Jordan Zimmermann Named Opening Day Starter

In a somewhat surprising move, Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire announced Saturday that veteran pitcher Jordan Zimmermann will start on opening day this season. It was widely expected that Michael Fulmer would get the nod, but elbow soreness has limited the former Rookie of the Year a bit this spring. Zimmermann was a disaster in […]

Sean Manaea Has Trouble Going Five Innings

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea performed well in his start against the Mariners on Saturday. According to Melissa Lockard of The Athletic, the Athletics had hoped Manaea would go five innings Saturday. He managed to throw 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run while striking out three batters. Manaea got in trouble with walks, which […]

Jake Arrieta Gets In First Pitches This Spring

Former National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta got in his first action this spring with his new club, the Philadelphia Phillies. He threw a simulated game without any fielders behind him, getting in two innings and somewhere around 30 pitches. Fresh off a three-year, $75 million contract, the right-hander is still hopeful of […]

No Restrictions For Anthony Swarzak

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said there are no restrictions for relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak (calf) moving forward. He is in line to be ready for Opening Day. The left-handed reliever was a combined 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 in 70 games for the White Sox and Brewers in […]

Luis Severino Named Opening Day Starter

In a move that was widely expected, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Saturday that starting pitcher Luis Severino will be the club’s Opening Day starting pitcher. The 24-year-old took a major leap forward in his third professional season last year, going 14-6 with a 2.98 ERA. Severino was envisioned as an ace when he made […]

Steven Wright Pushing To Be On Opening Day Roster

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Steven Wright (knee) threw three innings of live batting practice Saturday, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Wright had cartilage restoration surgery on his left knee in May, which abruptly ended his 2017 season. A spring training game is not too far in the future for Wright. Currently, Wright's recovery is […]

Jharel Cotton Will Have Tommy John Surgery

Updating a previous reports, Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jharel Cotton (elbow) sought a second opinion on his strained UCL and flexor tendon, and the result is that he will have Tommy John surgery, according to Jane Lee of MLB.com. Cotton will miss all of the 2018 season, as the normal recovery time from this procedure […]

James Shields To Start Opening Day

The Chicago White Sox announced on Saturday that starting pitcher James Shields will take the mound on Opening Day. Shields has struggled over the past few seasons but will anchor a young White Sox staff. Shields can be avoided in all but the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Marcus Stroman Throws Two Innings Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (shoulder) tossed two scoreless innings against the Canadian National team on Saturday. "I thought it went really well. I'm ready to rock. Just progress over the next two starts and looking forward to pitching against the Yankees on Sunday," Stroman said. Barring any setbacks, Stroman should be just […]

Blue Jays Sign Danny Espinosa

The Toronto Blue Jays signed free-agent second baseman Danny Espinosa to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Saturday. Espinosa appeared in 12 spring games for the Yankees but was released on March 12. The 30-year-old had his best years with the Nationals from 2010 to 2016, but he's hit just […]

Yoenis Cespedes Expects To Play Monday

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (wrist) received at-bats in a minor league game Saturday and said his wrist feels good. He's expected to play in a spring training game Monday and will be ready for Opening Day. Saying that Cespedes is dealing with an injury is almost like saying the sky is blue. It […]

Erasmo Ramirez Unlikely To Be Ready

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (shoulder) will not throw a bullpen session until the last week of the spring, which makes it unlikely that he'll be ready to start April 11 when the team needs a fifth starter for the first time. Pitchers Robert Whalen or Ariel Miranda could be used to fill in […]

Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Ichiro Suzuki To Take Swings

Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano (hamstring) and outfielders Nelson Cruz (quadriceps) and Ichiro Suzuki (calf) are all scheduled to take swings Saturday. Cano and Cruz will hit in the cages, while Suzuki will take batting practice on the field. All three will likely be held out of game action until Wednesday. The M's are […]

Dominic Smith Still Not Running

New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith (quadriceps) still has enough pain in his quad to prevent him from running, but he is hoping to play in a spring game before the team breaks camp. The Mets were already skeptical of using Smith as the everyday first baseman heading into 2018 after he struggled to […]

Yoenis Cespedes To Receive At-Bats Saturday

New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (wrist) will receive at-bats in minor league camp Saturday. Barring any setbacks, Cespedes will be fine for Opening Day. When healthy, he can put up elite outfield numbers for fantasy owners, but it always seems to be something with Cespedes on the injury front. He's a high-risk, high-reward fantasy […]

Walker Buehler Gives Glimpse Of Dominant Future

Los Angeles Dodgers top pitching prospect Walker Buehler showed everyone what his future starts will look like. And they look scary. Playing in his last Cactus League game on Friday before being returned to the minor league backfields, the 23-year-old unloaded a second-pitch 99 mph heater against the Diamondbacks. In his two innings of work, […]

