
Tim Lincecum a Lottery Ticket for Texas
Pending a physical, pitcher Tim Lincecum will join the Texas Rangers on an incentive-laden one-year contract. Evan P. Grant reports that the deal is for just $1 million for the season. The former two-time Cy Young winner is trying to resurrect his career one more time after showing little life in a 2016 Angels campaign […]

Miguel Andujar Continues To Fight For Starting Gig
When the New York Yankees acquired Brandon Drury, the team’s starting third base position appeared to be his. Over a week into spring training, however, Miguel Andujar continues to force the decision over third to be a difficult one. The 23-year-old smashed a pair of home runs on Monday night, the second being a walk-off. […]

Tommy Joseph Shifting To Outfield
After spending last season as the starting first baseman of the Philadelphia Phillies, Tommy Joseph finds himself fighting for a spot in 2018. The 26-year-old hit .240 with 22 home runs and 69 RBI in 142 games last season, but will give way to newly-signed Carlos Santana this upcoming season. As a result, the Phillies […]

Jason Kipnis Off to a Great Start This Spring
Cleveland Indians second baseman/outfielder Jason Kipnis is off to a great start in Cactus League play this year. He hit two home runs on Tuesday, recording four RBI in a win over the Oakland Athletics. It's still February, so Kipnis' fast start may ultimately mean nothing, but his hot start is nice to see after […]

Corey Kluber Throws Two Innings in His Cactus League Debut
Cleveland Indians ace Corey Kluber tossed two solid innings in his 2018 Cactus League debut, striking out three and allowing one run. The Klubot won the American League Cy Young Award last season and was once again one of the best pitchers in fantasy. He struck out 265 and posted a 2.25 ERA. He should […]

Taijuan Walker Strikes Out Two In One Inning
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Taijuan Walker allowed one run and struck out two in an inning against the Giants on Tuesday. He only allowed two hits but he did not walk a single batter, which is good news. Walker is on a mission to redeem himself from the 2017 postseason letdown. Returning to the consistency […]

Steven Brault Preparing as a Starter
With the fifth spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation open, manager Clint Hurdle views pitcher Steven Brault as a legitimate contender, reports the Post-Gazette's Bill Brink. Brault went 10-5 with a 1.94 ERA in 120 1/3 Triple-A innings last year, though his strikeout (22.7 percent) and walk (9.2 percent) rates were nothing to write […]

Archie Bradley Using Spring To Improve Changeup
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley is using the spring to improve his changeup, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Bradley allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings against the Giants on Tuesday. He only allowed two hits, but both were against the changeup. Bradley is hoping to reintroduce the changeup into his repertoire, envisioning […]

Ian Happ Hits Second Home Run
Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ian Happ hit his second leadoff homer of the spring versus the White Sox on Tuesday. The Cubs have floated names around for the leadoff spot in the order, but Happ has made a strong impression. The rookie forced his way up to the big leagues last year and hasn’t looked back. Happ […]

Craig Kimbrel Leaves Camp To Be With Family
Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel has left the team to be with his infant daughter, who is having a second heart procedure in Boston, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Kimbrel learned his daughter would be born with a heart defect early in the 2017 season and she has already had one […]

Austin Hays and Chris Lee Both Due To Have MRIs On Wednesday Morning
Both Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays (lat) and pitcher Chris Lee (lat) are going to have MRIs on Wednesday morning, according to MASN reporter Roch Kubatko. Hays and Lee both have been dealing with lat issues, and perhaps the MRIs will dictate what happens next. Disabled list stints to open the season may be looming.

Jacob DeGrom May Not Be “Built Up Enough” For Opening Day
According to New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway, starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (back) may not be “built up enough” for Opening Day. The comment is likely in regards to the lower back stiffness deGrom is currently dealing with. While that is potentially worrisome news, not too much should be read into it on Feb. 27. What […]

Dustin Pedroia To Start Hitting Soon
Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) will start hitting on the field soon, according to Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe. Pedroia is still recovering from offseason knee surgery. He started taking grounders last week. While hitting on the field is good news, Pedroia is still a long way from running the bases.

