Taijuan Walker Hopes Humidor Helps

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taijuan Walker hopes the humidor helps him this year, but he is not sure, according to Nick Piecoro of Arizona Central. “It’s pretty easy to get a grip with the fastball, but the hardest thing for me is getting a grip with the curveball,” Walker said. “If that (the humidor) is […]

Zack Greinke Ahead Of Normal Regimen

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke is accelerating his spring training plan and has already thrown five bullpen sessions, four before camp began. “Just last year, it ended up being a good year, but I felt like I was playing catchup a little too much," commented Greinke. Therefore, this year he wants to start early […]

Xander Bogaerts Expects Power To Re-Emerge

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts expects a significant uptick in his performance, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. When asked if he expects to regain his power, Bogaerts stated, "Yeah, I definitely do think so. I can definitely go out there and put up the same numbers as '16." In 2016, Bogaerts hit 21 […]

Stephen Vogt Not Guaranteed A Roster Spot

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said catcher Stephen Vogt isn't guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster over catchers Manny Pina and Jett Bandy. "Stephen, we brought him back, signed him to a contract, but I think he's got something to prove, and that will be part of his camp," Counsell said. Pina and […]

Tim Lincecum Looks Improved In Showcase

Free-agent starting pitcher Tim Lincecum looked improved from two years ago during his showcase for scouts on Thursday, and he was reportedly throwing 90-93 mph with his fastball in front of 25 to 30 scouts for at least 15 teams. Lincecum appears to be in good shape, so he'll probably at least sign a minor […]

Cliff Pennington Signs With Reds

The Cincinnati Reds signed free-agent infielder Cliff Pennington to a split contract. He'll receive $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster. The 33-year-old switch-hitter can play all over the infield, but mainly profiles as middle infield depth for the Reds in what could be a utility role. He hit just .253 with three […]

Danny Salazar Dealt With Shoulder Inflammation in the Offseason

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Danny Salazar dealt with inflammation in his right rotator cuff in mid-January. He's resumed throwing since then and is reportedly doing well, but he is a "couple of weeks behind" where he should be at this point. It's unclear for now whether this will affect his availability for the beginning of […]

Carson Fulmer Would Like To Start In 2018

Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald reports that Chicago White Sox pitcher Carson Fulmer would like to be a starter this season. Fulmer, a former first-round pick, has pitched as both a reliever and a starter thus far in his career. He finished 2017 as a starter and went 2-0 with a 1.56 ERA in […]

Yasmany Tomas Not Assured A Starting Spot

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas might not be assured of a starting position in spring training, according to Nick Piecoro of Arizona Central. “I think a corner outfield spot is available, and how we fill that and who starts and who plays is going to be up for grabs,” stated manager Torey Lovullo. Outfielder A.J. […]

Phillies Trying Roman Quinn At Shortstop

The Philadelphia Phillies are giving outfield prospect Roman Quinn a try at shortstop at camp, despite the fact that he hasn't played there since 2014 and amassed 61 errors in 149 games in the low minors at the position. The Phillies value positional versatility, and if Quinn can prove adequate on the infield, it will […]

Juan Lagares Expected To Open Season As Starting Center Fielder

New York Mets outfielder Juan Lagares is unlikely to be traded, and the Mets are expecting him to open the season as the everyday center fielder with Michael Conforto (shoulder) sidelined. Lagares continues to see major league playing time because he's an excellent defender. You can't say much about his bat, though. Lagares has zero […]

Brandon Finnegan Heads Into Camp Healthy

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan (shoulders) had surgery on his left shoulder and also had surgery on his right shoulder to repair a torn labrum last July, but he's reporting to spring camp this year completely healthy. The left-hander tossed seven shutout innings against the Phillies in his first start last year, but it […]

Nick Senzel Working At Second Base And Shortstop

Cincinnati Reds third base prospect Nick Senzel arrived to the team's spring complex about a month early, and their No. 1 ranked prospect and No. 7 prospect in all of baseball has been working diligently at second base and shortstop. The 22-year-old has worked exclusively at third base since he was selected second overall in […]

Mike Montgomery Looking To Keep Arm Healthy In 2018

Speaking to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Cubs pitcher Mike Montgomery spoke about how he would like to keep his arm healthy even if he is not a starter. Montgomery started 2017 as a reliever before switching to a starter and then back going back to the bullpen. Overall, Montgomery had a solid year, […]

Bad Mechanics To Blame For Matt Harvey’s Struggles?

