Roenis Elias Exits Game With Injury

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Roenis Elias (elbow) left the Mariners spring game on Thursday with an apparent injury. Elias reportedly felt discomfort in his elbow while facing the first Dodgers batter of his outing. Elias seemed to have an inside track on a role in the Mariners bullpen after his hot start to spring, with four […]

Jake Fraley Records First Two Hits Of Spring

Seattle Mariners outfielder Jake Fraley had recorded zero hits in 15 spring at-bats entering Thursday, when he broke out with a double and a home run, both off reigning Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer. The three-run home run traveled 446 feet to right-center field. Fraley entered camp as the favorite to be the Opening Day […]

Adrian Morejon The Favorite For Fifth Rotation Spot?

While San Diego Padres starting pitcher Adrian Morejon has walked way too many hitters this spring, he's the favorite over left-handers MacKenzie Gore and Ryan Weathers to open as the fifth starter if Dinelson Lamet (elbow) is eased into the start of the regular season. Morejon has already shown that his stuff plays in the […]

Rafael Montero Blows A Save

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Rafael Montero recorded his first blown save of the spring Thursday. Montero entered the game in the fifth inning with the Mariners leading the Dodgers by a score of 4-2 and promptly gave up three hits and two runs, though one was unearned. Through his first two Cactus League appearances, Montero […]

Dan Altavilla Likely To Win Final Bullpen Job

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Dan Altavilla is the likeliest candidate to win the final spot in the bullpen over Tim Hill, Taylor Williams and Michael Baez. Altavilla pitched meaningful innings down the stretch last year and is out of minor-league options. Hill, a left-hander, still has options. He'll almost certainly join the team if […]

Jorge Mateo Leading The Competition For Last Bench Spot?

San Diego Padres outfielder Jorge Mateo might be in the slight lead over outfielders Jorge Ona and Brian O'Grady and catcher Luis Campusano in the battle for the last spot on the bench to open the season. Mateo is hitting the ball hard and reaching base. He has elite speed, but he's also struck out […]

J.P. Crawford Walks Three Times Thursday

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford reached base in all three of his plate appearances Thursday, drawing a walk each time up. Crawford has a very solid career walk percentage of 11.1 percent, giving him increased value in leagues that count on-base percentage. Crawford also stole a base Thursday, his second of the spring after recording […]

Wil Myers Posting Gaudy Spring Numbers Again

San Diego Padres outfielder Wil Myers has posted some big Cactus League numbers in springs past, and he's doing it again in 2021. Myers went 2-for-2 with a walk on Thursday against Cleveland and hit his second home run in as many games. He's hitting .389 with a 1.310 OPS in spring training action. We […]

Joe Musgrove Works Three Innings Thursday

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove allowed two runs on four hits and a walk and was victimized by shaky defense in his Cactus League start against Cleveland on Thursday. "I actually felt a little better today with my delivery, my timing," Musgrove said. "The results weren't the same, but I attribute that to […]

Trent Grisham Injures His Hamstring Thursday

San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) left the Cactus League game against Cleveland on Thursday with "a slight strain in his hamstring," according to manager Jayce Tingler. Grisham will be re-evaluated on Friday to determine the extent of the injury. Tingler said Grisham has dealt with minor hamstring issues in the past and that […]

Juan Soto Still Battling Sinus Discomfort

Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto (illness) remained out of the spring lineup on Thursday due to sinus discomfort. Soto has tested negative for COVID-19, according to manager Dave Martinez. "He's been sick for a couple days," Martinez said. "I just want to make sure he's OK. … It was just me being cautious. It's still […]

Scott Kingery Shows Some Life This Spring

Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder Scott Kingery, who entered Thursday's Grapefruit League game 2-for-14 following a three-strikeout performance on Tuesday, went 1-for-2 with a double on Thursday against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. "I think he needed it for his psyche," manager Joe Girardi said. Fantasy managers shouldn't glean a whole lot from spring slumps, but it's worth […]

Joe Girardi Likes What He Sees From Andrew McCutchen

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 2-for-2 with an RBI against Yankees ace Gerrit Cole on Thursday, while also helping the defense with an outfield assist in the third inning. "That's a really good day for Cutch," manager Joe Girardi said. "Cutch is moving so much better this year than he was last year, and […]

Aaron Nola Makes Second Spring Start

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola made his second official start of spring training on Thursday and allowed two runs on four hits with a walk and three strikeouts over four innings (61 pitches). Nola allowed a wind-aided leadoff homer to Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks, but he retired six of the next seven batters he […]

J.T. Realmuto Cleared For Baseball Activities

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (thumb), who is recovering from a fractured right thumb, was cleared to begin baseball activities on Thursday. Manager Joe Girardi said that the catcher made around 40 throws, took 10 dry swings and 20 swings off a tee, reporting "no issues." Realmuto will continue to wear a protective splint on […]

