Ronel Blanco Wins Rotation Spot In Houston

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said he told right-hander Ronel Blanco in the dugout after his outing on Tuesday against Triple-A Sugar Land that he has won a starting rotation spot to open the regular season. Blanco's performance on Tuesday (10 strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings) convinced Espada apparently. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler will grab […]

Yankees Acquire Jon Berti From Marlins

The New York Yankees acquired infielder Jon Berti from the Miami Marlins on Wednesday, according to a source. It's unknown what the Marlins will receive in return. The Yankees are going to be without both DJ LeMahieu (foot) and Oswald Peraza (shoulder) for the start of the 2024 regular season, so the 34-year-old Berti will […]

Jackson Stephens Elects Free Agency

Relief pitcher Jackson Stephens elected free agency on Wednesday after the Atlanta Braves outrighted him to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. The 29-year-old right-hander will now look to latch on with another organization with Opening Day in 2024 just one day away. The former 18th-round pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2012 out of high school […]

Marlins Acquire Burch Smith From Rays

The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander Burch Smith from the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations. Smith had an assignment clause in his minor-league contract, and the Rays didn't have a spot for him on their major-league roster out of spring training. The Marlins selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville after the […]

Kodai Senga Throws Wednesday

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) did some throwing at Citi Field on Wednesday. Senga continues to work his way back from a moderate posterior capsule strain in his right shoulder and is expected to take six weeks to ramp back up, so fantasy managers can expect him to miss at least the first […]

Matt McLain Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said on Wednesday that "Matt McLain had successful surgery to address the cartilage damage and repair his labrum in his left shoulder. An exact timeline is still TBD as it has a wide range of possibilities. We hope to have Matt back this season." Even though the […]

Abraham Lucas, Uchenna Nwosu On Track To Be Ready

Seattle Seahawks president of football operations John Schneider said that both offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (knee) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (pectoral) are on track to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. Schneider is unsure if safety Jerrick Reed II (knee) will be ready, but he did say that Reed's rehab has gone […]

Mazi Smith Recovering From Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Camp

Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Mazi Smith (shoulder) carried a four- to six-month timetable after having shoulder surgery shortly after last season, but he is expected to be ready for training camp this summer. As long as Smith doesn't encounter any setbacks as he rehabs his shoulder this offseason, the 22-year-old should be ready for training […]

Luke Schoonmaker Has Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Camp

Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (shoulder) had shoulder surgery recently but is "all systems go" for training camp this summer, according to a person familiar with the situation. Schoonmaker played in all 17 regular-season games in his rookie season in 2023 after being taken in the second round out of Michigan, but he didn't […]

Packers Gather More Data On Christian Watson's Injury

The Green Bay Packers feel that they have a better grasp of where wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) stands after he underwent a body scan at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this offseason with the hope of preventing future flare-ups. Watson has battled hamstring injuries in both of his two seasons in the NFL, with the […]

Alex Faedo Makes Opening Day Roster

Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Faedo made the team's Opening Day roster for the first time in his career. In addition, left-hander Joey Wentz made the team out of spring training. In large part due to injuries, the 28-year-old Faedo has had an uneven two seasons in the big leagues with Detroit. He's dealt with blister […]

Huascar Brazoban Placed On Restricted List

The Miami Marlins placed right-hander Huascar Brazoban on the restricted list on Tuesday after he never reported to spring training due to visa issues. The move opens up a spot on Miami's 40-man roster. In his second major-league season with the Fish in 2023, Brazoban appeared in 50 games out of the bullpen and posted […]

Ben Rortvedt, Jahmai Jones In The Mix For Roster Spots

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that catcher Ben Rortvedt and outfielder Jahmai Jones remain in the mix for Opening Day roster spots. Austin Wells has already made the team, but the Yankees could carry Rortvedt as their third catcher to begin the season. Jose Trevino is the club's other backstop. The 26-year-old Rortvedt […]

Miguel Sano Makes Opening Day Roster

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington confirmed on Tuesday that first baseman Miguel Sano has made the team's Opening Day roster. "He's very deserving," Washington said. Sano is looking to bounce back in the big leagues with the Angels in 2024 after not playing at all in 2023. The former All-Star with the Minnesota Twins […]

Joe Boyle Earns Final Rotation Spot With A's

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told right-hander Joe Boyle that he will be the team's fifth starter to open the season behind Alex Wood, Ross Stripling, JP Sears and Paul Blackburn. Boyle will throw in Arizona against Double-A hitters on Wednesday as his final tune-up before making just his fourth major-league start. In his first […]

A's Acquire T.J. McFarland From Dodgers

The Oakland Athletics acquired minor-league left-hander T.J. McFarland from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations and selected his contract from Triple-A Las Vegas to their 40-man roster. The 34-year-old southpaw was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the fourth round in 2007 and he has 11 years of major-league experience […]

