Victor Caratini Beats Out Chris Gimenez As Cubs Backup Catcher

The Chicago Cubs have named Victor Caratini the team’s backup catcher. He has beat out veteran Chris Gimenez. It’s a bit of a surprise as Gimenez has experience with the Cubs big free-agent signee Yu Darvish. Caratini hit .243 this spring, but it was enough to earn him the backup spot behind starting catcher Willson […]

Phil Hughes Could Start 2018 On Disabled List

Minnesota Twins pitcher Phil Hughes (oblique) could begin the season in the disabled list. Hughes has been dealing with mild left oblique strain. If Hughes were to begin the year on the disabled list, it would give him more time to rebuild his arm strength. Hughes is likely to operate out of the bullpen this […]

Madison Bumgarner Has Three Pins Inserted In Hand

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (finger, hand) had three pins inserted in his hand this morning during surgery. Bumgarner was hit in the left hand on a comebacker this Friday and fractured his pinky finger. There is no firm timeline for his recovery, but early reports are that MadBum is likely to miss […]

Twins Claim Kennys Vargas

After losing first baseman Kennys Vargas to the Reds earlier in the week, the Minnesota Twins have claimed Kennys Vargas off waivers. Vargas wasn’t gone from Minnesota too long, but will still struggle to get everyday at-bats. Vargas has always shown strong power, but has struggled in other areas of his game. Unless he is given […]

Adam Engel Ready For Opening Day

After dealing with neck stiffness, Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Engel said he’s “ready to rock” after playing in Friday’s contest. Engel has been tearing it up this spring and will be in center field on a regular basis for the White Sox. With how well he hit this spring, Engel is a worth a […]

Homer Bailey Will Pitch Opening Day For Reds

The Cincinnati Reds have announced that starting pitcher Homer Bailey will pitch Opening Day. Bailey will be followed in the rotation by Luis Castillo, Tyler Mahle and Sal Romano. The number five spot in the rotation is still up for grabs and likely between Brandon Finnegan and Amir Garrett. Castillo holds the strongest upside in […]

Cliff Pennington Will Make Reds Roster

Cincinnati Reds infielder Cliff Pennington will make the Opening Day roster for the Cincinnati Reds. The veteran provides valuable defense, but not much help to fantasy owners. He can be avoided in upcoming drafts.

Giants Could Talk To Mets About Starting Pitchers After Losing Madison Bumgarner And Jeff Samardzija

Jon Morosi of the MLB Network reports that after losing starting pitchers Madison Bumgarner (hand) and Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) to injuries, the Giants could talk to the Mets about acquiring starting pitchers. Heyman does note that the Mets are unlikely to move any pitching, but the Giants can still seek outside help from another organization.

Nate Jones Likely To Close For White Sox

Daryl Van Schouwen of The Chicago Sun-Times reports that relief pitcher Nate Jones is likely to open the season as the White Sox closer. Jones underwent season-sending elbow surgery last July and appeared in just 11 games. Van Schouwen notes that the White Sox are unlikely to overuse Jones and reliever Joakim Soria could also […]

Cubs Release Peter Bourjos

The Chicago Cubs have released outfielder Peter Bourjos. Bourjos wasn’t expected to break camp, but should be able to find another home due to his speed. Regardless of where he ends up, Bourjos can be avoided in 2018.

Johnny Cueto Pushed Back To Sunday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Johnny Cueto will have his start pushed back to Sunday. In place of Cueto on Saturday will be pitching prospect Shaun Anderson. Cueto is coming off of a rough 2017 campaign, but is a good candidate to bounce back in 2018.

Giants Release Andres Blanco

The San Francisco Giants announced on Friday that they have released veteran infielder Andres Blanco. Blanco, 34, figures to latch onto another club as organizational depth, but won’t offer fantasy owners any help in 2018.

White Sox Reassign Robbie Ross Jr.

The Chicago White Sox announced on Friday that they have reassigned relief pitchers Robbie Ross Jr. and Xavier Cedeno as well as infielder Matt Skole to minor-league camp. Ross had a nice spring with a 2.70 ERA, but will function as organizational depth. None of the aforementioned players hold any value in fantasy leagues.

