MLB Player News

The Rays never got specific about Lux’s upper body issue, but he missed nearly three weeks of spring games, which wouldn’t seem to make for a great first impression. Lux appears to be penciled in as Rays’ second baseman against righties after hitting .269/.350/.374 in more of a utility role for the Reds last year.

That makes it seem likely that we won’t see Walls with the Rays until sometime in early May. That should give Carson Williams a chance to cement himself as the team’s shortstop for 2026, but considering they had sent him to Triple-A earlier in the week, fantasy managers may want to take a wait-and-see approach here.

Larnach was scratched from Sunday’s game due to soreness in his left side, but it never seemed like a major concern. If he is able to play without issue on Friday, then he seems all but a lock to make the Opening Day roster.

Martin suffered a concussion during Monday’s game against the Pirates, so it’s encouraging news that he’s already cleared to begin baseball activities. It may still be tough for him to be ready in a week for Opening Day, but there’s certainly a chance.

Manzardo was batting eighth tonight with the lefty on the mound, but he gave the Guardians a little bit more of a reason to keep him in the lineup against southpaws. While he’s hitting just .140 overall this spring, there’s no question that he’ll open up as a starter against right-handers. It’s just a matter of whether he’s platooned or not. Starting against lefties would probably lead to a weaker batter average, but it still could make the difference in whether or not he’s worth playing in mixed leagues.

Messick was facing the bad split-squad, too, though he did retire Vinnie Pasquantino, the lone likely major leaguer on the trip, all three times he faced him. Also, all three homers he gave up would have stayed in play in Progressive Field, with one or two of them turning into outs. Messick now has a 3.60 ERA and an 11/4 K/BB in 15 innings for the spring. It’s quite possible the Guardians will pick Joey Cantillo and Logan Allen over him for their two rotation vacancies, but Messick would be plenty intriguing if he gets the spot.

Cameron allowed five hits, walked two and struck out four. His spring ERA stands at 6.19, but there’s nothing to suggest he has anything to worry about when it comes to his rotation spot. In fact, the Royals’ best healthy alternative, Ryan Bergert, has already been sent down.

Ramírez missed three games with a shoulder injury sustained sliding into third base. The homer was a 110-mph shot off Noah Cameron in the first inning tonight.

The double, which was crushed to center at 109.4 mph, would have been a grand slam most everywhere other than Hohokam Stadium. Obviously, the rest of the at-bats weren’t great, and some might be a little worried after his poor WBC showing in which he was supplanted by Will Smith behind the plate. Still, while his current ADP is too high for our tastes, there’s no good reason to put any stock in the events of the last two weeks.

That’s three more strikeouts than his 2025 season high. Civale allowed only two hits and walked none tonight after giving up four homers and eight runs over 7 2/3 innings in his first two starts. His velocity was down about two mph from last year in those first two outings, but he got back most of that tonight; his 91.8 mph average on his fastball was down only 0.3 mph from last year. We’d still stay far, far away in fantasy leagues, but the A’s have to be feeling better about things after this one.

Ginn surrendered five hits and plunked two batters. This probably brings an end to the Athletics’ rotation competition, with Jacob Lopez essentially assured a spot. Ginn did pretty well in posting a 4.39 ERA after the break last year, but with his spring ERA up to 9.45, he’s due to get some additional Triple-A time.