A.J. Puk to Start in Place of Daniel Gossett on Sunday

Oakland A's left-hander A.J. Puk will start Sunday's spring training game in place of right-hander Daniel Gossett (back). Gossett is dealing with some back tightness and will be scratched. Gossett struggled mightily in his first taste of the majors, going 4-11 with a 6.11 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP. He is not a strong fantasy option […]

Victor Martinez Will Make First Post-Surgery Appearance Saturday

Detroit Tigers veteran designated hitter Victor Martinez will see his first live action Saturday since undergoing heart ablation surgery last September. Martinez hit the shelf on two separate occasions due to heart issues that gave everyone in the Tigers organization a scare. He's looking for a bounce-back season at the dish in what could be […]

Matt Kemp Homers In First Game Back For Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, who was acquired in a contract swap with Atlanta in the offseason, gave die-hard Dodgers fans a case of deja vu on Friday by homering in his first game back since the 2014 playoffs. Kemp went 2-for-2 on the day after getting a single in his first at-bat. The Dodgers […]

Gleyber Torres Not A Lock At Second Base

In Friday's spring training debut, the New York Yankees slotted prized prospect Gleyber Torres into the starting second base spot. The 20-year-old batted sixth and went hitless in two appearances. While getting the start in the first preseason game of the year, Torres shouldn’t take too much confidence in that. Manager Aaron Boone stated that the battle […]

J.D. Martinez Press Conference Still On Hold

Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal has reported that there is still no news on the physical nor impending press conference of Boston Red Sox outfielder J.D. Martinez. "I'm not concerned. My concern is with the guys here," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Until we hear more about the exact holdup, we will just […]

Ozhaino Albies Collects Hit In First Spring Training Action Of 2018

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozhaino Albies, called Ozzie by many, is seen by the organization as possibly being a vital cog in the team's future lineups. He's got speed and some power, both of which could make him a valuable fantasy asset. Albies collected a hit in his first spring training game. He's not in […]

Francisco Liriano Will Compete For Starting Job

The Detroit Tigers signed veteran lefty Francisco Liriano to a one-year, $4 million deal on Friday. Liriano spent last season with the Blue Jays and the Astros and is expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. If he doesn't earn a role there, he will provide bullpen depth for the rebuilding Tigers. Liriano […]

Chance Sisco Gets Off To Good Start With Three-Run Blast

Baltimore Orioles catcher Chance Sisco wants to grab the backup position to Caleb Joseph based on the merits of his play. He surely got some attention with his first Grapefruit League action, hitting a three-run homer for all of Baltimore's scoring as they lost, 6-3. Yes, it's only the first game, but he might be […]

Tim Anderson Looks To Steal More Bases In 2018

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson would like to improve in the stolen base department in 2018. Anderson finished 2017 going 9-for-9 in stolen bases in September. Overall, Anderson finished with 15 on the year. Anderson is looking to get at least 20 or more stolen bases in 2018. He’s an intriguing option for fantasy […]

Kris Bryant Not An Option To Bat First

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon said “four players (are) under consideration for leadoff spot. Kris Bryant is not in that group.” It should be no surprise that the former National League MVP won’t be atop the Cubs lineup, as he should remain in the two-hole. First baseman Anthony […]

Ryder Jones To Undergo MRI

San Francisco Giants infielder/outfielder Ryder Jones (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on his right hamstring. Jones tweaked his hamstring on Thursday. Jones got some run last year before landing on the disabled list with a wrist injury. Jones will play some outfield this spring, as he is blocked at both first base and third base by […]

Luiz Gohara Has Groin Tightness

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Luiz Gohara (groin) is being slowed in camp by groin tightness. He's competing for one of the open starting rotation spots this spring and has been widely considered a favorite after striking out 25 hitters while walking just four in 25 1/3 innings in his last five starts in September. The […]

Manuel Margot Balancing Fun And Persistence

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green is challenging outfielder Manuel Margot to improve his on-base percentage, score 100 runs and win a Gold Glove in 2018. A warm and fuzzy piece by Bryce Miller highlights Margot's simple upbringing and positive clubhouse energy. Green's benchmark is ambitious but fitting for the unquestioned leadoff man and center […]

Four Teams Interested In Tim Lincecum

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers "are believed to have interest" in free-agent starting pitcher Tim Lincecum. It makes sense that all of these teams are on the West Coast, as Lincecum has pitched for the Giants and Angels in his career and is from Washington. Although he […]

Tigers Sign Francisco Liriano

The Detroit Tigers are signing free-agent pitcher Francisco Liriano to a one-year, $4 million deal. The contract also includes $1 million in incentives. Liriano is expected to join the rebuilding team's starting rotation, where he'll surely have much more fantasy appeal, but even then, it will be minimal after he posted a 5.66 ERA, 1.63 […]

