MLB Player News

Henry (back) struck out two batters in a perfect inning of relief Tuesday in the Nationals' 6-1 win over the Cardinals in Grapefruit League play.

Despite closing the past season on the injured list while recovering from a back strain, Henry appears to be under no restrictions during the early weeks of spring training. The Nationals head into the 2026 season without an obvious option to close games, and Henry should have the opportunity this spring to stake his claim to a late-inning role. While Henry collected two saves and nine holds over his 57 relief appearances for Washington last season, his peripherals (4.69 SIERA, 8.3 K-BB%, 31.7 GB%) were mostly underwhelming.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Kelly (back) will not be ready in time for Opening Day, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Tests on Kelly's back did not reveal any structural damage, but he still feels something in his back when he throws. It's not clear when he might be ready to pitch in games, but it's not imminent. Lovullo declined to name a replacement for Kelly for Opening Day, but that assignment could go to Zac Gallen. Kelly's injury might also open up a rotation spot for Michael Soroka.

Doyle was scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs due to left wrist inflammation, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Doyle had been slated to start in center field and bat cleanup, but Drew Avans will instead take his spot in the field and the batting order. The Rockies have described Doyle's removal from the lineup as precautionary and said that it doesn't stem from him being hit by a pitch during Monday's game against the White Sox. Doyle will likely check back into the spring lineup within the next few days.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Wicks has been diagnosed with left forearm inflammation and will temporarily pause his throwing program, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

The injury explains why Wicks has yet to make his Cactus League debut, but the Counsell is optimistic that the southpaw will be down for "days, not weeks" after a recent MRI revealed no concerns with his UCL. Wicks reported to spring training with no assurances that his spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen was secure, so he'll need to move past the injury quickly if he hopes to break camp with the big club. Wicks made eight relief appearances for the Cubs in 2025, posting a strong 13:1 K:BB in 14.1 innings but allowing 10 earned runs while yielding 24 hits.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Austin underwent a patellar tendon debridement procedure on his right knee Tuesday and will be out for "months," Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Austin hasn't appeared in the majors since 2019, but after a successful run in Japan with the Yokohama Bay Stars over the last six seasons, he joined the Cubs on a one-year deal over the winter and appeared to have the inside track on a reserve role with Chicago. However, with Austin having since required knee surgery, he'll be ticketed for an extended stint on the injured list. The Cubs likely won't have a clearer target date for Austin's return until weeks down the road, when he'll be further along in the rehab process.

Crow (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out a batter over a scoreless inning of relief in Tuesday's 10-0 win over the Athletics in Cactus League play.

The relief appearance marked the spring debut for Crow, who didn't pitch after July 9 last season due to a right flexor strain. The 25-year-old righty was added to the Brewers' 40-man roster over the winter, but he doesn't appear to be a serious candidate to crack the Opening Day roster and is likely to begin the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Nashville.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Wednesday that Hence will remain on a reliever's schedule for the remainder of spring training, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

The club has not officially closed the door on Hence being a starting pitcher, but signs are pointing to a permanent move to the bullpen for the 23-year-old. A former top-50 prospect, Hence has simply been unable to stay healthy as a starter, as he has yet to reach 100 innings in a season in his five years in pro ball. The righty was limited to just eight appearances in 2025 due to a lat strain and shoulder impingement. Hence struck out one batter in a scoreless inning Tuesday out of the bullpen in his first appearance this spring.

Pirates manager Don Kelly said he expects Skenes to cover at least three innings in his Grapefruit League start Wednesday versus Atlanta, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner will be making his spring debut Wednesday, though he already threw a three-inning simulated game last week as part of his ramp-up program. Wednesday's start will mark Skenes' final outing before he joins Team USA in advance of the World Baseball Classic. Once the WBC concludes, Skenes could make one final tune-up appearance before likely taking the hill for the Pirates' March 26 season opener versus the Mets at Citi Field.

Herrera (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut Thursday at designated hitter, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Herrera has been slow-played by the Cardinals this spring after having surgery in November to remove bone spurs from his right elbow. While he is ready to go with the bat, it's uncertain when he will be cleared to catch in games. Herrera is attempting to return to catcher after the elbow issue and defensive concerns limited him to designated hitter for the final few months of last season.

McGreevy was charged with one run on two hits over two innings in Monday's Grapefruit League start versus the Marlins. He struck out two without issuing a walk.

Jakob Marsee led off the game with a home run off McGreevy, though the pitcher noted after the contest that he was mistakenly given scuffed-up batting practice balls to use to the first hitter, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. McGreevy settled in after that, retiring six of the final seven batters he faced (two via strikeout). McGreevy has a spot in the St. Louis rotation locked up after authoring a 4.42 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 58:20 K:BB over 95.2 innings last season.