MLB Player News

Funderburk may not make the Opening Day roster with four left-handed relievers competing for a spot in the bullpen, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Funderburk has a 1.59 ERA and 6:1 K:BB in 5.2 innings this spring.

It's odd that Funderburk is on the roster bubble considering he's having a strong spring and coming off a strong second half. He had a 2.61 ERA and 21:8 K:BB in 20.2 innings after the All-Star break last year. Still, he's seen as behind veterans Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin. It seems unlikely the Twins would have four left-handed relievers in the bullpen, so Funderburk may be the odd man out. A trade of one of the lefty relievers also seems like a possibility.

Kreidler appears to be the leading candidate to win a utility infield role with the Twins, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

He'd make the team based on his glove, as he's hit just .138/.208/.176 over parts of four major-league seasons and is only a career .236/.342/.401 hitter in the minors. The Twins don't have a clear backup shortstop on the roster, so Kreidler is battling Orlando Arcia for the backup shortstop role.

Roden went 2-for-5 in Friday's Grapefruit League loss to Boston. Despite hitting .323 (10-for-31) with a home run this spring, both Matthew Leach of MLB.com and The Athletic project Roden to not make the Opening Day roster.

James Outman is having a strong spring and is out of options, so it's thought the Twins will send Roden to the minors to begin the season. However, the Twins' outfield situation is still in flux. The team has too many left-handed-hitting outfielders and a trade late in spring training seems possible. Roden could still win a role as a strong-side platoon player in left field if he wins a spot over Outman.

Abel gave up two earned runs over 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and one walk Friday, ending a 10-inning scoreless streak. He has a 1.35 ERA with a 17:1 K:BB in 13.1 innings this spring.

Abel is likely competing with Zebby Matthews for the fifth starter role. This was his first speed bump in otherwise stellar spring. A high walk rate (6.5 BB/9 in the majors last season) has been a problem, so his great control this spring is encouraging. He's making a strong case to begin the season in the rotation, but he'll likely be the odd man out since he has minor-league options left. Still the competition between him and Matthews will likely come down to the final week of spring training.

India was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks due to right groin tightness.

India went 1-for-1 with a double and a run scored before being removed in the third inning. He'll undergo further tests and the Royals should have an update in the coming days, but the timing of the injury puts India in jeopardy of being sidelined for Opening Day. Michael Massey is nursing a low-grade calf strain, but assuming he recovers over the next couple of weeks, he would be a top candidate to start at second base if India were to miss time, though Maikel Garcia and Nick Loftin could also see some reps at the keystone.

Ward has recorded 17 stolen bases across 16 Grapefruit League games with the Red Sox in spring training.

Per Conor Liguori of The Sporting News, Ward now holds the record for the most stolen bases in spring training. Ward's running ability comes as no surprise, given that he logged 56 steals (on 64 attempts) across 96 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He was acquired by the Red Sox from the Rockies in November and has yet to appear in an official major-league game. However, his ability to play multiple positions in both the outfield and infield, coupled with his proficiency on the bases, could earn Ward a call-up from the Red Sox in 2026.

Arroyo was scratched from the Mariners' lineup for Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers due to neck spasms, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Arroyo was slated to start at second base and bat seventh in Friday's game before his injury flared up, and the Mariners should provide an update over the next couple of days once the 21-year-old undergoes further tests. Arroyo ended the 2025 season with Double-A Arkansas, where he slashed .255/.376/.341 with nine steals (on 12 attempts), two home runs and 15 RBI in 250 plate appearances.

The Mariners optioned Simpson to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Simpson was acquired by the Mariners from the Marlins in mid-February. The 28-year-old southpaw made his major-league debut for Miami in 2025 and appeared in 31 games, posting a 7.34 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 36:22 K:BB across 30.2 innings. Simpson will open the 2026 season in Triple-A but could get called up to the majors if the Mariners need a left-hander out of the bullpen.

The Mariners optioned Taylor to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday.

Taylor entered spring training competing for a depth spot in the Mariners' bullpen but will open the 2026 season in Triple-A. He spent most of the 2025 season in the minors but did appear in eight regular-season games for Seattle, though he posted a 12.15 ERA and 2.55 WHIP over 6.2 innings. Taylor should get a call up to the majors when the Mariners need an extra arm out of the bullpen.

Collins has been dealing with mild back/left side tightness since Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Collins has been idle the last few days, and the Royals are being cautious with the 28-year-old, according to Rogers. Acquired from the Brewers over the offseason, Collins has had a slow spring at the plate, slashing .111/.200/.167 across 20 plate appearances. He's competing for at-bats with Lane Thomas and Starling Marte.