MLB Player News

Massey may not be available for Opening Day due to a calf strain, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Massey is rehabbing from a low-grade calf strain that he suffered last week. He's progressed enough in his recovery to take at-bats in backfield games, but whether he's ready for Opening Day will depend on whether he can run at 100 percent. Participation in the final Cactus League games of spring training would be a good sign for Massey's chances of being available for the start of the regular season.

Kolek (oblique) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Wednesday marked Kolek's first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a left oblique strain in late February. With just nine days remaining until the Royals' regular-season opener, it's unlikely that the 28-year-old righty will have enough time before then to build up to a starter's workload. However, he may be able to work as a multi-inning reliever in the meantime.

The Dodgers optioned Ryan to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Ryan spent the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery and entered spring training with an outside shot at making the Dodgers' Opening Day roster. He appeared in four Cactus League games for the Dodgers and posted a 1.86 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 12:4 K:BB across 9.2 innings. It was a strong camp for Ryan, but even with Blake Snell (shoulder) expected to start the season on the 15-day injured list, the Dodgers are being mindful of the former's workload and will ease him back in the minors first, per Jack Harris of the California Post. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Ryan in some major-league games in 2026.

The Blue Jays optioned Valenzuela to Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Valenzuela performed well during spring training, posting an .848 OPS across 11 Grapefruit League contests, but he will fall short of an Opening Day roster spot. Should Alejandro Kirk or Tyler Heineman have to miss any length of time during the regular season, Valenzuela would likely be promoted to provide depth behind the plate.

Early allowed one hit and two walks while striking out seven over five scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against the Yankees.

The three-way competition for the fifth starter's job rages on, and Early submitted another piece of evidence that he's ready for the job. The left-hander has allowed four runs (three earned) over 17 innings (1.59 ERA) with five walks and 16 strikeouts in the Cactus League. The other contenders have been equally effective. Payton Tolle threw four scoreless innings of relief Tuesday, lowering his spring ERA to 2.53, while Johan Oviedo, perhaps the frontrunner, has matched Early's 1.59 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 9.2 innings. All three pitchers have minor-league options.

The Dodgers selected Espinal's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Espinal signed a minor-league contract with Los Angeles in mid-February, and after dominating in spring training to the tune of a .389/.432/.639 slash line to go with two homers, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored through 15 contests, he's now officially claimed a spot on the team's Opening Day roster. The 31-year-old's clearest path to playing time early in the year will be in a short-side platoon role at second base, as Tommy Edman is expected to miss the first month of the regular season while recovering from ankle surgery. Once Edman returns, Espinal will likely be relegated to a bench role while Edman and Hyeseong Kim split reps at the keystone.

Harrison was removed during the third inning of Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Angels due to a blister on his left index finger, Sophia Minnaert of FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin reports.

Harrison tossed 59 pitches across 2.2 frames and allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three before being removed from Wednesday's contest. Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters that the blister is something Harrison has been dealing with, so the issue doesn't appear to be one that would put the 24-year-old southpaw in jeopardy of missing Opening Day, per Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Singer was removed from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies due to a blister, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Singer made it through 3.2 scoreless innings before leaving the game, during which he surrendered two hits and a walk while striking out three batters. The right-hander's blister could prevent him from making another appearance before the end of spring training, and it's unknown whether he'll be ready for his first regular-season appearance -- which could come during the opening weekend of the season against the Red Sox.

Collins (side/back) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rangers.

Collins will return to the lineup for the first time since March 10 after being slowed by mild back and left side tightness over the past week. Prior to missing time, Collins had already logged 20 plate appearances in spring training, so he'll likely need to play in just a couple more games for the Royals to feel comfortable carrying him on the Opening Day roster.

The Tigers reassigned Julks to minor-league camp Wednesday, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Julks saw 13 plate appearances over six games in the big leagues with the White Sox in 2025, but he was facing an uphill battle to securing a spot on a more talented Tigers roster heading into Opening Day. The 30-year-old outfielder acquitted himself well during the spring, posting a 1.165 OPS over 31 plate appearances. If he can continue mashing early on at Triple-A Toledo, Julks could merit more serious consideration for a return to the majors.