MLB Player News

Beavers said Saturday that he felt tightness in his quad while running Friday, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Beavers has reportedly been having trouble with his right quad for a few days, and it bothered him enough Friday for the Orioles to scratch him from their Grapefruit League lineup. He remains optimistic that he'll be ready for Opening Day, though the team hasn't announced any official timeline.

Kittredge (shoulder) said Saturday that he expects to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk once the regular season starts, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Kittredge has been working his way back from right shoulder inflammation since early March, and the Orioles have already confirmed that he will begin the year on the injured list. However, the right-hander has been encouraged by how his shoulder has responded to treatment and seems confident that he will only have to miss the first 15 days of the new season.

The Rays informed Booser on Saturday that he won't be included on the team's Opening Day roster, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Booser gave up just one earned run and struck out nine batters over nine innings in the Grapefruit League, but despite his best efforts, he won't break camp with the big-league club. It's unknown whether he will opt to enter free agency or stick with the organization, but a decision is expected to come within the next few days.

Williamson allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out two over 5.1 innings in Friday's spring start against the Cubs.

Williamson retired the first seven batters he faced and kept the Cubs scoreless through four innings by inducing a couple of double-play groundouts to end the third and fourth innings. The left-hander finished off a promising spring training, having posted a 1.65 ERA with 15 strikeouts and three walks over 16.1 Cactus League innings. Williamson will be part of a unique three-starter unit, along with Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, that will occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the Cincinnati rotation.

Atlanta signed Farmer to a one-year split contract Saturday.

The 35-year-old infielder was invited to spring training by Atlanta in early February. Across 12 Grapefruit League games, he posted a .400/.417/.514 slash line with one home run and five RBI in 36 plate appearances. A path to the Opening Day roster opened up when Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for a second time in the last year, but Farmer could still begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta signed Smith to a one-year split contract Saturday.

Smith was invited to spring training by Atlanta in mid-February and slashed .242/.342/.364 with one home run and four RBI in 38 plate appearances over 12 Grapefruit League games. If he makes the Opening Day roster, Smith could see some work as the designated hitter against right-handed pitching for as long as Sean Murphy (hip) is sidelined.

The Phillies informed Crawford on Saturday that he will be on the team's Opening Day roster, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

Crawford has slashed .277/.320/.383 with two RBI, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases through 50 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League -- good enough for the Phillies to feel comfortable naming him as their primary center fielder. The 22-year-old has demonstrated an excellent ability to make contact during his time in the minors and boasts exceptional speed, having swiped 46 bags at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. However, he may face competition for playing time once Johan Rojas returns from his 80-game suspension in late June.

Suarez went 1-for-2 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's spring game against the Cubs.

A triumphant Suarez returned to Cactus League action following his starring role for Team Venezuela in its victory in the World Baseball Classic final over Team USA. On Friday, he served as Reds' designated hitter, which will be his everyday role in 2026 with occasional starts at corner infield.

Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Mayer will begin the season as the Red Sox's primary second baseman, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Cora's announcement comes shortly after he named Caleb Durbin as the team's starter at third base and the Red Sox's decision to option Nick Sogard to Triple-A Worcester. Mayer has posted just a .710 OPS this spring across 44 plate appearances, but the organization feels he has done enough to win the battle at the keystone. Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Andruw Monasterio remain in camp as bench pieces.

Stephenson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's spring game against the Cubs.

Stephenson popped a second-inning homer, his first of the Cactus League. The catcher appears to be coming around with hits in three of his last four games but is batting just .176 (6-for-34) this spring. Stephenson will be Cincinnati's starting catcher, but those occasional starts he used to get as a designated hitter may dry up in 2026. Eugenio Suarez is expected to serve as the everyday DH this season.