Jason Motte Signs With Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent relief pitcher Jason Motte to a minor league contract on Friday. Motte pitched in the Cardinals system from 2006 until 2014. He's bounced around with the Cubs, Rockies and Braves over the past three seasons. Last year, he posted a 3.54 ERA in 40 2/3 innings of work. He'll be […]

Twins Considering Anibal Sanchez

The Minnesota Twins are in the mix for free-agent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez, according to sources. The Twins are getting desperate for arms for their rotation with Ervin Santana set to begin the year on the disabled list after losing out on Yu Darvish. Sanchez, 34 later this month, is a veteran arm, but he […]

Bruce Bochy Says Chris Shaw Will Only Play Left Field

Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that San Francisco Giants outfielder Chris Shaw will strictly play left field this spring, says manager Bruce Bochy. Pavlovic also notes that infielder Ryder Jones will get some time in the outfield. Shaw, one of the Giants top prospects, made the switch from first base to left field […]

Rangers Sign Edinson Volquez

The Texas Rangers agreed to terms on a minor league deal with free-agent starting pitcher Edinison Volquez. The deal includes an invite to spring training and is for 2018 and 2019. Volquez managed to throw a no-hitter in 2017 before he had season-ending Tommy John surgery in August. He'll turn 35 years old in July […]

Splint Will Remain On Travis Wood's Hand

Updating a previous report, the splint will remain on Detroit Tigers pitcher Travis Wood's right index finger, and manager Ron Gardenhire said it will be a while before Wood can catch a baseball. While the injury is to his non-throwing hand, it doesn't help his chances of winning a roster spot. The veteran southpaw can […]

Alex Wood Throws Cautiously Despite Bad Ankle

Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (ankle) threw off the mound in Arizona on Friday, dispelling the severity of his ankle injury. Wood rolled his ankle during a running drill on Thursday and was sidelined briefly until further tests and X-rays, but he told SportsNet LA's Alanna Rizzo that he could have […]

Drew Smyly Placed On 60-Day Disabled List

Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that the Chicago Cubs have placed starting pitcher Drew Smyly (elbow) on the 60-day disabled list. Smyly signed a two-year contract this offseason but is likely to miss most of this year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Smyly should be avoided in 2018 but is a name to […]

Dexter Fowler Healthy Again and "Fine With" His Position Change

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dexter Fowler says he is healthy again and that he gained 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason. He added that he was "fine with" the move to right field, stating that "It'll prolong [his] career." Fowler has always had great fantasy upside, but injuries and slumps have kept him from […]

Brandon Maurer Loses In Arbitration

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brandon Maurer lost his salary arbitration case and will make $2.95 million this year instead of the $3.5 million he requested. Maurer was effective in the ninth-inning role with the Padres early last year, but he struggled mightily in a setup role after being traded to the Royals in the […]

Dan Straily Loses Arbitration Case

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Dan Straily lost his salary arbitration case and will make $3.37 million this year. He had requested $3.55 million. Straily was the Marlins best pitcher in 2017, and he posted a career-high 8.4 K/9 and dropped his walk rate. Allowing home runs was his weakness, but he can remain a fantasy […]

A.J. Cole Could Have Upper Hand On Fifth Rotation Spot

Washington Nationals starting pitcher A.J. Cole has "the upper hand" on the No. 5 spot in the starting rotation if he does what he's capable of, according to manager Dave Martinez. Cole's main competitors for the final rotation spot will be veteran Edwin Jackson and Erick Fedde. Cole was decent in 2017, posting a 3.80 […]

Adam Eaton, Daniel Murphy On Target

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said outfielder Adam Eaton (knee) and second baseman Daniel Murphy (knee) are "right on target" with their rehab. The goal is for both to be ready for Opening Day. A torn ACL cost Eaton the majority of last season, but he should return as the starting center fielder for the […]

Aaron Judge Or Giancarlo Stanton To Hit Second

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he "definitely" sees outfielders Giancarlo Stanton or Aaron Judge hitting second this year. Stanton and Judge are two of the most elite power hitters in the game, and they'll likely hit second and third, in either order. Both are early-round targets with monster potential hitting next to each […]

Travis Wood Undergoing X-Rays

Detroit Tigers pitcher Travis Wood (finger) is undergoing X-rays on his broken right index finger Friday, and he may get his splint off if it has healed properly. Wood will be a swingman for a rebuilding Tigers team, and he should have plenty of time to heal before the start of the regular season, especially […]

No Restrictions For Nate Karns

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Nate Karns (shoulder) said he won't have any restrictions this spring after having season-ending surgery to fix thoracic outlet syndrome last summer. He finished the season going 2-2 with a 4.16 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in eight starts for the Royals. The 30-year-old has faded a bit the last two […]

