MLB Player News

Fried walked four batters and allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts over five innings in a split-squad Grapefruit League start against Baltimore on Thursday.

Fried had trouble finding the zone Thursday, throwing a modest 48 strikes among his 81 pitches and issuing four free passes. With that said, none of the batters he walked came around to score, and most of the damage against the veteran hurler came on a two-run homer by Coby Mayo in the second inning. This was almost certainly Fried's final appearance of the spring, and he'll finish the exhibition slate with a 4.40 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB over 14.1 innings spanning five starts. The right-hander's next start will take place on Opening Day -- Wednesday, March 25 against San Francisco.

Alvarado allowed two hits and a walk across a scoreless inning in Thursday's Cactus League loss to the Mariners.

Alvarado got into a jam in the eighth inning by loading the bases but escaped without allowing a run. This marked the right-hander's first outing back with the Athletics after tossing 1.2 scoreless innings across two appearances for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. Coming off a 2025 season in which he posted a 3.19 ERA and 1.32 WHIP across 42.1 innings, Alvarado could see save opportunities as the A's plan to deploy a closer-by-committee approach, though he has yet to record his first big-league save.

Ginn allowed six runs on five hits and two hit-by-pitches across two-thirds of an inning in Thursday's Cactus League loss to the Mariners. He struck out one.

Ginn made his first relief appearance of the spring and was hit hard, entering in the seventh inning and plunking Rob Refsnyder with his first pitch before things unraveled from there. After looking sharp in his first two Cactus League starts with improved velocity, Ginn has faltered since, allowing 14 runs across his past three outings, with his sinker averaging 92.2 mph Thursday, down from 93.4 mph last season. This rough stretch leaves the 26-year-old on the outside looking in for an Opening Day roster spot in either a starting or relief role, and he's likely ticketed for Triple-A Las Vegas.

Larnach (side) is starting in left field and batting second in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

The 29-year-old was scratched Sunday due to left side soreness but is good to go after taking a few days off to recover. Larnach has struggled this spring with a .171/.275/.257 slash line in 40 plate appearances but is expected to open the campaign in the strong side of a platoon between the corner outfield and designated hitter.

Civale allowed two hits and no walks with 11 strikeouts across six scoreless innings in Thursday's Cactus League loss to the Mariners.

Civale was in control throughout Thursday's start, consistently generating whiffs and tallying 11 strikeouts -- a mark he hasn't reached in regular-season play since 2023. This was a much-needed positive outing for the right-hander, who had surrendered eight runs across 7.2 innings in his previous two Cactus League appearances. After splitting time between the Brewers, White Sox and Cubs and posting a combined 4.85 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 23 regular-season appearances (18 starts) and 102 innings in 2025, Civale inked a one-year deal with the Athletics in February and is in line to slot into the starting rotation.

Latz allowed nine runs (seven earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out five over three innings in Thursday's spring start against the Brewers.

The southpaw picked an unfortunate time to post this clunker, as it came one day after his competitor for the final rotation spot, Kumar Rocker, threw four scoreless frames. As troublesome as the results were, more concerning might be Latz's inability to hold the velocity on his four-seamer. The pitch sat 94-96 mph in his first two innings before dipping to 90-92 mph in the third and fourth frames. Latz and Rocker are trending in opposite directions, and while no decision has been made, signs point to Rocker securing the final rotation spot, likely leaving Latz in the bullpen.

Cameron allowed four runs on five hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch across 4.1 innings in Thursday's Cactus League loss to Cleveland. He struck out four.

Cameron was burned by the long ball, surrendering a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the first inning before giving up a three-run blast to Kyle Manzardo in the second frame. It's been a lackluster spring for the southpaw, as he's allowed 11 runs on 23 hits and five walks while striking out 11 across five Cactus League appearances (16 innings). With Stephen Kolek (oblique) banged up, Bailey Falter working out of the bullpen and Ryan Bergert optioned to Triple-A, Cameron is in line to open 2026 in the Royals rotation. However, given the competition and depth, he'll need to produce better results in the regular season to firmly hold onto that spot.

Jensen went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's Cactus League loss to the Angels.

Jensen has cooled off after a hot start to the spring but still has a .250/.308/.500 slash line with three homers and eight RBI across 12 Cactus League appearances. The 22-year-old impressed with the Royals after being called up in September last season, slashing .300/.391/.550 with six doubles, three homers and 13 RBI in 20 MLB games. In his first full big-league season, Jensen is expected to split time at catcher with franchise icon Salvador Perez while also seeing time at designated hitter, particularly against right-handed pitching when Perez is behind the plate.

Thomas started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a solo homer, an additional run scored and a stolen base in Thursday's Cactus League loss to the Angels.

Thomas opened the scoring by taking Yusei Kikuchi deep to center field in the first inning. The outfielder has put together a strong spring, slashing .289/.349/.579 with a double, two triples, two homers, 12 RBI and two stolen bases across 13 games, although his 4:17 BB:K is a little concerning. The 30-year-old inked a one-year deal with the Royals this offseason after undergoing right foot surgery in September and has looked healthy. Thomas doesn't project to be an everyday player for Kansas City, but his ability to handle all three outfield spots could get him semi-regular at-bats.

Walls received a cortisone injection in his right oblique and is expected to be sideline at least three-to-four weeks, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The 29-year-old sustained the injury earlier this week and will begin the season on the injured list. It wouldn't be surprising if Walls is sidelined beyond that estimate given the nature of oblique injuries. Top prospect Carson Williams is expected to step in at shortstop for the Rays and may not cede the job back to Walls, who had a meager .584 OPS since making his MLB debut in 2021.