Starlin Castro Looks To Be Favorite For Three-Hole

Miami Marlins second baseman Starlin Castro has mostly been hitting in the three spot in the batting order this spring, and manager Don Mattingly plans on mainly using Castro in the third spot during the season. The 27-year-old will hit in front of cleanup hitter Justin Bour. Castro has posted a career slash line of […]

Cardinals Are OK With Not Naming a Closer

The St. Louis Cardinals seem content to go into the season without naming a closer. While reliever Luke Gregerson was seen as the favorite to man the ninth inning, he is dealing with an oblique injury and has been limited to just one Grapefruit League appearance. Meanwhile, Dominic Leone and Tyler Lyons have pitched well enough […]

Chris Davis Will Resume Baseball Activities Next Week

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (forearm) will be back on the field next week. Manager Buck Showalter told the media that Davis, who has been dealing with a tight forearm, will resume "baseball action" soon. Here's hoping that Davis will be able to stay on the field for the rest of spring training. Pedro Alvarez has […]

J.T. Realmuto Scratched With Knee Contusion

Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) was scratched from Grapefruit League action with a left knee contusion Friday. The injury doesn't look to be very serious, so Realmuto should be fine. Despite the Marlins roster overhaul over the winter, Realmuto remains a top-five fantasy catcher, although his run and RBI totals will surely suffer in […]

Matt Carpenter Begins Fielding and Batting Practice

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back, shoulder) began hitting and fielding drills this week. The team is reportedly concerned about both Carpenter's back and his shoulder, which may lead them to sticking him at first base. Originally, Carpenter was being looked at as a super-utility infielder who could play almost any infield position. For […]

Cam Bedrosian Expected to Close in LA

Los Angeles Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian is considered the favorite to start the season as the closer, reports Jon Heyman of Fan Rag sports. Bedrosian was the favorite last year, but an injury limited him and ended up giving Bud Norris and Keynan Middleton opportunities to close out games. Bedrosian finished the year with six […]

Tyler O'Neill Off the Injury List and Into the Lineup

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tyler O'Neill (oblique) is off the injury list and into a Grapefruit League starting lineup. O'Neill has been dealing with a strained left oblique muscle that has caused him to miss more than half of the spring training schedule. He'll get the start in right field against the Astros. O'Neill hit 31 […]

Javier Baez Still Bothered By Hamstring

Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (hamstring) is still feeling bothered by hamstring tightness. Baez suffered the injury while he was running to second base on a double. Baez will not play Saturday and the team will see how he feels from there. Baez may slip a few rounds due to the injury, but if […]

Gerardo Parra Will Make Cactus League Debut On Sunday

Colorado Rockies outfielder Gerardo Parra is returning from right hand surgery and will make his spring training debut on Sunday, March 11. Parra was already in quite the competition for an outfield spot with David Dahl, Charlie Blackmon and Ian Desmond and now with the re-signing of Carlos Gonzalez, a spot is going to be […]

White Sox Release Willy Garcia

The Chicago White Sox have released outfielder Willy Garcia. Garcia has been rehabbing from a wrist injury, but was on the outside looking in to break camp. The 25-year-old should be able to land a minor league contract, but shouldn’t be owned in 2018.

Yasmany Tomas' Future in Arizona Uncertain

The Arizona Diamondbacks have yet to decide a future for much-maligned outfielder Yasmany Tomas. Despite being a decent power bat, Tomas does not fit in with the new defensively-oriented Arizona team. As of now, Tomas is the fifth outfielder behind David Peralta, A.J. Pollock, Steven Souza and Jarrod Dyson. With no clear path to playing […]

Cubs Maul Jordan Lyles, Matt Strahm

Both fighting for starting spots, San Diego Padres pitchers Jordan Lyles and Matt Strahm were rocked in Thursday's spring training game against the Cubs. Lyles, who started, was pulled before he recorded an out in the second and gave up five earned runs. Strahm pitched a solid inning but struggled in his second. He left […]

Steven Souza Impressing In Arizona

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Steven Souza has made a great impression on his new teammates so far this spring. On Thursday, Souza went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double and three RBI in the D'Backs 11-6 victory. Souza also made a spectacular catch to rob Travis Shaw of extra bases. Souza's defense will keep him in […]

Rick Porcello Using Innovative Methods For Improvement

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Rick Porcello has been using different methods to help him locate his pitches, according to Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com. Porcello regressed in 2017 with a 4.65 ERA and his walk rate rose to 5.4. The hope is to get Porcello back to his 2016 self that posted a 22-4 record […]

No Timeline For Steve Pearce's Return

Toronto Blue Jays utilityman Steve Pearce has been suffering from a calf strain this spring, and while he’s feeling better, there isn’t a timeline as for when he might get back on the field. For a good portion of the offseason, it looked as though Pearce might just have a starting role in Toronto’s outfield […]

