Will Smith to Hit Cleanup Against Lefties

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will hit cleanup against left-handed starting pitchers to open the 2026 regular season, manager Dave Roberts told Jack Harris of the California Post. The Dodgers rolled out this wrinkle to their lineup during Monday's spring training contest against the Los Angeles Angels, and it sounds like it will stick […]

Jake Rogers Clears Concussion Protocol, Ready for Opening Day

Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and will be on the 26-man roster for Opening Day, manager A.J. Hinch told Evan Petzold of Detroit Free Press. Hinch noted that Rogers caught a couple of bullpens and hit in the cage on Monday, and he'll catch a portion of Tuesday's spring training […]

Jeremy Pena Will Play Shortstop on Tuesday

Houston Astros infielder Jeremy Pena (finger) will play shortstop during Tuesday's exhibition game against the Triple-A Space Cowboys, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. There had been speculation that Pena might play on Tuesday, but the skipper now confirmed the rumors and also noted that the 28-year-old will grab a glove and […]

Jordan Montgomery to Throw His Fifth Bullpen Session on Tuesday

Texas Rangers left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery (elbow) will throw his fifth bullpen session on Tuesday, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The session will include approximately 30 pitches, and if all goes well, he could progress to the equivalent of two-inning sessions in the near future. Montgomery is working his way back […]

Jason Adam to Open 2026 Season on the Injured List

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Jason Adam (quad) will open the season on the 15-day injured list, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Adam has been recovering from a September surgery that repaired a ruptured tendon in his quad. While he has been facing batters for weeks, he didn't make his Cactus […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Makes the Astros' Opening Day Rotation

Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. has made the Opening Day rotation, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. McCullers has been with the Astros since he made his MLB debut in 2015, but he didn't pitch at all in 2023 or 2024. He returned to action last year, making 16 appearances (13 […]

Cubs, Pete Crow-Armstrong Finalizing Long-Term Extension

The Chicago Cubs and star outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are working to finalize a multi-year extension that would keep him in Chicago long-term, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. Terms of the deal haven't been disclosed yet, and while the two sides are approaching an agreement, nothing has been finalized at this point. Still, it's a […]

Connelly Early Makes Boston's Opening Day Roster

Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Connelly Early has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. However, despite a strong showing in spring training, he will be competing with Johan Oviedo for the fifth starting rotation spot early in the 2026 season. It will help the Red Sox provide length […]

Dodgers Hoping Tommy Edman Returns Around End of May

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that the team is hoping to get infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman back around the end of May, according to The California Post's Jack Harris. Edman has had ankle issues the last couple of seasons, so he decided to have surgery on his right ankle back in mid-November, […]

Blake Snell Targeting a May Return

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team is hoping to get left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) back sometime around the end of May, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Snell isn't injured specifically, but the 33-year-old southpaw was exhausted physically after pitching deep into the postseason last fall to help the […]

Jeremy Pena Could Play in Exhibition Game on Tuesday

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) could play in Tuesday's exhibition game against Triple-A Sugar Land, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. After resuming swinging over the weekend, Pena is taking live batting practice at Daikin Park on Monday and has a chance to be cleared to play on Opening Day on […]

Kevin McGonigle Still on the Big-League Roster

Detroit Tigers shortstop prospect Kevin McGonigle remains with the big-league squad for their Cactus League game on Monday against the Colorado Rockies. He is starting at third base and will hit sixth in the batting order. Opening Day is coming on Thursday against the hosting San Diego Padres, so it's looking awfully likely that the […]

Garrett Mitchell, Brandon Lockridge to Platoon in Center Field

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy announced on Monday that center field will be a platoon between Garrett Mitchell and Brandon Lockridge to begin the 2026 season. Mitchell, who hits from the left side, will be on the strong side of the platoon and will face right-handed pitchers. The 27-year-old former 20th overall pick in 2020 […]

Spencer Arrighetti Starting the Year at Triple-A

Houston Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti will start the 2026 regular season at Triple-A Sugar Land, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Arrighetti will begin down on the farm after allowing six earned runs on five hits (two homers) while walking five and striking out 12 in eight innings over three relief appearances […]

Red Sox Option Payton Tolle to the Minors

The Boston Red Sox optioned left-handed pitching prospect Payton Tolle to the minors on Monday, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Tolle is Boston's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he'll likely begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Worcester. The 23-year-old southpaw pitched well in spring training, allowing only three earned runs while walking one […]

