MLB Player News

Irvin appears to be on track to begin the season as part of the Nationals' rotation, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

Josiah Gray and Mitchell Parker were optioned to Triple-A Rochester this week while Brad Lord is being shifted to the bullpen, which seemingly leaves Irvin as the last man standing for the fifth starter role. Irvin's reliability may have won the day, as he's made 33 starts in each of the last two seasons despite a 5.04 ERA, and the 29-year-old right-hander has had a strong spring with a 1.35 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 13.1 innings.

Lord indicated Thursday that he was no longer being built up as a starter, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old righty has thrown 12.1 innings over five spring appearances (one start) with a 2.19 ERA and 8:3 K:BB, but it appears the Nationals are more comfortable with him in a long-relief role. Lord worked three scoreless innings and 36 pitches (27 strikes) out of the bullpen in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts, and he could piggyback Zack Littell early in the season while the late signing gets fully stretched out. As a rookie in 2025, Lord posted a 4.34 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 108:43 K:BB in 130.2 innings over 48 appearances (19 starts).

Wiemer seems ticketed for a spot on the Nationals' 26-man roster after Robert Hassell was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic reports.

The decision to send down Hassell may have been matchup-based, as he hits left-handed and doesn't offer a platoon partner for Daylen Lile. Wiemer swings from the right side and has experience playing all three outfield spots. The 27-year-old hasn't stood out in camp, however, batting .152 (5-for-33) with a 4:10 BB:K. Wiemer has flashed a bit of power and speed during his big-league career, but his contact issues and 29.7 percent strikeout rate have put a firm cap on his fantasy production.

Senga gave up three hits and a walk over four scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out four.

Facing most of Houston's likely Opening Day lineup, including Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Carlos Correa, Senga fired 41 of 63 pitches for strikes in another impressive performance. The 33-year-old right-hander has posted a 1.86 ERA and 11:1 K:BB through 9.2 spring frames while showing much better velocity on his four-seam fastball, which averaged 94.7 mph in 2024. With more consistent heat to set up his elite splitter, Senga may be poised to regain something close to the form that saw him deliver a 2.98 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 202:77 K:BB over 166.1 innings during his MLB debut in 2023.

Sheets went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs in a 13-6 Cactus League win over the White Sox on Thursday.

Sheets was a key contributor to a big offensive performance by San Diego, swatting a two-run homer in the first inning and coming around to score following a single in the fourth. He's swung the bat well this spring, slashing .270/.400/.568 with three long balls, eight RBI, six runs and an 8:4 BB:K. Manager Craig Stammen said in late January that Sheets would be the team's top option at first base to begin the campaign, and that still appears to be the case despite the mid-February signing of Nick Castellanos, who has been seeing plenty of first-base reps during exhibition play.

The Mets optioned Warren to Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Warren made four appearances in the Grapefruit League, allowing one run on three hits with a 2:2 K:BB over four innings. The right-hander gave up just one run across 9.1 frames with the Mets last year and could join the big club as bullpen depth at some point this season.

Fuentes struck out eight over four perfect innings of relief in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

The 20-year-old right-hander fired 34 of 50 pitches for strikes after taking the mound to begin the sixth inning, although he was facing a lineup of Philly bench players and minor leaguers. Fuentes has been arguably the most impressive pitcher in camp this year for Atlanta, posting an eye-popping 17:0 K:BB over nine scoreless, hitless innings across three spring appearances, and the only baserunner he allowed during that dominant stretch came on a hit-by-pitch. Fuentes is still expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, but he's making a strong case to win an Opening Day spot on a team that's lost three starting options to injury this spring, and which is expected to deploy a six-man rotation over the first couple weeks of the campaign.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday that Alvarez (back) is feeling "better" and could rejoin the Grapefruit League lineup Saturday if he continues to improve, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The 24-year-old backstop was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League contest due to back tightness, but he may end up missing only one spring game. The Mets are likely to exercise caution with Opening Day less than a week away, but at this point Alvarez doesn't appear to be in danger of missing significant time.

Webb allowed six earned runs on eight hits, including one home run, and one walk while striking out three across 4.1 innings in Thursday's 14-11 Cactus League win over the Rockies.

Webb returned to Cactus League action after joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, where he surrendered one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out 11 in 8.2 innings over two outings. The right-hander was hit hard in his third Cactus League start, tossing 58 of his 86 pitches for strikes while giving up six more hits than he had over his previous two spring games combined. Webb, who is set to make his fifth consecutive Opening Day start for the Giants, is coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which he posted a 3.22 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 224:46 K:BB across 207 innings in 34 starts.

Singer (blister) expects to make his next start, MLB.com reports.

The Reds haven't announced their pitching plans beyond Friday, so Singer's next scheduled start is not known. Given a typical five-game rotation, the right-hander would be in line to pitch the final Cactus League tilt for Cincinnati next Tuesday. Singer was removed early from his start Wednesday when a blister developed on his right index finger, but the issue doesn't appear to be serious. He cited the Arizona heat as a factor.