MLB Player News

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Thursday that Yesavage's (shoulder) velocity "bumped back up" during a "very effective" appearance in a minor-league game Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

It's an encouraging step for Yesavage, who did not make any spring training appearances while battling a right shoulder impingement. A rehab assignment for the rookie right-hander would appear imminent, and he will likely require several rehab starts before he's ready to rejoin the Blue Jays' rotation.

Simpson is out of the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Cardinals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Simpson closed out spring training with a six-game hitting streak and went 3-for-3 on steal attempts during that stretch, quelling most of the concerns about the left hamstring injury that had slowed him earlier in camp. He should be a fixture in the lineup against righties, but the Rays may be more selective in exposing the left-handed-hitting Simpson to same-handed pitching in 2026 after he produced a .299/.330/.299 slash line (79 wRC+) in 113 plate appearances versus lefties as a rookie. Simpson will cede left field to the right-handed-hitting Ryan Vilade while southpaw Matthew Liberatore takes the bump for St. Louis in the opener.

Milias will begin the season on the Nationals' 26-man roster, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

The 28-year-old beat out Harry Ford and Riley Adams for the job of backing up Keibert Ruiz, giving the Nats a rare combo -- two switch-hitting catchers. Milias has seen brief action in the majors in each of the last three seasons but has never seen more than 62 plate appearances in a campaign, amassing a more-than-respectable .276/.340/.396 slash line with two homers and six steals in 49 games.

Wheeler (shoulder) is scheduled to throw three innings and/or 50 pitches in Saturday's rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Corey Seidman of PHLY Sports reports.

It will be Wheeler's first official game action since last September's venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery. The Phillies will likely want Wheeler to get his pitch count up to the 80-to-90 range before clearing him for his season debut, so the right-hander will likely make two additional rehab starts after Saturday before returning in mid-April if all goes well.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Varland won a spot on the Opening Day roster.

The 29-year-old right-hander didn't pitch in the majors at all in 2025 and threw only 6.1 innings in the minors in the White Sox system, but Varland looked healthy this spring while posting a 5.23 ERA and 13:4 K:BB over 10.1 innings. The back of the Washington bullpen is unsettled, and Varland could work his way into a high-leverage role with a quick start to the campaign.

Granillo has claimed a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

The 25-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut last season with the Cardinals, posting a 4.71 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 18:7 K:BB over 21 innings, before being traded to the Nationals early in February. Granillo is expected to fill a low-leverage role to begin his tenure with Washington.

Poulin has claimed a spot in the Nationals' Opening Day bullpen, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

The 29-year-old will be one of three left-handers in the Washington bullpen, joining Cionel Perez and Ken Waldichuk. Poulin looked good this spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 10:3 K:BB in 7.2 innings, but he may not see regular high-leverage work after producing a 3.65 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB over his first 24.2 big-league innings last season with two wins, a save and five holds in 28 appearances.

Schmitt started at first base and went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Yankees.

The 27-year-old reached first in the second inning after being hit by Max Fried, accounting for Schmitt's lone time on base during the Opening Day rout. The San Diego State product is expected to play a utility role in 2026, though he drew the start at first base Wednesday while Rafael Devers served as the designated hitter. Schmitt appeared in a career-high 95 regular-season games in 2025, slashing .237/.305/.401 with 40 RBI, 34 runs scored and 12 long balls in 348 plate appearances.

Tena will begin the season on the Nationals' 26-man roster, Jessica Camerato and Paige Leckie of MLB.com report.

Washington scooped up Jorbit Vivas from the Yankees late in camp to be its top utility option, but Tena is out of minor-league options and will remain on the bench as well, at least for now. Tena slashed .243/.314/.355 over 169 plate appearances last season with zero homers and three steals while seeing most of his time at third base.

Myers has secured a spot in the Mets' Opening Day bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The former Brewer will handle long-relief duties alongside Sean Manaea to begin the season. Myers was effective as a swingman for Milwaukee in 2025, posting a 3.55 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB in 50.2 innings over 22 appearances (six starts).