MLB Player News

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Palencia will open the season as the team's closer, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Palencia had a breakout 2025 campaign for the Cubs, putting up a 2.91 ERA and 61:16 K:BB over 52.2 regular-season innings while notching 22 saves. He missed time in September with a shoulder injury and, after returning, ceded the closer role to Brad Keller. However, after Keller signed with the Phillies this offseason, Palencia is set to return to the ninth inning. There's some risk that Palencia's control will regress in 2026, as he had a 7.4 percent walk rate in 2025 after walking batters at a 13.8 percent clip his first two seasons. However, the 26-year-old has electric stuff and showed last season he can handle the pressure of the ninth inning.

Riley (core) took live batting practice Wednesday and appears to be facing no restrictions for the start of spring training, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Riley appears to be 100 percent healthy after he missed most of the final two months of 2025 with a lower abdominal strain, which he ultimately addressed via core-muscle surgery Aug. 21. Though his reputation as one of baseball's more durable third basemen has taken a hit after two straight injury-shortened seasons, Riley won't turn 29 years old until April, and with some better luck on the health front, he could re-emerge as the consistent 30-homer, 90-RBI producer that he was from 2021 through 2023.

Alvarado (forearm) was seen throwing a bullpen session Wednesday during the Phillies' first workout of spring training, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Alvarado's ability to complete a side session would seem to suggest that he's made a full recovery from the left forearm strain that landed him on the injured list Sept. 12. The southpaw served an 80-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs to begin last season, but he was one of manager Rob Thomson's more trusted bullpen arms when available, logging a 3.81 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB in 26 innings. After having his $9 million club option for 2026 picked up over the winter, Alvarado should slot in as one of the top setup men in front of closer Jhoan Duran.

Carroll suffered a broken hamate bone in his right hand during a live batting practice session Tuesday and is slated to undergo surgery Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The Diamondbacks likely won't provide a recovery timeline for Carroll until surgery is completed, but the procedure on his non-dominant hand will cost him significant time this spring and prevent him from competing for the United States in the World Baseball Classic. The 25-year-old outfielder's availability for the Diamondbacks' March 26 season opener versus the Dodgers is also firmly in question.

Gusto (shoulder) will be available to pitch this week as spring training gets underway, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Gusto closed the 2025 season on the Marlins' injured list after he was diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement in late August, but he was able to make a full recovery over the offseason. Between his stops with Houston and Miami last season, Gusto started 17 of his 27 appearances and posted a 5.67 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in 101.2 innings. The Marlins could have the right-hander stretch out as a starter during spring training, but he'll likely serve as more of a insurance option for the rotation and could begin the campaign as a long man out of the bullpen.

Garrett (elbow) will be available to pitch this week as spring training gets underway, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins announced Wednesday that aside from Calvin Faucher -- who has yet to report to camp --and the rehabbing Ronny Henriquez (elbow), all pitchers on the 40-man roster are operating with no restrictions to begin camp. Garrett missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing elbow surgery with an internal brace in December 2024, but he told Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com that he threw "a couple" live bullpen sessions prior to reporting to camp and is scheduled to throw another one Wednesday. Since he's coming off a major injury, Garrett may be eased into Grapefruit League action, but the 28-year-old lefty should have a fairly clear path to an Opening Day rotation spot.

Meyer (hip) will be available to pitch this week as spring training gets underway, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins announced Wednesday that aside from Calvin Faucher -- who has yet to report to camp --and the rehabbing Ronny Henriquez (elbow), all pitchers on the 40-man roster are operating with no restrictions to begin camp. A healthy Meyer should have the inside track on a spot in the Opening Day rotation. The 26-year-old turned in a 4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 68:20 K:BB across 64.2 innings over 12 starts in 2025 before he was shut down with a left hip labral injury that required season-ending surgery in late June.

Suarez reported to Atlanta's camp Wednesday after being delayed by a visa issue, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Suarez was tardy by just one day, so his preparation will not be affected. The veteran reliever signed a three-year, $45 million contract this offseason and is slated to open the 2026 season as the primary setup man for closer Raisel Iglesias.

Schwellenbach said Wednesday that he could require arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Schwellenbach is already required to miss the first two months of the season after being placed on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, and a scope on his elbow would likely extend that absence. The right-hander was also sidelined for the final three months of the 2025 campaign with a small fracture in his elbow. It's unclear when a decision about surgery will be made, but it should be soon.

Quintana signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Rockies on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

Quintana will join Colorado following a one-year stint in Milwaukee, with whom he produced a 3.96 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 131.2 innings in 2025. The 37-year-old veteran doesn't make many bats miss, so his ability to keep the ball in the yard will be crucial to his success -- a task that will only be made more challenging by making his home starts at Coors Field.