MLB Player News

Smith inked a minor league contract with the Blue Jays back in November and was hitting .195/.319/.208 with 11 stolen bases across 91 plate appearances this season at Triple-A Buffalo. The 29-year-old speedster would make sense for a contending team as a late-inning pinch-running specialist.

Hoskins struck out on 13 pitches in his first at-bat against Michael King and then lined a 337-foot homer on the second. He was thrown out at second on his second hit, but that was fine. Hoskins figures to make the Guardians as at least a starter against left-handers, and it’d be no surprise if he winds up playing regularly. He’s probably not going to be a mixed-league guy in a tough ballpark for right-handed power in Cleveland.

He struck out three and walked one. Cecconi should be locked into the Guardians’ rotation after going 7-7 with a 4.30 ERA in his 23 starts last year. He has a 3.12 ERA and an 8/2 K/BB in 8 2/3 innings this spring.

Espino averaged 96.7 mph with the eight fastballs he threw today. Shoulder issues cost Espino almost the entirely of the last four years, but his stuff remains impressive. If he can stay healthy, he should make his major league debut at some point in 2026.

He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out two. King has an 8.31 ERA after three spring starts, but his velocity isn’t far off. The homer he gave up today was hit just 337 feet off the bat of Rhys Hoskins.

India is getting to lead off for a Royals team that’s been robbed of its top five hitters by the WBC and is off to a 4-for-13 start with five walks in seven games. He seems likely to open up batting sixth in the regular season, but there might be a scenario in which he returns to the leadoff spot and Maikel Garcia bats cleanup, which is where he finished last year.

All three hits Bubic allowed were singles. He’s given up one run in five innings through two starts, and all is looking good as he finishes his comeback from last year’s shoulder strain.

The run came right away on a Jonathan India homer leading off the bottom of the first, so the other five hits did no further damage. Lodolo struck out four today. His stuff is right where it should be, and he rates as a top-50 SP for 2026.

Steer played first base in his previous six starts this spring, suggesting that Terry Francona might prefer to keep him there and move Sal Stewart around at the beginning of the year. Really, though, if Steer is part of the Reds’ best lineup against righties — and that is questionable — it’s probably as the left fielder ahead of JJ Bleday and Will Benson. One thing seems clear anyway; if Steer is going to start at first base a lot of the time, there’s no way Nathaniel Lowe is going to make the Reds.

It’s the second roundtripper of the spring for Vaughn. The infielder really impressed in his 64 games with the Brew Crew in 2025 with a .308/.375/.493 slash, and while it’s understandable to be skeptical based on his inconsistency, it’s easy to forget this was the third-overall pick in 2019. It’s very feasible — but far from a lock — that Vaughn can replicate similar numbers in 2026.

Tucker will reportedly be the designated hitter Sunday after missing a little under a week while his wife gave birth to their first chld. The 29-year-old should be back in the outfield in the coming days.