Justin Verlander To Increase Intensity In Next Bullpen

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session on Tuesday with more intensity to move him forward in his rehab, according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander came into spring training behind the team's other pitchers after his right shoulder didn't bounce back properly in the offseason, but he's been throwing low-intensity bullpen […]

Julio Rodriguez Has Inflammation In His Hand

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (hand) is dealing with inflammation on the top of his left hand in camp. Rodriguez's hand has been checked out and isn't serious, so he should be able to return to Cactus League play by this weekend. Fantasy managers that already drafted Rodriguez shouldn't be too worried, but it is […]

Garrett Cooper Signs With Cubs

Free-agent first baseman Garrett Cooper signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs on Sunday that includes a non-roster invite to major-league spring training, according to a source. Cooper will compete for playing time at first base this spring alongside newcomer Michael Busch and Matt Mervis. The 33-year-old veteran was an All-Star in 2022 with […]

Matt McLain Progressing Well

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that second baseman Matt McLain (oblique) is progressing well and is going through a lot of core/medicine-ball work. The next step for McLain is light swinging. McLain tweaked his right oblique early in spring training and was shut down for five to seven days, so he should resume light […]

X-Rays Come Back Negative On Evan Carter

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (forearm) left the team's Cactus League game early on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants after being hit by a pitch on his left forearm, but X-rays came back negative and he is considered day-to-day on Monday. It's good news for the 21-year-old, but the Rangers could hold him out […]

Max Muncy In Better Shape

Los Angeles Dodgers corner infielder Max Muncy appears to be in improved physical condition at spring training this year. Both manager Dave Roberts and general manager Brandon Gomes gave credit to Muncy for taking on the challenge to improve himself in the offseason. "Our hitting guys are raving about him," Gomes said. The 33-year-old veteran […]

Oneil Cruz Making Spring Debut Sunday

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz (ankle) is making his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles and is batting leadoff and playing shortstop. It's great to see Cruz playing in games again after he fractured his left ankle early last season. The 25-year-old's injury required season-ending surgery in 2023. Cruz is fully healthy […]

Astros Plan To Hit Yordan Alvarez Second In Batting Order

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said his plan right now is to bat outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez second in the batting order this year. The ideal top four of Espada's lineup is second baseman Jose Altuve at leadoff, followed by Alvarez, third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder Kyle Tucker. Alvarez hit mostly out of the […]

Tim Anderson Says His Knee Is Healthy

Miami Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the team this week, said his left knee is "healthy" and ready to go for the 2024 season. Anderson's left-knee sprain contributed heavily to his struggles in 2023, in which he hit just one home run while delivering a .582 OPS, the […]

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Making Spring Debut Sunday

Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (toe) is making his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday against the Washington Nationals and is batting cleanup and starting in center field. Chisholm battled turf toe last year and had to have surgery to fix it in October, but he's back in action in spring training and should be […]

Gunnar Henderson Could Make Spring Debut By End Of Next Week

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that third baseman Gunnar Henderson (oblique) continues to hit and throw every day in camp, and it's possible that Henderson gets into a Grapefruit League game by the end of the upcoming week. Henderson is dealing with left-oblique soreness, and the Orioles aren't going to rush him into spring […]

Craig Kimbrel Dealing With Quadriceps Tightness

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel (quadriceps) said he cut his live batting practice session in camp on Saturday shorty by around five pitches because he felt some tightness in his lower body. However, Kimbrel isn't concerned after getting treatment from trainers. He's scheduled to throw again on Monday. Manager Brandon Hyde later said Kimbrel was […]

Kodai Senga To Be Shut Down For Three Weeks

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder in New York. His shutdown period should last three weeks before he restarts a throwing program. Senga is going to start the 2024 regular season on the injured list as a result. The 31-year-old is dealing with a moderate posterior […]

Marquez Valdes-Scantling A Logical Cap Casualty

The Athletic's Nate Taylor writes that Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is the team's most logical cut candidate this offseason despite being the team's most experienced player at a position the Chiefs need to revamp. Releasing him would create $12 million in salary cap space, with just $2 million in dead money, according […]

Jaguars' Interior Offensive Line Must Improve

The Jacksonville Jaguars finished last season next to last in yards before contact per rush (0.94), which is no wonder they also finished 30th in yards per attempt (3.6), 31st in rushing EPA and 30th in rushing success rate. The Athletic's Jim Ayello writes that their ground game must improve if quarterback Trevor Lawrence and […]

