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  • Janson Junk RP | MIA

    Marlins' Janson Junk: Sheds walking boot

    Junk (ankle) played catch Saturday without a boot, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

    Junk began wearing a boot as a precaution after suffering a mild right ankle sprain during a drill Tuesday. Now that he's resumed throwing, he could also soon be cleared to appear in Grapefruit League games, though the Marlins have yet to confirm when that will happen.

  • Porter Hodge SP | CHC

    Cubs' Porter Hodge: Struggles with command Friday

    Hodge allowed two runs on a hit and four walks while retiring just a single batter via strikeout in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

    It was an alarming spring training debut for Hodge, who struggled last year after a promising 2024 rookie season. The righty saw his BB/9 jump from 4.0 two years ago to 4.9 last year, and he'll need to improve in that area if he wants to stick around as a high-leverage reliever for the Cubs. Hodge has maintained good velocity in both of his professional campaigns and has a career 10.9 K/9, so the talent is there if he can refine his control.

  • Cubs' Jameson Taillon: Struggles in spring debut

    Taillon allowed four runs on four hits and a walk across 1.2 innings of work in Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox. He struck out one.

    Making his spring debut, Taillon allowed a pair of home runs and only recorded five outs while tossing 34 pitches. Fantasy managers shouldn't worry too much about spring results for the veteran, as he should be able to round into form before the regular season begins and offer up fairly steady performance. Health is worth monitoring with Taillon, as he made a few trips to the injured list in 2025 and only logged 129.2 regular-season innings, his fewest in a season since 2019.

  • Jordan Lawlar SS | ARI

    Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Will start opener in CF

    Lawlar will start in center field in Arizona's Cactus League opener Saturday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

    This will be Lawlar's first start in center field in a Diamondbacks' uniform. He was given reps in center during winter ball and has been working with outfielders during spring drills. As part of the team's adjustment to being without injured outfielders Corbin Carroll (hand) and Lourdes Gurriel (knee) for rest of spring training, Lawlar is expected to see time in the outfield in camp and into the regular season.

  • Roman Anthony RF | BOS

    Red Sox's Roman Anthony: Named leadoff hitter

    Manager Alex Cora said Saturday that Anthony will serve as the Red Sox's main leadoff hitter to begin the regular season, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

    Anthony took over as the Red Sox's leadoff man midway through the 2025 campaign, and he'll officially remain at the top of the order in 2026 after posting a .396 OBP in 71 big-league contests last season. The 21-year-old outfielder made three appearances as a leadoff hitter against southpaws last year, but it's unclear if the Red Sox plan to drop him further down the order when faced with a lefty-on-lefty matchup.

  • Luke Keaschall 2B | MIN

    Twins' Luke Keaschall: Starting Saturday's exhibition

    Keaschall (thumb) will start at second base and bat second in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

    A left thumb injury ended Keaschall's 2025 season and required surgery in October, but he is ready to roll this spring. While he didn't flash a ton of over-the-fence pop as a rookie with four homers in 49 games, Keaschall displayed an intriguing combination of contact, gap power and speed. The 23-year-old projects as Minnesota's starting second baseman to begin 2026.

  • Zac Gallen SP | ARI

    Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen: Throws live BP session

    Gallen threw a live batting-practice session Friday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

    Gallen, who was signed last week, threw his first session since entering camp. He threw about 20 pitches, and manager Torey Lovullo was pleased with what he saw. "The fastball command looked good," the manager said. "It looked like he was throwing a nice cutter, his breaking ball I think was trending in a very positive direction." It appears that Gallen isn't too far behind the other starters despite missing the first handful of days in camp. The pitcher said he felt good and was given positive feedback from the batters he faced.

  • Edwin Uceta RP | TB

    Rays' Edwin Uceta: MRI shows inflammation, impingement

    An MRI on Uceta's shoulder revealed inflammation and what looks like a slight impingement, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    All things considered, this is good news for one of the Rays' top bullpen arms. Uceta will receive a cortisone shot, and the hope is that he can resume throwing in a week or so. He will be cutting it close for Opening Day, and Griffin Jax's draft price figures to climb, though it does not sound as though Uceta is currently in danger of missing extended regular-season action.

  • Josh H. Smith SS | TEX

    Rangers' Josh Smith: Starts at 2B in opener

    Smith started at second base and went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Friday's spring opener against the Royals.

    After the Rangers traded second baseman Marcus Semien during the offseason, Smith's name was part of the group in line to compete for second base. The super-utility player recently confirmed he's been preparing to play the keystone since Semien's departure from the organization. Smith should be a regular presence in the lineup against right-handers at some position.

  • Otto Kemp 3B | PHI

    Phillies' Otto Kemp: Ready for spring opener

    Kemp (kneecap, shoulder) will start in left field and bat cleanup in Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Blue Jays, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

    Kemp underwent a pair of surgeries in the offseason, one to repair a fracture in his left kneecap and another to clean out damage to his left shoulder. He seems to be a full-go this spring, and the 26-year-old appears slated to fill a super-utility role for Philadelphia after appearing at four different positions as a rookie (third base, first base, second base and left field).

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