Gerardo Parra Has Surgery Friday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra (hand) underwent surgery to remove a broken hook of his hamate bone in his right hand Friday. He's expected to return to action around March 8-10. Parra should have time to get ready for Opening Day with that timetable, but if he suffers any setbacks, it could open the door […]

Zach Britton Moved To Disabled List

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton (Achilles) was placed on the 60-day disabled list Friday. Britton had surgery on his right Achilles and is expected to miss the first half of the season, although he is ahead of schedule in his rehab. A top fantasy closer in recent seasons, Britton fell off a bit in 2017 […]

Hanley Ramirez Feels Fantastic

Boston Red Sox first baseman/designated hitter Hanley Ramirez (shoulder) said he feels "fantastic" and that throwing won't be a problem for him this year. Han-Ram continued his downfall in 2017, hitting .241 with 23 home runs and 62 RBI in 133 games, but his shoulder injury might've been the main culprit. Ramirez was also terrible […]

Albert Pujols Looking Leaner

Los Angeles Angels first baseman/designated hitter Albert Pujols said he lost 12 to 15 pounds in the offseason, and he's looking lean and strong. He's looking forward to playing more first base in 2018. Pujols managed to hit 23 home runs and drive in 101 runs, but the Machine will turn 38 years old this […]

Alex Wood Undergoing X-Rays

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Alex Wood (ankle) will undergo X-rays on his right ankle and will not take part in workouts Friday. Wood had an excellent first half in 2017, going 11-0 with a 1.56 ERA and 0.88 WHIP, but he predictably struggled a bit more in the second half with a 3.89 ERA […]

Corey Seager's Elbow Issues A Thing Of The Past

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (elbow) said his elbow held up well during offseason throwing exercises, but he has yet to throw past 100 feet. His nagging injuries didn't really slow him in 2017, as Seager hit .295 with 22 home runs, 77 RBI and a .375 on-base percentage in 145 games. He's become […]

Jason Vargas Signs With Mets

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the New York Mets have agreed to terms with free-agent starting pitcher Jason Vargas. Vargas is coming off of his best year in the majors. In 2017, he made his first All-Star team and finished with an 18-11 record and 4.16 ERA for the Royals. Jerry Crasnick of […]

Taijuan Walker Hopes Humidor Helps

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taijuan Walker hopes the humidor helps him this year, but he is not sure, according to Nick Piecoro of Arizona Central. “It’s pretty easy to get a grip with the fastball, but the hardest thing for me is getting a grip with the curveball,” Walker said. “If that (the humidor) is […]

Zack Greinke Ahead Of Normal Regimen

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke is accelerating his spring training plan and has already thrown five bullpen sessions, four before camp began. “Just last year, it ended up being a good year, but I felt like I was playing catchup a little too much," commented Greinke. Therefore, this year he wants to start early […]

Xander Bogaerts Expects Power To Re-Emerge

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts expects a significant uptick in his performance, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. When asked if he expects to regain his power, Bogaerts stated, "Yeah, I definitely do think so. I can definitely go out there and put up the same numbers as '16." In 2016, Bogaerts hit 21 […]

Stephen Vogt Not Guaranteed A Roster Spot

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said catcher Stephen Vogt isn't guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster over catchers Manny Pina and Jett Bandy. "Stephen, we brought him back, signed him to a contract, but I think he's got something to prove, and that will be part of his camp," Counsell said. Pina and […]

Tim Lincecum Looks Improved In Showcase

Free-agent starting pitcher Tim Lincecum looked improved from two years ago during his showcase for scouts on Thursday, and he was reportedly throwing 90-93 mph with his fastball in front of 25 to 30 scouts for at least 15 teams. Lincecum appears to be in good shape, so he'll probably at least sign a minor […]

Cliff Pennington Signs With Reds

The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent infielder Cliff Pennington to a split contract. He'll receive $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster. The 33-year-old switch-hitter can play all over the infield, but mainly profiles as middle infield depth for the Reds in what could be a utility role. He hit just .253 with three […]

Danny Salazar Dealt With Shoulder Inflammation in the Offseason

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar dealt with inflammation in his right rotator cuff in mid-January. He's resumed throwing since then and is reportedly doing well, but he is a "couple of weeks behind" where he should be at this point. It's unclear for now whether this will affect his availability for the beginning of […]

Carson Fulmer Would Like To Start In 2018

Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports that Chicago White Sox pitcher Carson Fulmer would like to be a starter this season. Fulmer, a former first-round pick, has pitched as both a reliever and a starter thus far in his career. He finished 2017 as a starter and went 2-0 with a 1.56 ERA in […]