Bowden Francis The Front-Runner For Rotation Spot?

MLB.com's Keegan Matheson suggests that right-hander Bowden Francis feels like the front-runner for the final rotation spot to open the year after posting a 1.73 ERA over 36 1/3 innings last year. "He added the splitter this year, which I think will be good against lefties to go with his heater and curveball," manager John […]

Alek Manoah Scratched From Sunday's Start Due To Injury

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (shoulder) experienced some right-shoulder soreness during his last bullpen session in camp and will not make his scheduled Grapefruit League start on Sunday as a result. Manoah had an MRI exam on Friday that didn't show any structural damage, though, and the team is considering him day-to-day. It doesn't […]

Joe Ryan Displays New Sinker On Friday

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, who has been criticized for relying too much on his fastball at times, displayed a new sinker in his Grapefruit League debut on Friday. Ryan threw five different pitches -- a four-seam fastball, a sweeper, splitter, a "shorter slider," and his new sinker. "It kind of just gives me the […]

Joey Wendle Has Shoulder Soreness

New York Mets infielder Joey Wendle (shoulder) is dealing with some right-shoulder soreness in camp, but he's been building back up and should make his spring training debut toward the end of next week. He's in his first year in New York in 2024 after hitting a weak .212/.248/.306 with two homers, 20 RBI, seven […]

Jeff McNeil Delayed By Biceps Injury

New York Mets second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil (biceps) tweaked his left biceps muscle during cage work the other day in camp. The Mets don't think it's a serious injury, but McNeil is nevertheless delayed at spring training at the moment. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter will be held out of action for a few days in […]

Max Muncy Returns To Lineup Saturday

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (hand) is back at third base and is hitting cleanup for the Dodgers in Saturday's Cactus League contest versus the Chicago Cubs. Muncy was forced from Wednesday's game early against the Texas Rangers after getting hit by a pitch on his hand, but X-rays came back negative and he's […]

Rangers Hope Max Scherzer Can Return In June

The Texas Rangers are hoping to get right-hander Max Scherzer (back) back from his injury in June. "With Max, we are now looking at June. That's a little bit earlier than we thought," manager Bruce Bochy said. Scherzer is around three weeks away from resuming workouts six weeks after having surgery to fix a herniated […]

Julio Rodriguez Back In Cactus League Lineup

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (hand) is back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Saturday against the Oakland Athletics, playing center field and batting second in the order. Rodriguez was dealing with minor inflammation on the back of his left hand in camp earlier this week and was held out for a few days […]

Max Muncy Taking Batting Practice Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (hand) is taking batting practice in camp on Friday, and manager Dave Roberts said the plan is to get Muncy back in the Cactus League lineup on Saturday. Muncy was hit by a pitch in his left hand in a spring training game on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers, […]

Nick Lodolo To Have His Leg "Re-Scanned"

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that left-hander Nick Lodolo's (leg) recovery after throwing in camp on Thursday was "not perfect" and that he "still feels it." Lodolo is to be re-evaluated and have his leg "re-scanned," but Bell doesn't consider it a "major concern." If everything comes back OK, Lodolo could still start the […]

Noelvi Marte To Make Spring Debut Saturday

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that rookie infielder Noelvi Marte (hamstring) will make his Cactus League debut on Saturday. Marte suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain while playing in the Dominican winter league and had more issues with his leg in the leadup to spring training, so the Reds have been slow-playing the impressive […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Being Checked By Doctor

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is getting his sore right knee looked at by a doctor "just to make sure," manager Brian Snitker said. It's not an MRI exam, and Snitker also said, "I don't think it'll be anything." It may be nothing, but it doesn't hurt for the Braves and Acuna to […]

Spencer Torkelson Looking For Encore In 2024

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson played in more games (159) than any player on the team in 2023 and hit .233/.313/.446 with 31 home runs, 34 doubles, one triple, 94 RBI and 88 runs scored in his second major-league season. In early May, he was hitting .198 with only two home runs. He was […]

David Bednar Still The Closer For Pirates

Despite the offseason addition of left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman and his seven All-Star selections, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander David Bednar remains the team's primary closer heading into the 2024 season. Bednar, who has been an All-Star each of the last two years himself, received a call from manager Derek Shelton after Chapman's signing, reassuring him of […]

Raisel Iglesias Makes Spring Debut Friday

Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias made his Grapefruit League debut on Friday in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. He entered in the fourth frame and had a scoreless inning of work, with his only blemish being a two-out double to infield prospect Jackson Holliday. In his first full season with the Braves in 2023, […]

