MLB Player News

Candelario returns to Chicago’s lineup card for Wednesday’s pivotal showdown against the Braves following a two-week absence due to a lower back strain. The 29-year-old corner infielder has put together an excellent year so far, compiling a robust .811 OPS with a career-high 21 homers and eight steals in 555 plate appearances over 135 games this season between the Cubs and Nationals.

Dunn’s 109-mph triple was the hardest-hit ball of the game, while his 107-mph, 419-foot homer was No. 3 on the list. Dunn is 6-for-20 with two homers through 10 games this spring. It’s hard to imagine him making the White Sox, just because he’s on a minor league deal and so many of the alternatives are out of options, but he’s outpacing the field right now.

Freeland had a bit of an easier matchup today after facing Team USA in his spring debut last week. He’s not quite as far along as the rest of the Rockies’ pitchers after dealing with back spasms, but he’s in line to be ready for Opening Day.

Pereria had been sidelined with an oblique issue. The late start won’t help his chances of winning a spot on the White Sox’s bench, but he’ll still have an opportunity. That he’s out of options will help, but so are other competitors Curtis Mead and Derek Hill.

Beck hasn’t proven himself as a quality major leaguer yet, but the Rockies never looked to upgrade over him this winter. That he plays in Coors Field and is a decent basestealer gives him ample fantasy upside if he takes any kind of step forward. Last year’s 30% strikeout rate and 38% hard-hit rate just weren’t very encouraging, though.

It’s technically McNeil’s first homer of the spring, since the one he hit against Nicaragua last week doesn’t count. He’s batting .368/.478/.579 in his 23 official plate appearances. It’s too bad for McNeil that the A’s like their power hitters at or near the top of the lineup, so he will probably hit sixth initially.

Medina was a starter before getting hurt in July 2024, but the A’s are going to treat him as a middle reliever for now. That’d probably be different if they could send him down and stretch him out, but he’s out of options and likely would be claimed off waivers. Medina topped out at 99.2 mph today. He’s too wild to go into a big role right away, but he might wind up earning some saves in a weak pen. It’ll be interesting to see whether the A’s are willing to commit to him as a one-inning guy or if they’d prefer to use him for multiple innings with the idea of moving him into the rotation later this year.

Lowder struck out four batters, all with his changeup, and wound up with 12 whiffs in the 59-pitch outing. He did give up seven hits to a lineup loaded with backups, though, with four coming in a four-run first. Lowder is in line to serve as the Reds’ fourth or fifth starter if Hunter Greene opens up on the IL. Before that, he was battling Chase Burns for one spot.

Gelof is coming back from a dislocated shoulder that ended his 2025 season 10 days early. He has a lot to prove this year after failing to hit in 2024 and then missing more than half of last year due to injury. The A’s have replaced him with Jeff McNeil at second base, but they have third base open for him if he shows he’s worthy.

The homer was pulverized, leaving his bat at 119.6 mph. Of course, Hinds’ power isn’t in question, but the Reds don’t seem to think he has much to offer in the majors. Perhaps he could help as a platoon guy against lefties, but the Reds acquired Dane Myers to fill that role.

Kwan had totaled two homers in 98 career spring training games prior to today, when he took Ryan Bergert and Nick Mears deep in back-to-back at-bats. The 28-year-old appeared to be a likely choice to replace Corbin Carroll on Team USA’s WBC roster before Roman Anthony got the nod instead. He’s 6-for-21 this spring.