MLB Player News

Kwan started in left field and went 2-for-3 with a home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.

Kwan made his Cactus League debut and made an immediate impact. He singled to leadoff the bottom of the first inning and came around to score on a Tyler Freeman double. He later opened the bottom of the third with a solo home run. He's coming off a season in which he earned his first All-Star selection and should resume a role as the Guardians' leadoff batter.

Lively allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out one over two innings in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.

Lively made his first Cactus League start and allowed much base traffic but managed to stifle the damage to just one run. He threw 23 strikes among his 33 offerings, which was his goal coming in. "All good, just trying to locate everything, not letting it rip all the way," the pitcher told Steve Stockmar of MLB.com. "Felt good to be out there." Lively is coming off his best season in the majors, posting a 3.81 ERA over a career-high 151 regular-season innings. The accumulation of innings was the prominent reason he was left off the ALDS roster last year and limited to the one relief appearance in the ALCS. The right-hander's goal is to prove he has the stamina to be included in any postseason series.

Bubic is seen as the frontrunner for Kansas City's fifth starter role, MLB.com reports. He gave up one run over two innings with two strikeouts in his spring debut Sunday.

Bubic also debuted a new sinker, which he hopes to use against lefties, the MLB.com report adds. It was Bubic's first spring training start in two years as he spent the first three months last season rehabbing from April 2023 Tommy John surgery. The lefty thrived out of the bullpen last season, working his way into high-leverage innings and collecting seven holds and a save. His 32.2 percent strikeout rate was by far his career best, but it's not clear he'll be able to handle a starter's workload or maintain that high a strikeout rate with more usage.

Festa threw two scoreless innings Sunday against Pittsburgh with two strikeouts and no walks in his spring debut. He pitched exclusively out of the stretch, which he plans to do this season, MLB.com reports. He also debuted a new sinker during the outing.

Festa is competing with Chris Paddack, Simeon Woods Richardson and Zebby Matthews for the final two spots in the rotation. Paddack and Woods Richardson are the favorites, but Festa could force his way into the rotation with a strong spring. Festa showed promise last season with a 10.8 K/9 and 12.7 percent swinging strike rate, but he recorded a 4.40 ERA (though a 3.75 FIP) in 14 games.

Martin will primarily focus on playing the outfield this spring, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "I want him to be a defensive star out there. I think he has the ability and the work ethic to do so," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. Martin started in center field Sunday and went 1-for-2 in is spring debut.

Martin is battling for a reserve spot on the roster, and he could be a key reserve since he can play both center field and second base. He was regarded as a top prospect as the fifth overall pick in 2020, but he hasn't lived up to that billing given his lack of power (.099 ISO last year in the majors).

Julien is battling Brooks Lee for the starting second base job this spring with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. He started at second base in his spring debut Sunday and went 1-for-3.

Julien was thought to be a possible platoon partner at first base earlier in the winter, but Minnesota's signing of Ty France likely limits him to second base for any starting job. Julien's role is in flux as he could win the second base job, platoon at first base (or DH or 2B) or even begin the season in the minors. Julien displayed a mix of exceptional plate discipline and power in 2023 with a .381 OBP and .195 ISO, but he struggled with a .615 OPS last season and spent much of the year in the minors.

Lee is battling Edouard Julien for the starting second base job this spring with Willi Castro also likely to get time at the position, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Lee started at shortstop in his spring debut Sunday and went 0-for-3.

Lee could make the Opening Day roster and work around the infield, as he may be a better option with the glove at third base, but the Twins have decided for now to keep Royce Lewis at the hot corner. It's possible Lee could also begin the season in the minors after he posted just a .580 OPS last season in the majors over 50 games. His ability to secure a starting spot or a reserve role will be a key job battle for Minnesota this spring.

Miranda will likely be the primary DH For the Twins this season but should also get playing time at first base and third base, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. He started at first base in his spring debut Sunday and went 1-for-2.

Miranda should get almost everyday playing time between the three positions as the Twins are likely to rotate players to give them off days. He looks healthy after he struggled the final six weeks last season, hitting .202 with a .491 OPS in his last 30 games, in part due to a back injury that required an IL stint.

Gott signed a minor-league contract with the Mariners on Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Gott missed the entire 2024 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery as part of the Athletics organization. He'll now return to Seattle, where he spent half of the 2023 campaign, appearing in 30 games with the Mariners and posting a 4.03 ERA over 29 innings. The right-hander's contract includes an invitation to spring training in Arizona, where Gott will look to prove his health.

Barger was confirmed to have suffered a bruised right hand after X-rays came back negative Sunday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Barger exited Sunday's spring game with the injury after being struck by a pitch during the opening frame, but he appears to have avoided a serious injury. The 25-year-old will be held out of the lineup for a day or two but shouldn't end up missing much time.