Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Braves pitcher Grant Holmes continued his stellar spring training, tossing five scoreless innings against the Pirates while allowing just one hit and striking out nine batters. Holmes has now logged 12.1 scoreless innings this spring, allowing only three hits with 16 strikeouts. His command of all six pitches, including a newly developed sinker and an effective slider, has him looking ready for the regular season rotation.
Gerrit Cole threw 35 pitches in a live batting practice session Thursday as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The Yankees are monitoring his progress, with a potential Grapefruit League debut possible within the next week or two. While his rehab is trending in the right direction for a late April or early May return, the team may still utilize the 60-day injured list, which would delay his season debut until late May.
Kyle Nevin provided late-game insurance for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their 9-5 spring training win over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. Nevin connected for a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the seventh inning, helping to extend the Dodgers' lead to four runs and secure the victory.
Teoscar Hernández started in left field for the Dodgers in Thursday's 9-5 victory against the Reds. He drove in a run with an RBI double in the first inning and later added to the lead with his first home run of the spring in the fifth. Hernández continues to be a productive force in the Dodgers' lineup as the team prepares for the upcoming regular season.
Max Muncy started at third base and contributed to the Dodgers' 9-5 win over the Reds on Thursday. Muncy provided a key offensive spark in the third inning, launching a home run to right-center field that left his bat at 106.9 mph. The performance highlights his continued preparation for the regular season as he maintains his role in the Dodgers' lineup.
The Boston Red Sox have officially signed left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe to a one-year contract. The move adds veteran depth to the Red Sox bullpen as they prepare for the upcoming season. Coulombe, who brings experience to the relief corps, joins the organization on the heels of this agreement. No further terms of the contract were disclosed at this time.
Jorge Polanco is heating up for the Mets, blasting his second home run in as many games during a 3-1 loss to the Cardinals. After a slow start to the spring, Polanco has surged to a 1.300 OPS. The infielder, who saw time at first base, is proving to be a significant bright spot for New York as the team evaluates its roster depth. His recent power display highlights a successful adjustment period, cementing his role as a key performer during the current exhibition slate.
Shohei Ohtani threw a four-inning, 59-pitch live batting-practice session against Team Japan on Thursday. Facing 18 hitters, the two-way star struck out seven batters. While Ohtani is not expected to pitch during the World Baseball Classic, he continues to ramp up his workload. He is fully expected to open the regular season in the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation, despite the minor impact his time away from the team may have on his early-season pitch counts.
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Quinn Priester will begin the regular season on the injured list due to a nerve issue in his right wrist, which is related to thoracic outlet syndrome. Priester consulted a vascular specialist in Dallas and is expected to avoid surgery. He has resumed light pitching activities and is scheduled for a bullpen session on March 21. While his Opening Day status is officially ruled out, the total duration of his absence remains to be determined.
Jasson Domínguez continued his strong spring training with a 431-foot home run off Justin Verlander during a 4-3 loss to the Tigers on March 12, 2026. The 23-year-old drove a 93 mph fastball to deep right-center field, noting the moment reminded him of his first MLB homer, also hit off Verlander in 2023. Domínguez is currently working to prove his readiness for the major-league roster, though he is widely expected to begin the season at the Triple-A level.
The 43-year-old veteran Justin Verlander took the mound for the Tigers in a spring training matchup against the Yankees on March 12, 2026. Verlander, who recorded a 3.85 ERA over 29 starts with San Francisco in 2024, is preparing for the 2026 season. During the game, he surrendered a 431-foot home run to Jasson Domínguez, a hitter who previously homered off him in his 2023 major league debut. Verlander remains in the final stages of his storied career.
Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez, currently representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, stated that winning the tournament is his top priority. Rodriguez described the recent win over Venezuela as the most electric game he has ever played, noting the atmosphere surpassed even MLB playoff intensity. The Dominican team remains undefeated in pool play, and Rodriguez emphasized that bringing home a title for his country is a dream he shares with teammate Juan Soto.
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo is scheduled to pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a spring training matchup held at Camelback Ranch. Lodolo will be opposing Dodgers starter Cole Irvin in the contest, which is set for a 6:05 p.m. PT start time. This appearance is part of the Reds' ongoing spring training preparations.
Non-roster invitee Cole Irvin is slated to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their Thursday night spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds at Camelback Ranch. Irvin, who is competing for a roster spot, will face off against Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo in the 6:05 p.m. PT matchup. This appearance serves as a key opportunity for Irvin to demonstrate his capabilities during the spring training schedule.
Hyeseong Kim is not dealing with a serious injury after hurting his left hand while stealing a base for Team Korea during the World Baseball Classic on March 8. Although he missed Korea's subsequent game against Australia, the infielder/outfielder is reportedly fine. His status for Korea's upcoming game against the Dominican Republic on Friday remains a point of monitoring for the Dodgers.
The Red Sox placed Romy Gonzalez on the 60-day injured list due to left shoulder inflammation that will require a minor cleanup procedure. The move clears a 40-man roster spot for reliever Danny Coulombe. Gonzalez, who missed all of spring training, is expected to be sidelined for at least the first two months of the regular season. In his absence, Kristian Campbell, Nate Eaton, and Andruw Monasterio will compete for playing time.
Joe Musgrove is day-to-day as the Padres ease his workload following his March 4 outing against Team Great Britain. The team is taking a cautious approach with the veteran hurler, who missed the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery in October 2024. Manager Craig Stammen noted that Musgrove's recovery will not be a straight shot, and his availability for Opening Day remains uncertain as the team evaluates him daily.
Sean Manaea allowed three runs on six hits over 2.2 innings against the Cardinals, with his fastball velocity averaging 88.8 mph, down from his 91.7 mph 2024 average. Despite the dip, Manaea and manager Carlos Mendoza expressed no concern, citing his health and ongoing mechanical adjustments following an injury-riddled 2025. Manaea believes his velocity will return as he continues to build up for the regular season.
The Texas Rangers have signed 32-year-old left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks to a one-year contract. Beeks, who spent the 2025 season with Arizona, posted a 3.77 ERA and 3.88 xERA across 132 appearances over the last two seasons. Known as a durable ground-ball pitcher, Beeks joins a crowded Rangers bullpen competition. The team must clear a 40-man roster spot to finalize the signing, with several players currently in contention for the remaining Opening Day relief roles.
Blake Snell progressed in his recovery from a shoulder issue by throwing a 15-pitch bullpen session on Thursday. The session consisted of low-intensity fastballs between 87 and 89 mph. Manager Dave Roberts noted that Snell is essentially beginning his spring training now and will require at least six weeks to ramp up. While he is expected to start the 2026 season on the injured list, the team is encouraged by his progress, with a potential season debut targeted for early May.
