Twins To Rotate At Designated Hitter

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the team expects to use multiple players at designated hitter this year. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Twins use the spot to give players such as Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, Jorge Polanco and Jose Miranda a day off from the field. Luis Arraez made a team-high 38 […]

Royce Lewis Limited In Spring Training

As he rehabs from a torn ACL in his right knee, Minnesota Twins shortstop/outfielder Royce Lewis is only approved to perform around 75 percent of baseball activities in spring training. He is nearly eight months removed from his second ACL surgery, but Lewis isn't sure when he'll be cleared for full baseball activities. His next […]

Joe Ryan Has Some New Pitches

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan has been showing off a new slider and splitter in spring training this year. Ryan's slider drew rave reviews from hitters after the first full-squad workout on Monday, and he's also featuring a new split-changeup. He allowed eight home runs among 495 sliders thrown in 2022, so he wanted to […]

Yankees Shortstops To Play Multiple Positions In Camp

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that infielders Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who are all competing for the Opening Day shortstop job in spring training, will play more than one position in camp. Kiner-Falefa has moved around the diamond his whole career and has even spent time at catcher. He also […]

Anthony Rizzo Still Managing Back Injury

The stiffness that plagued New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) in 2022 and caused him to miss more than 20 games is expected to be a problem at some points in 2023. "I think I'd be crazy to sit here and say I won't have any back issues here," Rizzo said. "Every year, […]

Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Carlson Competing For Center Field Job

St. Louis Cardinals outfielders Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson are competing for the starting center field job in spring training this year, according to manager Oliver Marmol. The skipper reiterated that O'Neill, Carlson and Lars Nootbaar are the three front-runners for the starting outfield jobs, but the players and starting positions are interchangeable. O'Neill can […]

Luke Voit Signs Minor-League Deal With Brewers

Free-agent first baseman Luke Voit signed a minor-league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training. Voit will join the Brew Crew after spending the 2022 season with the San Diego Padres and Washington Nationals, where he hit a combined .226/.308/.402 with a career-low .710 OPS, 22 home […]

Yordan Alvarez Dealing With Left Hand Injury

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) said he isn't swinging a bat yet in camp as a precaution after his left hand injury flared up again. However, he hopes to resume swinging in the next few days. "I felt a little bit of discomfort but it's something we're going to work on. I'm going […]

Diamondbacks Open To Extension With Corbin Carroll

The Arizona Diamondbacks view rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll as a centerpiece of their future and have engaged him in conversations about a long-term contract, according to sources. It could be the team's best time to strike to ensure that they keep him around beyond the minimum of six year's of club control. The 22-year-old spent […]

Tyler O'Neill Getting Work In Center Field

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill, a two-time Gold Glover in left field, worked exclusively in center field at spring training on Monday. O'Neill is set to play center field for Team Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. This doesn't mean that O'Neill will play center field over Dylan Carlson this year, but it's […]

Taylor Ward Could Hit Leadoff For Angels

Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin said on Monday that he's leaning toward having a lineup that features outfielder Taylor Ward at leadoff, with outfielder Mike Trout behind him at No. 2, designated hitter Shohei Ohtani at No. 3 and third baseman Anthony Rendon in the cleanup spot. Hitting first in front of Trout and […]

Kyle Wright Expects To Be Ready For Opening Day

Atlanta Braves right-hander Kyle Wright (shoulder) halted his normal offseason preparations for three weeks in January when he received a cortisone injection for a right shoulder injury. Wright has felt much better after the injection, though, even if he's slightly behind scheduled in spring training. The Braves have mapped out a plan for Wright to […]

Luis Robert Jr. Says He's Healthy

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (wrist) says he is healthy this spring after spending the winter doing more on-field work and baseball-specific activity in Florida, as opposed to previous offseasons when he just worked out a lot in the batting cages. Part of it was the fact that he had to be game-ready […]

Max Scherzer To Pitch On Sunday

New York Mets manager Buck Showalter said that starting pitcher Max Scherzer is set to pitch on Sunday in his first Grapefruit League start in spring training against his old team, the Washington Nationals. Like all pitchers early in camp, Scherzer won't last long in this one. The 38-year-old right-hander went on the injured list […]

Eagles Interview Jim Leonhard For Defensive Coordinator

The Philadelphia Eagles have interviewed former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard for their open defensive coordinator position, according to a league source. Leonhard was a 10-year NFL safety who is well-respected in league circles. The 40-year-old has never coached at the NFL level. He began his coaching career as a defensive backs coach at Wisconsin […]

