Lawrence Butler Focusing On Plate Discipline

Oakland Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler made it a point of emphasis in the offseason to work on his plate discipline, as the 23-year-old walked just four times in his first 129 major-league plate appearances in 2023. He hit .284/.350/.475 with 15 home runs and 21 stolen bases in 89 games with Double-A Midland and Triple-A […]

Darell Hernaiz An Option At Third Base

Oakland Athletics infielder Darell Hernaiz, the team's No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is primarily a shortstop, but the 22-year-old got the start at third base on Tuesday in the team's Cactus League game against the Cleveland Guardians and is in the mix with Jordan Diaz, Aledmys Diaz (groin), and Abraham Toro for an Opening […]

Nick Allen Off To Hot Spring Start

Oakland Athletics shortstop Nick Allen is off to a hot start in spring training this year after going 2-for-3 with two triples and three RBI in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cleveland Guardians. In three spring games so far, the 25-year-old has seven total bases, five RBI, three hits, a walk, a stolen base, […]

JP Sears Busts Out New Sinker In Spring Debut

Oakland Athletics left-hander JP Sears showcased his new sinker when he threw two perfect innings on Tuesday in his Cactus League debut against the Cleveland Guardians. Thirteen of his 19 pitches were thrown for strikes, including two strikeouts. The 28-year-old southpaw, who led the team with 32 starts in 2203, threw his developing sinker three […]

Eugenio Suarez Scratched With Side Tightness

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (side) was scratched from Thursday's Cactus League contest against the San Francisco Giants with left-side tightness, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Suarez is considered day-to-day. Suarez's injury doesn't seem too serious, so hopefully he'll be back in spring training action by the weekend. In his place, Blaze Alexander got […]

Grayson Rodriguez Working On Two-Seam Fastball

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez is working this spring on a two-seam fastball that he wants to incorporate into his arsenal in 2024. Rodriguez sits in the upper-90s with his four-seam fastball, but it was also a pitch that was hit hard by opponents in his first year in the big leagues in 2023. Adding […]

Mike Williams Could Be Odd Man Out In 2024

The Athletic's Daniel Popper suggests that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) could be the odd man out among fellow receiver Keenan Allen and pass-rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack this offseason. Williams and the other three players have huge salary cap hits this year after they were all restructured last offseason. Together, […]

NFL Not Looking To Ban The "Tush Push"

NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent doesn't think the "tush push," a quarterback-sneak tactic that the Philadelphia Eagles have perfected in short-yardage situations, should be banned. "Don't punish a team that strategically does it well," Vincent said. He said that the NFL competition committee didn't even discuss the tush push when it […]

Browns Restructure Denzel Ward's Deal

The Cleveland Browns restructured Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward's deal on Thursday to clear $11.359 million in salary cap space for the 2024 season. The move puts the Browns under the new $255.4 million salary cap by around $3 million. They are still among the teams with the least cap space in the NFL heading […]

Sammis Reyes Is Healthy

Former Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Sammis Reyes (concussion) is healthy again and is free to sign with any NFL team this offseason, according to a league source. The Jaguars waived Reyes on Monday after he retired from football last August following his concussion in training camp last summer. The 28-year-old will attempt to continue his […]

Bengals Issue Tender To Jake Browning

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Thursday that quarterback Jake Browning has been issued a tender, which assures the team that they will retain his exclusive rights for the 2024 season. Browning now has the option of signing the team's tender offer or negotiating a long-term deal with the club. The 27-year-old made his NFL debut […]

Patriots Plan To Sign Veteran Quarterback

The New England Patriots have a plan in place to reshape their quarterback position in new head coach Jerod Mayo's first year running the team, according to multiple sources. The Patriots' plan is to sign a veteran in free agency, draft a quarterback at No. 3 overall in the upcoming NFL draft and potentially sit […]

Brock Bowers Undecided If He'll Work Out At Combine

Georgia tight end Brock Bowers said at the NFL scouting combine on Thursday in Indianapolis that he hasn't decided if he will do any on-field workouts this week and said he won't decide until he's at the stadium on Friday. "Just a personal decision," Bowers said. Bowers is the consensus top tight end in the […]

Saints Restructure Cameron Jordan's Contract

The New Orleans Saints moved even more than $1.5 million of defensive end Cameron Jordan's salary cap costs into future years as their latest restructure. The Saints had room to move up to $9.4 million in cap costs with Jordan's deal, which owes him a fully guaranteed $13 million in 2024. New Orleans is in […]

