MLB Player News

India (groin) is back in action at the top of the Royals order for Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

India was removed from Friday's Cactus League game versus the Diamondbacks due to right groin tightness. He then received a few days off to rest as a precautionary measure. There was not much concern for the second baseman's injury, as it was more a plan to ensure he will be available for Opening Day.

Ober allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out none during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. According to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic, the right-hander averaged 88.2 mph with his fastball and generated just three swinging strikes.

Ober has surrendered just two runs across 8.2 frames in his three Grapefruit League appearances, but he has only three strikeouts and has seen his fastball velocity decrease in each spring outing, with him not cracking 90 mph even once Tuesday. The 30-year-old's average fastball in 2025 was a career-low 90.3 mph, and he had the worst season of his career with a 5.10 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 27 starts. Ober doesn't have much time to right the ship with Opening Day a little more than a week away.

The Rays optioned Melton to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Acquired from the Astros in a three-team trade over the winter, Melton was pushing for the fourth outfielder job with the Rays but will instead start the season at Triple-A. The 25-year-old Melton made his MLB debut last season with Houston and posted a .419 OPS with one extra-base hit, seven RBI, seven runs scored, seven stolen bases and a 6:29 BB:K across 78 trips to the plate.

The Rays optioned Williams to Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Williams was competing with Taylor Walls at shortstop with the Rays, but instead Williams will begin the season at Triple-A. The 22-year-old got his first taste of the big leagues last season and posted a .573 OPS with five home runs, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, two stolen bases and an ugly 6:44 BB:K across 106 plate appearances. Williams should be back in the majors at some point in 2026.

Neto (wrist) will play in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 25-year-old sustained a left wrist sprain on a slide into home plate Saturday and was initially expected to play in a minor-league game Tuesday, but the Angels instead decided to push his return to Wednesday. Neto has been feeling good in his workouts, however, and was able to convince the club to let him play in Tuesday's Cactus League contest. He totaled 26 home runs and 26 steals with a career-best .793 OPS in 128 games last season.

The Angels announced Tuesday that Soriano will start Los Angeles' March 26 season opener against the Astros in Houston.

It will be Soriano's first career nod on Opening Day. The 27-year-old made 31 starts for the Halos last season, turning in a 10-11 record, 4.26 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 152:78 K:BB across 169 innings. Soriano has been knocked around a bit this spring, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits and three walks across 8.2 frames, while striking out 10 of the 38 batters he's faced.

The White Sox optioned Cannon to Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Cannon was competing for one of Chicago's final rotation spots, but he'll instead open the season in the minors, as Erick Fedde appears poised to begin the campaign with the White Sox. The 25-year-old Cannon made 17 starts for the White Sox last season and appeared in 22 total regular-season games, producing a 5.82 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 86:38 K:BB across 103.2 innings.

Vasil (elbow) will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery in the coming weeks, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Vasil was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game with right elbow soreness, and he'll now miss the entirety of the 2026 campaign. It's a big blow to the Chicago bullpen after Vasil pitched in 47 games for the White Sox last season, turning in a 2.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 82:52 K:BB across 101 innings as a multi-inning bulk reliever.

Jobe (elbow) is scheduled to play catch out to 120 feet three times this week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Jobe continues to slowly ramp up his throwing program, as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery. There's a chance Jobe could pitch toward the end of the 2026 season, but it also wouldn't be surprising to see the Tigers keep Jobe shelved until spring training next year.

Effross (oblique) started a throwing program this week, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Effross was shut down from throwing earlier this month after being diagnosed with a strained left oblique. Once healthy, he's expected to open the season with Triple-A Toledo. The 32-year-old right-hander pitched in 11 regular-season games out of the Yankees' bullpen last season, logging an 8.44 ERA.