Lucas Erceg Throwing Off the Mound in Camp

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg (shoulder) has been throwing off the mound in camp, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. Erceg should be fully healthy for Opening Day in late March after he was shut down in mid-September last year due to a right-shoulder impingement. The Royals' setup man […]

Justin Foscue to Work in the Outfield This Spring

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that first baseman Justin Foscue will get some reps in the outfield this spring, according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Foscue is trying to increase his versatility defensively to try to win a bench/utility role with the Rangers out of spring training. The 26-year-old former 14th […]

Julian Aguiar Competing for Final Rotation Spot in Cincy

MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that Cincinnati Reds right-hander Julian Aguiar (elbow) is among the group of arms competing for the fifth and final starting rotation spot in spring training to begin the 2026 season. Aguiar is competing with Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder, and Brandon Williamson. The 24-year-old former 12th-round pick in 2021 out of Cypress […]

Jared Triolo a Front-Runner to Win Third Base Job?

The Pittsburgh Pirates appear "willing to afford" infielder Jared Triolo the opportunity to win the starting third base job in 2026 now that Ke'Bryan Hayes and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are out of town, according to Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Triolo's glove is elite, and he won the National League Gold Glove as a utility […]

Dodgers Sign Yency Almonte to Minor-League Deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free-agent right-handed reliever Yency Almonte to a minor-league deal on Thursday, a source told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Almonte, who pitched for the Dodgers from 2022 to 2023, was sent to the Chicago Cubs in the trade that also included first baseman Michael Busch. He had a 3.45 ERA, […]

Janson Junk Diagnosed With Grade 1 Ankle Sprain

Miami Marlins right-hander Janson Junk (ankle) was diagnosed with a Grade 1 mild ankle sprain, which is "probably the best-case scenario," he told Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The Marlins were not concerned enough after Junk had X-rays to make him go for an MRI exam. "I'm not concerned that this is gonna be a […]

More Details Coming Soon on Jordan Westburg's Injuries

When asked about infielder Jordan Westburg (elbow, oblique), Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias only confirmed his oblique injury on 105.7 The Fan on Thursday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Elias said he will have something to share "very, very soon" when asked about reports of Westburg dealing with an elbow injury in […]

Brewers Give Pat Murphy a New Three-Year Deal

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy signed a new three-year contract on Thursday that includes a club option for the 2029 season, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Murphy is well-deserving of the extension after winning back-to-back National League Manager of the Year awards. The 67-year-old skipper had big shoes to fill when he […]

Shane Bieber "Feeling Good," Throwing Up to 120 Feet

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (forearm) is making progress in camp, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "Biebs isn't that far behind. Biebs is feeling good. He's out to [throwing at] 120 feet. Hopefully, in the next week to two weeks, he's getting off the mound and starting his progression," manager John Schneider said. […]

Shota Imanaga Showing Increased Velocity With Better Health

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Thursday that left-hander Shota Imanaga is throwing his fastball harder this spring, which is mostly a "product of his hamstring being healthy," according to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network. Counsell thinks Imanaga's hamstring injury last year "created some bad mechanical issues while the pitcher compensated for the […]

Carson Whisenhunt's Velocity Up This Spring

San Francisco Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt was consistently hitting 96-97 mph during his simulated game in camp on Thursday, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. Whisenhunt's average fastball velocity last year was at 92.6 mph, so it's a notable development early in spring training as he heads into his second […]

Lane Thomas Says he's Fully Healthy

Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas (foot) said on Thursday that he's fully healthy this spring after he had surgery to fix plantar fasciitis in his right foot last September, according to Sports Radio 810. Thomas was a total bust for the Cleveland Guardians last year due to injuries. He was limited to only 39 […]

Randy Vasquez has "Inside Track" on Rotation Spot

San Diego Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez has an "inside track" to one of the final starting rotation spots in San Diego to begin the 2026 season despite the recent additions of German Marquez and Walker Buehler, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Nick Pivetta, Michael King, and Joe Musgrove are locks. Vasquez, 27, likely earned himself […]

Kutter Crawford a Candidate to Start Season on Injured List

Boston Red Sox right-hander Kutter Crawford (knee, wrist, illness) is in the mix for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to begin the 2026 season, but MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo also reports that he "could start the year on the injured list." Crawford is behind the other starting candidates at spring training and has not faced […]

Coby Mayo Might Have an Opening at Third Base

Baltimore Orioles corner infielder Coby Mayo could see more opportunities at third base in Baltimore if infielder Jordan Westburg (elbow, oblique) is forced to miss time due to injuries to begin the 2026 season, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Westburg is unable to perform baseball activities in camp right now and could […]

