Graham Ashcraft Being Eased Into Spring Training

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) had surgery on his big right toe in September. He threw a live bullpen session against hitters on Monday, but he's still managing his comeback from surgery and said that some days are better than others. "We got a plate in it, and I stayed off it for […]

Noelvi Marte Not Quite 100 Percent

Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marte (hamstring), who will mostly focus on third base in spring training, is coming back from a hamstring injury that he suffered in late November and isn't quite at full speed. His injury typically carries a six- to 10-week recovery period. "He has been out there running," general manager Brad Meador […]

Reds Hope Jonathan India's Foot Issues Are Resolved Soon

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (foot) didn't get a chance to work in the outfield this offseason as much as the Reds expected because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, an injury that landed him on the injured list last summer and popped back up in the offseason. He was able to take […]

Elly De La Cruz Expected To Be Regular Shortstop

Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz is expected to be the team's regular shortstop in 2024. "Going into it, Elly will play a lot of short, and Matt will play a lot of second," manager David Bell said. "Everything else, we've got to let it play out." De La Cruz played both third base […]

Yankees Claim Jordan Groshans Off Waivers From Marlins

The New York Yankees claimed infielder Jordan Groshans off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and designated left-hander Matt Krook for assignment in a corresponding move to make room for Groshans on the 40-man roster. Groshans, a former first-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2018 made his major-league debut in 2022 […]

Giants Acquire Otto Lopez From Blue Jays

The San Francisco Giants acquired infielder/outfielder Otto Lopez from the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. In a corresponding move to make room for Porter on the 40-man roster, the Giants designated outfielder T.J. Hopkins for assignment. The trade of Lopez comes after the 25-year-old Dominican was designated for assignment by […]

Drew Pomeranz Signs Minor-League Deal With Angels

Free-agent left-hander Drew Pomeranz (elbow) signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training on Tuesday with the Los Angeles Angels. Pomeranz hasn't pitched in a big-league game since 2021 due to arm injuries, and he was forced to shut down his minor-league rehab assignment late last year due to more elbow pain. […]

Jose Suarez, Jose Cisnero Delayed At Spring Training

Los Angeles Angels pitchers Jose Suarez and Jose Cisnero are both being delayed to spring training, Suarez due to a family matter and Cisnero due to a visa issue. Suarez, a 26-year-old left-hander, had a disastrous year in 2023 in his fifth year in Anaheim, posting an 8.29 ERA and 1.96 WHIP with 20 walks […]

Miguel Vargas Entering Camp As Left Fielder

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Vargas, who was the team's starting second baseman on Opening Day last year, has come to spring training this year as a left fielder. It remains to be seen if Vargas will actually make the permanent switch to the outfield moving forward. What is clear, though, is that Vargas won't […]

Phillies, Zack Wheeler Expected To Reach Extension Soon

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Territory on Tuesday that he expects the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler to agree on a contract extension before the start of the regular season. Wheeler will be turning 34 years old this May, but the veteran hurler has been everything the Phillies had hoped he'd be […]

Dinelson Lamet Dealing With Visa Issues

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dinelson Lamet, who is a non-roster invitee to spring training, isn't in camp with the rest of the pitchers and catchers yet due to visa issues, according to manager Dave Roberts. Other than Lamet, all of the pitchers and catchers are accounted for. Lamet can ill-afford to miss any time in […]

Reds Claim Bubba Thompson Off Waivers From Twins

The Cincinnati Reds claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday and designated right-hander Levi Stoudt for assignment in a corresponding move. Thompson has been passed around this offseason but will return to the Reds after they cut him two months earlier. The 25-year-old former first-rounder played in 92 games for […]

No Restrictions For Garrett Cleavinger

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that left-hander Garrett Cleavinger (knee) is considered fully healthy and won't have any restrictions in spring training. Cleavinger underwent ACL and meniscus surgery on his right knee in May of last year but is good to go for the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old southpaw made 15 relief appearances […]

Shane Baz To Be Built Up Slowly

Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said that right-hander Shane Baz (elbow) has completed his rehab. However, his issue is a lack of past workload, so he will be on a slow buildup coming out of spring training. The 24-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery almost 17 months ago and didn't pitch at […]

Jeffrey Springs, Drew Rasmussen Expected Back Later This Year

Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander is expecting left-hander Jeffrey Springs (elbow) to return around July or August this year, with right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) returning sometime after that. Springs had Tommy John surgery in late April of last year, so when the 31-year-old does return, he'll most likely be on a […]

Daniel Bard Expected To Open On Injured List

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (knee) is expected to open the 2024 season on the injured list due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Bard opened last year on the injured list and also ended the 2023 campaign on the injured list due to a right flexor strain. The 38-year-old veteran wasn't […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Projected To Start At First Base