Billy Hamilton Expected To Open Season As Leadoff Hitter

The Cincinnati Reds will open the 2018 season with speedy outfielder Billy Hamilton batting leadoff. Hamilton held down the spot for most of the 2017 season as well, although his low batting average of .247 and on-base percentage of .299 does not make him an ideal candidate for the top of the lineup. Despite those […]

Jose Pirela Seeing Reps At Second Base

San Diego Padres outfielder Jose Pirela is taking repetitions at second base in camp, and he's likely to see a lot of time there in spring training. Unless the Friars trade outfielder Hunter Renfroe before the season starts, Pirela's fantasy upside may be limited if he shares time with Renfroe in left field. However, if […]

Carlos Gonzalez Could Be An Option For White Sox

FanRag Sports reports that free-agent outfielder Carlos Gonzalez could be an option for the Chicago White Sox. General manager Rick Hahn has said he doesn’t believe the club will sign anymore free agents, but Gonzalez makes for a nice buy-low candidate who the rebuilding White Sox could flip if he has a strong first half. […]

Braves Have Talked About Mike Moustakas

The Atlanta Braves have talked about free-agent third baseman Mike Moustakas, but so far there is no common ground between the two sides. Despite hitting a career-high 38 homers in 2017, Moose's free-agent market has been quiet this winter, and he's still holding out for a long-term deal. Atlanta wouldn't be the best fit for […]

White Sox Could Be A Possibility For Mike Moustakas

Jon Morosi of the MLB Network is reporting that free-agent third baseman Mike Moustakas could emerge as a possibility for the Chicago White Sox. General manager Rick Hahn spoke earlier in the week and mentioned that the club is unlikely to sign any more free agents. Moustakas has had a dry market thus far and […]

Marco Hernandez Experiencing More Pain

According to Jen McCaffrey, Boston Red Sox infielder Marco Hernandez (shoulder) had to return to Boston due to discomfort in his left shoulder. Doctors determined Hernandez needed to have the pins removed that were inserted into his shoulder last May. "He was doing everything fine and he felt weak or he was sore and it […]

Ben Zobrist Returns To Field Friday

Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist (back) was on the field Friday. Zobrist has been absent from workouts all week with a back injury. Manager Joe Maddon has stated that there is nothing to worry about and they didn’t want to push anything with Zobrist. The veteran will be competing with […]

Jon Lester Looks Fully Recovered

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester (lat) looks fully recovered from a lat injury that sidelined him for a few weeks towards the end of 2017. Lester is coming off a very rough 2017 for his standards and seems like a good bet to have a bounce-back season in […]

Javier Baez Says He Is Having A “Perfect” Spring

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez said his spring training has been “perfect” so far. Earlier in the week it was reported that Baez could get 500 to 600 at-bats this year but would have to improve his plate discipline, strikeouts and drive balls all over the field. Baez should get […]

Dominic Smith Benched For Being Late

As mentioned earlier Friday, New York Mets first baseman Dominic Smith was a late scratch for the team’s opening game of spring training on Friday. Given the team’s offseason full of criticizing Smith, the signing of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and emergence of prospect Peter Alonso, any benching of Smith is worth close inspection. It turns […]

Steven Matz Ready For Fresh Start

You may have heard this once or twice (or more) over the last few years, but New York Met starting pitcher Steven Matz is ready for a fresh start after yet another injury-plagued season in 2017. According to Matz himself, he feels stronger and is as healthy as he’s been in years. One point that’s […]

Dominic Smith’s Benching Not Health-Related

In a further development related to the New York Mets scratching first baseman Dominic Smith from Friday’s spring training opener, the benching does not seem to be health-related. According to Smith himself, the decision was simply the call of manager Mickey Callaway. This makes the situation all the more interesting, given a full offseason’s worth […]

Bobby Bradley Has Been the Highlight of Spring So Far

Cleveland Indians first base prospect Bobby Bradley has been the highlight of Spring Training so far for manager Terry Francona. Bradley has reportedly lost 30 pounds and will get a chance to play this spring. Francona said, "I told him not only is he knocking on the door because of where he plays, but we […]

Devon Travis Could Hit Atop Toronto Lineup

With spring training in full swing, one of the things the fantasy community likes to obsess over now is trying to figure out lineup construction. As far as the leadoff hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays is concerned, according to manager John Gibbons, second baseman Devon Travis might be leading the pack. Travis has long enamored […]

Jonathan Schoop Day-To-Day With Left Elbow Bursitis

Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (elbow) was scratched from the Feb. 23 spring training opener due to bursitis in his left elbow. According to Rich Dubroff of PressBoxOnline, Schoop banged it on something. If this turns into something worse, it's terrible news for fantasy owners since Schoop is a top-10 second baseman. His 32 homers […]