Jose Azocar To See More Opportunities

San Diego Padres outfielder Jose Azocar is going to have more opportunities in spring training to prove that he deserves a bigger role in 2024. "You'll see that based on at-bats. He'll get the opportunity in spring training to play center and maybe move around a couple different spots depending on how the roster shapes […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Expected To Stay In Right Field

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. is strongly penciled in to start the 2024 season in right field, where he won a Platinum Gold Glove last year in his first season moving from shortstop to the outfield. "He's strongly penciled in to play right field, and that's the expectation […]

Manny Machado On Pace To Be Ready

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that third baseman Manny Machado (elbow) "is killing his offseason." "He's been able to swing. I can tell you he's on pace to be able to be ready offensively, and he's in a really good spot and recovering well with his throwing. But we also know that we […]

Mike Shildt Refuses To Name A Set Closer

While it's expected that San Diego Padres right-hander Robert Suarez will open the 2024 season as the team's closer with Josh Hader now in Houston, manager Mike Shildt refused to name a set closer when asked who his closer was with spring training right around the corner. In addition to Suarez, the new skipper mentioned […]

Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez To Enter Camp As Starters

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that pitchers Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez will come to spring training as starters behind Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish and Michael King, with Pedro Avila and Matt Waldron competing for the final spot in the starting rotation. Others to watch include Jairo Iriarte, Jay Groome and Glen Otto. […]

No Limitations For Joe Musgrove, Yu Darvish

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that right-handers Joe Musgrove (shoulder) and Yu Darvish (elbow) are "ramping up full-gear, ready to go, no limitations" heading into spring training in several weeks. "They mixed in a few hitters recently. They're recovering well, so they're ready, healthy." Musgrove made only 17 starts in 2023 after being […]

Nick Frasso To Miss Most Of 2024 Season

Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Nick Frasso (shoulder) will miss at least most of the 2024 season after undergoing labrum repair surgery on his shoulder in November. Frasso suffered the injury towards the end of the year while pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 25-year-old right-hander was a former fourth-round pick by the Toronto Blue […]

Dinelson Lamet Heads To Dodgers

Free-agent right-hander Dinelson Lamet signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Lamet has really struggled the last two years and has bounced around the league with three different teams. In 2023, he had a nightmarish 11.71 ERA (6.83 FIP) and 2.35 WHIP with […]

Dodgers Haven't Closed The Door On Clayton Kershaw Reunion

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said the door is still open for the team to bring back free-agent left-hander Clayton Kershaw, even after some of the club's starting-rotation additions this winter. The 35-year-old future Hall of Famer is basically either going to re-sign with LA, go to the Texas Rangers or retire. He […]

Kliff Kingsbury Withdraws From Offensive-Coordinator Job

Former Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury has withdrawn himself from consideration for the offensive-coordinator job of the Las Vegas Raiders, according to his agent, Erik Burkhardt. Sources said on Thursday that Kingsbury was expected to be hired under head coach Antonio Pierce. The 44-year-old Kingsbury was one of four candidates who interviewed for the […]

Seahawks, Leonard Williams Could Run It Back

Defensive lineman Leonard Williams played well enough for the Seattle Seahawks after they picked him up at the trade deadline last year, and there's hope that the two sides can reach a contract extension this offseason, according to a league source. Seattle traded a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round selection to the New […]

Joe Thuney In Danger Of Missing Super Bowl

Kansas City Chiefs left guard Joe Thuney (pectoral) is in danger of missing the Super Bowl next Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, according to a league source. Head coach Andy Reid hasn't publicly ruled Thuney out, but the All-Pro offensive lineman didn't practice on Friday and will have to make significant improvement over the […]

Eliot Wolf, Matt Groh Could Be GM Candidates For Patriots

The New England Patriots named Jerod Mayo as the successor to former head coach Bill Belichick, but they have yet to name a new general manager. Mayo began reaching out to candidates shortly after he was hired, and it seems likely a new voice will be added to the personnel department, but that role or […]

Buccaneers Expected To Pursue Extension With Baker Mayfield

Despite offensive coordinator Dave Canales' departure to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still expected to pursue a contract extension as quarterback Baker Mayfield enters free agency in 2024, according to a league source. Mayfield is coming off his best season in the NFL, completing 64.3 percent of […]

Tua Tagovailoa Expects To Sign Extension This Offseason

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is coming off a career-best year in 2023, expects to sign a long-term contract extension with the team this offseason, he told reporters on Friday. "There's been communication," Tagovailoa. "I think the thing with that right now is I'm just letting the team talk to my agent and let […]

Nick Fortes Makes Swing Changes This Offseason

The Miami Marlins and manager Skip Schumaker are expecting more out of catcher Nick Fortes offensively this year after the 27-year-old backstop worked on his stance and swing mechanics this offseason. In his third year in the big leagues in 2023, Fortes struggled at the plate, slashing .204/.263/.299 with six home runs, 10 doubles, 26 […]

