Austin Barnes Will Catch First Game Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Austin Barnes (elbow) will make his Cactus League debut on Monday behind the plate. Barnes has been on a reduced throwing program after he developed elbow problems on the eve of spring training. A clubhouse virus that made its way across the team earlier this week also delayed his first appearance. […]

Ervin Santana Will Have To Wait To Have Cast Removed

Minnesota Twins right-hander Ervin Santana (finger) will have to wait to have the cast removed from his right hand. Santana had surgery on the middle finger of his pitching hand in early February and is expected to miss around 10 to 12 weeks as he recovers. He was originally slated to have the cast removed on […]

Jason Castro Scratched With Migraines

The Minnesota Twins have scratched catcher Jason Castro after he developed migraines on Friday. Castro will be replaced in the lineup by Williams Austudillo. The Twins will likely play it safe with Castro, who spent a part of the season on the concussion list last year. Castro was sent home by the team in attempts […]

Eric Thames Expected To Play Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (back), who was scratched with back tightness Thursday, is feeling better and is expected to play Saturday, according to manager Craig Counsell. Thames came out of the gates hot last year, hitting 11 home runs in April, but he only hit 20 bombs the rest of the way, and […]

Brandon Crawford In Lineup Friday

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (finger) is back in the lineup Friday as the team’s designated hitter. Crawford jammed his right index finger while sliding back on a pickoff throw on Wednesday. It’s a good sign that he is able to hit and it shouldn’t be too much longer before he’s back on defense. […]

Brandon Finnegan Throws Simulated Game

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Brandon Finnegan (shoulder) threw a simulated game in Goodyear, Ariz., on Thursday. Finnegan made just four starts during the 2017 season, as he dealt with a strained muscle in his left shoulder and later dislocated his non-throwing shoulder in an off-field accident. In the simulated game, Finnegan faced eight batters in two innings, […]

Jose Quintana Looking For More Consistency

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jose Quintana said he is looking for more consistency in 2018. Quintana fell 11 1/3 innings short of 200 innings in 2017 between the Cubs and White Sox and has a goal of reaching that in 2018. Quintana has to adjust after moving from the American League to the National League […]

Sam Travis To Expand Versatility

Boston Red Sox first baseman Sam Travis is likely to have his positional eligibility expand, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. The Red Sox are looking for Travis to play some corner outfield later this spring. Travis does not fit the mold of the traditional first baseman ,as he lacks power. Also, another […]

Jacoby Ellsbury A Late Scratch Against Braves

New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury was scratched from Friday's game against the Braves due to tightness in his right side. Estevan Florial took his spot in center field. Ellsbury missed 50 games last year after being fairly durable for most of his time in New York, save for his 111-game season in '15. He's […]

Michael Brantley Progresses to Defensive Drills

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (ankle) is going to test his lateral movement by participating in some defensive drills on Friday. It's the only thing he hasn't done yet in his rehab from an ankle injury. He's been hitting, throwing, and running, but has not participated in full defensive drills yet. Brantley has nice upside […]

Carlos Martinez Scratched From Friday's Start

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez was scratched from Friday's start due to "personal reasons," according to manager Mike Matheny. Nothing else is known yet, but details are sure to emerge before too long. Still, it doesn't seem to be anything to worry about, at least on the injury front. Martinez is a solid […]

Danny Valencia Signs Minors Deal With Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles signed free-agent third baseman Danny Valencia to a minor league deal. It'll become official when he passes a physical on Saturday. Valencia played for the Orioles once before, in 2013. He'll provide some depth at third and the outfield should there be any injuries. He's not a fantasy star by any stretch […]

Brad Brach Will Pitch For First Time On Saturday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brad Brach will see game action for the first time this Spring when Baltimore goes up against the Phillies. Brach is holding down the fort at the closer position until Zach Britton returns from his Achilles injury.

Miguel Castro Throws Two Innings in B Game

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Miguel Castro (knees) went two innings in Friday's "B" game against the Pirates. According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, Castro threw 37 pitches, 26 of them for strikes. Castro gave up a run on two hits while walking one and striking out three. He said that his troublesome knees and his back […]

Elvis Andrus in the Lineup Friday

Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus (back) is taking the field in a live game for the first time in 2018. After sitting with back issues up until now, the steady performer is ready for action. Hitting in the two hole and taking the field at his usual shortstop position, it looks like Andrus is all good. […]

Jacob DeGrom Throws Bullpen Session

New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (back) threw a bullpen session on Friday, emerging from it without any issues. This is another step forward for deGrom, who worried fantasy owners when it was announced he was suffering from lower back stiffness earlier this week. Assuming there are no setbacks within the hours and days to […]

Kris Bryant Returns To Lineup

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (flu) has returned to the Cubs lineup. Bryant missed much of the week battling the flu, but it’s nothing for fantasy owners to worry about. Bryant will bat second Friday and remains one of the better offensive options in 2018 drafts.

