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Brady House 3B | WAS
Nationals' Brady House: Clubs pair of homers
House went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.
The 22-year-old third baseman wasted little time making an impact in his first action of the spring, as he smoked a three-run home run in the top of the first inning off Sandy Alcantara. He left the yard again later in the game, smacking a solo shot over the fence in center in the top of the fifth off minor-leaguer Evan McKendry. This is a promising start to camp for House, who tallied only four home runs a season ago over 73 games.
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Akil Baddoo LF | MIL
Brewers' Akil Baddoo: Smacks homer in spring game
Baddoo went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.
Baddoo drew a walk in the top of the first inning and smashed a solo home run over the fence in center field in the top of the third. This was a strong first showing from the 27-year-old, who signed with Milwaukee in December and is working to secure an Opening Day roster spot.
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Bats leadoff in spring debut
Kurtz went 0-for-3 out of the leadoff spot during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Guardians.
Though this is only the first action of the spring for Kurtz, Martin Gallegos notes that there's a real possibility the slugger could man the leadoff role to start the 2026 campaign. Manager Mark Kotsay explained that the order isn't solidified at this point, and the reason for having Kurtz atop the order in spring games is to get him several at-bats early in exhibitions. However, he also likes the idea of Kurtz leading off, per Gallegos. "My opinion, getting the best hitter on the team the most amount of at-bats is productive," said Kotsay. "Especially when that at-bat comes around the 18th through the 21st out of a game when a starter is going through a lineup a third time, it's nice to get those guys an opportunity. It presents a leverage situation."
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Alek Manoah RP | LAA
Angels' Alek Manoah: Flashes uptick in velocity
Manoah walked two batters and didn't allow a run over two innings during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks. He didn't factor into the decision.
Manoah looked solid in his first start this spring and managed to work around a pair of walks by inducing two double plays. The right-hander's fastball was clocked at 93-to-94 mph in the first inning, which is a substantial uptick after he was sitting between 89 and 92 mph last September in the minor leagues, per Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register. Manoah's velocity dipped a bit in the second inning, as his fastball sat around 91-92, but it was still a successful spring debut for the 28-year-old, who will need to impress in camp to earn a spot in the Angels' rotation.
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Graham Ashcraft RP | CIN
Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Fans two in spring debut
Ashcraft struck out two and walked one over a scoreless inning during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Mariners.
Ashcraft was charged with taking care of the third inning Sunday, and while his day started with a walk to Cal Raleigh, he struck out the next two batters and induced a groundout to end the frame. The 28-year-old is expected to begin the regular season in a high-leverage role, though this is the southpaw's first spring working as a reliever. He recently spoke on his focus entering camp, stating, "I've got to keep pounding the zone like I was last year and let stuff happen. I'm a ground ball guy," per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati. "Stay after them. Don't back down. You have to go in there and shut the door."
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Nathan Eaton CF | BOS
Red Sox's Nate Eaton: Perfect day at plate
Eaton went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.
Eaton didn't draw the start Sunday, but he took advantage of his opportunities after entering the game in the top of the sixth inning. He drove home a run in the bottom of the sixth on a double to left field and returned to the dish later that same inning to deliver a ground-rule double to plate Braiden Ward. This is a great start to camp for Eaton, who is competing for a bench spot on the Opening Day roster.
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Dairon Blanco LF | TEX
Royals' Dairon Blanco: Headed for further evaluation
Blanco is being sent for further evaluation after getting struck in the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's Cactus League game against the Brewers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Blanco was initially able to remain in the game after being checked out by a team trainer, but manager Matt Quatraro noted after the exhibition that Blanco is headed for further evaluation after experiencing dizziness. He can be considered day-to-day until further notice.
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Peter Strzelecki RP | STL
Brewers' Peter Strzelecki: Back at full strength
Strzelecki recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless inning during Sunday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.
Strzelecki suffered a right elbow strain last season but has since put the injury behind him. The 31-year-old looked sharp in his first action of the spring, firing 11 of his 13 pitches for strikes. Strzelecki inked a minor-league deal with the Brewers earlier in February and will continue to compete for a bullpen spot as camp rolls on.
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Dane Myers CF | CIN
Reds' Dane Myers: Good fit for Reds
Myers is expected to make the Reds' Opening Day roster due to his superb defense and his ability to hit left-handed pitchers, after he hit .297/.360/.456 against them over the last three seasons, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Whenever the Reds haven't had TJ Friedl available for a given game, they have had to compromise on defense in center field, but Myers addresses that shortcoming nicely. The only thing working against Myers is that the team otherwise has so many right-handed hitters, which might encourage them to carry both JJ Bleday and Will Benson instead.
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Payton Eeles 2B | BAL
Orioles' Payton Eeles: Exits with shoulder issue
Eeles left Sunday's spring training game against the Tigers due to left shoulder discomfort, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Eeles suffered the injury on a collision with teammate Enrique Bradfield in the outfield. Eeles is aiming to earn a bench spot on the big-league roster, so this injury certainly won't help his cause if it forces him to miss additional time. He can be considered day-to-day moving forward.