Seranthony Dominguez Named White Sox's Closer

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable said that right-hander Seranthony Dominguez will be the team's closer to begin the 2026 season, according to James Fegan of Sox Machine. The White Sox signed Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract last month. The 31-year-old veteran has only 40 career saves in seven big-league seasons with three […]

Mechanical Adjustment Helped Gavin Williams Break Out in 2025

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams took another step last year, reaching personal bests across the board in ERA (3.06), strikeouts (173), innings (167 2/3), and starts (31). After the All-Star break, Williams had a 2.18 ERA over 12 starts, which tied him with Tarik Skubal for first among qualified American League starters. In the first […]

Rhett Lowder Looking "Very Polished" in Camp

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder is in the mix for the team's No. 5 starting rotation spot this spring, competing with Chase Burns, Brandon Williamson, and Julian Aguiar, and so far, he has looked good, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Lowder has faced hitters twice in live batting practice sessions and has looked […]

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Could Play in Games Next Week

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hamstring) could get into Cactus League games at the beginning of next week, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Encarnacion-Strand came to spring training a bit behind the other position players due to a minor hamstring injury that he suffered in January, but […]

Moises Ballesteros Should be in Camp This Weekend

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that designated hitter/catcher Moises Ballesteros should be in camp by Saturday or Sunday, according to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network. Ballesteros is making his way through Colombia with visa issues. Miguel Amaya and Carson Kelly are expected to split the catching duties in 2026, with Ballesteros serving as […]

Matthew Boyd Could Be a Candidate to Regress in 2026

After signing in free agency on a modest two-year contract, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd entered 2025 profiling as a quality depth arm but little more. The 35-year-old instead delivered a career season, posting a 14-8 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 154 strikeouts across 179 2/3 innings pitched (31 starts). Still, […]

Griffin Jax Could Re-Emerge as a Dominant Reliever in Tampa Bay

In 2024, while pitching for the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax emerged as one of the best high-leverage arms in baseball. Jax's performance declined in 2025, as he finished the year with a 4.23 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 99 strikeouts across 66 innings split between Minnesota and Tampa Bay. Still, Jax […]

Can Heliot Ramos Maintain an Everyday Role in 2026?

Across 695 plate appearances in 2025, San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos hit .256/.328/.400 with 21 home runs, 69 RBI, 85 runs scored, and six stolen bases. While Ramos' production doesn't jump off the page, he established himself as an everyday regular in the San Francisco lineup. The 26-year-old also made significant strides in terms […]

Ezequiel Tovar Primed for 2026 Bounce-Back?

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar battled through a down year in 2025, posting a .253/.294/.400 slash line with nine home runs, 33 RBI, 44 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 390 plate appearances. Hip and groin injuries limited the 24-year-old to just 95 games played. With a career strikeout rate of 27.3% and a […]

Wander Franco "Confident and Optimistic" Heading into Upcoming Trial

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco is said to be "confident and optimistic" ahead of a new trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Franco was found guilty of the charges in June, but both sides appealed the decision, leading to […]

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Takes Live Batting Practice

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee), who is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered last September, has been ahead of schedule in his rehab to the point where he thinks he could be ready for Opening Day, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Gurriel took live batting practice on […]

Drew Rasmussen to Start on Opening Day for Rays

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen will take the hill on Opening Day on March 26 against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Rasmussen gets the nod after exceeding expectations last year in his first full season back from right-elbow surgery. The 30-year-old veteran was a first-time All-Star […]

Reynaldo Lopez Sitting at 93-94 MPH in Camp

Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez consistently sat around 93 mph and hit 94 mph during the second inning of his live batting practice session in camp on Thursday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Lopez "seems to be where he needs to be in February." The 32-year-old former reliever has proven he can be effective […]

Thomas White Falling Out of Favor for Opening Day Rotation

MLB.com's Christina De Nicola reports that the Miami Marlins are expected to go with pitchers Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Chris Paddack in their five-man starting rotation to begin the 2026 season, leaving left-handed pitching prospect Thomas White on the outside looking in. It shouldn't come as a big surprise, as […]

Robby Snelling Not Projected to Make Starting Rotation

Miami Marlins left-handed pitching prospect Robby Snelling is not projected to make the team's Opening Day starting rotation, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Barring injuries, the Marlins project to roll with Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Max Meyer, Braxton Garrett, and Chris Paddack as their five starting pitchers. The 22-year-old Snelling was named the […]