MLB Player News
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Blake Snell SP | LAD
Dodgers' Blake Snell: Yet to throw off mound
Manager Dave Roberts stated Monday that Snell has yet to take part in any mound work, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Snell has reportedly been cleared to play catch and begin a throwing program, but the Dodgers won't have an accurate idea on if he'll begin the year on the injured list until he steps onto the bump. The southpaw has stated publicly that he was exhausted following the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, which included a heavy workload in the playoffs, so it would be wise to expect the team to continue to bring him along slowly, knowing there's plenty of pitching depth at the ready if Snell isn't available for the start of the 2026 season.
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Zack Gelof 2B | ATH
Athletics' Zack Gelof: Could see time in center field
Gelof could get looks in center field in addition to reps at second base, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Gelof was spotted trotting out to center field during batting practice Monday, and skipper Mark Kotsay elaborated further on Gelof's potential utility role in spring training and heading into the 2026 season. "I do think Zack can play the outfield," said Kotsay. "We've seen Zack be a plus defender. There could be a role that exists on this club where Zack is on the roster." Gallegos notes that Jeff McNeil is in line to see everyday opportunities at second base, which will make the path for playing time more difficult for Gelof, who struggled in 2024 and couldn't stay healthy in 2025. However, the 26-year-old has always been a strong defender with plus speed, which will undoubtedly help as he learns the outfield. "With how the last two years have gone, I definitely want to lean into my athleticism," said Gelof. "Be the best baserunner on the team. Defensively, bring that aspect. I know I can hit, but the bare minimum is being a winning player. That's what I bring. I need to bring that to this team, so that's what I'm going to do."
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Juan Brito SS | CLE
Guardians' Juan Brito: Getting chance in utility role
Brito (hamstring) is expected to see opportunities at first base, second base, third base and in right field during spring training, Mason Horodyski of News 5 Cleveland reports.
Brito underwent hamstring surgery at the end of last season, so it's unclear whether he's entering camp at full strength. However, once he's cleared to play, he's expected to get chances in a variety of different roles, and it sounds as though he'll have a legitimate chance to win an Opening Day roster spot. Brito spent 24 games at Triple-A Columbus a season ago, slashing .256/.357/.463 with three home runs, 15 RBI, four stolen bases and 15 runs scored.
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Jhony Brito SP | SD
Padres' Jhony Brito: Moved to 60-day IL
Brito (forearm) was placed on the 60-day injured list Monday.
This is a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for German Marquez, who signed a one-year deal with San Diego earlier in the day. Brito underwent a UCL internal brace procedure and a repair of his flexor tendon in April of 2025, and the team has yet to provide a timetable for his return.
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Cooper Hjerpe SP | STL
Cardinals' Cooper Hjerpe: Aiming for mound work next week
Hjerpe (elbow) is aiming to throw a bullpen session next week, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
Hjerpe played catch off the mound Monday, but a bullpen session next week would be his first since last April's Tommy John surgery. The left-hander was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster over the offseason and is on track to return to game action around midseason. Hjerpe has collected a 3.38 ERA and 127:53 K:BB over 93.1 innings since St. Louis took him in the first round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft.
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Richard Palacios LF | TB
Rays' Richie Palacios: Will see reps at hot corner
Palacios will see some time at third base during spring training, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Palacios has shown versatility during his major-league career, where he has seen most of his playing time in the outfield corners and at second base. He should get a fair amount of playing time at the keystone behind Gavin Lux. Although Palacios has played third base in just two major-league games, the Rays expanding his utility in order to improve his chances of making the Opening Day roster. Palacios slashed .333/396/.452 with four steals, one home run and three RBI across 48 plate appearances for Tampa Bay in 2025.
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Mike Tauchman RF | NYM
Mets' Mike Tauchman: Inks NRI deal with Mets
The Mets signed Tauchman (knee) to a minor-league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.
Top prospect Carson Benge enters spring training seemingly in the driver's seat for the Mets' right-field job, but Tauchman will provide additional competition and depth. The 35-year-old slashed .263/.356/.400 with nine home runs over 93 contests last season with the White Sox. Tauchman's season ended in late September due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, and it's unclear whether he will have any restrictions at the outset of camp.
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Jack Perkins P | ATH
Athletics' Jack Perkins: Role undetermined
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said last week that Perkins (shoulder) will enter camp as a starting pitcher, but the team has yet to decide whether he'll be a starter or reliever in 2026, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
"He's a weapon that we have yet to determine the path," Kotsay said. Perkins was much more effective as a reliever (2.75 ERA, 24.7 percent strikeout rate) than as a starter (5.68 ERA, 21.4 percent strikeout rate) during his time with the Athletics last season, but the 26-year-old is one of the A's better young arms so the team doesn't want to relegate him to a relief role just yet. The right-handed Perkins ended last season on the injured list with a right shoulder strain, and it's not clear if he has any restrictions at the start of camp.
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Isiah Kiner-Falefa CF | BOS
Red Sox's Isiah Kiner-Falefa: Gettings reps at first
Kiner-Falefa is getting work at first base early in spring training due to the absences of Triston Casas (knee) and Romy Gonzalez (shoulder), Sean McAdam of Masslive.com reports.
Casas continues to recover from major knee surgery last May, and Gonzalez has been shelved since September due to a left shoulder injury. Kiner-Falefa has typically served at second base, third and shortstop during his major-league career, but the veteran utility man could get some looks at first during spring training and early in the regular season behind Willson Contreras.
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Tanner Houck SP | BOS
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Begins throwing program
Houck (elbow) began a throwing program Monday with 25 throws from 45 feet, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
It's the first time he's thrown a baseball since he underwent a UCL reconstruction and flexor tendon repair six months ago. Houck will continue a deliberate rehab process over the next several months and hopes to make a late-season return, but it's likely the Red Sox will hold him back until 2027.