Liam Hendriks Throws On Flat Ground Monday

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) threw on flat grass from about 60 feet on Monday, per the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham. He was throwing to a catcher standing up and "threw with a pretty decent amount of zip". The 35-year-old is recovering from Tommy John surgery and hopes to make his season […...

Luis Castillo Brings Heat In Spring Debut Monday

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo looked ready to go in his spring debut Monday, firing two scoreless innings in a 2-0 Cactus League win over the Reds. Castillo's fastball touched 96 MPH as he allowed no hits and a walk with a strikeout. The 31-year-old turned in another stellar season in 2023, going 14-9 […...

Luis Robert Jr. Hitless Through Two Spring Games

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. has played in both Cactus League games to start spring, going a combined 0-for-4 with a strikeout. The overall positive takeaway is that the 26-year-old is healthy and on the field, as injuries have been an issue throughout his career. Robert was able to stay on the field […...

Rafael Devers Homers In Spring Debut Sunday

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers started his spring on the right foot Sunday, going 1-for-2 with a three-run home run and a walk in an 8-6 Grapefruit League win over the Twins. The 27-year-old is coming off another excellent season in which he slashed .271/.351/.500 with 33 home runs, 90 runs scored, 100 […...

Liam Hendriks Expects To Pitch By Trade Deadline

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) said Tuesday that he hopes to debut for his new team by the trade deadline. The 35-year-old veteran overcame non-Hodgkin's lymphoma last year but then underwent Tommy John surgery in August. Hendriks said, "That's my goal. That's 12 months-ish. ... Throwing has been going well." It remains […...

No Extension Talks Yet For Marlins, Luis Arraez

Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez said Tuesday that while he "100 percent yes" would be interested in a contract extension, the team has not started any related conversations. The 26-year-old and the Marlins just completed his arbitration case, in which he will earn the $10.6 million the Marlins filed for in 2024, rather than […...

Brendan McKay Faces Live Hitters Tuesday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Brendan McKay (elbow) successfully threw live batting practice Tuesday, the first time he had pitched to hitters since August of 2022. The former fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft has endured several injuries, the latest being Tommy John surgery in September of 2022. McKay is at camp as a non-roster […...

White Sox Plan To Develop Colson Montgomery At Shortstop

Chicago White Sox director of player development Paul Janish said Tuesday that the team plans to allow top prospect Colson Montgomery to initially play in his natural position of shortstop. Janish said, "We are proponents of let's give him that opportunity." However, he also mentioned that health and playing success could leave the possibility of […...

Yuki Matsui To Make Cactus League Debut Thursday

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that newly signed relief pitcher Yuki Matsui will make his Cactus League debut in Thursday's opening game against the Dodgers. The 27-year-old lefty signed a four-year, $21 million contract this off-season after spending the past decade pitching for the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan. Matsui was a […...

Maikel Garcia To Start Season At Third Base

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Monday that, while the team values the multi-position skill of several of their players, third baseman/shortstop Maikel Garcia will start the season at third base. This is not that surprising, as the 23-year-old spent the majority of his rookie season at the hot corner. Garcia slashed .272/.323/.358 in […...

Hyun Jin Ryu Reportedly Signs With Former KBO Team

Korean media reported Monday that free-agent starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu signed a contract with his former KBO team, the Hanwha Eagles. The team has not confirmed the deal's finalization. The 36-year-old lefty played with the team from 2006 through 2012, earning Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year awards in 2006. His big-league […...

Jeremy Pena Bringing Quieter Batting Stance To 2024

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena showcased a more efficient batting stance in Monday's live batting practice, per the Athletic's Chandler Rome. The changes include less pre-pitch bat movement and a more subtle front-leg load. Manager Joe Espada expressed his pleasure in Pena's changes, saying he is "hitting the ball in the air more with power". […...

Mariners Have Discussed Pursuing Matt Chapman

The Seattle Mariners have already made several moves this offseason but "have discussed the possibility of adding" free-agent third baseman Matt Chapman, per the Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. The 30-year-old had an excellent start to the 2023 season but finished with a .240/.330/.424 slash line and 17 home runs, 66 runs scored, and 54 RBI […...

Starting Pitcher Busts Due To Bounce Back for 2024 Fantasy Baseball

When it comes to identifying potential fantasy value, one of the hardest things to do is to put faith in a player who burned you last season or who did not meet expectations. Even more complicated is figuring out which of those players have the chance to return to form. Fortunately, fantasy managers have tons […...

Red Sox Willing To Listen To Offers For Chris Martin, John Schreiber

While the Boston Red Sox have been in trade talks for closer Kenley Jansen this off-season, they are also reportedly willing to listen to offers for setup men Chris Martin and John Schreiber. Martin had an excellent 2023 season but is due $9.5 million in 2024, so a potential trade would seemingly be for monetary […...

