MLB Player News

Munoz allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three in a scoreless inning in Sunday's Cactus League matchup with the Reds.

Munoz was sharp in his return from the World Baseball Classic, where he allowed a run in two innings with Team Mexico. The 27-year-old Munoz is expected to be one of the game's top closers again in 2026 after converting 38 of 45 save opportunities while posting a sparkling 1.73 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 83 strikeouts across 62.1 innings last year.

The Twins reassigned Merryweather (hamstring) to minor-league camp Monday.

After signing a minor-league deal with Minnesota in February, Merryweather had been attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee and was expected to compete for a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen. He never made headway in the job battle, however, as he strained his left hamstring during his first Grapefruit League appearance Feb. 24 and has yet to pitch since. Merryweather has since resumed running and has been playing catch, but he could be headed for a stint on Triple-A St. Paul's injured list to begin the season.

Loperfido is in the mix to start the season in Houston's Opening Day outfield, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Loperfido has put together a strong spring since rejoining the Astros, batting .333 (10-for-30) with an .896 OPS, a home run and two stolen bases across 13 games. Loperfido has seen some time in center field with Jake Meyers reportedly on the trading block. If Meyers does ultimately start the year in Houston, the lefty-batting Loperfido would likely occupy the strong side of a corner outfield platoon.

Isbel went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's Cactus League win over the White Sox.

Isbel reached base in both of his at-bats, first via a bunt single in the third inning and then with a 103.8 mph double to lead off the bottom of the fifth frame. Sunday marked the 29-year-old's second two-hit performance of the spring, bringing his Cactus League totals to .231/.355/.269 with a double and two RBI across 11 appearances. Coming off a 2025 season in which he hit .255/.301/.353 with four homers, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored, Isbel will face competition from the likes of Isaac Collins (side), Lane Thomas and Starling Marte for playing time in the outfield. However, Isbel's stellar glove in center field bodes well for him seeing consistent playing time in 2026.

The Reds optioned Dunn to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Dunn entered spring training as one of eight outfielders on the 40-man roster and was one of the lesser-established options at the big-league level, so he needed a big showing in the Cactus League to have a realistic shot at making the Opening Day squad. The 27-year-old was unable to deliver, hitting just .136 with five strikeouts in 22 at-bats this spring before the Reds demoted him. He should get the chance to play regularly at Louisville to begin the season.

Hancock is competing to open the regular season as the Mariners' fifth starter, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Per Kramer, Hancock currently has a "leg up" on Cooper Criswell to open the year in Seattle's rotation, with Bryce Miller (oblique) unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. The 26-year-old Hancock has made four appearances this spring, posting a 4.76 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP and 17 strikeouts across 11.1 innings. Hancock was the Mariners' primary swingman in 2025 as well, making 22 total appearances (16 starts). He finished the year with a 4.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 6.4 K/9 across 90 innings.

The Reds reassigned Misiewicz to minor-league camp Monday.

Cincinnati already has two other left-handers on the 40-man roster who were projected to be included in the Opening Day bullpen (Brock Burke and Sam Moll), so Misiewicz's dismissal from big-league camp doesn't come as a major surprise. The 31-year-old southpaw was forced to settle for a minor-league deal with the Reds this offseason after he was roughed up for five earned runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in just five appearances in the majors with Minnesota in 2025.

The Pirates reassigned Fletcher to minor-league camp Monday.

Fletcher saw action in 12 games in the majors with the White Sox in 2025, but after joining the Pirates on a minor-league pact over the winter, he was viewed as a longshot to break camp with the big club. He'll likely be in line for steady at-bats at Indianapolis but will presumably need an injury or two to hit the Pittsburgh outfield before he gets another chance in the big leagues.

Donovan went 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

Donvovan has hit the ground running this spring, batting .452 (14-for-31) with a pair of stolen bases through his first 11 Cactus League games. The 29-year-old Donovan figures to be a fixture at the top of Seattle's batting order this season after he slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 homers and three stolen bases in 515 plate appearances with St. Louis last year.

The Pirates optioned Valdez to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Valdez was limited to just 102 plate appearances with the Pirates in 2025 before suffering a season-ending dislocated left shoulder in May, but after playing in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason, he received a clean bill of health heading into the spring. Despite offering the ability to play multiple infield positions, Valdez status as a left-handed hitter likely limited his appeal as a bench bat for the Pirates. Valdez will get the chance to play regularly at Indianapolis to begin the season and could emerge as a strong-side platoon option for the Pirates at some point in 2026 if Pittsburgh loses an everyday infielder to an injury.