MLB Player News

Kasevich went 1-for-1 with two walks, a run scored and two stolen bases in the Blue Jays' split-squad game against the Phillies on Saturday.

The 25-year-old took over for Andres Gimenez at shortstop in the top of the fourth and quickly made a nuisance of himself on the basepaths. Kasevich is a long shot to break camp on the big-league roster after an injury-plagued 2025, but a strong camp could put him in position to make his MLB debut sometime this season when Toronto needs infield depth. Through six games and 12 plate appearance so far this spring, Kasevich has gone 5-for-10 with a homer, two steals on two attempts, two walks and zero strikeouts.

Cease allowed one run on one hit and one walk over 1.2 innings during the Blue Jays' split-squad game against the Phillies on Saturday. He struck out three.

Making his Grapefruit League debut for Toronto, Cease threw his first pitch of the day at 98.3 mph, and he topped out at 98.9 mph with his four-seamer. The right-hander did serve up a second-inning solo shot to Bryan De La Cruz, but otherwise it was a strong first outing in a Jays uniform as he tossed 19 of 33 pitches for strikes. Cease will slot in at the top of the rotation after the 30-year-old right-hander signed a seven-year, $210 million deal over the winter. He's topped 200 strikeouts in five straight seasons, posting a 3.72 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 11.3 K/9 during that stretch while averaging about 32 starts and 177 innings a year.

Steele (elbow) received full clearance for throwing Sunday following his final visit with his surgeon, Dr. Keith Meister, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

The left-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions with limited parameters since mid-January, but he's now been cleared to incorporate his full repertoire. Steele is aiming to return to the big-league rotation in May or June. He'll need a build up his throwing program significantly before embarking on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated from the injured list.

Duarte (elbow) made his Grapefruit League debut Tuesday in a 6-6 tie with the Astros, retiring one batter while allowing three earned runs on three hits and one walk.

Duarte looks to be healthy again after he missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from UCL revision surgery on his right elbow, which he underwent in May 2024. A poor showing in his spring debut indicates that he may need some time to regain his command. After signing a minor-league deal with the Mets over the winter, Duarte is expected to open 2026 in the Triple-A Syracuse bullpen.

Hancock logged four strikeouts over 2.2 perfect innings in Saturday's Cactus League matchup against the Padres.

It was an encouraging showing from Hancock after he was charged with three earned runs in just 1.2 innings in his first spring outing. The right-hander filled a swingman role for Seattle in 2025, posting a 4.90 ERA over 90 regular-season innings and making 16 starts in 22 appearances. With Bryce Miller (side) again dealing with health concerns, there could be a spot for Hancock in the Opening Day rotation.

Manoah tossed three scoreless innings in a Cactus League game against Arizona on Saturday, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out one batter.

Manoah got into some trouble in the second inning by allowing three baserunners on a pair of singles and a walk, but he got through the frame with the help of a double play and a caught stealing. The right-hander averaged 92 mph on his fastball, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, which is slightly down from the 93.4 mph he averaged the last time he threw in the majors, in 2024 with Toronto. Nonetheless, Manoah's bid for a rotation spot has gone fairly well so far -- through two spring appearances, he's tossed five scoreless frames despite a 1:3 K:BB.

Matthews went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's Grapefruit League game versus the Pirates.

Matthews has swung the bat well to start the spring, going 4-for-10 with a double and a stolen base in his first four Grapefruit League games. Matthews, a first-round pick in 2023, is primarily an infielder, though he's been getting more work in the outfield this spring in an effort to make the Opening Day roster as a utility piece. Matthews struggled in a brief major-league stint last season, batting just .167 with four homers across 47 plate appearances. However, he put up impressive numbers in 112 games with Triple-A Sugar Land, slashing .260/.371/.458 with 17 homers and 41 stolen bases across 498 plate appearances.

Sirota (knee) swatted a solo home run in his only at-bat during Saturday's Cactus League loss to Texas.

Sirota entered as a pinch runner in the sixth inning and remained in the game in right field. He got one plate appearance and took full advantage of the opportunity, belting a solo homer to left field off minor-league lefty Dalton Pence in the eighth frame. Sirota ended last season on the minor-league 60-day IL due to a knee injury, but he appears to be past the issue. The 22-year-old is one of the Dodgers' top prospects after posting a .333/.452/.616 slash line with 13 homers, 54 RBI, 48 runs, five stolen bases and a 48:59 BB:K over 59 games between Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and High-A Great Lakes last year. He figures to progress to the upper levels of the minors this season and could be a fixture on the big-league squad as soon as 2027.

Peguero (hamstring) threw a live batting practice session Friday and is on track to play this week, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Peguero began experiencing tightness in his left hamstring in mid-February but is progressing toward his Cactus League debut. The right-hander made 17 relief appearances for the Giants in 2025 after his contract was selected from Triple-A Sacramento in August, recording a 2.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 22.1 innings.

Paredes went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Pirates.

Paredes started his spring with a bang, launching a homer off Pittsburgh's Bubba Chandler in the fifth inning. There are no doubts about Paredes' power potential -- he's hit 90 home runs over the last four seasons. However, there is a lingering question about where exactly he'll fit in Houston's lineup. Paredes served as the DH on Saturday, a spot expected to be occupied by Yordan Alvarez in the regular season. While his name has swirled in trade rumors for much of the winter, it's starting to appear more likely than not that Paredes will remain in Houston for now, in some kind of utility role.