Blake Swihart Competing For Second Catcher Role

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart is trying to demonstrate that he is deserving of a roster spot, according to Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com. In the five games he has played, Swihart is 6-for-15 with four doubles and a homer. Swihart is 27 years old and out of options, trying to make the 25-man roster […]

Luis Urias' Callup Probably Sooner Than Later

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green offered glowing remarks about 20-year-old second baseman Luis Urias on Thursday. San Diego's No. 3 prospect is making a strong case to make the MLB Opening Day roster, pushing incumbents Carlos Asuaje and Cory Spangenberg. While logistics of team control will likely prevent him from making the squad outright, […]

Cubs Sign Danny Hultzen

The Chicago Cubs have signed former top pitching prospect Danny Hultzen. The 28-year-old announced his retirement after the 2016 season but will give it a go with a second chance with the Cubs. The former first-round pick -- No. 2 overall by the Seattle Mariners in 2011 -- Hultzen never figured things out and never reached […]

Ryder Jones Out 10 Days

San Francisco Giants infielder/outfielder Ryder Jones (hamstring) will miss a minimum of 10 more days. Jones suffered a hamstring injury early in camp. Jones struggled last year in his first big league action, hitting just .173 in 155 at-bats. With first baseman Brandon Belt healthy and third baseman Evan Longoria in the picture, Jones has been working […]

Hector Sanchez Sidelined For Two Weeks

San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez (hamstring) underwent an MRI on Thursday and will be sidelined two weeks with a hamstring injury. It was never a sure thing that Sanchez would make the Opening Day roster, as the club has Buster Posey with catcher Nick Hundley as the primary backup. Sanchez can be avoided in […]

Buster Posey Remains Out With Ankle Injury

San Francisco Giants catcher/first baseman Buster Posey (ankle) will be held out at least through next Tuesday. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Posey’s left ankle still “barks” when he hits and that he doesn’t want him catching until next Tuesday at the earliest. Posey has seen his power numbers decline in recent years, but still […]

White Sox Could Be A Possible Landing Spot For Matt Kemp

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports suggest that the Chicago White Sox could be a fit for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp. Heyman notes the White Sox have had interest in the outfielder in the past and could be willing to take on his contract if the Dodgers were willing to include one or two top prospects. […]

Ronald Acuna Has Big Day, But Braves Should Stay Cautious

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna went 2-for-3 and stole a base on Thursday. So far, he's hitting .313. The 20-year-old may make the team think hard about bringing him with them when the regular season starts, but there's always the risk that rushing him too fast may put him in a hole much like the […]

Chris Davis Will Rest on Friday

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (forearm) will either serve as the designated hitter or not play in the spring game Friday. It's a measure to try to let the tightness in his forearm go away. The team doesn't seem overly concerned about it now. We'll keep monitoring the situation.

Gregory Polanco Hoping for Bounce-Back Season After Dropping Weight

Talented Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco has yet to live up to his potential, but he's hoping 2018 is the year it happens. In a story by The Athletic's Rob Biertempfel, Polanco mentioned that he lost weight in the offseason, believing his bulkiness led to an injury-filled season last year. The Pirates right fielder has […]

Willy Garcia Begins Strengthening Program

Chicago White Sox outfield Willy Garcia (wrist) has begun a strengthening program with the goal of hitting off a tee and then eventually taking part in batting practice. The end goal is to try to get Garcia in some games before Opening Day. Garcia will compete for a bench spot and can be avoided by […]

Brandon Crawford Held Out Thursday

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (finger) is being held out of Thursday’s lineup after jamming his right index finger on Wednesday. The club announced on Wednesday that he was pulled as a precaution. Crawford isn’t expected to miss much time and should be good to go in a few days.

Yu Darvish Throws Bullpen Session

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (illness) threw a two-inning bullpen session on Thursday morning in Cubs camp. Darvish also swung the bat during batting practice. The right-hander was scheduled to start this afternoon but was scratched with the stomach flu.

Matt Strahm May Not Be Ready To Start

AJ Cassavell tweeted that San Diego Padres pitcher Matt Strahm may not be ready to start by Opening Day but can come out of the bullpen. Although he's competing for a back-end rotation spot, Strahm also projects to be a useful relief arm. Strahm is returning from a torn left patellar tendon suffered last July. […]

Pedro Strop Dealing With Sore Left Calf

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (calf) has been kept off the mound. The relief pitcher has been sidelined with a sore left calf. Aside from holds, Strop carries minimal fantasy value.

