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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher River Ryan tossed two scoreless innings in relief during Tuesday's contest, striking out three while allowing zero hits and one walk. His stock for making the Opening Day rotation is rising with every appearance, especially with Blake Snell and Gavin Stone officially ruled out. Manager Dave Roberts stated that no hasty decisions will be made amidst the competition before camp breaks.
The Kansas City Royals have officially added outfielder Starling Marte to their roster. Manager Matt Quatraro praised Marte's 'longtime proven right-handed bat,' neutral splits, and leadership. Marte expressed comfort with the team and commitment to helping. He is expected to offer crucial roster flexibility, particularly against left-handed pitching, where he has posted a wRC+ above 100 in four of the last five seasons, aiding the lineup's overall production.
Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering is currently focused on developing a new splitter pitch. This move suggests an effort to expand his repertoire and improve his effectiveness on the mound for the upcoming season.
Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has received a 162-game suspension for a second PED violation (Exogenous Testosterone), making him ineligible for the entire 2026 season and WBC. This follows an 80-game ban in 2025, and he will forfeit his $15 million salary. The Braves issued a statement expressing disappointment but supporting MLB's program, while the Players Association plans to challenge the suspension. Profar was projected for a significant outfield role, creating roster challenges for the team, with the ban effective March 6th.
Tampa Bay Rays southpaw Shane McClanahan (triceps) made a successful return to game action, pitching two scoreless innings against the Phillies in a Grapefruit League game. He allowed two hits, no walks, and struck out one, hitting 96.7 mph on his fastball. This marks his first appearance since missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and 2025 with a nerve issue. He is tentatively slated to debut March 31 vs. the Brewers, pending no further setbacks.
Juan Soto, representing the Dominican Republic, hit a 431-foot, 107.3 mph two-run home run in the 4th inning against the Detroit Tigers during a WBC tune-up game. The blast broke a 4-4 tie, propelling DR to a 12-4 victory. The Mets slugger finished 2-for-4 with the go-ahead homer and an RBI single, electrifying the crowd.
Max Fried made his Yankees spring debut against Panama, pitching three scoreless innings despite admitting to feeling 'rusty' and 'out of sync.' He scattered one hit and three walks while striking out one across 56 pitches. Though his control was 'a little off' and velocity/spin rates were down on several pitches, manager Aaron Boone noted his 'stuff was good,' hitting 95 mph. Fried was pleased to hit his pitch count and keep Panama off the scoreboard, also working on controlling the running game. He posted a 2.86 ERA in 2025.
Francisco Lindor, recovering from hamate bone surgery in his left hand, played catch Monday and is scheduled for defensive drills Tuesday. He is expected to begin taking full swings by Wednesday, a significant step in his rehabilitation. Lindor remains optimistic about being ready for Opening Day on March 26, though he cannot afford any setbacks. Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed Lindor is incorporating more baseball activities, with confidence in camp that he can get enough at-bats this spring to avoid missing regular season time.
Nick Castellanos helped the San Diego Padres secure a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox, hitting a two-run home run in the third inning. The veteran outfielder, acquired to boost the team's power, finished the day 2-for-3 with a homer, a double, two RBI, and a run scored. He drove in Miguel Andujar, who also had a solid offensive performance, contributing to the Padres getting back in the win column.
Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon is being given a chance to seize the backup shortstop role, gaining reps in an 11-1 exhibition win over Panama. Despite flubbing a grounder, McMahon, who has five Gold Glove nominations at third, believes more reps will improve his play at a position he's rarely played professionally. He went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run. Manager Aaron Boone plans for McMahon to focus on shortstop in upcoming practices and games.
Detroit Tigers' two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal will have a limited World Baseball Classic role, making one 55-pitch start against Great Britain before rejoining the Tigers to prioritize health and season preparation. Owner Chris Ilitch offered vague comments on Skubal's impending free agency, deferring to GM Scott Harris, despite a reported $250 million gap in extension talks. Skubal, who recently won a record $32 million arbitration salary, is expected to command a massive free-agent deal after 2026.
Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton made a solid spring training debut, going 1-for-2 with a 114.3 mph single and a walk in an 11-1 win over Team Panama. His chronic elbow tendinitis is now manageable, allowing for a normal buildup after missing all of last spring. Stanton, who hit .273 with 24 HR in 77 games last year despite limited prep, is aiming for 30-35 game at-bats this spring to fine-tune his timing.
Second baseman Brendan Rodgers is likely to require surgery for a shoulder injury he sustained on February 25. The Houston Astros player's recovery timeline is currently unknown, pending further evaluation and confirmation of the surgical procedure. This potential surgery could impact his availability for the upcoming season.
David Hamilton hit his first home run of the spring, a 414-foot shot to right, making up for an earlier error at shortstop that led to a run. Despite Hamilton's efforts, the Milwaukee Brewers ultimately lost their exhibition game to Team Great Britain with a final score of 7-3. His solo homer was a highlight in an otherwise disappointing offensive performance for the team.
Akil Baddoo hit a leadoff home run, a 433-foot shot to center field in the seventh inning, but it wasn't enough as the Milwaukee Brewers fell 7-3 to Team Great Britain in an exhibition game. Baddoo's solo blast was one of only five hits for the Brewers in the disappointing loss, which saw a rough fifth inning from pitcher Jared Koenig.
Aaron Judge contributed a two-run single in the first inning, helping Team USA establish an early 2-0 lead in their exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants. The United States went on to win 15-1 with a 19-hit performance, showcasing the potent roster assembled for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Judge's early hit set the tone for a strong offensive display by the American squad.
Bryce Harper led Team USA to a dominant 15-1 exhibition win over the Giants, hitting a double as the team showcased its potent World Baseball Classic roster. Harper, who recently won a fan tournament reaffirming his Phillies status, revealed he nearly signed with the San Francisco Giants in 2019, with Bruce Bochy's retirement influencing his decision. He is now focused on a strong WBC performance to re-establish his MVP candidacy for 2026.
Dodgers backup catcher Dalton Rushing, who batted .204 last season, is reframing his mindset this spring to 'just be a hitter' and focus on consistency. With his primary position blocked by Will Smith and other avenues to playing time complicated, Rushing acknowledged worrying too much about sporadic play last year. He aims to leverage strong relationships with pitchers and 'do damage every week' to cement his place and maximize opportunities on the star-studded team, despite ongoing trade rumors.
Dodgers pitcher River Ryan delivered a dominant performance in his latest rotation audition, tossing two scoreless innings of relief, striking out three, and showcasing aggressive command. This outing was a stark contrast to his previous appearance where he struggled with strike-throwing, and manager Dave Roberts noted it's too early to finalize rotation spots. Ryan's improved command makes a significant statement in the ongoing competition for a spot in the Dodgers' rotation.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas faces an 80-game suspension for failing a PED test, violating MLB's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He is reportedly appealing the results, which would sideline him for a significant portion of the 2026 season. Rojas, 25, was removed from the Dominican Republic's World Baseball Classic roster and was battling for a roster spot after hitting .224 with a .569 OPS in 71 games last year. This marks the second consecutive year the Phillies have had a player suspended for PEDs. He is allowed to play spring training games during the appeal process.