Chris Heston Faces Plenty Of Competition To Make Giants Roster
After returning to the San Francisco Giants in the offseason, starting pitcher Chris Heston is likely to begin the season in Triple-A. Heston spent the majority of 2017 in the minor leagues for the Dodgers, Mariners and Twins. The Giants currently have Derek Holland, Andrew Suarez, Tyler Beede, Chris Stratton and Ty Blach ahead of […]

Mike Foltynewicz Uses Simpler Delivery To Get Good Results In First Spring Start
Atlanta Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz wanted to quiet down his delivery and make it smoother. It's all about the rhythm and tempo, and he tried to utilize that on Tuesday. It got him two hitless and scoreless innings, though he did walk two. If he can show the form that nearly had him throw a […]

Matt Carpenter "Not Concerned At All" About His Back
St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter said he is "not concerned at all" about his sore back. Carpenter experienced discomfort in his back nine days ago in Cardinals camp and has yet to resume "baseball activities." The extent of his activity has been standing in the batter's box during batting practice without taking any swings. […]

J.D. Martinez Will Debut Next Week
According to Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald, Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez is acclimating quickly and is expected to debut next week. “His routine got messed up the last four or five days and it was the first day he hit in four or five days, so we want him to get back […]

Steven Matz Rocked In Spring Debut
Things had been going pretty nicely for New York Mets starting pitchers so far this spring, until Steven Matz took the hill on Tuesday against the Astros. Matz was crushed for five runs across one-plus inning pitched. He retired the side in the first inning before allowing three runs in the second inning without recording […]

Marco Hernandez Returns To Camp
Boston Red Sox infielder Marco Hernandez returned to camp Tuesday after his second shoulder procedure in a year, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. A week ago, Hernandez returned to Boston after doctors determined that pins put in his shoulder last May needed to be removed. The initial report was Hernandez would return when he was […]

Hunter Harvey Pitches Well In Debut But Wants To Work On Command
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Hunter Harvey hasn't made the big leagues yet, mostly due to injuries, including Tommy John surgery. He finally made it in a spring start on Tuesday, going two innings and striking out three. He's got a ways to go to make the team in the regular season, but the 23-year-old said […]

Cory Spangenberg Injures Wrist During Workout
AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports San Diego Padres infielder Cory Spangenberg jammed his wrist and will be out a "short period of time." Spangenberg was expected to compete with second baseman Carlos Asuaje for playing time at second base. His absence will open more opportunities for Jose Pirela, who will see action at second due to the […]

Jake Odorizzi Set To Make Twins Debut Friday
Newly-acquired starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi is expected to make his Minnesota Twins debut this Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Odorizzi was acquired from Tampa Bay on Feb.17 but has yet to appear on the mound for his new team. He told reporters that he's fine physically, but the reason for his delay was due to […]

Kennys Vargas Enjoying Improved Vision
Minnesota Twins first baseman/designated hitter Kennys Vargas has been benefiting from better vision after getting a a new contact-lens prescription for his left eye. The switch-hitter told reporters that both eyes are now 20/20 as he heads into the season. The young slugger is out of options with the Twins and has heard his name […]

Craig Gentry Only Expects To Miss A Few More Days
According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Craig Gentry (hamstring) will only be out a few more days before resuming baseball activities. He said that his hamstring is much better. Gentry is hoping to make the team as a reserve outfielder and will only play a lot if a regular gets hurt and misses […]

Dominic Smith Taking Swings On Tuesday
In what may be the first piece of positive news we’ve heard on New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith (quadriceps) in months, Smith is taking swings Tuesday after being officially diagnosed with a strained right quad. He was only expected to miss a few days to begin with, so this sounds about right. Smith has […]

Marcus Stroman Hoping To Throw In A Few Days
Earlier Tuesday we learned that Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marcus Stroman was shut down with shoulder inflammation, and now we know a little bit more about it. The team decided the shutdown was in order after Stroman threw a live batting practice session on Feb. 21. Fortunately, the MRI he received did not show any structural […]

Ben Revere In The Mix For A Bench Spot
Cincinnati Reds manager Bryan Price told reporters that recently-signed veteran outfielder Ben Revere is in the running for a spot with the club, but it will not be as a starter. Revere is in the mix for a reserve outfielder position, with Price stating, "Ben will compete to offer a component we may lack – […]

Aaron Blair Ready To Pitch For First Time On Wednesday
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Aaron Blair is going to toe the rubber for the first time this Spring. Blair, who is a dark-horse candidate to make the team in the No. 5 spot, has been the victim of a glut of pitchers in camp. He hasn't had much success the past two years, but apparently […]

Austin Hays Will DH In Tuesday's Game
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays (arm, lat), who was originally slated to play right field on Tuesday, will be the designated hitter. The purpose is for him to rest his sore arm/lat muscle for one more day. He should resume regular game duties on Wednesday.

Ben Zobrist Could Get Game Action This Week
Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist (back) could see some game action this week. Zobrist missed the beginning of spring training with back soreness, but in recent days has been on the field and even took some swings in the batting cage. The Cubs are taking it easy with the veteran, and he should be good […]