MLB Player News

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said that deGrom threw a 30-pitch side session and will make a Cactus League start "really soon," Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

DeGrom reported to spring training at full health, but the Rangers are deliberately easing the 37-year-old righty into their Cactus League pitching schedule. Schumaker noted that deGrom has been building up through bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions on the back fields of camp, which has allowed the two-time Cy Young Award winner to stay on pace with the Rangers' other rotation candidates during his spring throwing progression. The skipper expects deGrom to make 3-to-4 appearances in games before the end of camp, which should put deGrom in line to make a start during the Rangers' first series of the season in Philadelphia at the end of the month.

Ober's fastball velocity sat around 90-91 mph during his live batting practice session Sunday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander saw his average velocity tick down to a career-low 90.3 mph while managing hip problems last season, so it's encouraging that he's already at or above that level early in spring training. Ober struggled to a 5.10 ERA in 27 starts last year, but his 3.66 ERA across the three prior campaigns makes him a decent candidate to bounce back in 2026, assuming he can stay healthy.

Oviedo (illness) is scheduled to start Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The right-hander was sent home from camp Thursday due to an illness, but he's ready to make his second start of spring training Monday. Oviedo allowed a run on three walks and a hit over 1.2 frames during his spring debut last week.

Jenkins was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain after undergoing an MRI on Sunday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The Twins' top prospect suffered the injury Saturday when attempting to beat out a double play. Jenkins is without an official timeline for his return, but the injury could affect his availability for the start of the Triple-A season. The 21-year-old received a taste of the Triple-A level late last year and has a decent chance of making his MLB debut at some point in 2026.

Soriano won't start Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Mariners as scheduled due to an illness, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The right-hander has surrendered seven earned runs across 3.2 frames in his first two outings of spring training, and his third appearance will be pushed back due to an ailment. Soriano shouldn't miss much time and could slot back into the pitching schedule later in the week.

Church (lat) is slated to throw live bullpen sessions Tuesday and Friday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Church is working his way back from a teres major strain and could be cleared for game action by early next week if he responds well to his upcoming live sessions. The 24-year-old righty has made just six career appearances in the majors, but he boasts one of the more electric arms in the organization and could be a factor in the late innings for the Rangers later in 2026 if he can stay healthy and keep the free passes in check.

Higashioka (back) will start at catcher and bat third in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.

The veteran backstop had been out of the spring lineup for the past four days due to a back issue but appears to be good to go moving forward. Heading into his second season in Texas, Higashioka is likely to be part of a timeshare with Danny Jansen behind the dish.

Arias was scratched from Sunday's split-squad lineup against the Diamondbacks due to lower-back spasms, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Arias was penciled in to start at shortstop and bat cleanup, but he'll instead get some time to rest. The 26-year-old has gone 2-for-9 with a double and five strikeouts through his first four spring training games and is expected to open the campaign as Cleveland's primary shortstop.

Mogollon (undisclosed) made his Cactus League debut Friday in the White Sox's 5-2 loss to the Brewers, going 0-for-1 while playing three innings at second base.

The 20-year-old infielder didn't play after June 29 last season due to an unspecified injury, but he looks to have moved past that issue. Mogollon is expected to open 2026 at either High-A Winston-Salem or Single-A Kannapolis.

Estevez's fastball has averaged just 89 mph in his first two appearances of spring training.

A pitcher showing reduced velocity early in camp is hardly unique, but the fact that Estevez's fastball is down nearly seven mph from his 2025 average is a little worrisome. The right-hander led MLB with a career-high 42 saves in 2025 while finishing with a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 54:22 K:BB across 67 outings. There's been no indication of an injury to this point, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on Estevez's velocity as he continues to build up during spring training. Lucas Erceg would likely be the next man up for Kansas City in the ninth inning, should Estevez's effectiveness take a big step backwards.