MLB Player News

The Nationals reassigned Bernabel to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Pushed off the Rockies' 40-man roster in the offseason after posting a .698 OPS in 146 plate appearances with the big club in 2025, Bernabel caught on with the Nationals on a minor-league deal in December. Though Washington is heading into 2026 without an established everyday option at first base, Bernabel apparently didn't make a compelling enough of a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster, despite going 3-for-9 with a walk and no strikeouts over his first five Grapefruit League games. Bernabel should be in line for an everyday role in the corner infield at Triple-A Rochester to begin the season.

Gil went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's split-squad game against the Twins.

Getting the start at DH, Gil homered for the second straight day when he crushed a 94.5 mph fastball from Eric Orze over the left-field fence. Per Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the ball left Gil's bat at 109.7 mph. The 19-year-old shortstop's bat may be catching up to his glove and legs, a process that appeared to start last season when he slashed .328/.425/.568 over 31 games after the All-Star break for Single-A Augusta before a late cup of coffee with Double-A Columbus. Gil is showing early signs of a full breakout as a prospect in 2026.

Rumfield is making a case to be the primary first baseman for the Rockies to begin the season, Stephen Harding of MLB.com reports.

Rumfield was very productive in the minor leagues while working his way through the Yankees' minor-league system, but he was ultimately blocked and never got a chance to reach the majors. His outlook changed when he was traded to the Rockies in late January, and he has taken advantage early in spring, slugging three home runs across 16 at-bats while striking out only once. Harding currently projects Rumfield to start at first base against right-handed pitching, with Blaine Crim a potential complement to step into the lineup against lefties.

Bregman went 2-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Bregman connected for his first Cactus League home run as a member of the Cubs, and he's now slashing a robust .455/.571/.909 this spring. The talented third baseman will next play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic before returning to camp. Bregman dealt with a quadriceps strain last year that limited him to only 114 regular-season games for the Red Sox, his fewest in a season since 2021. He's fully healthy now and should slot into the heart of Chicago's lineup to begin the year.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell suggested Saturday that Busch won't be deployed in a platoon to open the season and has earned the right to play regularly versus left-handed pitchers, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Busch is coming off a breakthrough 2025 campaign in which he slashed .261/.343/.523 with 34 home runs, but the left-handed-hitting first baseman was largely shielded from same-handed pitching and did the overwhelming share of his damage versus righties, whom he faced for 497 of his 592 regular-season plate appearances. The Cubs signed the right-handed-hitting Tyler Austin this winter with the intention of having him fill the short side of a platoon, but with Austin now set to miss multiple months after recently undergoing a knee procedure, Counsell appears content to give Busch a full run of at-bats at first base. While the added exposure to lefties could lead to a drop in his batting average, Busch could increase his output in the counting categories due to the higher overall volume of plate appearances.

House went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The 22-year-old third baseman has been swinging a hot bat to begin spring training. Through four games, House has gone 5-for-11 with two doubles and two homers while posting a 0:3 BB:K. Plate discipline remains a concern after he posted an atrocious 8:78 BB:K in 274 plate appearances during his big-league debut last season, helping drag down his .234/.252/.322 slash line, but House has power potential if he can learn to make more consistent contact.

Atlanta optioned Alvarez to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was attempting to earn a roster spot as a utility player, but he instead ends up being one of the first cuts of camp. Alvarez played 58 big-league games last season and had a .234/.296/.330 slash line with two home runs in 208 plate appearances.

Pauley (forearm) is batting sixth as the designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Pauley has dealt with tightness in his right forearm early in camp, but he's set to make his spring debut Sunday. The 25-year-old likely won't be fully cleared until he's deemed ready to handle defensive duties, but he still has plenty of time to do so ahead of Opening Day.

The Giants will shut Devers (hamstring) down from all activities for the next 2-to-4 days, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Devers was scratched from Friday's game with hamstring tightness, and the Giants will now act with extreme caution and allow their star slugger to rest. Once he begins participating in activities again, a clearer timeline for his return to Cactus League play may emerge.

Pauley (forearm) will serve as Miami's designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Pauley's spring debut has been delayed this year due to forearm tightness, but he has seemingly made a full recovery and will begin playing in exhibition games this weekend. The 25-year-old slashed .224/.311/.366 with 11 RBI and 18 runs scored across 184 plate appearances with the Marlins last year and is the favorite to open the regular season as Miami's primary third baseman.