Travis Wood's Knee Injury Doesn't Look Promising

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Travis Wood left Thursday's game against the Braves with a left knee sprain, but manager Ron Gardenhire says that things don't "look very good," leading to speculation that it could be more serious than a sprain. The 31-year-old pitcher had a rough go of things last year with the Royals and […]

Estevan Florial’s Speed On Full Display

While infield prospect Miguel Andujar is grabbing all the headlines for the New York Yankees with his power, outfield prospect Estevan Florial has been strong on offense as well. Ranked as the third top prospect in the organization, the 20-year-old has picked up three triples thus far in spring training, putting his fantastic speed on […]

Robbie Erlin And Colin Rea Return To Game Action

After both players missed 2017 recovering from Tommy John Surgery, San Diego Padres starting pitchers Robbie Erlin (elbow) and Colin Rea (elbow) returned to live action in a "B" game on Thursday. They each pitched two innings and struck out a pair. Erlin and Rea are two of eight Padres pitchers battling for three rotation spots and could […]

Odubel Herrera Returning To Center Field

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera (shoulder) will finally play the field Friday, starting in center field when the club plays the Tampa Bay Rays. The 26-year-old has been dealing with shoulder soreness, which has prevented him from playing defense. Herrera has been Philadelphia’s best offensive player the past three seasons, hitting a combined .288 with 37 […]

Scott Kingery Accepting Fact He Will Start In Triple-A

Philadelphia Phillies infield prospect Scott Kingery is off to a great start this Spring Training, but it means little to nothing for his chances of landing on the big league roster come Opening Day. The 23-year-old is blocked at second base by Cesar Hernandez, and it simply benefits the Phillies to keep him in the […]

Zack Godley Looks Great In Three Innings

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Godley threw three scoreless innings, giving up one hit and walking two while striking out four. He said he threw his curveball a little less than normal and is instead focusing on refining his other pitches. Godley looks to be in a good place with his improvements of his secondary […]

Blake Swihart Competing For Second Catcher Role

Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart is trying to demonstrate that he is deserving of a roster spot, according to Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com. In the five games he has played, Swihart is 6-for-15 with four doubles and a homer. Swihart is 27 years old and out of options, trying to make the 25-man roster […]

Luis Urias' Callup Probably Sooner Than Later

San Diego Padres manager Andy Green offered glowing remarks about 20-year-old second baseman Luis Urias on Thursday. San Diego's No. 3 prospect is making a strong case to make the MLB Opening Day roster, pushing incumbents Carlos Asuaje and Cory Spangenberg. While logistics of team control will likely prevent him from making the squad outright, […]

Cubs Sign Danny Hultzen

The Chicago Cubs have signed former top pitching prospect Danny Hultzen. The 28-year-old announced his retirement after the 2016 season but will give it a go with a second chance with the Cubs. The former first-round pick -- No. 2 overall by the Seattle Mariners in 2011 -- Hultzen never figured things out and never reached […]

Ryder Jones Out 10 Days

San Francisco Giants infielder/outfielder Ryder Jones (hamstring) will miss a minimum of 10 more days. Jones suffered a hamstring injury early in camp. Jones struggled last year in his first big league action, hitting just .173 in 155 at-bats. With first baseman Brandon Belt healthy and third baseman Evan Longoria in the picture, Jones has been working […]

Hector Sanchez Sidelined For Two Weeks

San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez (hamstring) underwent an MRI on Thursday and will be sidelined two weeks with a hamstring injury. It was never a sure thing that Sanchez would make the Opening Day roster, as the club has Buster Posey with catcher Nick Hundley as the primary backup. Sanchez can be avoided in […]

Buster Posey Remains Out With Ankle Injury

San Francisco Giants catcher/first baseman Buster Posey (ankle) will be held out at least through next Tuesday. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Posey’s left ankle still “barks” when he hits and that he doesn’t want him catching until next Tuesday at the earliest. Posey has seen his power numbers decline in recent years, but still […]

White Sox Could Be A Possible Landing Spot For Matt Kemp

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports suggest that the Chicago White Sox could be a fit for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp. Heyman notes the White Sox have had interest in the outfielder in the past and could be willing to take on his contract if the Dodgers were willing to include one or two top prospects. […]