The Big Winner Of Tampa Bay's Flurry Of Moves Is Mallex Smith

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Mallex Smith has not been mentioned as much as other names that departed the team this week. However, he emerges as a big winner due to the number of his competitions leaving the roster. The signing of Carlos Gomez creates a possible concern, as there are now four outfielders for three […]

CC Sabathia Gets Through First Spring Session

Now one of the elder statesmen on the club and one of a handful of remaining players from the 2009 World Series team, New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia is one of the major figures for the Yankees. The 37-year-old, fresh off a new contract with New York, successfully threw his first session to live […]

Nick Williams Smashing Them Out Of The Park

Entering his sophomore season in the majors, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Williams is already making a splash in spring training. The 24-year-old recently smashed a home run out of the club’s Clearwater, Florida, spring training stadium, hitting manager Gabe Kapler’s car. Williams almost did it two days in a row, barely missing the car the […]

Steven Duggar Could Start Opening Day

Despite the San Francisco Giants signing outfielder Austin Jackson in the offseason, outfielder Steven Duggar has a chance to earn the nod on Opening Day for the Giants. Outfielders Andrew McCutchen and Hunter Pence will hold down the corners, but Duggar’s defense is above average and he has put up good numbers in the minor leagues. […]

Blake Swihart Might Need A New Venue

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart is following a plan that manager Alex Cora and the staff has prepared to make him more versatile and improve the chances of Swihart getting more playing time. However, now might be the perfect opportunity for the Red Sox to trade Swihart, according to Evan Drellich of NBC Sports […]

Twins Could Have Interest In Lance Lynn

Several reports have linked free-agent right-hander Lance Lynn to the Minnesota Twins. Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports suggests that the Twins have some interest in Lynn, who is one of the top free-agent pitchers remaining on the market. Lynn is coming off somewhat of a down year by his standards. While he was able […]

Rangers in the Lead to Land Julio Pablo Martinez

The Texas Rangers have emerged as the favorites over the Marlins and Yankees to sign 21-year-old Cuban outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez. The recent defector will be free to sign with a team on March 6, and his bonus is expected to be in the neighborhood of $2.7 million. The Rangers traded pitcher Miguel Medrano for […]

Byron Buxton Feeling Faster This Spring

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton told reporters that he feels faster this season. The speedy outfielder reported to camp at 192 pounds a year after checking in at 210 pounds ahead of the 2017 season. Already one of the top defensive center fielders in the league, if Buxton is in fact faster this season, he […]

J.D. Martinez Deal Waiting On Physical

According to Christopher Smith of masslive.com, there will not be a press conference Thursday to officially announce the signing of outfielder J.D. Martinez by the Boston Red Sox. The reason is the physical has yet to be completed. There is no additional word regarding any specifics that the physical is causing the holdup. Smith also reported that […]

Eric Hosmer May Move Around Batting Order

Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the San Diego Padres are not concerned where first baseman Eric Hosmer bats in the order. Hosmer brings a career .342 on-base percentage, including .385 last season, to one of the league's least-disciplined teams. The Padres had a miserable .299 OBP in 2017. Manager Andy Green hopes Hosmer's […]

Tyson Ross To Start Saturday

The San Diego Padres announced their starters for the first three spring training games this weekend. Brett Kennedy gets the nod Friday, followed by Tyson Ross on Saturday and Bryan Mitchell on Sunday. Ross signed a minor league deal after being a non-factor in 2016 and 2017. Ross is currently fantasy-irrelevant, but if he makes […]

Yasmany Tomas Might Not Make Roster

According to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas looks to have a hard time securing a roster spot, let alone a spot in the starting lineup. The acquisitions of outfielders Steven Souza Jr. and Jarrod Dyson secured the most likely spots Tomas could play in the outfield. Among 12 other […]

Madison Bumgarner To Start Opening Day For Giants

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy has announced that starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner will start on Opening Day. This comes as no surprise, as he is one of the best pitchers in the game. Bumgarner spent time on the disabled list in 2017 for the first time in his career after injuring his shoulder. He […]

Michael Kopech Working On Changeup

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech knows that developing a third pitch in addition to his fastball and slider can be a difference maker. This spring the right-hander has been working on his changeup, as it could be huge for his development. Kopech said he’s feeling more comfortable with the pitch, which he hopes […]

Not Much Concern About Jason Kipnis' Sore Back

Updating a previous report, Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis (back) is sitting out the first few spring training games due to a sore back. Kipnis himself said his back pain is caused by pushing himself too hard too early on in the spring. He said his body told him to take a break after taking […]