Ryan Mountcastle Scratched On Thursday

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was scratched from the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Pirates. There was no reason given for why Mountcastle will not play, but we'll update you if it was injury-related. Tyler Nevin ended up taking his place at first base and hit third in the lineup. Mountcastle went […]

Red Sox Hoping Vaughn Grissom Can Play Sunday

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that the team is aiming for second baseman Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) to make his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday. Grissom has been slowed in camp by a minor hamstring injury, but he appears ready to go this weekend and should also be ready for Opening Day by the […]

Jarren Duran To Make Spring Debut Friday

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder Jarren Duran (toe) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday as the designated hitter. The Red Sox are taking it slow with Duran after he had surgery last August to fix the flexor tendon in his left big toe, but he will make his debut […]

Nick Senzel Returns From Illness Thursday

Washington Nationals third baseman/outfielder Nick Senzel (illness) is back at third base and is hitting fifth in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Senzel was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday and has missed the last several days while being under the weather, but he's feeling much better now. […]

Luis Castillo's Velocity Encouraging Early In Spring Training

Seattle Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo, who was in the conversation for the American League Cy Young award for most of last year, threw 96 mph fastballs in the first inning of his Cactus League debut on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds. It was a significant rise compared to last year, when he was in the […]

Brady Singer Showcases New Pitches In Spring Debut

In Kansas City Royals right-hander Brady Singer's Cactus League debut on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners, he showcased two new pitches -- a four-seam fastball and a sweeper. Singer had an up-and-down year in 2023, posting a career-worst 5.52 ERA in a career-high 159 2/3 innings pitched. His sinker remains his bread and butter, but […]

Andrew Wantz Moving Into Starting Role

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Andrew Wantz has moved into a starting role, at least for now, according to skipper Ron Washington. Washington said the reason for it is the team's need for depth in the starting rotation. Wantz hasn't been a starter since the 2019 season in the minor leagues, but he'll remain stretched out […]

Robert Stephenson Unsure If He'll Be Ready By Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) said he's confident he'll be pitching in spring training games, but he's not sure it will be enough games for him to be active on Opening Day in late March. Stephenson is working his way back from right-shoulder soreness in camp and was able to play catch on […]

Joc Pederson Back In Cactus League Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson (personal) is back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Thursday, starting in left field and hitting fifth against the San Francisco Giants. Pederson was scratched from the spring training lineup on Tuesday because he had to attend to a personal matter, but he's back out on the field […]

Sean Hjelle A Possibility For Giants Rotation

With San Francisco Giants right-hander Tristan Beck (arm) now facing a potentially lengthy absence due to an aneurysm in his arm, manager Bob Melvin mentioned 26-year-old Sean Hjelle as a candidate to enter the starting rotation for the beginning of the 2024 season with Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (elbow) to open the year […]

Keaton Winn, Alex Cobb Set For Bullpens

San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, while right-hander Alex Cobb (hip) will throw a bullpen on Thursday. People around camp have been impressed with how far along Cobb seems to be, but he'll still miss a big chunk of time at the start of the year. Meanwhile, […]

Marco Luciano Making Spring Debut Thursday

San Francisco Giants shortstop Marco Luciano (hamstring) is making his Cactus League debut on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, starting at shortstop and batting second in the lineup. The Giants have been cautious with their projected Opening Day shortstop in camp due to a minor hamstring injury, but Luciano is ready to roll now. The […]

Tristan Beck Diagnosed With Aneurysm In His Arm

The San Francisco Giants are saying that right-hander Tristan Beck (arm) was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his upper arm. He went to Stanford to see a vascular specialist and will weigh his treatment options over the next few days. Beck was penciled in as the team's No. 5 starter to open the year, but […]

Rays Reuniting With Francisco Mejia

The Tampa Bay Rays are working through the final stages of re-signing catcher Francisco Mejia to a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training, according to a source. Mejia was released by the Los Angeles Angels last week, but this doesn't seem to change the plan for Alex Jackson to be the backup […]

Josh Lowe To Be Shut Down For Six Days

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (hip) has left-hip inflammation and will be shut down in camp from baseball activities for six days, and he is unlikely to play in a game for 10 to 15 days. Manager Kevin Cash said they are "not overly concerned" and don't think it will impact Lowe's status for […]

Edmundo Sosa Expected To Return Thursday

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa (foot) was scratched from the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday due to a left-foot contusion. He's listed as day-to-day after fouling a ball off his foot, but manager Rob Thomson said that Sosa is expected to return to spring training action on Thursday. "He's fine, he told me he […]