Bailey Horn Traded To Detroit

The Detroit Tigers have acquired left-handed pitcher Bailey Horn from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for cash considerations. He was later optioned to Triple-A Toledo. The 27-year-old made his MLB debut last season in Boston and logged 18 innings to the tune of a high 6.50 ERA with a 1.78 WHIP. He held a […]

Ryan Loutos Optioned To Triple-A

The St. Louis Cardinals optioned right-handed pitcher Ryan Loutos to Triple-A Memphis. Loutos was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will begin his 2025 season with the Memphis Redbirds instead. Last season, Loutos made a brief MLB debut as he logged two 1/3 shutout frames. He spent the majority of his […]

Matt Strahm Will Be Evaluated Again On Saturday

Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher Matt Strahm (shoulder) will be re-evaluated on Saturday. Manager Rob Thompson noted that he is feeling better. Strahm has been dealing with an impingement in his left shoulder and could be in danger of missing Opening Day. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team will likely provide […]

Nick Castellanos Dealing With Illness

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos (illness) was unable to play on Wednesday due to an illness. The 33-year-old has not been in the lineup since Sunday. Fantasy managers should monitor his status as the Phillies may continue to keep him sidelined for the time being. When healthy, he is expected to be their everyday right […]

Jonathan Ornelas To Begin Season At Triple-A

Texas Rangers infielder Jonathan Ornelas was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday. Ornelas was competing for a depth role in the Texas infield but will begin the campaign at the top level of the minor leagues. Across the past two seasons, Ornelas has appeared in just 26 contests in the major leagues. Last summer, […]

Gerson Garabito Optioned To Triple-A

The Texas Rangers have optioned right-handed pitcher Gerson Garabito to Triple-A Round Rock. Garabito made his MLB debut last summer but will begin the 2025 season in the minor leagues. Across his first 26 1/3 innings in the major leagues, Garabito held a 4.78 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. He tallied 22 punchouts while serving […]

Gerrit Cole's UCL Surgery Includes Internal Brace

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole's (elbow) UCL surgery included internal bracing, according to the team, which can reduce inflammation and speed up the recovery time. It means that Cole is closer to a 12-month recovery than if he had the traditional Tommy John surgery. Cole will still miss the […]

Jordan Walker Could Return To Action On Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that if all goes well with outfielder Jordan Walker (knee) over the next couple of days in camp, he will return to Grapefruit League action on Saturday. Walker has been out of spring training games since last Tuesday due to left-knee irritation but has taken batting practice and […]

Astros Happy With How Jose Altuve Has Looked In The Outfield

The Houston Astros have been pleased with how second baseman Jose Altuve has looked while playing the outfield in spring training. "[He's done] enough for me to feel good about playing left field," manager Joe Espada said. Even though the Astros didn't re-sign Alex Bregman in the offseason, the Astros are going forward with their […]

Jesus Sanchez Pulled Early With Side Issue

Miami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez (side) was forced from Thursday's Grapefruit League outing against the Houston Astros in the fourth inning. Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a single and a double but was pulled precautionarily after manager Clayton McCullough "didn't like [his] mannerisms" while standing at second base. When asked about it after the game, the […]

Forrest Whitley Shelved With Bruised Knee

Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle reports that Houston Astros pitcher Forrest Whitley (knee) was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his knee. Per manager Joe Espada, Whitley "felt something" in his knee on a pitch during his most recent Grapefruit League outing on Mar. 8, and an MRI later revealed the bruise. Espada notes […]

Spencer Steer Showing Signs Of Improvement

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) took swings in the batting cage on Wednesday. However, he has not resumed throwing. It's a critical step for the 27-year-old, who hadn't picked up a bat since receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder on Mar. 1. "It's been progressing well," said […]

Andrew Benintendi Feeling "Really Good"

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable notes that outfielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) "felt really good" while taking swings in the batting cage on Thursday. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reported the news. "We feel confident that he's in a good spot to progress," said Venable. The veteran broke a bone in his hand […]

Trevor Story Takes Part In Simulated Game On Thursday

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (back) has been out the last few days due to a mild back issue but returned on Thursday to take part in a simulated game in camp against right-hander Walker Buehler, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. Story has not played in a Grapefruit League game since March 9 due […]

