Stephen Strasburg Labors Through Thursday Loss

Washington Nationals starter Stephen Strasburg didn't exactly have the home opener he wanted. Over six frigid innings, the righty gave up four earned runs on five hits, struck out six and walked two. He gave up two home runs on the day, one to Yoenis Cespedes and the other to Michael Conforto making his season […]

Joakim Soria Blows Up Thursday

Chicago White Sox closer Joakim Soria exploded on Thursday to the tune of three runs and four hits in the top of the ninth inning. Soria had pitched well in his previous outings and has recorded two saves this season, but with Nate Jones breathing down his neck, Soria may not have a long leash […]

Yolmer Sanchez Picks Up Three Hits

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yolmer Sanchez continues his hot start to the 2018 season. Sanchez went 3-for-5 on Thursday with two triples and a single. He also drove in three runs. Sanchez is hitting .400 on the young season and is worthy of consideration in AL-only leagues.

Avisail Garcia Continues To Hit The Ball Well

Chicago White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia continues to hit in 2018. Garcia finished Thursday evening going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. He is now hitting .333. Garcia is trying to prove that 2017 was no fluke and should be owned in all leagues.

Matt Davidson Continues To Hit

Chicago White Sox designated hitter Matt Davidson went 2-for-3 with a single, double and two walks Thursday. Davidson also scored three runs and finished with an RBI. The slugger is off to a nice start and is a good source of power as long as he continues to see the ball well.

Alex Wood Shows Noticeable Drop In Velocity

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Alex Wood took the loss on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks thanks to his old nemesis from the second half of last year -- a drop in velocity. In six innings of work, he gave up three earned runs on six hits. He did strike out five and walk none, however. His […]

Walker Buehler Has Solid 2018 Minor League Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers top pitching prospect Walker Buehler had a decent start in his first minor league start on Thursday. The righty went four innings, giving up one earned run on three hits, striking out five and walking one batter. Of his 72 pitches thrown, 45 were strikes. He's already flashed his potent four-pitch mix […]

Kevin Shackelford Close To Return

Cincinnati Reds reliever Kevin Shackelford (forearm) has begun throwing and is close to throwing a bullpen session, according to manager Bryan Price. Shackelford was placed on the 10-day disabled list on March 29 after coming down with a forearm strain during spring training. The 28-year-old reliever threw 30 2/3 innings for the Reds in 2017, […]

Padres Closer Brad Hand Roughed Up for Second Loss of Year

It was another rough outing for Padres closer Brad Hand, who was tagged with his second loss of the season Thursday afternoon. After leading off the inning with back-to-back walks, a fielding error loaded the bases and Hand proceeded to allow three runs off a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single. He was able to […]

Adam Eaton Is Fine After Leaving Game Early

Washington Nationals outfielder Adam Eaton (ankle) left Thursday's game in the sixth inning due to problems with his left ankle. X-rays came back negative, as it was simply a matter of scar tissue dislodging itself. It looks like a disabled list stint will be avoided and he should return in a day or two. Eaton […]

Steven Souza Could Start Rehab Assignment Within a Week

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza (pectoral) could be ready for a rehab assignment within a week or so. News that Souza is almost ready to play in live games comes as a bit of a surprise, as early timelines projected he would return close to mid-May. If the assignment goes well, Souza could return to […]

Jonathan Villar To Rest Thursday Against Cubs

Milwaukee Brewers infielder Jonathan Villar will get the day off on Thursday against Jon Lester and the Cubs. Utility speedster Hernan Perez will take Villar's spot at second base. Despite Villar starting the season on a good note with a .304 batting average, he currently only has one hit in eight at-bats versus left-handed pitchers […]

Miguel Cabrera Exits Game After Tripping On First Base

Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera (hip) left Thursday's game in the second inning against the White Sox. After ripping a single into center field, Cabrera took a hard turn rounding first. He slipped on the bag and went down hard, but initially stayed in the ball game. However, when it was time for Detroit […]

Jay Bruce Crushes Grand Slam

New York Mets outfielder Jay Bruce was off to a slow start in 2018, until Thursday’s game against the Washington Nationals, that is. Bruce finished finished 2-for-4 with a grand slam, two runs scored and four RBI after starting the year 4-for-22 without any homers. The long ball in this one was particularly important, as […]

Christian Yelich Out Of Lineup Thursday Against Cubs

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (oblique) will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, as expected. Yelich exited the game Wednesday in the seventh inning and did not return, and Brewers manager Craig Counsell announced that Yelich is dealing with some oblique stiffness. Because of the potential severity of oblique injuries, […]

Luke Gregerson Throws a Bullpen Session on Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (hamstring) threw a bullpen session on Thursday and will begin a rehab assignment with the Single-A Palm Beach Cardinals soon. Gregerson has had a painful spring which started with an oblique injury and then ended up with a hamstring strain. While Gregerson was at first considered the favorite […]

Jacob DeGrom Stymies Nationals In D.C.

