MLB Player News

Mendez was optioned to Double-A San Antonio on Thursday.

Mendez made two appearances with the Padres during spring training, giving up six runs on five hits and four walks while striking out three batters over two innings. The right-handed pitcher is one of San Diego's top prospects, but he'll need some time in the minor leagues to refine his craft before potentially getting a shot with the big-league squad.

Song was removed from Thursday's Cactus League game against the Mariners with right oblique tightness, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Manager Craig Stammen said after Thursday's contest that Song's removal was precautionary, as the Padres didn't want to risk further damage to the 29-year-old's oblique, which he originally injured in January. Song may take a break from Cactus League action for a couple days, but his Opening Day availability doesn't currently seem to be at risk.

Tolle allowed one hit and one walk while striking out seven over three innings of relief in Tuesday's spring game against the Yankees.

This was the best of three Grapefruit League outings for Tolle, who entered as a reliever and upped his pitch count reached 44 (28 strikes). It was his second straight relief outing, but he remains in the mix for a rotation spot along with Connelly Early and Johan Oviedo (the frontrunner). Red Sox manager Alex Cora was enthused by the performance and the results of Tolle's curveball, which along with his changeup, could make the fastball play better.

The Yankees optioned Hampton (elbow) to Double-A Somerset on Thursday.

Hampton underwent Tommy John surgery in February of 2025 and missed all of last season, and he was in big-league camp while going through his rehab program. As the 2026 season nears, the right-hander is still progressing toward a possible return in May or June.

Buehler said Thursday that his right elbow stopped hurting about a month ago after trying various treatments, vitamins and supplements, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

Buehler has had two Tommy John surgeries with the second coming in August of 2022. The right-hander's claim of being pain free comes as new teammate Joe Musgrove is returning from Tommy John surgery and is sharing some of the experiences Buehler had in the past. The 31-year-old Buehler had a 2.90 ERA across his first five seasons in MLB but has a 4.83 ERA across the past three years, and he's especially struggled the last two seasons since the surgery.

Carter (illness) returned to action in a backfields game Thursday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Carter had to be scratched from the lineup for Wednesday's exhibition versus Team Brazil after falling ill, but he felt well enough to play in a "B" game a day later. The outfielder is 2-for-12 with a stolen base and a 3:5 BB:K in his first six Cactus League contests.

Thorpe (elbow) threw a 20-pitch, all-fastball bullpen session Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

It was the first time Thorpe has thrown off the mound since he came down with tendinitis in his surgically repaired right elbow nearly a month ago. The right-hander is slated for another bullpen session as he continues to rebuild stamina. Thorpe has not pitched in a game since 2024, having missed all of the 2025 campaign following Tommy John surgery. He'll be assigned to the Triple-A Charlotte rotation once he's stretched out but is a candidate to rejoin the big-league rotation at some point in 2026 if things go well.

The Rays optioned Areinamo (hamstring) to minor-league camp Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Areinamo played in just one Grapefruit League game this spring, during which he singled in his lone at-bat and scored before exiting with a sore right hamstring. It remains unclear how far away he is from returning to action, but he will report to Double-A Montgomery or Triple-A Durham when healthy.

Jung (hamstring) began fielding groundballs Thursday, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Thursday marked the first time Jung had done any work in the field since being diagnosed with a Grade 1 adductor strain Saturday. The Rangers don't have a timeline in place for the 28-year-old third baseman, but there's a decent chance he returns in time for Opening Day.

Cabrera (ankle) will make his Grapefruit League debut Friday versus the Rays, Meredith Marakovits of YES Network reports.

It will be Cabrera's first game action since he required surgery last May to repair a fracture and ligament damage in his left ankle. The utility player has a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day, though the Yankees could opt to allow him to knock some rust off on a rehab assignment first.