MLB Player News

Yastrzemski went 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Facing the franchise his Hall of Fame grandfather spent his entire 23-year career with, Yastrzemski took a Brayan Bello cutter deep in the second inning before getting hold of a Zack Kelly changeup in the fourth. The 35-year-old has homered three times in four appearances so far this spring, and Yastrzemski is set to handle strong-side platoon duties in left field for Atlanta this season after signing a two-year, $23 million contract in December.

Lower-back tightness will limit Miller to throwing solely off flat ground for the next few days, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Miller's back has prevented him from pitching in the Cactus League, and he has yet to begin throwing off a mound. Assuming he doesn't encounter any setbacks, he's slated to begin throwing bullpen sessions sometime next week, but it's still unknown how far away he is from getting into a game.

Gilbert was diagnosed with a left shoulder impingement Saturday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Gilbert will be shut down from throwing for about a week to allow his shoulder to heal. The Giants don't seem to be too concerned about his injury, which is a good sign that he won't open the regular season on the injured list.

The Giants will shut Devers (hamstring) down from all activities for the next 2-to-4 days, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Devers was scratched from Friday's game with hamstring tightness, and the Giants will now act with extreme caution and allow their star slugger to rest. Once he begins participating in activities again, a clearer timeline for his return to Cactus League play may emerge.

Bader (thumb) will be withheld from hitting until Monday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Bader had been dealing with thumb problems for several days before he aggravated it during Friday's Cactus League game, which led to an early departure. The Giants will help his thumb heal by keeping a bat out of his hands for a few days; meanwhile, Jerar Encarnacion and Will Brennan figure to benefit from a few extra reps in spring training.

Encarnacion-Strand (hamstring) will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and bat seventh in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Brewers.

Encarnacion-Strand missed the Reds' first several spring contests while recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in January. He's now been given the green light to return to a competitive environment, but a late start won't help his already slim chances of making Cincinnati's Opening Day roster.

Pauley (forearm) will serve as Miami's designated hitter in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

Pauley's spring debut has been delayed this year due to forearm tightness, but he has seemingly made a full recovery and will begin playing in exhibition games this weekend. The 25-year-old slashed .224/.311/.366 with 11 RBI and 18 runs scored across 184 plate appearances with the Marlins last year and is the favorite to open the regular season as Miami's primary third baseman.

Aguiar allowed three runs on four hits and struck out two over two innings in Friday's spring game against the Angels.

After starter Rhett Lowder breezed through three innings, Aguiar entered and did not fare as well. The latter was tagged for all three runs in the fourth inning and has allowed six hits and four runs over four Cactus League frames. Aguiar is nominally in the mix for the final rotation spot, but both of his main rivals, Lowder and Chase Burns, have performed better.

Lowder allowed one walk and struck out three over three hitless and scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels.

Lowder was on point with all of his pitches, dispatching nine of 10 batters faced on 30 offerings (21 strikes). He was so efficient that the right-hander retired to the bullpen to throw another 10 pitches. This was Lowder's first Cactus League start and second spring outing. The ability throw all his pitches for strikes should serve him well in the competition for the final spot in Cincinnati's rotation.

Swanson went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.

Swanson, who has appeared in only two Cactus League games so far, mustered his first long ball of the spring slate Friday. The veteran shortstop shouldn't need a ton of work to get ready for the regular season, and he'll look to build on the 24 home runs and 77 RBI he tallied across 159 regular-season games for the Cubs in 2025. Swanson did say earlier this month that he is willing to swap some power for more contact in 2026. He's batted below .245 in each of his three seasons in Chicago but hit .277 in 2022 with Atlanta, so there could be room for improvement in this category, though his homer total might decrease as a result.