MLB Player News
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Jake Woodford SP | MIL
Brewers' Jake Woodford: Traded to Milwaukee
The Brewers acquired Woodford from the Rays on Tuesday in exchange for K.C. Hunt and selected Woodford's contract from Triple-A Nashville.
Woodford wasn't going to make the Rays' Opening Day roster as a non-roster invitee, but he'll now open the year in the Brewers' bullpen. The right-hander holds a career 5.10 ERA over 111 appearances (25 starts) at the big-league level. Woodford will fill a long-relief role in Milwaukee.
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Porter Hodge SP | CHC
Cubs' Porter Hodge: Hopes to play catch by April 1
The Cubs hope Hodge (elbow) is ready to play catch around April 1, MLB.com reports.
Hodge was diagnosed with a right flexor strain in early March. Given that he will be shut down for nearly a month, at minimum, it's going to take a while for him to get built back up. Hodge posted a 6.27 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over his 36 appearances with the Cubs in 2025.
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Kevin Defrank SP | MIA
Marlins' Kevin Defrank: Wowing in camp this spring
Defrank has regularly hit 100 mph with his fastball this spring while showing a potentially plus changeup and the makings of a quality slider or sweeper, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.
Still only 17 years old, Defrank has also impressed Marlins brass with his makeup and maturity. "I would say what excites me the most is how much he grew last year and how much I think we're going to see him grow again this year because of his discipline, his work ethic, and just the physicality that he gained," director of player development Rachel Balkovec said. "I think he's exploded onto the map." Given DeFrank's age, Miami will treat the right-hander with kid gloves in 2026 after he threw 31 innings in the Dominican Summer League last year, but he'll climb prospect lists quickly if he stays healthy and continues to refine his control and his arsenal.
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Brady Singer SP | CIN
Reds' Brady Singer: Blister free in final spring start
Singer allowed six runs (five earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings in Monday's spring start against the Brewers.
After retiring the side in order the first, Singer got knocked around by the Brew Crew, who scored three times in the second inning, once in the third and another two in the fourth. Other than that, it was a successful outing for Singer, who upped his pitch count to 78 and was blister-free, after he was removed from his previous Cactus League outing when a blister developed on his right index finger. He's scheduled to start the third game of the regular season on Sunday at home against the Red Sox.
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Merrill Kelly SP | ARI
Diamondbacks' Merrill Kelly: Expected to need rehab start
Kelly (back) will make a rehab start at Triple-A Reno before being reinstated from the 15-day injured list, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.
This update shouldn't be much of a surprise for fantasy managers, as the D-Backs want to see how Kelly fares in a game setting before activating him from the IL. If all goes according to plan, the right-hander could be ready to make his 2026 debut at some point during Arizona's second road trip of the season, either in New York or Philadelphia.
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Blake Snell SP | LAD
Dodgers' Blake Snell: Late May targeted for season debut
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that he's hopeful Snell (shoulder) will be ready to make his season debut by late May, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
Snell has been eased along slowly this spring due to a lingering issue with his pitching shoulder. He has begun throwing off the mound but still has numerous boxes to check before being cleared for game action. The Dodgers are playing the long game with Snell, who was terrific when healthy last year, posting a 2.35 ERA and 72:26 K:BB over 61.1 regular-season innings.
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Hunter Greene SP | CIN
Reds' Hunter Greene: Goes on 60-day IL
The Reds placed Greene (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Monday.
Greene underwent surgery in mid-March to remove bone chips in his throwing elbow. His placement on the 60-day IL means that the earliest he can make his 2026 regular-season debut is late May, though the nature of the procedure means that Greene will likely be out of action for at least the first half of the season. The Reds selected Nathaniel Lowe's contract from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.
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Josiah Gray SP | WAS
Nationals' Josiah Gray: To 60-day IL with flexor strain
The Nationals recalled Gray from Triple-A Rochester and placed him on the 60-day injured list Monday with a right flexor strain.
Gray was optioned to Rochester last week, but that move has been rescinded after the flexor strain was discovered. It's a troubling development for Gray, who missed the entire 2025 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He will not be eligible for activation until late May, and it's unclear whether Gray will be ready to pitch in games by that point.
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Quinn Priester SP | MIL
Brewers' Quinn Priester: Targeting early-May return
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Monday that the team hopes Priester (wrist) is ready for his season debut by early May, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.
Priester is currently with the Brewers in Milwaukee and will throw a couple more bullpen sessions there before heading back to the club's spring training complex in Arizona when the Brewers begin their first road trip. The right-hander is dealing with a nerve issue related to thoracic outlet syndrome that has led to pain in his right wrist. Priester will need to make some rehab starts before rejoining the Brewers' rotation.
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Nick Lodolo SP | CIN
Reds' Nick Lodolo: Will play catch Tuesday
Lodolo (finger) is scheduled to play catch Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Lodolo had to exit Sunday's Cactus League outing against the Guardians due to a blister on his left index finger. He's tentatively slated to start Saturday versus the Red Sox, but getting pushed back or placed on the injured list are viewed as likelier scenarios for the southpaw. Lodolo has a history of blister problems, so expect the Reds to proceed cautiously so as not to make the issue worse.