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 […]

Graham Ashcraft Slightly Behind In Camp

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is a little bit behind the other pitchers in spring training after right big-toe surgery in September. He is a few days behind the other starters, but it's mostly about conditioning. It sounds like Ashcraft's toe won't be an issue as he prepares for the start of the 2024 […]

Hunter Greene Working On A Curveball

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene is working on a new curveball in camp this year. Last year, Greene used his fastball 54.4% of the time, his slider 40.3% and his changeup only 5.3%. His fastball averaged 98.3 mph in 2023, the slider was 87.3 mph, and the changeup was 91.1 mph. The new curve is […]

Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly To Make Spring Debuts Soon

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen is scheduled to make his first spring Cactus League start on March 1 against the Cincinnati Reds, while right-hander Merrill Kelly will make his first start on March 8 against the Chicago Cubs. Including the playoffs, Gallen and Kelly threw 243 2/3 and 201 2/3 innings, respectively, in 2023. Kelly […]

Gleyber Torres Wants "To Be A Yankee For Life"

New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, who is entering the final year of his deal in 2024, said on Wednesday at spring training that wants "to be a Yankee for life." However, there have been no extension talks with the team to this point. Torres said he understands the team's hesitancy since the last […]

Gerrit Cole To Face Live Hitters Wednesday

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole is scheduled to face live hitters at spring training on Wednesday over two innings for his first live batting practice session of camp. Cole won the American League Cy Young award in 2023 by going 15-4 with a league-best 2.63 ERA (3.16 FIP), a league-best 0.981 WHIP, 48 walks […]

Red Sox's Extension Talks With Brayan Bello May Be Heating Up

Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello said his agents have been engaged in extension talks with the Red Sox in recent weeks and that a deal may be close between the two sides. Bello said "maybe" when asked if a deal could be done before the end of spring training. The 24-year-old isn't eligible for […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Feeling Great

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said he "feels great" at camp this spring and is sporting a leaner physique after putting in hard work to get his body right in the offseason. The 24-year-old arrived this week at camp looking noticeably slimmer and stronger. "He looks great," manager John Schneider said of […]

Marlins Offer Tim Anderson A Starting Job

The Miami Marlins have offered free-agent shortstop Tim Anderson a contract to be their primary shortstop, according to a source. The 30-year-old has made all but two of his major-league starts at shortstop, but he played at second base in last year's World Baseball Classic. The two-time All-Star had a terrible .582 OPS with just […]

Kyle Hendricks Ramping Up After Normal Offseason

Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks is looking to build off his solid 2023 season after returning from a worrisome shoulder injury that caused him to get a late start last spring training. Hendricks looked good in a live batting practice session last Saturday and was sitting around 86-88 mph with his fastballs. The 34-year-old soft-tossing […]

Edgar Navarro To Have Tommy John Surgery In March

Chicago White Sox right-hander Edgar Navarro (elbow) will have Tommy John surgery in early March, according to the team. The 26-year-old Venezuelan made his major-league debut in 2023 for the Pale Hose and struggled, allowing seven earned runs on 11 hits (two homers) while walking two and striking out nine in 8 2/3 innings over […]

Gary Sanchez's Deal With Brewers Is Back On

Free-agent catcher Gary Sanchez (wrist) is close to finalizing the one-year, $7 million contract that he reached with the Milwaukee Brewers nearly two weeks ago, according to sources briefed on the discussions. There was a holdup because the Brewers had lingering concerns over the condition of Sanchez's right wrist after his physical, and the expectation […]