MLB Player News

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.

Yastrzemski (eye) is starting in left field and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The veteran outfielder has been sidelined the past couple days due to pink eye, but he's good to rejoin the spring lineup Sunday. Yastrzemski should be a lineup regular for Atlanta on the strong side of a platoon in left field after signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract in December.

Nelson allowed four hits and struck out seven over five scoreless innings in Saturday's spring start against Texas.

Nelson finished out the Cactus League in style. The right-hander recorded a 3.18 ERA with 23 strikeouts and two walks over 17 spring innings. Nelson will look to carry the good work into his next scheduled start March 27, the second game of the regular season against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Sanchez agreed to a six-year, $107 million contract extension with the Phillies on Sunday that includes a club option for 2033, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The new deal begins in 2027, so the left-hander will still make $3.5 million this season as part of the four-year, $21.5 million extension he signed in 2024, which still had a couple years remaining plus two team options. Sanchez has been named Philadelphia's Opening Day starter for Thursday's matchup with the Rangers after posting a 2.50 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 212:44 K:BB across 32 regular-season starts last year.

Padres manager Craig Stammen confirmed Saturday that Buehler will make the team's Opening Day roster, Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports.

This almost certainly means that Buehler will occupy a rotation spot at the outset of the campaign. The veteran right-hander earned the role with a strong spring, posting a 3.09 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 13:4 K:BB over 11.2 innings spanning three starts. Buehler joined the organization on a minor-league deal in mid-February, so he'll need to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day.

The Padres reassigned McKenzie to minor-league camp Saturday.

McKenzie was in Padres camp as a non-roster invitee after signing a minor-league contract in December. The team has had big question marks at the back of the rotation throughout spring training, but McKenzie wasn't able to make a serious bid for a big-league role, posting a 9.95 ERA, 2.84 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB over 6.1 innings spanning four appearances. The right-hander has dealt with multiple injuries over the past three years and has struggled during his stints in the majors during that span, so he may need a prolonged run of success in the minors before he sees a big-league mound again.

The Padres reassigned Gonzales to minor-league camp Saturday.

Gonzales signed with San Diego on a minor-league contract in late January. The Padres had an open competition for their final two rotation spots this spring, but Gonzales failed to make an intriguing case, posting an ugly 10.80 ERA, 2.55 WHIP and 13:9 K:BB over 13.1 innings. The 34-year-old missed all of last season while recovering from flexor tendon repair surgery in his left forearm, and given his results this spring, it's clear he hasn't yet fully shaken off the rust.

Lowe has made the Reds' Opening Day roster in a reserve role, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

Lowe has made a strong case for a roster spot this spring, slashing .270/.357/.622 with three home runs, four doubles and eight RBI through 15 games. Though the veteran infielder will break camp with the big-league club, his fantasy value will likely be limited since the Reds are intending to use him in a bench role. Lowe signed with Cincinnati on a minor-league contract in mid-February, so he'll still need to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day.

San Diego optioned Jacob to Triple-A El Paso on Saturday.

Jacob tossed a career-high 33.1 regular-season innings with the Padres in 2025, posting a 5.13 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:14 K:BB over 33.1 innings across 29 appearances. The righty reliever has a 6:2 K:BB through 3.2 frames this spring but has also given up a pair of runs. Jacob will start the campaign with El Paso, though he could be an option to fill a big-league bullpen spot at some point this year.