MLB Player News

Funderburk may not make the Opening Day roster with four left-handed relievers competing for a spot in the bullpen, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Funderburk has a 1.59 ERA and 6:1 K:BB in 5.2 innings this spring.

It's odd that Funderburk is on the roster bubble considering he's having a strong spring and coming off a strong second half. He had a 2.61 ERA and 21:8 K:BB in 20.2 innings after the All-Star break last year. Still, he's seen as behind veterans Taylor Rogers, Anthony Banda and Andrew Chafin. It seems unlikely the Twins would have four left-handed relievers in the bullpen, so Funderburk may be the odd man out. A trade of one of the lefty relievers also seems like a possibility.

Kreidler appears to be the leading candidate to win a utility infield role with the Twins, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

He'd make the team based on his glove, as he's hit just .138/.208/.176 over parts of four major-league seasons and is only a career .236/.342/.401 hitter in the minors. The Twins don't have a clear backup shortstop on the roster, so Kreidler is battling Orlando Arcia for the backup shortstop role.

Roden went 2-for-5 in Friday's Grapefruit League loss to Boston. Despite hitting .323 (10-for-31) with a home run this spring, both Matthew Leach of MLB.com and The Athletic project Roden to not make the Opening Day roster.

James Outman is having a strong spring and is out of options, so it's thought the Twins will send Roden to the minors to begin the season. However, the Twins' outfield situation is still in flux. The team has too many left-handed-hitting outfielders and a trade late in spring training seems possible. Roden could still win a role as a strong-side platoon player in left field if he wins a spot over Outman.

Abel gave up two earned runs over 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and one walk Friday, ending a 10-inning scoreless streak. He has a 1.35 ERA with a 17:1 K:BB in 13.1 innings this spring.

Abel is likely competing with Zebby Matthews for the fifth starter role. This was his first speed bump in otherwise stellar spring. A high walk rate (6.5 BB/9 in the majors last season) has been a problem, so his great control this spring is encouraging. He's making a strong case to begin the season in the rotation, but he'll likely be the odd man out since he has minor-league options left. Still the competition between him and Matthews will likely come down to the final week of spring training.

India was removed from Friday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks due to right groin tightness.

India went 1-for-1 with a double and a run scored before being removed in the third inning. He'll undergo further tests and the Royals should have an update in the coming days, but the timing of the injury puts India in jeopardy of being sidelined for Opening Day. Michael Massey is nursing a low-grade calf strain, but assuming he recovers over the next couple of weeks, he would be a top candidate to start at second base if India were to miss time, though Maikel Garcia and Nick Loftin could also see some reps at the keystone.

Ward has recorded 17 stolen bases across 16 Grapefruit League games with the Red Sox in spring training.

Per Conor Liguori of The Sporting News, Ward now holds the record for the most stolen bases in spring training. Ward's running ability comes as no surprise, given that he logged 56 steals (on 64 attempts) across 96 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He was acquired by the Red Sox from the Rockies in November and has yet to appear in an official major-league game. However, his ability to play multiple positions in both the outfield and infield, coupled with his proficiency on the bases, could earn Ward a call-up from the Red Sox in 2026.

Arroyo was scratched from the Mariners' lineup for Friday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers due to neck spasms, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Arroyo was slated to start at second base and bat seventh in Friday's game before his injury flared up, and the Mariners should provide an update over the next couple of days once the 21-year-old undergoes further tests. Arroyo ended the 2025 season with Double-A Arkansas, where he slashed .255/.376/.341 with nine steals (on 12 attempts), two home runs and 15 RBI in 250 plate appearances.

Devenski was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers after being struck in the head by a batted ball.

Devenski took a batted ball to the side of his head but appeared to be alert while being carted off the field. He'll continue to undergo tests and treatment from medical staff, and the Pirates should provide an update on the 35-year-old right-hander over the coming days. Devenski signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates in January after playing in the Mets organization in 2025. He mostly pitched for Triple-A Syracuse last year but appeared in 13 regular-season games (one start) for the Mets, posting a 2.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB across 16.2 innings.

Smith is dealing with forearm tightness and will be rested for the next couple of days, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Both Smith and catcher Gabriel Moreno are dealing with forearm tightness, though only the latter will undergo further testing. That indicates that Smith's injury isn't considered a long-term concern, and he could be back in Cactus League action over the coming days. Smith is looking to build off a 2025 campaign in which he slashed .258/.362/.434 with two steals, eight home runs and 28 RBI in 287 plate appearances during the regular season.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Moreno was scratched from the lineup for Friday's Cactus League game against the Royals due to forearm tightness, Jose M. Romero of The Arizona Republic reports.

Moreno will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, so the Diamondbacks should provide an update for the 26-year-old catcher in the coming days. Adrian Del Castillo is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day while rehabbing from a calf strain, so James McCann would get the bulk of the work behind home plate if Moreno were to be sidelined for an extended amount of time.