Christian Villanueva Could Play Both Third and Shortstop

San Diego Padres third baseman Christian Villanueva wants to be the Padres primary third baseman. However, that role belongs to veteran Chase Headley. AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports San Diego will test Villanueva at shortstop to back up Freddy Galvis. There's no guarantee Headley will be with the Padres all season and versatility adds to […]

Shohei Ohtani Strikes out Eight

Los Angeles Angels starter Shohei Ohtani struck out eight of the 12 Brewers that he faced on Friday. He threw 52 pitches in the outing. Although he surrendered two runs, he only gave up one hard hit ball and looked sharp throughout. His fastball sat around 93 mph and got up to 96. Overall, Ohtani has […]

Kenley Jansen Given Day Off, Will Still Be Ready

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has been given the day off from his bullpen session on Friday. He'll still be ready for Opening Day, though, since relievers are given a lighter workload in the spring. The team is also mindful of his innings from last season and hopes to give him a similar number […]

Walker Buehler Impressing In Early Bullpen Sessions

Los Angeles Dodgers top pitching prospect Walker Buehler is impressing his pitching coaches in his first bullpen sessions. Back problems in January have led to a reduced throwing program for Buehler, but the Dodgers likely don't mind. He's two full seasons removed from Tommy John surgery and despite success in the minor leagues last season, […]

Dylan Bundy Has Another Rough Spring Outing on Friday

It was another ugly day for Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dylan Bundy. He gave up five runs on seven hits over the course of his 2 1/3 innings. He didn't walk or strike out anyone. That's 10 runs in four innings, which means a 20.77 ERA. Good thing it's spring training, huh? Don't worry, yet. A […]

Michael Kohn Tears Right Biceps

Minnesota Twins right-hander Michael Kohn tore the coracobraschialis muscle in his right biceps on Wednesday. The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to miss several months after the injury and will be seen at the Mayo Clinic to undergo further testing. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2016, Kohn spent the 2017 season pitching in the minors […]

Joe Musgrove Throws Another Bullpen Session

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (shoulder) is slowly getting closer to seeing game action. The Pirates right-hander has not yet appeared in a spring training contest due to shoulder discomfort, but the issue is minor. Musgrove threw an extended bullpen session on Friday, as reported by the Post-Gazette's Bill Brink, meaning he's one step […]

Austin Barnes Will Catch First Game Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Austin Barnes (elbow) will make his Cactus League debut on Monday behind the plate. Barnes has been on a reduced throwing program after he developed elbow problems on the eve of spring training. A clubhouse virus that made its way across the team earlier this week also delayed his first appearance. […]

Ervin Santana Will Have To Wait To Have Cast Removed

Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (finger) will have to wait to have the cast removed from his right hand. Santana had surgery on the middle finger of his pitching hand in early February and is expected to miss around 10 to 12 weeks as he recovers. He was originally slated to have the cast removed on […]

Jason Castro Scratched With Migraines

The Minnesota Twins have scratched catcher Jason Castro after he developed migraines on Friday. Castro will be replaced in the lineup by Williams Austudillo. The Twins will likely play it safe with Castro, who spent a part of the season on the concussion list last year. Castro was sent home by the team in attempts […]

Eric Thames Expected To Play Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (back), who was scratched with back tightness Thursday, is feeling better and is expected to play Saturday, according to manager Craig Counsell. Thames came out of the gates hot last year, hitting 11 home runs in April, but he only hit 20 bombs the rest of the way, and […]

Brandon Crawford In Lineup Friday

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (finger) is back in the lineup Friday as the team’s designated hitter. Crawford jammed his right index finger while sliding back on a pickoff throw on Wednesday. It’s a good sign that he is able to hit and it shouldn’t be too much longer before he’s back on defense. […]

Brandon Finnegan Throws Simulated Game

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Brandon Finnegan (shoulder) threw a simulated game in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday. Finnegan made just four starts during the 2017 season, as he dealt with a strained muscle in his left shoulder and later dislocated his non-throwing shoulder in an off-field accident. In the simulated game, Finnegan faced eight batters in two innings, […]

Jose Quintana Looking For More Consistency

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jose Quintana said he is looking for more consistency in 2018. Quintana fell 11 1/3 innings short of 200 innings in 2017 between the Cubs and White Sox and has a goal of reaching that in 2018. Quintana has to adjust after moving from the American League to the National League […]

Sam Travis To Expand Versatility

Boston Red Sox first baseman Sam Travis is likely to have his positional eligibility expand, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox are looking for Travis to play some corner outfield later this spring. Travis does not fit the mold of the traditional first baseman ,as he lacks power. Also, another […]

Jacoby Ellsbury A Late Scratch Against Braves

New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was scratched from Friday's game against the Braves due to tightness in his right side. Estevan Florial took his spot in center field. Ellsbury missed 50 games last year after being fairly durable for most of his time in New York, save for his 111-game season in '15. He's […]

Michael Brantley Progresses to Defensive Drills

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (ankle) is going to test his lateral movement by participating in some defensive drills on Friday. It's the only thing he hasn't done yet in his rehab from an ankle injury. He's been hitting, throwing, and running, but has not participated in full defensive drills yet. Brantley has nice upside […]

Carlos Martinez Scratched From Friday's Start

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez was scratched from Friday's start due to "personal reasons," according to manager Mike Matheny. Nothing else is known yet, but details are sure to emerge before too long. Still, it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about, at least on the injury front. Martinez is a solid […]

Danny Valencia Signs Minors Deal With Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent third baseman Danny Valencia to a minor league deal. It'll become official when he passes a physical on Saturday. Valencia played for the Orioles once before, in 2013. He'll provide some depth at third and the outfield should there be any injuries. He's not a fantasy star by any stretch […]

Brad Brach Will Pitch For First Time On Saturday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brad Brach will see game action for the first time this Spring when Baltimore goes up against the Phillies. Brach is holding down the fort at the closer position until Zach Britton returns from his Achilles injury.

Miguel Castro Throws Two Innings in B Game

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Castro (knees) went two innings in Friday's "B" game against the Pirates. According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, Castro threw 37 pitches, 26 of them for strikes. Castro gave up a run on two hits while walking one and striking out three. He said that his troublesome knees and his back […]

Elvis Andrus in the Lineup Friday

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (back) is taking the field in a live game for the first time in 2018. After sitting with back issues up until now, the steady performer is ready for action. Hitting in the two hole and taking the field at his usual shortstop position, it looks like Andrus is all good. […]

Jacob DeGrom Throws Bullpen Session

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (back) threw a bullpen session on Friday, emerging from it without any issues. This is another step forward for deGrom, who worried fantasy owners when it was announced he was suffering from lower back stiffness earlier this week. Assuming there are no setbacks within the hours and days to […]

Kris Bryant Returns To Lineup

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (flu) has returned to the Cubs lineup. Bryant missed much of the week battling the flu, but it’s nothing for fantasy owners to worry about. Bryant will bat second Friday and remains one of the better offensive options in 2018 drafts.

Travis Wood's Knee Injury Doesn't Look Promising

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Travis Wood left Thursday's game against the Braves with a left knee sprain, but manager Ron Gardenhire says that things don't "look very good," leading to speculation that it could be more serious than a sprain. The 31-year-old pitcher had a rough go of things last year with the Royals and […]

Estevan Florial’s Speed On Full Display

While infield prospect Miguel Andujar is grabbing all the headlines for the New York Yankees with his power, outfield prospect Estevan Florial has been strong on offense as well. Ranked as the third top prospect in the organization, the 20-year-old has picked up three triples thus far in spring training, putting his fantastic speed on […]

Robbie Erlin And Colin Rea Return To Game Action

After both players missed 2017 recovering from Tommy John Surgery, San Diego Padres starting pitchers Robbie Erlin (elbow) and Colin Rea (elbow) returned to live action in a "B" game on Thursday. They each pitched two innings and struck out a pair. Erlin and Rea are two of eight Padres pitchers battling for three rotation spots and could […]

Odubel Herrera Returning To Center Field

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera (shoulder) will finally play the field Friday, starting in center field when the club plays the Tampa Bay Rays. The 26-year-old has been dealing with shoulder soreness, which has prevented him from playing defense. Herrera has been Philadelphia’s best offensive player the past three seasons, hitting a combined .288 with 37 […]

Scott Kingery Accepting Fact He Will Start In Triple-A

Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Scott Kingery is off to a great start this Spring Training, but it means little to nothing for his chances of landing on the big league roster come Opening Day. The 23-year-old is blocked at second base by Cesar Hernandez, and it simply benefits the Phillies to keep him in the […]

Zack Godley Looks Great In Three Innings

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Godley threw three scoreless innings, giving up one hit and walking two while striking out four. He said he threw his curveball a little less than normal and is instead focusing on refining his other pitches. Godley looks to be in a good place with his improvements of his secondary […]