Mike Trout to Bat Second

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is slated to hit second this year. It looks like second baseman Ian Kinsler will be the regular leadoff hitter, although third baseman Zack Cozart will man the one-hole on Opening Day with Kinsler out. Kinsler and outfielder Justin Upton will provide very sound protection for Trout, who is in line […]

Michael Brantley Officially Placed on the Disabled List

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was officially placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right ankle injury. Brantley is well on his way back from an offseason surgery performed to strengthen the ligaments around his ankle. He made his first Cactus League appearance last week, but the team did not want to push him […]

Ian Kinsler Expected to Play Friday

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia confirmed that second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin) should only miss Opening Day and is planning to be in the lineup Friday. It was thought all along that this was a very minor injury for Kinsler, and that appears to be the case. In his absence, Zack Cozart is leading off […]

Abraham Almonte Designated for Assignment

Cleveland Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte was designated for assignment on Thursday. He only managed a .174/.269/.304 slash line in 14 Cactus League games. He's a versatile defender with experience, so he'll likely draw some interest on waivers from other teams. If he goes unclaimed, he'll likely report to Triple-A Columbus and serve as outfield depth […]

Cleveland Reassigns Mike Napoli to Minor League Camp

The Cleveland Indians reassigned first baseman Mike Napoli to minor league camp. Napoli was released by Cleveland but quickly re-signed once he accepted the fact that he would need to start the season at Triple-A Columbus. He'll serve as depth and should be up on the Cleveland roster sooner or later. It looks like Napoli's […]

Michael Conforto Could Return By April 5

The New York Mets had long been communicating a May 1 target return date for outfielder Michael Conforto (shoulder), but as spring progressed it became clear he would be ready long before that. On Thursday, general manager Sandy Alderson told the media that Conforto could be ready to return as early as April 5. That’s obviously […]

Ken Giles Ready To Bounce Back From Poor Postseason

Houston Astros closer Ken Giles has enjoyed a strong spring training and hopes his poor postseason will be a thing of the past heading into the season. Giles had a fantastic regular season, posting a 2.30 ERA with 34 saves, and 83 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. Giles was as locked down as it gets […]

Odubel Herrera The Odd Man Out On Opening Day

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera is not in the starting lineup on Opening Day on Thursday. Manager Gabe Kapler said he considered the matchups, starter Aaron Nola as a ground-ball pitcher and the upcoming matchups in his decision not to start Herrera. Aaron Altherr gets the nod instead in center field for the opener, and […]

Huston Street Retiring

Former Los Angeles Angels closer Huston Street, after not finding a job this offseason, appears to have called it a career. Street was hampered by injuries the last two seasons, only throwing 26 1/3 innings combined. The 2005 American League Rookie of the Year finishes his career with 324 saves and a 2.95 ERA. He […]

Joey Lucchesi to Start Friday in Place of Injured Dinelson Lamet

With San Diego Padres starter Dinelson Lamet starting the year on the disabled list, lefty Joey Lucchesi will start for San Diego on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to MLB.com beat writer AJ Cassavell. Lucchesi was 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over 11 2/3 innings this spring before he was reassigned […]

Phillies Won’t Name Closer

When asked about the Philadelphia Phillies options in the ninth inning when the team is in the lead, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said, “We’re going to go with our dudes.” It doesn’t sound like the Phillies will announce a closer, but relievers Hector Neris, Pat Neshek and Luis Garcia would appear to be the likely candidates […]

Jordan Zimmermann Will Start Friday After Rain Postpones Opening Day

The Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates have had their Opening Day festivities postponed due to rainy weather in Detroit. The Tigers had planned to send veteran pitcher Jordan Zimmermann to the mound Thursday, and they will stick with that plan for the re-scheduled game Friday. Zimmermann is coming off a rocky 2017 campaign but showed […]

Mets Place Dominic Smith On Disabled List

New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Thursday with a quadriceps injury. It’s been a disastrous start to 2018 for Smith, who many thought would seamlessly take over the first base gig full time to start the year. Unfortunately, the Mets went out and signed first baseman […]

Ichiro Suzuki To Get Opening Day Start In Outfield

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki will get the start in the outfield to the begin the season. The iconic Mariners player will officially make his return on Opening Day after spending the last handful of seasons playing for the Marlins and Yankees. Suzuki has been battling a calf injury most of the spring and is […]

Ian Kinsler Not in Opening Day Lineup

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin) is not in the Opening Day starting lineup but is expected to play soon. He will not be placed on the disabled list. Zack Cozart will start at second base and bat leadoff in his absence. Luis Valbuena will play third base and Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani […]

