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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Tuesday, March 17

Mike Vasil to Miss 2026 Season Following Tommy John Surgery

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White Sox right-hander Mike Vasil will miss the entire 2026 season after being diagnosed with an elbow injury requiring Tommy John surgery, to be performed by Dr. Keith Meister. Vasil, a key 2025 bullpen contributor with a 2.50 ERA, suffered arm soreness during a March 14 spring start. His absence creates a 40-man roster opening, with candidates like Hagen Smith, Ben Peoples, and Shane Murphy emerging as potential replacements to fill the vacancy in the Chicago pitching staff.

Anthony Kay Earns Win in Strong 4 2/3 Inning Outing

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Anthony Kay moved to 3-0 this spring after a strong 4 2/3 inning performance in the White Sox's 6-4 win over the Athletics. Kay allowed one run on three hits, striking out five without issuing a walk. His only blemish was a solo home run surrendered to Andy Ibañez in the fifth. Kay has been steady throughout the spring, posting a 2.31 Cactus League ERA over 11 2/3 innings, and is currently focused on refining his command to further reduce his walk rate.

Eduardo Rodriguez to Start WBC Final for Team Venezuela

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has been selected to start on the mound for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic championship game against Team USA on Tuesday. As the final Diamondbacks player remaining in the tournament, his performance in the finale is a major focal point for the organization, which is closely monitoring his workload and health ahead of the start of the regular season.

Will Smith Named Starting Catcher for WBC Championship Game

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Will Smith has been named the starting catcher for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game against Venezuela on Tuesday night. This marks his second consecutive start behind the plate for the U.S. squad. Smith, who celebrated a semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic earlier in the tournament, will look to guide the U.S. pitching staff in the title match at LoanDepot Park.

Javen Coleman Assigned to Minor League Camp

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Javen Coleman has been assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league camp. This move is part of a series of roster assignments announced by the team as they continue to manage their organizational depth following the conclusion of spring training activities.

Arjun Nimmala Assigned to Minor League Camp

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Arjun Nimmala has been assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league camp. The move is part of the organization's ongoing roster adjustments as they finalize their player development assignments for the 2026 season.

Sean Keys Assigned to Minor League Camp

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Sean Keys has been assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league camp. The move is part of the team's effort to organize its roster following the conclusion of spring training evaluations and the return of players from international duties.

Charles McAdoo Assigned to Minor League Camp

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Charles McAdoo has been assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league camp. This transaction is part of a series of roster moves aimed at streamlining the major league camp as the team prepares for the upcoming regular season.

Geovanny Planchart Reassigned to Minor League Camp

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Geovanny Planchart has been assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league camp. The assignment is part of the organization's ongoing roster management as the team evaluates its depth following the conclusion of spring training games and the return of players from the World Baseball Classic.

Michael Plassmeyer Assigned to Minor League Camp

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Michael Plassmeyer has been assigned to the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league camp. This move is part of a broader series of roster adjustments within the organization, which also saw several other players reassigned to the minor league side following the conclusion of recent spring training activities and international tournament participation.

Jonatan Clase Optioned to Triple-A Buffalo

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The Toronto Blue Jays have officially optioned outfielder Jonatan Clase to the Buffalo Bisons. This move marks the final option year for the player. The transaction was announced alongside several other minor league roster assignments as the team continues to manage its camp depth following the conclusion of various international commitments.

Mookie Betts Credits New Training for Defensive Gains

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Mookie Betts attributes his improved defensive performance at shortstop to training methods adopted from Yoshinobu Yamamoto's personal trainer, Osamu Yada. Betts, who has regained bat speed after a weight-loss setback last spring, is hitting .316 in Cactus League play. He is focused on maintaining his current physical strength and refining his mechanics, noting that while the new training has significantly bolstered his defensive range, he expects offensive benefits to follow.

Seiya Suzuki Diagnosed With PCL Strain After WBC Injury

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Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki has been diagnosed with a strained PCL in his right knee, sustained while sliding into second base during a World Baseball Classic game against Venezuela. Suzuki has returned to Arizona for light baseball activities as swelling subsides. Manager Craig Counsell called the diagnosis "good news," though the team will evaluate him this weekend to determine his status for Opening Day and whether an injured list stint is necessary for the 31-year-old.

Mason Miller Available for WBC Championship Game

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All-Star closer Mason Miller was confirmed available for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final against Venezuela. Manager Mark DeRosa monitored Miller's usage carefully to balance tournament needs with the upcoming 162-game MLB season. Miller dominated the tournament with 10 strikeouts in four scoreless innings, relying on his triple-digit fastball. He previously closed out the semifinal victory over the Dominican Republic, maintaining his health throughout the event.

Chase Burns Makes Reds' Opening Day Roster Despite Spring Load Management

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Chase Burns has secured a spot on the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day roster despite experiencing mid-spring load management issues. Manager Terry Francona confirmed the team will carry six starters, including Burns, to navigate the season. After being shut down for forearm pain in 2025, the team intends to carefully manage Burns' innings alongside Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson to prevent fatigue and ensure the young pitchers are available for the duration of the 2026 campaign.

Brandon Williamson Named to Reds' Opening Day Rotation

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Brandon Williamson has earned a spot on the Reds' Opening Day roster following an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. Manager Terry Francona plans to carry six starters, with Williamson expected to play a versatile role, potentially starting or following Chase Burns. The Reds are prioritizing the careful management of innings for Williamson and his fellow young starters to ensure they remain available throughout the season, including a potential playoff push.

Rhett Lowder Secures Spot on Reds' Opening Day Roster

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Rhett Lowder has officially made the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day roster after missing nearly all of the 2025 season due to injury. Manager Terry Francona confirmed the team will carry six starting pitchers to begin the 2026 season, allowing the club to manage the workloads of young starters like Lowder, Brandon Williamson, and Chase Burns. The team plans to utilize flexible rotation strategies to balance winning with the long-term health of their young pitching staff.

Prospect Mike Sirota Makes First Spring Training Start

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Highly-regarded outfield prospect Mike Sirota made his first start of the spring for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night against the Kansas City Royals. Hitting ninth and serving as the designated hitter, this marked Sirota's fourth Cactus League appearance of the season.

Andy Pages Starts in Center Field Against Royals

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Andy Pages started in center field for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their Tuesday night Cactus League road game against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise. This appearance was part of the Dodgers' final road game of the Arizona portion of their spring training schedule.

Jonathan India Returns to Royals Lineup After Groin Issue

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Jonathan India returned to the top of the Royals' order for Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers. The second baseman had been sidelined since Friday due to right groin tightness, but the team treated his absence as a precautionary measure to ensure he is ready for Opening Day. There is minimal concern regarding the injury, and he is back in action as scheduled.