Waldichuk gave up two hits and struck out six without walking anyone over 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 28-year-old southpaw still got to face some quality big-league hitters after he entered the game to begin the bottom of the fifth inning -- he struck out Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker back-to-back in the sixth -- and Waldichuk built up to 41 pitches (28 strikes) before exiting. Waldichuk was once a promising Yankees prospect many years and injuries ago, and since being claimed off waivers by the Nationals in early February, he's posted a 1.35 ERA and 8:3 K:BB over 6.2 spring frames. Washington's Opening Day rotation seems set after the Zack Littell signing, but Waldichuk might be putting himself forward as a long-relief candidate in the big-league bullpen. More likely, he'll be optioned to Triple-A Rochester and stay stretched out to be on call in case injuries hit the starting staff.

Chaparro went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 26-year-old took Tom Cosgrove deep in the fifth inning, Chaparro's second homer of the spring. He hasn't exactly impressed in camp, batting .263 (5-for-19) over 10 appearances, but his main competition for the starting job at first base, prospect Abimelec Ortiz, has gone just 2-for-16 with six strikeouts. The biggest threat to Chaparro's job security this season might actually come from Luis Garcia, if the Nationals decide they can no longer live with his glove at second base. Chaparro will also need to improve his own performance to stick around -- in 205 career big-league plate appearances, he's managed just a .203/.268/.358 slash line with five homers.

Polanco went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

The 32-year-old took Michael McGreevy deep in the first inning for the Mets' only run of the afternoon. Polanco is adjusting to a new defensive position at first base, but so far it hasn't impacted him at the plate, and through five spring appearances he's gone 4-for-12 with two homers and a 2:4 BB:K.

Holmes struck out nine and walked one over five scoreless, no-hit innings in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

The right-hander built up to 64 pitches (41 strikes) as he dominated a Pittsburgh lineup that featured most of its likely Opening Day starters, including Bryan Reynolds, Ryan O'Hearn and Marcell Ozuna. Holmes has yet to allow an earned run this spring, posting a 16:6 K:BB through 12.1 innings, and he's locked into an Opening Day rotation spot due to injuries to Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow) and Joey Wentz (knee).

Suarez might end up beginning the season on the 26-man roster as Atlanta navigates playing 13 games in 13 days to open its schedule, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

While the team is expected to use a six-man rotation during that 13-day slog, that sixth starter -- likely to be Martin Perez, but with prospects JR Ritchie and Didier Fuentes also in the mix -- could be called up early in the season rather than being on the Opening Day roster. In that scenario, Suarez could stick instead as a versatile arm capable of starting or relieving who is also out of minor-league options, with Atlanta then re-evaluating his place on the staff in early April. The 28-year-old southpaw made seven appearances (one start) for Atlanta in 2025, producing a 1.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB over 19.1 innings.

The Rangers designated Diaz for assignment Friday.

Diaz entered spring training with a chance at winning Texas' closer job, but he was shelled and allowed eight earned runs on three hits and four walks across 1.2 innings and three relief appearances. He faced 13 batters and retired just five, striking out one. With Diaz out of the picture, Robert Garcia and Chris Martin are the favorites for saves for the Rangers.

The Orioles have named Rogers their Opening Day starter.

Rogers will face the Twins and presumably Joe Ryan on March 26. After struggling following his midseason acquisition from the Marlins in the summer of 2024, Rogers was great in 18 starts last season, posting a 9-3 record, 1.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 103:29 K:BB across 109.2 innings. It will obviously be difficult for Rogers to replicate those numbers, but he's more than earned the nod for Opening Day.

Priester (wrist) said Friday that he's hoping to be ready to pitch in games by "late April, May," Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

It appears to be a very rough target for his 2026 debut, with Priester admitting the late April/early May timeline he offered was "on the optimistic side." The right-hander has been diagnosed with a nerve issue related to thoracic outlet syndrome that has led to pain in his wrist. Priester indicated Friday that the vascular specialist in Dallas who diagnosed his injury told him he had the least severe of three different TOS-associated issues and it could likely be treated without surgery. Priester is still able to throw on flat ground and has a bullpen session scheduled for March 21.

Bieber (forearm) will continue throwing from flat ground over the next several days and will be reevaluated late next week, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bieber has yet to progress to mound work this spring, and he'll need to wait before being cleared to ramp up his throwing program. The Blue Jays have been cautious with Bieber's return to the mound after he dealt with forearm fatigue last season in his return from April 2024 Tommy John surgery. Bieber has already been ruled out for Opening Day, and he'll likely need at least six weeks to build up once he's ready to start building up.

McKenzie has averaged 95.7 mph with his four-seamer this spring, which is up a full two mph from last season, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

McKenzie has never reached 97 mph in a major-league game before, but he topped that mark 10 times in his last Cactus League appearance and peaked at 98.8 mph. The righty gained a bit of weight over the offseason and also pitched in winter ball for the first time, but he admitted to having "no idea" where the extra velocity is coming from. Unfortunately, McKenzie's results this spring have not been as encouraging as his velocity uptick, as he's been tagged for six runs with a 6:7 K:BB over 4.1 innings. McKenzie is in camp as a non-roster invitee and is competing for a spot in the Padres' rotation. He seems to be on the outside looking in for now, but he'll have another chance to improve his standing with an appearance Friday versus the Athletics. McKenzie -- who has a June opt-out clause in his contract -- has a 5.46 ERA over 24 appearances (20 starts) at the big-league level since 2023.