MLB Player News

Ohtani stepped in to start this game after being pushed back on Wednesday with an illness and Tyler Glasnow was scratched ahead of this contest. He seemed perfectly healthy, blazing 11 of his 22 total fastballs over 100 mph, peaking at 101.5 mph, and forcing 12 swings-and-misses in this short outing. Yet, he reached 70 pitches with two out and a runner on second in the fourth at which point Dave Roberts opted to bring in the left-handed Anthony Banda to face lefties Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo. Ohtani was reluctant to give him the ball and looked as good as he has on the mound all season to that point. Apart from all that velocity, his curveball showed great depth and his sweeper led his arsenal with four whiffs. He looked ace-like. It’s just all about that workload and it’s anyone’s guess as to when he’ll pitch next, but next weekend in San Francisco would make sense.

Both said they’d be open to the possibility. Suzuki is entering the final year of a five-year, $85 million pact he signed after coming over from Japan. Happ signed a surprisingly modest three-year, $61 million extension in April 2023, which was about five months before he would have been eligible for free agency for the first time. The Cubs should have interest in retaining both, but they do potentially have Kevin Alcántara ready to take over for one of the two next year.

It’s part of Snell’s plan to throw more innings this season after being limited to 11 regular-season starts last year. He’s still aiming to be a part of the Opening Day rotation, but any bit of trouble this spring will probably put him on the IL initially. “He’s playing catch,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s throwing. Once he gets off the mound, throws a pen, faces some hitters, we’ll know more. But obviously he’s not there right now.”

Brito underwent internal brace surgery last May and could be in line to return in June or July. He had a 4.12 ERA over 43 2/3 innings in 26 relief appearances for the Padres in 2024.

The deal, which was agreed upon over the weekend, is now official. The versatile 28-year-old had a down season offensively in 2025, slashing a mere .238/.287/.335 with nine homers, 43 RBI and 10 stolen bases (in 17 attempts) over 541 plate appearances with the Angels. If he can bounce back though, he could be the answer that the Brewers are looking for at third base after shipping Caleb Durbin to the Red Sox.

The 29-year-old has yet to be cleared to perform any other baseball activities as he battles shoulder inflammation. It sounds increasingly likely that Gonzalez will open the season on the injured list.

Ramos was claimed off of waivers from the Orioles in early February, but he gets the boot from the Cardinals’ 40-man roster to make room for the addition of Zak Kent on Monday. Ramos has already changed teams a couple of times since the end of the 2025 season and he could once again attract interest on waivers.

The 27-year-old right-hander had been designated for assignment by the Rangers over the weekend. Kent registered a 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 16/8 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings in 12 appearances with the Guardians in 2025. Given the current makeup of the Cardinals’ bullpen, he should have a decent shot at cracking the Opening Day roster as long as he doesn’t implode during Grapefruit League play.

The 23-year-old outfielder passed through waivers unclaimed and will remain with the Yankees. He’ll stay in big league camp as a non-roster invitee where he’ll get to showcase his power against Grapefruit League competition.

It’s the first time that the 24-year-old shortstop has swung a bat since undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. The Yankees are already expecting to be without Volpe for all of April, so they’re going to let him take his time as he progresses through his recovery. Jose Caballero is expected to see the bulk of the action at shortstop while Volpe is shelved.

The Phillies are taking a cautious approach with the 35-year-old hurler and the expectation is that he’ll open the season on the injured list. It’s unclear how much time into the regular season he may miss though and if we don’t wind up seeing him at all in Grapefruit League action, it’ll be tough for fantasy managers to know what to expect from Wheeler to open the 2026 season.