Mike Napoli to Decide on a Minor League Deal on Friday

The Cleveland Indians released first baseman/designated hitter Mike Napoli on Thursday, and he will decide to day if he will accept a minor league contract to return to the organization. He was told by the club upon his official release that he would be welcomed back on a minor league contract if he was willing […]

Tim Beckham Tweaks Groin But Hopes To Miss Little Time

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Tim Beckham tweaked his groin before Thursday's game. He told the media that he first felt it when he was doing his pre-game stretching and then exacerbated it when making a play in the second inning. He joked that he was glad he homered in his at-bat so that he didn't […]

Tim Lincecum Scratched With Finger Blister

The Texas Rangers have scratched reliever Tim Lincecum from his outing tomorrow due to a blister forming on the pitcher's middle finger. There was little hope that the former Freak would be ready for Opening Day, and the emergence of this pesky blister only casts more doubt. With all of the interest in Lincecum's comeback […]

Kevin Jepsen Likely to Make Opening Day Roster

The Texas Rangers' manager Jeff Banister told reporters that pitcher Tony Barnette is not likely to be ready to start the season, opening a roster spot for reliever Kevin Jepsen. The 33-year-old Jepsen has been a pleasant surprise, giving up just one run and four hits over 9 1/3 innings this spring training. After what […]

Jesse Chavez To Work From the Bullpen

The Texas Rangers have informed pitcher Jesse Chavez that he will not start the season as a full-time starter. This is not terribly surprising, as the 34-year old has worked as both a starter and reliever during spring training, and the results were not terribly inspiring. Expect Chavez to be deployed as a long reliever […]

Trevor Plouffe Told He Will Not Make Opening Day Roster

The Athletic's Levi Weaver reports that the Texas Rangers have told third baseman Trevor Plouffe that he will not make the Opening Day roster and will be designated for assignment. The veteran said when he signed that he was not expecting to accept a minor league assignment, but it is unclear if he has changed […]

Tim Lincecum Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Day

As the Texas Rangers prep Tim Lincecum for a return to the majors, they are not expecting him to be available for Opening Day. The former Cy Young winner is attempting a comeback by joining the Rangers' bullpen, but what role he will eventually occupy is unclear until the team can get comfortable with his […]

Mallex Smith Has Another Spring Training Shining Moment

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Mallex Smith sent another strong message to both his current owners and those looking at drafting him. In the fifth inning of a spring training game Thursday, he bunted down the first base line for a single. He then stole second base. Finally, on a chopper to third base, he got […]

Curt Casali Signs With Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed catcher Curt Casali to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. He is a possibility for being part of the backup plan if Wilson Ramos gets hurt again. Casali is a one-category player as he does have a little bit of power. Casali only had nine […]

Boog Powell Might Have Inside Track On Center Field Spot

Updating a previous report on the Oakland Athletics center field competition, all indications are moving towards Dustin Fowler being the odd man out and starting the year in the minors. According to Jane Lee of MLB.com, manager Bob Melvin said, "We’re comfortable with Smolinski and Powell." This would indicate that Boog Powell might be getting […]

Paul Blackburn Out With Forearm Strain

Updating a previous report, Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn has a forearm strain, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. Lee also noted the MRI showed no structural damage. Manager Bob Melvin estimated Blackburn would be shut down for 10 days. With an already thin rotation, the starters are identified by their health. The starting […]

Hisashi Iwakuma Begins To Throw Off Mound

Seattle Mariners pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma has begun to throw some pitches off the mound, per MLB.com. Manager Scott Servais hopes to have the starter back at some point this season, but Iwakuma is a long way from returning from shoulder surgery. For now, any news is good news for the right-hander who struggled with shoulder […]

Wade Miley Out 2-4 Weeks, Will Not Opt Out Of Contract

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Wade Miley has officially been given a timetable of two-to-four weeks and has also announced that he will not opt out of his contract, meaning he will remain with the Brewers. This means that the opt-out date for the contract will be extended due to the unfortunate timing of his injury and […]

Steven Souza Likely To Start Season On Disabled List

Updating previous reports, the MRI performed on Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza has confirmed that he suffered a right pectoral strain while diving for a ball during Wednesday's cactus league game. Manager Torey Lovullo says Souza is likely to begin the year on the DL. No information was given about the length of the DL stint. […]

Jefry Marte Likely to Make Angels Roster

The Los Angeles Angels have reassigned infielders Kaleb Cowart and David Fletcher to minor league camp, which makes it appear that 1B/3B Jefry Marte has made the big league roster. Marte hit .173 with four home runs and one steal last season, and will hold a bench role behind Luis Valbuena, Zack Cozart, Albert Pujols […]

