but he's feeling better. Henderson said he has increased his hitting and fielding workload recently in camp. "Glad to go nip this thing out that way," Henderson said. The 22-year-old reigning […]

Tylor Megill, Joey Lucchesi, Others Now Competing For Rotation Spot

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said that the team prefers that their yet-to-debut pitching prospects like Mike Vasil, Christian Scott and Dominic Hamel pitch in the minors more before being asked to make their big-league debuts in the wake of right-hander Kodai Senga's (shoulder) injury. The rotation competition with Senga expected […]