MLB Player News

Pauley (forearm) said he'll return to games within a week in a best-case scenario, and in two weeks at most, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reported Tuesday.

He underwent imaging Monday after experiencing tightness, and it sounds like he has a chance to still be ready for Opening Day. Connor Norby will get a chance to play third base in the meantime.

Sale agreed to a one-year, $27 million contract extension with Atlanta on Tuesday that includes a club option for $30 million in 2028, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Sale was set to hit free agency after the season but will get some extra security with this deal. His fastball was up to 96 mph in his first spring action Sunday as he logged two scoreless innings.

Keller adjusted the grip on his changeup during the offseason, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Keller throws a wide range of pitches and consistently tinkers with his offerings, though his changeup has never been a major part of his arsenal. It's unclear exactly how he changed the pitch, but he threw it six times in his spring debut Sunday against the Rays -- all against lefties. Keller reported feeling comfortable with the pitch, per Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, so it could be a more prominent part of Keller's game plan in 2026.

Chandler allowed four earned runs while walking four and striking out two across 1.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Chandler retired the Yankees in order in the first inning but walked four of the six batters he faced in the second frame. He ultimately threw only 14 of his 35 pitches for strikes, a concerning data point given his struggles to find the zone consistently with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2025. However, per Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Chandler purposefully lowered his velocity after topping 100 mph, which caused him to lose his attacking mentality and become erratic with his pitch placement.

Karros entered camp weighing 230 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than he was at the close of the 2025 season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Karros made his big-league debut at the close of the 2025 season and managed only a .585 OPS with a 26.3 percent strikeout rate across 156 plate appearances. Manager Warren Schaeffer dismissed that sample due to Karros being down about 10 pounds from his typical playing weight, forcing him to play at less than full strength. Karros is among the top candidates to claim the starting third-base job in Colorado to begin the season, and he's collected three hits in his first five plate appearances in Cactus League action.

Mervis went 1-for-1 with a walk, a double, two RBI and one stolen base during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Mervis wasn't penciled into the starting lineup Monday, but that didn't prevent him from making an impact. He walked in his first at-bat and later swiped a bag, and he smacked a two-run ground-rule double in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game. Mervis isn't expected to open the 2026 campaign on the big-league squad, but more performances like this could help him throw his hat in the ring for a roster spot.

Lockridge went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during Monday's Cactus League game against the Padres.

Lockridge picked up a single in the top half of the first inning and slugged a solo home run in the top of the seventh in his final at-bat of the exhibition. He's now left the yard twice so far in two spring games after failing to hit a home run last season across 67 regular-season games. Lockridge looks to face an uphill battle to make the Opening Day roster, but he'd make the decision more difficult for Milwaukee if he continues to mash at the plate.

Brown allowed two hits across two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out three.

Making his spring debut, Brown looked sharp across his 30 pitches, 20 of which he tossed for strikes. The lanky righty spent time as both a starter and reliever last season, and he mostly struggled with a 5.92 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 106.1 innings. However, Brown also struck out 121 batters and flashed a fastball that sat right around 96 mph, so there is plenty of upside in his arm. With the Cubs seemingly having a full rotation to begin the year, Brown figures to slot into the bullpen if he makes the team out of camp, though he could be an option to make some starts down the road if a need arises. As a reliever, the 26-year-old could see his stuff play up a bit.

Rojas went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Rojas received an invite to major-league spring training at just 20 years of age, and he didn't look overmatched Monday as he connected for his first Cactus League home run. The young shortstop is not on Chicago's 40-man roster and has yet to play above the Double-A level, so he's almost certainly ticketed for a return to the minors, but he could turn some heads with a strong spring. Rojas is worth keeping a close eye on in dynasty formats this season, particularly if he keeps developing his power stroke.

Mautz is under consideration for a spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster in a relief or hybrid role, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Mautz was added to the 40-man roster this offseason following a breakout year as a starter at Double-A Springfield, where he posted a 2.98 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 134:33 K:BB over 114.2 innings. JoJo Romero is locked into one left-handed bullpen spot for the Cardinals, but he remains a trade candidate, and even if Romero stays put the team likely has at least one other lefty spot up for grabs. Mautz could fill that slot or be used in a hybrid role that would allow him to also make some spot starts. However, the most likely scenario is the southpaw opens the season in the Triple-A Memphis rotation to continue his development as a starting pitcher.