Matt Shoemaker Viewed As Twins Fifth Starter

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker is already being viewed as a member of the pitching rotation. Manager Rocco Baldelli said the team is ready to pencil him in as their fifth starter after signing him to a one-year $2 million deal just a week ago. He hasn't tossed more than 30 innings in a […]

Tyler Clippard Nearing Deal With Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks are closing in on completing a one-year deal with free-agent reliever Tyler Clippard, reports Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Clippard is the second reliever with closing experience the Diamondbacks have signed in February after bringing in Joakim Soria earlier this month. Clippard has not been as effective on the mound in […]

Nolan Gorman Taking Reps At Different Positions

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been taking repetitions at second base this spring and could see time in the corner outfield spots as well. Gorman was considered the third baseman of the future for St. Louis, but the acquisition of Nolan Arenado left a question […]

Jeff McNeil Expects To Primarily Play Second Base

New York Mets infielder/outfielder Jeff McNeil stated on Monday that he imagines a lot of his repetitions will come at second base in 2021. With Jonathan Villar now with the Mets after signing a one-year deal this offseason, Villar should see some time at second base as part of a super-utility role. Though Villar will […]

No Extension Talks Between Mets, Francisco Lindor Yet

On Monday, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor stated that he was excited to start spring training with his new ballclub. 2021 will be Lindor's first season with the Mets after a blockbuster trade that sent him and pitcher Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland to New York. This will also be Lindor's last season before he's […]

Clarke Schmidt Has An Elbow Injury

New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt (elbow) will be sidelined for the next three to four weeks with an elbow strain, according to manager Aaron Boone. Schmidt reportedly won't require Tommy John surgery, but it's discouraging to see one of the team's top prospects suffer an elbow injury after already undergoing Tommy John surgery […]

Brewers In The Mix For Jackie Bradley Jr.

The Milwaukee Brewers are one of about half a dozen other teams that seem to be considering free-agent outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. Bradley is reportedly seeking a contract of more than four years and $50 million. Bradley is now 31 years old and is not going to develop the […]

Alek Manoah's Improved Changeup Could Pay Off

The Blue Jays' first-round selection from the 2019 draft, Alek Manoah, didn't sit around sulking when the 2020 minor league season was canceled. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound hurler spent a lot of time pitching against more advanced hitters and realized he couldn't always blow them away with his power offerings as he could with lower-level pro […]

Teoscar Hernandez Eager to Continue 2020 Approach

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez teased fans with flashes of brilliance prior to 2020, but he could never put together a full season of above-average production. That changed last year when he produced a 143 wRC+ during the pandemic-shortened season. Hernandez credited a new mindset and a better understanding of how pitchers were attacking […]

Twins To Be Mindful Of Michael Pineda's Innings

Minnesota Twins starter Michael Pineda said he's feeling healthy and strong ahead of spring training, though that won't stop the team from being mindful of his innings in 2021. Pineda hasn't pitched a full season since 2016, as Tommy John surgery cost him much of his 2017 and all of his 2018 campaign. It's admittedly […]

Jose Castillo Finally Ready To Contribute Again

San Diego Padres reliever Jose Castillo appears ready to finally contribute again this season. After a stellar 2018 where he posted a 3.29 ERA and electric 12.2 K/9, Castillo has pitched only 2/3 innings in two seasons dealing with myriad arm injuries. Still just 25 years old, the Friars believe he's a "full-go" in spring […]

Nationals Want Trea Turner In Heart Of The Order

Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner has long been the team's leadoff hitter, but manager Davey Martinez would prefer him as a middle-of-the-order bat, Mark Zuckerman wrote Monday. Turner did bat second or third for much of 2020 and certainly has the power to succeed as a lineup anchor, with 31 home runs in 181 games […]

Chris Paddack Embracing Analytics To Improve Fastball

San Diego Padres starter Chris Paddack recognizes the need to improve his fastball effectiveness this season. The 25-year-old followed up a sensational rookie campaign in 2019 with a disappointing 4.73 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 59 frames (12 starts) last year. After diving into the numbers, Paddack realized his spin rates fell dramatically and dedicated […]

Joe Ross Eying Fifth Rotation Spot

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Joe Ross, who opted out of the 2020 season due to the coronavirus, is in a competition with Erick Fedde, Austin Voth and Rogelio Armenteros for the team's fifth starter role. Ross, who has had the most MLB success of the quartet, likely would have had the job last year before […]

Jeremy Jeffress Lands With Nationals

The Washington Nationals agreed to a minor league deal with free-agent relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress on Monday that includes an invite to spring training, according to a source. Jeffress would earn $1.25 million with another potential $1.25 million in performance bonuses if he makes the team's big-league roster. The 33-year-old right-hander spent the 2020 season […]

