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  • Andrew Nardi RP | MIA

    Marlins' Andrew Nardi: Dealing with blister

    Nardi is a few days behind schedule due to a blister on his pitching hand, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

    Nardi was able to throw Tuesday, so it doesn't seem to be a significant setback. The lefty reliever will be held out of the first few Grapefruit League contests, but his prep for the regular season shouldn't be affected. Nardi missed the entire 2025 campaign with back issues, but if he's healthy in 2026, he'll likely fill a high-leverage relief role in Miami.

  • Anthony Bender RP | MIA

    Marlins' Anthony Bender: Nursing shin injury

    Bender is slightly behind schedule in Marlins camp due to a shin injury, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

    It's not clear how or when Bender sustained the injury, but he threw a bullpen session Tuesday. The veteran reliever will not appear in Grapefruit League games right away, but it's not a significant setback. Bender is slated to serve in a setup role for the Marlins in 2026.

  • Marcelo Mayer SS | BOS

    Red Sox's Marcelo Mayer: Takes grounders at 2B

    Mayer has taken infield practice exclusively at second base during the first few days of camp, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

    One storyline during camp is how manager Alex Cora deploys Mayer and Caleb Durbin, who has been used exclusively at third base thus far. Both infielders have experience at second and third base, and it's likely each will get reps at the two positions. "Everybody will benefit from reps, but we'll make a decision, probably sooner rather than later," Cora said. "We're not going to be waiting." A better indicator of the manager's plans should emerge when the Red Sox begin spring games this weekend.

  • Reds' Connor Phillips: Competing for bullpen spot

    Phillips is part of a group competing for the final spots in the Reds' bullpen, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

    Phillips made the transition from starter to reliever in 2025 following a diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). To treat and manage TOS, the right-hander received Botox injections, which alleviated the symptoms and allowed him to pitch in shorter stints. Phillips was dominant over the final six weeks of 2025, using a two-pitch mix of four-seamers and sweepers (0.53 ERA, plus-5 Run Value) to post a 1.80 ERA with 28 strikeouts and eight walks over his final 17 appearances. The right-hander will compete with the likes of Sam Moll, Zach Maxwell and Luis Mey for a spot on the Opening Day roster.

  • Tyler O'Neill LF | BAL

    Orioles' Tyler O'Neill: No restrictions at camp

    Manager Craig Albernaz said Tuesday that he isn't managing O'Neill's workload this spring, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

    O'Neill didn't enter camp with an injury, but his status is worth noting since he's played at least 130 games just one time over the course of his eight-year major-league career. Neck, shoulder and wrist injuries limited the 30-year-old outfielder to just 54 contests during his most recent season, his first with Baltimore, and O'Neill now appears poised to begin the 2026 campaign in a battle for a part-time role in right field with Dylan Beavers and at designated hitter with Samuel Basallo.

  • Dan Altavilla RP | MIN

    Twins' Dan Altavilla: Shows increased velocity

    Altavilla was sitting at 97-98 mph with his fastball during Tuesday's live batting-practice session, Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. He averaged 96 mph on his fastball last season with the White Sox.

    Altavilla is in camp on a non-roster invitee contract and will also be pitching for Italy in the World Baseball Classic. There are jobs to be won in the Twins bullpen, and this alone won't win him that spot, but it's a nice first step.

  • Mick Abel P | MIN

    Twins' Mick Abel: Impressive live batting practice

    Abel was impressive in Tuesday's live batting practice, hitting 96-to-98 mph with his fastball, Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. "Abel is one of those guys that, I mean, you guys saw it last year, what he did to the Phillies late in the year," manager Derek Shelton said. "He's got electric stuff."

    Abel might be overlooked a little bit in the battle for the now-three open rotation spots for the Twins, but he'll be in the mix along with Simeon Woods Richardson, Taj Bradley, Zebby Matthews and David Festa, who is a little behind the rest of the group while returning from a shoulder issue. Abel made two starts for the Twins after the trade from the Phillies, striking out nine in his final start of the season against his former club.

  • David Festa P | MIN

    Twins' David Festa: Throwing bullpen sessions

    Festa (shoulder) is still throwing bullpen sessions while other Twins pitchers are throwing live batting-practice sessions, Bobby Nightengale of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports. Festa could begin throwing to live hitters next week.

    Festa had a compressed nerve near his pitching shoulder last season and isn't yet throwing at 100 percent intensity. He still has a chance to win a rotation spot, especially now that three slots are in competition following Pablo Lopez's elbow injury. Festa is competing against Taj Bradley, Simeon Woods Richardson, Zebby Matthews and Mick Abel for those spots.

  • Twins' Zebby Matthews: Potential fifth starter

    Matthews has a chance to win a rotation spot for the Twins this spring, and one more spot is now open in the wake of Pablo Lopez's elbow injury, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

    Leach surmised that Taj Bradley and Simeon Woods Richardson were likely ahead of Matthews in the pecking order to begin spring training, but Lopez's injury now opens up a third spot in the rotation. Mick Abel and David Festa (shoulder) are also options for the Twins.

  • Taj Bradley SP | MIN

    Twins' Taj Bradley: Likely rotation candidate

    Bradley has a good chance of winning a rotation spot for the Twins, Matthew Leach of MLB.com surmises.

    Bradley might have had an inside track at winning a job battle even before Pablo Lopez's elbow injury, but with three starting spots now open, the likelihood is even higher. Bradley is pitching in the World Baseball Classic, so some of his reps will be away from manager Derek Shelton's direct observations.

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