MLB Player News

Abreu is expected to open the season as the Astros' closer while Josh Hader (biceps) recuperates, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader is throwing off the mound again and might not miss much time, but manager Joe Espada ruled him out for Opening Day. Abreu has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past four regular seasons, posting a 2.30 ERA and 34.3 percent strikeout rate. Hader will get his closer job back, if healthy, but he remains an injury risk, so it's not out of the question that Abreu's stint as closer lasts indefinitely.

The Marlins announced that Mazur will undergo surgery Wednesday on his right elbow and will miss the entire 2026 season, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The report doesn't provide any specifics regarding Mazur's procedure, but the right-hander is presumably ticketed for Tommy John surgery or UCL repair with an internal brace. The latter procedure would give Mazur a chance at avoiding missed time to begin the 2027 campaign, while the right-hander would almost certainly open next season on the injured list if Tommy John surgery is deemed necessary. Even before experiencing discomfort in his elbow last week and getting shut down from throwing, Mazur was facing an uphill battle to make the Marlins' Opening Day rotation and was likely to begin the season at Triple-A Jacksonville. In any event, the loss of Mazur will thin the Marlins' organizational rotation depth.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Wednesday that Hader (biceps) will begin the season on the injured list, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Hader returned to the mound with a bullpen session Tuesday, which went well. However, he's simply going to run out of time when it comes to Opening Day. Espada did not offer a timetable for Hader's season debut, but it seems that the reliever's absence could be brief if he continues making strides in his recovery from left biceps inflammation. Bryan Abreu will open the season as Houston's closer.

Griffin was included in the Pirates' projected Opening Day roster by Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Neither writer cited team sources, so this is far from confirmation that Griffin is breaking camp with the team. However, it is notable that Hiles indicated that the Pirates are trying to win in 2026 and that Griffin has been the team's best shortstop this spring -- a combination that could cause the team to break from their typical conservative nature with prospects. Griffin is just 5-for-24 in Grapefruit League games, but he has recorded four barrels on 18 batted-ball events.

Matz allowed one hit and one walk in four shutout innings during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins. He struck out three.

Matz is now up to six scoreless frames covering two Grapefruit League outings. The 34-year-old left-hander is looking to open his first season with Tampa Bay as part of the starting rotation, which could occasionally give him streaming appeal in deep fantasy leagues for home starts at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field based on matchups. Last regular season, Matz posted a quality 3.05 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 59:11 K:BB over 76.2 innings between St. Louis and Boston.

Teel was removed from Team Italy's game against Team USA at the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday due to right hamstring discomfort, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

After belting a home run in the second inning, Teel hit a double to right field in the sixth but seemingly tweaked his hamstring while running to second base. He was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. The severity of his injury is unknown, but if he has to miss the start of the regular season, Edgar Quero would presumably fill in as the White Sox's primary catcher.

Ryan (back) threw three scoreless innings in his spring debut Tuesday with two walks and no strikeouts. "We'll talk and check in this week and see where we're at, but I think things are looking pretty good," Ryan said of his chances to pitch in the WBC according to Declan Goff of SKOR North.

Ryan said his back felt good during the outing where he threw 48 pitches. It remains to be seen if he'll join Team USA for the second round of the WBC, but it sounds like he has a good chance to be ready for Opening Day. Ryan was scratched ahead of his first scheduled spring start Feb. 21 when he experienced tightness on the right side of his back. An MRI revealed only inflammation and he was able to begin throwing soon afterward.

Horton was tagged for six runs on six hits and two walks across 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Rangers. He struck out two.

Horton served up three home runs in a rough spring training outing facing many Texas regulars. He was much better in his spring debut when he tossed two scoreless innings, but that also came nearly two weeks ago, so perhaps there was some rust for the young righty. Horton will look to get back on track and finish Cactus League play on a better note, though his rotation spot should be secure after a stellar rookie campaign in which he recorded a 2.67 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 97 strikeouts across 118 regular-season innings. Another step forward for Horton in 2026 could make the 24-year-old a fantasy ace.

Shaw went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Rangers.

The home run was the first of the spring for Shaw, who is batting .310 with an .812 OPS across 11 Cactus League contests. Also notable Tuesday was seeing the youngster start in center field. With Alex Bregman now in the fold to play third base, Shaw is getting comfortable in the outfield, and the Cubs plan to start him regularly in right field against left-handed pitchers. Shaw struggled with consistency during his 2025 rookie campaign, though he still managed 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases. It remains to be seen how much the 24-year-old will play in 2026, but he could take a step forward from a fantasy perspective if he sees the field often enough from a utility role.

Madden allowed a run on two hits across 3.2 innings in Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest against the Red Sox. He walked three and struck out two.

The three walks were a bit worrisome, but Madden otherwise held his own against a Boston lineup featuring a number of regular starters. The righty has allowed just the one run across 5.2 innings this spring. Madden, who missed the entire 2025 season while recovering from a right rotator cuff strain, has already been optioned to Triple-A Toledo, and the team will likely want to see him get some innings under his belt there to shake off rust. However, Madden could be an option for an MLB promotion at some point down the road if he looks good in the minors.