Kris Bryant Returns To Cubs Camp

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (illness) has returned to Cubs camp Thursday. The former National League MVP should once again be one of the better offensive players in 2018 and should see his run production improve from 2017.

Randal Grichuk Sprains Right Wrist

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk sprained his right wrist when making a fantastic diving catch on Tuesday, but fortunately, he is not expected to miss much time. That’s obviously great news for Grichuk, who is expected to see the bulk of the playing time in right field for Toronto. He brings plenty of power […]

Juan Lagares Will Play On Friday

Little by little, the New York Mets are starting to get healthy after their early rash of minor injuries. On Thursday, outfielder Yoenis Cespedes returns to the lineup and on Friday it will be fellow outfield mate Juan Lagares (hamstring). Lagares has been day-to-day with a strained left hamstring, but it was never believed to be […]

Andrew Cashner Throws Two-Inning Sim Game

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Andrew Cashner, who is competing for a starting rotation spot, threw a two-inning simulated game. Orioles regulars like outfielder Mark Trumbo and shortstop Tim Beckham, along with outfielder Craig Gentry, stepped into the box against him. According to Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun, he had good stuff and the ball moved well, […]

Yu Darvish Scratched From Thursday’s Start

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (illness) has been scratched from Thursday’s start. Darvish has come down with the stomach flu and is day-to-day. It’s nothing to worry about and owners should target Darvish between the fourth and fifth rounds of their draft.

Daniel Norris Takes Lumps In Spring Debut

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris made his spring debut against a Yankees lineup that was at full strength with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez sitting in the heart of the order. Norris is fighting for a rotation spot this spring, but his chances took a blow Wednesday. Norris struck out Judge, then […]

Yoenis Cespedes Back In Lineup Thursday

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was held out a few games after dealing with mild shoulder soreness earlier in the week, but he’s back in the lineup on Thursday. It’s one day earlier than expected, as Cespedes had told the media he would be back on Friday. The issue was never expected to be […]

Austin Hays To Be Shut Down For Several Days After Injection

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays will stop all baseball activities for a few days after getting a shot for his sore lat. He may swing a bat on Saturday and resume other activities after Monday's off day. He says it only bothers him when he's throwing, not hitting.

Austin Hedges Hits Third Spring Homer

San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges hit his third spring training home run on Wednesday against the Dodgers, sending a Wilmer Font pitch over the left field wall. Hedges has started red-hot, going 3-for-5 with a homer in each game played. The rate is unsustainable, but early returns are promising for Hedges, who changed his swing […]

Platoon Role For Hunter Renfroe Possible

San Diego Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe will likely assume a platoon role in 2018. Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports on the ongoing battle in San Diego's outfield, pointing out Renfroe's struggles with righties (.636 OPS) and success against lefties (1.077 OPS). Manager Andy Green admitted injuries and lack of depth last season forced […]

Brandon Crawford Jams Finger

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (finger) jammed his right index finger on Wednesday. The injury happened on a pickoff attempt. Crawford didn’t undergo X-rays and the injury isn’t considered serious. Crawford is hoping to bounce back after he struggled with the bat in 2017. He is a better real-life player than fantasy player, but […]

Eloy Jimenez Does Hitting Drills On Wednesday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez (knee) spent Wednesday doing hitting drills, and is expected to be at "full activity” on Thursday. One of the best prospects in the game, Jimenez sat out Tuesday with soreness in his left knee. The White Sox are playing it safe, as it appears Jimenez should be good to […]

Chris Davis Hits Homer In Loss While Battling Forearm Tightness

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (forearm) was supposed to play first base in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals. He wound up being the designated hitter while outfielder Mark Trumbo took his spot at first. Davis, who hit a three-run homer in the loss, explained after the game that he was experiencing forearm tightness, possibly because of […]

Manny Machado Blasts Grand Slam In Loss

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Manny Machado has had a hot Spring so far, and it got hotter with him blasting a grand slam in the third inning of Wednesday's game. He was out of the game by the time the bullpen coughed up an eight-run lead, but he has to feel good about this start. Of course, […]

Ronald Acuna Drives In Two Runs In Loss

There's one thing to remember about Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna: He's young. Really young. He's only 20 and he's not even turning 21 until December. He still wants to make the team, though the front office might decide he needs some more seasoning in the minors. Acuna made a case for himself Wednesday, driving […]