Justin Verlander Won't Pitch In Grapefruit League Game

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) faced hitters in camp on Wednesday in a live batting practice session. Verlander looked good while throwing 20 pitches, according to manager Joe Espada. However, Verlander will not pitch in a Grapefruit League game or in the two exhibition contests at Minute Maid Park next week before Opening Day […]

Kevin Gausman May Avoid Injured List Stint

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) threw a two-inning simulated game in camp on Wednesday as he tries to recover from right-shoulder fatigue that has sidelined him from Grapefruit League action. He reported feeling good afterward and is scheduled to make his spring debut on Monday. If he continues to progress, there's a chance […]

David Bednar "Optimistic" He'll Be Ready For Opening Day

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (lat) threw live batting practice on Monday and said that his next step is likely to appear in games. "I'm staying day-by-day as much as I possibly can," Bednar said. "But each day has been feeling good. I'm optimistic." Bednar has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this […]

Sonny Gray Could Start On First Road Trip

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that right-hander Sonny Gray (hamstring) will pitch two innings against minor-league hitters on Friday on a back field at the team's spring training complex. If Gray passes that test, he could be slotted in for his first regular-season start on the team's West coast road trip from March […]

Shohei Ohtani Not Facing Discipline

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is not currently facing discipline, nor is he believed to be under active investigation by the league, according to an MLB official. Ohtani's long-time interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following accusations of "massive theft." Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in the […]

Robert Suarez Picks Up First Save Of The Season

San Diego Padres right-hander Robert Suarez picked up his first save of the 2024 season in Korea on Thursday in the team's 15-11 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Suarez picked up the save by recording four outs. The 33-year-old gave up one hit and struck out two batters to earn his first save […]

Jonathan Aranda Has Broken Finger

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Jonathan Aranda (finger) has a broken right ring finger and will open the season on the injured list. Aranda injured his finger on Tuesday in camp while fielding a ground ball. The 25-year-old will have surgery to have a pin placed in his broken right ring finger and will likely […]

Kodai Senga To Begin Throwing Within A Week

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing within a week, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Senga got an MRI exam on Tuesday and doctors cleared him to begin activity. The Mets will wait until he passes their internal strength tests before he does so to make sure he's ready, according […]

Commanders Sign Clelin Ferrell

The Washington Commanders announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent defensive end Clelin Ferrell to an undisclosed deal. Ferrell was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2019 in the first round (fourth overall) out of Clemson and spent his first four years with the Black and Silver before recording 28 tackles (15 solo), 3.5 […]

River Cracraft Re-Signs With Dolphins

Free-agent wide receiver River Cracraft announced on social media that he re-signed an undisclosed deal with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday. Cracraft will return to Miami in 2024 for his third year with the team. In the last two seasons in South Beach, he had 18 receptions on 26 targets for 223 yards and three […]

Kyle Finnegan Is Healthy

Washington Nationals right-hander Kyle Finnegan (back), who hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 12 due to a tight back, is healthy. He was originally going to pitch on Wednesday night, but he and the team decided to push him back to Thursday. When healthy, Finnegan should be the favorite for saves for […]

Yankees Talking With Jordan Montgomery Again

According to sources, free-agent left-hander Jordan Montgomery and the New York Yankees are back in contact, although a gap in contract talks still exists. Montgomery's camp compares him to Aaron Nola, who got $172 million over seven years with the Philadelphia Phillies. But Montgomery has actually been better since 2021 and was even better in […]

Edwin Arroyo Done For The Season

Cincinnati Reds shortstop prospect Edwin Arroyo (shoulder), the team's No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had season-ending shoulder surgery on Wednesday to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The 20-year-old injured the shoulder diving back to first base last week in a Cactus League game and will now miss all of 2024. It's […]

Reds Acquire Santiago Espinal From Blue Jays

The Cincinnati Reds acquired infielder Santiago Espinal from the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday in exchange for right-hander Chris McElvain. The move comes on the same day that the Reds announced second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) will open the season on the injured list and could need surgery. Noelvi Marte is also suspended for half […]

John Brebbia Goes Through Drills Wednesday

Chicago White Sox right-hander John Brebbia (calf) went through fielding drills in camp on Wednesday after pitching an inning in a minor-league game on Tuesday. Brebbia strained his right calf during fielding drills in spring training in late February and is still working his way back from it. The 33-year-old is up in the air […]

Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter Fired Over Allegation Of "Massive Theft"

