No Explanation For Starling Marte's Absence

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he was unable to update the status of outfielder Starling Marte on Thursday after he was missing from summer camp for a third straight day. Arizona announced on Wednesday that they have a new positive COVID-19 test on Wednesday, but they didn't identify the player. There's a chance it's […]

Justin Verlander Showing Revamped Delivery

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (groin) is completely healed from March groin surgery and was also able to make some adjustments to his mechanics during the COVID-19 shutdown that have him feeling "fantastic." He threw three scoreless and hitless innings in an intrasquad game Thursday. The right-hander was 21-6 with a 2.58 ERA last […]

Josh Reddick Has Leg Up In Right Field

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is giving outfielder Josh Reddick the leg up in the right field competition over youngster Kyle Tucker. Baker intimated that Tucker will have to win the job from Reddick, who is in the fourth year of his contract. “The future is probably Tucker’s, but the now is probably Reddick’s,” Baker […]

Billy Hamilton Put On Injured List

San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler announced on Thursday that outfielder Billy Hamilton and left-handed reliever Jarlin Garcia have been put on the 10-day injured list. The two players are on the injured list for "medical reasons" but wasn't more specific. It's likely that they've either tested positive for COVID-19 or have come in contact […]

Buster Posey Still Weighing Decision To Play In 2020

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey was absent on Thursday for a second straight day and missed a practice for the third time since summer workouts started at Oracle Park. Manager Gabe Kapler said Posey is dealing with a personal matter away from the field and is still weighing the option of sitting out of […]

Anthony Rizzo Sits Out Again Thursday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) sat out of the team's intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday, missing the last two days of workouts with lower back tightness. “I spoke to him yesterday and he felt much better,” manager David Ross said, “so he’s moving the right direction.” Rizzo remains day-to-day and typically deals with some […]

Javier Baez In No Rush To Resume Extension Talks

Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez doesn't regret declining the team's offer during negotiations on a long-term extension over the winter, and he's in no "rush" to resume talks in the uncertain climate of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baez will be eligible for free agency after the 2021 season, and he said that talks were "progressing" in […]

Yu Darvish's Fingernail Issue Not A Concern

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish (finger) had a brief mound visit during his intrasquad outing on Thursday due to a minor fingernail issue on his right index finger. It's not a concern, though, as the right-hander stayed in the contest and faced six more batters after the mound visit. There's nothing to worry about […]

Caleb Smith Dealing With Stiff Neck

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Caleb Smith (neck) said he was dealing with a stiff neck since Thursday morning. The neck issue affected his command a bit on Thursday, but the left-hander feels healthy otherwise. It doesn't sound like an injury that should linger. Smith can be dominant at times, but he really struggled in the […]

Jose Iglesias Feeling Much Better

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Jose Iglesias' back is "feeling a lot better today," according to manager Brandon Hyde. The skipper said that Iglesias would work out on Thursday and could play in the intrasquad game in the evening. The O's are just being cautious here with their everyday shortstop, so Iglesias should be ready for Opening […]

Nathan Eovaldi Has Solid Line Thursday

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi allowed just one hit while walking one and fanning four in four scoreless innings during an intrasquad game on Thursday. He threw 34 of his 58 pitches for strikes and hit one batter in the tune-up for the regular season. The hard-throwing right-hander also looked impressive last weekend […]

Slade Cecconi Signs With Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed pitcher Slade Cecconi, a competitive-balance pick at the end of the first round in June, for $2.384 million on Thursday. It's just above the slot value for the No. 33 overall pick of $2.202 million. With the signing, Arizona has now signed all five of their draft selections from the 2020 […]

Angels Adding Adam Seminaris To Player Pool

The Los Angeles Angels are adding 2020 fifth-rounder Adam Seminaris to their 60-man player pool on Thursday, according to sources. The left-hander from Long Beach State won't be an option to pitch for the Angels during the shortened 60-game season, but his addition to the player pool will allow the club's minor league staff to […]

Corey Kluber In Midseason Form

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Corey Kluber allowed only two hits and an earned run on a solo home run while walking none and striking out nine in six innings pitched in Thursday's intrasquad game. The right-hander threw 53 strikes out of 80 pitches and recorded more than three outs in the fourth and sixth innings […]

Joey Gallo, Brett Martin Feeling Good

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said that both outfielder Joey Gallo and pitcher Brett Martin are feeling good and are essentially asymptomatic of COVID-19. However, neither player has been cleared to return to the field and must return two negative tests in order to do so. It was reported that Gallo tested negative at […]

Ubaldo Jimenez Doesn't Want To Retire

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, who wasn't included on the team's summer camp roster, said that he wants to continue his career. The veteran right-hander was a star for Colorado from 2006 to 2011, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2017 as a member of the Orioles. The 36-year-old Dominican was […]