David Wright Placed On Disabled List

New York Mets third baseman David Wright was placed on the 10-day disabled on Thursday with back and shoulder injuries. Wright was only placed on the 10-day disabled list for procedural purposes. He’ll likely end up on the 60-day disabled list soon enough. He hasn’t appeared in a game since May of 2016, and there […]

Ben Gamel To Begin Season On DL

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ben Gamel (oblique) will begin the season on the disabled list, per MLB.com. Gamel has been swinging off a tee trying to rehab an oblique injury and the team will bring him along cautiously. Gamel came on last season and put up decent numbers, hitting .275 with five triples, 11 home runs, 27 […]

Mets Place Michael Conforto On Disabled List

The New York Mets placed outfielder Michael Conforto on the 10-day disabled list with a left shoulder injury. There's nothing to worry about here, as this was to be expected. Conforto seems well on his way to making his return in a couple of weeks rather than the original target date of May 1. There’s […]

Cardinals Finally Sign Greg Holland

The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent relief pitcher Greg Holland to a one-year, $14 million contract on Thursday. Holland waited until Opening Day to sign, so it should take him a bit to be ready to appear in a game. Once he's ready, he'll be the unquestioned closer in the St. Louis bullpen, ending the […]

Shohei Ohtani Starting at DH on Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels starter and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is in the lineup for Opening Day, batting eighth and serving as the designated hitter. It is expected that Ohtani will DH on occasion when he isn't pitching, and it looks like he will get a chance to do so on Opening Day. Ohtani did not […]

Angels Place Andrew Heaney on DL

The Los Angeles Angels have officially placed left-hander Andrew Heaney (elbow) on the disabled list with left elbow inflammation. Heaney threw off a mound on Tuesday and is not expected to miss much of the season. He is expected to be the team's sixth starter, but his 7.06 ERA from last year makes him tough […]

Raisel Iglesias Placed On Paternity List

The Cincinnati Reds have placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the paternity list. This will put him out of action for three days as the Reds gear up to start the season against the Washington Nationals on Friday. With Iglesias out of action for the weekend, look for either Wandy Peralta or Kevin Quackenbush to close […]

Keone Kela To Begin Season As Rangers Closer

Texas Rangers manager Jeff Bannister has announced that relief pitcher Keone Kela will open the season as the Rangers closer. Bannister also mentioned that he won’t use any relievers in three straight games and that Kevin Jepsen could also be in the mix for saves. The biggest loser for fantasy purposes is reliever Alex Claudio, […]

Chris Davis Batting Leadoff On Opening Day

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will bat first on Opening Day. Yes, it's unconventional, but manager Buck Showalter likes to challenge the norm. The stakes aren't as high for Thursday, but it's still a different look. Davis, who struggled in '17, might be more focused in this spot. It's not permanent yet, though. It'll be […]

Mark Melancon Placed On 10-Day Disabled List

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (elbow) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Melancon said earlier this spring he is not 100 percent. The closer has been a bust thus far for the Giants with both on-the-field struggles and injuries. Relievers Tony Watson and Sam Dyson […]

Alex Claudio Still Listed Atop Bullpen Depth Chart

With no official announcement and plenty of scuttlebutt to sort through, it's worth noting that the official Texas Rangers MLB.com website currently lists reliever Alex Claudio on top of the bullpen depth chart. Every outlet has their own opinion, and it's not surprising that the 26-year-old isn't atop the wish list. Claudio brings a boring, […]

Rougned Odor Wraps Up Rough Spring

Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor finished up a spring training worthy of his name. After a poor 2017 campaign despite 30 home runs, the 24-year-old managed just .200/.262/.400 over 60 at-bats. He also struck out in nearly a third of his plate appearances. Odor is a talented, power-over-hit masher who plays a passable second […]

Padres Starter Dinelson Lamet to Start Year on DL

The San Diego Padres have officially announced that starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet (elbow) will start the year on the disabled list. Lamet was slated to be the No. 2 starter in the Padres rotation before he left in the second inning of a start against the Mariners earlier this week. The Padres have said the 25-year-old has […]

Hunter Renfroe to Start Year as Padres Fourth Outfielder

With San Diego Padres outfielder Jose Pirela winning the starting left field job this spring, Padres outfielder Hunter Renfroe will begin the 2018 season as San Diego's fourth outfielder. Renfroe hit .266 with a .944 OPS over 24 games this spring, slugging a team-high six home runs. There is no doubting Renfroe's power after his 26 […]

Joey Gallo to Bat Second in Opener

Texas Rangers corner infielder Joey Gallo will open the season as the starting first baseman after spending the majority of the spring working at the position. More interesting is that he'll supplant shortstop Elvis Andrus as the No. 2 hitter. It raised eyebrows in the spring that the three true outcomes slugger was taking at-bats […]