Rangers Unlikely To Reunite With Yu Darvish

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said it's unlikely that the team will sign free-agent starter pitcher Yu Darvish or any of the other big-name free-agent pitchers. "We've maintained contact with Darvish, but I think it's unlikely we'll bring in one of the upper-end pitchers," Daniels said. Darvish went 6-9 with a 4.01 ERA, 1.17 […]

Julio Urias Starts Throwing Again

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias (shoulder) posted a video of himself on his Instagram account that shows him throwing for the first time in seven months. The 21-year-old had surgery on his left anterior shoulder capsule last June, which ended his 2017 season. Despite calling the video the "the happiest day of his therapy," he […]

Bruce Maxwell Nearing Resolution On Legal Issues

Oakland A's catcher Bruce Maxwell may be able to resolve his legal issues before spring training begins. Maxwell has a settlement conference scheduled for Feb. 12, where he could reach a plea deal for his arrest. Maxwell was arrested on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct stemming from an incident […]

Fernando Rodney Plans To Pitch For Years To Come

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, who will turn 44 years old this March, thinks he can remain effective for several more years. "If you can control the game, it doesn't matter how old you are," Rodney said. "Closing is the situation in the game that I feel most comfortable. I feel like I can […]

Alex Reyes Enters 2018 Without a Set Role

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Alex Reyes is already in Jupiter, Fla., getting a head start on spring training. The young right-hander is recovering from last year's Tommy John Surgery, and the team has set May 1 as a goal for having him back on the mound. What they have not yet set, though, is […]

Brad Miller Expected To Play First Base

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said the plan for now is for infielder Brad Miller to play first base, with Micah Johnson, Daniel Robertson, Ryan Schimpf and Joey Wendle battling for the second base duties. Miller is also a candidate to start at the keystone if the Rays add a first baseman before the […]

Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez To Rotate At DH

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he plans to rotate the designated hitter position between outfielders Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and catcher Gary Sanchez in 2018. Judge and Stanton are also expected to play left field this spring, although neither has played the position in the majors. All three big-time sluggers will hit somewhere […]

Michael Martinez Undergoes Surgery to Repair a Ruptured Achilles Tendon

Cleveland Indians utility player Michael Martinez underwent surgery this week to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. He was performing agility exercises in his native Dominican Republic when he was injured. Rehabilitation for a ruptured Achilles usually takes at least six months, so Martinez's entire 2018 season is in jeopardy right now. He had signed a […]

Mark Appel Stepping Away From Baseball

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Mark Appel and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft (ahead of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant) is stepping away from baseball after struggling for several seasons. The 26-year-old right-hander said he's taking an "indefinite break" after posting a 5.60 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2017. He has […]

Mets Still Unlikely To Sign Bartolo Colon

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said it's still unlikely that the team signs free-agent starting pitcher Bartolo Colon, even to a minor league deal. The 44-year-old veteran pitcher would only like to play for the Mets for one more season, but it appears that they won't give him that opportunity. The right-hander was […]

Brewers Still In Contact With Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb

The Milwaukee Brewers remain in contact with free-agent starting pitchers Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn, although free-agent starter Yu Darvish is at the top of their wish list. However, there aren't believed to be any offers out to Arrieta and Cobb. Milwaukee is clearly going for it in the competitive National League Central […]

Cubs Sign Peter Bourjos To Minor League Deal

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago Cubs have signed free-agent outfielder Peter Bourjos to a minor league deal. Bourjos spent last season with the Rays, where he hit .223. The Cubs seem to be set with their position players, but Bourjos should operate as organizational depth and will give the Cubs a speed […]

Jon Niese Signs with Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent relief pitcher Jon Niese to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The former Yankee and Met will try to resurrect his career after missing all of 2017 due to complications from knee surgery. The 31-year-old Niese is now three full seasons from his last effective campaign in […]

Phillies Sign Adam Rosales

The Philadelphia Phillies signed free-agent infielder Adam Rosales to a minor league deal that will pay him $1.75 million if he makes the big league roster. Rosales will be invited to spring training. The veteran utility player will attempt to serve in a utility role on the infield for the rebuilding Phillies. In 105 games […]

Delino DeShields to Compete for Starting Job

Texas Rangers outfielder Delino DeShields has worked hard in the offseason to improve his defense in center field, and Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram believes that he is likely to win the starting job in spring training. With the Rangers missing out on outfielder Lorenzo Cain, who ultimately signed a five-year, $80 million deal with […]

Brett Anderson An Option For Blue Jays

There is mutual interest between free-agent pitcher Brett Anderson and the Toronto Blue Jays, but the Blue Jays will likely aim higher on the free-agent market for now. Anderson could be an option for the back end of the starting rotation, but the left-hander has made just 20-plus starts only twice in nine seasons. In […]

