Rafael Devers Impresses With Aggressiveness

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is having a very good spring with two home runs and a .345 average. Manager Alex Cora is preaching aggressiveness this spring, which Devers has no trouble accomplishing. Devers swung at 50 percent of pitches last season, 38.5 percent of which were out of the zone. Cora does […]

Aaron Altherr Still In Prime Position For Starting Job

With Rhys Hoskins and Odubel Herrera appearing safe as starters in the Philadelphia Phillies outfield, the final spot was always going to come down to Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr. The latter has seen action in nine Spring Training games thus far, hitting .261 with three walks, three RBI, a home run and even a […]

Cameron Rupp Not Helping His Cause

Having lost the starting catcher role to youngster Jorge Alfaro, Philadelphia Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp arrived at Spring Training to battle with Andrew Knapp for the backup role. Eight games into the competition, Rupp’s struggles continue as he looks to be losing the position battle. Thus far, he’s hitting just .176 with nine strikeouts in […]

Tommy Joseph Doing All He Can At The Plate

After almost leaving for Asia during the offseason, first baseman Tommy Joseph arrived at spring training with his role for the Philadelphia Phillies not exactly defined. After all, the club signed Carlos Santana to take over first base duties, and Joseph has even seen time in an already packed outfield in a bid for playing time. […]

Pat Neshek Tosses Another Scoreless Inning

Following his return to the Philadelphia Phillies after a trade-deadline move last season, relief pitcher Pat Neshek has made three appearances for the club this spring. The 37-year-old was rocked by the Yankees in his opening outing, allowing three runs in an inning. Since then, he’s tossed two more innings, with the most recent coming Saturday against […]

Jorge Alfaro Earning Team’s Confidence

After beginning his Spring Training with a grand slam, Philadelphia Phillies catcher Jorge Alfaro has quieted considerably at the plate. In nine games thus far, he’s hitting .250 with five RBI. The 24-year-old will take on the bulk of starting catcher duties following a cameo in the majors last season that saw him hit .318 […]

Nick Delmonico Seperates Shoulder

Chicago White Sox outfielder Nick Delmonico (shoulder) suffered a partial separation of his shoulder on Sunday. The injury occurred when he collided with infielder Tyler Saladino as both were going after a pop-up. Manager Rick Renteria said both Delmonico and Saladino are day-to-day and that more information would be available on Monday. If Delmonico were […]

Cesar Hernandez Without Threat To Starting Job

Despite the presence and strong performance of second baseman Scott Kingery, one of the Philadelphia Phillies top prospects, the starting second base job remains Cesar Hernandez’s. The 27-year-old has hit just .231 this spring, driving in just one run and swiping a pair of bases. Hernandez has been a rock for the Phillies the past three […]

Andrew Cashner Goes Four Innings Against Phillies

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Andrew Cashner was a bit rusty during his first start of the Spring. He walked three hitters, but none of them scored. Cashner struck out two and gave up a lone hit as he became the first Orioles starter to throw four innings. The righty has a good chance to make […]

Trevor Story Looking Great In Spring Training

Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story went 1-for-3, the one hit being a two-RBI double, on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Story has looked fantastic so far this spring, holding a .450 batting average, five doubles, three RBI and a home run in 20 at-bats, continuing his hot end from last season. Last year was […]

Delino DeShields to Start in Center Field

As expected entering spring training, outfielder Delino DeShields has won the Texas Rangers starting center field role to start the 2018 season. What is a little more interesting is that the 25-year-old speedster has also been plugged in as the lineup's leadoff hitter. DeShields was previously identified as a solid sleeper option late in drafts, and […]

Matt Bush Heading Back to Bullpen

T.R. Sullivan reports that the Texas Rangers have informed pitcher Matt Bush that he will be returning to the bullpen to start the season and will not be used as a starter. The former first overall pick had been stretching out all spring, even going so far as to work on a third pitch, but […]

Randall Delgado Dealing With Left Oblique Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Randall Delgado is dealing with a left oblique injury that puts doubt on his availability for Opening Day. While manager Torey Luvullo is unsure of Delgado's status for Opening Day, he has said that Delgado's timeline has been pushed back due to the injury. Delgado was set to be a key part […]

Jim Johnson, Blake Parker will be Setup Guys

Both Los Angeles Angels relief pitchers Jim Johnson and Blake Parker are expected to start the season in setup roles, with Cam Bedrosian serving as the closer for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Bedrosian began last season as the closer as well, but injuries kept him off the field and allowed veteran Bud Norris to […]

Matt Shoemaker Enduring Rough Spring

Los Angeles Angels starter Matt Shoemaker is locked into a spot in LA's six-man rotation, despite his struggles so far in spring training. Through three starts, Shoemaker has an ugly 10.80 ERA and has surrendered a staggering five home runs in just 8 1/3 innings. Still, Shoemaker will find himself on the hill every sixth […]

