MLB Player News

Garcia will split his time between second base and first base during spring training, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The Nationals don't have a clear starter at first base, and Garcia's defense at the keystone has been below average the last two seasons. However, the 25-year-old has been a passable offensive contributor during that time, posting a combined .267/.304/.428 slash line in 2023-24 with 34 homers and 36 steals in 279 games, and he should be in the starting lineup at one of those two positions on Opening Day. Andres Chaparro and prospect Abimelec Ortiz, acquired from Texas in the MacKenzie Gore trade, would appear to be the other main competitors for Washington's first base job.

Mauricio will be one of the top candidates to replace Francisco Lindor (hand) at shortstop early in the season, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Vidal Brujan appears to be the other likely replacement for Lindor, with Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff also in the mix. Mauricio missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn ACL and struggled to make consistent contact last year in the majors after his return, managing a .662 OPS in 184 plate appearances with the Mets while mainly playing third base. With the injury another year further behind him, the 24-year-old may be staring at his last chance to regain the upside that made him one of the organization's top prospects prior to blowing out his knee. Mauricio should at least be locked into a bench spot on the Opening Day roster, even if doesn't become the primary replacement for Lindor.

Nootbaar (heels) has progressed to running on an altered gravity treadmill, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Nootbaar underwent surgery in early October to address deformities on both of his heels and is progressing slowly but surely. He will be a few days late in reporting to camp, as the Cardinals still need to have an altered gravity treadmill delivered to their spring training complex in Florida so Nootbaar can continue rehabbing. It's looking unlikely that Nootbaar will be ready in time for Opening Day, but more clarity on his timetable should be available later in spring training.

Brujan is one of the top candidates to fill in for Francisco Lindor (hand) at shortstop, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Ronny Mauricio, Grae Kessinger and Jackson Cluff will also be in the mix for spring reps at short while Lindor recovers from hamate bone surgery. Brujan has experience all over the diamond as a utility player and posted a UZR/150 of 4.6 over 237 innings at shortstop with the Marlins in 2024, and the switch hitter might be the Mets' best defensive option to cover for Lindor.

Bichette isn't expected to take any reps at shortstop while Francisco Lindor (hand) is sidelined, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The Mets don't believe Lindor will miss much regular-season action, so they'll keep Bichette at the hot corner and let him adapt to a new defensive position without interruption. That plan could change, however, if Lindor has any kind of setback. Bichette has never played a professional game at third base, but he did handle second base during the Blue Jays' run to the World Series last season without much difficulty.

The Dodgers signed Muncy to a one-year, $7 million contract extension Thursday. The deal includes a $10 million club option (or $3 million buyout) for 2028.

Muncy was already locked in for the 2026 season after the club picked up his $10 million option, and he's now guaranteed another $10 million through the end of the 2027 campaign. The 35-year-old has battled injuries the last two seasons but has remained very good with the bat, having slashed .243/.376/.470 with 19 home runs across 100 regular-season tilts in 2025. Muncy is slated to be the Dodgers' primary third baseman again in 2026.

Ramirez has committed himself this offseason to improving his defense behind the plate, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. "I was learning something new every game," Ramirez said Wednesday about his rookie campaign in the majors. "That's what I was experiencing last season. I'm coming with that experience this year. It feels really good because you know exactly where to go and what to do."

The 24-year-old has already impressed with the offensive side of his game -- he was the first rookie catcher in MLB history to record 20 homers and 15 steals in a season -- but Ramirez's defense needs a lot of work. He spent the offseason in the Dominican Republic working on his mobility, to improve his range and ability to block balls in the dirt, but that's not the only hole in his skill set. Ramirez's minus-14 defensive runs saves in 2025 included a rough 8.8 percent caught-stealing rate, as base stealers were successful on 82 of 91 attempts against him. His bat will be a fixture in the Marlins' lineup in 2026, but if Ramirez's defense continues to be an issue, he could be moved to first base or DH considering top catching prospect Joe Mack is knocking on the door at Triple-A.

Garrett was touching 95 mph in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Garrett missed the entire 2025 season after December 2024 internal brace surgery on his left elbow but has no restrictions at the beginning of camp. The left-hander averaged 90.7 mph with his four-seamer in 2024 and has never averaged more than 91.5 mph with the pitch, so the fact that he's already touching the mid-90s early on in spring training is a good sign. Garrett will likely have some kind of workload restrictions in 2026, but he should have a spot in the Marlins' rotation locked up.

Henderson is shut down from throwing in Cardinals camp due to a left flexor strain, Brian Walton of TheCardinalNation.com reports.

Henderson scored an invitation to big-league camp after posting a 2.59 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 134:51 K:BB in 132 innings across 25 starts at Double-A Springfield in 2025, but he'll have to wait to make a good impression. It's unclear when the lefty might be cleared to resume throwing. Once he is healthy, Henderson will likely move up to Triple-A Memphis to begin the 2026 season.

Marte will receive opportunities to play center field this spring, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

TJ Friedl is expected to get the most starts in center field this season, but the Reds want to see how Marte handles the new position. Marte moved from third base to right field in 2025, and though there were growing pains, he eventually proved himself to be competent and enters 2026 as the primary starter in right.