MLB Player News

Lile appears to be the likely Opening Day starter in right field for the Nationals, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

With Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell both beginning the year at Triple-A, Lile is effectively the last man standing in right, with James Wood in left field and Jacob Young in center. Lile is coming off a surprising rookie season in 2025 in which he slashed .299/.347/.498 over 91 games with nine homers and eight steals, a performance which carries a little more weight than his .213/.240/.447 slash line over 16 games this spring.

House slashed .429/.444/.786 over 16 Grapefruit League games this spring with six doubles and three home runs.

The 22-year-old third baseman also had a 1:11 BB:K, however, creating plenty of doubt as to whether House will be able to maintain that momentum into the regular season. He's locked into the starting job at the hot corner, but he'll need to significantly improve his plate discipline to get to his power after he managed just a 2.9 percent walk rate against a 28.5 percent strikeout rate as a rookie in 2025.

Ruiz will be the Nationals' starting catcher to begin the season, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

The 27-year-old switch hitter could get pushed by prospect Harry Ford later in the year, but at least to begin the campaign, Ford will be at Triple-A. Ruiz has seen his offense decline significantly since a career-best 2023 in which he posted 18 homers and a .717 OPS over 136 games, and if he isn't able to rebound, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him lose his starting job over the summer. Ruiz has managed just a .184/.295/.289 slash line in 16 spring games, albeit with a 5:5 BB:K.

Defrank has regularly hit 100 mph with his fastball this spring while showing a potentially plus changeup and the makings of a quality slider or sweeper, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

Still only 17 years old, Defrank has also impressed Marlins brass with his makeup and maturity. "I would say what excites me the most is how much he grew last year and how much I think we're going to see him grow again this year because of his discipline, his work ethic, and just the physicality that he gained," director of player development Rachel Balkovec said. "I think he's exploded onto the map." Given DeFrank's age, Miami will treat the right-hander with kid gloves in 2026 after he threw 31 innings in the Dominican Summer League last year, but he'll climb prospect lists quickly if he stays healthy and continues to refine his control and his arsenal.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recommitted to Sasaki as a member of the team's rotation after another poor outing from the pitcher Monday against the Angels, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sasaki was pulled in the first inning Monday before recording an out, as he hit a batter and walked in two runs while throwing 30 pitches. He re-entered the game in the second inning and wound up covering two-plus frames, getting charged with five runs on six walks and two hit-by-pitches. Sasaki finished the Cactus League with a 15.58 ERA and 12:15 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Despite the struggles, Sasaki remains lined up to start Monday versus the Guardians. Roberts will be forced to have a short leash with Sasaki, however. Justin Wrobleski is set to open the season in a hybrid role and is expected to be available to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen after Sasaki, if needed.

Lopez's velocity returned in a bullpen session Tuesday following a mechanical adjustment, Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lopez pointed to mechanical problems as the reason he averaged just 89.2 mph with his four-seamer in his final Grapefruit League start against the Twins. It appears he's fixed the issue and regained some pep on the fastball, though it's unclear just how much harder Lopez was throwing in Tuesday's bullpen session. The righty averaged 95.5 mph with his four-seamer during his last full season in 2024, and it would be a big ask for him to get back to that level after shoulder surgery. Lopez is scheduled to make his season debut Saturday against the Royals, and fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his radar-gun readings in that outing.

Dubon went 1-for-3 in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Getting the start at shortstop and batting ninth, Dubon slapped a single to right field to lead off the third inning. The veteran utility player has looked comfortable during his first spring in an Atlanta uniform, slashing .302/.348/.465 over 16 Grapefruit League games with four doubles, a homer and a steal, and he'll begin the year as the starting shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim completes his recovery from January surgery to repair a torn tendon in his finger.

Payamps gave up a hit over two scoreless innings of relief in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander has had a strong spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. Payamps fell apart in 2025 for the Brewers before getting waived late in the season and winding up in Atlanta, but over the two prior seasons he'd recorded a 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 in 129.2 innings. He'll try to regain that form while beginning the 2026 campaign in a middle-relief role for Atlanta.

Olson went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The slugging first baseman took Carson Fulmer deep in the first inning before clobbering a Mike Clevinger fastball in the sixth. Olson appears more than ready for Opening Day, slashing .333/.373/.750 in 16 spring games with six homers.

Del Castillo (calf) will begin the season on the injured list, MLB.com reports.

Del Castillo reported to Diamondbacks camp with a left calf injury and didn't play in any Cactus League games, so it's not a surprise he's destined for the IL. It's unclear how far along he is in his rehab or how much time he might miss. Once healthy, Del Castillo could be assigned to Triple-A Reno.