MLB Player News

Gordon got the start in right field and went 1-for-2 in Tuesday's split-squad game against the Cardinals.

The 28-year-old has looked good in his first spring with the Marlins, batting .306 (11-for-36) while going 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts. Gordon is expected to fill a utility role this season as part of a speedy, versatile Miami bench that will likely also include Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan. Gordon struggled at the plate for Minnesota last year with a .504 OPS in 93 plate appearances before seeing his season end in May due to a broken leg, but in a nearly full-time role in 2022, he slashed .272/.316/.427.

Chisholm went 2-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI in Tuesday's split-squad game against the Cardinals.

Both blasts came off Kyle Gibson, and Chisholm actually homered in three straight at-bats when including Monday's long ball off Houston's Josh Hader. The 26-year-old center fielder is batting .364 (12-for-33) this spring with two doubles in addition to his three home runs over the last couple days, and he's also 2-for-2 on steal attempts. If Chisholm can avoid the injuries that have plagued his career to date, he has the talent to deliver a 30-30 campaign.

Snell said Wednesday that he will throw a bullpen session Thursday and expects to pitch in a game soon, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants, understandably, are not ready to commit to when Snell might be ready to pitch for them, but it sounds like he could get in a Cactus League start before the schedule runs out. Whether that would be sufficient enough for him to be ready to take a turn when the regular season begins isn't clear at this juncture, but more will be known about Snell's timeline in the coming days.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that "all of the options are on the table," including surgery, after McLain (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Wednesday. Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear as the full results of the MRI haven't been disclosed, but it's a concerning development after Bell initially downplayed the left shoulder soreness that scratched McLain from Monday's lineup. The 24-year-old's availability to begin the season is now up in the air, with a trip to the injured list being a distinct possibility, regardless of whether he requires surgery. McLain's status should be updated soon as he continues to be evaluated.

The Giants optioned Villar to minor-league camp Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Villar was never a likely bet to make San Francisco's Opening Day roster, though he had a strong showing during spring training with three homers and a 1.093 OPS in 44 plate appearances. The 27-year-old had an .869 OPS at the Triple-A level last season but also struck out at a 26.6 percent clip, and he'll likely need to show improved contact skills to having any staying power in the majors.

The Giants optioned Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt's chance at an Opening Day roster spot probably went away when the club signed Nick Ahmed, but he didn't help himself in going 3-for-26 at the dish this spring. The 25-year-old should bounce around the infield as a regular at Sacramento.

Sabol (groin) will return to action Wednesday for the Giants' Cactus League contest against the Angels, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Sabol is not in the lineup but will come off the bench and play some left field. It will be the 26-year-old's first game appearance since March 5, as he's been plagued by a right adductor strain. Sabol should be ready in time for Opening Day but appears ticketed for Triple-A Sacramento to start the season.

Stephens is expected to open the season in a long-relief role for Atlanta, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old will have the lowest-leverage role in a stacked Atlanta bullpen, but Stephens could see significant innings early if Reynaldo Lopez struggles with his conversion to the starting rotation. Stephens made only five appearances in the majors in 2023, posting a 3.00 ERA and 11:5 K:BB over 12 innings, but he's had an intriguing spring with a 10:4 K:BB and zero homers allowed through 5.1 frames.

Fried gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk over six inning in Monday's Grapefruit League start against the Rays. He struck out four.

The lefty blanked Tampa Bay for five innings before running into trouble in the sixth with a minor-league defense behind him, getting tagged for three straight singles to begin the frame. Fried's spring numbers don't stand out, but he built up to nearly 90 pitches Monday and looks ready for the regular season to begin. Atlanta's No. 2 starter made only 14 trips to the mound in 2023 due to a variety of injuries, but he posted a 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB through 77.2 innings.

Matzek touched 95 mph with his fastball during Sunday's Grapefruit League appearance, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The southpaw's velocity is nearly back to what it was prior to his October 2022 Tommy John surgery, and Matzek certainly looked healthy enough Sunday as he struck out four Red Sox over two perfect innings in a split-squad game. Considering he didn't pitch at all in 2023, Atlanta will likely ease him back into action with lower-leverage duties to begin the season, but a return to the form that saw him post a 2.57 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 29.2 percent strikeout rate and 24 holds over 63 innings in 2021 doesn't seem far off.