MLB Player News
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Chris Paddack RP | MIA
Marlins' Chris Paddack: Rotation spot secure
Marlins manager Clayton McCullough announced Friday that Paddack will be included in Miami's starting rotation to begin the season, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
The right-hander signed with the Marlins earlier this week and will be guaranteed a rotation spot despite posting a 5.35 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 112:37 K:BB across 158 regular-season innings between the Tigers and Twins last year. That workload was a career high and was the first time since Paddack's rookie year in 2019 that he topped 110 frames. He's never come close to replicating the 3.33 ERA he posted during his debut campaign, however.
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Ivan Herrera C | STL
Cardinals' Ivan Herrera: May not stick behind plate
The Cardinals could explore using Herrera (elbow) in left field or at first base if he's unable to stick at catcher, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Herrera was limited to designated hitter duties for the final few months of last season due to defensive issues and also a lingering elbow injury that he had surgically corrected in November. The Cardinals gave Herrera a list of things to work on over the offseason in order to improve his game preparation and game management, and they're optimistic his throwing will improve after surgery. If a return to catcher ultimately isn't in the cards, Herrera could be tried out in left field -- where he played four games last season -- or at first base. Herrera is being eased into throwing and hitting in camp but is expected to be fully healthy for Opening Day.
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Victor Scott II OF | STL
Cardinals' Victor Scott: Reworked swing in offseason
Scott retooled his swing during the offseason after a motion-capture study, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
The specific changes Scott made aren't clear, but the speedy outfielder is also focused this spring on bunting for base hits. Scott was a Gold Glove finalist in 2025 in his first full major-league season for his fine defensive work in center field, but he slashed only .216/.305/.296 with five home runs. The 25-year-old did steal 34 bases in 38 attempts, and if he is a factor in fantasy leagues in 2026, it will likely be due to the threat he poses on the basepaths.
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Reds' Nathaniel Lowe: Signs NRI pact with Cincinnati
The Reds signed Lowe to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training, Mark Feinsand and Mark Sheldon of MLB.com report.
The 30-year-old Lowe had to settle for a minor-league deal after slashing a disappointing .228/.307/.381 with 18 home runs over 153 regular-season games between the Nationals and Red Sox in 2025. While his left-handed bat could be of use in a righty-heavy lineup, the Reds already have Sal Stewart and Eugenio Suarez projected for everyday at-bats between first base and designated hitter. Spencer Steer is also in the mix for playing time at those spots, so it's difficult to see a current fit for Lowe on the 26-man roster.
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Izack Tiger SP | TEX
Rangers' Izack Tiger: Delayed by elbow setback
Tiger suffered a minor setback with his rehab from an internal brace surgery and is not scheduled to face hitters until the end of spring training, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Tiger missed all of last season following the September 2024 surgery. The 25-year-old was not going to make the Opening Day roster, as he's yet to advance past High-A and is coming off a lost campaign, and it's far from ideal that his development has been further delayed.
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Nabil Crismatt RP | TEX
Rangers' Nabil Crismatt: Undergoing UCL surgery
Crismatt will undergo surgery to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.
It had been previously reported that Crismatt needed elbow surgery, and now it's been revealed that it will be a season-ending UCL repair. Whether he requires a full Tommy John surgery or something less invasive won't be known until the operation. Crismatt had been in Rangers camp on a minor-league contract.
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Jurickson Profar LF | ATL
Braves' Jurickson Profar: Expected to be primary DH
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that he expects Profar to be deployed at designated hitter often early in the season, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Profar will not be a full-time DH, as Weiss likes the flexibility of using others in the spot on occasion, but heading into the season he is viewed as the team's primary option. The switch hitter could shift to left field against tougher southpaws, with the lefty-swinging Mike Yastrzemski going to the bench.
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Jason Adam RP | SD
Padres' Jason Adam: Thinks he could be ready for opener
Adam (quadriceps) said Friday that he "absolutely" thinks he could be ready in time for Opening Day, 97.3 The Fan reports.
Coming back from left quadriceps tendon repair surgery, Adam has been throwing bullpen sessions but still needs to show he can field his position and run without issue. The reliever said that the "ultimate priority" is to be healthy for the bulk of the season, but he believes he has a chance to be available for Opening Day. Previous estimates have had Adam in line for his season debut around mid-April, and that's probably still the most likely scenario.
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JR Ritchie SP | ATL
Braves' JR Ritchie: Impressing in Atlanta camp
Ritchie has drawn "some excitement" with how he's looked early on in spring training, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Ritchie is a long shot to break camp as part of Atlanta's rotation, but he could push to make his major-league debut sooner rather than later. The 22-year-old began the 2025 season at High-A Rome and finished it at Triple-A Gwinnett, posting a 2.64 ERA and 140:54 K:BB over 140 innings across three levels. It was his first full pro season, as he missed much of the previous two years while recovering from Tommy John surgery after being the 35th overall pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft.
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Ha-seong Kim 2B | ATL
Braves' Ha-Seong Kim: Could be ready by early May
Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos said Friday that he's optimistic4r Kim (finger) will be ready to make his season debut in early May, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Kim had surgery in January to repair a torn tendon in his right middle finger. The initial timeline provided had him returning in the second half of May as a best-case scenario, but is sounds like the veteran infielder could beat that projection. Mauricio Dubon is expected to be Atlanta's primary shortstop while Kim recovers.