Noah Syndergaard Showing Uptick In Velocity

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Noah Syndergaard has already shown an uptick in velocity in bullpen sessions compared to the sessions he threw a year ago. "There's going to be a marked increase in velocity (this year), in our opinion," Roberts said. The 30-year-old worked on his mechanics in the offseason, […]

Brayan Bello Shut Down With Forearm Soreness

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander Brayan Bello (forearm) has been shut down briefly due to right forearm soreness that he experienced in his last bullpen session when he threw a lot of breaking balls. Bello is scheduled to resume throwing on Monday. "We're very confident Monday he's back on his throwing […]

Michael Soroka Dealing With Hamstring Soreness

Atlanta Braves right-hander Michael Soroka (hamstring) is dealing with hamstring soreness in spring training, according to manager Brian Snitker. Soroka reported the soreness when he arrived in camp, and the Braves are holding him out for now as a precaution. It's not a great start to the spring for the 25-year-old starter as he looks […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Dealing With Arm Soreness

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (arm) experienced some arm soreness in camp, but the skipper didn't specify what kind of soreness exactly after McCullers threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Baker isn't very concerned. It sounds as if the 29-year-old right-hander is dealing with the same forearm injury […]

Clayton Kershaw Won't Pitch In World Baseball Classic

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw announced on Friday that he will not be participating for Team USA in this year's World Baseball Classic. Kershaw declined to give a specific reason, but he said it is "super disappointing." The most likely reason is a complication with insurance for Kershaw after he missed time due to […]

Aaron Nola, Phillies In Extension Talks

The Philadelphia Phillies and starting pitcher Aaron Nola have begun discussions on a long-term contract extension, according to multiple major-league sources. He's currently scheduled to become a free agent after the 2023 season. There appears to be momentum to reach an agreement sometime this spring, and Nola has expressed his interest in remaining in Philadelphia. […]

Bryce Harper Won't Be In Camp Until March

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) will not arrive at spring training with the team until early March, according to manager Rob Thomson. It's not much of a surprise after Harper had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in late November. The 30-year-old former MVP is expected to be out for most of the […]

Julio Rodriguez Could Run More This Year

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez only had four of his 25 stolen bases in the second half of last season, but part of that was due to health, and part of it was pitchers paying more attention to him on the bases. But Rodriguez could be running even more in 2023. "It's a big part […]

Dustin May Will Face Restrictions In 2023

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said right-hander Dustin May will be under some limitations in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery this year, but the Dodgers haven't exactly decided what that entails. "But I'm excited for him to start the season healthy and not being in that rehab mode," Roberts added. […]

Cionel Perez, Bryan Baker Could Be Closing Options

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that relievers Cionel Perez and Bryan Baker could get opportunities to close out games if closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) isn't ready for the start of the 2023 season. In addition to Bautista, late-inning reliever Dillon Tate (elbow) is slated to miss the first month of the season. Fantasy […]

Jameson Taillon Tweaking His Slider

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon has been working on tweaking his slider grip in spring training. Taillon agreed to a four-year, $68 million deal with the Cubs in free agency after spending the last two years with the New York Yankees, where he went 22-11 with a 4.08 ERA (4.16 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 76 walks […]

Nestor Cortes Throws Bullpen Session Friday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nestor Cortes (hamstring), who had to pull out of this year's World Baseball Classic due to a right hamstring injury, threw a bullpen session on Friday. Cortes' injury appears to be very minor, but the Yankees aren't taking any chances this early in spring training, and it was a no-brainer […]

Kodai Senga Struggles In First Throwing Session

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga didn't have the best throwing session in spring training on Thursday, but the Mets are confident he'll make the necessary adjustments to a steeper mound than in his hometown of Japan. Senga called the 52-pitch bullpen session "so-so." The right-hander topped out at 96 mph during the workout. […]

Jose Alvarado Signs Three-Year Extension

The Philadelphia Phillies signed relief pitcher Jose Alvarado to a three-year contract extension on Friday that includes a team option for the 2026 season. The deal will be worth $21.5 million, and the option is worth $9 million. The 27-year-old left-hander had already avoided arbitration with a one-year, $3.45 million deal last week, but now […]

Manny Machado Plans To Opt Out Of Contract

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado publicly confirmed that he's told the team that he plans to opt out of his contract. He declined to get into negotiations on a potential long-term extension with the team, but he did say that he'd still like to play for the organization as long as new teammate […]

Cardinals To Release Vance Joseph From His Contract

The Arizona Cardinals have informed defensive coordinator Vance Joseph that they intend to "release" him from his contract, according to a source. New defensive-minded head coach Jonathan Gannon wants to pick his own defensive coordinator, so Joseph will be let go to look for other opportunities. Both the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles have interest […]

