MLB Player News

Long (elbow) went 1-for-3 with an RBI in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies.

After facing live pitchers in a side session Friday, Long returned to game action a day later for the first time since late February. The 24-year-old sprained his elbow attempting to reach for a wide throw to first base, but he sustained no structural damage, and he now looks fully good to go after a few weeks of rehab work. Long is expected to begin the regular season with Triple-A Iowa and give the Cubs some depth behind Michael Busch.

Atlanta reassigned Keirsey to minor-league camp Saturday.

The outfielder was unable to secure a bench spot on the Opening Day roster and appears set to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. With the Twins last season, Keirsey saw action in 74 games and slashed .107/.138/.179 with two home runs and 10 stolen bases over 88 plate appearances.

Atlanta reassigned English to minor-league camp Saturday.

English reached the majors for the first time in 2025 with the Diamondbacks, appearing in seven games while going 2-for-22. After becoming a free agent in the offseason, English signed with Atlanta on a minor-league deal. While he wasn't able to secure a bench spot on the Opening Day roster, English should get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis at Triple-A Gwinnett.

The Phillies optioned Hoffman to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Hoffman made his MLB debut with a single appearance for the Phillies last season, and he showed his upside during spring training with a 10:1 K:BB across 7.1 innings. The 28-year-old had a 4.85 ERA and 1.46 WHIP across 65 innings at the Triple-A level last year, and he'll likely need to show a bit more consistency at Lehigh Valley to earn a longer look in the majors.

Brown allowed one run on two hits across four innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He struck out six.

Brown has been racking up strikeouts so far this spring, and he now has 15 of them across 10.2 Cactus League frames. This is in line with the tall righty's career 10.3 K/9 during the regular season. The problem for Brown to this point has been consistency, particularly with his secondary pitches. He's been experimenting with a sinker in camp and may use it frequently in 2026 if he finds success with it in the early going.

Elder gave up one run on one hit and two walks over five innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox. He struck out six.

The right-hander tossed 49 of 78 pitches for strikes against a Boston lineup that featured Ceddanne Rafaela as its only big-league regular. Elder looks just about ready for the start of the regular season, having posted a 12:5 K:BB and 4.72 ERA this spring over 13.1 innings, and he's locked into a rotation spot with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow) and Joey Wentz (knee) all on the shelf.

The Marlins reassigned Brzykcy to minor-league camp Sunday.

A non-roster invitee for spring training after the Marlins claimed him off waivers from the Nationals in the offseason and later outrighted him, Brzykcy made a strong impression in the Grapefruit League, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out five and allowing four hits and no walks. The right-hander has been less than stellar over parts of two seasons in the majors with Washington, however, with elevated home-run and walk rates. If he can carry over his performance from the spring and find success early on at Triple-A, Brzykcy may not have to wait long for a promotion to Miami.

The Marlins optioned Mack to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

The 23-year-old is one of Miami's top prospects, but he struggled to a .472 OPS across nine spring games and will open the campaign at Triple-A. Mack spent most of 2025 with Jacksonville and totaled 18 home runs and seven steals with a .786 OPS in 98 contests.

The Marlins optioned Gusto to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday.

After failing to capture a starting or long-relief role with the Marlins, Gusto appears set to begin the season in the rotation at Jacksonville. The right-hander came over from Houston in a deadline deal last July and proceeded to go 0-3 with a 9.77 ERA and 1.72 WHIP over 15.2 innings in his three starts with Miami.

Lindor (hand) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Lindor's availability for Opening Day looked to be in doubt after he required surgery Feb. 11 to address a fractured hamate bone in his left hand, but the five-time All-Star has made excellent progress in his recovery. After he was able to resume playing shortstop in a minor-league game earlier in the week, Lindor took live batting practice Friday, setting him up for Sunday's spring debut. Assuming he's able to stockpile at-bats over the final week of Grapefruit League play, Lindor looks like he'll be available when the Mets begin their season March 26 versus the Pirates.