Eduardo Rodriguez To Start Cactus League Opener

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will start the team's Cactus League opener on Friday against the Colorado Rockies, according to manager Torey Lovullo. The Diamondbacks added Rodriguez to their starting rotation in the offseason by signing him to a four-year, $74 million deal in free agency, and he'll slot in behind Zac Gallen and Merrill […]

Austin Wells To Work Strictly At Catcher

There has been no talk at spring training of New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells working out at other positions, according to manager Aaron Boone. "Right now, I just want him to focus on our staff," Boone said. After trading away Kyle Higashioka in the Juan Soto trade in the offseason, the Yanks now have […]

Gleyber Torres Expected To Hit Between Fourth And Sixth

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone sees second baseman Gleyber Torres hitting between fourth and sixth in the lineup this year, and also in the leadoff spot when needed. Boone thinks Torres is highly motivated heading into the final year of his current deal and thinks he can improve as a defender as well. Hitting […]

Dodgers Haven't Had Extension Talks With Will Smith

There have been no extension talks between the Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith so far this year. Smith's numbers dropped slightly in 2023, but he was also playing a majority of the season with a broken rib and also missed time due to a concussion. Still, he was able to finish third among […]

Dustin May Hopes To Return Sometime In August

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May (elbow) is in the early stages of a throwing program progression at camp and is hoping to be back sometime in August. He's finally in a spot where his elbow isn't giving him trouble. May said that even when he came back from Tommy John surgery, he kept waiting […]

Brandon Woodruff Placed On 60-Day Injured List

The Milwaukee Brewers placed right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday to make room on the 40-man roster for recently signed catcher Gary Sanchez. Woodruff was able to begin a throwing program last week and is over four months removed from having surgery on the anterior capsule in his right shoulder […]

Joey Bart Unlikely To Make Opening Day Roster

San Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft, appears unlikely to make the team's Opening Day roster out of spring training and is out of minor-league options. As a result, it makes him a candidate to be traded or dropped from the 40-man roster in late March. The […]

Patrick Bailey Has Bulked Up

San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey bulked up in the offseason to prepare for his second major-league season in 2024. Bailey struggled down the stretch in his rookie campaign in 2023 and finished with a .233/.285/.359 slash line, seven home runs, 18 doubles, a triple, 48 RBI and 29 runs scored in 353 plate appearances […]

Spencer Howard, Daulton Jefferies Could Be Rotation Options

With San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (elbow) dealing with elbow soreness in camp, it's possible that pitchers Spencer Howard or Daulton Jefferies could make the club's Opening Day roster as starting rotation options. Howard, 27, and Jefferies, 28, are both in camp this year as non-roster invites for the Giants. Howard hasn't had success […]

Keaton Winn Dealing With Elbow Soreness, Not Too Worried

San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (elbow) felt some right-elbow soreness during his last bullpen session, but an MRI exam came back clean and he'll be shut down in camp for a few days. With Robbie Ray (elbow) and Alex Cobb (hip) out for the first half of the 2024 season, Winn is currently the […]

Rangers Could Carry Three Catchers On Opening Day Roster

The Texas Rangers are considering carrying three catchers on their Opening Day roster this year, according to manager Bruce Bochy. It could be one of their last roster decisions of spring training. Jonah Heim is the club's clear starting backstop, with Andrew Knizner the favorite to serve as his backup. The Rangers are very mindful […]

Jonah Heim Won't Make Spring Debut Until Feb. 28

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim won't make his first Cactus League start until Feb. 28. Heim isn't injured, but the Rangers are giving him extra recovery time this spring after a long season in 2023 that culminated in the franchise's first-ever World Series championship. There's no need for the Rangers to rush Heim into Cactus […]

Brandon Marsh Progresses To Jogging

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (knee) has progressed to jogging at spring training. Marsh had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in early February and was expected to need three to four weeks before making a full recovery. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter obviously won't be ready for the start of Grapefruit League games this weekend, […]

Keynan Middleton To Throw Live Batting Practice Session

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (illness) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday. Middleton is entering his first year with the Cardinals after signing with them in free agency for one year and $5 million, but he reported to camp late and was also held back last week […]

Dylan Carlson Expected To Run The Bases Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (ankle), who had season-ending left-ankle surgery last year, is expected to run the bases on Wednesday in addition to hitting in live batting practice and taking fly balls. Manager Oliver Marmol described Carlson's base-running as "checking the final box." The 25-year-old left-handed hitter probably won't play right away when […]

