Nick Senzel Will Be Everyday Center Fielder

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell confirmed on Thursday that Nick Senzel will be the team's everyday center fielder heading into the 2021 season. Bell later added, "At one point, everyday may have meant 162 games, but that's not what I mean. We have four outfielders who need to play." With Senzel slated to see regular […]

Didi Gregorius Expected In Camp On Friday

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius is expected to report to camp on Friday, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Gregorius has been out due to visa issues, but manager Joe Girardi said this shouldn't affect his ability to be ready for the season. Gregorius had a solid first year in Philadelphia slashing .284/.339/.488 […]

Framber Valdez Could Become Mainstay In Rotation

Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez, who led the team in innings pitched and strikeouts in 2020, posted a 3.57 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 70 2/3 innings while making four stellar starts over 24 frames in the postseason. His 94 2/3 total innings led all of baseball last year, and he had a nice […]

Spencer Torkelson Cuts Finger, Will Miss Spring Games

Detroit Tigers top prospect Spencer Torkelson (finger) cut his finger and is now expected to miss the first set of games of spring training. According to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, Torkelson suffered the injury while opening a can. Hinch said that Torkelson got his finger stitched up and that the injury is "very mild." The […]

Marco Gonzales Named Opening Day Starter For Mariners

Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais announced on Sunday that lefty Marco Gonzales would be the Mariners Opening Day starter for 2021, the third consecutive year in which Gonzales has received the honor. After yet another steady, under-the-radar season in 2020 in which he posted a 3.10 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, the consistent Gonzales should be […]

Jack Flaherty Named Opening Day Starter

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt announced that right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty will get the Opening Day start against the Cincinnati Reds. Flaherty had a bit of a down season in the abbreviated 2020 campaign, posting a 4.91 ERA, but he was excellent in 2019, with a 2.75 ERA to go with 11 wins. The […]

Edwin Rios Expected To See More Playing Time In 2021

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Edwin Rios will not be an everyday player in 2021 with the newly re-signed Justin Turner back in the fold. Nevertheless, Rios has serious sleeper upside, as the Dodgers will try to preserve the health of the 36-year-old Turner. Rios slashed .250/.301/.645 with eight homers and 17 RBI across 76 at-bats […]

Shohei Ohtani Hits 97 During Live Batting Practice

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow) topped out at 97 mph during live batting practice on Wednesday. The two-way player hasn't pitched regularly since the start of the 2018 season, but he said his right elbow feels "much better compared to last year." The 26-year-old made just two starts in 2020 before straining […]

Eugenio Suarez Wants To Hit 50 Home Runs

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez, who had a down year in 2020 by hitting .202/.312/.470 with 15 home runs, 38 RBI and a 102 OPS+, said he wants to hit 50 home runs this year. Suarez hit .118 with two homers and 25 strikeouts in 82 plate appearances in his first 20 games, and […]

Andrew McCutchen Feeling Normal Again

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen said he finally feels normal this spring after tearing the ACL in his left knee in June of 2019. Manager Joe Girardi no longer notices a limp, and coaches see improved quickness in McCutchen. The 34-year-old isn't being stretched out by trainers for 30 minutes before each practice this spring, […]

Luis Robert To Hit Down In Lineup

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert, who was the runner-up for the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2020, is expected to hit lower in the lineup when the 2021 season begins, with manager Tony La Russa wanting Robert to earn his way up to the top of the order. Frank Thomas described […]

Cody Bellinger Ahead Of Schedule Following Shoulder Surgery

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger (shoulder) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right (non-throwing) shoulder after dislocating it in Game 7 of the NLCS while celebrating a home run. Bellinger said he's ahead of schedule in his recovery. He took dry swings and hit off a curveball machine on Tuesday and stood in during batting […]

Randy Arozarena's Legal Issues Behind Him

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, who was arrested in Mexico last November following a dispute with the mother of his daughter, was released with no charges filed, and general manager Erik Neander said it's the team's understanding that Arozarena would not be disciplined by the league. The soon-to-be 26-year-old had a historic tear in […]

Taylor Rogers Not Demoted Yet Despite Additions To Bullpen

Minnesota Twins reliever Taylor Rogers hasn't been demoted from his ninth-inning role yet despite the additions of two late-inning arms this offseason. Rogers had the worst ERA of his six-year career in the shortened 2020 season, surrendering 11.7 hits per nine innings, though the Twins believe it was an outlier year for the 30-year-old. "We […]