Justin Upton Off to a Hot Start

Los Angeles Angels left fielder Justin Upton is looking to build off his strong 2017 season in his first full year with the Angels. The slugger posted career highs in home runs (35) and RBI (109) last year, split between the Tigers and the Angels. He is off to a hot start this spring, hitting […]

Carlos Santana Still Adjusting To Phillies

The new first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies, Carlos Santana, appears to be set at the second spot of the lineup. Manager Gabe Kapler appears intent on having him bat there when the season begins, having hit second in eight of his 10 games played this spring. During this spring, the 31-year-old has hit .208, […]

Rhys Hoskins’ Spot In Lineup Set

So far in 10 games this Spring Training, Phillies phenom Rhys Hoskins has hit .250 with two home runs and 14 RBI. He’s recorded six hits in total, with a pair of doubles and seven strikeouts as well. New Phillies manager Gabe Kapler has been experimenting with the club’s starting lineup, having the pitcher bat […]

Joey Votto Having Slow Spring

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto is off to a slow start this spring. The star first baseman is hitting .056 in 18 at-bats, notching just one hit while scoring three runs and driving in one. Despite the slow spring, there's no reason to get concerned about Votto. He got off to an extremely slow […]

Zack Cozart to Play Shortstop in Andrelton Simmons' Absence

Los Angeles Angels new third baseman Zack Cozart will start at shortstop in place of Andrelton Simmons, who is nursing a sore shoulder. Cozart will be entering familiar territory, as he spent his time with the Reds at shortstop. The Angels signed the infielder to play third base, however, a position he has been working to learn. […]

J.T. Realmuto Injures Back Sunday

Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (back) was removed from the spring game early Sunday with a lower back contusion. Realmuto has been beat up lately, as he missed some time late last week with a minor knee injury as well. His back injury also doesn't appear serious, thankfully, and Realmuto should be able to return […]

Reds Lose Anthony DeSclafani, Brandon Finnegan To Injury On Sunday

The Cincinnati Reds had a rough Sunday as they lost two pitchers during Cactus League action. Starter Anthony DeSclafani left the game during the bottom of the first inning with an oblique injury. He was replaced by left-hander Brandon Finnegan, who also departed during the first with an unknown injury. Both pitchers dealt with injuries […]

Kyle Barraclough Dazzles On Sunday; Expected To Be Miami's Setup Man

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Kyle Barraclough should begin the season as Miami's setup man, paving the way for the veteran Brad Ziegler to close out games for the Marlins. Barraclough's 22 holds were eighth most among National League relievers last season, though he did blow four saves as well. He pitched extremely well in just one […]

Chance Sisco Drives in Run Against Red Sox

Baltimore Orioles catcher Chance Sisco, who is likely playing for the job of backup to Caleb Joseph, bolstered his case on Sunday. He went 1-for-2 and drove in a run to give him six RBI for the Spring. There are still quite a few catchers in camp, but Sisco is doing his best to separate […]

A.J. Minter Having Strong Spring

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter has not allowed a run in his four games so far. He's gone 4 1/3 innings, striking out six and walking none. That's a good line for the lefty and it helps manager Brian Snitker know that he's going to be handing the ball to someone who will likely […]

Hunter Harvey Gives Up Two Runs In Outing Against Red Sox

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Hunter Harvey went three innings on Sunday against a tough Boston lineup. He gave up two runs, one of them earned. Mookie Betts tagged him for a solo homer and the other run came after Harvey threw the ball away on a pickoff throw at first that made Hanley Ramirez's subsequent […]

Adam Eaton Seeing Game Action Versus Minor Leaguers

Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton (knee) has been playing in minor league games in preparation for the 2018 season. He's been recovering from a knee injury since last April and looks likely to be ready for Opening Day. The Nationals acquired Eaton prior to the 2017 campaign, and it was easy to see why in […]

Chase Utley Will Return To Action Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley will play on Monday after being given two days off for "family reasons." The veteran was signed to a two-year deal by the Dodgers, mostly to mentor their younger players and provide depth at second. He's a hard-nosed player who is as competitive as they come, but he […]

Renato Nunez Still Not Playing, A's Must Decide His Fate

Oakland Athletics outfielder/designated hitter Renato Nuñez (hamstring) is still unable to play in spring training games. According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Athletics are not sure if Nunez will get enough time to be ready for the season. He is currently doing some work, including hitting and taking grounders. Nunez is […]

Ross Stripling To Start Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Ross Stripling will start for the team on Wednesday. He'll throw a bullpen session Sunday and should be fine after that. Stripling has had a quiet spring so far. He was one of the players hit by the virus that swept through the clubhouse a few weeks ago. He picked his […]