Willson Contreras Takes Live Batting Practice Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (wrist) was scheduled to take live batting practice at spring training on Wednesday. It's a notable development since Contreras ended last year on the sidelines due to tendinitis in his left wrist. The 31-year-old veteran backstop avoided surgery in the offseason and appears to be fully healthy as he […]

Tommy Edman Weeks Away From Full Baseball Activities

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tommy Edman (wrist) could still be a couple of weeks away from being cleared to take part in full baseball activities. Edman is being eased in at camp this year after having offseason surgery on his right wrist. His delay at spring training could cause him to be unavailable for the […]

Manny Machado Could DH "Sooner Than Later"

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that third baseman Manny Machado (elbow), who is coming off offseason shoulder surgery, will not play in the team's Cactus League opener on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Machado is "trending in a really good place" and could serve as the designated hitter "sooner than later" […]

Donte Jackson's Future In Carolina Is Iffy

Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson has been a full-time starter since he arrived as a second-round pick out of LSU in 2018, but The Athletic's Joseph Person lists him as a potential salary cap casualty this offseason. Cutting the 28-year-old defensive back would create almost $6 million in salary cap space for the Panthers this […]

Tre'Davious White A Cut Candidate

Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (Achilles) is now 29 and is coming off two major injuries in the last three seasons -- a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn Achilles in 2023. If the Bills were to cut him this offseason, they would clear just over $6 million in salary cap space, but the […]

Tyus Bowser Could Be Salary Cap Casualty

The Baltimore Ravens need to create some salary cap space this offseason, which could lead to some cost-cutting moves, and linebacker Tyus Bowser (knee) is the most likely cap cut. Veterans like offensive tackles Morgan Moses and Ronnie Stanley and fullback Patrick Ricard could also be involved. The 28-year-old Bowser spent all of last year […]

Falcons To Move On From Jonnu Smith?

The Athletic's Josh Kendall lists Atlanta Falcons veteran tight end Jonnu Smith as a potential cut candidate this offseason. Smith was the team's fourth-leading receiver in 2023, but the Falcons could face some offensive upheaval this offseason with a new coaching staff coming in. Former head coach Arthur Smith kept a tight end-heavy roster, but […]

D.J. Humphries A Cut Candidate

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) has been an anchor for the team's offensive line since he entered the league in 2016. He's been a team captain and a respected voice in the locker room. However, he just turned 30 years old and he's likely to miss most of the 2024 season while recovering […]

Bears Are Dedicated To Bringing Back Jaylon Johnson

The Chicago Bears are dedicated to bringing back impending free-agent cornerback Jaylon Johnson, which might require the franchise tag. The Bears will also likely look to upgrade their defensive line this offseason, including adding an additional pass-rusher to complement Montez Sweat. Johnson, 24, was the team's second-round pick in 2020 out of Utah and was […]

Kyle Pitts Can Be An Asset In The Run Game

Atlanta Falcons new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson sees tight end Kyle Pitts as very versatile. He's mainly been used in the passing game and had 667 receiving yards on 53 catches in his third NFL season in 2023. Pitts can also be an asset when it comes to blocking in the running game, too. "We're […]

New Offensive Coordinator Could Benefit Alvin Kamara

NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill believes that New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is going to bring a running game that will give running back Alvin Kamara "more space" to operate in 2024. Kubiak, who comes to New Orleans from the San Francisco 49ers, is expected to add plenty of pre-snap motion, something the Saints rarely […]

Jose Ramirez Could Hit Second This Year

Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said he's talked to All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez about hitting second and third in the lineup this year. Ramirez has traditionally hit third but moved into the No. 2 spot last year to try and help the team's struggling offense. Either way, Ramirez is going to hit near the […]

Tejay Antone Healthy In Camp

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Tejay Antone (elbow) is going through a normal spring training this year for the first time in three years. Antone had Tommy John surgery in 2021 and had multiple setbacks since, including one before last season. He also dealt with elbow tendinitis that put him on the injured list at the […]

Noelvi Marte To Miss First Five Cactus League Games

Cincinnati Reds rookie infielder Noelvi Marte (hamstring) said the Grade 2 hamstring strain he suffered while playing winter ball feels "good," but the Reds are slow-playing him in camp and he's expected to miss the first five Cactus League games as a result. The Reds are saying there's no reason Marte won't be ready for […]

Sam Moll Expects To Be Ready For Opener

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Sam Moll (shoulder) is the team's only pitcher in camp yet to throw a bullpen session due to shoulder soreness he experienced during his offseason throwing program, but the veteran southpaw has been playing catch and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. He was one of […]