MLB Player News

Atlanta reassigned Schunk to minor-league camp Monday.

Schunk was competing for a utility infield job with Atlanta during spring training but was unable to distinguish himself while going 4-for-23 (.174 average) at the dish during Grapefruit League play. As a member of the Colorado organization last season, the 28-year-old spent most of 2025 at the Triple-A level but saw action in 16 games in the majors, slashing .188/.188/.219.

Manager Terry Francona said Monday that McLain will bat second in the order this season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

It's not unexpected, but it's notable confirmation from Francona. McLain, of course, started out last season batting second but was hitting under .200 until late June and was quickly bumped down to the nine spot in the lineup. The 26-year-old, however, has been swinging a scorching hot bat this spring, slashing .553/.605/1.105 with six home runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 5:4 BB:K across 43 plate appearances. He's been a fast riser up fantasy draft boards and appears set to hit in front of Elly De La Cruz this season.

Suarez allowed four hits and two walks over four scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out three.

Facing a Philly lineup that featured about half of the team's Opening Day starters, including Trea Turner, Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott, Suarez tossed 36 of 61 pitches for strikes to kick off a combined shutout for Atlanta. The 28-year-old southpaw is out of minor-league options, and while he may not be in the mix for a rotation spot, Suarez could begin the season as a long reliever to help provide some length as the team plays 13 games in 13 days right out of the gate.

Fuentes struck out five over three perfect innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the 20-year-old right-hander maintained the elevated velocity he's been showing in camp, averaging 97.1 mph with his four-seamer and topping out at 98.7 mph, but it was his slider that gave Yankee hitters like Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham the most trouble. Fuentes has sharpened the pitch since last year, when Statcast classified it as a sweeper due to its slower speed, and he generated whiffs on four of the six sliders he threw Friday while averaging 87.0 mph with it. Atlanta pitching coach Jeremy Hefner also likes the progress Fuentes has made with his changeup. Fuentes is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Gwinnett, but he could be just one more injury away from joining the big-league rotation. Through five spring innings in two appearances, he hasn't allowed a run or hit with a 9:0 K:BB.

The Marlins optioned Blalock to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Blalock was acquired from the Rockies in January after he was DFA'd by Colorado. The 25-year-old right-hander has appeared in 21 career regular-season games at the MLB level, making 18 starts, but has turned in an 8.16 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 47:43 K:BB across 89.1 innings.

The Marlins optioned Acton to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Acton was claimed off waivers from the Rockies last month and will begin the 2026 season in Triple-A after he appeared in just one major-league game out of the bullpen for the Rays last season. Acton produced a 3.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 71:27 K:BB across 58.2 innings for Triple-A Durham during the 2025 campaign.

The Reds optioned Dunn to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Dunn entered spring training as one of eight outfielders on the 40-man roster and was one of the lesser-established options at the big-league level, so he needed a big showing in the Cactus League to have a realistic shot at making the Opening Day squad. The 27-year-old was unable to deliver, hitting just .136 with five strikeouts in 22 at-bats this spring before the Reds demoted him. He should get the chance to play regularly at Louisville to begin the season.

The Reds reassigned Misiewicz to minor-league camp Monday.

Cincinnati already has two other left-handers on the 40-man roster who were projected to be included in the Opening Day bullpen (Brock Burke and Sam Moll), so Misiewicz's dismissal from big-league camp doesn't come as a major surprise. The 31-year-old southpaw was forced to settle for a minor-league deal with the Reds this offseason after he was roughed up for five earned runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in just five appearances in the majors with Minnesota in 2025.

The Pirates reassigned Fletcher to minor-league camp Monday.

Fletcher saw action in 12 games in the majors with the White Sox in 2025, but after joining the Pirates on a minor-league pact over the winter, he was viewed as a longshot to break camp with the big club. He'll likely be in line for steady at-bats at Indianapolis but will presumably need an injury or two to hit the Pittsburgh outfield before he gets another chance in the big leagues.

The Pirates optioned Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Valdez was limited to just 102 plate appearances with the Pirates in 2025 before suffering a season-ending dislocated left shoulder in May, but after playing in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason, he received a clean bill of health heading into the spring. Despite offering the ability to play multiple infield positions, Valdez status as a left-handed hitter likely limited his appeal as a bench bat for the Pirates. Valdez will get the chance to play regularly at Indianapolis to begin the season and could emerge as a strong-side platoon option for the Pirates at some point in 2026 if Pittsburgh loses an everyday infielder to an injury.