MLB Player News

Graveman (back) threw his first live batting practice session of the spring Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Graveman was signed to a major-league deal after camp opened but then missed time with back tightness. The Diamondbacks believe he has enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Montgomery's next spring outing will come on a back field at camp Thursday instead of in a Cactus League game, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Montgomery was shelled in his spring debut last Saturday, recording just one out while allowing five earned runs. The Diamondbacks have indicated that the poor showing didn't factor into the decision to have him bypass pitching in a second Cactus League game. Instead, the team sees potential rain in the forecast for Thursday, and it wants to ensure Montgomery gets his work in during the day. The left-hander needs the work due to a finger injury early in camp that left him behind other candidates for the rotation.

Sheets went 3-for-3 with a pair of home runs and three total RBI in Tuesday's Cactus League win over the White Sox.

Sheets' first home run was a 417-foot solo shot to center field in the fifth inning. He then came up with the score tied in the ninth and blasted a walk-off two-run homer to right-center field. Sheets has been sizzling of late, going deep in four straight games with five long balls during that span. The hot spring stretch has significantly increased his likelihood of making the Opening Day roster, though several of the players he's competing with for one of the Padres' bench spots -- including Eguy Rosario, Tirso Ornelas and Brandon Lockridge -- have also played well this spring.

Cease completed 3.2 innings against the White Sox in a Cactus League game Tuesday, allowing four runs on four hits and one walk while striking out four batters.

In his third start this spring, Cease retired the side in order in three of the four frames in which he pitched. However, the right-hander's line was marred by a poor second inning during which Chicago racked up four hits -- including two doubles -- and a walk to push four runs across the plate. Cease was lifted with two outs in the frame, but under spring-training rules he was allowed to return to the game in the following inning. Cease worked up to 64 pitches in the start, and he appears to be progressing well toward the regular season.

Muncy went 1-for-1 with a double, two RBI and two walks against the Guardians in a Cactus League victory Tuesday.

Muncy's first-inning double was just his second extra-base hit of the spring. However, he's tied for third on the team with six RBI and ranks second with eight walks. Muncy has posted a walk rate of at least 15 percent in six of his seven seasons with the Dodgers and has belted 30-plus homers four times during that span, making him a particularly valuable third-base option in fantasy leagues that use OBP rather than batting average.

Edman went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run, an additional RBI and a walk in Tuesday's Cactus League win over Cleveland.

Edman kicked off the scoring in the contest with a two-run shot in the first inning and later plated another run with a bases-loaded walk. He started at second base, which is likely where he'll slot in at the beginning of the campaign while Hyeseong Kim works on his hitting in the minors. Edman is expected to eventually move out to center field, so he should be a consistent presence in the Dodgers' lineup throughout the campaign.

Halvorsen allowed five earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one across two-thirds of an inning in Monday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Halvorsen entered the game in the eighth inning and was tasked with protecting a one-run lead. He served up a leadoff homer and proceeded to allow two walks and two extra-base hits. Halvorsen is in the mix for saves and had previously allowed only one earned run across five innings while maintaining a 4:2 K:BB, and it's unclear how this poor outing may affect his role to begin the regular season.

Vodnik pitched a scoreless seventh inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Vodnik allowed two earned runs in his prior outing Saturday, so this was a needed bounce-back performance. That inconsistency is a microcosm of his entire spring, however, as he's allowed three earned runs across five innings -- albeit with a 5:1 K:BB. Vodnik is a candidate to earn the closer role in Colorado, though Tyler Kinley has had a more impressive spring.

Woodruff (shoulder) will pitch in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff was able to pitch in a minor-league game Tuesday -- his first taste of game action since undergoing surgery on his shoulder in October 2023. He touched 94 mph with his fastball and left his outing feeling encouraged despite giving up three runs in just two-thirds of an inning. Sticking true to a traditional four-day rest schedule, he's set to last at least one inning against the Guardians on Sunday. He'll then gradually build up his workload during the remainder of the Brewers' Cactus League schedule followed by a rehab assignment at one of Milwaukee's minor-league affiliates.

Beck is being pushed for a roster spot by Nick Martini, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Beck was a projected regular between right field and DH entering spring training. However, he's hitting just .212 with 13 strikeouts across 33 at-bats in Cactus League action. That could be enough to convince the team that Beck needs more seasoning in the minors, though Harding still projects that the young outfielder will make the team with a starting role to begin the regular season.