MLB Player News

Hernandez gave up a hit and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out four in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

While Alec Bohm was the only likely Opening Day starter in the Philadelphia lineup, Hernandez carved up the bench players and minor leaguers he did get to face. The right-hander was still a little erratic, however -- he plunked one batter and also uncorked a wild pitch. Atlanta is hoping Hernandez can emerge as a high-leverage option this season, but he'll need to sharpen his control to take that next step after posting a 32:13 K:BB through his first 21.2 big-league innings.

Ozuna went 1-for-2 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The veteran slugger took Kyle Tyler deep in the fifth inning, giving Ozuna his third long ball of the spring. While his .229 batting average (8-for-35) in Grapefruit League play isn't impressive, Ozuna seems to have his timing down at the plate -- five of those hits have gone for extra bases, and he sports a sharp 4:4 BB:K.

Profar went 2-for-4 with a double in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Seeing his first Grapefruit League action since March 8 after recovering from a wrist injury, Profar slotted immediately back into the leadoff spot and wasted no time showing he was healthy by rapping a first-inning two-bagger off Nabil Crismatt. After a breakout 2024 campaign with the Padres, the switch-hitting Profar signed a three-year contract with Atlanta over the winter and should slot in atop a potent batting order for at least the early part of the season, until Ronald Acuna (knee) is ready to rejoin the lineup.

Smith-Shawver was bumped from his Grapefruit League start Thursday and will pitch instead against the Rays on Friday, a move that suggests he's being put on schedule to start March 31 against the Dodgers, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta begins the regular season with seven straight games before getting a day off, and with the workloads for Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez both under scrutiny, it seems likely the team will use a six-man rotation during that stretch. Smith-Shawver has been battling Ian Anderson for the fifth starter job, so the fact that he might work game No. 5 could be a sign he's in the lead for that assignment, although the battle looks like it will extend into the regular season. The 22-year-old top prospect has also been more effective than Anderson this spring -- Smith-Shawver has a dazzling 18:3 K:BB through 12 innings without allowing a homer, while Anderson has issued a ghastly 18 walks against only eight strikeouts in 17 Grapefruit League frames. Whoever winds up filling the last spot in the rotation once it's trimmed down to five may only be keeping it warm for Spencer Strider (elbow), who is targeting an April debut in 2025.

Marte is making his first start in the outfield this spring Friday, handling right field in the Mets' game versus the Cardinals, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Marte's first six contests this spring all came at designated hitter as he eased into things following his recovery from a bone bruise in his right knee, but he's now ready to roam the outfield. The 36-year-old is expected to serve in a short-side platoon role at designated hitter this season but should see the occasional start in the outfield, as well.

Gorman is not in either of the Cardinals' split-squad lineups Friday due to illness, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Gorman will hope to return to action over the weekend before the Grapefruit League schedule runs out. The 24-year-old has had a rough spring, putting up a .585 OPS and 12:3 K:BB over 17 games. Even with his lackluster Grapefruit League showing, Gorman is expected to see regular starts against right-handed pitching this season.

Fermin has made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster as a utility player, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

He beat out Jose Barrero for a spot on the St. Louis bench. Fermin put up a .924 OPS last season at Triple-A Memphis, but the 26-year-old has failed to find success so far at the major-league level, collecting just a .504 OPS in 140 plate appearances.

Siani (illness) is starting in center field and batting leadoff in Friday's split-squad game against the Mets, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

The outfielder has been battling an illness this week but is ready to return to spring action Friday. Siani is competing with Victor Scott for the starting job in center field, and both players will get a start at the position in separate split-squad games. Siani has gone 4-for-40 through 13 appearances in spring training, while Scott has torn the cover off the ball with a 1.133 OPS.

Ashcraft walked one and struck out two over three scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.

Ashcraft was sharp in his first outing since losing out on the fifth spot in the rotation. He went 1-2-3 against the top of the Royals order in the fifth inning then added a scoreless sixth (walk, double play) and seventh, facing the minimum number of batters. Earlier in the day, manager Terry Francona decided on Carson Spiers over Ashcraft for the final rotation spot while Andrew Abbott (shoulder) will build up in extended spring training and eventually replace Spiers.

Winn (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff in Friday's split-squad game against the Astros, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Winn has been sidelined the past few days due to wrist soreness, but he'll return to the lineup Friday on his 23rd birthday. He has a .098/.156/.098 slash line through 45 plate appearances in spring training but is expected to begin the campaign as St. Louis' leadoff man after posting a .730 OPS as a rookie last year.