Joel Embiid Will Play Through Injury

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (ankle) mentioned that he was fairly sore after Monday's contest against the Indiana Pacers. However, Embiid said that he is willing to play through the pain in order to get the No. 1 seed. The Sixers training staff might not like that idea, but at least Embiid is being a […]

Anderson Espinoza Progressing After Elbow Surgeries

San Diego Padres pitcher Anderson Espinoza (elbow) threw a simulated game last week, continuing his road to recovery. The 22-year-old former top prospect hasn't pitched since 2016 after he needed two Tommy John surgeries. Espinoza should be healthy following his 2019 procedure and forecasts as a bullpen weapon for the Friars if he shines in the […]

Braxton Garrett Pitches Around Wildness On Tuesday

Miami Marlins left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett pitched two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. Garrett came on for the third and fourth innings and threw just 13 of his 30 pitches for strikes, but he was able to get through both innings unscathed. He allowed three walks and only struck out […]

Pablo Lopez Throws Two Scoreless Innings On Tuesday

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez started Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He threw two scoreless innings, allowing two hits while striking out one. Lopez allowed both hits in the first inning before pitching a sharp 1-2-3 second inning. Lopez will start one of the first three games of the season […]

Tucupita Marcano Showing Knack At The Plate

San Diego Padres infield prospect Tucupita Marcano has turned heads in spring training, demonstrating impressive plate awareness. Off to an early 3-for-4 start, Marcano has built off his strong 2020 summer camp and is included with regarded outfield prospects CJ Abrams and Robert Hassell III as youngsters with high offensive potential. Marcano, the team's No. 6 prospect, […]

Trent Grisham Still Focused On Defense After Gold Glove

After winning a Gold Glove in 2020, San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham remains motivated to improve defensively. After tying for the lead with six outs above average among outfielders, Grisham continues to nitpick his deficiencies. Offensively, the 24-year-old was a revelation last season, slashing .251/.352/.456 in 252 plate appearances, swiping 10 bases and popping […]

Jordan Hicks Hits 102 On Monday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks reportedly reached 102 mph with his fastball on Monday, according to Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux. Hicks missed most of 2019 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John Surgery, then opted out of the shortened 2020 season. Hicks may not start the season as the closer, […]

Tyler Glasnow Unveils Cutter-Slider Hybrid

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow showed off his new breaking pitch and his familiar fastball velocity in his spring debut against the Twins on Monday. He blew away Minnesota with a 10-pitch first inning but allowed two runs on two hits (one homer) with three walks and three strikeouts in his 1 2/3 […]

Andrelton Simmons Remains Out Of Camp

Minnesota Twins shortstop Andrelton Simmons still has yet to arrive at camp due to unresolved visa issues. The team is still awaiting word on when Simmons will get his visa appointment, which they believed would be on Friday- though it ultimately didn't materialize that way in what continues to be an unusually long case. Shortstops […]

Ryan Zimmerman Homers In Spring Debut

Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman began his spring Monday with a home run. Zimmerman sat out 2020 but is back for 2021 and says he feels good. With Josh Bell set to take most of the starts at first base in D.C. this year, Zimmerman is very much a role player this season. When […]

Dinelson Lamet Throwing Simulated Game Tuesday

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dinelson Lamet (elbow) is facing hitters in a simulated-game setting in spring camp on Tuesday. Lamet needed a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow last October and missed the team's playoff run. But the hard-throwing right-hander was healthy in the offseason and has been throwing some sliders already this […]

Austin Voth Sees Improvement In Spring Debut

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Austin Voth, who is fighting for a rotation spot with Joe Ross and Erick Fedde this spring, had a 1-2-3 inning in his debut on Monday. After a disastrous 2020 which saw him throw to a 6.41 FIP in 11 starts, Voth identified a couple issues with his delivery, involving his […]

Xander Bogaerts To Take Tee Swings Tuesday

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) is scheduled to take 30 swings off a tee on Tuesday. Bogaerts rushed his throwing program early in camp and has come down with a sore right shoulder, although manager Alex Cora doesn't think it will get in the way of Bogaerts being ready by Opening Day. He's […]

Max Scherzer Looking at Friday Spring Debut

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer, who hurt his ankle this offseason, will take a bullpen session Wednesday and start against the Cardinals Friday. Scherzer never seemed worried about the injury and is still on track to be ready when the season begins. Despite last year's uncharacteristic 3.74 ERA, Scherzer suffered from a .355 BABIP, […]

Adam Engel Dealing With Ankle Inflammation

Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Engel (ankle) has been scratched from Tuesday's spring contest versus the Texas Rangers. The outfielder is dealing with mild inflammation in his right ankle and should be considered day-to-day for now. Engel hit .295 with three home runs and 12 RBI this past season and is likely to operate as […]