White Sox Sign Juan Then To Minor-League Deal

The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent right-hander Juan Then to a minor-league deal. Then made his major-league debut last year with the Seattle Mariners and pitched in 11 innings out of their bullpen, allowing six earned runs on 14 hits (three homers) while walking two and striking out five. The 23-year-old will almost certainly begin […]

Jared Triolo Could Bounce Around On The Infield

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jared Triolo's versatility may keep him from being the "everyday" second baseman in 2024, according to MLB.com's Jake Crouse. Triolo impressed in his rookie season in 2023, hitting .298/.388/.398 with three home runs, 21 RBI, six stolen bases and 30 runs scored in his first 54 major-league games. He's also a minor-league […]

Liover Peguero Likely To See Most Reps At Second Base

MLB.com's Jake Crouse thinks Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Liover Peguero is the likeliest candidate to see the majority of repetitions at second base in 2024 thanks to his power-speed combination potential in what will be a crowded battle at the keystone in spring training among the likes of Peguero, Ji-Hwan Bae, Nick Gonzalez, Jared Triolo and […]

Gavin Sheets Makes Offseason Swing Changes

After a dismal season in 2023, Chicago White Sox outfielder Gavin Sheets tried to become "more athletic" with his swing this offseason, getting better ball flight while making mechanical changes. The 27-year-old lefty reached double-digit home runs in each of his first three major-league seasons, but he slashed an awful .203/.267/.331 in 344 plate appearances […]

Phil Maton Finalizing Deal With Rays

Free-agent right-hander Phil Maton is finalizing an undisclosed deal with the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, according to a source. Maton had the best season of his career in 2023 with the Houston Astros, going 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA (3.74 FIP), a 1.12 WHIP, his second career save, 25 walks and 74 strikeouts in […]

Twins Claim Daniel Duarte Off Waivers From Rangers

The Minnesota Twins claimed right-hander Daniel Duarte off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Friday and designated right-hander Ryan Jensen for release or assignment to make room for Duarte on the 40-man roster. Duarte has a minor-league option remaining, so he could start the 2024 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul if he doesn't win a […]

White Sox Sign Kevin Pillar To Minor-League Deal

The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar to a minor-league deal on Friday, according to a source. Pillar will make $3 million if he's on the major-league roster. The 35-year-old veteran hit .228/.248/.416 with nine home runs in 208 plate appearances for the Atlanta Braves in 2023. He's no longer the plus-plus defensive […]

Red Sox Interested In Tommy Pham

The Boston Red Sox are interested in a reunion with free-agent outfielder Tommy Pham, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Red Sox could use some more offense heading into the 2024 season. Pham spent part of the 2022 season with the Red Sox, hitting .234 (50-for-214) with six home runs and 24 […]

Pirates Considering Gary Sanchez

The Pittsburgh Pirates are among the teams considering ex-New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, who had a fantastic year with the San Diego Padres in 2023 while become left-hander Blake Snell's personal catcher. The Pirates are expected to move Henry Davis to full-time catching duties in 2024, but maybe they'd like some insurance behind him […]

Angels Linked To Plenty Of Free Agents

The Los Angeles Angels have been linked to plenty of free-agent names, including left-hander Blake Snell and outfielder Cody Bellinger, but for now, word is circulating that they may not go for the biggest free agents. However, owner Arte Moreno has been a big free-agent player before, so he could change course. The Angels have […]

Mason Miller, Trevor Gott, Dany Jimenez In Closer Mix

Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst said that right-handers Mason Miller, Trevor Gott and Dany Jimenez will be in the closer mix with spring training approaching quickly. The A's want to see Miller get through a full season healthy, and Forst didn't rule out a return to a starting role for Miller after 2024. The […]

Alex Wood, Ross Stripling Viewed As Starters

Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst said that left-hander Alex Wood and right-hander Ross Stripling are viewed as starters with spring training right around the corner. In addition to Wood and Stripling, Paul Blackburn and JP Sears are at the top of the team's rotation for 2024. The A's signed Wood to a one-year, $8.5 […]

Ken Waldichuk Unlikely To Be Ready For Start Of Season

Oakland Athletics general manager David Forst said that left-hander Ken Waldichuk (elbow) likely will not be ready for the start of the 2024 season after having surgery to fix his left UCL and flexor tendon in October. There isn't a timeline for the 26-year-old to be back in Oakland's rotation. In his second major-league season […]

George Kittle Ready To Go Despite Toe Injury

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (toe) missed a third straight day of practice this week on Friday but was not given an injury designation after the first week of preparation for Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 11. Kittle suffered a minor toe injury in the NFC Championship […]