MLB Player News

Yamamoto completed 1.2 innings against the Angels in a Cactus League contest Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and no walks while striking out three batters.

Fresh off a memorable World Series against Toronto during which Yamamoto picked up three wins and was named the series MVP, the right-handed hurler kicked off the Dodgers' spring slate as the team's starting pitcher. He breezed through a 1-2-3 first inning but gave up a couple runs in the second, due in part to a fielding error in the outfield. Nonetheless, Yamamoto didn't look rusty in the outing, throwing 22 of 30 pitches for strikes. Yamamoto will pitch for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but he may first draw another Cactus League start Friday against the Giants, per Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Clarke (hip) started at designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a run scored in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the White Sox.

Clarke made his spring debut Saturday in an uneventful outing, serving as the designated hitter and going hitless. The superb defender was limited to 47 regular-season games as a rookie in 2025 due to a nagging right adductor strain that sidelined him from MLB action beyond July 20. In 159 big-league plate appearances, he slashed .230/.274/.372 with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, eight RBI and six stolen bases. While the offensive production was modest, Clarke's elite defense should position him as the Athletics' regular center fielder in 2026, health permitting.

Perkins (shoulder) allowed two runs on two hits and two walks across two-thirds of an inning in Saturday's Cactus League loss to the White Sox. He struck out one.

Perkins wasn't at his sharpest in his spring debut, surrendering a leadoff double to Chase Meidroth and a two-out, two-RBI double to Edgar Quero before being lifted prior to completing the first inning. While the results weren't ideal, the right-hander getting back on the mound in game action is a positive development after he finished the 2025 season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. Perkins will look to earn a spot in the starting rotation this spring, though he worked out of the bullpen in eight of his 12 big-league appearances last season.

Bergert (elbow) allowed a hit and a walk with no strikeouts across one scoreless inning in Saturday's Cactus League loss to San Diego.

Bergert made his spring debut Saturday, allowing a leadoff double and a two-out walk before retiring the side without damage in his lone inning of work. The right-hander showed promise as a rookie in 2025 before finishing the season on the injured list due to a right elbow strain, posting a 3.66 ERA and 1.26 WHIP across 19 appearances (15 starts) between San Diego and Kansas City. Bergert will compete for a spot in the Royals' deep rotation, with Noah Cameron, Stephen Kolek and Bailey Falter also in the mix.

Long exited Saturday's Cactus League game against Texas with a sprained left elbow, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 24-year-old prospect suffered the injury while attempting to catch a wide throw to first base that put his arm in the path of Mark Canha, leading to a collision. Long will likely miss some time while he recovers, though it's still unknown whether his injury will impact his availability for the start of the regular season.

Judge went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in Saturdays' 20-3 Grapefruit League rout of Detroit.

Judge didn't play Friday in New York's spring opener, but he started in right field and batted second Saturday. The reigning AL MVP wasted little time reminding everyone of his prodigious power, crushing a pair of two-run homers that traveled a combined 815 feet. Judge had a quiet spring last season, and he didn't go deep until late in the exhibition slate, but he nonetheless managed to post a 1.145 OPS with 53 home runs and 114 RBI over 679 plate appearances during the regular season.

The Dodgers placed Hernandez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

The move creates space on the Dodgers' 40-man roster for Jack Suwinski, who was claimed off waivers from the Pirates on Saturday. Hernandez is expected to miss the first several months of the regular season while he recovers from offseason elbow surgery, though the team is hopeful that he'll resume a hitting program soon.

Ryan will undergo an MRI on his lower back Saturday, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Ryan was originally scheduled to start the Twins' Grapefruit League opener against Boston on Saturday, but lower-back tightness caused him to be scratched shortly before the game. The Twins will now bring him in for imaging to confirm whether he's dealing with any structural damage, and more information on his condition will likely come Sunday.

Long was removed from Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rangers with an apparent left wrist injury, Matthew Postins of SI.com reports.

Mark Canha ran into Long's arm while the latter was attempting to catch a wide throw to first base in the fourth inning. The severity of Long's injury isn't immediately clear, but the Cubs should provide more information on his status in the near future.

Samaniego didn't pitch as scheduled in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins due to back tightness, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Manager Alex Cora said after the game that Samaniego's injury isn't too serious, and he should be able to get into a game within the next few days. The 27-year-old lefty posted a 3.08 ERA and 0.92 WHIP in 26.1 innings with the Pirates' Double-A affiliate last year before being shipped to Boston in the offseason. He will most likely report to Triple-A Worcester to begin the regular season and could be a candidate to debut in the big leagues at some point this year.