MLB Player News
-
Jefferson Rojas SS | CHC
Cubs' Jefferson Rojas: Connects on first spring home run
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.
-
Brycen Mautz SP | STL
Cardinals' Brycen Mautz: In mix to fill relief role
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.
-
Trevor Megill RP | MIL
Brewers' Trevor Megill: Offseason PRP injection
Megill had a PRP injection this offseason after missing time during the 2025 season due to a forearm strain, Todd Rosiak of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Meanwhile, manager Pat Murphy suggested that he won't necessarily need defined roles for Megill and others at the back of the bullpen. "I don't feel like that at all," he said. "I feel like we'll look at the matchups and see what's best. We'll look at the health of the pitcher. You might see other guys in that mix too."
The Brewers' bullpen situation is especially tough to project, because they have so many different good options, even beyond Megill and Abner Uribe. Moreover, both Megill and Uribe are being priced in the draft market as near full-time closers. While their respective ratios and strikeouts mitigate some of the costs of missing out on saves, it's difficult to draft both and miss out on production at another position.
-
Vidal Brujan 2B | NYM
Mets' Vidal Brujan: Exits with hand injury
Brujan was removed in the sixth inning of Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays due to an apparent hand injury, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports. He went 0-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base prior to exiting the game.
Brujan appeared to suffer the injury when his hand got stepped on by a Blue Jays infielder on a stolen-base attempt in the top of the sixth. The 27-year-old drew the start at shortstop Monday, and assuming the hand injury isn't anything too significant, Brujan could break camp as the Mets' top option at the position if Francisco Lindor (hand) isn't ready to go for Opening Day.
-
Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Awaiting MRI results
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that the team is still waiting for MRI results on Kelly's back, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.
Kelly had to be scratched from a scheduled live batting practice session over the weekend due to mid-back tightness. Lovullo noted Monday that Kelly feels good, but there will be more known about his condition after the test results come back. Consider the veteran right-hander day-to-day for the time being.
-
Brandon Woodruff SP | MIL
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Opening Day 'up in the air'
Woodruff (lat) said Monday that his Opening Day availability is "up in the air right now," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Woodruff is a bit behind schedule in Brewers camp after he ended last season on the injured list with a right lat strain. He threw a live batting practice session Monday and will face hitters at least once more before perhaps being cleared to pitch in a game setting. Woodruff noted Monday that he's "in a good spot," but he did not want to commit to being ready once the regular season begins, saying his goal is to have a healthy season and "be available at the end of the year when it matters most." The righty held a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 83:14 K:BB in 64.2 innings last season for the Brewers.
-
Juan Burgos RP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Juan Burgos: Slated for spring debut
Burgos (forearm) is scheduled to make a relief appearance in Monday's Cactus League game against the Guardians, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.
Burgos is healthy again and preparing to compete for a spot in the Diamondbacks' Opening Day bullpen after he closed the past season on the injured list due to a right forearm contusion. The 25-year-old reached the big leagues for the first time in 2025, making 13 appearances between stops with Seattle and Arizona and producing a 6.08 ERA and 1.88 WHIP over 13.1 innings.
-
Elijah Green OF | WAS
Nationals' Elijah Green: Good to go for spring
Green (hamstring) went 0-for-2 and played four innings in center field Saturday in the Nationals' 6-2 win over the Cardinals in Grapefruit League play.
Green missed the final month of the 2025 season due to a right hamstring strain but was fully cleared for the start of spring training. He'll likely open the upcoming campaign at High-A Wilmington, where he produced a .531 OPS over 140 plate appearances last season before being demoted to Single-A Fredericksburg following the All-Star break.
-
Cristhian Vaquero CF | WAS
Nationals' Cristhian Vaquero: Good to go for spring training
Vaquero (elbow) went 1-for-1 with a base hit and a stolen base Saturday in the Nationals' 2-1 win over the Astros in Grapefruit League play.
Vaquero looks to be back to full health after he missed the final few weeks of the 2025 campaign due to a dislocated left elbow. The 21-year-old outfielder is expected to open the 2026 season at Single-A Fredericksburg or High-A Wilmington.
-
Randy Vasquez RP | SD
Padres' Randy Vasquez: Solid in first start this spring
Vasquez tossed two scoreless innings in a Cactus League start against the Dodgers on Sunday, allowing one hit and issuing one walk while striking out one batter.
Vasquez held the Dodgers' lineup in check, though Los Angeles didn't play most of its regular starters. The right-hander threw 31 total pitches as he begins to build up toward the regular season. Padres manager Craig Stammen said last week that Vasquez has an "inside track" to beginning the regular season in San Diego's rotation, per AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.