Lars Nootbaar Slowly Progressing

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) still has no timeline for a return to full baseball activities, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Nootbaar has been able to hit and throw, but he's just now moving into being able to run without assistance. The 28-year-old will continue to run on an anti-gravity […]

Isaac Paredes Trade Talks "Diminishing"

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Houston Astros' chances of trading third baseman Isaac Paredes before the start of the 2026 season are "diminishing." Paredes missed two months last year in his first season in Houston due to a serious hamstring tear, which led to the team reacquiring Carlos Correa to play third. The 27-year-old […]

Tobias Myers to be on Mets Opening Day Roster

Right-hander Tobias Myers will be on the New York Mets' Opening Day roster, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Myers will begin his first year with the Mets in the bullpen if the starting rotation is full and everyone is healthy, but the Mets will not send him to the minors simply to keep him stretched […]

Shohei Ohtani to Remain in Leadoff Spot in 2026

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will remain in the leadoff spot this season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. Why mess with success? The two-way superstar won his third straight MVP award and fourth in the last five seasons while also helping the Dodgers win […]

Jose Soriano to Start Cactus League Opener on Saturday

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Soriano will start the team's Cactus League opener in spring training on Saturday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Tempe Diablo Stadium, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Soriano is completely recovered after missing the final two weeks of last season with a right-forearm contusion. Not only will the 27-year-old […]

Brusdar Graterol Won't be Ready for Opening Day

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that right-handed reliever Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) won't be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Graterol's velocity was up the last time he threw off a mound, but the Dodgers will continue to take things slow with him. The […]

Dansby Swanson to Sacrifice Power for Contact This Year?

Marquee Sports Network's Bruce Levine says that Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson has a new approach at the plate this year and is going to "forsake some of the power for more contact," and he also mentioned that Swanson wants to hit the ball the other way more often. The 32-year-old veteran hasn't hit over […]

Teoscar Hernandez Managed Groin Injury Last Year

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (groin) admitted that a groin injury was partly to blame for the worst offensive season of his big-league career in 2025, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. "I wasn't moving the way I know I can move," Hernández said. The groin injury he dealt with last year never […]

Mitch Garver, Mariners Agree on Minor-League Deal

Free-agent catcher Mitch Garver and the Seattle Mariners agreed on a minor-league deal on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 35-year-old veteran backstop spent the last two seasons with the Mariners and will compete for the backup job in 2026 to American League MVP runner-up Cal Raleigh. In his two years in the […]

Jorge Polanco Being Slow-Played in Spring Training

New York Mets infielder Jorge Polanco is unlikely to appear in the first week of Grapefruit League games in spring training as the team looks to slow-play him, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon and Tim Britton. Polanco isn't coming off any injury concerns from last year with the Seattle Mariners, but the 32-year-old veteran […]

Francisco Alvarez Unlikely to Play in First Week of Grapefruit League

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is unlikely to appear in the first week of the Grapefruit League as the team looks to slow-play him, according to Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic. Alvarez is expected to be ready to go for Opening Day in late March, but the Mets are going to […]

Hunter Dobbins Hopes to be Cleared for Baseball Activities

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Hunter Dobbins (knee) was scheduled to visit with a doctor on Wednesday and is hoping to be fully cleared for baseball activities in spring training, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Dobbins is throwing bullpen sessions and live batting practice in camp, but he hasn't been able to […]

Garrett Mitchell Fully Healthy This Spring

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (shoulder) said that he received full clearance for baseball activities in early February, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Mitchell is a full-go in camp after having a second surgery on his left shoulder that limited him to just 25 games last season. The 27-year-old UCLA product […]

Mauricio Dubon to Open the Year as Braves Shortstop

Atlanta Braves infielder Mauricio Dubon will be the team's starting shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim misses at least the first five weeks of the 2026 season after having surgery on his right middle finger, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Defense and positional versatility are Dubon's calling card, but he did hit 10 homers and posted […]

Quinn Priester Being Slow-Played in Camp

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester (wrist) has recovered from the wrist issue that he dealt with late last year, but he will be slow-played this spring, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "He's had a couple of things that have kept him from progressing, but he's thrown bullpens. Nothing shutting him down […]

Konnor Griffin Unlikely to Make Pirates Opening Day Roster?