Chad Green, Darren O'Day, Justin Wilson To Have Bigger Roles

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boon mentioned relievers Chad Green, Darren O'Day and Justin Wilson among those who are projected to have added responsibilities with Zach Britton (elbow) out for three to four months. Boone expects the assignments in the later innings to be fluid and matchup-based in front of closer Aroldis Chapman. With Chapman […]

Shane Bieber Strikes Out Five In Second Outing

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber had a strong bounce-back outing in his second spring training start on Thursday against the San Diego Padres. Facing a strong Padres lineup, Bieber allowed one run over three innings while striking out five. Bieber had a rough debut outing this spring against the Kansas City Royals last week. […]

Robinson Chirinos Diagnosed With Fractured Wrist

New York Yankees catcher Robinson Chirinos (wrist) was diagnosed with a fractured right wrist, ending his bid to make the Opening Day roster as Gary Sanchez's backup. Chirinos was hit by a pitch in the Grapefruit League game on Wednesday night. Wrist and hand specialists will be consulted in the coming days to determine the […]

Trea Turner To Be Offered Extension Soon

The Washington Nationals are expected to offer shortstop Trea Turner an extension within the next year or so. He is eligible for a year of arbitration before becoming a free agent in 2023. Turner recently said in an interview, "I would love to play my entire career here." Turner had a fantastic year in 2020, […]

Trevor Cahill Signs With Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed starting pitcher Trevor Cahill. He agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Last year, Cahill went 1-2 with a 3.24 ER and 1.20 WHIP over 11 games (six starts). He averaged 11.2 K/9, which was well above his career average of 6.8 […]

Gerrit Cole Solid On Thursday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole pitched well on Thursday, striking out five batters over three innings of one-run ball. Cole's 20% swinging-strike rate was characteristically excellent, and there's no reason to expect Cole to be anything other than an ace once again in 2021. For what it's worth, Kyle Higashioka was behind the […]

Mitch Keller Has Another Rough Outing Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller struggled in his second start of Spring Training, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out two over two innings against the Orioles. Keller has now allowed four runs on five hits and two walks through three innings this spring with three strikeouts. Once the […]

Jed Lowrie Getting Back In Action

Oakland Athletics infielder Jed Lowrie (knee) missed the first week of spring action while working his way back from left knee surgery in the offseason, but he played in his second Cactus League game on Thursday and impressed manager Bob Melvin by making solid contact. The 36-year-old is trying to make the squad on a […]

Pete Alonso Hits Second Homer Of Spring

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso hit his second spring home run on Thursday against the Houston Astros. He went 1-for-3 in the game with two strikeouts. His solo shot was the only run scored in the game. Alonso has had a solid spring, slashing .313/.450/.813. He had an inconsistent sophomore campaign in 2020, […]

Jesus Luzardo Unveils New Pitch Thursday

Oakland Athletics left-hander Jesus Luzardo unveiled a new pitch he calls the Turkey Sub on Thursday, a funky 65 mph looping breaking ball to complement his mid-90s fastball. The 23-year-old hasn't thrown the pitch in a major league game, but he's been working to incorporate it into his arsenal this spring. He held the Rangers […]

Avisail Garcia Off To Strong Start This Spring

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Avisail Garcia has been swinging a hot bat this spring. He's gone 8-for-17 with two home runs. Garcia entered camp this spring weighing 235 pounds, nearly 40 pounds less than his average weight. He believes the weight loss has helped both his speed and energy. With the Brewers' acquisition of Jackie Bradley […]

Cody Bellinger To Play The Field Next Week

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that outfielder Cody Bellinger (shoulder) will play center field in a major league spring training game next Tuesday. Bellinger had offseason surgery on his shoulder and has missed the first half of spring games so far. The Dodgers are mostly being cautious with the 25-year-old former MVP, though, […]

Anthony Alford Has Big Day On Offense And Defense On Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Anthony Alford hit his second home run of the spring on Thursday, as he finished 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, two RBI and two runs scored against the Orioles. Alford also turned heads with a diving catch in the third inning to rob Cedric Mullins of a base hit. He's slashing […]

Jacob deGrom Dominates In Thursday's Outing

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom routinely hit triple digits on the radar gun and struck out seven of the nine Astros hitters that he faced on Thursday in spring training. One scout clocked the right-hander as high as 102 mph. "Totally dominated," the scout wrote. In context, deGrom faced an Astros lineup that […]

Ender Inciarte's Injury Giving Cristian Pache An Opportunity

Atlanta Braves outfielder Cristian Pache has a greater chance to open the season as the team's center fielder with Ender Inciarte (thumb) spending the last week bothered by a sore left thumb. Inciarte might not have enough time to prove he's capable of the handling the center field job with just three weeks until Opening […]