MLB Player News

Myers (illness) will serve as the Reds' designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Monday's Cactus League game against the Diamondbacks.

Myers is back in action for the first time since Thursday after he was scratched from the lineup ahead of his previously scheduled start Friday against the Giants due to an illness. The 30-year-old is good to go after a few days off, so the brief absence shouldn't affect his chances of breaking camp with the Reds. If he's part of the Opening Day roster, Myers is likely to fill the short side of a platoon in the outfield or at DH.

Brazoban isn't guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

While the right-hander hasn't done anything this spring to cost himself a big-league job, posting a 0.00 ERA and 5:1 K:BB over three innings, Brazoban is also one of the few pitchers in the mix for one of the Mets' final bullpen spots who has minor-league options remaining. If the organization feels that protecting its depth is important, Brazoban could begin the year at Triple-A Syracuse instead. In that scenario, however, he would likely be the first reliever called up should an injury hit the major-league staff. Brazoban delivered a 3.57 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB over 63 innings for the Mets in 2025 with five wins, two saves and 12 holds.

Tauchman has a March 25 opt-out in his minor-league contract, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

The veteran outfielder is having a strong camp for the Mets, slashing .333/.481/.619 through 27 plate appearances with three doubles and a homer, but Tauchman has always been the backup plan in right field if top prospect Carson Benge was deemed to need more time in the minors to begin the season. That hasn't looked like the case this spring, as Benge has an impressive .367/.406/.433 line of his own and hasn't seemed overmatched at the plate or in the field. It's possible the Mets elect to keep both outfielders, perhaps at the expense of a backup infielder if Francisco Lindor (hand) is ready for Opening Day, but Tauchman could also be auditioning for other clubs over the next 10 days.

Holliday (hand) said he'll begin taking live at-bats this week, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

Holliday has been hitting off a tee for the last 10 days or so and keeps progressing in his return from a broken hamate bone in his right hand. Holliday is unsure if he'll see any Grapefruit League action this spring, but he's hopeful for a short stint on the injured list to begin the season and could even be in the lineup for Triple-A Norfolk's season opener in 11 days, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson will be candidates for early-season playing time at second base while Holliday is sidelined.

Hicks went 0-for-3 in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

While it wasn't a noteworthy performance, Hicks saw his only real competition for a spot on the 26-man roster eliminated when top catching prospect Joe Mack was optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Sunday. Hicks is expected to split his time between catcher, first base and DH once again in 2026 while primarily facing right-handed pitching, a split in which he slashed .256/.349/.367 last year with six homers in 324 plate appearances.

Perez walked one and struck out five over four scoreless, no-hit innings during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros.

The 22-year-old right-hander's strikeout victims included Jose Altuve and prospect Zach Cole (twice) as Perez built up to 53 pitches, 30 of which went for strikes. Through 9.2 spring innings, he's posted a 15:6 K:BB, and Perez could be poised for a breakout campaign after he tossed a career-high 118 innings across three levels in 2025, delivering a 4.25 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 105:32 K:BB in 95.1 frames for the Marlins across 20 starts.

Atlanta reassigned Hicklen to minor-league camp Monday.

Hicklen appeared in one big-league game last season but otherwise served as outfield depth at the Triple-A level for the Tigers and Phillies organizations, slashing a collective .221/.318/.403 with 16 home runs and 25 stolen bases over 95 games. After failing to win a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, Hicklen is expected to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Gwinnett.

Thomas started in right field and went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.

Thomas opened the scoring, blasting a solo homer off Tanner Bibee that left the bat at 110.2 mph. Through 15 Cactus League appearances, he's hitting .250/.270/.472 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBI. Coming off a rookie campaign in which he slashed .225/.267/.417 with five doubles, six homers and 19 RBI in 49 games, Thomas is battling for a spot on the Athletics' bench as a reserve outfielder alongside Carlos Cortes.

Atlanta reassigned Schunk to minor-league camp Monday.

Schunk was competing for a utility infield job with Atlanta during spring training but was unable to distinguish himself while going 4-for-23 (.174 average) at the dish during Grapefruit League play. As a member of the Colorado organization last season, the 28-year-old spent most of 2025 at the Triple-A level but saw action in 16 games in the majors, slashing .188/.188/.219.

Manager Terry Francona said Monday that McLain will bat second in the order this season, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

It's not unexpected, but it's notable confirmation from Francona. McLain, of course, started out last season batting second but was hitting under .200 until late June and was quickly bumped down to the nine spot in the lineup. The 26-year-old, however, has been swinging a scorching hot bat this spring, slashing .553/.605/1.105 with six home runs, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored, two stolen bases and a 5:4 BB:K across 43 plate appearances. He's been a fast riser up fantasy draft boards and appears set to hit in front of Elly De La Cruz this season.