If you’ve been a fantasy owner of New York Mets starting pitcher Matt Harvey at any point after 2015, chances are you’ve said “never again” quite a few times. About that…according to new Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland, Harvey fell into some bad habits mechanically due to the injuries he suffered, has been made aware […]

Yankees Could Still Trade For Manny Machado

It's not out of the question that the New York Yankees could swing a deal for third baseman Manny Machado, even though the superstar can hit free agency next year. It's a long shot, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic explores a possibility that the Yankees land Machado. New York's major obstacle is avoiding the […]

Michael Conforto Resumes Baseball Activities

In what has to be music to the ears of fantasy owners everywhere, New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (shoulder) has resumed baseball activity. He isn’t swinging a bat yet, but the long tossing he took part in on Wednesday is obviously a big step in the right direction. After separating his shoulder last September and […]

No Restrictions For Phil Hughes

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session Wednesday and said he will have no restrictions in camp. Hughes continues to struggle with injuries and made only nine starts in 2017 due to a biceps injury and recurring problems related to thoracic outlet syndrome. His fastball velocity continues to plummet, and […]

Cardinals Will Attend Tim Lincecum's Showcase on Thursday

The St. Louis Cardinals will attend free-agent starting pitcher Tim Lincecum's showcase on Thursday. Several teams have already been confirmed for the showcase that will start the righty's comeback attempt. He wasn't good with the Angels a couple of years ago, but early rumors state that Lincecum looks better and has gained some of his […]

Ryon Healy Undergoing Tests On Hand

Seattle Mariners first baseman/designated hitter Ryon Healy (hand) is dealing with a hand injury at camp and is undergoing further tests. Until we know the results of his tests, we won't have an idea of how serious his injury is. Healy maintained a nice hard-hit and loft rates in 2017, but he likely won't be […]

Wei-Yin Chen Not Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen (elbow) is not expected to be ready for Opening Day, according to manager Don Mattingly. When healthy, Chen is expected to be in the team's starting rotation, but when he'll make his debut is unknown. The lefty made just five starts in 2017 due to elbow issues, and he'll […]

Cody Anderson Will Throw His First Bullpen on Saturday

Cleveland Indians pitcher Cody Anderson (elbow) will throw his first bullpen session since undergoing Tommy John Surgery. He is scheduled to throw on Saturday. Anderson hopes to be ready for the beginning of the 2018 season, but Cleveland has the depth to allow him to come along slowly and will likely keep him out of games […]

Johnny Cueto Battling The Flu

Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic is reporting that San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto is battling the flu and won’t throw a mound session Wednesday or Thursday. The Giants starting pitcher is coming off one of his worst seasons in which he dealt with multiple injuries, most notably blisters on his throwing hand. Cueto is […]

Pirates Have Outfield Opening This Year

The Pittsburgh Pirates have an outfield spot open heading into the 2018 season with Andrew McCutchen traded to the Giants. It seems likely that they will choose between Adam Frazier, Sean Rodriguez and Jordan Luplow to fill in next to outfielders Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco. Prospect Austin Meadows, 22, is on the brink of […]

Rotation Spots Up For Grabs In Milwaukee

Aside from Milwaukee Brewers starting pitchers Zach Davies, Chase Anderson and Jhoulys Chacin, there are two open rotation spots for the Brewers with Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) expected to miss a big chunk of the first half of the season. The Brewers could still add a starter in free agency or trade for one, but that […]

Lance McCullers Working On Body Alignment

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers said he is focusing more on his body alignment this year. About the only thing holding McCullers back from a breakout season has been his health, as he landed on the disabled list twice in 2017 with back issues. When healthy, he struck out 25.8 percent of the batters […]

Jeurys Familia Expected To See Majority Of Save Chances

New York Mets pitching coach Dave Eiland said relief pitcher Jeurys Familia "will probably get the majority of the saves" in 2018. New manager Mickey Callaway initially said the team would use several relievers in various roles at the back end, but it looks like Familia will be the favorite in the ninth inning, but […]

Troy Tulowitzki Dealing With Bone Spur

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (heel) is dealing with a bone spur in his heal, but Gibbons doesn't think it'll be an issue in spring training. However, Tulo may have a delayed start in camp. This is the last thing Toronto wants to see after Tulowitzki played in just 66 […]

Matt Duffy Looks To Finally Deliver For Rays Fans

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Matt Duffy missed all of 2017 due to injury. He has been battling problems and had setbacks since he joined the Rays and admits that he would be skeptical at this point if he was in the shoes of the fans. He was able to fully test his repairs during […]

Clayton Kershaw Named Opening Day Starter In 2018

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts named starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw as the team's Opening Day starter on Tuesday. What a shocker. The talented left-hander will turn 30 years old next month, but he remains the best pitcher in baseball and went 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 202 strikeouts in 175 innings […]