MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that Kessinger will get imaging done after suffering a left knee injury in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals, SNY Mets reports.

Mendoza noted that the injury "didn't look too good," but the club will wait for MRI results before determining a plan for Kessinger. Kessinger seemed to have a chance to make the Opening Day roster in the event that Francisco Lindor (hand) isn't ready, but Kessinger is now facing a possible extended absence.

The Dodgers signed Middleton to a minor-league contract Feb. 16.

Middleton made just five rehab appearances in 2024 before having flexor tendon surgery and then appeared in four games in 2025 with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. The 32-year-old pitched well in his last healthy season in 2023, posting a 3.38 ERA and 64:23 K:BB over 50.2 regular-season frames between the White Sox and Yankees. Middleton will give the Dodgers some experienced relief depth at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that he's been encouraged by how Stewart (shoulder) has looked in bullpen sessions and believes the pitcher's absence to begin the season could be brief, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Stewart has been brought along slowly this spring following a right shoulder debridement procedure he underwent last September. The reliever has already been ruled out for Opening Day, but it sounds like he could be back sometime in April. Stewart made only four appearances for the Dodgers last season before getting hurt, but he was superb for the Twins prior to being traded, posting a 2.38 ERA and 41:11 K:BB over 34 innings.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Miller has yet to throw off a mound this spring due to an arm/shoulder issue, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Miller hopes to ramp things up in the coming days, but he's clearly behind other Dodgers pitchers in camp. The 26-year-old has struggled to gain any traction the last two seasons either in the majors or minors, and he was moved to the bullpen at Triple-A Oklahoma City last year. Miller is likely headed back to OKC to begin the 2026 season, but he might get held back in extended spring training first, depending on his health.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Graterol (shoulder) is in a "holding pattern," Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Though Roberts has refrained from referring to Graterol's ongoing shoulder issues as a setback, it's difficult to categorize them as anything else. The reliever missed the entire 2025 season following a November 2024 procedure, and he hasn't been able to regain his pre-surgery velocity. Graterol has already been ruled out for Opening Day and he could be looking at a lengthy absence.

Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers because of left hamstring tightness, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

It's not clear at this point whether Devers might be sent for an MRI, but the Giants will be cautious with their first baseman this early in spring training. Bryce Eldridge took his spot in the lineup Friday.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts conceded Friday that it will be "hard" for Snell (shoulder) to be ready in time for Opening Day, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Snell is being brought along slowly by the Dodgers this spring due to shoulder issues that have lingered since last season. Roberts noted that Snell is making progress in his throwing program, but the left-hander remains limited to flat-ground work so he still has plenty of ramping up to do. The Dodgers have the pitching depth to play the long game with Snell, so expect him to be held back until the team is very confident in his health and stamina.

Devers was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

There's no word yet on the reasoning behind Devers being scratched. Bryce Eldridge entered the lineup in his place, batting second and playing first base.

Weiss delivered 2.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League matchup with the Mets, allowing a hit and a pair of walks.

It was a solid spring debut overall for Weiss, as he was able to work out of trouble to keep the Mets off the board. The 29-year-old right-hander is competing with Spencer Arrighetti, Lance McCullers and AJ Blubaugh for one of the final two spots in the Astros' six-man rotation. Weiss, who featured a mid-90's fastball paired with three different offspeed pitches, signed a one-year deal with Houston after posting an impressive 2.87 ERA with 207 strikeouts across 178.2 innings in the KBO last year. Weiss figures to start the year as a swingman out of the bullpen, should he fail to crack the Opening Day rotation.

Imai started Thursday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Mets, allowing one hit in a scoreless inning.

Imai would face the minimum in his spring debut, ultimately needing just 10 pitches to get out of the frame. After giving up an infield single to Marcus Semien, the right-hander coaxed a pop-up off the bat of Mike Tauchman before getting Bo Bichette to ground into a double play. The 27-year-old Imai is expected to play a big part in an Astros rotation that lost Framber Valdez in free agency. Imai signed a three-year deal with Houston after posting a stellar 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts across 163.2 innings in 2025 with the NPB's Seibu Lions.