MLB Player News

Iglesias struck out two in a perfect fifth inning during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

The veteran closer fanned minor leaguers Jonathan Ornelas and Ernesto Martinez while firing 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes. Iglesias has a 3.00 ERA and 3:0 K:BB in three spring innings as he gets ready for Opening Day, but unlike 2025, he may not be able to afford a slow start to the season and still keep his job with Robert Suarez now in the Atlanta bullpen. Iglesias held a 6.00 ERA as late as June 17 last year, but after that point he posted a 1.34 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 44:10 K:BB over his last 40.1 innings while converting 21 of 22 save chances.

Urias has recently been held out of Grapefruit League games due to an elbow injury, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's been almost a week since Urias has seen game action after experiencing soreness in his elbow while taking swings. The 31-year-old is expected to fill an infield utility role after signing with the Cardinals at the start of spring training.

The Phillies optioned Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.

Rangel was never a likely bet to break camp with the big club, and his struggles during spring training (eight earned runs allowed with a 4:4 K:BB over 7.2 innings) solidified his fate. Rangel should begin the season as a rotation piece for Lehigh Valley, where he had a 4.65 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 24 starts last year.

Lowe (back) is starting at second base and batting second in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

Lowe has been out of the lineup since being scratched from Wednesday's game due to lower-body tightness, but the veteran second baseman has been cleared to return for Saturday's contest. The 2026 season will be his first with the Pirates after he was traded by the Rays in December in a three-team deal that also included the Astros. Lowe slashed .256/.307/.477 with three steals (on five attempts), 31 home runs and 83 RBI across 553 plate appearances in 2025.

Beck has gone 9-for-33 with one home run across 33 at-bats in 11 Cactus League games.

Beck has hit for a fine batting average, but he has 13 strikeouts across 38 plate appearances. Neither he nor manager Warren Schaeffer is concerned, however, as Beck has primarily focused on fine-tuning his swing in batting practice while hitting off a Trajeckt Arc machine. Per Thomas Harding of MLB.com, Beck has focused more on his work in non-game action because he is assured of a starting position to begin the regular season.

Garcia has gone 14-for-28 with two home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored and three stolen bases in 12 Grapefruit League games.

Garcia is battling for a bench spot in Pittsburgh this spring and has made his case in multiple ways. Per Jason Mackey of MLB.com, Garcia has worked with Marcell Ozuna on his swing decisions, and particularly delaying the timing of his swing. Garcia has also impressed manager Don Kelly with his work in the outfield, an important factor because Ryan O'Hearn -- a subpar defender -- is expected to be the Pirates' primary right fielder. Even if Garcia starts the new campaign with Triple-A Indianapolis, he should play a role in Pittsburgh at some point this season.

Long (elbow) faced live pitching Friday as he continues to ramp up his activity level, MLB.com reports.

Long has resumed regular workouts and facing live pitching is another step forward in his rehab process from an injury he sustained in an exhibition game last month. The 24-year-old was diagnosed with a left elbow bruise and cleared of any structural issues earlier in March, so he should be fully healthy in the near future. Long figures to begin the season with Triple-A Iowa and could push toward the majors at some point if he continues to tear up the level like he did in 2025.

Stowers (hamstring) is starting in left field and batting in the leadoff spot in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

Stowers was sidelined for the past two weeks while rehabbing from a right hamstring strain, but he has progressed enough in his recovery to be back on the field for Saturday's game. He's looking to build off a productive 2025 season in which he slashed .288/.368/.544 with five steals (on six attempts), 25 home runs and 73 RBI over 457 plate appearances.

Steele (elbow) faced live hitters Friday for the first time in 11 months as he continues his recovery from UCL revision surgery last April, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Steele only threw 19 pitches, but it was still an important milestone in his long road back following surgery. The lefty has been ramping up his throwing during the winter and early spring, and he's tentatively targeting a May or June return to the majors. Steele was fairly sharp in his session Friday, recording three strikeouts and two flyball outs, and he said he felt good afterward. The team will surely be cautious with the southpaw, though it looks like he'll be able to help the rotation at some point this year.

Burns allowed one hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Giants.

At a stage in spring training when most starters are ramping up to four or five innings, Burns was intentionally held back in his fourth Cactus League start Friday. Reds manager Terry Francona discussed the pitcher's usage with Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "This kid is still working through some of his routines and stuff," Francona said. "And he had a good five days with the trainers working on the flexibility and the mobility. We just want to make sure. He's good to go. It might cost him an inning, but he's OK." Burns' previous outings were marked by falling behind hitters and running into trouble, so his 17 strikes over 24 pitches Friday were a good sign. Francona confirmed that Burns will still be stretched out as a starter going forward, which means he's still in the mix for one of two available rotation spots along with Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson.