Jameson Taillon Becoming More Of A Strikeout Artist?

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon has faced 52 batters in four Cactus League starts this spring and hasn't walked a single hitter. It doesn't come as much of a surprise for Taillon, but he also struck out nine hitters on Tuesday while using his new sweeping slider effectively. "It's definitely going to provide a […]

Drew Smyly Fine-Tuning His Mechanics

Chicago Cubs left-hander Drew Smyly is feeling great this spring and changed how he attacked hitters in his last two Cactus League outings to prepare for the regular season, but pitching coach Tommy Hottovy also pointed out that Smyly's arm was dropping in his delivery. He said the difference in his mechanics were minimal. The […]

Cubs Not Concerned With Justin Steele's Velocity

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele looked off in his last Cactus League outing and talked about how he felt like he was pitching "underwater" when he walked five batters and his velocity was down. However, the Cubs aren't worried with Opening Day coming up quickly. "Pushing him too much now to sacrifice something down […]

James Paxton To Face Live Hitters Saturday

Boston Red Sox left-hander James Paxton (hamstring) will throw live batting practice on Saturday as he starts from scratch after straining his hamstring in his Grapefruit League debut in camp. Opening Day is less than a week away, so there's no chance Paxton will be ready for that next Thursday, but he'll slowly build himself […]

Jake Woodford To Open Year In Starting Rotation

With St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright (groin) opening the 2023 regular season on the injured list, right-hander Jake Woodford will open the year in the team's starting rotation as the No. 5 starter. The 26-year-old should get at least a couple of starts early on as Wainwright tries to recover from a strained groin. […]

Kenley Jansen Expects To Pitch Before Camp Ends

Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen is confident that the lightheadedness that he experienced in his Grapefruit League appearance on Friday night was not due to heart issues he's had in the past and suspects it was simply dehydration. He had been working out in the hot sun in the hours before the game. Jansen […]

Kenley Jansen Feels Light-Headed Friday

Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen left his Grapefruit League outing on Friday against the Atlanta Braves after feeling light-headed on the mound, according to manager Alex Cora. However, the skipper also said that Jansen should be fine. Jansen has had issues with an irregular heartbeat in the past, but this apparently doesn't seem to […]

Seahawks Still In Contact With Bobby Wagner

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider said the team remains in contact with free-agent linebacker Bobby Wagner. Seattle needs another veteran linebacker, and it's their most pressing need, which could align the stars for a reunion between the two sides in 2023. The 32-year-old mutually agreed to part ways with the Los Angeles Rams after […]

Keston Hiura, Tyler Naquin Won't Make Brewers Roster

The Milwaukee Brewers informed out-of-options infielder Keston Hiura and non-roster outfielder Tyler Naquin on Friday that they will not make the team's Opening Day roster out of spring training. Hiura was scratched from Friday's Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee will now attempt to trade him before Opening Day next Thursday. […]

Julio Urias Officially Starting Opening Day

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias has officially been named the team's Opening Day starter in 2023 on Friday. Urias will be on the road in his first start this year next Thursday, March 30, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 26-year-old southpaw is taking the torch from fellow lefty Clayton Kershaw in 2023 as the […]

Corbin Burnes To Start Opening Day For Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes will get the Opening Day nod for the team for the second straight year against the division-rival Chicago Cubs next Thursday at Wrigley Field. He'll be opposed by Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman. Burnes has even more reason for motivation in 2023 after sticky arbitration negotiations with the team in the […]

Juan Soto Taking Dry Swings Friday

San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (oblique) is taking dry swings at camp on Friday, which is seen as a big development in terms of his possible progression toward being ready for Opening Day next Thursday. It's good news for the Padres outfield as well after Adam Engel suffered a hamstring injury in a spring […]

Shane Bieber To Start On Opening Day For Cleveland

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber will get the ball on Opening Day next Thursday, March 30, at home against the Seattle Mariners and right-hander Luis Castillo. It's a tough first opponent, but Bieber could easily be up for the task in front of the home faithful. The 27-year-old ace is making his fourth straight Opening […]

Tony Gonsolin Throws Bullpen Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin (ankle) is throwing a bullpen session off of a mound in camp on Friday, which is a good sign for his recovery from a sprained ankle. The 28-year-old right-hander is throwing off a mound for the first time since he sprained his left ankle in a Cactus League […]

Carlos Rodon Slowly Progressing

New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (forearm) threw a bullpen session on Thursday, and pitching coach Matt Blake said Rodon showed great rhythm and consistency with his command. After two or three more bullpen sessions, Rodon will throw live batting practice. And once he gets to that point, he should be around a month from […]

Esteury Ruiz Makes Opening Day Roster

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that outfielder Esteury Ruiz has been told he will make the Opening Day roster. Oakland's No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will now get a very good chance to be an everyday player for the rebuilding A's. He was dealt from the Milwaukee Brewers to the A's in the […]

Mitch Haniger Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said the team doesn't think outfielder Mitch Haniger (oblique) will be ready for Opening Day next Thursday. If Haniger opens the year on the injured list, he would be eligible to return for the sixth game of the season, so he may not miss much time at all for […]

Xander Bogaerts Wearing Splint, Receives Cortisone Shot

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (wrist) is wearing a splint on his left wrist after receiving a cortisone shot and is expected to be held out the next two days in the Cactus League. He will then play the final two spring games and be good for the start of the 2023 regular season […]

Shohei Ohtani Gets Opening Day Assignment For Angels

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani will start on Opening Day next Thursday against the Oakland Athletics. He'll be opposed by Kyle Muller of the A's. Ohtani recently helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic for a record third time, but he won't make another Cactus League appearance on the mound before making his […]

Yusei Kikuchi Makes Toronto's Rotation

Toronto Blue Jays left-hander Yusei Kikuchi has made the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to manager John Schneider. The 31-year-old Japanese hurler did it by allowing only two earned runs on nine hits while walking 10 and striking out 25 over 18 innings and six Grapefruit League starts this spring. He sealed the deal […]

Patrick Corbin To Start On Opening Day

The Washington Nationals announced on Friday that left-hander Patrick Corbin will take the hill on Opening Day on Thursday, March 30, to face the division-rival Atlanta Braves. Corbin will get the nod despite going 6-19 with a career-worst 6.31 ERA (4.83 FIP), 1.69 WHIP and career-low 18 percent strikeout rate in 152 2/3 innings pitched […]

Phillies Name Aaron Nola The Opening Day Starter

The Philadelphia Phillies named right-hander Aaron Nola as their Opening Day starter for next Thursday against the Texas Rangers. It will be Nola's sixth straight Opening Day nod. It speaks to how good the 29-year-old has been as the team's ace. He'll be facing off against ex-division-rival ace Jacob deGrom as well. Nola finished fourth […]

Jacob deGrom To Start Opening Day For Rangers

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom will be the team's scheduled starter for Opening Day next Thursday, March 30, against the Philadelphia Phillies. deGrom was behind early in spring training due to left side tightness, but it wasn't too serious and he'll be able to make the Opening Day start after all in his first season […]

Cardinals Give Miles Mikolas A Two-Year Extension

The St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract extension with starting pitcher Miles Mikolas on Friday, according to sources. In addition to the new extension, Mikolas has been named the team's Opening Day starter for next Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with Adam Wainwright (groin) set to open the season […]

Ravens Agree To One-Year Deal With Nelson Agholor

The Baltimore Ravens agreed to a one-year, $3.25 million deal with free-agent wide receiver Nelson Agholor on Friday, according to a source. Agholor will have another $3 million available in incentives as part of the deal. A first-round pick back in 2015, Agholor has underwhelmed in his eight NFL seasons and has yet to reach […]

DeAndre Carter Visiting With Raiders

Free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Carter is visiting the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday, according to a source. Carter is coming off career-highs in catches (46), targets (65) and receiving yards (538) in 2022 with the Los Angeles Chargers in 17 games (seven starts), and he also tied his previous career-high with three touchdowns. The 29-year-old […]

Eagles Give Lane Johnson One-Year Extension

The Philadelphia Eagles gave All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson a one-year, $33.445 million contract extension on Friday that includes $30 million guaranteed, according to a source. Johnson is now under contract through the 2026 season. He hasn't given up a sack in the last two years, despite playing last postseason with a torn adductor muscle […]

Leody Taveras Could Avoid Injured List

Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras (oblique) could avoid starting the 2023 regular season on the injured list, even if he's not ready to play by Opening Day next Thursday, March 30. Taveras is recovering from a left oblique strain and while he's been able to swing from the left side of the plate, the 24-year-old […]

Adam Frazier Starting In Outfield Friday

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Adam Frazier is making the start in right field and is batting eighth on Friday in the team's Grapefruit League game against right-hander Yoendrys Gomez and the New York Yankees. Frazier will have to find some playing time in the outfield in 2023 with the Orioles in order to stay fresh, […]

Bobby Witt Jr. Returns To Cactus League Lineup

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. is back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Friday against the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Tristan Beck after playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Witt is back in his normal leadoff spot while starting at shortstop. The 22-year-old saw limited action in the […]