MLB Player News

Junk (ankle) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

It's another box to check for Junk, who is working his way back from a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain. He shouldn't be far off from his Grapefruit League debut, barring any setbacks. Junk is in the running for a spot in the Marlins' rotation, but a long-relief role is more likely.

Brujan (hand) is starting at shortstop and batting seventh in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Brujan had to depart Monday's contest versus the Blue Jays with a hand injury, but he's back in action Wednesday. The utility player is out of minor-league options and is in the running for a reserve role this season in Queens.

Suarez went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals.

Suarez's homer immediately followed one hit by Elly De La Cruz in the fifth inning. The two hits were the first in three Cactus League outings for Suarez, who is 2-for-9 thus far. He's served twice at third base and once at DH. In preparation for his upcoming role for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Suarez is expected to get a few more starts at the hot corner over the next week, but he will toggle between DH and first base during the regular season while Ke'Bryan Hayes operates as the everyday third baseman.

Moniak (oblique) is starting at designated hitter and batting leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League contest versus the Cubs.

Moniak has been brought along slowly in Rockies camp due to right oblique tightness, but he's been cleared for his spring training debut. The 27-year-old socked 24 home runs while slashing .270/.306/.518 in 2025 in his first season in Colorado and is in line for regular reps against right-handed pitching in 2026.

De La Cruz went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's spring game against the Royals.

De La Cruz belted his first spring homer and has three extra-base hits in his two Cactus League appearances. It's a promising sign for the dynamic De La Cruz, who has enjoyed protection from Eugenio Suarez batting behind him. Suarez followed De La Cruz's blast with his own homer and is expected to bat cleanup behind De La Cruz in the regular season.

Abbott allowed two runs on two hits and struck out two over two innings in Tuesday's spring start against Kansas City.

Abbott was pleased with his Cactus League debut, telling Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that he threw all five of his pitches and was encouraged by his efficiency (27 pitches, 17 strikes, no walks). The lone blemish was a two-out, two-run home run allowed to Josh Rojas. The left-hander is having a normal camp, which is a change from last season, when he didn't make his spring debut until March 17 due to recovery from a shoulder injury before opening the regular season on the injured list.

Thomas started in center field and went 2-for-4 with a triple, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's spring game against Texas.

Thomas made his third spring appearance and has hits in all three contests. Following injuries to fellow outfielders Corbin Carroll (hand) and Lourdes Gurriel (knee), the plan is to have Thomas get reps at corner outfield, though he's been used in center field for two of his three games. He'll get a few more chances in camp before jetting off to Houston for the World Baseball Classic as a member of Team Mexico.

Soroka allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out three over two innings in Tuesday's spring start against the Rangers.

Soroka made his spring debut, throwing 33 pitches (24 strikes). He had a little trouble in the first inning but settled in for a perfect second frame. With six starters in camp with MLB experience, there was talk of Soroka moving to the bullpen, but a recent injury to Merrill Kelly (back) cut into the Diamondbacks' surplus in the rotation.

Griffin went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Griffin was hitless across his first five at-bats of Grapefruit League action, but he blasted a pair of long balls over the replica Green Monster at jetBlue Park on Tuesday. Both of those homers came on breaking balls -- the first of which was a curveball from Ranger Suarez -- and had exit velocities of 104.8 and 111.2 mph, respectively, per Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Griffin now has four flyballs measured over 104 mph this spring.

Kelly went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Kelly connected in the fifth inning for his first home run of the exhibition slate. The veteran catcher got off to a scorching hot start in 2025 before eventually cooling off, but he still finished with a respectable .761 OPS and 17 home runs across 111 regular-season games. Heading into 2026, Kelly should be Chicago's top backstop again with Miguel Amaya serving in a complementary role. Amaya dealt with a myriad of injuries last year and could push for a larger chunk of playing time this season if he stays healthy, which would allow Kelly to stay fresher but might reduce his fantasy ceiling.