MLB Player News

Ashby tossed two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring game against the Rangers. He allowed three hits, walked one batter and struck out none.

Ashby was not particularly sharp in his spring debut, but he was able to keep the opponent off the scoreboard. He started Thursday's contest and per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com has not officially been ruled out of the rotation mix, but the southpaw has started only three games over the last two seasons, so he will likely remain in the bullpen. If Ashby does make any starts during the regular season it will likely be as an opener -- something he did three times last postseason.

Black is 8-for-12 (.667) with a home run, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, three steals and a 1:2 BB:K through four games this spring.

Black has been on an absolute heater to open the exhibition season, both at the plate and on the basepaths. Once a top prospect, the 25-year-old's luster has faded in recent years, but he could still be part of the Brewers' future. He remains without a defensive position, and Christian Yelich is slated to be the primary designated hitter, but if Black stays hot he could force Milwaukee to get creative to find a spot for him on the 26-man roster.

Griffin (foot) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Orioles.

Griffin was lifted from his last game Wednesday as a precaution after being hit on the foot by a pitch, but he's fine. This is the top prospect's first Grapefruit League start since he swatted a pair of home runs Tuesday against the Red Sox. Griffin is competing for the Pirates' Opening Day shortstop gig.

Friedl started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Thursday's spring game against San Diego.

Friedl, who normally defends center field, moved to left field so that Dane Myers could play center. Reds manager Terry Francona talked to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com about the alignment, which could be deployed during the regular season against certain lefties. The manager praised Myers' defense in center and will try to get Friedl in left a few more times this spring, although the latter is expected to be the primary center fielder during the regular season. Friedl has appeared in three Cactus League games, going 3-for-8 with a walk and three RBI.

Burns allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 2.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Padres.

Burns' slider played well and his pitch count increased to 48 in his second Cactus League start, but his four-seamer was wayward. He threw just 26 strikes and fell behind against multiple batters. That includes the first at-bat of the third inning, when Rodolfo Duran took two four-seamers for balls before drilling a third for a home run. Burns remains in the hunt for the final spot in the rotation.

Fernandez went 1-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and an additional run scored in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.

Fernandez homered for a second consecutive game, and all four of his Cactus League hits have gone for extra bases (.813 slugging). The 22-year-old, who hasn't played above the Double-A level, was added to the 40-man roster during the offseason. "We know there's still more growing he needs to do but driving baseballs the way he is ... we know he's been coming on quick and we're paying a lot of attention to him," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. A shortstop coming up through the system, Fernandez is also seeing time at third base and has played three games there this spring.

Rodriguez allowed three hits over two scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Royals.

Rodriguez averaged 93.1 mph on his four-seamer during his Cactus League debut, a tick above the 92 mph he averaged last season. The left-hander threw 31 pitches (20 strikes). Lost amid Rodriguez's 5.02 ERA last season is that he finished 2025 in much better form, posting a 6-3 record with a 4.01 ERA following the All-Star break.

Pivetta completed two innings in a Cactus League game against the Reds on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one batter.

Pivetta gave up a triple in the first inning but held Cincinnati scoreless. However, he was touched up for three runs in the second frame as a result of issuing two walks and giving up two hits. Pivetta threw just 22 of 38 pitches for strikes, but a rough outing near the start of spring for a veteran pitcher shouldn't cause fantasy managers to be concerned. The right-hander is coming off arguably his best MLB campaign and is locked in near the top of San Diego's rotation for 2026.

Machado went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, a walk and six RBI in Thursday's Cactus League loss to Cincinnati.

Machado went 0-for-5 over his first three spring contests but exploded with a two-run home run and a grand slam Thursday. The veteran third baseman is approaching his eighth season with San Diego and has hit between 27 and 32 homers in each of the past five regular seasons. Machado remains one of fantasy's top third basemen and has typically been one of the first five players selected at the position in drafts this year.

Glasnow tossed two-plus innings against the White Sox in a Cactus League contest Thursday, allowing one run on one hit and no walks while striking out four batters.

Glasnow carved up Chicago in the first inning, striking out the side on 14 pitches. He retired the side in order again in the second, and then allowed a single to the only batter he faced in the third, with that runner coming around to score following Glasnow's departure. Overall, the right-hander threw 22 of 32 pitches for strikes, got six whiffs and averaged 96.7 mph on his fastball. Glasnow is a key part of the Dodgers' impressive rotation and figures to be a big asset in fantasy if he can stay healthy.