MLB Player News

Littell allowed one run on three hits over three innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out two without walking a batter.

Facing a split-squad lineup headlined by younger players like Brett Baty and top prospect Carson Benge, Littell tossed 28 of 39 pitches for strikes in his first spring start since signing a one-year deal with the Nationals on March 8. The veteran right-hander should be able to make two more starts prior to Opening Day, which likely won't be enough time to get fully built up, but Littell would likely be stretched out enough to factor into Washington's first turn through the rotation. If he needs to be held back, Brad Lord appears to be the most likely candidate to make a spot start in Littell's place. Over a career-high 186.1 regular-season innings in 2025 between the Rays and Reds, Littell posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB.

Holmes gave up one run on two hits over five innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He struck out six without walking a batter.

Seeing his first action for the Mets this spring since returning from a stint in the WBC with Team USA, Holmes entered the game in the fifth inning and went the rest of the way, tossing 44 of 62 pitches for strikes. The veteran righty has looked good in the Grapefruit League, posting a 2.84 ERA and 13:3 K:BB over 12.2 innings, but it's not quite clear where Holmes fits in New York's starting picture unless the team commits to using a six-man rotation. Kodai Senga appears to be healthy and back in peak form, while David Peterson has done nothing this spring to lose his spot.

Williams gave up two hits and struck out two in a scoreless inning during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The 31-year-old right-hander entered the game in the fourth inning and gave up a couple singles to Connor Norby and Graham Pauley (forearm), but Williams got Christopher Morel to ground out to end the threat. Williams is looking to rebound in 2026 with the Mets after one shaky season for the Yankees in which he posted a career-worst 4.79 ERA and lost his hold on the closer job. So far this spring, he's delivered a 2.25 ERA and 5:1 K:BB in four innings.

Senga struck out five over three perfect innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The right-hander made short work of a mix of Miami Opening Day starters and minor leaguers, with Senga sitting 96-97 mph with his four-seam fastball and popping 98.6 mph in the second inning to top prospect Joe Mack. Senga was so efficient, firing 28 of 38 pitches for strikes, that he needed to toss an additional 30 pitches in the bullpen after his start, per Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, in order to stay on track with his buildup. Through 5.2 spring frames, Senga sports a 3.18 ERA and 7:0 K:BB, and he seems locked into a rotation spot as long as he can stay healthy.

Condon's MLB debut is not imminent, despite a strong spring training, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Condon is hitting .419 with three home runs in 16 games this spring, but he is not on the 40-man roster and only played 55 games at Double-A last year and zero games at Triple-A. Additionally, 25-year-old T.J. Rumfield is having an even better camp, with four home runs, five walks and one strikeout in 14 games, and 28-year-old Troy Johnston is also hitting .333 with a .419 OBP in 15 games. If Condon goes to Triple-A and produces up to his recent standards in the Arizona Fall League (.873 OPS) and in spring training, he'll get the call sometime this summer.

Minter (lat) hit 93 mph with his fastball in a live batting practice session Friday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

That's still a little below his usual velocity, but Minter also worked in his changeup and cutter during the mound session, with the latter pitch getting Francisco Lindor (hand) to exclaim, "That was sick." Minter hasn't pitched in a game since April 26, 2025, but he's hoping he'll be ready to rejoin the Mets' high-leverage crew by late April this season. "Honestly, it feels way better than I expected it was going to feel," Minter said of his repertoire after Friday's session.

Norby appears to be the likely Opening Day starter at third base for the Marlins, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old came into camp in a battle with Graham Pauley for the job at the hot corner, but Pauley had his camp derailed by a forearm strain, and he has yet to be cleared to play defense in a Grapefruit League game. With time running short before the regular season begins, Norby is in the driver's seat for the spot. His leash could be very short if he isn't able to solve his contact issues, however. Norby has a career 29.0 percent strikeout rate in the majors since making his debut with the Orioles in 2024, and so far this spring he's got an ugly 0:11 BB:K in 29 plate appearances while batting .276 (8-for-29).

The Nationals reassigned Morales to minor-league camp Saturday.

Morales struggled to make an impression during spring training, going 1-for-17 with seven strikeouts across 11 games with the Nationals. He spent the majority of the 2025 season at Triple-A Rochester and will likely do the same this year, though he could make his major-league debut in 2026 if the Nationals require depth at first base. Morales slashed .249/.330/.401 with five steals, 11 home runs and 49 RBI over 433 plate appearances in Triple-A last year.

Birdsong is getting a second opinion on the forearm discomfort he is dealing with, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Birdsong said he hopes to only miss weeks with the issue, but a second opinion is typically reserved for when surgery has been recommended, so this is an ominous sign. The 24-year-old righty had given up eight runs while walking three batters and striking out two in 2.1 innings this spring, but he says his arm felt fine prior to Tuesday, so the injury isn't to blame for his poor results.

Riley could be surprisingly active as a base stealer this season under the tutelage of new Atlanta baserunning coach Antoan Richardson, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Richardson was the man most responsible for Juan Soto's stunning 38-steal campaign last season, and while Riley has only seven career stolen bases in seven MLB seasons, he's not actually slow of foot -- his sprint speed in 2025 ranked in the 73rd percentile. "He's going to get 20," center fielder Michael Harris said Friday. Riley was successful on his only steal attempt of the spring so far, but until he actually shows more willingness to use his legs, any contribution he makes in steals should be viewed as a bonus by fantasy GMs.