MLB Player News

Tawa went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's spring game against the Dodgers.

Tawa has hit safely in all three Cactus League contests thus far, going 4-for-8 with two walks. He's slotted in at second base (twice) and designated hitter (once). Tawa is line for a roster spot as a utility infielder that also has outfield experience.

Gallen allowed one hit and struck out two over one scoreless inning in Wednesday's spring start against the Dodgers.

Gallen made his Cactus League debut, throwing 23 pitches (14 strikes) against a lineup of backups. He allowed a single to the first batter faced then retired the next three. Gallen, a late free-agent signing, is slightly behind other starters but should be ready in time for the regular season. With news that Merrill Kelly (back) will not start Opening Day, Gallen is an option to make a fourth consecutive Opening Day start for the Diamondbacks. His first spring outing last year was a one-inning affair on Feb. 24, and Gallen was ready to take the ball on Opening Day in 2025.

Keller threw a clean first inning in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against Detroit. He struck out one.

Keller needed only 11 pitches to retire the side in his spring debut, with his sinker topping out at 97.3 mph. The 30-year-old signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Phillies over the winter, and Keller is preparing to serve as the primary right-handed setup man for closer Jhoan Duran in 2026, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Happ said the Cubs front office has yet to approach him about a potential contract extension this spring, but he's open to the possibility if it arises, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Happ is entering the final year of a three-year, $61 million contract extension he signed back in 2023. The veteran outfielder said he's open to discussing another extension, but the team has yet to approach him. Happ, who will turn 32 in August, has been a steady performer for the Cubs in recent years. He's recorded at least 20 home runs and 75 RBI in each of the last three seasons, and while he's only a career .247 hitter, Happ has been able to offset that with a strong on-base percentage. Chicago may not be in a hurry to commit to a player who has plenty of wear on the tires, though Happ has not shown any real signs of slowing down yet.

Horton tossed two scoreless innings in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He walked one and struck out two.

After Jameson Taillon covered the first two frames of the game, Horton came in for two innings of his own to make his spring training debut. The 24-year-old righty picked up where he left off last year, when he posted a stellar 2.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP across 118 regular-season innings as a rookie. Horton struck out only 97 batters for a middling 7.4 K/9, but if he can miss more bats in his sophomore campaign, he could take the next step as a true fantasy superstar. The youngster figures to slot in near the top of Chicago's rotation once the 2026 season gets underway.

Painter will make his spring training debut Sunday against the Yankees, Corey Seidman of SI.com reports.

Painter so far has been working on changing his arm angle to match where it was prior to his Tommy John surgery. This will be his first spring training start since 2023. With Zack Wheeler (thoracic outlet syndrome) out until at least late April, Painter could make the Phillies' rotation to begin the season despite his substandard performance (5.40 ERA in 22 starts) at Triple-A last year.

Minter (lat) expects to throw a live batting practice session next week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

It would be his first time facing hitters since last May's left lat surgery. Minter is aiming to pitch in at least one Grapefruit League game before the end of camp, and the Mets hope to get the southpaw back in their bullpen by early May.

Marsh is dealing with hand soreness and is not expected to return to Grapefruit League play until at least next Tuesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Marsh jammed the hand into the ground during sliding practice. There don't appear to be any plans to send him for imaging, as the Phillies are simply exercising caution early in camp. Marsh is in line to be the Phillies' primary left fielder this season after slashing .280/.342/.443 with 11 home runs over 133 regular-season contests in 2025.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday that there's no timetable for when Miller (back) will resume swinging a bat, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Miller has been receiving treatment for lower-back soreness and is ramping up his activity level in the weight room. However, with no timeline for when he'll be allowed to hit again, it sounds like it could be a while before we see the top prospect in Grapefruit League action. Miller entered camp as a long shot to make the Phillies' Opening Day roster, and the back injury makes it close to a foregone conclusion that he's ticketed for Triple-A Lehigh Valley to begin the campaign.

Griffin was removed from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game versus Atlanta as a precaution after being hit on the foot by a pitch, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Griffin did not start the game but was struck on the foot by a Hayden Harris offering in the top of the seventh inning in what turned out to be his lone plate appearance of the day. He initially stayed in to run the bases but did not come out to play shortstop in the bottom of the frame. Griffin told reporters after the game that "I'm good," so it doesn't seem he will miss much, if any, time. The top prospect is competing for the Pirates' starting shortstop job.