MLB Player News

Noel (thumb) will start in right field and bat fifth in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Noel was lifted late in Friday's 10-2 loss to the Cardinals after being struck on the right thumb by a pitch, but he was back in action two days later in the Orioles' 1-0 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday, when he went 1-for-1 while playing two innings at first base. His ability to play the outfield Monday seemingly confirms that the thumb is no longer a concern. Noel is taking part in big-league camp as a non-roster invitee and is on the outside looking in for a spot on the Orioles' Opening Day roster.

The Twins announced Sunday that Adams has been diagnosed with right elbow inflammation and won't resume throwing until at least next weekend, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Adams first experienced soreness in his elbow Friday, with follow-up tests revealing no structural damage but confirming that the right-hander is dealing with inflammation. The 26-year-old had surrendered two earned runs on two hits and two walks over 2.2 innings through his first three Grapefruit League outings, and his poor numbers coupled with the elbow issue could be enough to keep him from winning a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen.

The Guardians optioned Watson to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Watson impressed at the plate this spring in going 6-for-14 with one stolen base and a 2:5 BB:K, but it wasn't enough to put him in play for an Opening Day roster spot. The 22-year-old made a full-time move to the outfield in 2025 and will again handle all three outfield spots at Triple-A Columbus.

The Guardians optioned Genao to minor-league camp Monday, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Genao nabbed a spot on the Guardians' 40-man roster this offseason, but he was always destined to head back to the minors for more seasoning. The 21-year-old infielder was limited by a shoulder injury last season, but he's healthy now and should begin the year back at Double-A Akron.

The Rangers optioned Otanez to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Otanez took himself out of contention for a spot in the Rangers' Opening Day bullpen after yielding four earned runs on four hits and one walk over 2.1 innings across his three Cactus League appearances. The 28-year-old righty will serve as a leverage arm at Round Rock to begin the season while he waits for an opening to re-emerge in the Texas bullpen.

The Rangers optioned Blanco to Triple-A Round Rock after claiming him off waivers from the Royals on Sunday.

The right-handed-hitting Blanco looked like a potential candidate to fill out a short-side platoon role in the Texas outfield, but he won't end up reporting to big-league camp and will instead head to Triple-A to begin the upcoming season. Though Blanco has been a near-league-average hitter over his first four MLB seasons with a 99 wRC+, he fell out of favor with the Royals in 2025, logging just eight plate appearances in the majors while mustering a middling .253/.332/.405 slash line over 77 games at Triple-A Omaha. The Rangers may want to see Blanco show some improvement as a hitter at the Triple-A level before giving him another look in the big leagues.

Casas (knee) conceded Monday that he won't play in any Grapefruit League games, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Casas had hoped to play in some spring training contests before the schedule concluded, but he will run out of time. He has yet to do any baserunning or sliding, and a clearer timetable for his game readiness won't be available until he checks off those boxes. Casas is working his way back from patellar tendon surgery on his left knee, which he underwent back on May 4.

Brown pitched four scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, issuing just two walks while striking out nine.

Brown was nearly untouchable Sunday as he struck out nine of the 11 batters he faced. So far this spring, Brown's allowed just one run over 8.2 innings while racking up 14 strikeouts. The right-hander, who's already been announced as the Astros' Opening Day starter, is expected to anchor Houston's rotation in 2026 after pitching to a 2.43 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 206 strikeouts in 31 starts (185.1 innings) last season.

Pereira (oblique) will start in right field and bat second in Monday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

Pereira will be making his spring debut after he was initially scheduled to play Feb. 20 before being scratched due to right oblique soreness. The outfielder had been able to take part in running and core-strengthening workouts throughout the duration of his absence, but after recently resuming hitting and experiencing no discomfort, he's been given the green light to play in games. Pereira still has a chance to stake his claim to a spot on the White Sox's Opening Day roster, and the fact that he has no minor-league options remaining is a factor that may work in his favor.

Smith went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Nationals.

Smith opened the scoring Sunday with a 440-foot blast off Orlando Ribalta, his first long ball this spring. After going 2-for-13 in his first six Grapefruit League contests, Smith has gone 3-for-6 with a pair of extra-base hits in his last two games. It's certainly a positive sign for the 23-year-old, as he looks to claim a spot on Houston's Opening Day roster.