Reds Place Hunter Greene on 60-Day Injured List

The Cincinnati Reds announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) on the 60-day injured list after he had surgery this month to remove bone chips from his right elbow. In a corresponding move, the team selected the contract of infielder Nathaniel Lowe from Triple-A Louisville. Greene will be eligible to make his […]

Nationals Place Josiah Gray on 60-Day Injured List

The Washington Nationals placed right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow) on the 60-day injured list (retroactive to March 22) on Monday with a right-flexor strain in his right elbow, according to the team. Gray was expected to be part of Washington's starting rotation in 2026 after missing all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but […]

Andrew McCutchen Makes Rangers Opening Day Roster

Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young said that veteran outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen made the team's Opening Day roster, according to The Dallas Morning News' Shawn McFarland. McCutchen went 8-for-18 (.444) with a homer, seven RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and five strikeouts in seven Cactus League games to win a spot […]

Robert Garcia, Chris Martin to Share Closer Duties in Texas?

Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said on Monday that the closer position will "depend on the situation," according to Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. The skipper also said that he's comfortable with relievers Robert Garcia and Chris Martin in the ninth inning, but also said that "there's a chance you see a couple […]

Quinn Priester to Throw a Couple More Bullpens

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that right-hander Quinn Priester (wrist) will throw a couple more bullpen sessions and then head back to the spring training complex in Arizona during the team's first road trip of the 2026 regular season to start ramping his arm back up, according to Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic. Priester's […]

JJ Wetherholt Makes Cardinals Opening Day Roster

St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect JJ Wetherholt has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Wetherholt will not just be on the big-league roster to begin the 2026 season, but he'll be starting at second base in what will be his MLB debut on Opening Day. The 23-year-old […]

Kumar Rocker to Open Season As Rangers' No. 5 Starter

Texas Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker will open the 2026 season in the starting rotation as the team's fifth starter, according to Jeff Wilson of All City DLLS. Jacob Latz will head to the bullpen after competing for a rotation spot in spring training. It's a big turnaround for Rocker, who ended the 2025 season in […]

Nick Lodolo to Play Catch on Tuesday

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo's (finger) status for Opening Day later this week remains up in the air, but he will play catch on Tuesday, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer. Manager Terry Francona said there are three options for Lodolo: To stay on schedule and start on March 28, which is viewed as […]

Matt McLain Out Monday With Illness

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (illness) will not play in the team's exhibition game on Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers because he caught a bug that has been going around the Reds' clubhouse, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer. McLain is doing pre-game work, though, and he's expected to play in […]

Brandon Sproat Makes Brewers Opening Day Rotation

The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Monday that right-handed pitching prospect Brandon Sproat has made the Opening Day starting rotation, and he will make his first start of the year on Sunday, March 29, in the final game of the series against the Chicago White Sox. Sproat will only be making his fifth major-league start against […]

Nick Pivetta to Start on Opening Day for Padres

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta is scheduled to take the ball on Opening Day this Thursday at Petco Park against the visiting Detroit Tigers. He'll be opposed by reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Pivetta earned the Opening Day nod after having a career-best season last year in his first year in […]

Jeremy Pena Still Not Ruled Out for Opening Day

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (finger) traveled with the Astros back to Houston, where he is currently taking batting practice at Daikin Park, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros have not ruled Pena out for Opening Day. The 28-year-old took swings over the weekend in camp and apparently didn't suffer any setbacks […]

Brandon Woodruff Makes Brewers Opening Day Rotation

The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Monday that right-hander Brandon Woodruff (lat) will make his 2026 season debut on Tuesday, March 31, against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Woodruff got a late start to the 2025 season while recovering from right-shoulder surgery, and then he injured his lat […]

Zack Wheeler to Start Rehab Assignment on Saturday

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (shoulder) has done so well in his rehab this spring that he will officially begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday and throw three innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Wheeler got the green light to start a rehab assignment this weekend after feeling […]

Carson Benge Makes Mets Opening Day Roster

New York Mets outfield prospect Carson Benge has officially made the team's Opening Day roster, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. It was pretty much a done deal once it was announced over the weekend that Mike Tauchman needed knee surgery. The 23-year-old could split playing time against left-handers to Tyrone Taylor […]