Carlos Estevez Battling Back Tightness

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (back) is dealing with mild lower-back tightness in camp, according to manager Matt Quatraro. It's the reason why Estevez hasn't made his Cactus League debut yet in Arizona. However, he threw off the mound on Wednesday and said he felt good. Quatraro said the Royals think there's plenty […]

Nationals Designate Stone Garrett For Assignment

The Washington Nationals designated outfielder Stone Garrett for assignment on Thursday to make room for right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan on the 40-man roster. Garrett will now be subjected to waivers, but if he goes unclaimed, he could return to the Nationals organization and be assigned to Triple-A Rochester to start the year. The 29-year-old former […]

James Wood Will Serve As DH On Friday

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (quadriceps) will serve as the designated hitter in his Grapefruit League debut on Friday versus the division-rival New York Mets, according to manager Dave Martinez. Depending on how Friday's game goes, the Nationals will decide if Wood is ready to play left field after that. Washington is easing the 22-year-old […]

Andrew Benintendi Exits After Being Hit On His Hand

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) was pulled from Thursday's Cactus League game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with right-hand soreness after he was hit by a pitch from pitcher Logan Allen. Benintendi will undergo tests to make sure he didn't break any bones in his right hand. For now, the 30-year-old veteran should […]

Gunnar Henderson Dealing With Side Discomfort

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (side) was pulled from Thursday's Grapefruit League game early against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays due to lower right-side discomfort. In his only at-bat of the game, Henderson tried to beat out a ground ball and then also made a diving catch in the field. It's […]

Daulton Varsho To Make Grapefruit League Debut On Friday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the division-rival New York Yankees while serving as the designated hitter. Varsho said he's progressing well from right rotator-cuff surgery last September and has been throwing at 120 feet. He also continues to shag fly balls and hit in […]

Colson Montgomery Dealing With Back Spasms

Chicago White Sox shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery (back) was scratched from Thursday's Cactus League lineup against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians for precautionary reasons due to back spasms, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Montgomery is considered day-to-day. It's not a serious injury, but it's something to keep an eye on with the 23-year-old, who is considered […]

Roki Sasaki Could Make Spring Debut On Tuesday

Although nothing is finalized, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki could "potentially" make his Cactus League debut on Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds. The news comes after Sasaki had a three-inning simulated game against Chicago White Sox hitters on Tuesday in which he allowed two home runs. The 23-year-old […]

Dylan Cease To Make Cactus League Debut On Saturday

San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease will make his Cactus League debut on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Cease was the subject of trade rumors in the offseason as he heads into the final year of his contract, and although it appears the 29-year-old will stick with the Friars to […]

Fernando Tatis Jr. Expected To Make Cactus League Debut On Friday

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (illness) is expected to make his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Seattle Mariners, as well as most of the regulars for the Padres, according to manager Mike Shildt. Tatis had been away from the team for a few days while dealing with the flu before returning […]

Jose Caballero Leaves Game With Foot Injury

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jose Caballero (foot) fouled a ball off his foot in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Detroit Tigers and left the contest, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Caballero will surely go for testing to determine whether he's dealing with a serious injury, so stay tuned for more news […]

Gunnar Henderson Leaves Grapefruit League Game Early

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (undisclosed) left Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays after just one inning due to undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Luis Vasquez in the field. Henderson tried to beat out a muffed ground ball in the first inning and also made a leaping catch in the […]

No Timetable For Giancarlo Stanton To Rejoin The Team

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he doesn't know when outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) will rejoin the team at spring training. "I don't. Hopefully soon," Boone said. Stanton dealt with tennis elbow in both of his arms last year and also was bothered by it early this spring, which prompted the team to […]

Scott Effross Has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain

New York Yankees right-hander Scott Effross (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain, according to manager Aaron Boone. Effross received a platelet-rich plasma injection on Thursday, but it's going to be a while before he's able to return. The 31-year-old veteran injured his hamstring on his only pitch during his Grapefruit League […]

DJ LeMahieu To Make Spring Debut Soon

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu could make his Grapefruit League debut either on Saturday or Monday, according to the New York Post's Greg Joyce. LeMahieu dealt with foot and hip injuries a year ago that limited him to 67 games, but he entered spring training fully healthy and ready to compete for the team's […]

