Rays Signing Ben Gamel To Minor-League Deal

The Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing a deal to sign free-agent outfielder Ben Gamel to a minor-league deal on Wednesday that includes an invite to major-league spring training, pending a physical. The left-handed hitter has played parts of seven seasons in the majors and was with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022. He'll bring the Rays' […]

Tanner Houck Open To Extension With Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have discussed a long-term extension with right-hander Tanner Houck after locking in Garrett Whitlock to a four-year, $18.75 million deal 11 months ago. The talks with Houck didn't get very far last year, though, and haven't resulted in a deal or offer from Boston. He'll turn 27 in June and is […]

Ethan Small To Serve As Long Reliever

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that left-hander Ethan Small will work as a long reliever in spring training, with his status as a lefty working in his favor. Small made two starts in his MLB debut in 2022 and allowed five earned runs on eight hits while walking eight and striking out seven in […]

Spencer Strider Looks Good In Live BP

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider retired all three batters he faced, including striking out Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna Jr., in a live batting practice session on Wednesday. It was Strider's first action of spring training. The 24-year-old right-hander was excellent for the Braves in his rookie season in 2022, going 11-5 with a […]

Nick Nelson To Start Grapefruit League Opener

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that right-hander Nick Nelson will start the team's Grapefruit League opener at home against the New York Yankees on Saturday. In his first season with the Phillies in 2022, Nelson went 3-2 with a 4.85 ERA (3.04 FIP), 1.48 WHIP, one save and 22.6 percent strikeout rate in a […]

Jacob deGrom To Throw First Bullpen On Thursday

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (side) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of spring training on Thursday, according to manager Bruce Bochy. deGrom reported left side tightness after a throwing session early last week, and the Rangers held him back as a precaution early in camp given his long list of injuries […]

Hunter Brown Has Chance To Open Year In Rotation

With Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow) expected to open the season on the injured list, right-hander Hunter Brown figures to slot into the fifth rotation spot and play a prominent role early on. The 24-year-old made his major-league debut last year and had a 0.89 ERA (1.98 FIP), 1.08 WHIP and 22 […]

Frankie Montas Undergoes Shoulder Surgery Wednesday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Frankie Montas (shoulder) underwent surgery to clean up his right labrum on Wednesday. The good news is that doctors didn't have to touch his rotator cuff, so Montas is expected to begin a throwing program in 12 weeks. The 29-year-old right-hander and the Yankees are hoping that he will be […]

Noah Song Reporting To Phillies Camp

The Philadelphia Phillies reported on Wednesday that right-hander Noah Song was discharged from the Navy, and he's expected to report to spring training on Thursday. Song has been in the Navy the last two years and hasn't pitched in the minor leagues since 2019, so he has plenty of developing to do on the farm […]

Shohei Ohtani Will Make Spring Training Start Feb. 28

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will reportedly make a Spring Training start on Tuesday, February 28, per a tweet from MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger on Wednesday. According to Bollinger's tweet, Ohtani "was originally slated to start March 1." Also per Bollinger's tweet, the veteran will also serve as the designated hitter […]

Nick Pivetta Expected To Skip World Baseball Classic

Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta (illness) is expected to have to drop out of the 2023 World Baseball Classic due to an illness that has set him back a few days. Pivetta was looking like a potential ace for Team Canada. The 30-year-old dealt with COVID-19 last week and has been slow to bounce […]

Vladimir Gutierrez Placed On 60-Day Injured List

Cincinnati Reds starter Vladimir Gutierrez (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday morning. The move was made in order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for fellow pitcher Bennett Sousa, who the Reds claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Gutierrez pitched to a 7.61 ERA, a 6.82 […]

Reds Claim Bennett Sousa Off Waivers

The Cincinnati Reds have claimed left-handed relief pitcher Bennett Sousa off waivers, per an announcement from the National League Central club's official Twitter account on Wednesday morning. Sousa appeared in 25 games for the Chicago White Sox last season, pitching to an 8.41 ERA, a 5.47 FIP, 12 strikeouts, and 10 walks in 20.1 innings […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Won't Be Ready To Open Season

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow) reportedly won't be ready for Opening Day, per MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Per McTaggart on Twitter on Wednesday morning: "McCullers had an MRI last night and there's no structural damage to elbow. He said it was a small muscle strain. He hopes to rehab and be able to […]

Elvis Andrus and Robbie Grossman: Buying and Selling the Latest Offseason News for Fantasy Baseball

Even though the Winter Meetings are now behind us, there’s still plenty of offseason left when it comes to baseball news and rumors – especially with a number of the offseason’s top free agents still without a team. And that’s all without mentioning potential trades as there hasn’t been an overabundance of deals made so […]

MLB Pitcher Prospect Graduates - Sophomore Fantasy Baseball Outlooks (AL Central)

