MLB Player News

Thompson struck out one over a hitless and scoreless inning in Sunday's spring game against Cleveland.

This was the second Cactus League appearance for the side-arming Thompson, who is in the mix to pick up save opportunities for the Diamondbacks. He entered Sunday's game in the third inning -- just like his first outing Feb. 26 -- when the opponent's regulars were still in the game. Thompson was immediately followed by Kevin Ginkel, another reliever that could get save chances. Arizona's closer situation is not resolved and could be a committee solution to start the regular season.

Waldschmidt went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's spring game against the Guardians.

Waldschmidt replaced Alek Thomas in the fourth inning -- playing both left and center field -- and helped engineer an Arizona comeback. The weakest of his three hits registered an exit velocity of 106.9 mph. The prospect is 6-for-19 with three doubles, one homer, five RBI and six runs scored over six Cactus League appearances. He's a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, but Waldschmidt should be a lineup regular in the weeks to come, as Thomas heads to the World Baseball Classic to participate for Team Mexico.

Meyers (back) is starting in center field and batting sixth Monday against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

He dealt with back spasms over the weekend but is back as expected Monday. Meyers seems like a pretty safe bet to open the year as the Astros' starting center fielder as long as he's healthy.

Alvarez will start at designated hitter and bat second in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Just as manager Joe Espada had suggested would be the case Sunday, Alvarez will enter the lineup Monday for what will be his spring debut. Alvarez was limited to 48 games last season due to hand and ankle injuries, but when healthy, he's consistently performed as one of the top hitters in the game. Espada has previously referred to Alvarez as the Astros' everyday designated hitter heading into 2026, so the 28-year-old would seem likely to see even less exposure to left field than he has in past seasons as Houston looks to keep him healthy over the course of the campaign.

Barco allowed no hits and walked two while striking out three across three scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

This marked Barco's first start of the spring and second appearance of the exhibition season. He's completed 4.1 innings without allowing an earned run while striking out six, though he's also walked five. Barco is likely on the outside looking in for a rotation spot to begin the regular season due to the signing of Jose Urquidy, but he should have a chance to make an impact at some point in 2026.

Painter threw two clean innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees. He struck out one.

Painter's spring debut went swimmingly -- he fired 14 of his 20 pitches for strikes and his four-seam fastball reached 97 mph on six occasions. With Zack Wheeler (shoulder) expected to start the new campaign on the injured list, the Phillies have an eye toward including Painter in the Opening Day rotation, per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. While he turned in a lackluster 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 106.2 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley a year ago, the 22-year-old right-hander remains one of Philadelphia's top prospects and has an opportunity to overtake Taijuan Walker as the club's No. 5 starter even when Wheeler rejoins the rotation.

Fortes went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Fortes has now gone 3-for-10 with a walk and two runs scored covering five spring outings. The right-handed-hitting backstop is lined up as Tampa Bay's primary catcher, but the lefty-hitting Hunter Feduccia is a threat to Fortes' reps behind the plate as well. Fortes slashed just .213/.307/.348 with three homers, three doubles, and 11 RBI across 101 regular-season plate appearances after being traded from the Marlins to the Rays at last year's deadline, and he'll likely slot somewhere into the lower part of the lineup to open 2026.

Wheeler (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Sunday, per Jim Salisburg of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Sunday marked Wheeler's second session of the spring amid his recovery from venous thoracic outlet surgery. It remains unknown at this point if the All-Star right-hander will have enough time to get in any Grapefruit League action, and Wheeler's throwing progression will remain something for fantasy managers to monitor throughout spring training. Although Wheeler isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day, the Phillies are hopeful the hurler won't need a lengthy stay on the injured list to begin the season.

Aldegheri was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Aldegheri appeared in two games with the Angels during spring training, giving up two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings. The 24-year-old struggled to a 7.90 ERA and 2.20 WHIP over 13.2 innings in four appearances, including two starts, with the Angels in 2025. He will now head to Salt Lake ahead of the regular season, and he'll look to impress at the Triple-A level in an attempt to get another shot with the major-league club in the near future.

Lugo was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday.

Lugo will head to the Triple-A level after batting .091 with a double, an RBI, and four strikeouts over 11 at-bats in five contests during spring training. The outfielder produced a .232 average with four home runs, nine RBI and nine runs scored over 69 at-bats in 31 contests with the Angels last season. He'll look to impress with Salt Lake in an attempt to get another crack with the major-league roster in 2026.