Brendan Rodgers Ready To Seize 2B Job

Colorado Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers is gunning for the starting job at second base this spring. Third baseman Nolan Arenado was traded to the Cardinals during the offseason, so the plan would be for Ryan McMahon to move over to third, which would leave an opening at second base. "There has been no explicit decree […]

Tim Anderson Will Stay At The Top Of The White Sox's Lineup

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa announced that shortstop Tim Anderson will remain the team's leadoff hitter in 2020. Anderson is coming off of an explosive 2020 that saw him hit .322 with 10 home runs, 21 RBI, five stolen bases and an .886 OPS in 49 games. Anderson has become one of the […]

Byron Buxton Packed On Muscle During Offseason

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton bulked up during his offseason training. Buxton, who played at 200-205 pounds last year, showed up to camp at 212 pounds. The added bulk could aid the 27-year-old in his quest to duplicate last year's power numbers, in which he put up career-best marks in home run to fly ball […]

Brennen Davis Gets Non-Roster Invite

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis has been added to the Cubs Major League Spring Training roster as a non-roster invitee. Davis, 21, is a universal top 100 prospect and was part of the Cubs 60-man player pool this past season, but did not see any big league action. Davis has yet to play above […]

David Bote Part Of Cubs Second Base Competition

Chicago Cubs infielders Nico Hoerner, David Bote and Ildemaro Vargas will compete for the second base job this spring. Manager David Ross said that he isn't sure how the second base job will look to start the season, but said "All three of those guys can really play defense. Vargas is a switch-hitter we've got […]

Eugenio Suarez Lost Weight Over Offseason

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez will report to Spring Training in much better shape than he was in during the 2020 season. Suarez told reporters on Wednesday that he lost about 15 pounds during the offseason by concentrating on eating a better diet. He went on to state that he felt slow last season […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Feels Quicker After Losing 42 Pounds

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman/third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says he feels quicker this spring after losing 42 pounds in the offseason while transforming his body after arriving to camp last year out of shape. The 22-year-old says the changes have mostly improved his fielding. While he's expected to spend most of his time at […]

Jose Altuve "Super Focused" As Camp Opens

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has already shown teammates in the first week of camp that he is determined to have a bounce-back season in 2021. Altuve endured a dismal shortened season last year, hitting a paltry .219 with only 18 runs batted in through 48 games. The 30-year-old has bounced back from injuries […]

Twins Could Rest Josh Donaldson More Often

Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson could have a reduced workload in 2021 to ensure that he makes it through a full season healthy. Donaldson missed 32 games last year because of calf issues- but made his lower body a focus this offseason, as he worked on strengthening his leg muscles and even changing his […]

Brandon Lowe Will See Time At 3B

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that infielder Brandon Lowe will see time at third base during spring training, while Mike Brosseau will see work at shortstop. It will allow the Rays even more flexibility with in-game moves during the regular season. Tampa Bay likes most of their infielders to be flexible around the […]

Max Scherzer Throws Off Mound Wednesday

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that starting pitcher Max Scherzer (ankle) threw 40 pitches off a mound on Wednesday and had "no complaints, no issues." The three-time Cy Young winner suffered a minor sprained ankle a few weeks before spring training, so the Nationals are just easing him along in the early days of […]

Luis Urias Looking To Land Everyday Spot At Shortstop

Milwaukee Brewers utility player Luis Urias a chance to compete for the starting shortstop job during spring training, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. After the Brewers added two-time Gold Glove winner Kolten Wong earlier in the offseason to handle everyday duties at second base, Urias will turn his focus to earning a […]

Orlando Arcia Will See Significant Time At Third Base This Spring

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia will work at third base "a substantial amount" during spring training, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Arcia is most likely to see playing time at shortstop this season, but Arcia should also get increased reps at the position during spring training. As a result, manager Craig Counsell […]

Freddy Peralta Getting Stretched Out In Camp

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta will be stretched out during spring training as the Brewers prepare to have him handle a larger innings load in 2021, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. While manager Craig Counsell didn't suggest that Peralta will be fighting for a spot in Milwaukee's rotation, the team seemingly wants to maximize […]

Jose Abreu Tests Positive For COVID-19

Chicago White Sox first baseman and 2020 American League MVP Jose Abreu has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be away from the team for the next several days. General manager Rick Hahn said that Abreu is "completely asymptomatic" and "frustrated." The 34-year-old slugger is in his eighth season with the White Sox and is […]

Angels Are A Suitor For Jake Odorizzi

The Los Angeles Angels have been a suitor for free-agent starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi all offseason. The San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox have also been mentioned as suitors for the 30-year-old right-hander who threw only 13 2/3 innings last year after making three trips to the injured list […]