MLB Player News

Donovan went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Donvovan has hit the ground running this spring, batting .452 (14-for-31) with a pair of stolen bases through his first 11 Cactus League games. The 29-year-old Donovan figures to be a fixture at the top of Seattle's batting order this season after he slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 homers and three stolen bases in 515 plate appearances with St. Louis last year.

Criswell is competing for the final starting spot in Seattle's Opening Day rotation, per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com.

With Bryce Miller (oblique) unlikely to be available by the start of the regular season, the Mariners' fifth rotation spot will likely come down to Criswell or Emerson Hancock. While Hancock is the early favorite for the job, the 29-year-old Criswell has added his name to the mix thanks to a strong spring. He's allowed just two runs on seven hits across 10.1 innings while striking out 10. Criswell spent most of the 2025 season in Triple-A, where he posted a 3.70 ERA across 65.2 innings. He did make 18 starts for the Red Sox in 2024, working to a 4.08 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP and 73 strikeouts across 99.1 innings. If Criswell doesn't crack the Opening Day rotation, he'll likely start the year as the long man in Seattle's bullpen.

Javier struck out five and allowed two hits and one walk over four scoreless innings Sunday in the Astros' 1-0 win over the Marlins in Grapefruit League play.

Taking the hill for his second start of spring training, Javier built up to 56 pitches, spotting 38 of them for strikes while generating 11 whiffs. The right-hander's fastball averaged 92.3 miles per hour on the afternoon, a half tick behind his average from the 2025 season and about a half tick up from the 91.7 mph he averaged during his first start back on March 9, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Javier is expected to make one final Grapefruit League start during the upcoming week before making his first turn of the regular season in the Astros' four-game home series versus the Angels at the end of the month.

McClanahan struck out seven and walked two without allowing a hit or a run in 3.2 innings Sunday against the Pirates.

The lefty's changeup was working well, getting whiffs at a 62 percent clip while he threw it 35 percent of the time. McClanahan's fastball averaged 94.8 miles per hour and touched 97.5 mph -- down from the 97.0 mph he averaged in 2022 and 2023. Still, McClanahan is discounted in drafts and can rack up strikeouts when he's healthy. He's up to eight innings through three spring starts.

Crochet is slated to start a minor-league game Monday after having his scheduled Grapefruit League start Sunday against the Twins pushed back, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

With five scheduled off days over the first month, the Red Sox plan to have Crochet pitch on a six-day schedule early in the season to manage his workload, per McCaffrey. Crochet said he prefers pitching every fifth day, but he's trying to be adaptable. In three spring starts, Crochet has allowed six runs in 8.2 innings with five strikeouts and a walk, but he didn't express much concern about his lackluster results. Crochet said that his velocity has been "a little down" from where he anticipated, but noted that he's more concerned about "pounding in the strike zone" at this stage of the spring. McCaffrey adds that Crochet is lined up for one final Grapefruit League start Saturday, although that would fall on four days' rest after Monday's spring game.

Jenkins (hamstring) is expected to be ready for the start of the Triple-A St. Paul Saints season, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Jenkins was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain March 1, but he could return to play in a minor-league game this week. The 21-year-old received a taste of the Triple-A level late last year and has a decent chance of making his MLB debut at some point in 2026.

Larnach was scratched from the Minnesota lineup ahead of Sunday's 7-2 loss to the Red Sox due to left side soreness, Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. "As of right now, we don't think [Larnach's injury] is significant enough to get [medical] imaging," manager Derek Shelton said after the game.

Larnach is scheduled to be evaluated again Monday. The outfielder's injury doesn't appear to be anything too serious, but if he's not ready to go for Opening Day, Alan Roden and James Outman would likely both be included on the 26-man active roster to begin the season.

Ramirez (shoulder) exited Sunday's Cactus League against the Athletics in the fourth inning due to shoulder inflammation, SI.com reports.

Ramirez is considered day-to-day after being lifted for a pinch hitter upon injuring the shoulder on a diving play in the field earlier in the game. With Opening Day still over a week out, the 33-year-old will have time to move past the issue to guarantee his availability for the start of the season.

Povich was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

Povich will head to Norfolk after starting three contests during spring training, giving up four runs on three hits and seven walks while striking out six batters over 8.1 innings. The southpaw recorded a 5.21 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 118 strikeouts over 112.1 innings in 22 appearances, including 20 starts, with the Orioles in 2025. Povich will likely get a shot with the major-league roster in the near future.

Mayer (knee) is expected to rejoin Boston's Grapefruit League lineup Tuesday against Atlanta, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

The 22-year-old was scratched from Sunday's spring lineup due to left knee soreness and will rest again Monday, but the injury doesn't appear to be a serious concern. After posting a .674 OPS in 44 regular-season games as a rookie last season, Mayer's .816 OPS through 27 plate appearances in spring training put him in strong position to win the starting job at second base to begin 2026.