MLB Player News

The Blue Jays reassigned Alcala to minor-league camp Monday.

The veteran reliever is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo after he gave up seven earned runs on 12 hits and three walks across 7.1 innings to take himself out of the mix for a spot in the Blue Jays' Opening Day bullpen. Alcala has previously seen big-league action in each of the last seven seasons across stops with the Twins, Red Sox and Cardinals, logging a 4.29 ERA over 200 career appearances.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Monday that Vazquez has been diagnosed with a broken right thumb, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

An X-ray confirmed the thumb fracture, which Vazquez suffered when he was hit by a pitch in Sunday's game against the Nationals. Vazquez also required stitches to seal a wound on his hand. A timeline for Vazquez's return will likely depend on whether or not he requires surgery, but regardless, the thumb injury removes the 26-year-old from consideration for a reserve infield role on the Orioles' Opening Day roster. Vazquez is expected to open the season on Triple-A Norfolk's injured list.

Harrison (finger) is slated to make his Brewers debut March 30 against the Rays, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Harrison had to depart his last Cactus League outing due to a blister on his left index finger, but it will not keep him from making a start during the Brewers' first turn through their rotation. Acquired from the Red Sox this offseason in the Caleb Durbin trade, Harrison permitted 12 runs (eight earned) in 9.2 innings this spring but had an encouraging 15:3 K:BB.

Woodruff (lat) is scheduled to make his season debut March 31 at home against the Rays, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

It's the first confirmation that Woodruff -- who was brought along slowly this spring after finishing last season on the injured list with a right lat strain -- will avoid the injured list and get a start during the Brewers' first turn through the rotation. The veteran right-hander officially threw only five Cactus League innings, though he got in additional work in other settings. Still, the Brewers will keep a close eye on Woodruff's workload this season, especially early on.

Wheeler (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

After checking out fine following a 29-pitch, two-inning simulated game Monday at Phillies camp, Wheeler has received the green light to pitch in an uncontrolled setting for the first time since undergoing venous thoracic outlet syndrome surgery Sept. 23. According to Zolecki, the right-hander is expected to work three innings for what will likely be the first of multiple rehab outings in the minors before he's deemed ready to make his 2026 debut with Philadelphia. Though Wheeler will open the season on the 15-day injured list, he looks like he could have a chance at returning to the Philadelphia rotation around the middle of April.

The Padres signed Leclerc (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Leclerc is still working his way back from right shoulder surgery, but he has resumed throwing off the mound and is aiming to make his season debut by July. The 32-year-old has a career 13.1 percent walk rate but also a 30.8 percent strikeout rate over parts of nine big-league seasons. There's no guarantee Leclerc's stuff bounces all the way back after his shoulder operation, but if it does he could eventually see high-leverage relief work in San Diego.

Strahm (leg) tossed a perfect inning of relief Friday in the Royals' 5-2 loss to the Giants in Cactus League play.

Strahm had been lifted from his previous spring appearance Wednesday after being struck in the left leg by a line drive, but he suffered nothing more than a contusion and felt well enough to get back on the mound two days later. The 34-year-old lefty is ready to go for Opening Day as he kicks off his second stint in the Royals organization after being acquired from the Phillies over the winter. Strahm is expected to be a key part of the bridge to closer Carlos Estevez.

The Mets selected Benge's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The Mets have long been telegraphing Benge as their likely Opening Day right fielder, and Mike Tauchman's knee injury essentially cinched the job for Benge. The 23-year-old Benge slashed .366/.435/.439 with one stolen base and a 4:9 BB:K over 46 Grapefruit League plate appearances. A left-handed hitter, Benge could cede starts to Tyrone Taylor versus southpaws, but the bulk of the playing time in right field will go to the rookie.

Soler went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and four total RBI in an exhibition loss to the Dodgers on Sunday.

Soler accounted for the bulk of the Angels' run production with a solo blast in the second inning and a three-run shot in the sixth. The 34-year-old has looked rejuvenated this spring, slashing .361/.452/.750 with three homers, five doubles, nine runs and six RBI through 15 games. Soler is expected to work primarily as the Angels' DH this season but could also see occasional time in the outfield.

Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a home run, two total runs and three total RBI in Sunday's exhibition win over the Angels.

Hernandez put the Dodgers on the board in the third inning with a solo shot to right-center field. He added a two-run single in the third. The veteran outfielder has swung a hot bat this spring, slashing .457/.490/.804 with four home runs (tied for most on the team), four doubles, 12 runs and a team-leading 20 RBI over 17 games. Hernandez said in mid-February that he played through a groin issue much of last season, which may have been a factor in his OPS dropping over 100 points (to .738) from the previous campaign. A healthy Hernandez could be in store for a rebound year, though he was still pretty productive during the 2025 regular season, recording 25 home runs, 89 RBI, 65 runs and five stolen bases over 134 contests.