MLB Player News

Butler (knees) started in right field and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's Cactus League win over the Cubs.

After making his spring debut at designated hitter Tuesday, Butler saw his first action in the outfield as the Athletics have been cautious with the 25-year-old while he recovers from surgery on his right knee and tendinitis in his left knee. His first hit of Cactus League play wasn't a cheap one, as he muscled a Jameson Taillon changeup over the left-center fence for a two-run blast in the fifth inning. Butler is coming off a 2025 season in which he slashed .234/.306/.404 across 152 games and will look to bounce back closer to his 2024 production, when he posted an .807 OPS in 125 contests.

Young went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a double, five total RBI and four total runs scored in Friday's 20-8 Cactus League victory over the Cleveland.

Young started the Mariners' offensive outburst with a solo shot off Logan Allen in the second inning before blasting a two-run, 478-foot moonshot off Matt Festa in the sixth. Young has been on a tear this spring, batting .349 (15-for-43) with six homers in his last 13 Cactus League games. The 22-year-old infielder seems to have locked up a spot on Seattle's Opening Day roster, especially with J.P. Crawford's (shoulder) status still up in the air.

Arenado batted fourth and went 1-for-3 with a double and three RBI in Friday's spring game against Milwaukee.

Arenado's bases-loaded, two-out grounder down the third base line made it into the corner in left field and cleared the bases in the second inning. This was Arenado's second game back from the World Baseball Classic, and he's delivered five runs on two doubles from the cleanup spot. This late in spring training, a batting order tends to resemble what it might look like on Opening Day, so it appears Arenado will be in a spot to drive in runs in 2026. The 34-year-od third baseman (who turns 35 in April) is looking to bounce back from two sub-par seasons with St. Louis with a fresh start in the desert.

Perez started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Friday's Cactus League loss to the Giants.

Perez opened the scoring, blasting an Adrian Houser sinker to the opposite field for a two-run homer in the first inning. Friday marked the veteran backstop's first Cactus League appearance since winning the World Baseball Classic with Venezuela, though he went just 4-for-22 with an RBI across five WBC games. Coming off a 2025 campaign in which he slashed .236/.284/.446 with 35 doubles, 30 homers and 100 RBI in 155 contests, Perez will have to battle Father Time entering his age-36 season, though there's no question his power remains intact. With Carter Jensen in the fold and set for his first full big-league season, Perez figures to split time between catcher and designated hitter, with occasional starts at first base also a possibility.

The Red Sox optioned Campbell to Triple-A Worcester on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Campbell faced an uphill battle to break camp with the big club, and he did himself no favors during Grapefruit League play with a .645 OPS and 2:11 BB:K in 46 plate appearances. Signed to an eight-year, $60 million extension last April, Campbell struggled out of the gates with the Red Sox last season and did not return to the majors after his demotion in June. He's expected to focus on the outfield while playing regularly at Triple-A to begin 2026.

Marte batted leadoff and went 0-for-3 with a run scored in Friday's spring game against the Brewers.

This was Marte's first Cactus League game since returning from the World Baseball Classic. He batted leadoff against a right-hander Friday, which deviates from last year's pattern, when he led off against lefties and batted second against righties. However the order shakes out in 2026, Marte is expected to hit first or second when in the starting lineup.

Alvarez (back) will start behind the plate and bat ninth in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez was lifted from Thursday's exhibition due to back tightness, a move which left fantasy managers holding their breath, but he has made a quick turnaround. Assuming no further issues, Alvarez should be fine to catch for Freddy Peralta on Opening Day.

Brown (shoulder) threw a bullpen session consisting of 20 fastballs Friday, MLB.com reports.

Brown has been dealing with a shoulder issue all spring and looks likely to head to the injured list to begin the season. He'll start mixing in breaking balls in his next bullpen session before progressing to live batting practice.

Freeman (back) remains sidelined and could begin the 2026 season on the injured list, MLB.com reports.

Freeman was scratched with back tightness Wednesday and has yet to return to action. His status is still ambiguous, though he'll likely need to get back on the field for a Cactus League game to have a chance to avoid the injured list to begin the regular season.

Bart has gone 5-for-31 with 13 strikeouts across 12 Grapefruit League games.

Bart is likely the favorite to win a roster spot as Pittsburgh's second catcher alongside Henry Davis, and his path became clearer earlier in the week when Endy Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Rafael Flores also remains in the mix, though he has hit poorly this spring.