MLB Player News

Sanchez (hand) will take batting practice Wednesday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Sanchez will be getting in his first BP of the spring, as he's slightly behind the Brewers' other position players in camp due to the right hand issue he suffered in an offseason workout. The 31-year-old -- who previously fractured the hand in September -- caught a live batting practice session Tuesday. At this stage, his ability to swing the bat comfortably may be of greater concern than his ability to play defense.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Lodolo (tibia) is at least a week away from his Cactus League debut, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell noted that Graham Ashcraft (toe) is slated for his spring debut within the next week, adding that Lodolo's appearance would come after Aschraft's. It's still a relatively vague timetable but further emphasizes that the Reds will be proceeding cautiously with Lodolo this spring after he missed much of last season with a stress reaction to his left tibia. Lodolo acknowledged at the start of camp that while the leg doesn't hurt while he's pitching, it's not yet 100 percent.

Houser gave up one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

In his first game action of the spring, Houser tossed 15 of 23 pitches for strikes and was able to handle a Miami lineup that included a number of Opening Day starters such as Luis Arraez and Jazz Chisholm. Houser hasn't made more than 21 big-league starts in a season since 2021, but the Mets expect the 31-year-old right-hander to help solidify the back end of their rotation this year.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Ashcraft (toe) will make his Cactus League debut "within the next week," Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Ashcraft has been slow-played this spring as he comes back from last September's right big toe surgery. The big right-hander has already been facing hitters and is poised for game action in a few days. Barring setbacks, Ashcraft will have time to be ready for Opening Day.

Puk struck out three and walked one over two scoreless, no-hit innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

New York's lineup didn't feature many regulars beyond Francisco Alvarez, and Puk breezed through the top part of the order on 26 pitches (18 strikes). The 28-year-old lefty is getting stretched out for a potential rotation spot in camp after making his first 142 career big-league appearances in relief, but Puk was a starter in the minors prior to moving to the bullpen due to injury and control concerns. Even if he pitches well in longer stints this spring, his chances of winning an Opening Day rotation spot could ultimately be determined by the health of the Marlins' other options.

Sosa was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta because of a left foot contusion, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Weston Wilson will take Sosa's spot at shortstop and Aramis Garcia will enter the lineup at designated hitter. Sosa should be considered day-to-day.

Sale struck out four batters over two perfect innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The veteran southpaw fired 16 of 25 pitches for strikes and overpowered a lineup that likely featured most of Pittsburgh's Opening Day starters, with his strikeout victims including Oneil Cruz and Yasmani Grandal. Sale said at the beginning of camp that he was coming off his healthiest offseason in years, offering some optimism that he can still deliver dominant results when he's on the mound, but the 34-year-old hasn't thrown at least 150 innings in a season since 2018.

Wall's speed and defensive versatility make him a favorite to break camp on the 26-man roster in a bench role, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old can handle all three outfield positions and stole 57 bases on 66 attempts in 105 games last season between the majors and Triple-A Gwinnett, and Wall would give Atlanta a speed element on the bench that the likes of Travis d'Arnaud and Luis Guillorme can't match. Wall's main competition for the top outfield reserve role is offseason acquisition J.P. Martinez, but the team has indicated it would prefer Martinez to get everyday at-bats at Triple-A to stay ready in case of an injury to a starter, rather than playing infrequently on the big-league bench. Eli White and Luke Williams are also in the mix, but the job could be Wall's to lose.

Ruiz is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox due to an illness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

A bug may be making its way around the clubhouse, as Nick Senzel is also under the weather. Ruiz, who is 1-for-4 in two games so far this spring, should be considered day-to-day.

Senzel (illness) was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Senzel had been set to return from an illness, but the Nationals felt it was best to give him at least one more day to recover. Ildemaro Vargas will sub in for Senzel at third base Wednesday.