MLB Player News

Ward was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Ward will head to Oklahoma City after batting .156 with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored over 32 at-bats in 12 games during spring training with the Dodgers. The 28-year-old will open the 2026 season at the Triple-A level, and he'll look to into a groove in an attempt to get a shot with the major-league roster in the coming months.

Nunez was optioned to the Orioles' minor-league camp Sunday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Nunez appeared in five games with Baltimore during spring training, tossing five scoreless innings while allowing three hits and striking out six batters over five innings. The right-handed pitcher will now likely open the season with Triple-A Norfolk, and he'll look to impress in an attempt to get a shot with the major-league roster this season.

De Los Santos (knee) is expected to complete one more bullpen session before facing hitters in live batting practice Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The upcoming live BP session will represent the final checkpoint De Los Santos will need to hit in his recovery from a right knee strain before gaining clearance to make his Grapefruit League debut. De Los Santos worked mainly in middle relief between stops with Atlanta and Houston last season, picking up six wins and six holds and submitting a 4.36 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 62:24 K:BB across 66 innings.

Long has been diagnosed with a bruise and cleared of any structural issues with his left elbow, putting him on track to potentially return to baseball activities by the end of the week, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

The 24-year-old was unable to join Team Chinese Taipei for the World Baseball Classic due to the injury, but he's now progressing toward game action. If he can avoid any setbacks, Long could be ready to join Triple-A Iowa for the start of the minor-league season.

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Sunday that Higashioka (back) is feeling better and is expected to return to the spring lineup Monday against the Padres, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The 35-year-old backstop was scratched from the lineup Saturday due to back spasms but is on track for a quick return to the lineup. Higashioka had a .694 OPS in 94 games last season and is expected to split playing time with Danny Jansen behind the plate for the Rangers this year.

Pallette (shoulder) made his Cactus League debut Tuesday and has struck out five while allowing three hits and one walk over two scoreless innings between two appearances.

Pallette's spring debut was delayed while he contended with right forearm fatigue earlier in camp, but his bid for the Guardians' Opening Day roster won't be derailed. The Guardians selected Pallette in the Rule 5 Draft over the winter, so he'll need to remain on the 26-man active roster or a reserve list throughout the season, or else Cleveland will have to offer him back to the White Sox.

The Rays optioned Keegan to minor-league camp Sunday.

Keegan played in seven Grapefruit League games but never got going at the plate, as he finished 1-for-11 with six strikeouts. He should return to Triple-A Durham, where he posted a .735 OPS with 10 homers in 69 games during 2025.

The Rays optioned Cook to minor-league camp Sunday.

The 24-year-old was added to Tampa Bay's 40-man roster in November but was always a longshot to crack the Opening Day roster. Cook missed some time in 2025 due to injuries but pitched well for Double-A Montgomery when available, finishing with a 2.30 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 18:3 K:BB over 15.2 innings.

The Brewers optioned Crow to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Crow will likely be in line for a full-time stay in the Nashville rotation in 2026 after he made all but two of his starts last season at Double-A Biloxi, with whom he submitted a 2.51 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 52:8 K:BB in 43 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster over the winter, but he's buried on the organizational starting pitching depth chart and is unlikely to be in store for an extended stay in Milwaukee at any point during the upcoming season.

The Rockies optioned Thompson to Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday, Patrick Lyons of JustBaseball.com reports.

Thompson was added to Colorado's 40-man roster in November but won't make the Opening Day roster. The 24-year-old outfielder will return to Albuquerque, where he posted a .296/.392/.519 slash line with 18 homers and 12 steals in 120 games last year.