MLB Player News

The Phillies optioned Hoffman to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoffman made his MLB debut with a single appearance for the Phillies last season, and he showed his upside during spring training with a 10:1 K:BB across 7.1 innings. The 28-year-old had a 4.85 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 65 innings at the Triple-A level last year, and he'll likely need to show a bit more consistency at Lehigh Valley to earn a longer look in the majors.

Brown allowed one run on two hits across four innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He struck out six.

Brown has been racking up strikeouts so far this spring, and he now has 15 of them across 10.2 Cactus League frames. This is in line with the tall righty's career 10.3 K/9 during the regular season. The problem for Brown to this point has been consistency, particularly with his secondary pitches. He's been experimenting with a sinker in camp and may use it frequently in 2026 if he finds success with it in the early going.

Elder gave up one run on one hit and two walks over five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out six.

The right-hander tossed 49 of 78 pitches for strikes against a Boston lineup that featured Ceddanne Rafaela as its only big-league regular. Elder looks just about ready for the start of the regular season, having posted a 12:5 K:BB and 4.72 ERA this spring over 13.1 innings, and he's locked into a rotation spot with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow) and Joey Wentz (knee) all on the shelf.

The Marlins reassigned Brzykcy to minor-league camp Sunday.

A non-roster invitee for spring training after the Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Nationals in the offseason and later outrighted him, Brzykcy made a strong impression in the Grapefruit League, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out five and allowing four hits and no walks. The right-hander has been less than stellar over parts of two seasons in the majors with Washington, however, with elevated home-run and walk rates. If he can carry over his performance from the spring and find success early on at Triple-A, Brzykcy may not have to wait long for a promotion to Miami.

The Marlins optioned Mack to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

The 23-year-old is one of Miami's top prospects, but he struggled to a .472 OPS across nine spring games and will open the campaign at Triple-A. Mack spent most of 2025 with Jacksonville and totaled 18 home runs and seven steals with a .786 OPS in 98 contests.

The Marlins optioned Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

After failing to capture a starting or long-relief role with the Marlins, Gusto appears set to begin the season in the rotation at Jacksonville. The right-hander came over from Houston in a deadline deal last July and proceeded to go 0-3 with a 9.77 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 15.2 innings in his three starts with Miami.

Lindor (hand) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Lindor's availability for Opening Day looked to be in doubt after he required surgery Feb. 11 to address a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, but the five-time All-Star has made excellent progress in his recovery. After he was able to resume playing shortstop in a minor-league game earlier in the week, Lindor took live batting practice Friday, setting him up for Sunday's spring debut. Assuming he's able to stockpile at-bats over the final week of Grapefruit League play, Lindor looks like he'll be available when the Mets begin their season March 26 versus the Pirates.

Roupp gave up two earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks over three innings during Friday's split-squad game against the Reds.

The right-hander had a 3.80 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 102:45 K:BB across 22 starts last season and is expected to begin 2026 as a back-end starter for the Giants. Roupp's walk rate has been a bit of a concern, and that's remained the case during spring training with five free passes through nine innings. The 27-year-old has excelled in terms of run prevention with a 3.73 ERA through his first 45 big-league appearances, but Roupp's career 1.45 WHIP is much less attractive.

Fermin went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run, two additional runs scored and a walk in a Cactus League win over Cleveland on Saturday.

Fermin gave the Padres an 8-4 lead with his two-run blast in the fifth inning. The former Royal is locked into the starting catcher role for the Padres this season after spending several years backing up Salvador Perez in Kanas City. Fermin has been swinging a hot bat this spring, posting a .458/.480/.833 slash line with two homers, 10 RBI and nine runs through nine games.

Diaz walked one batter and struck out two over a scoreless inning for Team Puerto Rico in an elimination loss to Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic on Saturday.

Though Diaz and Puerto Rico won't advance, the tournament went well for the All-Star closer, as he pitched three scoreless frames and posted a 7:1 K:BB. Of course, the last time Diaz pitched in the WBC (in 2023), he tore his right patellar tendon and missed the subsequent MLB campaign, so the Dodgers have to be pleased that their offseason acquisition is returning to the club in good health. Diaz should see plenty of save chances this season for a team that is once again expected to be among the best in baseball.