MLB Player News

Blackburn has posted a 1.88 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB over 14.1 innings spanning five appearances (including two starts) during Grapefruit League play.

The WHIP and walks aren't going to excite anyone, but Blackburn has at least managed to mostly keep opponents from crossing home plate. The veteran hurler is slated for his first full season with the Yankees after joining the club in late August last year. Blackburn will likely serve in middle and long relief during the regular season, and his previous experience as a starter gives the Yankees insurance in case a spot start is needed along the way.

Urena could make the Angels' Opening Day roster, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Urena has pitched just one game above the Double-A level, so he came into camp as a long shot to break camp with the big-league club. However, the right-hander has had a decent spring, posting a 4.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over 15.2 innings spanning six appearances (including one start). Beyond those surface numbers, Urena has hit triple digits with his sinker and hasn't yet given up any long balls. He's worked mostly as a starter in the minors, though Urena's profile could fit that of a high-leverage reliever. Whether or not he makes the season-opening 26-day roster could hinge on whether Alek Manoah (finger) and Grayson Rodriguez (arm) begin the campaign in the Angels' rotation.

The Guardians traded Kieboom to the Phillies on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Kieboom inked a minor-league deal with the Guardians in mid-January and appeared 16 Cactus League games for Cleveland, posting a .160/.192/.320 slash line with one home run and five RBI in 26 plate appearances. Per Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Kierboom will report to Philadelphia's minor-league camp and likely open the season in Triple-A but could see some major-league action if the Phillies need additional depth at first base.

D'Arnaud is expected to serve as the Angels' No. 2 catcher behind Logan O'Hoppe this season, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

D'Arnaud served in the same role during his first season with the Angels last year and finished the campaign with a .598 OPS along with six homers and 21 RBI across 231 plate appearances. He struggled to make contact, posting a career-worst 32.0 percent strikeout rate. O'Hoppe is viewed by the Angels as a potential long-term stalwart behind the plate, so d'Arnaud isn't a threat to usurp the younger catcher's playing time.

McGuire exercised his release clause with the Brewers on Saturday and will become a free agent, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

McGuire entered spring training competing with Gary Sanchez for the Brewers' backup catcher job behind William Contreras. McGuire struggled across 10 Cactus League games, posting a .103/.161/.207 slash line with a solo home run in 31 plate appearances. Now that he's a free agent, McGuire will look to catch on with a team in need of backstop depth.

Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Saturday that Song will open the 2026 regular season on the injured list due to a right oblique strain.

Song suffered an oblique injury during batting practice in January and aggravated the issue in March. He's progressed enough in his recovery to hit in a cage and could start seeing live at-bats in the coming days, but it looks like the South Korean slugger will open the season on the Padres' IL, which would free up a roster spot for Ty France to make San Diego's Opening Day roster.

France will be part of the Padres' Opening Day roster, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

France joined the Padres in mid-February on a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. He played well at the plate across 17 Cactus League games, posting a .318/.367/.545 slash line with two home runs and 12 RBI in 49 plate appearances. With Sung-Mun Song (oblique) expected to open the season on the IL, France could see a fair amount of playing time as a utility man for San Diego.

Arraez went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Friday's 5-2 split-squad win over the Royals.

Arraez returned to Cactus League play after helping Team Venezuela win its first World Baseball Classic title. During the tournament, the 28-year-old slashed .308/.367/.692 with 10 RBI, six runs scored and two home runs across 30 plate appearances in seven games. The veteran infielder signed a one-year, $12 million pact with San Francisco in January and is expected to serve as the team's everyday second baseman. Over 154 games with San Diego in 2025, he slashed .292/.327/.392 with 66 runs scored, 61 RBI, 11 stolen bases and eight long balls in 675 plate appearances.

The Orioles optioned Kremer to minor-league camp Saturday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Kremer gave up five earned runs over nine innings during his three Grapefruit League appearances. He was beat out for the final spot in Baltimore's rotation by Zach Eflin, who struck out 10 batters and walked one in 7.1 shutout frames this spring. Kremer has maintained a fairly consistent 4.14 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over the past three seasons for the O's, and he'll likely be the first choice to return to the majors if the big club's rotation depth is tested.

Griffin gave up three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out five.

The 30-year-old southpaw has seen extensive work on the back fields this spring, with Friday's start being just his second Grapefruit League appearance, but Griffin built up to 78 pitches (53 strikes) and appears ready to take the ball for his first MLB game since 2022. Over eight innings this spring, he's delivered a 4.50 ERA and 9:2 K:BB, and he'll handle a mid-rotation role for the Nationals to kick off 2026 after spending the last three seasons in Japan.