Derrick Ansley To Be Promoted To Defensive Coordinator

The Los Angeles Chargers plan to promote secondary coach Derrick Ansley to defensive coordinator and Tommy Donatell to secondary coach/passing-game coordinator, according to sources. It comes after former defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill, who had been with the team the last two years, left to join the Miami Dolphins on a multi-year deal. Head coach Brandon […]

Renaldo Hill Leaves Chargers For Dolphins

Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Renaldo Hill is leaving the organization to reunite with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to become the Dolphins' defensive passing-game coordinator, according to a source. Hill was Fangio's top target, and out of respect to his former boss, Chargers head coach Brandon Staley allowed Hill to depart for Miami. […]

Colts To Hire Jim Bob Cooter As Offensive Coordinator

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to name NFL veteran assistant coach Jim Bob Cooter as their new offensive coordinator, according to sources. The 38-year-old spent the 2022 season as the Jacksonville Jaguars' passing-game coordinator. Cooter served as an offensive consultant with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 when new Colts head coach Shane Steichen was with […]

Franchise Tag Likely For Daniel Jones?

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has switched agents from CAA to Athletes First, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. A source believes Jones wants more than CAA was able to get and more than the Giants have offered, possibly as much as $45 million per year or more. New York could […]

Michael Brantley To Be Eased Into Spring Games

Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) said he's on schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery, but he also probably won't be ready to play in spring games when Grapefruit League contests begin this Saturday. Brantley has no limitations defensively, but he'll be eased into action. The 35-year-old had surgery to fix his right labrum […]

Robbie Ray Starting Cactus League Opener

Seattle Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray will start the team's Cactus League opener this Friday against the San Diego Padres. In his first year in Seattle after winning the American League Cy Young with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021, Ray went 12-12 with a 3.71 ERA (4.16 FIP), 1.19 WHIP and 27.4 percent strikeout rate […]

Daniel Espino, Chase Delauter To Miss Significant Time

Cleveland Guardians top pitching prospect Daniel Espino (shoulder) will be shut down for at least eight weeks due to a strain/tear in his shoulder. Meanwhile, last year's first-rounder Chase Delauter (foot) will miss four to five months with a fracture in his foot, which is the same injury he dealt with last year. Espino also […]

Brayan Bello Resumes Throwing Monday

Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello (forearm) resumed throwing on flat ground at a shorter distance at spring training on Monday for the first time since reporting forearm tightness following his bullpen session a week ago. The Red Sox are being extra cautious with the 23-year-old early in camp, but it's a good sign that […]

Felix Bautista To Throw Another Bullpen Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) said that he's scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday at 75 percent to 80 percent intensity. He felt good after his last bullpen, but he made sure to reiterate that his progression will be deliberate and not rapid. The 27-year-old right-hander has been slowed by left […]

David Peralta Had Offseason Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder David Peralta (back) needed offseason back surgery to address a herniated disc over the winter, with the pain coming "out of nowhere." It could help explain why his numbers dropped last year with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays. The 35-year-old left-hander hit .251/.316/.415 with a .731 OPS, 12 home […]

J.D. Martinez To Serve As Full-Time DH

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter J.D. Martinez is expected to serve as the team's full-time DH in his first year with the team. In the first season of the universal DH in 2022, four Dodgers players appeared at the position at least 20 times -- Justin Turner, Max Muncy, Will Smith and Edwin Rios. With […]

Jacob deGrom To Continue Throwing Program Monday

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (side) felt good after a workout on Sunday and will continue his throwing program on Monday. deGrom experienced some tightness in his left side in a bullpen session last week, prompting the Rangers to shut him down for a couple days as a precaution. It appears to be a […]

Robert Stephenson Dealing With Right Arm Discomfort

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (arm) has been slowed in spring training due to right arm discomfort. The Pirates are being cautious early in camp after Stephenson threw on Saturday. It's probably a minor issue, but the Bucs aren't going to take any chances this early in camp. The 29-year-old right-hander is slated to […]

Rangers Add Dominic Leone On Minor-League Deal

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent right-hander Dominic Leone to a minor-league deal on Saturday. Leone has worked under Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux with the St. Louis Cardinals, under manager Bruce Bochy with the San Francisco Giants and for general manager Chris Young with the Seattle Mariners. The 31-year-old reliever ended the 2022 season on […]

Jason Heyward Makes Significant Mechanical Adjustments

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward underwent a "significant" adjustment to his swing mechanics this winter, according to manager Dave Roberts. "I think he might have unlocked something," said first baseman Freddie Freeman, who is very happy to be reunited with his former Atlanta teammate. Heyward has been in decline now for a while and […]