Jake Odorizzi Being Linked To Brewers In Latest Rumor

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi has been linked to the Milwaukee Brewers in one of the latest editions of a blog on the Tampa Bay Times website. They mention that the Brewers had traded away Odorizzi in the trade that brought them Zack Greinke in December of 2010. The Brewers are now in […]

Gregor Blanco Returns To Giants

Free-agent outfielder Gregor Blanco has agreed to a contract to return to the San Francisco Giants. The 34-year-old spent 2017 with the Arizona Diamondbacks after winning two World Series with the Giants from 2012-2016. Blanco announced the news on his Instagram account and it is likely a minor league deal. The career .257 hitter will […]

T.J. Rivera Hopes To Return By May

New York Mets infielder T.J. Rivera (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on his injured right elbow in September, but he has been progressing nicely and hopes to return in May. Rivera has had a solid couple of years for the Mets, slashing .290/.330/.430 with five home runs and 13 doubles in 73 games in 2017 prior […]

Tigers Sign Travis Wood

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent pitcher Travis Wood to a minor league deal Monday, according to the Tigers. In 39 games (14 starts) for the Royals and Padres in 2017, Wood boasted an ugly 6.80 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and only 65 strikeouts in 94 innings. the soon-to-be 31-year-old southpaw doesn't have much left at the […]

Chris Bassitt, Jesse Hahn Could be Bullpen Pieces in 2018

The Oakland A's are currently stretching out pitcher Chris Bassitt as a starter, but manager Bob Melvin mentioned that both Bassitt and Jesse Hahn could be bullpen options next season. Injuries cost Bassitt all of 2017, but he has been a starter for the majority of his major league career. Hahn made 13 starts for the […]

Matt Albers Agrees To Terms With Brewers

Free-agent relief pitcher Matt Albers has agreed to a two-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Albers, 35, spent last year with the Nationals, where he had a 1.62 ERA in 61 innings and struck out 63 batters. It was the best year of his career, and he was […]

Mets Still Trying To Acquire Josh Harrison

If you’re sick of hearing rumors about the New York Mets trying to acquire a second baseman this offseason, you’re not alone. Those rumors aren’t going away anytime soon, as it’s been reported that although the Mets are still trying to acquire infielder Josh Harrison from the Pittsburgh Pirates, the free agency route is more likely. […]

Matt Kemp Not In Dodgers Plans

It's become obvious that the Los Angeles Dodgers have no intention of keeping outfielder Matt Kemp on their active roster to begin the regular season, and they will instead continue to look for a trade partner. The Dodgers have targeted "three or four" potential landing spots for Kemp, according to someone closer to the situation. […]

Amir Garrett Feeling Stronger After Surgery

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Amir Garrett (hip), who finished 3-8 with a 7.39 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in 14 starts in 2017, said he feels stronger after undergoing right hip surgery. He received platelet-rich plasma and stem-cell injections in his hip as well. "It helped a lot. I feel a lot stronger and stuff now. […]

Mets Starters Healthy Leading Up To Spring Training

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said starting pitchers Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler have shown good results in their respective throwing programs, and each are expected to be full participants when spring workouts start Feb. 14. That doesn't mean that the Mets won't be careful with each pitcher's […]

Mets Not Expected To Name Closer Before Season

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway doesn't plan on naming a specific closer in spring training. Relief pitchers Jeurys Familia, AJ Ramos, Anthony Swarzak and Jerry Blevins are all suited for high-leverage situations. "I don't think we're going to name a closer to start the season," Callaway told MLB.com in a telephone interview. "If there […]

Preston Claiborne Signs Minor League Deal With Indians

Right-handed pitcher Preston Claiborne has signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians, which includes an invitation to spring training. Claiborne appeared in just one game last season at the major league level, but he pitched well in Triple-A. In 38 Triple-A appearances, he put up a sparkling 1.89 ERA. The 30-year-old will be […]

Steven Matz Says Elbow Is Pain-Free

Something that hasn’t been said often throughout New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz’s (elbow) career is that he’s been pain-free. Matz told the New York Daily News that he currently feels no ill effects in his elbow after surgery to reposition his ulnar nerve, which ended his 2017 season, and he expects to be ready […]

Miguel Cabrera Unlikely To Be Traded

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila doesn't see it as likely that the club will trade first baseman Miguel Cabrera amidst their rebuild. "That's hard to predict as far as Miggy's concerned,'' Avila said. "That's a huge contract, and those kind of contracts are not usually moved or easily moved.'' Cabrera had the worst season […]