MLB Player News

Meyer struck out two in a perfect inning during the Marlins' Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals on Monday.

Entering the game in the second inning after Eury Perez got the start and also worked just one frame, Meyer fired seven of 11 pitches for strikes and got both his strikeouts on his plus-plus slider. Meyer is a favorite to claim an Opening Day rotation job, and if the 26-year-old right-hander can manage to stay healthy for once, he could be headed for a breakout after beginning 2025 with a 2.10 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 41:7 K:BB across 30 innings through his first five starts before a hip issue that eventually required season-ending surgery in June cropped up.

Perez gave up one run on one hit and two walks over one inning in the Marlins' Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals on Monday. He struck out one.

The 22-year-old right-hander tossed 19 pitches (nine strikes) in his first start of the spring before giving way to Max Meyer. Perez threw 118 innings across three levels in 2025, his first season back from Tommy John surgery, and while he scuffled early he posted a 3.86 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 91:22 K:BB in 79.1 innings from July to the end of the regular season. The Marlins will let Perez ramp up slowly in camp, but he's locked into an Opening Day rotation spot.

Bender (shin) threw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Bender has been slowed early in Marlins camp by a shin issue, but he did not appear compromised Tuesday, sitting 95-96 mph with his fastball. The veteran reliever's next time on the bump could be in a game setting.

An MRI on Pauley's right arm did not show any UCL damage, Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network reports.

It's not clear what the specific diagnosis was, but Pauley appears to have avoided a worst-case scenario. The infielder is able to field grounders but is not yet cleared for throwing or hitting. Pauley told Christina De Nicola of MLB.com on Tuesday that he could play in games as soon as later this week and no later than within two weeks. Pauley has a shot to be ready for Opening Day, but it could be close.

Pauley (forearm) said he'll return to games within a week in a best-case scenario, and in two weeks at most, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reported Tuesday.

He underwent imaging Monday after experiencing tightness, and it sounds like he has a chance to still be ready for Opening Day. Connor Norby will get a chance to play third base in the meantime.

Sale agreed to a one-year, $27 million contract extension with Atlanta on Tuesday that includes a club option for $30 million in 2028, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Sale was set to hit free agency after the season but will get some extra security with this deal. His fastball was up to 96 mph in his first spring action Sunday as he logged two scoreless innings.

Keller adjusted the grip on his changeup during the offseason, Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Keller throws a wide range of pitches and consistently tinkers with his offerings, though his changeup has never been a major part of his arsenal. It's unclear exactly how he changed the pitch, but he threw it six times in his spring debut Sunday against the Rays -- all against lefties. Keller reported feeling comfortable with the pitch, per Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, so it could be a more prominent part of Keller's game plan in 2026.

Chandler allowed four earned runs while walking four and striking out two across 1.2 innings in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Chandler retired the Yankees in order in the first inning but walked four of the six batters he faced in the second frame. He ultimately threw only 14 of his 35 pitches for strikes, a concerning data point given his struggles to find the zone consistently with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2025. However, per Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Chandler purposefully lowered his velocity after topping 100 mph, which caused him to lose his attacking mentality and become erratic with his pitch placement.

Karros entered camp weighing 230 pounds, 20 pounds heavier than he was at the close of the 2025 season, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Karros made his big-league debut at the close of the 2025 season and managed only a .585 OPS with a 26.3 percent strikeout rate across 156 plate appearances. Manager Warren Schaeffer dismissed that sample due to Karros being down about 10 pounds from his typical playing weight, forcing him to play at less than full strength. Karros is among the top candidates to claim the starting third-base job in Colorado to begin the season, and he's collected three hits in his first five plate appearances in Cactus League action.

Mervis went 1-for-1 with a walk, a double, two RBI and one stolen base during Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Mervis wasn't penciled into the starting lineup Monday, but that didn't prevent him from making an impact. He walked in his first at-bat and later swiped a bag, and he smacked a two-run ground-rule double in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game. Mervis isn't expected to open the 2026 campaign on the big-league squad, but more performances like this could help him throw his hat in the ring for a roster spot.