Josh Hader To Close, Ryan Pressly To Serve In Setup Role

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that left-hander Josh Hader would be the team's closer in 2024, with right-hander Ryan Pressly serving in a late-inning setup role. "Hader will pitch the ninth inning if both guys are available," Espada said. It's no surprise that Hader will be Houston's closer after they signed him to a […]

Justin Verlander A Couple Weeks Behind

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) said he's a couple weeks behind scheduled and his timetable is to be determined right now. "When I first started playing catch I usually shut it down for a while and this time when I shut it down and picked a ball back up, my shoulder didn't feel so […]

Jose Abreu Could See More Days Off

Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu could be rested more often in 2024. At the very least, Abreu should see more at-bats as the team's designated hitter to keep him fresh. The 37-year-old Cuban veteran was a disappointment in 2023 in his first year in Houston, hitting a career-worst .237 (128-for-540) with a career-low 18 […]

Curt Casali Agrees To Minor-League Deal With Marlins

Free-agent catcher Curt Casali agreed to a minor-league deal with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, according to sources. Casali's deal includes an invitation to major-league spring training. The 35-year-old veteran backstop will join Miami after hitting a meager .175/.290/.200 with no home runs, six RBI and eight runs scored in 40 games played for the […]

Manny Machado Swinging At 100 Percent Effort

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (elbow) is swinging with 100 percent effort and is playing catch at the start of spring training. Machado's progress is being monitored closely this spring after he had surgery to fix an extensor tendon in his right elbow late last year. It remains to be seen if he'll […]

Nick Allegretti Suffers Torn UCL In Super Bowl

Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Nick Allegretti (elbow), who started Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in place of All-Pro Joe Thuney (pectoral), played all 79 offensive snaps in the 25-22 overtime win despite suffering a torn UCL in his elbow in the second quarter, according to a source. […]

49ers Sign Tay Martin, Jake Tonges To Futures Deals

The San Francisco 49ers signed wide receiver Tay Martin and tight end Jake Tonges, in addition to offensive lineman Sebastian Gutierrez, defensive back Kemon Hall, safeties Erik Harris and Tayler Hawkins, defensive linemen Sam Okuayinonu and Spencer Waege and linebacker Curtis Robinson to Reserve/Futures deals on Tuesday. Martin, 26, spent all of 2023 on San […]

Javon Hargrave Played The Season With Torn Thumb Ligament

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (thumb) finished the 2023 season playing with a torn ligament in his thumb, according to general manager John Lynch. It makes Hargraves' second Pro Bowl campaign even more impressive. The 31-year-old finished his first year in San Francisco with 44 tackles (25 solo), seven sacks, eight tackles for […]

Jason Adam Loses Arbitration Case With Rays

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Jason Adam lost his salary arbitration case against the team on Tuesday. As a result, he'll earn $2.7 million in 2024 instead of the $3.25 million that he filed for. This was Adam's second year of arbitration eligibility. The 32-year-old reliever has been very reliable out of the bullpen for the […]

Stephen Piscotty Returns To A's

The Oakland Athletics signed free-agent outfielder Stephen Piscotty to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Piscotty played in Oakland from 2018-22 after spending the first three years of his major-league career with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 33-year-old veteran didn't appear at all in the majors in 2023. He's been […]

Taylor Walls Could Be Ready A Couple Weeks Into The Season

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (hip) had surgery on Oct. 27 to fix a labral tear and relieve discomfort from an impingement in his right hip that he had been dealing with for more than a year. He spent eight weeks on crutches after the surgery but has since resumed baseball activities, working in […]

Marlins Invite Yonny Chirinos To Spring Training

The Miami Marlins signed free-agent right-hander Yonny Chirinos to a minor-league deal on Tuesday with an invitation to big-league spring training. Chirinos spent 2018-23 with the Tampa Bay Rays, so new general manager Peter Bendix is familiar with Chirinos already. The 30-year-old veteran has appeared in 69 games (38 starts) at the major-league level and […]

David Buchanan Signs Minors Deal With Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies re-signed right-hander David Buchanan to a minor-league deal on Tuesday that includes a non-roster invite to major-league spring training. Buchanan has not played in the big leagues since 2015 and has spent numerous years pitching overseas in Japan and Korea. In 2014 and 2015 with the Phillies, he went 8-17 with a […]

Kaleb Ort Claimed Off Waivers By Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies claimed right-hander Kaleb Ort off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and designated infielder Diego Castillo for assignment in a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for Ort. The 32-year-old Ort was designated for assignment by the Fish last week and will now join the Phillies organization, making […]

Brandon Aiyuk Wants To Stay With Niners Long-Term

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2024, said he wants to remain a 49er "if it's the right move." When asked what that would look like, he said "being a champion." Aiyuk finished last season on a sour note after catching just three […]

Jasson Dominguez To Play Catch Soon

New York Yankees outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez (elbow) will play catch in camp soon. He's already been shagging fly balls in the outfield and should be swinging a bat by the end of spring training, with the Yankees targeting a summer return. The 21-year-old had Tommy John surgery in late September and is one of […]

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 […]