Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Former Rangers first-rounder Cole Ragans is slated to take the mound for the Kansas City Royals in an intriguing Cactus League night game against the Texas Rangers. Ragans, a key left-handed arm for Kansas City, faces off against MacKenzie Gore in the scheduled 7:05 pm CT contest at Surprise Stadium. This matchup highlights Ragans' continued development as he prepares for the upcoming season against his former organization.
Paul Skenes has been identified as a foundational pillar of the Team USA roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Alongside captain Aaron Judge, Skenes is expected to play a critical role in the Americans' pursuit of the championship. The young ace, who has experienced a rapid rise to stardom, is part of a revamped and highly talented pitching staff that is embracing the pressure of the tournament as pool play begins against Brazil this Friday.
Two-time AL MVP Aaron Judge is serving as captain for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. As a central pillar of the roster, Judge is leading the squad alongside Paul Skenes in their pursuit of a tournament title. The Yankees are closely monitoring his health during the event. Judge, who was announced as captain last April, is focused on the mission to win the championship, with Team USA beginning pool play against Brazil this Friday.
Yankees reliever Cade Winquest is fighting for an Opening Day roster spot as a Rule 5 selection. Through four spring appearances, he has posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 4 2/3 innings. Manager Aaron Boone noted the team is testing the 25-year-old with high-leverage situations to evaluate his transition from a starter to a reliever. Winquest, who has never pitched above Double-A, is working to refine his sinker and sweeper while adjusting his physical and mental routine for the majors.
Rece Hinds provided the game-winning heroics for the Cincinnati Reds in a high-scoring 14-13 exhibition victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Hinds launched a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to secure the win. The slug-fest featured 10 combined home runs between the two clubs, with Hinds' late-inning laser down the left-field line flipping a 13-11 deficit into a final victory for Cincinnati.
Carson Kelly hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning of the Cubs' 8-1 victory over the Diamondbacks on Thursday. His blast, which came with Michael Conforto on base, extended the Cubs' lead to 7-1. The game featured a strong offensive showing from the Cubs, with Dansby Swanson also homering, as the team continued its spring training schedule at Sloan Park.
Swanson contributed significantly to the Cubs' 8-1 win over the Diamondbacks on Thursday, driving in a run with a single in the first inning and hitting an opposite-field home run in the third. His performance was part of a two-homer day for the Cubs, who also received a home run from Carson Kelly. Swanson's ability to drive the ball to the opposite field was highlighted as a positive development during his spring training preparations.
Santiago Espinal is cementing his case for an Opening Day roster spot with the Dodgers after a stellar spring. Manager Dave Roberts praised his seamless integration, noting it is hard to imagine him off the team. Espinal, who is hitting 12-for-19 this spring, delivered a two-homer, six-RBI performance in Thursday's 14-13 loss to the Reds. His defensive versatility provides critical depth while Kiké Hernández recovers from offseason elbow surgery.
The New York Yankees have optioned right-hander Chase Hampton to Double-A Somerset as they continue to trim their spring training roster. Hampton, ranked as the organization's No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline, is currently working his way back from Tommy John surgery performed in February 2025. Due to his ongoing recovery, the young pitcher has not appeared in a Grapefruit League game this spring. The move allows Hampton to continue his rehabilitation process within the minor league system.
Mitchell led the Brewers to a 10-8 win over the Rockies with a monster performance, going 2-for-3 with a 462-foot home run, a double, a walk, and 4 RBIs. After being plagued by injuries, a healthy Mitchell is demonstrating his potential. He started the game with a bang, hitting a 111.5 MPH home run on the first pitch, and later cleared the bases with a double in the fifth inning to help the Brewers overcome a deficit.
Mayer remains a primary storyline in Fort Myers as he competes for a spot on the Red Sox Opening Day roster. Despite limited spring action, he has made an impact with a home run, consistent base-reaching, and defensive versatility. Manager Alex Cora has emphasized that no roster spot is guaranteed, challenging the 2021 No. 4 overall pick to improve offensively. Mayer has been primarily starting at second base, potentially providing stability at the position for the team.
After being scratched from Wednesday's exhibition lineup against Team Brazil due to illness, outfielder Evan Carter returned to action in a "B" game on Thursday. Carter is looking to build momentum after a slow start to the Cactus League, where he is currently 2-for-12 with a stolen base and a 3:5 walk-to-strikeout ratio in his first six contests.
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña will miss the World Baseball Classic and the start of the 2026 season after suffering a fractured tip of his right ring finger during an exhibition game against the Tigers. Peña, who batted .304 with 17 home runs last season, is scheduled for reevaluation in two weeks. The injury occurred while fielding a ground ball. In his absence, Carlos Correa is expected to shift to shortstop, with Isaac Paredes taking over at third base for the Astros.
MacKenzie Gore is slated to pitch for the Texas Rangers in their March 5, 2026, exhibition matchup against the Kansas City Royals. The contest, dubbed the 'Battle of Surprise,' features a Rangers lineup including Haggerty, Langford, Seager, Burger, Higashioka, Smith, Bride, Zavala, and Herrera. Gore continues his spring preparations as the Rangers evaluate their rotation options ahead of the upcoming regular season.
The 39-year-old veteran outfielder and DH has signed a minor-league contract with the Rangers, including a spring training invite. The deal is worth $1.25 million if he makes the roster, with incentives pushing the value to $2.5 million. McCutchen, who spent the last three seasons in Pittsburgh, slashed .239/.333/.367 with 13 homers last year. Texas intends to use him as a right-handed platoon bat, leveraging his .799 OPS against lefties as he seeks his 18th major league campaign.
Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is gearing up for his first MLB season with the Chicago White Sox after signing a two-year, $34 million contract. The 26-year-old, who hit an NPB-record 56 home runs in 2022, is currently participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic for Team Japan. While his elite power is highly anticipated, scouts are monitoring his high strikeout rate. The White Sox paid a $6.575 million transfer fee to the Yakult Swallows to secure his services.
Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider impressed in his spring appearance against the Blue Jays, working 2.1 innings with four strikeouts. Strider displayed a 95-96 mph fastball and a sharp slider with a 41.7% whiff rate. Despite allowing a two-run double to Addison Barger, his performance reinforced expectations for his role in the Braves' rotation. The outing followed a three-inning start by Chris Sale, as the Braves continue to refine their pitching staff for the regular season.
Kazuma Okamoto is set to represent Japan in the WBC before beginning his role as the Toronto Blue Jays' starting third baseman. The 29-year-old signed a four-year, $60 million contract this winter after a distinguished 11-season career in the NPB. During spring training, he demonstrated significant power, hitting a 431-foot home run with a 103.4 mph exit velocity. He is expected to bat seventh in the Blue Jays' lineup, providing a key right-handed presence.
At 36, Stanton made his 2026 Grapefruit League debut as the Yankees' designated hitter, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout in a rain-shortened loss to the Twins. Entering the season with 453 career home runs, he is focused on securing a World Series title. After a 2025 season where he avoided lower-body soft-tissue injuries, he continues to manage chronic elbow pain while serving as a key middle-of-the-order power threat and vocal leader for the Yankees.
Right-hander Michael Lorenzen takes the mound for the Rockies today against the Milwaukee Brewers before departing to join Team Italy for the World Baseball Classic. Lorenzen struggled in his previous outing against the Kansas City Royals, allowing five earned runs on four hits—including a home run—with four walks and zero strikeouts. The veteran pitcher is treating the early spring struggles as a valuable learning experience.