Spencer Torkelson Working With Alan Trammell

Detroit Tigers corner infielder Spencer Torkelson, the first overall pick in the draft, started working with Hall of Fame shortstop Alan Trammell during Tigers summer camp as he transitions from first to third base. Torkelson also had his first at-bat at Comerica Park on Wednesday, grounding out softly to shortstop. The power-hitting first baseman from […]

Max Muncy Confident He'll Be Ready For Opening Day

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (finger) had his entire left ring finger wrapped up on Wednesday after getting hit by a pitch in an intrasquad game on Sunday, but he's confident he'll be ready to go by Opening Day on July 23, and he'd find a way to play if it was the regular […]

Matt Kemp Looking To Prove He Still Has It

Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Kemp thinks he can still be one of the better hitters in the big leagues despite signing a minor league contract. Kemp has enjoyed hitting at Coors Field in his career with a .327 batting average, 21 home runs and a 1.005 OPS in 86 games. He hit a cycle there […]

Ryan Yarbrough Shines In Simulated Game

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough made an impression in Wednesday's simulated game as he works to earn a permanent spot in the starting rotation. The left-hander faced Willy Adames, Brandon Lowe, Ji-Man Choi and Mike Zunino and looked sharp, striking out three and giving up just one hit in 3 1/3 scoreless innings. […]

Hunter Pence Has Foot Pain, Buster Posey Misses Practice

San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence (foot) took batting practice on Wednesday but wasn't able to run the bases or play the outfield as a precautionary measure because of minor pain in his foot, according to manager Gabe Kapler. Catcher Buster Posey missed another practice Wednesday because of a personal issue that kept him away […]

Brandon Belt In Walking Boot

San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (foot) has been in a walking boot as he nurses a sore right heel that will keep him out of action for at least a week. Manager Gabe Kapler said Belt will be re-evaluated in five to seven days, but he's not ready to put Belt's availability for […]

Hunter Dozier Suffers Bruised Hand Wednesday

Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny said that third baseman Hunter Dozier (hand) suffered a right hand bruise after being hit by a pitch by pitching prospect Brady Singer during an intrasquad game on Wednesday. Outfield prospect Nick Heath suffered from a full-body cramp, but both players are expected to be fine. Dozier is the […]

Nolan Gorman, Matthew Liberatore Added To Roster

The St. Louis Cardinals added top prospects Nolan Gorman and Matthew Liberatore to their organizational roster on Wednesday. Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn, the team's top two picks in last month's draft, and outfielder Tre Fletcher, were three of the 12 players the team added. These younger prospects were added to the team's second summer […]

Billy Hamilton, Jarlin Garcia Missing From Workouts

San Francisco Giants outfielder Billy Hamilton and pitcher Jarlin Garcia have been missing from the team's early summer camp workouts, and manager Gabe Kapler declined to shed more light on their status. It likely means they are absent for COVID-19-related issues. If they've tested positive, they'll need to return two negative tests within 24 hours […]

Cubs Release Brandon Morrow

The Chicago Cubs released relief pitcher Brandon Morrow on Wednesday, according to sources. The Cubs didn't expect Morrow to be in the mix for a spot on the roster this season before summer camp commenced. Morrow signed a two-year deal with the team before the 2018 season, but his time with Chicago was filled with […]

Rony Garcia Making Case For Roster

Detroit Tigers pitcher Rony Garcia, a 22-year-old right-handed Rule 5 pick from the Yankees, could be making a case for the Opening Day roster. Garcia struck out three batters in 2 1/3 innings in Wednesday's intrasquad game and only allowed one well-struck ball to Miguel Cabrera. "Garcia threw the living fire out of the ball," […]

Michael Fulmer Looks Good In Intrasquad Action

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (elbow) looked good on Wednesday during a brief, two-inning, 25-pitch outing in the team's intrasquad game. It was an important milestone in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last March, and he will look to prove to the Tigers that he belongs in the Opening Day rotation over the […]

Tigers Announce Positive COVID-19 Tests

Detroit Tigers general manager Al Avila announced on Wednesday that individuals in the organization have tested positive for COVID-19, but no names were released. Avila also said those that tested positive "were isolated, retested, and passed the protocols to permit them to resume baseball activities." The Tigers began summer camp workouts at Comerica Park last […]

Julio Teheran Might Not Be Ready For Season

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said that starting pitcher Julio Teheran will likely need some time to build up and might not be ready for the start of the regular season, even if he reports to camp by this weekend. Teheran is awaiting his test results for COVID-19 and is hopeful of rejoining the […]