MLB Player News

LaViolette (hand) struck out in his lone at-bat and played two innings in left field in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Padres in Cactus League play.

Though LaViolette hasn't been taking part in spring training with the big club, the Guardians opted to bring him aboard for Saturday's game to serve as an extra option in the outfield. A first-round pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, LaViolette didn't see any game action after being selected last summer while he recovered from a cleanup procedure on his left hand, but he appears to be heading into 2026 with a clean bill of health. The 22-year-old outfielder is likely to open the season at Single-A Hill City.

Koss went 2-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday's 8-7 Cactus League loss to the Diamondbacks.

Koss singled in the fourth inning and came around to score before adding another single in the sixth. He's gotten on base frequently through 13 Cactus League appearances, slashing .423/.545/.423 with six runs scored, six RBI and a stolen base across 33 plate appearances during that span. The 28-year-old appears likely to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster in a utility role after making his big-league debut with the Giants last season, though Tyler Fitzgerald also remains in the mix for that role.

Pena (finger) said Saturday that he's been swinging a bat with one hand, throwing plyometric balls and fielding groundballs during his rehab program, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old was diagnosed with a fracture in the tip of his right ring finger in early March, sidelining him for the World Baseball Classic and putting his availability for Opening Day into question. Pena's current participation in baseball activities is encouraging, and at this point, he's just awaiting clearance to throw and swing with both hands. Once fully cleared, the shortstop doesn't expect to need many at-bats before being ready for MLB action, so he still has a chance to be ready by Opening Day.

Brennan started at center field and went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 8-7 Cactus League loss to the Diamondbacks.

After reaching base on a fielder's choice in the second inning and coming around to score, Brennan added an RBI single in the third but was caught trying to steal second. Through 15 Cactus League outings, he's recorded eight runs scored, six RBI and four home runs while slashing .379/.455/.483 across 33 plate appearances. Following an injury-riddled 2025 campaign in which he underwent Tommy John surgery in June and sports hernia surgery in September, the 28-year-old outfielder signed a major-league deal with San Francisco in mid-February. The left-handed hitter is expected to operate as the Giants' fourth outfielder this season.

The Athletics are planning on having Butler (knees) make his Cactus League debut Tuesday versus the White Sox, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Butler's spring debut has been delayed after he underwent surgery on his right knee in October to repair a torn patellar tendon, as well as receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection to address tendinitis in his left knee. Though the 25-year-old has been able to stay on top of his hitting progression, he's needed more time to complete a running program and take part in full defensive drills. Butler appeared to be running the bases at full speed during his workout Sunday, so the outfielder may have cleared the final hurdle in his long recovery process. Since he's already been able to get plenty of competitive at-bats in through live batting practice sessions and simulated games, Butler may need to play just a couple of Cactus League games to prove that he's ready to go for Opening Day.

Birdsong was diagnosed with a Grade 2 forearm strain and UCL sprain after undergoing an MRI on Sunday and will meet with Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that the right-hander was headed for a second opinion on his arm injury, and that certainly makes sense given the initial diagnosis. Birdsong is weighing the treatment options, and surgery is likely to be on the table.

The Rangers outrighted Diaz to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

After signing a one-year deal with Texas in December, Diaz entered spring training with a chance to stake his claim to the closer job in an unsettled bullpen. The right-hander's lack of command during spring training ultimately resulted in him not only falling short of a high-leverage role, but a spot on the 40-man roster. He'll remain in the Texas organization after drawing no interest on the waiver wire, having yielded eight earned runs on three hits and four walks over 1.2 innings in the Cactus League.

The Rangers reassigned Bride to minor-league camp Sunday.

Bride had been competing for a utility spot on the Opening Day roster but didn't help his case by slashing an underwhelming .226/.368/.290 over 38 plate appearances. The 30-year-old infielder is likely to begin the campaign at Triple-A Round Rock.

The Rangers optioned Corniell (triceps/back) to Double-A Frisco on Sunday.

Though he was able to make his big-league debut late last season, Corniell will end up dropping back down to the Double-A level to begin the 2026 campaign after back and triceps injuries prevented him from gaining much momentum this spring in his bid for a spot in the bullpen. Corniell at least appears to be heading into the season healthy after making his Cactus League debut Friday, issuing one walk and allowing no hits over a scoreless inning of relief.

The Rangers optioned MacIver to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.

Texas looks set to head into Opening Day with Danny Jansen and Kyle Higashioka (back) as its two backstops, but MacIver should be first in line for a call-up if another catcher is required. The 29-year-old made his big-league debut last season for the Athletics, slashing .186/.252/.324 with three home runs and three stolen bases over 111 plate appearances.