Final Exam: Grading Every AFC Team Post Super Bowl

If this NFL season taught us anything, it was to expect the unexpected. Various storylines caught fans by surprise while simultaneously morphing the power dynamic throughout the league. With the 2023 NFL season officially over, it's time to both reflect on teams' performances and also analyze their current position ahead of a key offseason. The […]

Ranking The Top 10 NFL Teams With The Brightest Five-Year Windows

Just because an NFL team is currently a powerhouse doesn't mean they'll still be a feared team five years down the road. Contract limitations, performance fluctuations, salary cap restrictions, and other factors all contribute to the NFL power dynamic morphing every year. This offseason, we think we have a good sense of which teams are […]

Top Landing Spots For Jordan Montgomery: MLB Free Agent Outlook (2024)

All 30 Major League Baseball teams have started playing Spring Training games, but that doesn't mean transactions have been paused. An astonishingly high number of free agents remain available, with many of them represented by stingy super-agent Scott Boras. One of the top players currently on the market is starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. The Boras […]

Michael Stefanic Exits Saturday's Game With Injury

Los Angeles Angels infielder Michael Stefanic (quad) exited Saturday's Spring Training game with a left quad strain, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The 28-year-old came on strong through 25 games with the Halos last year, slashing .290/.380/.355 with a solid 11.3 BB% and equally impressive 11.3 K%. Stefanic isn't regarded as […]

Josh Taylor Tosses Scoreless Inning In Return

Kansas City Royals reliever Josh Taylor (back) was listed among the team's available pitchers prior to Saturday's Spring Training game. He ultimately entered the game and pitched one inning, allowing two hits but escaping after just five total pitches. All of this is a good sign for the Royals and their left-handed hurler after he […]

Heliot Ramos Injures Knee, Should Return Sunday

San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos (knee) was removed from Saturday's Spring Training game after being hit by a pitch. His departure from the contest was likely precautionary given that, after the game's conclusion, manager Bob Melvin said Ramos' injury wasn't serious and he should return to the lineup on Sunday. The 24-year-old is regarded […]

Justin Verlander Throws Bullpen Saturday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Saturday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Verlander hasn't progressed to facing live batters yet, but he is on track and still figures to be ready for Opening Day. The veteran remains a key piece of Houston's entering his age-41 season, just one […]

Forrest Whitley To Undergo Additional Testing

Houston Astros relief pitcher Forrest Whitley (finger) experienced middle finger soreness while warming up for a live bullpen session on Saturday, manager Joe Espada told members of the media, including The Athletic's Chandler Rome. Whitley ultimately skipped his bullpen session and is set to undergo additional evaluation with team doctors. Injuries have put a damper […]

Dylan Floro Sidelined With Shoulder Tightness

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Dylan Floro is experiencing shoulder tightness and will be sidelined for a little while, manager Dave Martinez told Andrew Golden of the Washington Post. Martinez noted that Floro typically deals with some soreness in Spring Training, so he's not too concerned. The 33-year-old inked a major league deal with Washington this […]

Marco Luciano Scratched From Saturday's Lineup

San Francisco Giants rookie shortstop Marco Luciano (hamstring) has been scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Chicago Cubs, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. His injury was described as a minor hamstring issue on Friday, and while it's enough to hold him out of a game, this is likely an example of […]

Yu Darvish Preparing To Pitch In Cactus League Game

San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish (elbow) threw 32 pitches during live batting practice on Friday, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. He expects that his next appearance will come in a game, and he hopes to be ready for the Padres' regular season-opening series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Korea. This is […]

Alec Bohm, Rafael Marchan Sidelined For Start Of Grapefruit League Play

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (neck) and catcher Rafael Marchan (back) are both being held out of action due to their respective injuries, manager Rob Thomson told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Bohm is dealing with neck spasms and won't play this weekend. It doesn't sound like this injury is too serious, and the […]

Mike Ford Inks Minor-League Deal With Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have signed free-agent first baseman Mike Ford to a minor-league deal, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The deal includes an invitation to spring training, as well as additional opt-out clauses that would presumably come into effect if Ford doesn't make the big-league squad. Heyman notes that Ford would […]

Masyn Winn Resumes Full Activities

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (upper body) resumed full baseball activities on Friday after being held out of batting practice for two consecutive days due to tightness. The 21-year-old struggled through limited big-league action (37 games) as a rookie last year, but perhaps he'll benefit from additional reps as a projected starter heading into […]

Carlos Hernandez Experiencing Shoulder Soreness

Kansas City Royals reliever Carlos Hernandez (shoulder) is dealing with right shoulder soreness and has not thrown off a mound in two weeks, president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo told MLB.com's Anne Rogers on Friday. With that said, the expectation is that Hernandez will throw his first bullpen soon and should get six or seven […]

