Dodgers To Start Season With Five-Man Rotation

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team is planning to start the 2020 regular season with a five-man starting rotation. However, Roberts doesn't anticipate the starters going beyond four innings per game during their first turn through the rotation. With the 2020 season shortened to 60 games because of COVID-19, we're likely […]

Cole Hamels Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Season

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Cole Hamels (shoulder) is expected to be ready for the start of the 60-game 2020 season in late July, according to general manager Alex Anthopoulos. It's usually not a good sign when a 36-year-old develops shoulder issues in the spring, but Hamels has had time to recover because of COVID-19 and […]

Multiple Mariners Test Positive For COVID-19

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that "more than one" player on the team has tested positive for COVID-19. Dipto also said that a "few" of them, not all, are showing symptoms of the virus. With spring training 2.0 set to begin next week in Seattle for the Mariners, all of their players will […]

Mariners To Use Six-Man Rotation For Start Of Season

The Seattle Mariners will use a six-man starting rotation to begin the delayed 2020 season at the end of July. Some starters will get piggy-backed. Marco Gonzales is expected to be the team's Opening Day arm, followed by the likes of Yusei Kikuchi, Justus Sheffield, Kendall Graveman and Taijuan Walker. Justin Dunn, Nestor Cortes and […]

Austin Adams Will Be Full-Go For Spring Training

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said that relief pitcher Austin Adams (knee) will be full-go for spring training 2.0 next week. Adams underwent surgery last October for a torn left ACL. The delay to the 2020 season thanks to COVID-19 was a positive for Adams, and he could factor into high-leverage situations at the […]

Yoenis Cespedes Likely To Serve As Mets DH

The delayed start to the 2020 season makes it likely that New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel, ankle) will make the Mets' Opening Day roster and primarily serve as the team's designated hitter. Before spring training was suspended, Cespedes had progressed to running to first base at full speed and hitting regularly in simulated […]

Mitch Haniger's Status Uncertain For Spring Training 2.0

Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is uncertain about outfielder Mitch Haniger's (back, groin) status for spring training 2.0 in early July. Because Haniger has had two core surgeries and a back operation since last June, his readiness for Opening Day in late July should also be in question. The 29-year-old hit .285 with 26 […]

Joely Rodriguez Not Expected To Be Ready For Start Of Season

Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez (lat), who strained a late muscle in April, is throwing but is not expected to be ready for the start of the 2020 season in late July. Barring any setbacks, the southpaw should be able to pitch before the shortened season is over. The 28-year-old Dominican could figure into […]

Pirates Sign First-Rounder Nick Gonzales

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed rookie shortstop Nick Gonzales, the seventh overall pick this month, to a $5.432 million signing bonus on Wednesday, which matches the slot value for the No. 7 pick. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound middle infielder might have been the best pure hitter in this year's draft class. Gonzales was the Cape Cod League […]

Michael Conforto Should Be Ready When Baseball Resumes

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (oblique) should be 100 percent ready to play once baseball activities resume. During the suspension of spring training, Conforto had been reportedly taking regular batting practice and team officials were encouraged by his workouts. Conforto, diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain before spring training was suspended, is […]

Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez Could Serve On Taxi Squad

Seattle Mariners CEO John Stanton said that he expects young prospects like outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, catcher Cal Raleigh and pitchers Logan Gilbert and George Kirby to be on the 30-man taxi squad for the shortened 2020 season. Even this year's first-round pick, Emerson Hancock, has a shot. Kelenic and Rodriguez are one […]

Angels Hopeful Shohei Ohtani, Griffin Canning Will Be Ready

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said he's "very" hopeful that starting pitchers Shohei Ohtani (elbow), Griffin Canning (elbow) and Felix Pena (knee) will be ready for Opening Day in late July. None of the three were likely to be able to pitch on the original Opening Day, but the coronavirus pandemic has bought them […]

Phillies Sign First-Rounder Mick Abel

The Philadelphia Phillies signed rookie right-handed pitcher Mick Abel to a $4.075 million contract after selecting him with the 15th overall pick in the MLB draft. The 6-foot-5 right-hander was regarded as the top high school pitcher in the draft thanks to a fastball that sits between 93-98 mph with a plus slider and a […]

Multiple Blue Jays Players And Staff Test Positive For COVID-19

According to a source, multiple players and staff of the Toronto Blue Jays have tested positive for COVID-19. The team shut down their spring complex in Dunedin, Florida, late last week after a player showed symptoms of the virus, but it appears that it has spread to other personnel as well. The Jays are scheduled […]

Rockies Sign First-Rounder Zac Veen

The Colorado Rockies signed rookie outfielder Zac Veen, their first-round selection at No. 9 overall, to a $5 million bonus on Wednesday. The top-ranked high school player received over-slot value for the ninth overall pick ($4.949 million). Veen features a great left-handed swing with leverage and power. He also features a projectable 6-foot-4 frame, and […]