Colts Request To Interview Tee Martin For OC Job

The Indianapolis Colts requested permission to interview Baltimore Ravens wide receivers coach Tee Martin for their offensive coordinator role, according to a source. The Colts are also hoping to interview Jacksonville Jaguars passing-game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for the same position as new head coach Shane Steichen looks to fill out his staff for 2023. […]

49ers Hire Klint Kubiak For Top Offensive Role

The San Francisco 49ers hired former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator and Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak to a top role on head coach Kyle Shanahan's offensive staff on Thursday, according to sources. He'll be replacing Bobby Slowik, who became the Houston Texans' offensive coordinator. Kubiak's brother, Klay, is already San Fran's assistant quarterbacks coach, […]

Saquon Barkley Could Return For $14 Million Per Season

New York Giants impending free-agent running back Saquon Barkley finished fourth in the NFL in rushing in 2022 with 1,312 yards, and his nine carries of 20-plus yards placed him fifth in the league. Barkley could be a candidate for the franchise tag, and his injury history doesn't help his cause for a long-term deal. […]

Yoan Moncada Taking Better Care Of His Body

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada has impressed new manager Pedro Grifol so far. Moncada is scheduled to play for Team Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which is a risk for a player that has had his fair share of injuries over the years. He hit just .212/.273/.353 with 12 home runs […]

Anthony DeSclafani Says He's 100 Percent

San Francisco Giants right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (ankle) said he is fully healthy in spring training and intends to bounce back this year after being limited to five starts in 2022 after having season-ending ankle surgery. DeSclafani had an ERA over 6.00 in his 19 innings pitched last year, too, so it was all bad. The […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Says His Shoulder Is 100%

San Diego Padres shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (shoulder, wrist) said his shoulder is 100 percent healthy. "It's just locked in. I feel like it's not going to come out anymore and it feels really secure. It just feels right," Tatis said. In addition to having surgery on his left shoulder, the 24-year-old phenom also had […]

Clayton Kershaw May Not Pitch In World Baseball Classic

Team USA general manager Tony Reagins said that "there are some challenges in getting Clayton Kershaw cleared" for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The exact reason for Kershaw's uncertain status is not known. The most common hold-up for players to play in the WBC is the need to secure insurance coverage, particularly those with a […]

Andrew Painter Has A New Pitch

Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect Andrew Painter, who stands at 6-foot-7 at 19 years old, has added a cutter to his repertoire this year. Catcher J.T. Realmuto thought Painter's cutter reminded him of Zack Wheeler's. Painter has ascended quickly and could become the first teenager to pitch for the team since 1980. He's in camp this […]

Shintaro Fujinami Impresses At A's Camp

Oakland Athletics right-hander Shintaro Fujinami was impressive in his first side session at spring training on Thursday. The 28-year-old Japanese sensation drew rave reviews and threw all six of his pitches -- four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, cutter, slider, splitter and curveball -- during a bullpen session of around 40 pitches. "The big splitter was nasty," […]

Diamondbacks Closing Situation Will Be Fluid This Year

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said the team's closing situation this year will be "fluid in that area." "What I've done for the past six years is, I've always had a closer. That's just how my mind works. But I've got to evolve a little bit in that area. So if I feel the need […]

Jacob deGrom To Be Evaluated Friday

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (side) will be evaluated on Friday. If that goes well, manager Bruce Bochy said that deGrom could throw again as early as Saturday. The Rangers pushed deGrom's throwing session back on Wednesday after he reported tightness in his left side during a bullpen session earlier this week. The Rangers […]

Ryan Helsley Loses Arbitration Case Against Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley lost his salary arbitration case on Thursday, according to a source. He will make $2.15 million in 2023 instead of the $3 million that he filed for. Helsley will still be St. Louis' primary closer in 2023 after the All-Star had a career-best 1.25 ERA (2.34 FIP), 0.74 WHIP, […]

Eagles New OC Expected To Call Plays

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said he will continue the practice of having his offensive coordinator call the plays in games. Former offensive coordinator Shane Steichen left the organization to become the Indianapolis Colts' new head coach earlier this week, so Philly is looking to replace him after losing Super Bowl LVII to the […]

Cardinals Request To Interview Joel Thomas For OC Position

The Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview New Orleans Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas for their offensive coordinator position, according to a source. In addition to Thomas, Arizona has also requested to interview Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Drew Petzing and Washington Commanders wide receivers coach Drew Terrell. New head coach Jonathan Gannon, previously the […]