MLB Player News

The Rays assigned Boyle to minor-league camp Friday.

Boyle had been in contention for a spot in the big-league bullpen, but he'll fall short of those aspirations. The 26-year-old allowed seven runs (four earned) with a 16:8 K:BB across 9.2 innings during spring training. Per Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun, Boyle will be stretched out to be a starter at Triple-A Durham.

The Rays optioned Palacios to minor-league camp Friday.

Palacios will fall short of making the Rays' Opening Day roster. The 28-year-old utility player went 3-for-19 with a double, seven strikeouts and four walks during spring training action.

Pauley (forearm) is expected to play third base in Miami's spring-training finale Sunday against the Mets, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Pauley has been seeing some action at DH during spring training while recovering from soreness in his right forearm, but the 25-year-old is on the brink of making his first Grapefruit League appearance in the field, which is encouraging for his Opening Day availability.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said Friday that Junk will be the team's fifth starter, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Junk has officially won the fifth starting spot, beating out Braxton Garrett, who was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday. Junk, now 30 years old, had his first prolonged big-league stint last season, starting in 16 of his 21 appearances with Miami and posting a 4.17 ERA across 110 innings. His first regular-season start is scheduled to come against the White Sox.

The Marlins optioned Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday.

After being sidelined all of last season while recovering from elbow surgery, Garrett will begin 2026 in the minors. He gave up three runs with three strikeouts and three walks over four Grapefruit League innings. The left-hander will likely get a look in Miami's rotation at some point this season, but it'll be Janson Junk who begins the campaign as the No. 5 starter.

Taylor opted out of his contract with the Angels on Friday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Taylor signed an NRI deal with the Halos in February, but after being informed he wouldn't make the big-league roster, he opted out of the deal. The veteran utility player will hit the open market after going 9-for-39 (.231) with one home run and a 10:11 BB:K during spring training.

Sanchez was announced as the Phillies' Opening Day starter for Thursday's game versus the Rangers, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The left-hander certainly earned it after he posted a 2.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 212:44 K:BB across 202 innings during the regular season last year, though Zack Wheeler (shoulder) likely would have still earned the nod if healthy. Sanchez has established himself as a frontline starter the past two seasons, with his 212 strikeouts last year ranking seventh in MLB.

Holliday (hand) took live batting practice Thursday with no issues and is doing so again Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

The 22-year-old continues working his way back from surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, which he underwent in mid-February. Holliday won't be ready to join Baltimore for Opening Day, but he could begin a rehab assignment at the start of the Triple-A season.

Sale has officially been named Atlanta's Opening Day starter, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Sale will make his seventh career Opening Day start and his second straight in Atlanta. The soon-to-be 37-year-old will face the Royals. Sale has had back-to-back stellar seasons, posting a 2.38 ERA in 2024 and a 2.58 ERA in 2025.

Benge is likely to make the Mets' Opening Day roster, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

The Mets have already optioned MJ Melendez to the minors, but Mike Tauchman remains in camp as the club has yet to make anything official regarding the season-opening roster. It's possible both outfielders land on the 26-man roster if New York goes short on the infield. Benge has put his best foot forward during spring training with a .406/.472/.500 slash line through 11 Grapefruit League games, which gives him a chance not just to make the roster but begin the year with a regular role.