Aaron Judge To Make Grapefruit League Debut On Saturday

The New York Post's Greg Joyce reports that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is set to make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday, March 1, against the Houston Astros. Nothing is wrong with Judge physically, but the Yankees wanted to give him a little extra rest after the team's World Series run last fall. […]

Jordan Westburg To Miss A Few Days With Sore Back

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) is dealing with a sore lower back in camp and will be out of the Grapefruit League lineup for a few days as a result, according to the Baltimore Banner's Danielle Allentuck. Westburg is getting treatment. Manager Brandon Hyde said Westburg hasn't played since last Saturday due to his […]

Jack Kochanowicz Scratched On Thursday With Illness

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (illness) was scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs due to an illness. With Kochanowicz under the weather, pitching prospect Caden Dana will make the start instead. Kochanowicz will hopefully be feeling good enough in a few days to make his second start […]

Zach Neto Won't Be Ready For Opening Day

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to manager Ron Washington. It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but Washington said he hopes to get Neto back at some point in the first month of the 2025 season. Neto had surgery on his […]

Matt Shaw To Play In Games Soon

Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) said that he will start playing in Cactus League games in the next few days without any restrictions. Shaw is a bit behind the other position players in spring training while dealing with a minor oblique injury since Feb. 5. Oblique injuries can be tricky, but it […]

Nico Hoerner Won't Make Trip To Japan

Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) will not make the trip to Japan with the team to open the 2025 season on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Hoerner is still recovering from flexor-tendon surgery on his right forearm last October and will stay […]

Eric Cross' Top 10 Shortstop (SS) Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Rankings for 2025

We've reached the last infield position in my positional dynasty fantasy baseball rankings series today with the always exciting shortstop position. This position is as loaded as ever. The top eight names below are all inside my top 40 overall in my dynasty rankings, and the other three are all inside my top 100. Yes, your […]

Travis Bazzana Showing Power In First Taste Of Spring Training

Cleveland Guardians second base prospect Travis Bazzana has gone 1-for-3 with a three-run shot across his brief taste of spring training action. Bazzana has also drawn three walks and only struck out twice. Bazzana went deep on Tuesday afternoon against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Guardians selected Bazzana with the first overall selection in last year's […]

Robert Hassell III Swinging A Hot Bat

Washington Nationals outfield prospect Robert Hassell III has been swinging a hot bat to start spring training. Through four games, Hassell has gone 5-for-11 at the plate with two doubles and a home run. He has tallied five RBI, scored three runs, and swiped a bag. He has only struck out twice. Hassell was initially […]

Chandler Simpson Showing Speed In Grapefruit League

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect Chandler Simpson has already begun to showcase his speed in the Grapefruit League. Through four games, the young infielder has swiped two bags and tallied four hits. Through 110 games in the minor leagues last season, Simpson swiped an incredible 104 bases. He opened the season at High-A, where he […]

Chase Dollander Could Make Opening Day Roster

Colorado Rockies pitching prospect Chase Dollander is a strong candidate to make the Opening Day roster. Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post expects the budding ace to earn a spot in the starting rotation out of camp. The former ninth selection in the 2023 MLB Draft was invited to spring training after enjoying a stellar […]

Daniel Espino Extends Throwing Distance

Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Daniel Espino (shoulder) has increased his throwing distance to 120 feet. However, the team noted that Espino would not be able to return to game action until late in the 2025 season if he continues to progress at this rate. The 24-year-old underwent two shoulder operations over the past two years […]

George Valera Participates In Live Batting Practice

Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect George Valera (knee) participated in live batting practice earlier in the week. Valera is expected to begin defensive drills during the first week of March. The 24-year-old has been running and throwing for some time but finally returned to the batting cage. He is still recovering from knee surgery, which he […]

Davis Martin Opening Season In Starting Rotation

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Davis Martin will open the season in the starting rotation. Martin spent most of his time in the rotation last season and will open the 2025 campaign in a similar role. Through his 10 starts last season, Martin held a 4.37 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP across 47 1/3 innings […]

Addison Barger Starting On Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger (hand) is in the starting lineup for Thursday's spring training contest. Barger is batting third and covering the hot corner. Barger was hit by a pitch during Sunday's contest, which kept him sidelined through most of the week. He underwent X-rays but was able to avoid a serious […]