MLB Player News

Ashcraft struck out two and walked one over a scoreless inning during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

Ashcraft was charged with taking care of the third inning Sunday, and while his day started with a walk to Cal Raleigh, he struck out the next two batters and induced a groundout to end the frame. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the regular season in a high-leverage role, though this is the southpaw's first spring working as a reliever. He recently spoke on his focus entering camp, stating, "I've got to keep pounding the zone like I was last year and let stuff happen. I'm a ground ball guy," per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. "Stay after them. Don't back down. You have to go in there and shut the door."

Holiday (elbow) is throwing bullpen sessions in the Cardinals' camp, Brian Walton of TheCardinalNation.com reports.

A third-round pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Holiday has yet to make his professional debut following Tommy John surgery last May. The right-hander remains in the rehab phase and is likely looking at a season debut around June 1.

Snelling tossed a perfect first inning in the Marlins' Grapefruit League game against the Mets on Saturday.

Getting the start in Miami's spring opener, Snelling faced Marcus Semien, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette and retired them on just 10 pitches (six strikes). The young left-hander doesn't have a clear path to a spot in the Opening Day rotation following the signing of Chris Paddack, but after an astonishing close to the 2025 campaign with Triple-A Jacksonville in which he posted a 1.27 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 81:17 K:BB over 63.2 innings, Snelling could force the Marlins to make a tough choice with a strong performance in camp.

Lowder allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over two innings in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.

Lowder was the second of three pitchers competing for the Reds' fifth spot in the rotation used in their Cactus League opener. He followed Chase Burns (two scoreless innings, three walks) and was followed by Julian Aguiar (two innings, one run). For Lowder, who missed all of 2025 with forearm and oblique injuries, this was his first game action in a big-league setting since September of 2024. The right-hander threw 37 pitches (23 strikes).

Yamamoto completed 1.2 innings against the Angels in a Cactus League contest Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out three batters.

Fresh off a memorable World Series against Toronto during which Yamamoto picked up three wins and was named the series MVP, the right-handed hurler kicked off the Dodgers' spring slate as the team's starting pitcher. He breezed through a 1-2-3 first inning but gave up a couple runs in the second, due in part to a fielding error in the outfield. Nonetheless, Yamamoto didn't look rusty in the outing, throwing 22 of 30 pitches for strikes. Yamamoto will pitch for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but he may first draw another Cactus League start Friday against the Giants, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Kelly will no longer throw live BP Saturday because of mid-back tightness, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Kelly is battling back tightness and won't throw his previously scheduled live BP session. The veteran right-hander will undergo further testing in the next 24 hours, at which point a status update will likely be provided. Kelly has already been named the Diamondbacks' Opening Day starter.

The Cardinals designated Kent for assignment Saturday.

Kent returned to St. Louis from Texas on Monday via waivers, but he will once again lose his 40-man roster spot -- this time to make room for Ramon Urias. Kent broke into the majors for the first time last season and turned in a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 17.2 innings with the Guardians.

Williams has been shut down from throwing after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired elbow and has been sent for an MRI, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

The veteran right-hander underwent an internal brace procedure in July rather than full Tommy John surgery, and the Nationals are being cautious with his rehab. "I heard the early read was good," manager Blake Butera said Saturday. "It's more of a 'let's make sure things are good.' Trevor feels like he's ready to roll, but we just wanted to be extra cautious and get the imaging. He's going to be with the doc today, but from what I heard, things are in a good spot." Williams will begin the season on the 60-day IL, but he could be an option for the rotation at some point this summer once he's fully recovered.

Garabito will be out for four months after undergoing surgery to address a broken bone in his foot, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Garabito inked an NRI deal with Milwaukee in December that included an invite to spring training, but the 30-year-old's spring is over. The right-hander will be out for around four months, meaning he'll be sidelined until June. Garabito made three big-league appearances last season with the Rangers, logging a 9.00 ERA across eight innings.

Hodge allowed two runs on a hit and four walks while retiring just a single batter via strikeout in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

It was an alarming spring training debut for Hodge, who struggled last year after a promising 2024 rookie season. The righty saw his BB/9 jump from 4.0 two years ago to 4.9 last year, and he'll need to improve in that area if he wants to stick around as a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs. Hodge has maintained good velocity in both of his professional campaigns and has a career 10.9 K/9, so the talent is there if he can refine his control.