Reds Finalize Starting Rotation

The Cincinnati Reds have finalized their starting rotation coming out of Spring Training. The team will go with Homer Bailey, Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle, and Sal Romano with either Amir Garrett or Brandon Finnegan waiting in the wings as the fifth starter. Cincinnati isn't expected to need a fifth starter at least until April 11. […]

Parker Bridwell, Nick Tropeano Sent to Triple-A

The Los Angeles Angels reassigned starting pitchers Parker Bridwell and Nick Tropeano to Triple-A. That leaves Garrett Richards, Shoehi Ohtani, Matt Shoemaker, Tyler Skaggs, JC Ramirez and Andrew Heaney as LA's presumptive six-man rotation. Heaney has been battling an injury, but it sounds like the team either expects him to be fine by the start […]

Franchy Cordero Has Slight Chance Of Making Opening Day Roster

San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero may be returning to the field this weekend after missing time due to groin tightness. The injury has impacted his fight to remain on the big league roster as a backup outfielder, with manager Andy Green saying Cordero returning to game action is, "one of the things we'll factor […]

Wade Miley And Brewers Working On Contract

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Wade Miley and GM David Stearn are currently working on a contract that will bring Miley to the Brewers for the 2018 season at minimum. Stearn is quoted saying right now that they are "optimistic" at the odds that a contract will be worked out, but that "nothing" has been done […]

Jeff Samardzija Likely To Begin Season On Disabled List

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) is getting a MRI on his shoulder and is likely to begin the season on the disabled list according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. It is a big blow for fantasy owners and the Giants, but at this time it is unclear how long Samardzija may […]

Ryan Cordell Demoted

The Chicago White Sox have demoted outfielder Ryan Cordell to Triple-A. Cordell made a strong impression this as he hit .317 in 41 at-bats. Manager Rick Renteria praised Cordell, but wants him to get more seasoning in Triple-A. Outfielder Adam Engel is now expected to round out the White Sox outfield. Engel is having a […]

Luis Robert Reassigned

The Chicago White Sox reassigned outfielder Luis Robert (thumb) to minor league camp. Robert was having a nice spring before suffering a sprained ligament in his left thumb. Robert suffered the injury a few weeks ago and is expected to miss about eight more weeks. One of the team’s top prospects, Robert is still just […]

Jean Segura Hopes To Return Saturday

Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura will test his sprained thumb in the batting cages with hopes of playing this Saturday, per MLB.com. Segura battled numerous injuries last season and the Mariners have to be keeping their fingers crossed their shortstop will be ready for Opening Day. When healthy, Segura is a top table setter in […]

Ichiro To Rehab Calf In Minor League Games

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki will continue to work his way back from a nagging calf injury by playing minor league games over the next few days, per MLB.com. The iconic Mariner returned to the team as a free agent in the offseason and the 44-year old will be brought along slowly. He is not […]

Cody Bellinger Returns To Lineup Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (leg) is back in the lineup on Thursday batting cleanup versus the Angels. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year fouled a ball off his leg two nights ago and was removed from that game as a precaution. Bellinger is one of the more intriguing options in […]

Erick Aybar Will Not Make 25-Man Roster

The Minnesota Twins informed shortstop Erick Aybar on Thursday that he will not be including on the 25-man roster for Opening Day. The 34-year-old veteran was in camp on a minor league contract which included an invitation to Spring Training and hit .257 with four runs and five RBI in 35 at-bats. The move signals […]

Twins Set Rotation: Jake Odorizzi To Start Opening Day

The Minnesota Twins have tabbed right-hander Jake Odorizzi as their Opening Day starter. Odorizzi, formerly of the Tampa Bay Rays, came to Minnesota in an off-season trade and has posted a 2-0 record, 0.87 ERA, and four strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings of work this spring. The Twins will round out their starting rotation with […]

Nelson Cruz Returns To Lineup

Seattle Mariners designated hitter Nelson Cruz will return to the lineup on Thursday, per cbssports.com. Cruz has missed the past week with a quad injury and hopes to get back into game shape by Opening Day. Cruz is, by far, the most productive bat in the Mariners lineup and can carry an offense for weeks […]

Jason Vargas Back With Mets

New York Mets starting pitcher Jason Vargas returned to the team on Thursday, just two days after undergoing surgery for a non-displaced fracture in his non-throwing right hand. Vargas is expected to start throwing again over the weekend, but as of now there is no timeline for when he’ll be ready to make his first […]

Greg Holland In Contact With Diamondbacks

Free agent closer Greg Holland is slowly making his way towards a deal for the 2018 season. Among the several teams he is in contact with, the Diamondbacks are seemingly one of the more likely destinations, as they are in the playoff hunt without an established closer. Holland's 41 saves with the Rockies was tied […]