MLB Player News

Defrank has regularly hit 100 mph with his fastball this spring while showing a potentially plus changeup and the makings of a quality slider or sweeper, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

Still only 17 years old, Defrank has also impressed Marlins brass with his makeup and maturity. "I would say what excites me the most is how much he grew last year and how much I think we're going to see him grow again this year because of his discipline, his work ethic, and just the physicality that he gained," director of player development Rachel Balkovec said. "I think he's exploded onto the map." Given DeFrank's age, Miami will treat the right-hander with kid gloves in 2026 after he threw 31 innings in the Dominican Summer League last year, but he'll climb prospect lists quickly if he stays healthy and continues to refine his control and his arsenal.

Winquest has made the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

The Rule 5 pick had an uneven Grapefruit League performance, finishing with a 6.48 ERA and 7:3 K:BB over 8.1 innings. However, the Yankees are intrigued enough with Winquest's upside to carry him on the Opening Day roster in a low-leverage role. In order for the Yankees to maintain Winquest's rights, the righty must remain on the major-league roster or injured list the entire season, with at least 90 days spent on the active roster and not the injured list.

McGonigle will be included on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

The 21-year-old shortstop produced a .250/.411/.477 slash line with two doubles, a triple, two homers, two steals and a 11:9 K:BB across 56 plate appearances during spring training, which was apparently enough to convince the Tigers that he's ready to make his MLB debut despite never seeing action at the Triple-A level. McGonigle, who is one of the top prospects in baseball, split most of last season between High-A and Double-A, finishing the year with a combined 19 home runs, 10 stolen bases and a .991 OPS in 88 games. He still needs to officially be added to the big-league roster but should step in as Detroit's shortstop Opening Day in San Diego on Thursday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recommitted to Sasaki as a member of the team's rotation after another poor outing from the pitcher Monday against the Angels, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sasaki was pulled in the first inning Monday before recording an out, as he hit a batter and walked in two runs while throwing 30 pitches. He re-entered the game in the second inning and wound up covering two-plus frames, getting charged with five runs on six walks and two hit-by-pitches. Sasaki finished the Cactus League with a 15.58 ERA and 12:15 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Despite the struggles, Sasaki remains lined up to start Monday versus the Guardians. Roberts will be forced to have a short leash with Sasaki, however. Justin Wrobleski is set to open the season in a hybrid role and is expected to be available to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen after Sasaki, if needed.

Bastardo won't be on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear yet what the organization plans to do with the right-hander, who was a Rule 5 pick ahead of the 2025 season but spent all of last year on the IL while he completed his recovery from Tommy John surgery. Bastardo struggled to find the plate this spring, posting a 5:7 K:BB over 7.2 Grapefruit League innings.

Lukes has a spot on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Rosie DiManno of The Toronto Star reports.

The acquisition of Jesus Sanchez in February put Lukes' job security in question, but the 31-year-old will break camp as part of a crowded outfield that also includes Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Addison Barger and Myles Straw, with Davis Schneider still fighting for the final bench spot as well. Lukes did his part to prove his worth this spring, slashing .333/.468/.417 in 18 Grapefruit League games with a 9:10 BB:K, but his .255/.323/.407 line over 135 regular-season games in 2025 offers a better view of his limited upside at the plate.

Straw will be on the Blue Jays' Opening Day roster, Rosie DiManno of The Toronto Star reports.

It's not a big surprise, but Toronto does have something of a logjam in the outfield with Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Addison Barger, Jesus Sanchez, Nathan Lukes and Straw all confirmed for the 26-man roster, and Davis Schneider still fighting for the final bench spot. Straw does offer a platoon option in center field for Varsho, but his main usage in 2026 will likely come as a pinch runner and late-inning defensive replacement. In 299 regular-season plate appearances last year, Straw slashed .262/.313/.367 with four homers, tying his career high, and 12 steals in 13 attempts.

Lopez's velocity returned in a bullpen session Tuesday following a mechanical adjustment, Ken Sugiura of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lopez pointed to mechanical problems as the reason he averaged just 89.2 mph with his four-seamer in his final Grapefruit League start against the Twins. It appears he's fixed the issue and regained some pep on the fastball, though it's unclear just how much harder Lopez was throwing in Tuesday's bullpen session. The righty averaged 95.5 mph with his four-seamer during his last full season in 2024, and it would be a big ask for him to get back to that level after shoulder surgery. Lopez is scheduled to make his season debut Saturday against the Royals, and fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his radar-gun readings in that outing.

Dubon went 1-for-3 in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

Getting the start at shortstop and batting ninth, Dubon slapped a single to right field to lead off the third inning. The veteran utility player has looked comfortable during his first spring in an Atlanta uniform, slashing .302/.348/.465 over 16 Grapefruit League games with four doubles, a homer and a steal, and he'll begin the year as the starting shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim completes his recovery from January surgery to repair a torn tendon in his finger.

Payamps gave up a hit over two scoreless innings of relief in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The right-hander has had a strong spring, posting a 0.00 ERA and 7:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. Payamps fell apart in 2025 for the Brewers before getting waived late in the season and winding up in Atlanta, but over the two prior seasons he'd recorded a 2.78 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 in 129.2 innings. He'll try to regain that form while beginning the 2026 campaign in a middle-relief role for Atlanta.