MLB Player News

Brazoban isn't guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

While the right-hander hasn't done anything this spring to cost himself a big-league job, posting a 0.00 ERA and 5:1 K:BB over three innings, Brazoban is also one of the few pitchers in the mix for one of the Mets' final bullpen spots who has minor-league options remaining. If the organization feels that protecting its depth is important, Brazoban could begin the year at Triple-A Syracuse instead. In that scenario, however, he would likely be the first reliever called up should an injury hit the major-league staff. Brazoban delivered a 3.57 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB over 63 innings for the Mets in 2025 with five wins, two saves and 12 holds.

Tauchman has a March 25 opt-out in his minor-league contract, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The veteran outfielder is having a strong camp for the Mets, slashing .333/.481/.619 through 27 plate appearances with three doubles and a homer, but Tauchman has always been the backup plan in right field if top prospect Carson Benge was deemed to need more time in the minors to begin the season. That hasn't looked like the case this spring, as Benge has an impressive .367/.406/.433 line of his own and hasn't seemed overmatched at the plate or in the field. It's possible the Mets elect to keep both outfielders, perhaps at the expense of a backup infielder if Francisco Lindor (hand) is ready for Opening Day, but Tauchman could also be auditioning for other clubs over the next 10 days.

Hicks went 0-for-3 in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

While it wasn't a noteworthy performance, Hicks saw his only real competition for a spot on the 26-man roster eliminated when top catching prospect Joe Mack was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday. Hicks is expected to split his time between catcher, first base and DH once again in 2026 while primarily facing right-handed pitching, a split in which he slashed .256/.349/.367 last year with six homers in 324 plate appearances.

Perez walked one and struck out five over four scoreless, no-hit innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 22-year-old right-hander's strikeout victims included Jose Altuve and prospect Zach Cole (twice) as Perez built up to 53 pitches, 30 of which went for strikes. Through 9.2 spring innings, he's posted a 15:6 K:BB, and Perez could be poised for a breakout campaign after he tossed a career-high 118 innings across three levels in 2025, delivering a 4.25 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 105:32 K:BB in 95.1 frames for the Marlins across 20 starts.

Atlanta reassigned Hicklen to minor-league camp Monday.

Hicklen appeared in one big-league game last season but otherwise served as outfield depth at the Triple-A level for the Tigers and Phillies organizations, slashing a collective .221/.318/.403 with 16 home runs and 25 stolen bases over 95 games. After failing to win a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, Hicklen is expected to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Atlanta reassigned Schunk to minor-league camp Monday.

Schunk was competing for a utility infield job with Atlanta during spring training but was unable to distinguish himself while going 4-for-23 (.174 average) at the dish during Grapefruit League play. As a member of the Colorado organization last season, the 28-year-old spent most of 2025 at the Triple-A level but saw action in 16 games in the majors, slashing .188/.188/.219.

Manager Terry Francona said Monday that McLain will bat second in the order this season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

It's not unexpected, but it's notable confirmation from Francona. McLain, of course, started out last season batting second but was hitting under .200 until late June and was quickly bumped down to the nine spot in the lineup. The 26-year-old, however, has been swinging a scorching hot bat this spring, slashing .553/.605/1.105 with six home runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 5:4 BB:K across 43 plate appearances. He's been a fast riser up fantasy draft boards and appears set to hit in front of Elly De La Cruz this season.

Suarez allowed four hits and two walks over four scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out three.

Facing a Philly lineup that featured about half of the team's Opening Day starters, including Trea Turner, Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott, Suarez tossed 36 of 61 pitches for strikes to kick off a combined shutout for Atlanta. The 28-year-old southpaw is out of minor-league options, and while he may not be in the mix for a rotation spot, Suarez could begin the season as a long reliever to help provide some length as the team plays 13 games in 13 days right out of the gate.

Fuentes struck out five over three perfect innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the 20-year-old right-hander maintained the elevated velocity he's been showing in camp, averaging 97.1 mph with his four-seamer and topping out at 98.7 mph, but it was his slider that gave Yankee hitters like Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham the most trouble. Fuentes has sharpened the pitch since last year, when Statcast classified it as a sweeper due to its slower speed, and he generated whiffs on four of the six sliders he threw Friday while averaging 87.0 mph with it. Atlanta pitching coach Jeremy Hefner also likes the progress Fuentes has made with his changeup. Fuentes is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Gwinnett, but he could be just one more injury away from joining the big-league rotation. Through five spring innings in two appearances, he hasn't allowed a run or hit with a 9:0 K:BB.

The Marlins optioned Blalock to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Blalock was acquired from the Rockies in January after he was DFA'd by Colorado. The 25-year-old right-hander has appeared in 21 career regular-season games at the MLB level, making 18 starts, but has turned in an 8.16 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 47:43 K:BB across 89.1 innings.