MLB Player News

De Los Santos (knee) struck out a batter and allowed one walk and no hits over a scoreless inning of relief Friday in the Astros' 7-4 loss to the Marlins in Grapefruit League play.

The reliever made his spring debut after completing his recovery from the right knee strain he suffered early in camp. Manager Joe Espada told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com that De Los Santos is scheduled to pitch again Monday in an exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land. If all goes well in that outing, De Los Santos should be able to secure a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.

Bibee allowed eight runs on 10 hits while striking out three over 4.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against San Francisco.

Bibee retired the first six batters faced before running into the trouble the rest of the way. He allowed two home runs Saturday and five over his final two Cactus League starts. The right-hander upped his pitch count to 70 (49 strikes) in advance of his Opening Day start at Seattle.

Bazzana went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Giants.

Bazzana, who was reassigned to minor-league camp earlier in the week, joined the major-league team for Saturday's contest. In eight Cactus League games, the first overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft is batting .381 (8-for-21) with three home runs and 11 RBI. He also homered for Team Australia in the World Baseball Classic. Given that injuries limited Bazzana to 84 games in 2025, including just 26 at Triple-A, it's natural the organization wants him to get more seasoning in the minors. He's expected to arrive in the majors at some point in 2026.

Manager Joe Espada said that Pena (finger) is scheduled to hit again Sunday, and the Astros are still discussing whether he will travel with the team back to Houston in advance of Opening Day, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 28-year-old shortstop was cleared to resume swinging a bat Friday as he continues working his way back from a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger. Pena still has a chance of being cleared for Thursday's season opener versus the Angels, but he'll likely need to face live pitching at some point early this week to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Rocker has issues he need to work on, as he considers which pitcher will win the final spot in the rotation, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Rocker's final two spring starts were very good in terms of results, but the manager specifically called out the right-hander's reluctance to incorporate a changeup this spring and his need to control the running game. Rocker has thrown just eight changeups among 185 pitches (4.3 percent) this spring and allowed five successful steals over 12.2 innings. His main competition for the rotation is lefty Jacob Latz, who has had his own struggles in camp, with non-roster veterans Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill also in the mix.

Lux (shoulder) is starting at second base and batting third in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The 28-year-old sat out Saturday due to right shoulder discomfort, but he's back in the lineup a day later. After posting a .269/.350/.374 slash line with five homers, 53 RBI and 49 runs in 140 regular-season games with the Reds last season, Lux is poised to operate as Tampa Bay's primary second baseman in 2026.

Texas manager Skip Schumaker said Saturday that Latz's chances of earning a roster spot will not be affected by the results of his final spring start, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Latz allowed nine runs on eight hits and two walks over three innings in a Cactus League outing Thursday, inflating his spring ERA to 8.22. "You don't make or break a team or a position on the last day of spring, or last couple days of spring," Schumaker said of Latz. The Rangers' main concern is the southpaw's inability to maintain velocity deeper into games this spring, which could prevent him from providing at least five effective innings in a start. Latz's main competition for the final spot in the rotation is Kumar Rocker, who has excelled his last two times out but still has things the organization would like him to work on, such as his changeup usage. Non-roster veterans Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill are also still in the mix.

Martin (concussion) will start in left field and bat eighth in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Martin suffered a concussion while playing the outfield last week, but he's apparently cleared the protocol and is ready for game action. The 26-year-old is without an extra-base hit through 13 spring games but is batting .286 with a 5:4 BB:K and has stolen four bases. Martin could open 2026 with a regular role in left field after the Twins optioned Alan Roden to Triple-A to begin the season, though the left-handed-hitting James Outman lingers as a potential platoon mate.

Teel (hamstring) was able to perform light sprints and hitting Friday and has "no pain or stretch" while catching, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Teel suffered a Grade 2 right hamstring strain in mid-March while playing for Team Italy during the World Baseball Classic. He was given an initial 4-to-6 week timeline for recovery, which would put him out until at least mid-April. Teel told Merkin that he doesn't expect to be ready for Chicago's home opener (Thursday, April 2 against Toronto) but did say he could return shortly thereafter. The backstop also suggested that he'll be playing it safe with the injury, stating, "My goal is to come back as soon as possible. There's no denying that. It's just being smart about it. And making good choices, ramping up appropriately."

The Mariners reassigned Emerson to minor-league camp Saturday.

Emerson entered spring as a contender to start at second base for the Mariners to begin the season, but fellow youngster Cole Young ended up running away with that role. Still, Emerson has held his own in Cactus League play, posting a .268/.340/.488 slash line with two home runs, eight RBI, nine runs and a stolen base through 18 contests. Emerson remains likely to make his MLB debut at some point during the upcoming campaign.