MLB Player News

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.

Suarez allowed four hits and two walks over four scoreless innings in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out three.

Facing a Philly lineup that featured about half of the team's Opening Day starters, including Trea Turner, Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott, Suarez tossed 36 of 61 pitches for strikes to kick off a combined shutout for Atlanta. The 28-year-old southpaw is out of minor-league options, and while he may not be in the mix for a rotation spot, Suarez could begin the season as a long reliever to help provide some length as the team plays 13 games in 13 days right out of the gate.

Fuentes struck out five over three perfect innings during Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Yankees.

Per Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the 20-year-old right-hander maintained the elevated velocity he's been showing in camp, averaging 97.1 mph with his four-seamer and topping out at 98.7 mph, but it was his slider that gave Yankee hitters like Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham the most trouble. Fuentes has sharpened the pitch since last year, when Statcast classified it as a sweeper due to its slower speed, and he generated whiffs on four of the six sliders he threw Friday while averaging 87.0 mph with it. Atlanta pitching coach Jeremy Hefner also likes the progress Fuentes has made with his changeup. Fuentes is expected to begin the year at Triple-A Gwinnett, but he could be just one more injury away from joining the big-league rotation. Through five spring innings in two appearances, he hasn't allowed a run or hit with a 9:0 K:BB.

Gelof started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Sunday's Cactus League loss to the Guardians.

After a delayed start to game action this spring while recovering from surgery last September to repair a dislocated right shoulder, Gelof has received regular playing time, with Sunday marking the first time he's manned center field. The 26-year-old has never played the outfield at the big-league level and has logged just one appearance there in the minor leagues, but with Jeff McNeil entrenched as the everyday second baseman, the Athletics are exploring ways to expand Gelof's defensive versatility. Coming off an injury-riddled 2025 in which he slashed .174/.230/.272 across 30 MLB games, Gelof could begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Las Vegas, though building up his ability to handle multiple positions could help him carve out opportunities with the big-league club.

Neto (wrist) will hit off the tee and take live batting practice Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Neto also clarified that he sustained a small sprain to his left wrist, not the hand, as previously reported Saturday. The shortstop said that he's feeling good, and he expects to play Tuesday, either in a minor-league game or in the Angels' Cactus League contest versus the Cubs, per Fletcher. Neto should have plenty of time this week to pick up more at-bats and get himself ready for Opening Day.

The Marlins optioned Blalock to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Blalock was acquired from the Rockies in January after he was DFA'd by Colorado. The 25-year-old right-hander has appeared in 21 career regular-season games at the MLB level, making 18 starts, but has turned in an 8.16 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 47:43 K:BB across 89.1 innings.

The Athletics reassigned Kriske to minor-league camp Sunday.

Kriske was one of 11 players sent out in the Athletics' latest round of roster cuts. The 32-year-old right-hander spent most of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level but made 16 appearances in the majors between stops with the Cubs and Twins, pitching to a 7.50 ERA and 1.94 WHIP across 18 innings.

The Marlins optioned Acton to Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Acton was claimed off waivers from the Rockies last month and will begin the 2026 season in Triple-A after he appeared in just one major-league game out of the bullpen for the Rays last season. Acton produced a 3.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 71:27 K:BB across 58.2 innings for Triple-A Durham during the 2025 campaign.

The Athletics reassigned Hernandez to minor-league camp Sunday.

Hernandez was one of 11 players sent out in the Athletics' latest round of roster cuts. The 31-year-old right-hander spent most of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level but made 10 appearances in the majors with the Astros, giving up six earned runs on 12 hits and eight walks over 10.2 innings.