MLB Player News

Soriano allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two batters over two-thirds of an inning in a Cactus League contest against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Soriano was tabbed to start the Angels' first game of the spring slate after ending last season on the injured list due to a right forearm contusion. The 27-year-old struggled against a Dodgers lineup that featured just a few of its anticipated starters, though all three of the hits he allowed were singles. Soriano is penciled into the Angels' rotation, so he'll look to shake off this outing and prepare for the regular season during the remainder of his spring appearances.

Klein will be built up as a starter this spring, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Klein was used as a starter and reliever in the minors last season with a strong 10.8 K/9 which could make him a candidate for the major-league bullpen at some point. He had a good season at Double-A Wichita with a 3.12 ERA and 95:24 K:BB in 80.2 innings, but he struggled when called up to Triple-A with a 6.66 ERA and 33:13 K:BB in 25.2 innings.

Raya, who was moved to the bullpen late last season, will be used as a reliever going forward, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports. Raya struck out three batters in one inning against the University of Minnesota in an exhibition Friday in his spring debut.

Raya had a 22.6 percent strikeout rate last season at Triple-A, but a 12.6 percent walk rate helped result in a 6.02 ERA. If Raya can reduce his walks at Triple-A, he could be a candidate for the major-league bullpen this summer.

Festa (shoulder) threw live at-bats against hitters Saturday and was sitting at 91-92 mph with his fastball, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Festa had a compressed nerve near his pitching shoulder last season and is working his way back to full strength. He still has a chance to win a rotation spot this spring despite being eased back into action. Saturday's session is a sign he's making progress as he had previously only been throwing bullpen sessions.

Clarke (hip) started at designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the White Sox.

Clarke made his spring debut Saturday in an uneventful outing, serving as the designated hitter and going hitless. The superb defender was limited to 47 regular-season games as a rookie in 2025 due to a nagging right adductor strain that sidelined him from MLB action beyond July 20. In 159 big-league plate appearances, he slashed .230/.274/.372 with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, eight RBI and six stolen bases. While the offensive production was modest, Clarke's elite defense should position him as the Athletics' regular center fielder in 2026, health permitting.

Perkins (shoulder) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks across two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the White Sox. He struck out one.

Perkins wasn't at his sharpest in his spring debut, surrendering a leadoff double to Chase Meidroth and a two-out, two-RBI double to Edgar Quero before being lifted prior to completing the first inning. While the results weren't ideal, the right-hander getting back on the mound in game action is a positive development after he finished the 2025 season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. Perkins will look to earn a spot in the starting rotation this spring, though he worked out of the bullpen in eight of his 12 big-league appearances last season.

Bergert (elbow) allowed a hit and a walk with no strikeouts across one scoreless inning in Saturday's Cactus League loss to San Diego.

Bergert made his spring debut Saturday, allowing a leadoff double and a two-out walk before retiring the side without damage in his lone inning of work. The right-hander showed promise as a rookie in 2025 before finishing the season on the injured list due to a right elbow strain, posting a 3.66 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 19 appearances (15 starts) between San Diego and Kansas City. Bergert will compete for a spot in the Royals' deep rotation, with Noah Cameron, Stephen Kolek and Bailey Falter also in the mix.

Judge went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in Saturdays' 20-3 Grapefruit League rout of Detroit.

Judge didn't play Friday in New York's spring opener, but he started in right field and batted second Saturday. The reigning AL MVP wasted little time reminding everyone of his prodigious power, crushing a pair of two-run homers that traveled a combined 815 feet. Judge had a quiet spring last season, and he didn't go deep until late in the exhibition slate, but he nonetheless managed to post a 1.145 OPS with 53 home runs and 114 RBI over 679 plate appearances during the regular season.

Ryan will undergo an MRI on his lower back Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Ryan was originally scheduled to start the Twins' Grapefruit League opener against Boston on Saturday, but lower-back tightness caused him to be scratched shortly before the game. The Twins will now bring him in for imaging to confirm whether he's dealing with any structural damage, and more information on his condition will likely come Sunday.

Samaniego didn't pitch as scheduled in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins due to back tightness, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Manager Alex Cora said after the game that Samaniego's injury isn't too serious, and he should be able to get into a game within the next few days. The 27-year-old lefty posted a 3.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 26.1 innings with the Pirates' Double-A affiliate last year before being shipped to Boston in the offseason. He will most likely report to Triple-A Worcester to begin the regular season and could be a candidate to debut in the big leagues at some point this year.