MLB Player News

Garcia is a candidate to bat in the cleanup spot this season, per Cole Weintraub of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

The departure of Nick Castellanos, who was the club's primary cleanup batter a year ago, this offseason further increases Garcia's chances of beginning the new campaign as Philadelphia's No. 4 hitter. Garcia is lined up as the Phillies' top right fielder this spring, but he's turned in a sub-.700 OPS in consecutive seasons with the Rangers and enters 2026 as a late-round gamble in most fantasy leagues. That said, the prospect of batting behind All-Stars Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper offers Garcia plenty of upside for run production.

Roupp (knee) completed his first live batting practice session of the spring Saturday, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The right-hander did not make an appearance after Aug. 20 last year after taking a comebacker off his knee, but he appears to be all set for a normal camp without restrictions. While Roupp does not throw particularly hard and has a modest strikeout rate, he has achieved respectable results (3.80 ERA over 106.2 innings last season). He figures to be locked into a rotation spot for San Francisco to begin 2026.

Perez signed a minor-league contract with the Nationals on Saturday and received an invitation to spring training, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Perez was a liability in the Orioles' bullpen last season, logging an 8.31 ERA and 2.12 WHIP as well as a 21:18 K:BB over 21.2 innings before being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk in late May. He entered 2025 with a 3.80 ERA during his big-league career, however, so he may still win a spot in Washington's Opening Day bullpen if he returns to form during Grapefruit League play.

Marquez signed a one-year contract with the Padres on Saturday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Marquez struggled mightily during his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, finishing 2025 with an unsightly 6.70 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 126.1 innings with the Rockies. Leaving the pitcher-unfriendly environment of Colorado should help to improve the 30-year-old's numbers, but he still likely faces an uphill battle to make the Padres' rotation.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday that Kelly will start the Diamondbacks' March 26 season opener versus the Dodgers in Los Angeles, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

The 37-year-old entered camp as the favorite for the Opening Day nod, but the re-signing of Zac Gallen on Friday made the decision less obvious. Kelly posted a 3.22 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 128.2 innings with Arizona last season but failed to match that production after being traded to Texas, where he put up a 4.23 ERA across 55.1 frames.

Faucher will make $1.8 million in 2026 after losing his arbitration hearing with the Marlins on Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

Faucher had filed for $2.05 million, but he'll receive the lower of the two figures after posting a 3.28 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across 60.1 innings in 2025. The 30-year-old collected 15 saves while serving as Miami's primary closer last season, but he'll likely be relegated to a setup role in 2026 while new addition Pete Fairbanks works the ninth inning.

Manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that it will take some time to build Graterol (shoulder) up this spring, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Graterol missed all of 2025 while recovering from a shoulder procedure he underwent in November 2024. He threw a bullpen session Friday, but Roberts noted that the 27-year-old's velocity "wasn't near where it's going to be." The team's plan to slow Graterol's rehab down could delay his Cactus League debut, and it's unclear if he'll be ready to go by Opening Day.

The Diamondbacks placed Martinez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Saturday.

The move will create space on Arizona's 40-man roster for Paul Sewald, who signed with the club on Thursday. Martinez underwent Tommy John surgery in June and is expected to return to the D-backs' bullpen near the end of August.

Assad arrived at spring training Thursday after a slight delay due to a visa issue, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Assad was slightly delayed in his arrival from his native Mexico, but it doesn't seem that the issue will interrupt his spring routine at all. The 28-year-old has served as both a starter and a long reliever the past few seasons for the Cubs. Assad missed most of last year with an oblique injury and will look to turn in a fully healthy campaign in 2026. He looks destined for the bullpen with the Cubs adding Edward Cabrera to the rotation and Cade Horton emerging as a strong starting option last season.

Ballesteros has not arrived at spring training yet due to a visa issue, but manager Craig Counsell said he is "expected shortly," Sarah Barber of Sports Illustrated reports.

Ballesteros has yet to receive clearance to travel from his native Venezuela, but Counsell downplayed the issue and said he's not worried at this point about the delay. It's an important spring for the 22-year-old catching prospect, who debuted for the Cubs last season and posted an impressive .868 OPS across 20 games. Ballesteros is the favorite at this point to serve as the Cubs' top DH option in 2026, and he could mix in some behind the plate in relief of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya.