MLB Player News

Ritchie tossed two scoreless, no-hit innings in Atlanta's Grapefruit League game against the Twins on Sunday, walking one and striking out one.

The 22-year-old right-hander tossed 19 of 32 pitches for strikes in his spring debut. Ritchie is knocking on the door of the majors after posting a 3.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 61:27 K:BB through 11 starts and 59.2 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett last season, and while Atlanta doesn't want to rush him, he could be an injury or two away from getting thrust into the rotation.

Baldwin went 2-for-2 with a solo home run in Atlanta's Grapefruit League game against the Twins on Sunday.

The 24-year-old backstop took Taj Bradley deep in the third inning, the only run Atlanta scored off the right-hander. Baldwin took home NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2025, slashing .274/.341/.469 over 124 games with 19 homers and 80 RBI, and he'll be a key part of Atlanta's offense this season.

The Padres outrighted Ornelas to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Though he's no longer a member of the 40-man roster, Ornelas will stick around in the Padres organization after clearing waivers and will continue to participate in major-league camp. The 25-year-old outfielder is expected to begin the season as an everyday outfielder at El Paso.

Nardi (finger) threw a 15-pitch live batting practice session Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Nardi was briefly set back in camp after developing a blister on his pitching hand, but that no longer appears to be a concern for the lefty reliever. At this point in camp, Nardi's main focus will be building up the volume and intensity of his throwing sessions after back problems kept him out for the entire 2025 season. Nardi could face hitters in controlled settings on a couple more occasions before the Marlins clear him to make his Grapefruit League debut.

Elder appears likely to get a start or two early in the season with Atlanta playing 13 consecutive days to begin its schedule, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Elder is battling Joey Wentz for the fifth starter role, but that competition will probably extend into the regular season with the team having to give serious thought to deploying a six-man rotation for the first couple weeks. Elder made 28 starts for Atlanta in 2025, posting a 5.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 131:51 K:BB in 156.1 innings.

Wentz appears likely to get a start or two early in the season with Atlanta playing 13 consecutive days to begin its schedule, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Wentz is battling Bryce Elder for the fifth starter role, but that competition will probably extend into the regular season with the team having to give serious thought to deploying a six-man rotation for the first couple weeks. Wentz produced a 4.92 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 64:23 K:BB in 64 innings over 14 appearances (13 starts) for Atlanta in 2025.

Sale topped out at 96 mph with his fastball in his first game action of the spring Sunday, allowing two hits and striking out three over two scoreless innings against the Twins, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The veteran southpaw tossed 37 pitches and fired first-pitch strikes to all eight batters he faced, and Sale even had to make a tough defensive play on a Trevor Larnach chopper. After he missed significant time last summer due to a rib fracture, it was a very encouraging performance from Sale to begin his spring. In two seasons with Atlanta, he's averaged 151.2 innings with a 2.46 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 11.6 K/9.

Junk (ankle) is aiming to throw off the mound by Wednesday or Thursday, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Junk suffered a Grade 1 mild right ankle sprain during a drill last week, but he shed his walking boot over the weekend and is nearing a return to the bump. The injury should not prevent Junk from being ready for Opening Day, but it's made his bid for a spot in the Marlins' rotation more difficult.

Mosqueda will not throw for a couple weeks due to left forearm inflammation, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Mosqueda experienced inflammation in his forearm after a live batting practice session, but exams did not reveal anything serious. He will be unable to participate for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, and a long shot bid to make the Opening Day roster is out the window.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Monday that Simon (shoulder) is projected to return to game competition in late March or early April, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

According to Tomczyk, Simon is "doing very well" four-plus months after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder. The 25-year-old has been taking swings in the batting cage without restrictions so far in camp, and he's set to take another step forward next week, when he's scheduled to face live pitching in batting practice. However, because Simon won't be game-ready until late March, he would appear to be firmly out of the mix for a spot on the Pirates' Opening Day roster.