Kyle Gibson A High-Risk Individual For COVID-19

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kyle Gibson has ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disorder, which makes him a high-risk individual amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It means that the right-hander isn't required to take part in the shortened 60-game season, but he would still receive his pay. It's unclear whether Gibson has decided to sit out the season, […]

Garrett Cooper, Matt Joyce Candidates For DH Role

With the designated hitter being used in both leagues this season, Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper and outfielder Matt Joyce are two candidates to be used in the role a lot. Cooper is the much more attractive fantasy commodity in deeper leagues for his ability to hit for average and modest power for the […]

Spencer Torkelson Will Sign Contract Soon

Detroit Tigers third baseman/first baseman Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, is expected to officially sign his contract on Sunday or Monday. His deal is expected to be slightly over his slot value of $8.416 million. Torkelson is an exceptional hitter for both power and average. At Arizona State, he hit […]

Tigers Player Tests Positive For COVID-19

One Detroit Tigers player has tested positive for COVID-19. According to reports, the player just recently tested positive and is still in the recovery process. The name of the player has not been released. In addition, one non-baseball staff member also tested positive. There will be a new COVID-19 injury list during the shortened 2020 […]

Yoshitomo Tsutsugo Plans To Head Back To The States

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is planning to head back to the U.S. after going back to Japan during the coronavirus pandemic, according to general manager Erik Neander. Players that spent their down time overseas during the shutdown will now need to make their way back to the States with players expected to report […]

Jameson Taillon Throws Off Bullpen Mound

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (elbow), who is roughly 10 months removed from his second Tommy John surgery, threw off a bullpen mound at PNC Park on Tuesday. It's good progress for Taillon, but it remains unlikely that the Bucs will risk using him during the shortened 2020 season that is set to begin […]

Michael Fulmer Cleared For Full Baseball Activity

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (elbow) is cleared for full baseball activity and will be on the 60-man roster to start the season. Fulmer has been recovering from Tommy John surgery since March of 2019. In 2018, he had an ERA of 4.69 and 110 strikeouts in 24 starts while dealing with a variety of […]

Domingo German To Miss Entire Season

New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German is slated to miss the entire 2020 season after commissioner Rob Manfred set a 60-game season. German has 63 games left on his 83-game domestic-violence suspension, but according to the agreement between the league and the MLBPA, the remaining three games on German’s suspension will not carry over […]

Charlie Blackmon, Two Other Rockies Test Positive For COVID-19

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon and pitchers Phillip Diehl and Ryan Castellani have tested positive for COVID-19 following recent workouts at Coors Field, according to major league sources. One player was showing symptoms and the other two were asymptomatic. All of the other players who were working out were also tested for the virus, but […]

Twins Sign First-Rounder Aaron Sabato

The Minnesota Twins signed first baseman Aaron Sabato, their first-round pick (27th overall), on Tuesday to a $2.75 million signing bonus, slightly above the $2.57 million slot value for the 27th pick. Sabato hit .343 in his freshman year at North Carolina with a .453 on-base percentage and a .696 slugging percentage. He also had […]

Baseball Officially Back; 60-Game Season To Start July 23 Or 24

The Major League Baseball Players Association and the league ironed out the final details on Tuesday, allowing players to report to camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season starting on either July 23 or 24. An agreement on healthy and safety protocols, which was the final hurdle, was ironed out on Tuesday night. […]

Rays Sign Top Pick Nick Bitsko

The Tampa Bay Rays signed right-handed pitcher Nick Bitsko, the No. 24 pick of the first round, to a $3 million signing bonus on Tuesday, slightly above the $2.831 million slot value. Bitsko recently turned 18 years old and said he has cut back on his throwing, not knowing when he will next need to […]

MLB Teams To Open With 30-Man Rosters

Major League Baseball teams can have 30-man rosters for Opening Day in late July. Rosters will be reduced to 28 on Day 15 of the season and reduced to 26 for the rest of the year on Day 29 of the season. Teams must submit a list of up to 60 players -- entire 40-man […]

Royals Agree With First-Rounder Asa Lacy

The Kansas City Royals agreed with their first-round pick (fourth overall), left-handed pitcher Asa Lacy, on Tuesday. Lacy had a career 2.07 ERA with a 13.3 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 152 total innings (21 starts, 21 relief outings) at Texas A&M. His bonus figure wasn't announced by the Royals, but the No. 4 slot […]

Players Agree To Report By July 1

The Major League Baseball Players Association has agreed to report to training camps by July 1 and play a 60-game season, according to sources. However, a deal is not yet finalized, as there is one last health-and-safety hurdle to get over amid the coronavirus pandemic. USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reports that there aren't any major […]