Cincinnati Reds corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand emerged as a power right-handed bat after making his major-league debut last year. Free-agent addition Jeimer Candelario, who is a switch-hitter, will also play a lot at first base in 2024, but MLB's Mark Sheldon is projecting Encarnacion-Strand to see the majority of the time at the cold corner. […]

Ryne Nelson, Tommy Henry To Compete For Final Rotation Spot

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly return from last season, while left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez has been added to their starting rotation via free agency. Brandon Pfaadt seemingly has a leg up on the No. 4 spot given the way he pitched in the postseason. The fifth spot will be hard-fought between mainly righty […]

Jordan Lawlar Could Begin In The Minors

Arizona Diamondbacks top prospect Jordan Lawlar, who is ranked as the No. 11 overall prospect in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline, will get a lot of repetitions in spring training, but he'll be hard-pressed to beat out Geraldo Perdomo given what the switch-hitter did for the team last year when he made the National […]

Ceddanne Rafaela To Play Center Field If He Makes The Team

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that rookie outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela will be the center fielder in 2024 if he makes the team out of spring training. As of right now, it's to be determined if he opens the year at Triple-A Worcester or the major leagues. "The defensive game is elite. It's a […]

Masataka Yoshida Expected To See Majority Of At-Bats As DH

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that he expects outfielder Masataka Yoshida to get the majority of his at-bats this year at designated hitter. In his first year in the big leagues in 2023, the 30-year-old Japanese outfielder struggled defensively for the BoSox in left field, which has made newcomer Tyler O'Neill the most […]

White Sox Add Dominic Leone, Corey Knebel On Minors Deals

The Chicago White Sox agreed to minor-league deals with right-handers Dominic Leone and Corey Knebel on Tuesday that include non-roster invites to spring training. The White Sox now have 68 players in camp, including 28 non-roster invitees. Leone and Knebel will provide much-needed depth for Chicago's bullpen this year. Leone, 32, pitched for the New […]

Bengals Expected To Use Franchise Tag On Tee Higgins

The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. writes that all indications are pointing to the Cincinnati Bengals using their franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason. The franchise tag for a receiver for 2024 would cost Cincy $20.7 million. One league source suggested the Bengals could place the tag on Higgins early in […]

Haason Reddick Wants To Stay With Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro pass-rusher Haason Reddick said he never requested a trade and wants to stay in Philadelphia. "I would like to get an extension done here at home. At no point did I ever tell the organization I want to be traded," Reddick said. He has one year left on his deal with no […]

Joe Boyle Could Have Edge For No. 5 Rotation Spot

Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst indicated that pitchers Paul Blackburn and JP Sears, along with newcomers Alex Wood and Ross Stripling, will likely top the starting rotation depth chart in 2024. It leaves the team's fifth and final rotation spot up for grabs, with rookie right-hander Joe Boyle, who impressed in his short big-league […]

Jordan Diaz, Abraham Toro To Have Edge At Third Base

The Oakland Athletics don't have a true established option at third base entering spring training, which could lead to somewhat of a competition in camp. Jordan Diaz and newcomer Abraham Toro figure to have the edge entering spring training, with Toro's switch-hitting ability creating the possibility for a platoon situation. Another name to watch is […]

Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr. On Track To Return In Second Half

Houston Astros right-handers Luis Garcia (elbow) and Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) are on track to return to the active roster in the second half of the 2024 season, according to general manager Dana Brown. Garcia is recovering from Tommy John surgery last May after allowing 12 earned runs with 10 walks and 31 strikeouts in […]

Nationals Sign Jesse Winker To Minor-League Deal

The Washington Nationals signed free-agent outfielder Jesse Winker to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training on Monday, according to a source. Winker will give the Nationals an experienced left-handed bat for their outfield mix this spring after he slashed a disappointing .199/.320/.247 with just one home runs, 23 RBI and 16 […]

Eric Bieniemy Interviewed With Several Teams

Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy very quietly was a candidate for several offensive-coordinator jobs around the NFL after it was announced that he wouldn't be returning to Washington on new head coach Dan Quinn's staff, ESPN's Adam Schefter said on the Pat McAfee Show. When asked which teams were looking at Bieniemy to […]

Cowboys Officially Hire Mike Zimmer As Defensive Coordinator

The Dallas Cowboys officially hired former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer as their new defensive coordinator on Monday. The 67-year-old is the third-winningest head coach in Vikings history and has long been respected for his defensive prowess. He will be replacing Dan Quinn, who left to serve as the Washington Commanders' new head coach. […]