Astros Acquire Oliver Carrillo From Padres

The Houston Astros acquired first baseman/outfielder Oliver Carrillo from the San Diego Padres in exchange for international bonus pool money on Tuesday, per MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old slashed .303/.542/.586 with 11 home runs, 43 RBI, and four stolen bases in 225 plate appearances in 2023 in the Dominican Summer League. Carrillo was assigned to the […...

Pirates Researching Noah Syndergaard, Domingo German

The Pittsburgh Pirates are still looking to bolster their starting rotation for 2024 and are reportedly considering free agents Noah Syndergaard and Domingo German, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey. Mackey reported that the team is doing more investigation into German's history to determine how comfortable they would be in signing him, given his numerous off-field […...

Pirates, Marlins Discussing Edward Cabrera Trade

In an attempt to bolster their starting rotation, the Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly been in contact with the Miami Marlins to discuss a trade involving starting pitcher Edward Cabrera, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey. Such a deal would involve the Pirates sending one of three infielders: Liover Peguero, Nick Gonzales, or Ji Hwan Bae. Cabrera […...

Padres Not Compelled To Trade Ha-Seong Kim

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller said Tuesday that while the team has listened to offers for middle infielder Ha-Seong Kim, they do not feel compelled to trade him. The 28-year-old will be a free agent after the 2024 season with a mutual option for 2025. Kim had his best season yet in 2023 […...

Mark Vientos Could Be Competing For Time At Designated Hitter

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that third baseman/designated hitter Mark Vientos is currently in the competition for time at designated hitter this season. DJ Stewart was also listed as an in-house option for routine time at the position, although Stearns mentioned that it is not out of the question […...

David Stearns Encouraged By Starling Marte's Health

New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday that he was encouraged by outfielder Starling Marte's (groin) health heading into 2024. The 35-year-old, who played just 86 games in 2023 due to a groin injury, was able to participate in winter ball in the Dominican Republic. Stearns said, "It was clear watching […...

Edwin Diaz Throws Bullpen Session Monday

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz (knee) threw a bullpen session Monday, saying he's "ready to go" for the 2024 season, per The Athletic's Tim Britton. The 29-year-old had season-ending knee surgery last March. Regarding his off-season before spring training, Diaz said, "It was my normal off-season, I did my normal routine." While he hasn't […...

Starting Pitcher Breakouts Due For Regression - 2024 Fantasy Baseball Outlooks

An important aspect of fantasy baseball is knowing when to buy a breakout. Fantasy managers typically get excited when a player puts forth a strong season for the first time and want to roster them the next season, but should they? Miscalculations like this can be particularly costly when it comes to starting pitchers, especially […...

Nationals, Stephen Nogosek Agree To Minor-League Deal

The Washington Nationals agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent relief pitcher Stephen Nogosek on Tuesday, per New York Post's Jon Heyman. The 29-year-old spent time in the Mets and Diamondbacks organizations in 2023, ultimately pitching 25 1/3 big-league innings with a 5.61 ERA and 1.64 WHIP. While the Nationals could use depth in their […...

Austin Adams Designated For Assignment Tuesday

The New York Mets designated relief pitcher Austin Adams for assignment on Tuesday to make roster space for newly signed reliever Jake Diekman, per MLB's Anthony DiComo. The 32-year-old was signed by the Mets in November. While he pitched well last season with Triple-A Reno, Adams had a poor 5.71 ERA in 17 1/3 innings […...

Mets, J.D. Martinez Have Continued To Be In Contact

The New York Mets have recently had "dialogue" with free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez, per New York Post's Mike Puma. The 36-year-old veteran still has plenty of power left to offer, as he slashed .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI in 479 plate appearances last season with the Dodgers. While age is now […...

Rangers Sign Chasen Shreve To Minor-League Deal

The Texas Ranger announced Monday that they signed free-agent relief pitcher Chasen Shreve to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. The 33-year-old lefty posted a 4.63 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 23.3% strikeout rate with 12 holds in 44 2/3 innings pitched in 2023 with the Tigers and Reds. While he owns a […...

Details Of Phil Maton's Deal Revealed

While the Tampa Bay Rays' signing of free-agent relief pitcher Phil Maton is pending a physical exam and may not be finalized until next week, the framework of the deal is now in place, per Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. The 30-year-old is set to make $6.25 million in 2024, with a 2025 option for […...

Giants Trade For Ethan Small

The San Francisco Giants acquired pitcher Ethan Small from the Milwaukee Brewers Monday for cash considerations, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic. The 26-year-old lefty spent most of his 2023 out of the bullpen with Triple-A Nashville, compiling a 3.18 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 28.5% strikeout rate in 51 innings pitched. It remains to […...

Brewers, Jakob Junis Agree To One-Year Deal Monday

The Milwaukee Brewers and free-agent pitcher Jakob Junis agreed to a one-year, $7 million deal, pending a physical, per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The 31-year-old will be paid $4 million this season with a $3 million buyout on a mutual option. The Brewers currently have some holes to fill in their starting rotation, so Junis […...