Stephen Strasburg Feeling Great

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (hand, thumb) said he's "been feeling great" since he underwent surgery last August to fix carpal-tunnel neuritis after experiencing chronic numbness in his right thumb. Strasburg made just two starts last season before undergoing the surgery, finishing 0-1 with a 10.80 ERA over five innings. The 32-year-old right-hander started […]

Ian Kennedy Signs With Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Ian Kennedy to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Monday. The 36-year-old veteran of 14 years in the major leagues is coming off a 2020 season with the Kansas City Royals in which he allowed 14 earned runs (seven home runs) in just […]

Clayton Kershaw Plans To Pitch Beyond 2021

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who is entering the final season of his three-year, $93 million deal in 2021, made it clear that he plans to pitch again in 2022. "I have no intentions of hanging them up," Kershaw said Sunday. "I'm only 32. I feel like I have a few more years […]

Corbin Burnes' Changeup Standing Out

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes drew praise from catcher Omar Narvaez in spring camp because of his improved changeup. "I think it's a big weapon for him this year," Narvaez said. The hard-throwing right-hander posted a 2.11 ERA in his breakout in 2020, and it was backed up by a 2.99 xFIP and a […]

Jarred Kelenic To Start The Year In Minors

Seattle Mariners president and CEO Kevin Mather said that outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic will start the 2021 season in the minor leagues after Kelenic and his representation rejected the team's six-year contract extension offer with options. "We would like him to get a few more at-bats in the minor leagues, probably Triple-A Tacoma for a […]

Jake Arrieta Happy To Be Back With Cubs

Former Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta is happy to be back with the Chicago Cubs and said it's "where I wanted to be." The 34-year-old right-hander signed a one-year, $6 million deal to return to the team that he helped win a World Series title with. He pitched for Chicago from 2013-17 and won the […]

J.T. Realmuto Catches Bullpen Over The Weekend

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto (thumb) is dealing with a broken right thumb, but manager Joe Girardi said that he was able to catch reliever Brandon Kintzler's bullpen session on Saturday. Realmuto was also able to hit with his left hand and handle pop-ups while backing up the bases. The Phillies are hoping that he'll […]

Anthony Rendon Could Be Late To Camp

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said that third baseman Anthony Rendon could be a late arrival to spring training due to the ongoing weather situation in Texas. Rendon is from Houston, but a late arrival to spring training shouldn't affect his fantasy value at all heading into the 2021 season. The 30-year-old hit .289/.418/.497 […]

Jake Lamb Agrees With Braves

The Atlanta Braves agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with free-agent corner infielder Jake Lamb on Sunday. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger had 59 home runs and an .843 OPS for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016 and 2017, but he has battled multiple injuries in the last three seasons. After he hit 30 long balls in […]

Michael King Adding A Third Pitch To His Arsenal

New York Yankees pitcher Michael King has reportedly spent the offseason working to add a third pitch to his arsenal. King struggled in 26.2 innings last season with a 7.76 ERA and 5.14 FIP, but he'll compete for a job in the starting rotation during spring training. It's not exactly clear what King considers to […]

Kenta Maeda Looking To Add New Pitch To Repertoire

Minnesota Twins starter Kenta Maeda is reportedly looking to add a pitch to his arsenal ahead of the 2021 season. Maeda was dominant last season, posting career-highs in ERA, strikeout rate, and left-on base percentage en route to finishing second in the CY Young Award race. The Japanese right-hander is looking to permanently implement one […]

Bryan Abreu, Andre Scrubb Earn Early Praise

Houston Astros pitchers Bryan Abreu and Andre Scrubb have earned early praise from pitching coach Brent Strom in spring training. Abreu made the roster for the American League Championship Series in 2019 but showed up out of shape last year and didn't pitch well. Scrubb took advantage of his opportunity in the shortened 2020 season […]

Mitch Garver Feeling Healthy Ahead Of Spring Training

Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver said he realized just how much his swing was affected by injury last season. Garver followed up his 2019 breakout campaign with a down season in 2020, slashing just .167/.247/.264, as he missed 27 games due to a right intercostal strain. However, the 30-year-old noted that he compensated for his […]

Ryan Pressly The Leading Candidate To Close

It appears that the closer role this year is Houston Astros relief pitcher Ryan Pressly's to lose after he converted 12 of 16 save chances last year when Roberto Osuna was injured and lost for the season, according to pitching coach Brent Strom. Pressly was an All-Star setup man in 2019 and converted 11 of […]

Ian Desmond Opting Out Of 2021 Season

Colorado Rockies outfielder Ian Desmond posted a story on his personal Instagram account, saying: "For now, I've decided to opt out of the 2021 season." The 35-year-old went on to say that his "desire to be with my family is greater than my desire to go back and play baseball under these circumstances." He did […]