Mets Release Reliever Phil Bickford

The New York Mets released right-handed reliever Phil Bickford on Tuesday. The move comes after the Mets designated Bickford for assignment last weekend. The 28-year-old former Dodgers reliever will now be on the open market with Opening Day coming on Thursday. Bickford spent the 2023 season with both the Dodgers and Mets, pitching to a […]

Randy Vasquez To Start In Minors

The San Diego Padres have optioned right-hander Randy Vasquez to Triple-A El Paso to begin the 2024 regular season. Vasquez was acquired from the New York Yankees over the winter in the blockbuster trade involving outfielder Juan Soto, and he came to San Diego in competition for the final starting rotation spot. However, a poor […]

Orioles Sign Tony Kemp

The Baltimore Orioles signed infielder/outfielder Tony Kemp to an undisclosed major-league contract on Tuesday and designated third baseman Nick Maton for assignment in a corresponding move. Kemp was in spring training with the Cincinnati Reds but opted out of his minor-league deal and is now headed back to the American League after slashing just .209/.303/.304 […]

Michael Toglia, Alan Trejo Make Opening Day Roster

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black announced on Tuesday that first baseman/outfielder Michael Toglia and non-roster infielder Alan Trejo have made the Opening Day roster. In addition, right-hander Victor Vodnik made the bullpen, while outfielder Sean Bouchard has been optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Toglia is a switch-hitting 24-year-old who was taken 23rd overall in 2019 out […]

Jon Gray Dealing With Stiff Neck

Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (neck) was scheduled to pitch on Tuesday but was scratched due to a stiff neck. He will instead throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and it shouldn't impact his first scheduled start of the regular season, although that date has yet to be announced. Gray was able to throw eight […]

Jake Odorizzi Pitching On Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi (shoulder) was scheduled to pitch in Tuesday's exhibition game at Tropicana Field against the Detroit Tigers rather than in a minor-league game on Wednesday. Odorizzi sees it as a truer test of his progress in what will be his first game pitched since Oct. of 2022 due to arthroscopic […]

Shane Baz, Taj Bradley Officially Placed On Injured List

The Tampa Bay Rays officially placed right-handers Shane Baz (elbow) and Taj Bradley (pectoral) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, retroactive to March 25. Baz, 24, also dealt with an oblique injury in spring training as he attempts to return from Tommy John surgery in September of 2022. After not pitching at all in […]

Manuel Margot Suffers Hand Contusion Tuesday

Minnesota Twins outfielder Manuel Margot (hand) was hit by a pitch during an exhibition game on Tuesday versus the Atlanta Braves and departed early with a left-hand contusion. However, the Twins expect him to be fine for Opening Day on Thursday. The 29-year-old was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Twins this spring […]

Justin Verlander Throws Successful Live BP Session

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw two simulated innings (32 pitches) during his live batting practice session on Tuesday and sat at 92-94 mph and touched 95 mph on the stadium radar gun in his first inning at Minute Maid Park. Manager Joe Espada said on Monday that if all goes well with Verlander's […]

Nationals Place Cade Cavalli On 60-Day Injured List

The Washington Nationals announced on Tuesday that they placed right-hander Cade Cavalli (elbow) on the 60-day injured list while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. In corresponding moves, the team selected the contract of right-hander Derek Law and moved infielder Trey Lipscomb to minor-league camp. Cavalli had elbow reconstruction in March of last year and […]

Robert Hassell III, Daylen Lile Cleared To Play

Washington Nationals outfielders Robert Hassell III (groin) and Daylen Lile (back) have both been cleared to play in Tuesday's exhibition contest. Hassell suffered a groin strain on March 8 but will bat leadoff and play left field for the prospects team. Lile is recovering from an injury to his back when he flipped over the […]

James Wood Assigned To Triple-A

Washington Nationals outfield prospect James Wood will begin the year playing for Triple-A Rochester. With fellow top prospect Dylan Crews at Double-A Harrisburg, it will allow the two outfielders to get as many reps in any of the three outfield positions. Unlike Crews, who struggled at the plate this spring, the 21-year-old Wood hit .364 […]

Dylan Crews To Start At Double-A

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews, the No. 2 overall pick out of LSU last year, will start the 2024 season at Double-A Harrisburg. The 22-year-old top prospect flew up the ranks to reach Harrisburg after he was drafted last year and hit .355 with a 1.068 OPS, three doubles, five homers and 24 RBI in […]

Blue Jays Leaning Toward Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Hitting Second

Outfielder George Springer will retain his leadoff spot in the Toronto Blue Jays' batting order to open the 2024 regular season, but the team is leaning toward having first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit second, followed by shortstop Bo Bichette. "I really like the way (Guerrero) is swinging the bat," manager John Schneider said. "I […]