MLB Player News
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Alexis Diaz RP | TEX
Rangers' Alexis Diaz: Has chance at closer job
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Diaz has a chance to see saves for the club this season, but the manager wants to see how the former Reds closer looks in spring training games first, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Schumaker listed Robert Garcia and Chris Martin as the initial favorites to close games, but he left the door open for Diaz. The 29-year-old righty notched 75 saves for Cincinnati from 2022-24, but he fell apart in 2025, posting an 8.15 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over 17.2 innings between three different teams. It's a good opportunity for Diaz to re-establish himself on a team lacking bullpen clarity, but he has a lot to prove before fantasy managers can trust him again.
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Chris Martin RP | TEX
Rangers' Chris Martin: Could see save opportunities
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Robert Garcia and Martin are the favorites to see save chances for the team this season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
After mulling retirement, Martin re-signed with the Rangers in December on a one-year, $4 million contract. He'll turn 40 in June but has remained highly effective, having logged a 2.98 ERA and 43:8 K:BB over 42.1 frames in 2025 while notching two saves. Martin finished last season on the injured list with an undisclosed injury but enters spring training without limitations.
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Robert Garcia RP | TEX
Rangers' Robert Garcia: In mix to close with Martin
Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Garcia and Chris Martin are the favorites to see the bulk of the team's save chances this season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Schumaker also noted that Alexis Diaz could work his way into the mix, but he wants to see how the former Reds closer looks in spring training games first. Garcia finished in a three-way tie for the team lead with nine saves last season, and the other two, Shawn Armstrong and Luke Jackson, are no longer with the club. Garcia collected a 2.95 ERA and 68:22 K:BB across 64.0 frames in 2025 during his first season with Texas.
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Brent Headrick RP | NYY
Yankees' Brent Headrick: Healthy for spring training
Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Wednesday that Headrick (forearm) is fully healthy for the start of spring training, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Headrick closed 2025 on the Yankees' injured list while recovering from a left forearm contusion, but he was able to make seven rehab appearances at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in September and appears to have had a normal offseason. The 28-year-old southpaw will be competing for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen and will likely work in middle relief if he breaks camp with the big club.
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Oswaldo Cabrera LF | NYY
Yankees' Oswaldo Cabrera: No restrictions for camp
Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Wednesday that Cabrera (ankle) was fully healthy for the start of spring training, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) was the only position player that Boone said would begin camp behind the others while recovering from an injury, so Cabrera will seemingly be operating without any restrictions this spring after fracturing his left ankle May 12 and undergoing season-ending surgery. Cabrera started 30 of the Yankees' first 41 games last year at third base, but with Ryan McMahon currently sitting atop the depth chart at the hot corner, Cabrera will likely be ticketed for a utility role.
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Robert Stephenson RP | LAA
Angels' Robert Stephenson: One week behind schedule
Stephenson said Wednesday that he's about a week behind schedule after dealing with a nerve issue and thoracic outlet syndrome symptoms this offseason, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Stephenson insists that he feels good now, and with a bullpen session set for later this week he's not worried about missing Opening Day. The veteran reliever missed all of 2024 following UCL reconstruction with an internal brace, and he made only 20 total appearances in 2025 due to more arm problems. It's positive news that Stephenson is currently in a good spot, and he will be among those in the mix to close games for the Angels in 2026 if he can stay healthy. That said, he remains a major health risk.
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Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Will still get regular reps vs. LHP
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Rice will play regularly against lefties in addition to righties this season, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.
The Yankees re-signed Paul Goldschmidt last week, giving Rice a potential roadblock to everyday playing time at first base. However, while Goldschmidt will be given starts against lefty hurlers as a short-side platoon option, Rice is still expected to see plenty of action versus southpaws. Boone also noted that Rice could see a little playing time at catcher on days Goldschmidt starts at first base.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: No restrictions in spring training
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Stanton (elbows) has had a great offseason and will not have any restrictions at the start of spring training, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.
Stanton's 2025 season debut was delayed until mid-June by tennis elbow in both arms. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported last week that the injuries haven't healed and Stanton will need to be monitored closely again in 2026. However, at least at the beginning of camp, Stanton appears to be good to go. The 36-year-old was superb when on the field last season, slashing .273/.350/.594 with 24 home runs across 77 regular-season contests.
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Gerrit Cole SP | NYY
Yankees' Gerrit Cole: Could pitch in spring games
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cole (elbow) could pitch in some Grapefruit League games before the end of camp, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.
Cole missed the entirety of the 2025 season following Tommy John with internal bracing surgery last March. He's been throwing since August and will progress to live batting practice session in a couple weeks, with game action a possibility later in March. However, while Cole's rehab has gone as well as could be expected, the Yankees don't expect him to rejoin their rotation until late May or early June.
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Zach Eflin SP | BAL
Orioles' Zach Eflin: Full participant for camp
Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Wednesday that Eflin (back) will be a full participant as spring training gets underway, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Eflin missed the final two months of 2025 due to a back injury that he addressed with lumbar microdiscectomy surgery Aug. 18, but he was cleared to resume throwing off a mound in early January. Baltimore re-signed the veteran righty on a one-year, $10 million deal in October, so Eflin should be ticketed for a back-end rotation spot.