Pirates Acquire Corey Dickerson From Rays

After being curiously designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend, outfielder Corey Dickerson has found a new home. The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Dickerson on Tuesday in exchange for reliever Daniel Hudson and infield prospect Tristan Gray. What was supposed to be an interesting position battle for the Pirates is no more, […]

Cardinals Closer Role Will "Define in Time"

St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny stated that his team's closer role will "define in time." He continued, "Having a number of guys who can finish a game would be great. Somebody has to finish the last three." Relief pitcher Luke Gregerson would seem to be the leading candidate for now, but spring training performances will […]

Brandon Guyer Will Be Shut Down for a Couple of Days

Cleveland Indians outfielder Brandon Guyer (wrist) will be shut down for a couple of days to let the inflammation in his left wrist calm down. He will reportedly increase workouts next week. Guyer injured his wrist in the outfield earlier this week, and while there was a lot of concern at first, it seems Guyer […]

Jason Kipnis To Be Kept Out of Early Spring Training Games

Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis (back) will be held out of early spring training games due to a sore lower back. There doesn't seem to be a ton of concern regarding the soreness, but the oft-injured Kipnis is always someone to keep an eye on no matter how minor the injury may seem. Kipnis spent […]

Yasmani Grandal Adjusts Launch Angle In Offseason

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal has joined the fly-ball revolution, according to The Athletic's Pedro Moura. Grandal ran into hitting coach Casey Chenoweth, who, ironically, now works for the Giants in the minor leagues, in the offseason and became interested in launch angles as a way to improve his catching. But an adjustment with his […]

Pirates Hope Daniel Nava Will Return Soon

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Daniel Nava (back) has not participated in the team's last two workouts and is "rehab-only," according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. General manager Neal Huntington said the team is hopeful Nava will return quickly, but outfielders Bryce Brentz and Michael Saunders are backup plans in case Nava isn't ready. Nava […]

Joe Musgrove's Injury Is Minor

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove's (shoulder) right shoulder pain is "minor" and "precautionary," director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said. Musgrove could resume throwing in the "coming days." The former Houston Astro should be fine for Opening Day, but he's currently slightly behind the other pitchers in camp. Musgrove was much better as a […]

Austin Barnes Has Elbow Discomfort, Will DH For Now

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (elbow) began to feel his elbow "barking" as he prepped for spring training and won't catch during this first week. He will serve as the designated hitter instead, according to manager Dave Roberts. The situation doesn't seem to be serious, though, and he'll be put on a delayed throwing program. Yasmani […]

Devon Travis Impressing Early In Camp

Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (knee) has been impressing the coaching staff and his teammates early in camp and has been taking batting practice and participating in fielding drills daily. “You watch him move around, and if you didn’t know he’d had an injury, you wouldn’t think anything of it,” manager John Gibbons […]

Blake Swihart's Plan For Playing Time

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart continues to be the focus of attention and efforts to get more playing time. Manager Alex Cora said that Swihart will focus on catching, outfield and designated hitter for the near future. There is no time yet for Swihart to get repetitions in the infield. "Versatile enough that you […]

Alex Cora Not Concerned About Lineups

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is not concerned with the particulars of lineup construction based on splits, according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. Cora is not concerned with splitting up righties and lefties and doesn’t plan to get carried away with batter/pitcher matchups if it’s a small sample. With this news, there […]

Carlos Rodon Won’t Be Rushed Back

Richard Justice of MLB.com reports that Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (shoulder) won’t be rushed back in 2018. Rodon underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in September, and the club is looking to get him healthy for the long term. The left-hander has seen injuries slow him the past few seasons. General manager Rick Hahn […]

Alex Wilson Will Make First Start In Spring Opener

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Wilson is on record saying he wants to stretch out and make a bid for a spot in the starting rotation this season. He will get his first opportunity in the Tigers' spring opener Thursday. The Tigers will take on Florida Southern University, as is tradition in Lakeland. Wilson has […]

Andrew Benintendi Success Stems From Summer Break

Boston Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi has already accomplished in his rookie year what many players fail to reach in their entire career; he joined the 20 homers and 20 steals club. Benintendi attributes his sudden rise to stardom to an offseason before his sophomore season at the University of Arkansas. "I didn't play summer […]

Nomar Mazara Not Far From Competing for an MVP

SportsDay's Evan P. Grant believes if Texas Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara makes a small adjustment, he will be in the conversation for MVP in 2018. Grant is encouraged by Mazara's 100-RBI campaign from a season ago and believes if he can clean up his approach against lefties, then there is more success to come. The […]