MLB Player News

Ruiz was diagnosed Sunday with a high-grade left oblique strain and is expected to require 6-to-8 weeks of recovery time, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Ruiz appeared to be on track to make the Marlins' Opening Day roster as a potential short-side platoon player due to his speed and ability to cover all three outfield spots, but the oblique injury he sustained Friday will end up forcing him to the injured list. His oblique strain is considered more severe than the one recently sustained by fellow outfielder Kyle Stowers, who is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks. The injuries to Ruiz and Stowers likely strengthen Heriberto Hernandez's chances of beginning the season as an everyday player for Miami.

Stowers will begin the season on the injured list and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks after being diagnosed Sunday with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stowers sustained the injury during Friday's Grapefruit League contest, which occurred less than a week after he returned from a minor strain of the same hamstring suffered earlier in spring training. The 28-year-old will be sidelined for at least the first half of April, and a specific return date should come into focus as he moves through his rehab program.

The Cardinals have informed Pushard that he will be on the Opening Day roster, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

A Rule 5 pick, Pushard was slowed by illness early on in camp, but he's since rebounded and holds a 3.12 ERA and 9:2 K:BB over 8.2 frames during Grapefruit League play. In order for the Cardinals to maintain his rights, Pushard must remain on the major-league roster or injured list the entire season, with at least 90 days spent on the active roster and not the IL. The 28-year-old is expected to fill a low-leverage role in the bullpen.

The Phillies optioned Shugart to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Shugart was acquired from the Pirates in January but has missed out on the Opening Day roster after posting a 3.72 ERA and 7:7 K:BB over 9.2 Grapefruit League innings. The right-hander had a 3.40 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 35 appearances with Pittsburgh last year and should be up with Philadelphia at some point this season when bullpen depth is needed.

McCambley was returned to the Marlins on Sunday after being waived by the Phillies.

The right-hander was selected during the Rule 5 Draft in December but missed out on the Phillies' Opening Day roster after giving up one run with a 4:6 K:BB across 7.1 innings during spring training. McCambley finished last season at Triple-A Jacksonville, where he had a 3.67 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 53:16 K:BB across 42.1 innings.

Atlanta reassigned Azocar to minor-league camp Friday.

After he was unable to win a reserve outfield spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, Azocar is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. The 29-year-old previously logged 21 plate appearances in the majors between Atlanta and the Mets in 2025, slashing .263/.333/.263.

The Phillies released Mayza on Sunday and re-signed him to a major-league contract.

The 34-year-old lefty joined Philadelphia as a non-roster invitee in January and was able to earn a roster spot after giving up five earned runs with a 10:2 K:BB over 8.1 innings during spring training. Mayza made just 15 regular-season appearances last year due to a shoulder injury but was a reliable high-leverage arm as recently as 2023, when he recorded a save and 22 holds with a 1.52 ERA for the Blue Jays over 69 outings.

Atlanta reassigned Leon to minor-league camp Friday.

Leon saw action in five games with Atlanta in 2025 but had little chance of cracking the Opening Day roster after the club signed Jonah Heim to a one-year deal shortly before the start of spring training. Leon will likely need at least one of Drake Baldwin or Heim to break down while Sean Murphy (hip) is still sidelined to make his way back to the big leagues.

Thomas went 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Rangers.

The 25-year-old gave the Diamondbacks an early lead with a three-run homer in the third inning. It was the second home run of the Cactus League for Thomas, who has hit safely in all four games since returning from the World Baseball Classic. He started in left field Saturday while Jordan Lawlar patrolled center field. Those two have bounced between left and center field this spring, as Torey Lovullo evaluates his optimal outfield alignment ahead of Opening Day. Eventually, left fielder Lourdes Gurriel (knee) will return, and the manager will have to figure out how best to deploy all three.

The Diamondbacks informed Loaisiga on Saturday that he's secured a spot on the Opening Day roster, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Arizona will officially add Loaisiga to the 26-man roster shortly before Thursday's season opener in Los Angeles. The right-hander posted a 7:2 K:BB while allowing three earned runs on eight hits over seven innings during the Cactus League. While Loaisiga is likely to begin the season in middle relief, he could earn higher-leverage opportunities quickly in an unsettled bullpen.