In the second installment of a six-part series focused on pitchers who exhausted rookie eligibility during the 2022 MLB season, I review how the pitching fundamentals of select 2023 American League Central pitchers have evolved over time and use that information to forecast their MLB futures. Fundamentals will be quantified using my Fielding- and Ballpark-Independent […]

Five Outfielders To Target in 2023 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

Welcome back, fantasy baseball players. Welcome to this year’s edition of outfielders to target. I have a list of five outfielders to target around their ADP (or even a little earlier) who could help your fantasy team in 2023. While looking at projections and past results, the list that follows was carefully crafted to give […]

Jake Odorizzi To Serve Bulk-Inning Or Spot-Starter Role

The Athletic's Levi Weaver reported Tuesday that Texas Rangers newly-signed pitcher Jake Odorizzi will likely serve as either a bulk inning reliever or as a spot sixth starter. The Rangers brought in Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Andrew Heaney this off-season in addition to Odorizzi, and all three are established starters. However, injury is a […]

Tanner Houck Competing For Rotation Spot

MassLiveSports' Christopher Smith reported Tuesday that Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck will be used as a starting pitcher during spring training and is one of seven pitchers competing for a starting rotation spot. The 26-year-old served mainly as a starter in 2021 but as a reliever in 2022, making just four starts in 32 […]

Manny Machado Is Padres' "Top Priority"

While not going into much detail, San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler said Tuesday that third baseman Manny Machado is the team's "top priority." Machado recently informed the team that he intends to opt out of the remaining five years and $150 million of his contract after the 2023 season unless an extension or restructuring […]

Orioles Impressed With Jackson Holliday At Spring Camp

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday that he has "been so impressed watching" second base/shortstop prospect Jackson Holliday at the start of spring training. Despite being just 19 years old, the O's No. 1 overall pick in 2022 received a non-roster invite to camp. He is several years away from joining the O's, but […]

Giants To Be Cautious With Michael Conforto This Spring

The San Francisco Giants are expected to be cautious with newly-signed outfielder Michael Conforto this spring, likely playing him as designated hitter for the first two weeks of Cactus League games as he continues to rebuild his throwing arm strength. The 29-year-old missed the entire 2022 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. However, he said […]

Aaron Judge Could Start Playing Some Left Field

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that, while there is no plan to start playing Aaron Judge in left field, the idea is "on the table" if it will facilitate Giancarlo Stanton getting more time in right field. Both Boone and Stanton stated that the outfielder/designated hitter would benefit from more playing time […]

Michael Taylor Wants To Run In 2023

Minnesota Twins outfielder Michael Taylor wants to contribute to the team being more aggressive on the base paths in 2023. From 2015 to 2019, Taylor stole 77 bases in 96 attempts while with the Washington Nationals. However, the soon-to-be 32-year-old has only swiped 18 of his 27 tries in the last three seasons, but he's […]

Nick Martinez To Start Cactus League Opener Friday

San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin said that right-hander Nick Martinez will start the team's Cactus League opener in spring training on Friday. Although Martinez only made 10 starts in 47 appearances for the Padres last year, he's expected to open the 2023 campaign at the back end of the team's starting rotation. In his […]

Aaron Ashby Hopes To Return By Mid-May

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby (shoulder) hopes to be pitching for the team by the middle of May if everything goes well in his recovery from a left shoulder impingement and a slight labral tear. The 24-year-old southpaw needed a platelet-rich plasma injection in his shoulder in late January, which will cause him to miss […]

Daniel Vogelbach Slims Down

New York Mets first baseman/designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach estimated that he lost 20 to 25 pounds this offseason after he was listed at 270 pounds in 2022. "Obviously watching what I eat, but just working out and doing my routine," Vogelbach said. "I wasn't really that focused on one particular thing. Just coming in and […]

Twins Agree With Donovan Solano On One-Year Deal

The Minnesota Twins agreed with free-agent infielder Donovan Solano on an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, according to a source. Solano comes to Minnesota after spending the 2022 campaign with the Cincinnati Reds. The 35-year-old veteran hit .284/.339/.385 with a .724 OPS, four home runs, 24 RBI and 304 plate appearances in 80 games played […]

Jazz Chisholm Jr. To Make Center Field Debut Sunday

Miami Marlins outfielder/second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. said he will most likely make his first start in center field in a Grapefruit League game on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. After adding Jean Segura and Luis Arraez this offseason, Chisholm is expected to shift to center field in 2023 after previously serving as the […]

Myles Straw To Be Held Out With Knee Soreness

Cleveland Guardians center fielder Myles Straw (knee) will miss the first couple of Cactus League games in spring training due to soreness behind his right knee. However, manager Terry Francona said the team is just being cautious early in camp. Straw will have plenty of time to recover in time for Opening Day, but it's […]