MLB Player News

Garrett seems locked into a spot on the Opening Day roster, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report.

The 32-year-old right-hander is coming off a breakout campaign in 2024, and Garrett has picked up where he left off this spring with a 0.00 ERA and 9:1 K:BB through six Grapefruit League innings. He racked up 14 holds in 53 appearances last season and stands a good chance of topping that number in 2025 as part of the setup crew for Edwin Diaz.

Young will likely win a spot on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic report.

The 30-year-old would provide the Mets' bullpen with a second lefty behind A.J. Minter, who still isn't guaranteed to avoid a brief IL stint to begin the year after undergoing hip surgery last August. Young has a 3:0 K:BB over three Grapefruit League innings this spring, and after posting a 4.54 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB over 37.2 regular-season innings in 2024, he'll likely be ticketed for a low-leverage role.

Hoener (forearm) is starting at second base and batting second in Friday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

The 27-year-old missed the Cubs' season-opening series versus the Dodgers in Tokyo this week while continuing to rehab from October flexor tendon surgery, but he still appears to have a chance of being available for the domestic opener in Arizona on Thursday. However, with the resumption of Chicago's schedule less than a week away, the organization may want to give Hoerner a bit more time to rack up game reps. Regardless, the second baseman's spring debut is a major step toward full clearance, and it doesn't appear Hoerner will miss much more of the regular season.

The Giants optioned Meckler to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Meckler comes up short in his bid to win a reserve outfielder job. The 24-year-old will play regularly at Sacramento while waiting for another opportunity in the majors.

The Giants optioned Beck to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Beck was competing for a spot in the Giants' bullpen. He's mostly been used as a starter in the minors and could stay stretched out while at Sacramento.

Simpson walked one and struck out five over 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 27-year-old southpaw lost his spot on the 40-man roster during the offseason, but Simpson's performance in camp -- plus the Marlins' lack of established relief options from the left side -- has put him back on the radar. Simpson has a 12:4 K:BB through 9.1 Grapefruit League innings, and he's out-pitched Anthony Veneziano, who has an 8:7 K:BB in 9.2 spring frames. If Simpson does break camp on the 26-man roster, he may work in long relief behind an injury-ravaged rotation.

Tinoco gave up four runs on four hits, including two home runs, in one inning during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out one.

The 29-year-old right-hander is projected to split closing duties with Calvin Faucher to begin the season, but Tinoco did himself no favors with Thursday's outing as the long balls didn't exactly come against Houston's most dangerous bats -- Jake Meyers and Zack Short did the honors in the seventh inning. Tinoco has a rough 9.72 ERA and 7:5 K:BB through 8.1 Grapefruit League innings, but Faucher hasn't been much better this spring with an 8.10 ERA and 6:4 K:BB through 6.2 frames. The Marlins' closing picture could remain muddled well into the summer.

Meyer threw a simulated game on a back field Thursday as the Marlins prepare him for a role in the Opening Day rotation, Chuck King of MLB.com reports. "Max has been terrific," manager Clayton McCullough said. "He's in a great spot... It's just a chance to do it in a more controlled-type setting."

The young right-hander came into camp simply trying to win a rotation job, but since then Braxton Garrett (elbow), Edward Cabrera (finger) and Ryan Weathers (forearm) have all broken down, potentially positioning Meyer to start the second game of the season for the Marlins on March 28 against the Pirates. Meyer, the third overall pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, has yet to put things together in the majors, posting a 5.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 52:21 K:BB in 63 IP, but he's looked good this spring with an 8:2 K:BB and zero homers allowed in nine Grapefruit League innings.

Alcantara is expected to build up to 80-to-90 pitches while pitching in a minor-league game Friday, Chuck King of MLB.com reports.

It should be Alcantara's last outing of the spring before he takes mound for the Marlins on Opening Day. The right-hander has been impressive in camp in his return from Tommy John surgery, posting a 0.00 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 12.1 Grapefruit League innings, and if he shows he's back to something close to his Cy Young form, it might serve to increase the trade package Miami can get for him this summer.

Lee (back) will resume baseball activities Saturday and hopes to play in Sunday's exhibition game versus the Athletics, John Shea of The San Francisco Standard reports.

Lee hasn't played in more than a week due to a sore back but remains optimistic he'll be ready for Opening Day. It's not a given though, as the outfielder noted he will not rush things just to be available March 27. If Lee isn't ready for the start of the regular season, Grant McCray and Luis Matos are expected to handle center field duties.