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 […]

Jon Lester Will Pitch Opening Day For Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have named starting pitcher Jon Lester as the team’s Opening Day starter. Lester is coming off a rough 2017 campaign after finishing second in the National League Cy Young voting in 2016. Lester is a bounce-back candidate and should improve from his 4.33 ERA this past year.

Brock Stassi Day-To-Day With Back Spasms

Minnesota Twins first baseman Brock Stassi was sidelined on Monday after he developed back spasms. The team is calling the 28-year-old day-to-day. Stassi made a name for himself with a hot camp during Spring Training in 2017, when he was with the Phillies. He appeared in 51 games with Philadelphia in 2017, batting .167 with […]

Miguel Castro Passes Bullpen Test, Will Throw B Game Friday

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Castro (knees) passed another test on Tuesday, throwing a good bullpen session. He's been battling knee tendinitis. The next step is for him to throw in a B game on Friday. The right-hander has to be happy that things are progressing for him. He's got a bit of catching up to […]

Chris Tillman Should Be Making Spring Training Debut Soon

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman is getting closer to making his 2018 spring training debut. Roch Kubatko of MASN tweeted that the righty had a "good work day." Tillman joined the team after a long winter of free-agent dormancy. He's going to be the No. 3 starter behind Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy. The […]

Test Results Clean For Jacob DeGrom

For those who have been worried since news came out Tuesday morning about a stiff back for New York Mets pitcher Jacob deGrom, for now, breathe a sigh of relief. deGrom told the media the test results on his back were clean, and the plan remains for him to throw off the mound on Wednesday. Considering […]

Jacob deGrom To Test Back On Wednesday

To update an item posted earlier, New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom is going to test his lower back with a mound session on Wednesday. deGrom is currently dealing with lower back stiffness, but it’s not expected to be anything serious. He’s continuing with his normal throwing progression and was out stretching with the […]