The Los Angeles Dodgers' interpreter for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani was fired on Wednesday after questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers sent from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaking operation set off a series of events. Ippei Mizuhara incurred gambling debts to a bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation, according to […]

Alec Marsh Could Be Favorite For No. 5 Rotation Spot

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh has made a strong impression in spring training, giving up three runs in 14 Cactus League innings, and might be considered the favorite for the fifth and final starting rotation spot to enter the season. Jordan Lyles is the incumbent behind Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Brady Singer and Michael […]

Season-Ending Surgery Expected For Chris Murphy

Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Murphy (elbow) is going for a second opinion to confirm his initial diagnosis of a high-grade UCL tear in his left elbow, and season-ending surgery is expected. We don't know yet if Murphy will actually have Tommy John surgery, but either way, his 2024 season is likely over before it […]

Chad Green, Yimi Garcia Could Be Options For Saves Early On

With both Toronto Blue Jays relief pitchers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) dealing with injuries with Opening Day right around the corner next week, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia are two clear candidates to fill in for the closer role if Romano and Swanson aren't ready or are eased back in. Nate Pearson […]

Tyler Matzek Back After Tommy John Surgery

Atlanta Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow) is back this year after missing all of last season and the last two postseasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery in October of 2022. Matzek threw two perfect innings with four strikeouts in a Grapefruit League game on Sunday to erase any questions about whether he'd need a […]

Matt McLain Won't Be Ready For Opening Day

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that that second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) won't be ready for Opening Day on March 28. "I think it's safe to say he's not going to be ready to start the season," Bell said. After being scratched from a Cactus League game on Monday due to left-shoulder soreness, McLain […]

Sawyer Gipson-Long Throws Live Batting Practice

Detroit Tigers right-handed rookie Sawyer Gipson-Long (groin), who has been dealing with a left-groin strain since the start of spring training, was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session in camp on Wednesday in Lakeland, Florida. Gipson-Long's groin injury has prevented him from competing for a starting spot to begin the 2024 regular season, […]

Gio Urshela Hasn't Locked Down Starting Duties At Third Base

When the Detroit Tigers signed infielder Gio Urshela to a one-year, $1.5 million deal late in February, having him serve as the primary third baseman in 2024 always made the most sense but the Tigers didn't make any declarations about his playing time because they needed to evaluate his on-field performance in his return from […]

Jameson Taillon Throws Bullpen On Wednesday

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (back) threw a 10-pitch, touch-and-feel bullpen session in camp on Wednesday. Taillon is finally starting to work his way back after being shut down with a lower-back injury almost two weeks ago. As a result, the 32-year-old veteran will start the 2024 regular season on the injured list for the […]

Johan Rojas Still The Favorite For Center Field Job

Despite not having a good spring, outfielder Johan Rojas remains the favorite to open the year as the Philadelphia Phillies' starting center fielder, according to team sources. There could be an official verdict later this week, according to manager Rob Thomson. The Phillies will continue to monitor Rojas' Grapefruit League at-bats as he continues to […]

Tylor Megill Wins Rotation Spot

New York Mets right-hander Tylor Megill has won an Opening Day starting rotation spot due to Kodai Senga's (shoulder) injury, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. As a result, Jose Butto will open the year in the minor leagues, although he'll likely be the next starter up, potentially as early as the team's 13-day stretch of […]

Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett Throw Bullpens

Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said right-hander Edward Cabrera (shoulder) and left-hander Braxton Garrett (shoulder) both threw bullpen sessions in camp on Wednesday. Cabrera's bullpen consisted of around 20 pitches (all fastballs), while Garrett got up and down three times and is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Sunday. Cabrera, 25, threw […]

Anthony Rendon An Option To Hit Leadoff?

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said that he's experimenting with leadoff hitters, which is why third baseman Anthony Rendon was hitting first in the order in the Cactus League game on Wednesday versus the San Francisco Giants. Washington said that the team doesn't have an ideal leadoff hitter, but Rendon does have a knack […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Still Feeling Tightness, May Undergo MRI

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) was still feeling some tightness in his left lat on Wednesday after being pulled from his Cactus League outing on Tuesday night, although the tightness wasn't as bad as Tuesday evening, according to manager Torey Lovullo. The D-backs have talked about the possibility of having Rodriguez undergo an MRI […]

Ryan Mountcastle Returns To The Lineup

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (neck) returned to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia Phillies and started at first base and hit fifth in the batting order. Neck stiffness kept Mountcastle out of the spring lineup since last Friday, but he's back in there on Wednesday and should be fine […]