MLB Player News

Lux started at third base and went 1-for-2 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against Seattle.

Lux got the Reds on the board in the second inning. He doubled, stole third base and went home after an errant throw. Lux is not known as a prolific base stealer, but he's been successful on all three attempts over 14 games this spring. He's moved around the diamond during the Cactus League, including time in the outfield, but Lux could hold down a regular gig at third base in the regular season.

Nimmo (knee) will start in left field and will bat second in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Nimmo made his spring debut in left field back on Feb. 28, but after experiencing right knee soreness coming out of that contest, he was held out of action for nearly two weeks before returning to the lineup as a designated hitter Thursday. He made another start at DH on Saturday, and with Nimmo having thus far experienced no setbacks with his knee, the Mets appear to be comfortable with testing him out in left field again. The Mets could still look to manage Nimmo's workload in the outfield early on during the season, but the fact that he's available to play defense again in Grapefruit League play suggests that he's in line to make the Opening Day roster.

Singer allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Mariners.

Singer did not allow a run over the first four innings before being nicked for a home run to lead off the fifth frame. A couple more batters reached base following the homer, and the right-hander was pulled after working his pitch count to 78 in his fourth spring outing. Singer's had a strong Cactus League, recording a 2.25 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 12 innings.

Atlanta announced Monday that Sale will be its Opening Day starter March 27 in San Diego.

If there was any doubt the reigning National League Cy Young winner would be taking the ball for the opener, the club has now removed it. Sale has followed up his Cy Young-winning campaign with a nice spring, posting a 3.52 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 15.1 frames.

Carroll went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's spring game against the Padres.

The blast was the fourth of the spring for Carroll, who is having a monster Cactus League. The outfielder is slashing .370/.433/1.285 with five extra-base hits, nine RBI and two steals through 10 games. Given his productive finish to the second half of the 2024 regular season which has continued into spring training, Carroll's first-half slump of 2024 is looking like an aberration.

Hampson started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and two RBI in Sunday's spring game against San Diego.

Hampson remains in the mix for the final rotation spot along with Ildemaro Vargas and Jordan Lawlar. The Diamondbacks likely want a utility player, which precludes Lawlar, who doesn't offer much position versatility at this point. Plus, it's unlikely the organization wants the prospect sitting on a bench in the majors. That leaves Hampson (.738 OPS, two steals, seven RBI, 13 spring games) and Vargas (.971 OPS, five extra-base hits, seven RBI, 15 games) as the most likely competitors for the 26th spot on the roster.

Pfaadt allowed two hits and struck out seven over five scoreless innings in Sunday's spring start against the Padres.

Pfaadt was impressive in his fourth Cactus League start against a legit regular season San Diego batting order. After giving up a leadoff single in the first, Pfaadt set down the next 12 batters in order before a harmless leadoff single in the fifth -- the runner was eliminated on a double play. The right-hander threw 57 pitches (43 strikes) and left a good impression on manager Torey Lovullo, who has yet to settle on a No. 5 starter. The manager is mulling Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Jordan Montgomery for the final rotation spot.

Cease pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in a Cactus League start against the Angels on Sunday, allowing three hits and issuing three walks while striking out eight batters.

Cease looked great in his fourth start this spring, and he was able to push his pitch count to 78. The right-hander has had an up-and-down spring, but he's been fine overall with a 4.61 ERA and 17:6 K:BB over 13.2 frames. The Padres are expected to name their Opening Day starter Monday, per Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan, and it would be a mild surprise if Cease's name isn't called for the assignment.

Campusano hit a three-run home run in his only at-bat during Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Diamondbacks.

Campusano didn't start the game, but he entered as a defensive replacement at catcher in the seventh inning. The 26-year-old then made the most of his lone plate appearance, smashing a three-run homer to left field in the eighth frame. It was a much-needed big hit for Campusano, who entered Sunday having gone just 3-for-21 this spring. He's competing with Elias Diaz to be San Diego's primary catcher to open the campaign, and Diaz has also struggled at the dish in Cactus League play with a 3-for-22 line. With that in mind, Campusano could turn the competition in his favor if he's able to build upon Sunday's performance during what's left of spring training.

Hart pitched three innings in a Cactus League contest against Arizona on Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out three batters.

Though this was Hart's second start this spring, it's the first one that officially counted, as his previous outing ended after two frames in a game that was ultimately called due to rain. The southpaw wasn't exactly sharp Sunday against the Diamondbacks, but he did allow the Padres a longer look at him by throwing 59 pitches. Hart averaged just 91.1 mph on his fastball, but that's in line with where his velocity has been throughout his professional career. Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union Tribune has speculated that San Diego may not have seen enough of Hart this spring to make him part of the Opening Day rotation, though Acee remarked following the hurler's outing Sunday that Hart could still be a "viable candidate" if he's able to push up his pitch count in his remaining spring appearances. Even if Hart does ramp up enough during what's left of spring play, he's not guaranteed to earn a starting role, as the Padres are also considering Stephen Kolek and Randy Vasquez for their final rotation spot.