MLB Player News

Robles was removed from Saturday's spring training game against the Astros due to a hamstring injury, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Robles reportedly felt a knot in his hamstring pop up after he was hit by a pitch during Wednesday's game against Miami, and it seemingly became an issue again during Saturday's contest. The Nationals will take a closer look at Robles, and he will likely sit out until his hamstring gets back to 100 percent.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker downplayed the idea that Acuna might run less this season due to his spring knee issue, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. "He's still young and he's still at an age where he can still [steal a lot of bases]," Snitker said Thursday. "He's going to reach a time where he's going to slow down on his own. For now, you've just got to let a kid like that loose and let him play his game."

Acuna hasn't seen Grapefruit League action since Feb. 29 due to soreness in his right knee, but Atlanta is still confident that he'll be ready for Opening Day, and Snitker's comments further reinforce that the team has no long-term concerns about the injury. The 26-year-old superstar became the first player in MLB history to record a 40-70 season in 2023, and no player has ever produced back-to-back 40-40 campaigns, giving Acuna a new milestone to aim for in 2024.

With Noelvi Marte serving an 80-game suspension to begin the season, Candelario will be the primary third baseman for the first three months of the season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Reds manager David Bell repeatedly has stressed that Candelario will play a lot, but this just solidifies what position he'll play, instead of Candelario playing multiple positions to get his time. Jonathan India, Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are all also capable of playing third in a pinch.

Taillon will no longer start the Cubs' Cactus League game against Colorado on Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The reason for Taillon's late scratch is unclear, but the 32-year-old righty will have to wait a bit longer to make his spring debut nonetheless. Thomas Pannone will start against the Rockies in Taillon's place.

Manager Dave Martinez revealed Saturday that Hassell is day-to-day with groin tightness, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Hassell left Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals with the injury. The 22-year-old struggled in Double-A last season but is slashing .357/.412/.786 with three home runs and six RBI over 14 at-bats in spring training.

Alcantara (elbow) played catch Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Alcantara isn't a candidate to return during the 2024 season, but it is encouraging to see him throwing again just five months removed from his Tommy John procedure. The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner will spend the year slowly rehabbing his elbow with the goal of returning for the start of the 2025 campaign.

The Reds optioned Richardson to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Richardson split his time last season between Triple-A and the majors. He spent the end of 2023 in the minors after posting an 8.64 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 12:15 K:BB over 16.2 innings with the Reds. Richardson will start 2024 in Louisville and will attempt to work his way back into Cincinnati's rotation.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Sheehan (upper body) will start the 2024 season on the Dodgers' injured list, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Sheehan was set to compete with Gavin Stone for a spot in the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation. Sheehan's availability for the team's domestic opener is in jeopardy, and the duration of his IL stint has yet to be determined. He appeared in 13 games for the Dodgers last season and posted a 4.92 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 64:26 K:BB over 60.1 innings.

Wisdom (quadriceps) is in the Cubs' lineup for Saturday's spring training game against the Rockies.

Wisdom has been held out since Feb. 27 due to tightness in his right quad, but he felt good after participating in a sim game Tuesday and has been given the green light to return to the Cactus League. Wisdom was just 1-for-8 across three games before getting injured, and he figures to operate as a reserve player for the Cubs heading into the regular season.

Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Saturday that Steele will start for the Cubs on Opening Day versus Texas, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Coming off the best season of his three-year career, Steele will be awarded his first Opening Day start. The 28-year-old southpaw finished last season with a 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP alongside a 176:36 K:BB across 173.1 innings, and he finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting. Steele has gotten off to a slow start in Cactus League play, allowing four runs in six innings, but he figures to put together another strong campaign in 2024 if he stays healthy.