MLB Player News

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Sunday's spring game against the Rays and is hitting .200 through 13 Grapefruit League contests.

The first baseman hasn't been a strong spring performer throughout his career with a .227 average, so the poor numbers don't necessarily mean much. After being acquired from the Rangers in December, Lowe will bring some stability to first base in Washington after posting a .265/.361/.401 slash line with 16 homers and 69 RBI last year.

The Giants are expected to develop Whisenhunt into a starting pitcher at Triple-A Sacramento this season, though he has the tools to serve as a bullpen option for the club right now, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Whisenhunt allowed one earned run, four hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings during Saturday's 5-5 tie in the Giants' Spring Breakout game against the Rangers. The 24-year-old has an elite changeup, and he worked on implementing a slider into his arsenal during his first full season with Triple-A Sacramento last year. Whisenhunt has yet to make an appearance in the big leagues, and he registered a 5.42 ERA over 25 starts with Sacramento last season, racking up 135 strikeouts over 104.2 innings. The left-handed pitcher could warrant a call-up during the 2025 campaign, especially if injuries arise for the parent club.

Darvish had Sunday's bullpen session and Tuesday's scheduled spring start pushed back due to fatigue, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The severity of the issue is being downplayed, but it's a concerning development late in camp for the 38-year-old. Darvish will be evaluated daily to determine when he'll have his next bullpen session, and his outlook for the start of the season could change significantly if he's unable to throw for more than a few days.

The Cubs optioned Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old didn't make Chicago's travel roster for the season-opening series versus the Dodgers in Japan and has now been officially optioned to Triple-A. Alcantara received a brief cup of coffee in the majors during the final week of the season in 2024, but he split most of the campaign between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa, where he had a .278/.353/.428 slash line with 14 homers and 14 steals in 111 games across the two levels.

Bednar is presumed to begin the season the Pirates' closer, but manager Derek Shelton elected not to officially name the team's closer Sunday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's the second time during spring training that Shelton has made clear a decision at closer has yet to be made, though the skipper also indicated Sunday that he's happy with how Bednar has look during spring training, despite a 14.40 ERA and 6:3 K:BB over five innings. After two consecutive All-Star seasons in 2022 and 2023, the right-hander struggled to a 5.77 ERA in 62 appearances last year and was removed from the closer role down the stretch.

Falter (general soreness) is scheduled to start Monday's split-squad game against the Tigers, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Falter was scratched from his spring start Thursday as a precautionary measure due to general soreness, but he'll be ready to take the mound a few days later. The left-hander will begin the season at the back end of Pittsburgh's rotation after finishing 2024 with a 4.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 97:45 K:BB over 142.1 innings.

Joe is slashing .333/.500/.519 with five doubles, no homers, four RBI and a 7:5 K:BB over 36 plate appearances this spring.

Joe has been particularly hot of late, collecting seven hits over his past 16 at-bats. He seems likely to make the Padres' Opening Day roster given his strong spring and ability to play both in the corner outfield and at first base, though it's not yet clear if he'll have an everyday role or be part of a platoon. Lefty outfielder Jason Heyward has gone just 3-for-22 in Cactus League play, but those stats may not be held against him given his veteran status. Meanwhile, Gavin Sheets has forced his way into serious consideration not just for a roster spot but for a significant role by belting six Cactus League home runs, tied for the top mark among all players this spring.

Marsh was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles due to a left knee bruise, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Marsh sustained the injury during the opening frame of Sunday's contest when he fell on the warning track, and Philadelphia has labeled his exit as precautionary. The 27-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury and should be considered day-to-day.

Kepler was diagnosed with a lower-back contusion after being removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 32-year-old suffered the injury when he collided with the wall in left field while making a catch, with the Phillies labeling his exit as a precautionary move. Assuming the injury doesn't linger, Kepler could be back in the lineup after taking a couple days to recover.

Manager Bud Black announced Sunday that Freeland will start Opening Day against the Rays on March 28, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The left-hander is one of Colorado's longest-tenured players and will take the mound in the season opener after posting a 5.24 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 85:26 K:BB across 113.1 innings last year. Freeland has pitched well in spring training with three earned runs allowed and an 11:1 K:BB over 9.2 frames.