Connor Norby Expected To Play In Games Soon

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that infield prospect Connor Norby (side) won't play in Grapefruit League action on Saturday, but he's expected to get back into the spring training lineup in the next three to four days. There's still time for Norby to get ready for the start of the 2024 season, but even […]

Lars Nootbaar Has Revamped Swing

In his first season with a projected starting role in 2024, St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar retooled his swing in the offseason with the help of Nolan Arenado after a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw him miss round 40 games due to injuries. Nootbaar revamped his swing mechanics in hopes of adding more power. […]

Ricky Tiedemann To Face Live Hitters Soon

Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Ricky Tiedemann (hamstring) is feeling good after throwing a bullpen on Thursday, and it sounds like the next step is for him to face live hitters in camp soon. It should leave him plenty of time for a full ramp-up through March and into Opening Day late in March. The […]

Michael Penix Says He's Healthy

Washington quarterback Michael Penix said on Friday at the NFL scouting combine that he thinks he's put questions about his health behind him and he's ready to be somebody's franchise signal-caller. Penix believes his medical exams for all 32 NFL teams went smoothly and he's ready to throw for those in attendance in Indianapolis. ESPN's […]

Justin Fields Could Fetch Second- Or Third-Rounder

According to NFL executives, if the Chicago Bears indeed decide to trade quarterback Justin Fields this offseason, the majority opinion is that Chicago would receive a second- or third-round pick in the upcoming draft. It's looking more likely that Fields will be dealt and the Bears will take USC QB Caleb Williams with the first […]

Commanders To Release Charles Leno

The Washington Commanders have informed starting left tackle Charles Leno (hip) that they are releasing him on Friday, according to a source. Leno is scheduled to undergo hip surgery next week. The 32-year-old also missed the final three games of the 2023 season and was placed on Injured Reserve due to a calf injury. Washington's […]

Rams Missing An Outside Rusher

The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue writes that the Los Angeles Rams have pieces of their pass rush in place between Aaron Donald, Kobie Turner and Byron Young, but they are missing an experienced outside rusher to make the group more cohesive. LA also needs help at cornerback, but Rodrigue thinks an outside linebacker is the team's […]

Brian Allen A Cut Candidate For Rams

The Los Angeles Rams will incur $3.15 million in dead money if they cut center Brian Allen before June 1, but would save $4.9 million against the 2024 salary cap, according to Over the Cap. Allen didn't start or play any significant minutes for the Rams in 2023, but starting center Coleman Shelton has only […]

Chargers Could Use A Center

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that the center position might be the Los Angeles Chargers' most glaring offseason need in 2024. They have needs all over the roster as new head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz enter their first seasons. In addition to the offensive line, the Bolts need upgrades at tight […]

Eagles Release Kevin Byard

The Philadelphia Eagles released safety Kevin Byard on Friday, according to a source. The Eagles acquired Byard from the Tennessee Titans last October in exchange for a fifth- and sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft along with safety Terrell Edmunds. The move to release Byard will free up over $13 million in salary cap […]

Jonathan Brooks Ahead Of Schedule In His Recovery

Texas running back Jonathan Brooks (knee) said that he's ahead of schedule in regards to his rehab/recovery from his ACL injury last year and he'll be ready by July 1, which means he'll be ready for his first training camp in the NFL this summer. Brooks is almost four months removed from tearing his ACL […]

Darren Waller Considered Retirement

New York Giants tight end Darren Waller reportedly considered retirement after a disappointing first season in New York in 2023, according to sources. Waller was injured again last year and had just one touchdown in 12 games played in the Big Apple. The 31-year-old veteran will not walk away, though, and has chosen to return […]

Falcons In Play For Baker Mayfield?

Right now it looks likely that impending free-agent quarterback Baker Mayfield will re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero mentions the Atlanta Falcons as a dark-horse candidate to get involved. Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that re-signing Mayfield is an "extremely high priority" after the former first overall […]

Anthony DeSclafani Delayed In Camp

Minnesota Twins pitchers Anthony DeSclafani (elbow) and Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) have been delayed in camp but are ramping up their throwing. Trainer Nick Paparesta said that both pitchers still have time to be ready for Opening Day. DeSclafani is dealing with right-elbow soreness, while Thielbar is dealing with a left-hamstring strain. DeSclafani, 33, was acquired […]

Gary Sanchez Could Make Spring Debut On March 14

The Milwaukee Brewers are targeting March 14 for catcher Gary Sanchez (hand) to make his Cactus League debut. Sanchez's 2023 season came to an early end due to a fractured hand, and something came up in his physical (unrelated to last year's injury) that delayed his official signing with the Brew Crew this offseason. It […]