Rafael Devers Doesn't Mind Serving As DH

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) said he will be fine if the team wants him to serve as the designated hitter on Opening Day. "I don't make those decisions," Devers said after talking to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora a few weeks ago. The 28-year-old has changed his […]

Tyler Stephenson Going For MRI Exam

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (back) is going for an MRI exam after being scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers due to lower-back pain, according to manager Terry Francona. The Reds initially said that they thought Stephenson "was going to be fine." The starting backstop has hit .227 with a home […]

Brandon Woodruff To Make Spring Debut On Sunday

After recovering nicely from facing San Diego Padres minor-leaguers in camp on Tuesday, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is penciled in to make his Cactus League debut on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians. It's a big step this spring for the 32-year-old veteran, who didn't pitch at all in 2024 for the Brew Crew […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Return In Early- To Mid-May

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is taking part in most baseball activities in camp but has not been cleared to play in Grapefruit League games. Acuna will embark on a minor-league rehab assignment once the 2025 regular season begins in late March, and his return should come in early- to mid-May, according to […]

Spencer Strider Could Rejoin The Rotation In Late April

It's reasonable to expect Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) to rejoin the starting rotation sometime in late April, sources tell MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Strider, who won 20 games for Atlanta in 2023, underwent an internal-brace surgery to fix his right UCL last April. He could throw in a Grapefruit League game before the end […]

Daulton Varsho Throwing Up To 105 Feet

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) threw out to around 105 feet in camp on Thursday. He still has two weeks until Opening Day, and although it's possible he'll need extra time to ramp up his throwing all the way, he's in a good spot given how complicated rehab from shoulder surgery can be, […]

Max Scherzer Should Be Back On The Mound Soon

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) had an MRI exam on his sore right thumb, but nothing serious was found, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Scherzer is playing catch in camp on Thursday and will be back on a mound on Friday or Saturday. It's good news for an aging pitcher that has dealt […]

Edward Cabrera Leaves Early On Thursday With Blister Issue

Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) left his Grapefruit League start early on Thursday against the Houston Astros due to a blister on his right middle finger, according to Marlins Radio's Stephen Strom. Cabrera only threw 12 pitches (two strikes) in the abbreviated outing. In addition to what has been a rough spring results-wise, the […]

Lucas Giolito Will Begin Season On Injured List

Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, according to manager Alex Cora. "We're going to be tested right away," Cora said. Giolito was pulled from his Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies with what turned out to be a low-grade left-hamstring strain. It's not […]

Cody Bradford To Start On Injured List

Although an MRI exam on Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford's (elbow) sore left elbow came back clean, he is going to need to start the season on the injured list, according to manager Bruce Bochy. He will be shut down from throwing for up to 10 days to try and get the soreness out. General […]

Jacob deGrom Scratched Due To Stomach Virus

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants due to a stomach virus, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Hopefully, the 36-year-old veteran will be able to get back on the mound in a few days for what will only be his […]

JB's Bullpen Method Strategy for 2025: Making FrankenAces Out of Relief Pitchers

Five years ago, the inimitable JB Branson published an article breaking down his favorite fantasy baseball strategy that he’s deployed for over a decade. In his words, the Bullpen Method is a lifestyle that reflects the importance of balance on a fantasy team. That turned into an annual Bullpen Method article, with the 2023 version […]

Marcus Semien Back On Thursday

Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (illness) is back at second base and batting leadoff on Thursday in the Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants. A stomach bug is going around the Rangers' clubhouse in camp, and the 34-year-old veteran wasn't feeling good enough to play on Wednesday. He's now back in there […]

Brett Baty Could Open The Year At Second Base

New York Mets infielder Brett Baty is projected to open the year at second base while batting eighth, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Regular second baseman Jeff McNeil (oblique) is being shut down for seven to 10 days and is likely to open the year on the injured list, which could open the door for […]

Sean Manaea Resumes Throwing

New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea (oblique) resumed throwing two days ago, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Manaea's follow-up MRI exam came back clean, so he's essentially re-starting his spring training program after being shut down with a strained right oblique earlier in camp. It means that the 33-year-old veteran southpaw is right on schedule. […]

Brandon Nimmo Back In Spring Lineup On Thursday

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (knee) is serving as the designated hitter and is in the two-hole for Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Boston Red Sox. Nimmo appears to be past his plantar-fasciitis issues from last year, but he was brought along slowly early in camp and then dealt with right-knee soreness. As […]