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly told Pittsburgh sportscaster Shelby Cassesse that "it would be a tough ask" for shortstop prospect Konnor Griffin to make the Opening Day roster, according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan. "Keep in mind he's only had a handful of at-bats at Double-A," Kelly said. Spring training games have yet […]

Kevin Alcantara a Good Bet to Make Opening Day Roster?

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that outfielder Kevin Alcantara has prepared well for a job coming into spring training, according to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network. Alcantara said on Wednesday that he is confident in his ability and has matured while waiting for his chances. Additionally, the 23-year-old Dominican said he made swing […]

Griffin Conine Learning First Base

Miami Marlins corner outfielder Griffin Conine is learning first base this spring, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. It's the same position his father, Jeff, played for most of his 17-year MLB career. The Marlins could use some depth at the position since Graham Pauley and Liam Hicks have limited experience there. In addition […]

Ryan McMahon to Get Reps at Shortstop This Spring

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said the plan is to get infielder Ryan McMahon some reps at shortstop this spring to see if that can be an option with Anthony Volpe (shoulder) expected to miss the first month of the season, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Phillips adds that […]

Zebby Matthews an Option for Opening Day Starting Rotation?

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews could be a candidate for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to begin the 2026 season now that right-hander Pablo Lopez (elbow) will likely miss the entire season, according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com. Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson were the favorites for the fourth and fifth spots in […]

Astros Showing Interest in Michael Conforto

The Houston Astros "have expressed interest" in free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto, with their chances of trading infielder Isaac Paredes diminishing, a source told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. The 32-year-old veteran left-handed hitter really struggled with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, slashing .199/.305/.333 with a career-worst .637 OPS, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 54 runs […]

All Eyes on Matt Chapman's Plate Discipline and Power in 2026

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is coming off the best season of his career in terms of plate discipline, but health and power are key storylines to monitor with the veteran infielder going forward. Chapman slashed .231/.340/.430 with 21 home runs, a 13.3% walk rate, a 23.6% strikeout rate, and 118 wRC+ last […]

Spencer Torkelson Gets Back on Track with Power Surge in 2025

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson got back on track with 31 home runs and 118 wRC+ across 155 games in the majors last season. Torkelson's offensive contributions fell so much in 2024 that Detroit sent him to Triple-A to get right. However, he bounced back with a full season at the MLB level in […]

Kerry Carpenter Continues to Shine as Impact Power Bat

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter has showcased impressive power through his first three-plus MLB seasons, and he'll look to continue that trend in 2026. The biggest concern for Carpenter at this point in his career is the injury risk, as he played 130 games last year -- and even that mark was a career high. […]

Jackson Holliday to Get Stitches Removed on Monday

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday (hand) will get the stitches removed from his surgically-repaired right hand on Monday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN. The former No. 1 pick tore up the minors and debuted in 2024, but struggled upon getting the call. He fared better over a full season in 2025, slashing .242/.314/.375, […]

Optimism Still Exists for Aaron Nola in 2026

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola is coming off the worst season of his big-league career. Injuries limited him to just 17 starts and fewer than 100 innings in 2025, and he ultimately finished the year with a staggering 6.01 ERA and 4.58 FIP. His 9.25 K/9 and 2.67 BB/9 rates were fine, but his […]

Abner Uribe a Sneaky Target for Saves in 2026?

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Abner Uribe could be a candidate to earn save situations in 2026. The right-hander had a terrific season last year, posting a 1.67 ERA and 2.75 FIP across 75.1 innings of work. He racked up 10.75 K/9 and 3.23 BB/9, and he limited loud contact with 0.48 HR/9 and a 53.2% ground […]

Josh Hader Playing Catch From Around 90 Feet

Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) was seen playing catch in camp from around 90 feet on Wednesday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Left-biceps inflammation was the reason Hader was shut down going into spring training, but the fact that he's already throwing means that he should be ready for Opening Day in […]

Dodgers Bullish on Mookie Betts Bouncing Back in 2026

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called shortstop Mookie Betts' disappointing 2025 season an "outlier," according to Jack Harris of The California Post. "The way he played shortstop last year, and expecting him to be better offensively this year, he will be in the MVP conversation this year," Roberts said. The skipper is also leaning […]

Hurston Waldrep to Have Elbow Surgery on Monday

Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep (elbow) will have surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow on Monday, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The Braves have not provided a return timeline for Waldrep, but manager Walt Weiss said he hopes that the young hurler will be able to pitch again this year. […]