MLB Player News

The M’s linked back up with Ackley -- whom they selected with the No. 2 overall selection in 2009 -- via a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training back in January. He never made good on that high draft slot, bouncing out from the M’s after four MLB seasons. He had been a member of the Angels organization the past two campaigns. In exhibition action this spring, Ackley picked up three singles in 12 at-bats.

Acuña swiped second and third after collecting a single off Brayan Bello in the first. He typically saves his steals for the regular season — he was 1-for-1 stealing bases in 2023 and 0-for-1 in 2024 before missing last spring in his ACL recovery — so it was fun seeing him be aggressive today. Acuña is 3-for-11 this spring.

Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela homered off him, but Sale said afterwards that he was encouraged by the outing. He topped out at 97.5 mph, and he had a 36% CSW.

Bello gave up single runs in both the first and second and then allowed three straight hits to start the third before being pulled. The Braves went on to score 11 runs in the frame. Bello’s velocity is nearly at his usual norms, but his spin rates are down and his cutter was hit hard a few times today. He’s making some changes to his arsenal this spring, so it’s no surprise that he’s having some difficulties. Still, this makes nine runs allowed through 3 1/3 innings in two outings, neither of which he was able to complete as scheduled.

Yastrzemski already has three homers in five games this spring. He had 25 homers for the Giants in 2021, but he’s come in at 15-18 each of the last four years and probably won’t do much better there as a platoon player in Atlanta.

Mayer took Raisel Iglesias deep in the fourth inning. The Red Sox have made it clear that Mayer isn’t promised anything this spring, though they’d surely prefer he claimed the second base job for himself. Otherwise, they’d likely turn to Isiah Kiner-Falefa at that spot initially.

The Rays traded for Jacob Melton in the hopes that he’ll be their long-term center fielder, but it’s Mullins’ job for now. The 31-year-old had 17 homers and 22 steals for the Orioles and Mets last season, though he hit just .216 in the process. Even with the homers and steals, he’ll probably be too much of a liability elsewhere to be of much use in mixed leagues.

Pepiot walked two in a row to open the second and then gave up an RBI single, but the run was declared unearned because the runner from second had advanced to third on a passed ball. Pepiot averaged 93.5 mph with his fastball today, down from 95.2 mph last year. That might be something to watch if it lingers into a middle of March.

The first four batters reached against Lauer on three singles and a HBP. He retired five in a row from there, but the damage was done. A nice surprise in 15 starts and 13 relief appearances for the Jays last year, Lauer seems likely to spend most of 2026 pitching in middle relief with the team adding Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce and bringing back Max Scherzer.

As is the case with most of the early cuts at this time of the spring, there are no real surprises among the group. All four pitchers are dealing with injuries and will continue their rehab on the minor league side of camp. The Tigers are now down to 63 players remaining in major league camp.

Power isn’t the issue for Melendez, who was let go by the Royals after hitting .215/.297/.388 in parts of four seasons. He has a chance of making the Mets if Carson Benge opens up in Triple-A, but most likely, Melendez himself is going to have to go succeed in Triple-A for a spell before getting an opportunity.