White Sox Being Cautious With Jose Abreu

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria will hold first baseman Jose Abreu (hamstring) out of Friday’s lineup. Abreu suffered a hamstring tweak on Tuesday and has been sidelined since. The good news is that the first baseman will be a full participant in baseball activities Friday and should be good to go for Opening Day. […]

Jeff Samardzija Likely To Begin Season On Disabled List

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) is getting a MRI on his shoulder and is likely to begin the season on the disabled list according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. It is a big blow for fantasy owners and the Giants, but at this time it is unclear how long Samardzija may […]

Ryan Cordell Demoted

The Chicago White Sox have demoted outfielder Ryan Cordell to Triple-A. Cordell made a strong impression this as he hit .317 in 41 at-bats. Manager Rick Renteria praised Cordell, but wants him to get more seasoning in Triple-A. Outfielder Adam Engel is now expected to round out the White Sox outfield. Engel is having a […]

Luis Robert Reassigned

The Chicago White Sox reassigned outfielder Luis Robert (thumb) to minor league camp. Robert was having a nice spring before suffering a sprained ligament in his left thumb. Robert suffered the injury a few weeks ago and is expected to miss about eight more weeks. One of the team’s top prospects, Robert is still just […]

Mark Melancon To Pitch On Consecutive Days

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (forearm) is scheduled to pitch back-to-back days on Thursday and Friday. It will be the first time Melancon will throw consecutive days this spring. Melancon underwent an operation to release pressure on the pronator muscle of his right forearm in September and recently said that he is still not 100 […]

Ian Happ To Handle Majority Of Leadoff Duties

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that outfielder Ian Happ will handle the bulk of the leadoff duties for the Chicago Cubs in 2018, with outfielder Albert Almora also being in the mix. Happ has been on fire this spring and is hitting .342 with five home runs so far. Coming off a strong […]

Lucas Giolito Will Start Second Game Of Season For White Sox

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria announced Wednesday that starting pitcher Lucas Giolito will slot in behind James Shields as the team’s No. 2 starter. Giolito will be followed by Reynaldo Lopez, Miguel Gonzalez and Carson Fulmer in that order. Giolito had a strong finish in 2017 and is holding his own this spring with a 2.04 […]

Adam Engel Scratched With Back Stiffness

Chicago White Sox outfielder Adam Engel (neck) has been scratched from Wednesday’s lineup with neck stiffness. Engel has been battling with outfielders Leury Garcia and Ryan Cordell for everyday at-bats in center field. Engel is having a monster spring, as he has hit .346 with four home runs. He is worth a dart throw in […]

Carlos Rodon To Throw Side Session

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (shoulder) will throw a side session on Thursday. The left-hander is recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder and is expected to miss most of the first half. Rodon has always had potential and provides a good amount of strikeouts for owners, but health has been an […]

Jose Abreu Hopes To Play Friday

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (hamstring) is hoping to return to the lineup on Friday. Abreu left Tuesday’s contest with a tight hamstring but was in a very good mood when talking to reporters Wednesday. It seems like Abreu avoided what could have been a significant injury. Abreu remains one of the most […]

Pedro Strop Scheduled To Pitch Thursday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (calf) is set to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday. Strop had missed most of the spring while dealing with a calf injury, but threw in a minor league game Monday. Strop is headed in the right direction and it appears he should be ready for Opening Day. […]

Jose Abreu’s Hamstring Injury Is Considered Minor

After leaving Tuesday’s contest with a hamstring injury, Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (hamstring) is considered day-to-day. Manager Rick Renteria said that the White Sox believe that the injury is minor and could have been a cramp. Abreu will still be re-evaluated on Wednesday, but it looks like Abreu has avoided missing significant […]

Jose Abreu Dealing With Hamstring Tightness

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (hamstring) left Tuesday’s game early with tightness in his left hamstring. The White Sox are saying Abreu is day-to-day, but hamstring injuries can be tricky and there should be another update on the slugger's status on Wednesday. Abreu remains one of the best sources for power and has […]

Kevan Smith Suffers Sprained Ankle

Chicago White Sox catcher Kevan Smith (ankle) suffered a sprained ankle in Tuesday’s contest. Smith got X-rays, which came back negative for a fracture. Smith will be re-evaluated on Wednesday and from there the team should be able to determine how much time Smith could miss. Smith has been competing with catcher Omar Narvaez to […]

Michael Kopech Reassigned

The Chicago White Sox announced on Tuesday they have reassigned starting pitcher Michael Kopech to minor league camp. Kopech has had mixed results this spring but has struggled over his previous two outings. Kopech remains one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball but still needs to develop his changeup. Kopech should ready […]

Kyle Hendricks Scratched With Strep Throat

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks has been scratched from Wednesday’s scheduled minor league start with strep throat. Hendricks should be ready to make his 2018 regular season debut in the second game of the year for the Cubs. He remains one of the more underrated pitchers and should be able to return top-30 value […]

Jeff Samardzija Pushed Back

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija has been pushed back from Tuesday’s start and will pitch Wednesday in a minors game. Samardzija was originally projected to be the No. 3 starter in the Giants rotation to open the season, but this move puts him off schedule. Aside from naming Madison Bumgarner the Opening Day starter, […]