MLB Player News

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Herz (elbow) is continuing to progress in his throwing program, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Back on Feb. 21, MLB.com reported that Herz had been playing catch at a distance up to 150 feet, but it's unclear if he remains limited to throwing off flat ground or if he's since graduated to throwing off a mound. Regardless, after landing on the 60-day injured list, Herz is slated to miss the first two months of the 2026 campaign -- and likely some additional time beyond that -- while he continues to work his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent April 16, 2025.

The Nationals reassigned Bernabel to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Pushed off the Rockies' 40-man roster in the offseason after posting a .698 OPS in 146 plate appearances with the big club in 2025, Bernabel caught on with the Nationals on a minor-league deal in December. Though Washington is heading into 2026 without an established everyday option at first base, Bernabel apparently didn't make a compelling enough of a case for a spot on the Opening Day roster, despite going 3-for-9 with a walk and no strikeouts over his first five Grapefruit League games. Bernabel should be in line for an everyday role in the corner infield at Triple-A Rochester to begin the season.

The Nationals reassigned Ogasawara to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Ogasawara will earn $2 million in 2026 after signing a two-year deal with the Nationals in January 2025, but the left-hander no longer possesses a spot on the 40-man roster after Washington outrighted him earlier in the offseason. After coming over from Japan last winter, Ogasawara posted a 6.98 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB over 38.2 innings across 23 appearances (two starts) with Washington.

Crews (thumb) will start in center field and bat sixth in Wednesday's exhibition versus Team Venezuela.

Crews injured his left thumb during live batting practice Saturday, but after three days off to let the bruised digit heal, he's made enough progress to rejoin the Nationals' spring lineup. Through his first four Grapefruit League games, the 24-year-old has gone 1-for-9 with a 1:3 BB:K, two runs and one RBI.

Houser took the loss in Tuesday's 15-1 exhibition defeat to Team USA, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three across three innings.

Houser gave up two singles and a double that led to a pair of runs in the first inning, though he settled in over his final two frames, allowing just one walk. The 33-year-old tossed 29 of his 48 pitches for strikes. The veteran right-hander signed a two-year, $22 million pact with San Francisco in December after starting 21 games between the Rays and White Sox last season, during which he recorded a 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 92:38 K:BB while surrendering 10 long balls in 125 innings.

Atlanta optioned Munoz to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Munoz made only one Grapefruit League appearance, walking three of the five batters he faced. Control problems are nothing new for the righty reliever, as Munoz issued five free passes in 3.2 frames with the big club last season and has a career 11.2 percent walk rate in the minors. He'll open 2026 in the Gwinnett bullpen.

Sheehan (illness) is listed among the Dodgers' available relievers for Wednesday's exhibition versus Team Mexico and is expected to make his first appearance of the spring, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers are likely planning for Sheehan to cover an inning or two once starter Tyler Glasnow exits the contest. Sheehan fell ill at the beginning of spring training, but he's seemingly been healthy for a while and has been building up through bullpen sessions and live batting practice sessions. With Blake Snell (shoulder) and Gavin Stone (shoulder) likely headed to the injured list, Sheehan should be in good position to earn a spot in the Dodgers' six-man rotation to begin the season.

Uribe struck out the side during a perfect inning of relief Tuesday in Team Dominican Republic's 12-4 exhibition win over the Tigers.

In his final tune-up outing before the World Baseball Classic, Uribe already looked to be in peak form coming off his breakout 2025 campaign. He pumped in 11 of his 19 pitches for strikes, retiring all of Zach McKinstry, Thayron Liranzo and Jake Rogers on swings and misses while hitting 100.7 miles per hour with his sinker. Uribe looks poised to open the season in a closer committee with Trevor Megill, but given Megill's durability concerns as well as Uribe's exceptional skills, it wouldn't be surprising if Uribe ultimately emerges as Milwaukee's preferred endgame option.

Greene revealed Wednesday that the right elbow soreness which prompted an MRI dates back to his "final 5-6 starts" of last season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Greene said of the elbow soreness last season that "it was a playoff push, so I pushed through it." The hurler noted that he got an injection and "felt fine" during the offseason, but the discomfort returned a week before the start of spring training. Greene made a Cactus League start Feb. 28 and was touched up for four runs on five hits and one walk over one inning of work. The righty is being sent for an MRI, which will be evaluated by team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek before being sent to specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion. Greene said that "I know I have bone spurs" in the elbow, but "as of now, there's no UCL damage." Those comments were made prior to the scheduled MRI, so more will be known about Greene's outlook after he's evaluated by both doctors. At minimum, he will be shut down through at least next Tuesday.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Wednesday that Greene is tending to a right elbow injury and is scheduled to undergo an MRI, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

According to Pat Brennan of The Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds are terming Greene's injury as right elbow stiffness, which presumably cropped up during his Cactus League debut Saturday versus the Brewers or a throwing session earlier this week. The severity of the injury isn't yet known, but Greene told Goldsmith that he hasn't suffered any damage to his UCL. Francona noted that the 26-year-old will be shut down from throwing through at least Tuesday while the Reds plan to first have Greene's MRI evaluated by team physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek before sending the results to arm specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion. Dr. ElAttrache previously performed Tommy John surgery on Greene's elbow back in April 2019.