MLB Player News

Mead went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals.

Getting the start at first base and batting second, Mead took left-hander Matthew Liberatore deep for a solo shot in the fifth inning, giving the Nationals a 5-2 lead that the bullpen would eventually squander. The 25-year-old has mainly been used as a short-side platoon partner for Luis Garcia since arriving in Washington, and he's finding a groove in that role -- over the last four games he's gone 5-for-11 with two doubles, a homer and three RBI. If Mead keeps producing, he could begin to see more work at DH and against right-handed pitching.

Cavalli didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in a 7-6 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals. He struck out three.

The right-hander was able to limit the damage over his 94 pitches (53 strikes), but it was another inefficient performance from Cavalli. He's lasted five innings only once in his first three starts this season, and while Cavalli does sport a 2.51 ERA through 14.1 innings, his 1.47 WHIP and 11:9 K:BB are far less appealing for fantasy GMs. Cavalli will try to secure his first win of 2026 in his next outing, which is set to come on the road early next week in Pittsburgh.

Fermin is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Pirates.

Fermin started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get a breather during Wednesday's matinee. Luis Campusano will be behind the dish and bat eighth for the Padres.

Walker went 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Nationals.

The 23-year-old slugger took PJ Poulin deep for a solo shot in the seventh inning, kicking off a late Cardinals rally from a 5-2 deficit. It's the third homer in the last four games for Walker, a stretch in which he's racked up seven hits and eight RBI as he begins to convert his potential into real production. Through 11 contests to begin the season he's slashing .300/.364/.650 two doubles, four homers, nine runs, 11 RBI and a steal.

Machado is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game in Pittsburgh.

Machado will receive his first day off of the season after slashing .206/.400/.353 with one home run and an 11:11 BB:K over his first 45 plate appearances. The Padres will roll with Miguel Andujar at third base in Wednesday's rubber match.

O'Brien allowed an unearned run while striking out two in the 10th inning Tuesday to record his third save of the season in a 7-6 win over the Nationals.

The right-hander couldn't stop the phantom runner from coming around to score on a groundout and a wild pitch, but O'Brien fanned CJ Abrams and Nasim Nunez to lock down the victory. He's now picked up the Cardinals' last three saves and is emerging as the top option in the bullpen, with JoJo Romero and Ryne Stanek in setup roles. Through six appearances this season, O'Brien has a 0.00 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 7:0 K:BB in 6.1 innings, adding a win and two holds to his ledger.

Liberatore didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-6 extra-inning win over the Nationals, giving up four runs on nine hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six.

The southpaw was tagged for homers by James Wood in the third inning and Curtis Mead in the fifth and exited the game with the Cardinals in a 4-2 hole, but the offense bailed him out late. Liberatore tossed 59 of 92 pitches for strikes and has lasted at least five innings in all three of his starts to begin the year, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB over 16 frames. He'll look for his first win of 2026 in his next trip to the mound, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Guardians.

Matsui (groin) has turned in two scoreless rehab appearances at Triple-A El Paso, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Matsui got a late start to the season due to a groin strain that caused him to miss the entire Cactus League slate, but he's looked sharp on his rehab assignment thus far. It's unclear what the Padres' target date is for Matsui's activation from the 15-day injured list, but it could come any day now.

The Phillies will hold Realmuto (foot) out of the starting nine for Wednesday's game in San Francisco, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

After being struck in the right foot by a foul tip while catching in the bottom of the first inning in Tuesday's 6-0 loss to the Giants, Realmuto was lifted from the game when his turn in the lineup came up in the top of the second. Fortunately for Realmuto, X-rays came back negative, but he'll receive at least one game off while he contends with bruising and soreness to the foot. Rafael Marchan will draw the start behind the dish Wednesday, but with a team off day on tap Thursday, Realmuto could be ready to resume catching in Friday's series opener versus the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks re-signed Ross to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Ross elected free agency earlier this week after being removed from the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster, but he's now back in the organization on a new deal. The veteran swingman allowed eight runs on seven hits and four walks over 3.2 frames during his brief time with the big club.