Keone Kela Earns Closer Role For Start Of 2020 Season

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Keone Kela has earned the closer role for the start of the 2020 season, as stated by Pirates manager Derek Shelton. Kela doesn't have all that much competition, but for the manager to name him the closer after just one workout has to be great news in terms of how his offseason […]

Jarrod Dyson Has Agreement With Pirates

Free-agent outfielder Jarrod Dyson has reportedly reached an agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The agreement is still pending a physical, but if all goes well, Dyson should be able to join the team for Grapefruit League action very soon. Dyson had 30 stolen bases and batted .230 last year with the Diamondbacks. His base-stealing upside is […]

Cole Hamels Suffering From Shoulder Discomfort

Atlanta Braves starter Cole Hamels (shoulder) has not reported to Spring Training yet due to an irritation in his shoulder. Initial reports suggest that the injury is not a long-term concern, but there will be a reevaluation in three weeks, so it is not a guarantee that he will be ready for Opening Day. The […]

Cubs Still In Talks With Other Teams Regarding Kris Bryant

The Chicago Cubs are still engaged in talks with other teams about the possibility of trading third baseman Kris Bryant, the 2016 National League MVP. The Cubs have spoken with the Rangers, Rockies, Nationals and Phillies in recent weeks, according to sources. There is no evidence that trade talks have progressed, but the Cubs haven't […]

Eric Pardinho Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Eric Pardinho (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Tuesday and will miss the entire 2020 season. Pardinho, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had a nice 2.15 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 35 strikeouts and 16 walks in seven games and one relief outing (37 2/3 innings) for Low-A Lansing […]

Trevor Cahill Signs With Giants

The San Francisco Giants signed starting pitcher Trevor Cahill to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Tuesday, according to a source. Cahill made 37 appearances (11 starts) for the Angels in 2019 and wasn't all that effective, going 4-9 with a bloated 5.98 ERA and 1.47 WHIP while striking out […]

Cubs Add Jason Kipnis

The Chicago Cubs signed second baseman Jason Kipnis to a minor league deal on Tuesday. Kipnis can make $1 million plus incentives if he makes the team out of spring training. The left-handed swinging infielder has a good shot to make the team as a part-time second baseman. The Chicago native hit .245/.304/.410 with 17 […]

Tony Wolters Loses Arbitration Case

Colorado Rockies catcher Tony Wolters lost his salary arbitration case on Tuesday and will earn $1.9 million in 2020 instead of the $2.475 million he was requesting, according to a source. Wolters had his best offensive season in four years in the majors in 2019 by hitting .262/.337/.329, but he's still mostly a defensive backstop […]

Charlie Morton Could Retire After 2020

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Charlie Morton said that he could consider retirement after the 2020 season, depending on his performance and his health. "If I throw really well and I feel really good, it’s going to be a tough decision. But if either one of those things happen, where I’m not pitching really well, […]

Chris Sale Has No Arm Issues Entering Spring Training

Boston Red Sox starter Chris Sale is fully healthy and will enter Spring Training without any arm issues, according to Red Sox general manager Brian O'Halloran. However, Sale will have the start of his Spring Training schedule delayed due to an illness that he is currently dealing with, but the left-hander will resume his normal […]

Kevin Pillar Nearing Deal With Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox are closing in on signing outfielder Kevin Pillar to a major league contract, Ken Rosenthal reports. Pillar spent the beginning of the 2019 season with the Blue Jays prior to being traded to the Giants, where the 31-year-old enjoyed career bests of 21 home runs, 88 RBI, 83 runs scored and […]

Dellin Betances Believes He'll Be Ready For Opening Day

New York Mets reliever Dellin Betances (shoulder, Achilles) told reporters on Tuesday that he will be ready for Opening Day. The 31-year-old endured a miserable 2019 season that was plagued with injuries, limiting him to only one appearance. Nevertheless, if Betances is ready for the start of the 2020 season, he will likely serve as […]

Red Sox, Pirates Interested In Kevin Pillar

The market for outfielder Kevin Pillar is heating up, with the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates among the interested teams. Pillar spent time with the Blue Jays and Giants in 2019 and hit .259/.287/.432 with a career-high 21 home runs, 88 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 161 games. Most of the damage he […]

Cubs Close To Adding Jason Kipnis

The Chicago Cubs are close to signing second baseman Jason Kipnis to a non-roster, minor league deal on Tuesday. Kipnis doesn't have the same bat as when he was elected to his second All-Star team in 2015 with the Indians, but he could bring a nice left-handed bat to the keystone in a platoon role […]

Wade Davis Will Enter Season As Closer

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black made it clear that relief pitcher Wade Davis will be the team's closer, with Scott Oberg as the primary setup man. "In a perfect world, Wade is our closer and Scotty pitches in front of him in some capacity," Black said. "That's based on Wade's great track record... That's our […]

