MLB Player News
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Joey Wentz SP | ATL
Braves' Joey Wentz: Out for season with torn ACL
Wentz will be sidelined for the entire 2026 season after being diagnosed Monday with a torn right ACL, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Wentz was injured on a collision near first base during Grapefruit League play Sunday versus the Rays, and an MRI has revealed bad news. It's yet another blow to the rotation depth for an Atlanta club that's already lost Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) and Hurston Waldrep (elbow) to surgeries this spring.
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Wilber Dotel SP | PIT
Pirates' Wilber Dotel: Reporting to Triple-A
The Pirates optioned Dotel to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.
Dotel was one of eight players dismissed from big-league camp in the Pirates' latest round of roster cuts. The Pirates added the 23-year-old right-hander to the 40-man roster in the offseason after he turned in a 4.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 131:43 K:BB over 125.2 innings in 27 starts for Double-A Altoona in 2025.
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Matthew Liberatore SP | STL
Cardinals' Matthew Liberatore: Dazzles in Grapefruit League outing
Liberatore permitted two runs while striking out seven across five frames in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.
In addition to his seven punchouts, Liberatore did not issue a walk and picked up 16 swinging strikes on 65 pitches. It's the most whiffs for any pitcher in a single appearance so far this spring and is just one off Liberatore's regular-season high of 17. The left-hander has had an impressive showing this spring with a 2.70 ERA and 14:1 K:BB over 10 innings. Liberatore is expected to draw the Opening Day start for the Cardinals, though that has not yet been made official.
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David Sandlin SP | CHW
White Sox's David Sandlin: Slowed by elbow soreness
White Sox manager Will Venable said Monday that Sandlin has contended with elbow soreness recently but is slated to resume throwing Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
Venable noted that Sandlin dealt with a back issue earlier in spring training prior to experiencing elbow soreness. The two injuries help explain why Sandlin never made an appearance in the Cactus League before the White Sox optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday. Sandlin is set to get back on a throwing program this week, but it's unclear if he'll have enough time to get fully built up before Charlotte begins its season in late March.
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Carlos Rodon SP | NYY
Yankees' Carlos Rodon: Faces hitters Monday
Rodon (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
It's the first time Rodon has faced hitters since he had surgery last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. The veteran left-hander's rehab from the procedure has gone off without a hitch, and he is expected to make some Grapefruit League appearances before Yankees camp breaks. Rodon will begin the year on the 15-day injured list, but he could be ready for his season debut before the end of April, at the earliest.
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Brady Basso SP | ATH
Athletics' Brady Basso: Sent packing from big-league camp
The Athletics optioned Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Basso will head to Las Vegas to begin the season but should be near the top of the list for a promotion if the Athletics need another lefty arm out of the bullpen at any point. The 28-year-old made 11 appearances (one start) for the Athletics in 2025, accruing a 2.31 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 8:9 K:BB over 11.2 innings.
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Braden Nett SP | ATH
Athletics' Braden Nett: Dispatched to Triple-A
The Athletics optioned Nett to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Acquired by the Athletics from the Padres in July, Nett ended up spending the entire 2025 season at the Double-A level between the two organizations, logging a 3.75 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 116:48 K:BB across 105.2 innings. The 23-year-old right-hander is expected to spend nearly all of the 2026 campaign at Triple-A but put himself in consideration for a promotion to the big leagues in the second half if he's able find early success in the Pacific Coast League.
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Chen Zhuang SP | ATH
Athletics' Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang: Opening season in minors
The Athletics optioned Zhuang to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Zhunag will make the jump up to the Pacific Coast League to begin the 2026 campaign after he spent all of last season at Double-A Midland, where he turned in a 4.08 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 145:35 K:BB in 145.2 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster over the winter but is likely to find himself behind several other minor-league arms for a call-up to the majors.
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Braxton Garrett SP | MIA
Marlins' Braxton Garrett: Sharp in Sunday's start
Garrett allowed one run on one hit and one walk over three innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out two.
The southpaw threw 23 of 37 pitches for strikes, but while his line in the box score was good, Garrett wasn't able to match the velocity he's been flashing during batting practice sessions in camp. He sat just 91-92 mph with his four-seam fastball against the Cards and topping out at 93.6 mph. That would still be a step up from what he was showing prior to UCL revision surgery in December 2024, however, as the pitch averaged just 90.7 mph in 2024 and 90.8 mph in 2023. After not seeing game action at all in 2025, Garrett has been healthy to begin spring training and remains a favorite to open the season in the Miami rotation.
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David Sandlin SP | CHW
White Sox's David Sandlin: Dispatched to minors
The White Sox optioned Sandlin to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.
Acquired from the Red Sox back in February, Sandlin will return to the Triple-A level to begin the upcoming season after struggling in his first taste of the International League in 2025. After dominating early on last season as a starter at Double-A Portland, Sandlin mustered a 7.61 ERA, 2.07 WHIP and 21:13 K:BB in 23.2 innings upon being promoted to Triple-A Worcester. He served primarily as a reliever during his time with Worcester but should be ticketed for the Charlotte rotation.