Jose Urena Struggling Lately

Starting pitcher Jose Urena has already been named the Miami Marlins Opening Day starter, though he's looking to regroup from an ugly spring. Marlins skipper Don Mattingly tabbed Urena as the team's No. 1 starter last week, so a stumble in spring training shouldn't be too concerning. In 7 1/3 innings, Urena has an 8.59 ERA […]

Matt Adams Scratched

Washington Nationals first baseman Matt Adams (leg) was a last-minute scratch before Saturday's Grapefruit League game versus the Mets. He had leg cramps and the move was precautionary, according to the team. Adams looks to start the season as the team's backup first baseman to Ryan Zimmerman. But given how often Zimmerman is hurt, Adams […]

Magneuris Sierra Still Sidelined With Hamstring Injury

Miami Marlins prospect Magneuris Sierra remains out of the lineup after suffering a hamstring injury against the Mets on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Sierra, who is competing for the starting center field job with Lewis Brinson and Braxton Lee, was acquired from St. Louis as part of the Marcell Ozuna trade. In 28 […]

Michael Taylor Returns To Lineup Saturday

Washington Nationals outfielder Michael Taylor (side) has returned to the Nationals lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit game. He'll man his usual position in center field and bat fifth. That's a few slots above his normal position of eighth, which would be notable but Anthony Rendon is sitting and manager Dave Martinez is tinkering with batting his […]

J.T. Realmuto Hoping To Be Ready For Opening Day

The Miami Marlins are hopeful that catcher J.T. Realmuto will be ready for Opening Day as he deals with a bone bruise in his lower back, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Realmuto, who hit .278 with 17 homers and 65 RBI last year, has been out of action for the last week. With Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell […]

Jeremy Hellickson Jumps Right In With Nationals

Washington Nationals starter Jeremy Hellickson took a red-eye flight to be with his new team first thing Saturday morning. Upon arriving in Florida, he threw four simulated innings (60 pitches) and looks ready to go. Hellickson was signed to a minor league contract and given his major league experience, instantly becomes the front-runner to become the […]

Martin Prado To Begin Season On Disabled List

Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado will once again open the season on the disabled list after aggravating his right knee while running the bases on Tuesday. According to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, Prado and the Fish are hoping that the DL stint will be brief. Prado played in just 37 games last season after injuries […]

Daniel Mengden Is First Athletics Starter To Go Five Innings

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Daniel Mengden provided the longest outing of the team's spring, going 5 2/3 innings against the Indians on Friday. Mengden struck out four, allowing two runs on two hits. Mengden has surely locked down a spot in the rotation. "It’s not really up to me, I can only control what I […]

Mallex Smith To Get Minor League Game Before Return

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Mallex Smith (hamstring) will perform drills this weekend and then get a minor league game either Monday or Tuesday. He is still expected to be ready for Opening Day. Smith is all about speed, and he's stolen exactly 16 bases each of the last two seasons. He played in just 81 […]

Robbie Erlin Strong In Unscheduled Start

Battling for one of the final two spots in the Padres rotation, San Diego Padres starting pitcher Robbie Erlin took to the mound in an unscheduled start on Saturday night. Bryan Mitchell was scratched with a neck injury, giving Erlin a chance to prove himself. Erlin threw 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball, allowing only […]

Alex Reyes Won't Pitch This Month and Won't Have a Defined Role in 2018

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Alex Reyes won't pitch in any Grapefruit League games this spring. Pitching coach Mike Maddux said it is not due to any setbacks, just a precautionary measure to make sure Reyes stays healthy. Reyes will not have a defined role in the 2018 season, instead pitching in a "hybrid" role […]

Luke Gregerson Faces Live Hitters on Friday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (oblique) faced live hitters on Friday in his continued return from injury. Gregerson's next step will likely be to appear in a Grapefruit League game. If he pitches well and avoids any setbacks, he may still start the season as the team's closer. For now, that job seems […]

Mike Clevinger Will Be Back on the Mound on Sunday

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Mike Clevinger (illness) will return to the mound on Sunday. Clevinger was scratched from his last Cactus League start due to an illness, but it was never considered serious and he should be back on track on Sunday. Clevinger has made the Opening Day rotation, and should be able to keep […]

Yan Gomes Sidelined With Minor Arm Soreness

Cleveland Indians catcher Yan Gomes is currently sidelined with what is being described as "minor arm soreness." Gomes will not be behind the plate again until Monday at the earliest, and he won't make the trip to Las Vegas with the team. He will stay back and work as the designated hitter in minor league […]