MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Ohtani will throw a bullpen session at Dodgers camp later this week and is expected to be ready to cover at least 3-to-4 innings in his first start of the season as a pitcher, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

After leaving the Dodgers in late February to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic, Ohtani has returned to Arizona and is continuing to prepare for a two-way role ahead of Opening Day. Roberts said that Ohtani will make his return to the spring lineup as a designated hitter in the coming days, and after his bullpen session, the Dodgers will decide whether the four-time MVP makes another Cactus League start as a pitcher or continues to build up through a minor-league game at camp. Even though he served exclusively as a DH during his stay with Team Japan, Ohtani was able to continue with his spring throwing progression. He most recently tossed a four-inning, 59-pitch live batting practice session last Thursday, and Roberts seems optimistic that the right-hander can at least work that long in his first start of the campaign, which could fall during the second or third game of the Dodgers' season-opening series versus the Diamondbacks. Ideally for Ohtani's fantasy managers, he'll be efficient enough to cover five innings in his first start, which would give him a chance at qualifying for a win.

McCray went 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 7-1 Cactus League win over the Brewers.

McCray singled on a bunt in the second inning before stealing second and coming around to score. The 25-year-old outfielder added another single and stolen base in the fifth before being picked off while attempting to take third. The left-handed hitter remains a candidate for a spot on the Opening Day roster, though Will Brennan and Luis Matos are also vying for the fourth-outfielder role. While McCray is more likely to begin the season in Triple-A Sacramento, he's made the competition interesting this spring, slashing .267/.410/.367 with 10 runs scored, four RBI, three stolen bases and one home run across 39 plate appearances in 18 Cactus League games.

Manager Craig Stammen announced Monday that Musgrove (elbow) is expected to open the season on the 15-day injured list, Noah Camras of SI.com reports.

Musgrove is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and has experienced a setback in his recovery after he threw 60 pitches in an exhibition against Team Great Britain two weeks ago. After missing the entirety of the 2025 campaign, Musgrove's return to the mound will have to wait. With Musgrove set to open the season on the IL, Walker Buehler is expected to begin the season in San Diego's rotation.

Westburg (elbow) said Monday that he remains without a timeline to increase his participation in baseball activities, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Westburg is trying to remain optimistic and continues to follow medical advice as he works his way back from a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. He opted against surgery and instead received a platelet-rich plasma injection, hoping that the shot coupled with rest would allow him to return to the field sooner. Westburg has been able to run, take part in fielding drills and swing with his bottom hand, but he has yet to do anything beyond that and has already been ruled out through the end of April. Coby Mayo, Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson will be the candidates to cover third base while Wetsburg is sidelined.

Mikolas gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits and three walks over 4.2 innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals. He struck out one.

Facing the team he spent the last seven seasons with, Mikolas tossed only 46 of 83 pitches for strikes and served up a three-run, first-inning homer to Nelson Velazquez. The veteran right-hander hasn't shown much this spring, posting a 6.52 ERA and 6:7 K:BB through 9.2 innings, but the rebuilding Nationals are just counting on Mikolas to soak up some innings while they wait for prospects like Travis Sykora (elbow) and Jarlin Susana (lat) to get healthy and start making a case for spots in the big-league rotation. Mikolas has made more than 30 big-league starts in four straight seasons, but his 4.51 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 6.3 K/9 during that time don't offer much fantasy appeal.

Manager Dave Roberts said Monday that Yamamoto will start the Dodgers' March 26 season opener versus the Diamondbacks in Los Angeles, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Yamamoto will receive his second straight Opening Day nod after he dazzled with a 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 201:59 K:BB during the 2025 regular season and then went on to take home World Series MVP honors in the playoffs. He'll square off with Zac Gallen and the Diamondbacks in 10 days.

Beeter gave up an unearned run on one hit while striking out three over two-thirds of an inning during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Cardinals.

A wild pitch cost Beeter an actual out on one of his Ks, but it was an error by minor-league shortstop Randal Diaz that brought home the run against him. The right-hander has yet to be charged with an earned run this spring, delivering a 9:2 K:BB over 4.1 innings, and he appears set for a high-leverage role in a Nationals bullpen that lacks established arms. Whether Beeter can separate himself from the pack and stake a strong claim to the ninth inning will depend on how much he can improve his control after walking 19 batters in his first 29 big-league innings over the last two seasons.

Mayer (knee) is scheduled to play in a Triple-A game on the back fields of Red Sox camp Monday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Mayer was scratched from the lineup ahead of Sunday's 7-2 win over the Twins due to a sore left knee, but manager Alex Cora downplayed the injury afterward, noting that the 23-year-old was scheduled to return to action Tuesday versus Atlanta. While that still could come to pass, Mayer is evidently feeling even better than the Red Sox anticipated a day later, resulting in him being cleared to play in the minor-league contest. Mayer has enjoyed a solid spring thus far with an .816 OPS in 27 plate appearances, so assuming he can avoid any further health-related setbacks this week, he should be in good position to open the season as the Red Sox's primary second baseman.

Adames went 0-for-3 with an RBI in Sunday's 7-1 Cactus League win over the Brewers.

Adames' spring struggles continued Sunday, though he did hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning to drive in San Francisco's final run. The 30-year-old shortstop has appeared in 13 Cactus League games thus far, slashing .108/.150/.189 with five RBI, two runs scored, one home run and one stolen base across 40 plate appearances during that span. Adames delivered mixed results during his first campaign with the Giants in 2025, logging 30 long balls and 12 stolen bases while slashing .225/.318/.421 over 685 plate appearances.

Semien went 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Blue Jays.

Facing one of his former clubs, Semien drove a cutter from minor leaguer Grant Rogers over the left-field fence in the first inning. It was the veteran second baseman's second homer of the spring, but Semien hasn't exactly been locked in at the plate in camp, batting .172 (5-for-29) in 11 games with a 1:9 BB:K. After posting a career-low .669 OPS for the Rangers in 2025, the Mets are hoping Semien can rebound in a new environment while providing his usual strong defense, but the 35-year-old hasn't produced a hard-hit rate above the 26th percentile since 2021. There simply may not be much juice left to squeeze out of his bat.