MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that he's been encouraged by how Stewart (shoulder) has looked in bullpen sessions and believes the pitcher's absence to begin the season could be brief, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Stewart has been brought along slowly this spring following a right shoulder debridement procedure he underwent last September. The reliever has already been ruled out for Opening Day, but it sounds like he could be back sometime in April. Stewart made only four appearances for the Dodgers last season before getting hurt, but he was superb for the Twins prior to being traded, posting a 2.38 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 34 innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Miller has yet to throw off a mound this spring due to an arm/shoulder issue, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Miller hopes to ramp things up in the coming days, but he's clearly behind other Dodgers pitchers in camp. The 26-year-old has struggled to gain any traction the last two seasons either in the majors or minors, and he was moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Oklahoma City last year. Miller is likely headed back to OKC to begin the 2026 season, but he might get held back in extended spring training first, depending on his health.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Graterol (shoulder) is in a "holding pattern," Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Though Roberts has refrained from referring to Graterol's ongoing shoulder issues as a setback, it's difficult to categorize them as anything else. The reliever missed the entire 2025 season following a November 2024 procedure, and he hasn't been able to regain his pre-surgery velocity. Graterol has already been ruled out for Opening Day and he could be looking at a lengthy absence.

Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers because of left hamstring tightness, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

It's not clear at this point whether Devers might be sent for an MRI, but the Giants will be cautious with their first baseman this early in spring training. Bryce Eldridge took his spot in the lineup Friday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts conceded Friday that it will be "hard" for Snell (shoulder) to be ready in time for Opening Day, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Snell is being brought along slowly by the Dodgers this spring due to shoulder issues that have lingered since last season. Roberts noted that Snell is making progress in his throwing program, but the left-hander remains limited to flat-ground work so he still has plenty of ramping up to do. The Dodgers have the pitching depth to play the long game with Snell, so expect him to be held back until the team is very confident in his health and stamina.

Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

There's no word yet on the reasoning behind Devers being scratched. Bryce Eldridge entered the lineup in his place, batting second and playing first base.

Garcia (hamstring) is starting at second base and batting cleanup in Friday's Grapefruit League tilt against the Astros, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Garcia is ready for his spring training debut after missing nearly a week of action due to tightness in his left hamstring. The 25-year-old is tentatively lined up to be the Nationals' primary second baseman this season, though he could also see ample playing time at first base on days the club wants to put Nasim Nunez at the keystone.

Young (wrist) is starting in center field and batting second in Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Astros, Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com reports.

Young was held out of the first handful of Nationals spring training contests with right wrist soreness, but he's been cleared for game action. The speedster will see most or all of his playing time in center field for the Nationals this season, but he may need to improve on last year's .583 OPS to get regular starts.

Bivens allowed two hits in one scoreless inning during Thursday's 11-3 Cactus League loss to the Rockies.

Bivens escaped the third inning without allowing a run after surrendering a pair of singles. He tossed 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes and primarily relied on his sinker, which he threw five times. The 31-year-old is likely to make the Opening Day roster in a relief role after spending all of last season in the majors with San Francisco. Over 54 relief appearances in 2025, the right-hander posted a 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 61:25 K:BB across 81 innings.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Wheeler (shoulder) could "possibly" be ready to join the major-league rotation in about six weeks, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Wheeler threw a 21-pitch bullpen session at 80-85 percent effort Thursday, marking the first time he's thrown off a mound since he had surgery last September to address venous thoracic outlet syndrome. The hurler said afterward that, "I felt good, I felt smooth, natural." Six weeks from Thursday would be April 9, and the Phillies are idle that day, but any timeline at this juncture for Wheeler is just an estimate. The veteran righty is unsure whether he will pitch in a Grapefruit League game this spring, noting that "I don't even know when my next bullpen is." The Phillies will tread carefully with the three-time All-Star, but his recovery has gone as well as could be expected to this point.