MLB Player News

Pena is hitting .500 with five steals and a 4:6 K:BB in six games for High-A Wisconsin.

Pena had essentially followed Jesus Made with each promotion prior to Made's late-2025 cup of coffee at Double-A and ensuing assignment there for the start of 2026. If Pena continues to excel against High-A pitching, particularly with his swing decisions and contact ability, he'll join Made at Double-A soon enough.

Williams (elbow) began pitching off a mound at the Nationals' spring training complex this weekend, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander continues to rehab from elbow surgery with an internal brace procedure performed last July. Williams is on the 60-day IL and won't be eligible to make his 2026 debut until late May, but it's not yet clear if that's a realistic timeline. Over 82.2 innings and 17 starts in 2025, Williams stumbled to a 6.21 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 65:21 K:BB.

Hartshorn is slashing .367/.524/.567 with one home run, two steals, a 2.4 percent strikeout rate and a 23.8 percent walk rate in 42 plate appearances for Single-A Myrtle Beach.

Hartshorn got a well over-slot $2 million bonus out of high school in the sixth round of last year's draft and is making his pro debut this season at Single-A as a 19-year-old. The 6-foot, 220-pound switch hitter has significant power potential and decent speed, but his hit tool, which appears to be much better than anticipated, is what's fueling his excellent start to the season.

Gray (elbow) continues to do strengthening and stability work and has yet to resume a throwing program as the Nationals exercise a great degree of caution with the right-hander, MLB.com reports.

Gray hasn't pitched in a big-league game since April 2024, missing most of the last two seasons due to Tommy John surgery, and a flexor strain at the end of spring training derailed any chance he had of being in the Opening Day rotation. The 28-year-old won't be eligible to come off the 60-day IL until late May, but given how slowly the organization is proceeding with him following his latest setback, it's not clear if that's even a realistic timeline for Gray.

Lindor went 2-for-4 in Sunday's loss to the A's.

The shortstop collected half the Mets' hits in a 1-0 loss, but he was also caught stealing for the first time this season. Lindor came out of the gates slowly but has hit safely in four straight games and five of the last six, going 7-for-27 (.259) over the latter stretch with a double and three runs scored. He's still looking for his first homer, and first RBI, of 2026.

Waldschmidt is slashing .316/.426/.579 with two home runs, one steal, a 14.5 percent walk rate and a 26.1 percent strikeout rate in 15 games for Triple-A Reno.

Waldschmidt's .432 BABIP is propping up his stats a little, but he's also heating up while trimming the Ks, as he boasts a 1.136 OPS and 22 percent strikeout rate over his last nine games. The Diamondbacks will gain an extra year of club control over Waldschmidt by holding him down for another week, but he could have his contract selected in late April before taking over an everyday role in Arizona's outfield.

Slater went 2-for-3 with a walk in Sunday's loss to the Tigers.

Getting the start in right field and batting leadoff against ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, Slater did his job by getting on base and even broke up Skubal's no-hit bid in the sixth inning with a bloop into center field, but the rest of the Marlins' lineup had much less success on the day. However, Slater hasn't exactly thrived in his short-side platoon role this season, batting just .190 (4-for-21) in nine games with zero extra-base hits and a 2:8 BB:K.

Yastrzemski went 1-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and three strikeouts in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

Six different Atlanta players recorded multiple hits in a 13-1 rout, but Yastrzemski instead led the team in a less helpful category, accounting for three of the five strikeouts by Cleveland pitchers on the night. The veteran slugger is still looking for his first homer of 2026, slashing .180/.293/.260 through 15 games with what would be a career-worst 27.6 percent strikeout rate, but for now his spot as the strong side of a platoon in left field doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.

Farmer went 1-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Sunday's rout of the Guardians.

The veteran utility infielder replaced Dominic Smith at DH in the fifth inning with Atlanta already ahead 6-0, and Farmer promptly ripped a two-run double off Kolby Allard. Farmer had only three plate appearances on the season coming into Sunday, and the team's managerial switch from Brian Snitker to Walt Weiss this offseason hasn't done much for the playing-time outlook of Atlanta's bench players.

Acuna went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

The star outfielder's RBI double capped a three-run second inning for Atlanta in what ended up being a 13-1 rout. Acuna has a sluggish start to the season, but he's found a groove over the last week or so, batting .323 (10-for-31) over the last seven games with three doubles, a triple, a homer, a steal, three runs and three RBI.