MLB Player News

Soto went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The fourth-inning single off Sandy Alcantara was Soto's first hit in three games since returning from the WBC. The 27-year-old superstar is batting just .150 (3-for-20) in eight Grapefruit League contests with a double for his only extra-base hit, but Soto was far more productive for Team Dominican Republic, going 6-for-23 (.261) with two homers and a 5:5 BB:K. After a strong first season with the Mets in which he slashed .263/.396/.525 over 160 games with a career-high 43 home runs and a stunning 38 stolen bases -- he had 40 total steals in the five prior seasons combined -- Soto shouldn't be derailed at the plate in 2026 by a defensive switch to left field.

Edwards is batting .194 (7-for-36) in 14 games this spring with a 4:5 BB:K and three stolen bases in four attempts.

While his Grapefruit League numbers aren't overly impressive, Edwards appears to be locking in ahead of Opening Day, as four of his seven hits have come in his last five games, a stretch in which he's gone 4-for-13 (.308) with a couple doubles. The 26-year-old switch hitter doesn't offer any power, but since making his big-league debut in 2023 he's been a strong leadoff option, batting .298 for the Marlins with a .358 OBP and 63 steals in 239 contests.

Pirates manager Don Kelly indicated Monday that Soto is in the mix to see save opportunities this season, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Dennis Santana will enter the season as the favorite to see most of the save chances for Pittsburgh. However, Kelly noted that he could use Santana in leverage spots earlier in games at times, and the skipper also pointed out Soto's closing experience. The left-handed Soto has held lefty bats to a .211/.306/.294 batting line in his career, making him a candidate to see some save chances when the opposition has lefties due up in the ninth inning.

Marsee has gone 0-for-7 in Grapefruit League play after returning from the World Baseball Classic.

The 24-year-old batted .174 (4-for-23) over six games for Italy during the WBC, and Marsee hasn't found a groove since rejoining the Marlins. He's locked into the starting center field job, and big things are expected from the former Padres farmhand after he slashed .292/.363/.478 over 55 games in his big-league debut last season with five homers and 14 steals.

Alcantara gave up three runs on five hits over 4.2 innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out six without walking a batter.

The right-hander tossed 56 of 86 pitches for strikes in his final spring tuneup. Alcantara wraps up camp with a 5.68 ERA over 12.2 innings, but he gave up only one home run and sported a 16:2 K:BB, much more encouraging signs. The 30-year-old is set to take the mound Opening Day at home against the Rockies as he looks to rebound after a disappointing return from Tommy John surgery in 2025.

Pirates manager Don Kelly indicated Monday that Santana will not be the only reliever he uses for save opportunities, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Santana notched 16 saves for Pittsburgh last season, with 10 of those coming in the final two months after David Bednar was traded. The 29-year-old is the heavy favorite to lead the Pirates in saves in 2026, but Kelly noted that he could use Santana earlier in games at times if the situation calls for it. Gregory Soto looks to be next in the pecking order and could be used to close when the opposition has lefty bats due up.

Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and four RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The 28-year-old outfielder got hold of a Nick Martinez cutter in the first inning for a two-run homer, one of three Toronto long balls off the right-hander. It was Sanchez's first home run of the spring, and he's been heating up with Opening Day approaching, going 5-for-13 over his last three Grapefruit League games. Sanchez has never been able to fully capitalize on some impressive metrics during his MLB career, including 93rd percentile bat speed in 2025 and a 95th percentile hard-hit rate in 2024, but the Blue Jays have a track record of helping big swingers unlock another level of production.

Murray (finger) went 1-for-2 with a walk, a run and an RBI while appearing in three Cactus League games last week.

Murray had previously exited a March 7 game after being struck in the right pinky finger by a pitch, but he was cleared for action just over a week later. The 26-year-old infielder finished Cactus League play with a .238/.333/.619 slash line to go with two home runs and one stolen base across 27 plate appearances. He'll open the season at Triple-A Charlotte but should make his MLB debut at some point in 2026 after being added to the White Sox's 40-man roster over the winter.

Guerrero went 2-for-2 with a walk, a two-run home run and a second run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

The first-inning homer off Nick Martinez was Guerrero's first in eight Grapefruit League games, although he also slugged two in five contests for the Dominican Republic during the WBC. Guerrero is batting .444 (8-for-18) with a 4:1 BB:K for the Jays this spring, and the 27-year-old looks locked in for the start of the regular season.

Bassitt is scheduled to make his Orioles debut March 30 against the Rangers, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

The Orioles will roll out Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish and Shane Baz in their opening series versus the Twins before Bassitt and Zach Eflin round out the rotation. Bassitt's final spring training tuneup will come Monday against the Nationals when he follows Baz. The 37-year-old Bassitt holds a 2.51 ERA and 9:8 K:BB over 14.1 innings this spring.