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob DeGrom didn’t start Thursday’s game against the Washington Nationals all that well, but he certainly rebounded strong. The first two batters of the game, outfielder Adam Eaton and third baseman Anthony Rendon, hit him hard and gave the Nats a 1-0 lead, but after that deGrom was mostly stellar. […]

Michael Conforto Homers In Debut

New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto was activated off the disabled list Thursday and hit leadoff and showed why fantasy owners were clamoring for his return. Conforto finished 1-for-4 in his 2018 debut, hitting a home run, scoring two runs, knocking two more in and walking once. The home run was particularly notable, as the […]

Kyle Schwarber And Jason Heyward Out Of Thursday’s Lineup

The Chicago Cubs will begin Thursday’s game with outfielders Jason Heyward and Kyle Schwarber on the bench. With the Cubs being opposed by left-hander Brent Suter, manager Joe Maddon will shift Ian Happ to left field with Albert Almora starting in center and Ben Zobrist in right field. Almora makes his money against lefties and […]

Trey Mancini Moved To Leadoff Spot On Thursday

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini is hitting first for Thursday's game against the Yankees. It looks like the Chris Davis experiment is over. Davis is now batting fifth to break up the righty tandem of Adam Jones and Tim Beckham. It may also be an effort to snap the first baseman out of his early-season […]

Jose Martinez Gets the Start at First Base on Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Jose Martinez is getting the start at first base and batting fifth in Thursday's lineup. With regular third baseman Jedd Gyorko on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, Matt Carpenter is playing second base and Yairo Munoz is at third. Martinez can flat out hit and should be owned in […]

Dan Vogelbach Back In Lineup Thursday

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Dan Vogelbach is back in the lineup Thursday, per MLB.com. Vogelbach got the start on Wednesday and went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Vogelbach is deployed primarily against right-handers and is seeing extra playing time due to the injury to Nelson Cruz. Vogelbach will face another right-hander in the […]

Nelson Cruz Making Progress With Sprained Ankle

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz has seen the swelling go down in his sprained ankle. Cruz was placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 1 and could be ready to play by as early as next week. It is unclear whether he would go on a rehab assignment to get a few at-bats […]

James Paxton Gears Up For Cold Conditions Thursday

Seattle Mariners starter James Paxton will take the ball on Thursday against the Twins with frigid temperatures in the forecast. The series opener is a quick turnaround for the Mariners, and he will have to combat temperatures in the mid-30s come game time. Paxton is looking to get back on track after allowing six runs […]

Mike Zunino's Return Pushed Back

Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino's (oblique) return to the lineup has been pushed back, per MLB.com. Manager Scott Servais told reporters that the team has decided to be "cautious" in bringing Zunino along. The veteran catcher has been dealing with a sore oblique muscle and had begun to catch some simulated innings and swing in […]

Yuli Gurriel Could Be Back In A Week For Astros

Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel (hand) will begin his rehab assignment in Double-A Corpus Christi, per MLB.com. Gurriel is coming back from hamate bone surgery in his hand and will need a steady dose of at-bats before coming back. Barring a setback, Gurriel is expected to return to the team in about one week and […]

Ben Gamel To Begin Rehab Assignment

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ben Gamel (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Modesto, per MLB.com. Gamel is recovering from a strained oblique, so the Mariners opted to send him to High-A as opposed to the chilly temperatures of Triple-A Tacoma. Gamel is certain to see a few games to ensure there are no setbacks before […]

Hunter Renfroe, Manuel Margot Return to Padres Lineup Thursday

After not getting the start Wednesday against the Rockies, San Diego Padres outfielders Manuel Margot and Hunter Renfroe will start in center and right field, respectively, in the Padres final game of the four-game series. Renfroe pinch hit for pitcher Robbie Erlin in the eighth inning Wednesday, hitting an RBI single in his only plate appearance. Margot […]

Ervin Santana Not Yet Cleared To Throw

Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana still has not been cleared to throw following February surgery on the middle finger on his pitching hand. Santana may go back for another exam on the finger, suggesting it may not be healing as expected. Manager Paul Molitor told reporters that it is, "Just one of those fluid situations." […]

Phil Hughes To Start In Fort Myers Thursday

Minnesota Twins right-hander Phil Hughes (oblique) is scheduled to make another minor league start on Thursday evening, this time at Fort Myers. Hughes opened the season on the disabled list due to an oblique injury but is progressing toward being able to return to the big league team sooner rather than later. Hughes will have […]