MLB Player News

Leahy struck out five across four perfect innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League start against the Mets.

Leahy bounced back from a rough second spring training outing with a stellar effort Saturday, requiring only 47 pitches to cruise through his four frames. The right-hander remains a favorite to capture one of the final spots in the Cardinals' rotation, and that the club is considering opening the year with a six-man setup would only increase his chances.

The Pirates optioned Harbin (lat) to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday.

Harbin isn't expected to resume throwing until at least early April after he sustained a right teres major muscle tear early in camp, so his demotion to Triple-A was fully anticipated. Indianapolis is likely to place Harbin on its 7-day injured list shortly before the International League season gets underway.

The Cubs optioned Martin to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

The left-hander was added to Chicago's 40-man roster in November in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, and he gave up two earned runs with two strikeouts across 3.1 innings during spring training. Martin had a 2.71 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 80:35 K:BB over 63 innings at the Triple-A level last season, and he could make his MLB debut at some point this year if he performs similarly.

O'Brien (calf) worked around a walk and a base hit to deliver a scoreless inning of relief Saturday in the Cardinals' 3-2 loss to the Mets in Grapefruit League play.

A mild right calf strain suffered early in camp was enough to prevent O'Brien from pitching for Team South Korea in the World Baseball Classic, but after delivering a scoreless inning in his spring debut Saturday, the 31-year-old righty looks like he'll be ready to go for the start of the regular season. After the Cardinals dealt away Ryan Helsley last July, O'Brien moved into a higher-leverage role and collected four of the team's final five save chances of the 2025 campaign. With St. Louis making no major additions to its bullpen over the winter, O'Brien could head into Opening Day as the Cardinals' top option to close games, though manager Oliver Marmol may prefer to take a committee approach to the ninth inning with JoJo Romero and potentially Matt Svanson also in the mix.

The Reds announced Sunday that Abbott will start Opening Day against the Red Sox on March 26.

The left-hander had a breakout 2025 campaign during which he posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 149:43 K:BB across 166.1 innings in the regular season. He was always in the mix to start Opening Day, but Hunter Greene's elbow issues left Abbott as the obvious answer to take the ball first for Cincinnati in 2026.

Herrera was scratched from Saturday's Grapefruit League lineup versus the Mets due to knee inflammation, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Herrera had been slated to start at designated hitter Saturday, though his previous few starts had come at catcher, where he's being reintroduced after offseason elbow surgery. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that Herrera will be given 24-48 hours to rest before his status is reevaluated.

Nardi (finger) is slated to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday against the Nationals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Nardi didn't pitch at all in 2025 due to a lingering back problem, but it's a blood blister on his pitching hand that's been holding him back this spring. The southpaw has been deemed ready for game action after throwing multiple live batting practice sessions over the last few weeks. Though Nardi looks to be healthy again, the Marlins could still elect to option him to Triple-A Jacksonville to provide him with extra time to shake off any rust. Over 49.2 innings in 2024, Nardi posted a 5.07 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 70:18 K:BB while picking up 15 holds and three wins.

Bender (shin) is scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday versus the Nationals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins have been easing Bender along slowly this spring due to a shin injury, but after throwing multiple live batting practice sessions, he's been given the green light for game action. Despite being behind the Marlins' other healthy bullpen candidates, the right-hander should still have enough time to secure a spot in Miami's high-leverage crew, setting up new closer Pete Fairbanks. Bender collected 19 holds, three wins and four saves over 51 appearances in 2025 while pitching to a 2.16 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 42:21 K:BB across 50 innings.

Junk (ankle) struck out two batters and allowed one hit and no walks over a scoreless inning of relief in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Astros in Grapefruit League play.

Junk went down with a Grade 1 right ankle sprain early in camp, but after advancing through his throwing program over the last few weeks, he was finally cleared to make his spring debut Saturday. The 30-year-old right-hander made 16 of his 21 appearances with the Marlins last season as a starter, but the ankle issue may have cost him whatever small chance he had at a spot in Miami's Opening Day rotation. Junk should still be in good shape to break camp with the big club as a long man out of the bullpen.

Littell agreed to a one-year contract with the Nationals on Sunday, Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The right-hander produced a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 130:32 K:BB across 186.2 regular-season innings between the Rays and Reds last season, but he was unable to secure a contract for 2026 until well after the start of spring training. There's now less than three weeks until Opening Day, so Littell doesn't have a ton of time to get built up for the start of the season. Once ready to go, the 30-year-old Littell should step in at the top of Washington's staff alongside Cade Cavalli and Josiah Gray.