Carlos Carrasco Slated To Start Spring Opener

Cleveland Guardians right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco (finger) is expected to start Saturday's Spring Training game against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Nick Camino of WKYC. Carrasco inked a minor league deal this season with the Guardians, for whom he played 11 seasons from 2010 through 2020. He most recently pitched for the New York Mets, […]

Joe Musgrove Chased From Spring Opener

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove surrendered four earned runs during Thursday's Spring Training opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He struggled mightily in the role, surrendering a walk, single, and hit batter in the top of the first inning before allowing Teoscar Hernandez to drive in two runs with his double. After just […]

Teoscar Hernandez Drives Home Two In Spring Opener

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez went 1-for-3 with a two-run double against the San Diego Padres on Thursday. Los Angeles never relinquished its early lead, slamming the door on their divisional foes by a score of 14-1. This was Hernandez's first game as a Dodger and he certainly made an impact, plating Mookie Betts […]

Jake Cronenworth Homers In Spring Opener

San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth went 1-for-2 with a solo homer during Thursday's Spring Training opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Padres fell behind early and never came back, dropping the first game of Cactus League play by a score of 14-1. Cronenworth took a step back offensively in 2023 with a […]

Masyn Winn Sidelined From Batting Practice

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (upper body) has missed batting practice for two consecutive days due to tightness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Although any sort of injury this early in Spring Training can trigger alarms, Goold notes that Winn "expects to be back Friday." The 21-year-old struggled through limited big-league […]

George Springer To Remain In Leadoff Role

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer will remain locked in as the team's leadoff hitter for the 2024 season, manager John Schneider told Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "For Georgie, it's about getting back to what he's great at," Schneider said. "Pulling the ball more is something he's talking about." These are positive comments and promising […]

Michael Kopech Reportedly In Best Shape Since 2021

Chicago White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech (knee) is in the "best physical shape since 2021," pitching coach Ethan Katz relayed to Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. It's unclear just how much stock fantasy managers should take in this update, but it's a promising report nonetheless considering Kopech recently admitted he lost 20 pounds […]

Luis Rengifo Says He's Fully Healthy

Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (biceps) told Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com that he is fully healthy after recovering from surgery to address his torn left biceps tendon. The injury kept him sidelined for most of September and October of last season, though he still managed to play while slashing .264/.339/.444 with a 114 wRC+. […]

Tyler Glasnow To Pitch In Opening Series

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow is expected to start a game during the team's season-opening, two-game series against the San Diego Padres in Korea. The series, which begins on March 20th, officially kicks off the 2024 MLB regular season. Glasnow was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers this season after an incredible run with […]

Pablo Sandoval Signs With Giants, Earns Camp Invite

The San Francisco Giants have signed veteran Pablo Sandoval to a minor league contract, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. Sandoval's deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. The 37-year-old has been out of Major League Baseball since 2021, and he was most recently a member of Dubai's Abu Dhabi Falcons after […]

Christopher Morel Opens Camp With Focus On Playing Third Base

Chicago Cubs infielder Christopher Morel is focusing on playing third base as Spring Training gets underway, manager Craig Counsell told the media on Saturday. The Cubs' new skipper explained that he wants to maximize Morel's impact both in the field and at the plate, and he thinks he can do so by giving the 24-year-old […]

Kyle Wright Opening Year On 60-Day IL

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Wright (right shoulder) has been placed on the 60-day injured list, according to an announcement from the team. His 40-man roster spot will be given to John Schreiber after he was traded from Boston to Kansas City on Saturday. This is merely a procedural move given that Wright will […]

Graham Ashcraft Ready To Pitch In Games

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) is ready to pitch in Spring Training games, manager David Bell told the media on Saturday. The former sixth-round pick wasn't incredibly effective last year, posting a 5.06 FIP, 6.86 K/9, and 1.42 HR/9. However, he was a readily available option for Cincinnati, staying healthy long enough to […]

Emilio Pagan, Nick Lodolo Throw Bullpens

Cincinnati Reds pitchers Emilio Pagan (sports hernia surgery) and Nick Lodolo (tibia) are both throwing bullpens as Spring Training gets underway, manager David Bell told the media on Saturday. Pagan pitched great as a Minnesota Twin last year, posting a 3.27 FIP, 8.44 K/9, 2.73 BB/9, and 0.65 HR/9. He was also a source of […]

Mariners Claim Levi Stoudt, DFA Canaan Smith-Njigba

The Seattle Mariners have claimed right-handed pitcher Levi Stoudt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. To create room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment. Adding Stoudt to the team is a noteworthy move for the Mariners. Seattle originally drafted him in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft before […]