MLB Player News
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Quinn Priester SP | MIL
Brewers' Quinn Priester: Will be slow-played in camp
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday that Priester will be brought along slowly at the start of camp, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Priester is recovered from the wrist injury he dealt with late last season, but Murphy said that the right-hander has "had a couple things that have kept him from progressing." The manager added that Priester hasn't been shut down and has thrown bullpen sessions, so the Brewers are seemingly just being extra cautious with him. Priester went 13-3 with a 3.32 ERA and 132:50 K:BB over 157.1 frames with Milwaukee during the regular season.
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Daniel Robert P | PHI
Phillies' Daniel Robert: Out with cardiovascular issue
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Robert will be delayed at the start of spring training due to a cardiovascular issue, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Robert finished 2025 on the 60-day injured list due to a left forearm strain, but it's an unrelated issue that will put him behind Philadelphia's other pitchers. Robert was non-tendered in November before being brought back on a minor-league deal earlier this month, so he was already considered unlikely to win a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.
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Roman Anthony RF | BOS
Red Sox's Roman Anthony: Likely leadoff hitter versus RHP
Red Sox manager Alex Cora "seems to be leaning toward" batting Anthony leadoff against right-handers, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Jarren Duran was Boston's primary leadoff man for most of 2025, but Anthony took over the spot in August and posted a 1.003 OPS in 27 games before an oblique strain ended his season. Anthony is fully healthy now, and while he should remain in the lineup most days against southpaws as well, he'll hit lower in the order when he doesn't have the platoon advantage. Duran is likely to open the season batting third versus righties.
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Michael Mercado RP | PHI
Phillies' Michael Mercado: Slowed by shoulder issue
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Mercado will be delayed at the start of spring training due to a right shoulder injury, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The report doesn't provide many details on the injury, but even a minor concern could be enough to close the door on any chance the right-hander had at securing a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. Mercado has made eight appearances (two starts) for Philadelphia over the last two seasons, allowing 21 earned runs on 23 hits and 14 walks in just 16 innings.
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Orion Kerkering RP | PHI
Phillies' Orion Kerkering: On mend from hamstring strain
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Kerkering will be delayed at the start of spring training while he recovers from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Kerkering will be limited to rehab work in the early stages of camp, but because he's typically deployed as a one-inning reliever, he won't need much ramp-up time once he's cleared to get back on a mound. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't quite developed into the reliable high-leverage option the Phillies envisioned when he first reached the big leagues in 2023, but he'll be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.
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MacKenzie Gore SP | TEX
Rangers' MacKenzie Gore: Opens camp with bullpen session
Gore (ankle) was seen throwing a bullpen session Wednesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.
Gore wasn't expected to be entering spring training with any restrictions after a minor right ankle impingement kept him out of action for the final week of the 2025 season, but his ability to throw a side session on the second day of camp confirms he's healthy. Acquired in a January deal that sent five prospects to Washington, Gore is likely penciled in as the Rangers' No. 3 starter behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi (core).
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Emiliano Teodo SP | TEX
Rangers' Emiliano Teodo: Behind schedule with back issue
Teodo will be about 2-to-3 weeks behind schedule in spring training after dealing with a back injury last season, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.
Teodo missed more than two months of action during the middle of the 2025 minor-league season because of a back problem. He finished the season healthy, but the Rangers don't want to push him early on in camp. Teodo made a full-time move to a relief role in 2025, posting a 9.00 ERA and 23:17 K:BB over 18 innings during his time with Triple-A Round Rock.
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Grayson Rodriguez SP | LAA
Angels' Grayson Rodriguez: Appears to be healthy for camp
Rodriguez (elbow) threw a bullpen session Wednesday and doesn't appear to be facing any restrictions to begin spring training, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.
Per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, Angels manager Kurt Suzuki noted Tuesday that Rodriguez will have to prove he's healthy during spring training to secure his spot in the Opening Day rotation, but the 26-year-old righty is off to a good start. Health was a major concern for Rodriguez through three seasons with Baltimore, but he displayed plenty of promise when available, pitching to a 4.11 ERA (3.98 xERA) and 18.0 K%-BB% over 238.2 innings. However, after he had his entire 2025 campaign wiped out due to lat and elbow injuries, including a debridement procedure in August to remove a bone spur, expect Rodriguez's workload to be monitored carefully in his first season with Anaheim.
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Brandon Williamson SP | CIN
Reds' Brandon Williamson: Faces hitters Wednesday
Williamson (elbow) faced hitters in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
The left-hander has no restrictions to begin camp after he missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Williamson will get the chance to compete for a spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation this spring, but he still has two minor-league options remaining and seems more likely to begin the season at Triple-A Louisville.
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Zach Cole OF | HOU
Astros' Zach Cole: Competing for starting spot
Cole will compete to be the Astros' starting left fielder in spring training, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Cole made a good impression in a 15-game stint with Houston late last season, posting an .880 OPS with four home runs and three stolen bases. With Jake Meyers slated to man center field and Jesus Sanchez in right, the Astros' final outfield spot should come down to either Cole or Cam Smith, with the loser likely to open the year in Triple-A.