Marcus Stroman Sharp In His Spring Debut

New York Mets starting pitcher Marcus Stroman retired all six batters he faced in his first spring training start of the season on Tuesday. Stroman struck out two, threw 22 of his 30 pitches for strikes, and sat between 91 and 92 mph with his fastball versus the Houston Astros. It was a great start […]

Seuly Matias Hits Towering Home Run On Monday

Kansas City Royals outfielder Seuly Matias crushed a towering home run in the ninth inning of Monday's game against the Cleveland Indians. The home run ball was estimated to be at least 520 feet. It hit the top of a palm tree near the left field scoreboard at Arizona's Goodyear Ballpark. Matias is 22 years […]

Dolphins To Release Kyle Van Noy

The Miami Dolphins informed linebacker Kyle Van Noy that he will be released, according to a source. The move comes just one year into a four-year, $51 million contract. The 29-year-old had just 69 tackles and six sacks in his lone season with the Dolphins. His release will save the Dolphins $9.75 million against the […]

Logan Gilbert Expected To Make Major League Debut This Year

Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Logan Gilbert is expected to make his major league debut this year. Gilbert, considered to be one of the top two Seattle pitching prospects along with recent draftee Emerson Hancock, will almost certainly begin the season in the minors. A 23-year-old right-hander, Gilbert stands an imposing 6-foot-6 and throws a […]

Adalberto Mondesi Was Hit By Pitch Before Camp

Kansas City Royals shortstop Adalberto Mondesi (foot) was hit by a pitch in the foot before camp started. Royals manager Mike Matheny released the update this week and stated that the team has been cautious with him ever since. It sounds like Mondesi should be able to make his spring debut soon. Matheny said that […]

Jose Abreu Will Start On Tuesday

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu will make his spring debut on Tuesday versus the Texas Rangers. The reigning American League MVP had a late start to camp after testing positive for COVID-19. Abreu is coming off of his best season and is consistently a great source of power and average at the first […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/2): Glasnow Struggles, Taillon and Chapman Return

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We've finally made it to (real?) baseball games. […]

FFPC Best Ball Draft Targets for March

Only the truest of degenerates spend the first few weeks after the Super Bowl participating in drafts for a season that's seven months out. As a self-admitted degenerate, you should know that you're in good company as you prepare to sit down, read this article, and figure out what players you'll be targeting in your […]

Jadeveon Clowney Expected To Be Cleared In April

Tennessee Titans impending free-agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney (knee) is expected to be fully cleared from surgery to fix a torn meniscus in April, according to a source. Clowney is close to being ready now, but it could delay his signing with a new team for a few weeks. The three-time Pro Bowler can wreak havoc […]

ESPN ADP Advantages - Overvalued / Undervalued Players

A quick way to get ahead in your league is to take advantage of bad pre-rankings. In every online draft room, the pool of players is ranked for players to choose from. These pre-ranks have a huge influence on how drafts go. Lots of managers choose when to pull the trigger on the players they […]

John Gibson Handed Sixth Consecutive Loss On Monday

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson suffered his sixth straight loss as he allowed four goals on 34 shots in a 5-4 defeat to the visiting St. Louis Blues on Monday night. The 27-year-old, who has allowed at least three goals in each game over that span, has now recorded just five wins, a 2.76 goals-against […]

Danny Santana Plans To Sign Soon

Free-agent infielder/outfielder Danny Santana (elbow) plans to have one more workout on Tuesday in Miami and plans to sign shortly after that. He is canceling his showcase on Thursday, as he's shown that he is healthy and ready to go in his individual workouts. Santana was the Texas Rangers Player of the Year in 2019 when […]

Zach Sanford Racks Up Three Points In Win

St. Louis Blues forward Zach Sanford buried a pair of goals (including the game-winner) and added a primary assist to help lead the way in a 5-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Monday night. Sanford, who was recently thrust into the Blues' top-six forward group, rewarded that decision once again - also contributing a […]

J.A. Happ Joins Team On Tuesday

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher J.A. Happ has joined the team at camp on Tuesday. Happ cleared the COVID-19 protocols after testing positive for the virus about a week ago, though he was asymptomatic and able to stay in "pretty good throwing shape," per manager Rocco Baldelli. The team believes the veteran left-hander will be ready for […]

Mike Leake Won't Play To Start The Season

Free-agent starting pitcher Mike Leake won't be playing to start the 2021 season after turning down multiple offers. If things are more back to "normal" in terms of COVID-19, Leake will be back pitching later this season if he can find the right fit. The 33-year-old right-hander opted out of the 2020 campaign due to […]