MLB Player News

Riley has gone 5-for-20 (.250) over eight Grapefruit League games with a solo home run and a 0:3 BB:K.

The 26-year-old third baseman has been getting in his work and looks set to once again hit in the heart of Atlanta's batting order. Riley has averaged 36 homers and 99 RBI over the last three seasons while missing only eight total games, making him one of the most dependable fantasy options available at the hot corner.

Acuna (knee) took live batting practice again Monday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said afterward that Acuna's right knee feels fine and the club is just waiting for the medical staff to clear the superstar to return to Grapefruit League play. Alarm bells were sounded this spring when Acuna developed some irritation in his knee, one that he had surgically repaired in the past, but he's avoided a serious injury and it would appear he's basically back to 100 percent.

Kelenic has gone 2-for-27 (.074) through his first 10 Grapefruit League games with zero extra-base hits and a 4:7 BB:K.

Acquired from Seattle in the offseason, Kelenic is expected to fill an everyday role for Atlanta in left field, but as yet the 24-year-old hasn't found a groove at the plate. Should his spring struggles extend into the regular season, he could lose playing time and even fall into a platoon, with Marcell Ozuna potentially getting starts in left field against left-handed pitching in Kelenic's place. As yet, however, Atlanta's coaching staff hasn't seemed concerned about his performance.

Wall went 2-for-2 with a walk, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The 28-year-old is now batting .450 (9-for-20) this spring with three homers and two steals in three attempts. With J.P. Martinez already optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, Wall appears locked into the top outfield reserve role for Atlanta, and he could see more playing time than expected early in the season if Ronald Acuna (knee) gets some extra days off.

Matzek (side) is expected to return to Grapefruit League play in the next few days, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Matzek hasn't been available for a few days while dealing with some left side soreness, but he threw a bullpen session Monday and it sounds like he's mostly over the issue. The southpaw reliever has made three scoreless appearances this spring and looks ready to rejoin Atlanta's bullpen after missing all of 2023 following Tommy John surgery.

Minter (finger) is expected to make a Grapefruit League appearance soon, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Minter hasn't pitched in a game since Feb. 29 because of a cut on his left index finger, but the laceration is nearly totally healed. The left-handed reliever made two scoreless Grapefruit League appearances last month and has plenty of time to ramp back up for Opening Day.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday.

Mercado, whom the Phillies acquired from the Rays in November, occupies a spot on Philadelphia's 40-man roster but has yet to make his big-league debut. He'll likely occupy a spot in Lehigh Valley's bullpen and will look to distinguish himself with the hope of earning a call-up to the Phillies.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez said Hassell (groin) will undergo an MRI on Monday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Hassell tweaked his groin Friday and hasn't made enough progress in the days since to avoid an MRI. The 22-year-old has impressed this spring in slashing .357/.412/.786 with three home runs and is likely headed to Double-A Harrisburg to start the season, once healthy.

The Nationals reassigned Blankenhorn to minor-league camp Monday.

After slugging 23 home runs and getting on base at a .360 clip with Triple-A Rochester last season, Blankenhorn earned a cup of coffee with the Nationals in September. He proceeded to slash a middling .161/.297/.258 in 37 plate appearances for the big club before being shut down for the final two weeks of the campaign with plantar fasciitis. The Nationals outrighted Blankenhorn off the 40-man roster over the winter, only for the 27-year-old to rejoin the organization on a minor-league deal. Though he attended spring training as a non-roster invitee, Blankenhorn never looked like a serious threat to make the Opening Day roster and will now head back to Rochester.

Junis started and threw four scoreless innings in Sunday's exhibition contest. He did not allow a hit, hit a batter and posted a 3:2 K:BB in the contest.

Junis was tagged for four earned runs over 2.0 innings in his spring debut, but the results were much better his second time out, even though only 33 of the 56 pitches he tossed were strikes. Junis will occupy a spot on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster after signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the team, and he is pushing to break camp in the starting rotation.