MLB Player News
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Lourdes Gurriel LF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel: Arrives at camp
Gurriel (knee) arrived at camp Thursday and was optimistic he'd be able to beat the timeline for his return, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Gurriel underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in September 2025 and is currently expected to miss the first two months of the season, but he told manager Torey Lovullo that he's shooting for Opening Day. Lovullo stressed that Gurriel's return "is not gonna be Opening Day," but the outfielder has already graduated to hitting and running. That suggests he could beat the June 1 estimated timeline. The Diamondbacks will explore internal options to replace Gurriel in left field, including 40-man roster options Jorge Barrosa, Jordan Lawlar and Tim Tawa, but prospect Ryan Waldschmidt might be the top candidate.
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Corbin Carroll LF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Corbin Carroll: Back at camp
Carroll was back at camp Thursday one day after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Carroll's return to camp wasn't just for show. He sported a cast over his right hand, but the left-handed outfielder was seen doing plyometric throwing drills. He can also run and execute leg work in the weight room. Carroll and the Diamondbacks are hoping he can return around Opening Day.
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Adrian Del Castillo C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Adrian Del Castillo: Nursing calf issue
Del Castillo is dealing with a left calf issue, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
He's been working off to the side since reporting to camp earlier this week. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Del Castillo will be brought along slowly this spring, but it's unclear how long that period might last. The 26-year-old's bat is seen as an asset and more developed than his defense, and while there are no plans to move Del Castillo out from behind the plate, he's third on the depth chart and likely to see more time at DH than catcher in 2026.
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Josh Simpson RP | SEA
Marlins' Josh Simpson: Booted from roster
Simpson was designated for assignment Thursday.
Simpson made his big-league debut in 2025, posting a 7.34 ERA and 1.83 WHIP across 30.2 innings with the Marlins. He walked 22 during that time while also serving up 1.5 HR/9. Those numbers make it little surprise that Simpson lost his roster spot, which is a move that created room for John King to officially be added to the roster.
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Nick Gonzales 2B | PIT
Pirates' Nick Gonzales: Getting work at hot corner
Gonzales was spotted fielding grounders at third base Thursday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Gonzales was Pittsburgh's primary second baseman when healthy in 2025, though the addition of Brandon Lowe will force him into a new role in 2026. The assumption was that Gonzales would fill in at shortstop until Konnor Griffin makes his big-league debut, though Jared Triolo was instead at shortstop Thursday. This alignment could be fluid throughout spring, as the Pirates have also been rumored to be trying to add a third baseman via trade. However, this could be positive news for Gonzales' long-term outlook if he proves capable of handling the hot corner defensively, given the lack of long-term solutions currently on the roster.
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Jordan Walker RF | STL
Cardinals' Jordan Walker: Could steal more bases in 2026
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol believes Walker could steal more bases in 2026, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder is surprisingly fleet of foot, ranking in the 84th percentile in sprint speed last season. Walker stole a career-high 10 bases in 13 attempts in 2025, and Marmol thinks there could be more in the tank for the 23-year-old if the team is able to "coach him up in a way that he feels comfortable taking more risks." Of course, Walker will need to get on base more to have an opportunity to pilfer more bags, and the former top prospect has been trying to implement swing changes he worked on this offseason at Driveline Baseball. Marmol has been encouraged by what he's seen from Walker early on in camp, noting that, "he knows what's at stake, and man, he's working really hard at it."
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Zack Thompson RP | STL
Cardinals' Zack Thompson: Recovering from shoulder surgery
Thompson is not yet throwing off a mound after having arthroscopic left shoulder surgery in August, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Thompson missed the entire 2025 season due to shoulder issues, but it was not previously known that he had a cleanup procedure. The left-hander has been playing catch as he eases back into a throwing program. Thompson is no longer on the Cardinals' 40-man roster and should report to Triple-A Memphis once he's healthy enough to do so.
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Jeff Criswell P | COL
Rockies' Jeff Criswell: Returns to 60-day IL
The Rockies placed Criswell (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
Criswell sat out the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March, and he'll now officially remain sidelined for the first few months of the 2026 season while he finishes up his rehab. His 40-man roster spot will be given to Jose Quintana, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Rockies this week.
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Hunter Dobbins SP | STL
Cardinals' Hunter Dobbins: Not doing fielding, running drills
Dobbins (knee) is being held out of fielding and running drills early on in Cardinals camp, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Dobbins' throwing program is on track, but he is being eased into other baseball activities as he comes back from last July's right ACL surgery. It's unclear when Dobbins might pitch in games or if he'll be ready for Opening Day, which could, in effect, take him out of the rotation competition. Dobbins was acquired via trade from the Red Sox this offseason in the deal that sent Willson Contreras to Boston.
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Ronny Henriquez RP | MIA
Marlins' Ronny Henriquez: Lands on 60-day injured list
The Marlins placed Henriquez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Chris Paddack, whose signing was officially announced Thursday. Henriquez underwent a UCL reconstruction surgery with an internal brace procedure on his right elbow in December and will be sidelined for the duration of the 2026 season.