Amed Rosario Returning On Friday

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario has been out for nearly a week after experiencing knee and groin soreness, but he’ll be back in the lineup on Friday. Rosario is tentatively scheduled to serve as the designated hitter on Friday and will put the glove back on at shortstop on Saturday. The Mets are understandably […]

Marcus Stroman Throws Again On Friday

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman continues to work his way back from shoulder inflammation, but he remains uncertain for Opening Day. Stroman threw Thursday and again Friday, and finally a plan is being put in place for his return to action. However, according to manager John Gibbons, Opening Day is probably still a […]

Gabriel Ynoa Scratched From Saturday Start

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Gabriel Ynoa got the MRI results back on his shin splints and they weren't good. He has a "stress reaction" in those shins, and Ynoa was scratched from his start on Saturday. Pitcher Jayson Aquino is going to get the spot start instead. Ynoa was already on thin ice due to poor […]

Eduardo Nunez Hitless in Debut

Boston Red Sox super-utility man Eduardo Nunez (knee) had no hits in two at-bats in four innings of play on Wednesday. Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reported that following the fourth inning, Nunez began a more intensive workout session. Nunez pulled a sled loaded with weights back and forth, followed by more conditioning work. Nunez […]

Michael Fulmer Will Start Friday After 12 Days Off

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (elbow) will toe the rubber on Friday after receiving an extended break following his previous start. Fulmer was experiencing some soreness in his elbow that club sources say was "not related" to the ulnar transposition surgery he had in September. Still, manager Ron Gardenhire decided to play it safe and […]

Ian Kinsler with a Strong Start in Spring

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Ian Kinsler is off to a strong start this spring. The 35-year-old is 4-for-11 with five walks so far with the Angels. Kinsler was traded to the Angels from the Tigers back in December for a pair of prospects. The veteran posted a career-low .236 batting average last season, but […]

Tyler Skaggs Developing a Changeup

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Tyler Skaggs is working on adding a consistent changeup to his repertoire during spring training. “I can be a two-pitch pitcher, but I can only go so far doing that,” Skaggs said. “I need to make a cognizant effort to throw it, even if I’m not throwing it for a strike." […]

Andrelton Simmons Suffers Strained Left Shoulder

The MRI on Los Angeles Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons showed a strained left shoulder. He is considered day-to-day. Simmons left Thursday's spring training game after diving for a baseball. He was examined by the medical team on the field and had an MRI scheduled, although the expectation was that it was not that serious. That […]

Jacoby Ellsbury Could Still Return For Opening Day

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone stated on Thursday that injured outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (oblique) could resume running on Saturday in a bid to return for Opening Day. The veteran injured his oblique earlier in spring training and has been sidelined ever since. Ellsbury’s injury came as he took batting practice, later telling his coaches before the injury […]

Jose Bautista Not Considering Retirement

Free-agent outfielder Jose Bautista said he is not considering retirement. “Right now I’m just considering my options, and it depends on two criteria,” Bautista said in a phone conversation. “That’s winning and making sure that my family’s in a good situation.” The 37-year-old has major league offers on the table but is weighing his options. […]

Felix Hernandez Throws Thursday

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (forearm) had a successful throwing session Thursday, according to pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. Hernandez made 40 throws off flat ground. "He was freer and easier today,'' Stottlemyre said. As long as King Felix doesn't have anymore setbacks, he should be good to go for the regular season. But […]

Ichiro Suzuki To Play Regularly

Seattle Mariners veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is expected to play four to six days a week to begin the season, at least until outfielder Ben Gamel's (oblique) return, according to general manager Jerry Dipoto. Helping Suzuki's cause is the fact that both Mitch Haniger and Guillermo Heredia have been dealing with injuries in spring training, […]

Brad Boxberger Throws Scoreless Inning

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Brad Boxberger (arm) threw a scoreless inning Thursday, giving up a single hit against the Brewers. Boxberger looked good in his first game back from arm soreness, as his velocity sat in the 91-93 mph range with his fastball. The former Rays closer will continue to compete with reliever Archie Bradley for the […]

Mitch Haniger To Take BP Saturday

Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) will hit live batting practice against relief pitcher Nick Vincent on Saturday, and he could be cleared to participate in spring games after that. Injuries have been the problem so far for Haniger in his two seasons in the big leagues, but he's been adequate for fantasy owners when […]

Dustin Pedroia Still Has Long Recovery

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) still has a lengthy process ahead of him before he is ready to get back on the field in games, according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. Manager Alex Cora said it was unlikely Pedroia would even be ready for a minor league game before camp […]