Darious Williams A Cut Candidate

The Athletic's Jeff Howe writes that if the Jacksonville Jaguars need to make a big move to create salary cap space this offseason, they could release defensive back Darious Williams to save $11 million against the cap. Williams turns 31 next month and faded down the stretch last year. He's also entering the final year […]

Rams Tender Offer To Ronnie Rivers

The Los Angeles Rams tendered running back and exclusive-rights free-agent Ronnie Rivers on Friday. The 25-year-old had 32 carries for 129 yards and caught five passes for 22 yards in a reserve role for the Rams in 2023 in his second NFL season. In his first two years in the league, he has 41 carries […]

A.J. Brown Shuts Down Trade Rumors

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown said on 94 WIP Sports Radio in Philadelphia that he wants to stay with the team. "I have no problem. I want to be here, it's as simple as that. I love where I'm at, it's as simple as that. Next question," Brown said. The 26-year-old Pro Bowl wideout […]

Jets Looking For Backup Quarterback

The New York Jets are not expected to keep quarterback Zach Wilson around as the backup to Aaron Rodgers in 2024. "[We] need a backup quarterback," owner Woody Johnson said. "We didn't have one last year." One veteran QB told ESPN that it will be difficult for the Jets to convince a top-tier backup to […]

Kendrick Bourne Expected To Test The Market

KPRC's Aaron Wilson says not to expect a new deal at this time for New England Patriots impending free-agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee), according to league sources. Bourne is expected to test the market, where strong interest is expected. He's expected to make a full recovery and be ready for Week 1 of the […]

Bengals Tell Tee Higgins He's Going To Receive Franchise Tag

The Cincinnati Bengals informed impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins on Friday that they will place the franchise tag on him, according to a source. Instead of trying to negotiate a long-term contract extension with Higgins right now, they will place the franchise tag on him by the deadline next week. This was always the […]

Tommy Henry Made Mechanical Tweaks In The Offseason

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Tommy Henry, who looked sharp in the team's Cactus League opener on Friday against the Colorado Rockies, focused on his hips and making his front side more sturdy in the offseason. It allows his release point to come out more consistently, and the positioning of it puts more stress on the bigger […]

Kutter Crawford "In The Lead" For Rotation Spot

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that as of Saturday, right-hander Kutter Crawford is "in the lead" for a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation behind Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta and Brayan Bello. Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Josh Winckowski are fighting for the final spot in Boston's rotation. Crawford has been working […]

Ricky Tiedemann Considered Day-To-Day

An MRI exam on Toronto Blue Jays No. 1 prospect Ricky Tiedemann showed just minor inflammation between his left hamstring and calf muscles. Manager John Schneider isn't expecting the left-hander to miss much time and is calling him day-to-day. It's good news for Tiedemann, who missed considerable time in the minors last year with an […]

Riley Greene To DH On Monday

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (elbow) is tentatively scheduled to serve as the designated hitter on Monday for the Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros. He'll then return to the outfield on Tuesday. Greene is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right (non-throwing elbow) last September. He took live batting practice earlier this […]

Jackson Holliday Playing Second Base In Spring Opener

Baltimore Orioles infield prospect Jackson Holliday is starting at second base and is hitting seventh in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Boston Red Sox. Holliday, baseball's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, is a natural shortstop, but he's going to get plenty of action at the keystone this spring and could be […]

Luis Rengifo Dealing With Hamstring Issue

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is dealing with a left-hamstring issue at camp and took himself out of workouts at spring training on Friday. He is going to be off his feet for a few days, but manager Ron Washington was adamant that Rengifo will be ready for Opening Day in late […]

Jonathan India Won't Play Until March 7 Or 8

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that infielder Jonathan India (foot) won't play in Cactus League games until around March 7 or 8. India cannot reinjure his foot, but the Reds are building him back up in a controlled workload. India will be taking live batting practice, where the Reds can control his baserunning. The […]

Manny Machado To Serve As DH On Saturday

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (elbow) is in the team's Cactus League lineup on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, batting fourth and serving as the designated hitter. Machado has been somewhat limited early in camp after October elbow surgery, but manager Mike Shildt recently said that Machado was trending toward being full-go by […]

Rams Re-Sign Demarcus Robinson

The Los Angeles Rams and wide receiver Demarcus Robinson agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million on Friday, according to Robinson's agency. Robinson will stay in Los Angeles after a productive 2023 season in which he caught 26 of his 39 targets for 371 yards and a career-high-tying four touchdowns in 16 regular-season games […]