Mariners Sign Carlos Gonzalez

The Seattle Mariners signed outfielder Carlos Gonzalez to a minor league deal on Tuesday that will pay him $750,000 if he makes the major league roster. Gonzalez will also receive an invite to big league camp in spring training. The three-time All-Star has a shot to make the team's Opening Day roster, but he will […]

Brendan Rodgers Not Expected To Return Until May

Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said that infielder Brendan Rodgers (shoulder) is still recovering from labrum surgery in his right shoulder and isn't expected to be a factor at the big league level until around May. Until then, some combination of Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson will handle the second base duties. Rodgers hit just […]

Byron Buxton Could Play In Spring Games In Mid-March

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that outfielder Byron Buxton (shoulder) is swinging the bat and is ahead of schedule for what Baldelli expected. The team will play it cautious with the speedy outfielder, but he could get into spring training games by mid-March. The second overall pick in 2012 still has enticing speed and […]

Angels Targeting Mid-May For Shohei Ohtani's Pitching Return

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will open the 2020 season as the team's designated hitter, according to general manager Billy Eppler. The Angels are targeting a mid-May return for Ohtani on the mound after he missed all of the 2019 season as a pitcher after having Tommy John surgery. The new […]

A's In Contact With Jason Kipnis

The Oakland Athletics have been in contact with second baseman Jason Kipnis, according to a source. Kipnis would give the A's a strong left-handed hitting option at second base with good career numbers against right-handed pitchers. The 32-year-old (33 in April) hit .245/.304/.410 with 17 home runs, 65 RBI and seven steals in 458 at-bats […]

David Robertson Could Return In Second Half

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher David Robertson (elbow), who had Tommy John surgery last year, isn't being ruled out from a second-half return in 2020. Robertson was a free-agent flop for the Phillies last season, as he appeared in just seven games (no saves) and allowed four earned runs in 6 2/3 innings pitched. The Phillies […]

Jean Segura, Scott Kingery To See Time At 2B, 3B

Philadelphia Phillies infielders Jean Segura and Scott Kingery will both see time at second base and third base in spring training. It will be the "sum of three parts" in deciding where they play during the regular season. Segura hit a healthy .280/.323/.420 with 12 home runs, 60 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 144 […]

Noah Syndergaard, Wilson Ramos To Be Paired In Camp

New York Mets manager Luis Rojas said that the plan is for starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard and catcher Wilson Ramos to be paired up in bullpens and spring games so that they can develop better chemistry and comfort in working together during the regular season. Thor allowed a career-high 4.28 ERA (league-high 94 earned runs) […]

Juan Lagares Joins Padres On Minor League Deal

The San Diego Padres signed outfielder Juan Lagares to a minor league deal on Feb. 10. According to sources, Lagares will be invited to big league camp and is likely a depth option for the Padres after outfielder Manuel Margot was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend. The light-hitting Lagares enjoyed his […]

Joc Pederson, Ross Stripling Trade Called Off

While the Los Angeles Dodgers re-agreed to the Mookie Betts and David Price trade, they changed their mind on their deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Contrary to previous reports, outfielder Joc Pederson and pitcher Ross Stripling are not headed to their in-state rivals, and will instead stick with the Dodgers for the time being. […]

Ke'Bryan Hayes Looking To Make The Jump To The Majors

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes will be looking to get his bat going in order to make the jump to the Majors during the 2020 campaign. As one of the top defensive players in the Minors, Hayes has proven that he can be the Pirates' long-term option at the hot- corner. However, the Pirates […]

Franchy Cordero's Stock Up After Latest Padres Trade

San Diego Padres outfielder Franchy Cordero is likely the biggest winner with the recent departure of Manuel Margot. With Margot traded to the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend, Cordero has a shot to be the Opening Day starting center fielder. Expected to be a material piece to the Friars since 2018, the 25-year-old has […]

Emilio Pagan Headed To San Diego

The San Diego Padres acquired relief pitcher Emilio Pagan from the Tampa Bay Rays on February 8. The Rays receive outfielder Manuel Margot and prospect catcher Logan Driscoll in the exchange. Pagan crushed the competition in 2019 with 20 saves, a 2.31 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 36 percent strikeout rate across 66 appearances. The 28-year-old […]

Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs Traded To The Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox acquired outfielder Alex Verdugo, shortstop prospect Jeter Downs, and catching prospect Connor Wong from the Los Angeles Dodgers for outfielder Mookie Betts and starter David Price. Verdugo will slide into an everyday role in the Red Sox outfield. The 23-year-old left-hander slashed .294/.342/.475 last season with 12 homers and 44 RBI […]

Brusdar Graterol Headed To The Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are acquiring pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol from the Minnesota Twins for starter Kenta Maeda, $10 million, and a low-level minor-league player. The Boston Red Sox were initially supposed to acquire Graterol, but they rebuffed after looking at his medicals. The 21-year-old will instead join the Dodgers, and fill a vital role […]