MLB Player News

Paddack gave up two hits over three scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros. He struck out two without walking a batter.

The 30-year-old right-hander built up to 40 pitches (27 strikes) against a patchwork lineup headlined by Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes. Paddack's fastball topped out at 95.8 mph, and through six spring innings he has yet to allow a run while posting a 6:1 K:BB. Given his injury-plagued career and 5.22 ERA over 246.1 innings the last two seasons between the Twins and Tigers, however, simply taking a regular turn for the Marlins in 2026 would be an accomplishment.

The Nationals optioned Cornelio to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Cornelio impressed in his limited Grapefruit League action with a 7:0 BB:K while holding batters to a .176 average over five innings, but having minor-league options remaining may have worked against his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old righty is likely to remain on a starter's development track at Rochester, though poor command and the lack of a deep arsenal could make him a better fit in the bullpen once he reaches the big leagues.

Hernandez went 1-for-2 with a walk, a solo home run and a stolen base in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

The 26-year-old outfielder is having an impressive start to his spring, going 4-for-14 (.286) with a double, two homers and three steals in three attempts. Hernandez likely won't keep up that kind of success on the basepaths in the regular season -- his career high in stolen bases is eight, set at Double-A in 2023 -- but he could be productive at the plate if he gets consistent playing time in 2026. As a rookie last year, he slashed .266/.347/.438 with 10 home runs in 87 games.

The Nationals optioned Perales to Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

Perales is still waiting to make his MLB debut, but his presence on the Nationals' 40-man roster boosts his chances of contributing to the big club at some point in 2026. The 22-year-old right-hander was limited to just three appearances in the minors last season as he completed his recovery from July 2024 Tommy John surgery. The Nationals will likely keep him stretched out as a starter at Rochester, but if he receives a call-up to the majors in 2026, he could work out of the bullpen in order to manage his workload.

Meyer gave up two hits over three scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets. He struck out four without walking a batter.

The 26-year-old right-hander is having an impressive spring, posting a 6:0 K:BB over four scoreless frames. Meyer is locked into an Opening Day rotation spot, and while good health might be the only thing standing between him and a breakout campaign, he has a lot to prove given his 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 127.2 career big-league innings.

Moreno went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against the Giants.

Moreno clubbed a first-inning home run that travelled 460 feet over the fence in left field. The blast is a reminder that Moreno's offense took a leap forward in 2025, when he posted a career-high .433 SLG (.148 ISO) and swatted nine home runs. A healthy Moreno, who was limited to 83 games by a fractured hand last season, is expected to join Corbin Carroll (hand), Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo atop Arizona's order.

The Nationals reassigned Martinez to minor-league camp Sunday.

Formerly a top prospect in the Blue Jays organization, Martinez has seen his stock fall dramatically since being handed an 80-game suspension for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drugs policy shortly after he made his MLB debut in June 2024. After struggling mightily with Triple-A Buffalo last season, the Blue Jays released him in September, with the Nationals bringing him aboard on a minor-league deal shortly thereafter. Martinez didn't make enough of an impression in spring training to win a spot on the Opening Day roster, but if the 24-year-old can find his swing at Triple-A Rochester in 2026, he could put himself in the mix for a call-up.

The Nationals reassigned Alcantara to minor-league camp Sunday.

Alcantara logged four plate appearances with the Giants last season in his first MLB action since 2022, but he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in July and ended up finishing the 2025 campaign at Triple-A Reno in the Arizona organization. He caught on with the Nationals on a minor-league deal in January but fell short in his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster. The 29-year-old is likely to report to Triple-A Rochester to begin the upcoming season.

Soroka allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out two over three innings in Team Canada's win over Columbia on Saturday at the World Baseball Classic.

Soroka was on the mound for Team Canada's first game of the WBC. The right-hander threw 54 pitches (30 strikes), touching 97 mph and averaging 94.7 mph with his four-seamer after managing 93.6 mph with the pitch in 2025. He was signed by the Diamondbacks for rotation depth but has experience out of the bullpen. Soroka's exact role to start the season will be determined by whether Merrill Kelly (back) can avoid a stint on the injured list. Kelly recently threw a bullpen and is set to throw live batting practice Sunday.

Fuentes struck out four over two scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

A hit-by-pitch produced the only baserunner against Fuentes, who fired 15 of 25 pitches for strikes in a dominant performance. Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, Fuentes' velocity was up noticeably in the outing, with his four-seamer topping out at 98.8 miles per hour and averaging 97.4 mph. However, it bears mentioning that the 20-year-old right-hander didn't enter the game until the sixth inning, and the most notable batter he faced might have been non-roster invitee Sam Huff. Fuentes is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett, but after making his big-league debut under emergency circumstances in 2025, he might be just one or two more injuries away from getting the call again given the hits Atlanta has already taken to its rotation depth.