MLB Player News

Thomas went 2-for-3 with a home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's Cactus League matchup with the Angels.

Thomas has been red hot this spring, going 5-for-12 with a pair of homers in seven games. While he doesn't currently have a clear path towards an Opening Day roster spot, Thomas has certainly turned heads in the Mariners organization. The 25-year-old outfielder went just 1-for-8 in three games with Seattle last year, though he slashed an eye-popping .325/.380/.411 with seven homers and 35 steals across 134 games with Triple-A Tacoma.

Hoffman plans to throw his four-seam fastball less often in 2026 while increasing his slider usage, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

Two years ago with the Phillies, Hoffman threw his slider 47.9 percent of the time and his four-seamer 27.4 percent, and the result was a 2.41 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 33.2 percent strikeout rate over 52.1 innings, as well as a barrel rate allowed in the 99th percentile and a hard-hit rate allowed in the 95th percentile. In 2025, while feeling the weight of a big free-agent contract from the Jays and his first season as a full-time closer, the right-hander tried to attack the zone more often and threw his fastball 37.4 percent of the time, while reducing his slider usage to 29.9 percent. His numbers took a big step backward as a result, highlighted by a first percentile barrel rate allowed and 58th percentile hard-hit rate allowed. A renewed emphasis on his slider, which generated a career-high 47.4 percent whiff rate last season, should help Hoffman regain some of the dominance that slipped away from him.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Cabrera (ankle) is "trending" toward making his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Rays, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Cabrera has been eased into things in Yankees camp following last May's surgery to repair a fracture and ligament damage in his left ankle. The utility player will have a little less than three weeks of game action to convince the team he's ready for Opening Day.

The Twins reassigned Jenkins (hamstring) to minor-league camp Wednesday.

Jenkins entered camp as a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, and a Grade 1 left hamstring strain suffered this past weekend sealed his fate. The top prospect should debut at some point during the 2026 campaign.

Mullins was scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus Team Netherlands due to lower-back tightness, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Consider Mullins -- who is 3-for-10 with one home run and a 2:1 BB:K this spring -- day-to-day for the time being. Jacob Melton entered the Rays' lineup in center field in Mullins' place.

Bellinger (back) completed a live batting practice session without issue Wednesday and is scheduled to return to the Yankees' Grapefruit League lineup Thursday against the Twins, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Bellinger appeared in three spring games before he experienced some back discomfort, which prompted the Yankees to hold him out of action for about a week. He was never shut down from activity, however, and after checking out fine following Wednesday's workout, Bellinger should at least be able to serve as a designated hitter Thursday.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Schlittler (back) will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Schlittler has been slow-played by the Yankees this spring after he developed some early-camp back inflammation. He's progressed without issue since then and is expected to be ready to go for Opening Day, though he will likely be built up initially to throw just 65-80 pitches in his first start or two of the season.

Carter was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's exhibition versus Team Brazil due to an illness, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

He had been slated to start in center field, but Carter will be replaced by Michael Helman in the lineup after feeling under the weather. Through his first six Cactus League games, Carter has gone 2-for-12 with a triple, a stolen base and a 3:5 BB:K.

Hendriks (elbow) struck out one batter and gave up one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning Tuesday in the Twins' 5-3 loss to the Rays in Grapefruit League play.

Hendriks took the hill for his spring debut Tuesday, signaling that he's back to full health after undergoing right elbow ulnar nerve transposition with posterior interosseous nerve release surgery back in September. The 37-year-old righty has been limited to just 19 big-league appearances over his last three seasons and hasn't been particularly effective when available, so the Twins likely aren't envisioning him filling a high-leverage role in 2026. Hendriks' main objective is to pitch well enough in spring training to earn a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen, as he's attending camp as a non-roster invitee.

Erceg (shoulder) allowed no hits or walks across a scoreless inning in Tuesday's exhibition win over Team Cuba. He struck out one.

Erceg made his first appearance of the spring and didn't show any lingering effects from the right shoulder impingement that ended his 2025 season early, an encouraging sign for his health moving forward. The right-hander posted a 2.64 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 22 holds across 61.1 innings last season, though a diminished 7.0 K/9 and elevated 3.49 FIP are worth noting. Erceg is expected to serve as the primary setup man to Carlos Estevez and could see opportunities in the ninth inning if Estevez falters.