MLB Player News

Soroka allowed three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one over 1.2 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Guardians.

Soroka was on the bump for the second time in the Cactus League and lamented to Jose M. Romero of the Arizona Republic that he was trying to be too perfect with his pitches. That is evidenced by the 25 balls he through among his 47 pitches. This was Soroka's final outing before leaving camp for the World Baseball Classic, where the right-hander will participate for Team Canada. His eventual role for Arizona -- starter or reliever -- depends on the health of Merrill Kelly (back).

Carroll (hand) said Sunday that he's been able to reusme swinging a bat with both hands, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Carroll has taken small steps since undergoing surgery Feb. 11 on his right hand. He had previously been swinging only with the left hand, but he has now moved to a two-handed swing. He also shagged fly balls with his hand feeling good enough to catch the ball. Carroll won't play for Team USA during the upcoming World Baseball Classic but remains optimistic he'll be ready to go by Opening Day.

Ginkel allowed two hits and struck out two over a scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland.

Ginkel made his spring debut in the fourth inning, when some projected members of the Guardians' Opening Day roster were in the game. He was one of the names mentioned by Arizona manager Torey Lovullo as a potential closer. Along with Ginkel, the manager mentioned Paul Sewald and Ryan Thompson, who pitched the third inning of Sunday's game.

Thompson struck out one over a hitless and scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland.

This was the second Cactus League appearance for the side-arming Thompson, who is in the mix to pick up save opportunities for the Diamondbacks. He entered Sunday's game in the third inning -- just like his first outing Feb. 26 -- when the opponent's regulars were still in the game. Thompson was immediately followed by Kevin Ginkel, another reliever that could get save chances. Arizona's closer situation is not resolved and could be a committee solution to start the regular season.

Waldschmidt went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's spring game against the Guardians.

Waldschmidt replaced Alek Thomas in the fourth inning -- playing both left and center field -- and helped engineer an Arizona comeback. The weakest of his three hits registered an exit velocity of 106.9 mph. The prospect is 6-for-19 with three doubles, one homer, five RBI and six runs scored over six Cactus League appearances. He's a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, but Waldschmidt should be a lineup regular in the weeks to come, as Thomas heads to the World Baseball Classic to participate for Team Mexico.

Barco allowed no hits and walked two while striking out three across three scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

This marked Barco's first start of the spring and second appearance of the exhibition season. He's completed 4.1 innings without allowing an earned run while striking out six, though he's also walked five. Barco is likely on the outside looking in for a rotation spot to begin the regular season due to the signing of Jose Urquidy, but he should have a chance to make an impact at some point in 2026.

Painter threw two clean innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out one.

Painter's spring debut went swimmingly -- he fired 14 of his 20 pitches for strikes and his four-seam fastball reached 97 mph on six occasions. With Zack Wheeler (shoulder) expected to start the new campaign on the injured list, the Phillies have an eye toward including Painter in the Opening Day rotation, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. While he turned in a lackluster 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 106.2 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley a year ago, the 22-year-old right-hander remains one of Philadelphia's top prospects and has an opportunity to overtake Taijuan Walker as the club's No. 5 starter even when Wheeler rejoins the rotation.

Wheeler (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday, per Jim Salisburg of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Sunday marked Wheeler's second session of the spring amid his recovery from venous thoracic outlet surgery. It remains unknown at this point if the All-Star right-hander will have enough time to get in any Grapefruit League action, and Wheeler's throwing progression will remain something for fantasy managers to monitor throughout spring training. Although Wheeler isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day, the Phillies are hopeful the hurler won't need a lengthy stay on the injured list to begin the season.

Cowles was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Sunday.

Cowles will return to Cubs camp after being designated for assignment by Chicago on Feb. 15 and ultimately claimed by the Blue Jays a few days later. The infielder appeared in five spring-training games in his time with Toronto, going 0-for-9 with five strikeouts. Cowles played in 113 games with Triple-A Iowa in 2025, batting .238 with nine home runs, 44 RBI, 55 runs scored and 16 stolen bases over 421 at-bats. He'll likely open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A if he sticks around with the Cubs' organization.

The Mets optioned Carrillo to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday.

The right-hander received his first taste of the majors last year and surrendered seven earned runs across 4.2 frames with the Mets. Carrillo delivered a scoreless frame in his lone appearance in the Grapefruit League but won't stick around big-league camp.