MLB Player News

Lange allowed a hit and a walk across 1.1 scoreless innings in Sunday's Cactus League win over the White Sox. He struck out one.

The right-hander entered in relief of Cole Ragans with two outs in the fourth inning and closed the frame with no damage before firing a scoreless fifth inning that included a strikeout of Colson Montgomery. Lange has had an iffy spring, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits and five walks across seven innings, though he has recorded nine strikeouts. Coming off a pair of injury-riddled seasons with the Tigers that saw him throw a combined 19.2 innings at the MLB level over the past two campaigns, Lange is competing for one of the final bullpen spots with the Royals after signing a one-year deal with the club in November.

Arozarena went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored in Sunday's Cactus League game against the Reds.

It was Arozarena's first appearance with the Mariners since the World Baseball Classic, where he went 2-for-13 with a double and a stolen base with Team Mexico. In 2025, Arozarena slashed .238/.334/.426 with a career-high 27 homers, 76 RBI and 31 steals across 613 regular-season plate appearances.

Thorpe (elbow) is scheduled to throw his fifth bullpen session of the spring at some point this week, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Thorpe seems to be progressing as expected in his recovery from the Tommy John surgery he underwent April 9, 2025, but the right-hander still appears to be a likely candidate to begin the season on the 60-day injured list, should the White Sox need to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. If his elbow continues to respond well to side sessions, Thorpe could advance to throwing live batting practice within the next few weeks.

Munoz allowed a hit and a walk while striking out three in a scoreless inning in Sunday's Cactus League matchup with the Reds.

Munoz was sharp in his return from the World Baseball Classic, where he allowed a run in two innings with Team Mexico. The 27-year-old Munoz is expected to be one of the game's top closers again in 2026 after converting 38 of 45 save opportunities while posting a sparkling 1.73 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP and 83 strikeouts across 62.1 innings last year.

The Twins reassigned Merryweather (hamstring) to minor-league camp Monday.

After signing a minor-league deal with Minnesota in February, Merryweather had been attending big-league camp as a non-roster invitee and was expected to compete for a spot in the Twins' Opening Day bullpen. He never made headway in the job battle, however, as he strained his left hamstring during his first Grapefruit League appearance Feb. 24 and has yet to pitch since. Merryweather has since resumed running and has been playing catch, but he could be headed for a stint on Triple-A St. Paul's injured list to begin the season.

Loperfido is in the mix to start the season in Houston's Opening Day outfield, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Loperfido has put together a strong spring since rejoining the Astros, batting .333 (10-for-30) with an .896 OPS, a home run and two stolen bases across 13 games. Loperfido has seen some time in center field with Jake Meyers reportedly on the trading block. If Meyers does ultimately start the year in Houston, the lefty-batting Loperfido would likely occupy the strong side of a corner outfield platoon.

Isbel went 2-for-2 with a double and a run scored in Sunday's Cactus League win over the White Sox.

Isbel reached base in both of his at-bats, first via a bunt single in the third inning and then with a 103.8 mph double to lead off the bottom of the fifth frame. Sunday marked the 29-year-old's second two-hit performance of the spring, bringing his Cactus League totals to .231/.355/.269 with a double and two RBI across 11 appearances. Coming off a 2025 season in which he hit .255/.301/.353 with four homers, 33 RBI and 42 runs scored, Isbel will face competition from the likes of Isaac Collins (side), Lane Thomas and Starling Marte for playing time in the outfield. However, Isbel's stellar glove in center field bodes well for him seeing consistent playing time in 2026.

The Reds optioned Dunn to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Dunn entered spring training as one of eight outfielders on the 40-man roster and was one of the lesser-established options at the big-league level, so he needed a big showing in the Cactus League to have a realistic shot at making the Opening Day squad. The 27-year-old was unable to deliver, hitting just .136 with five strikeouts in 22 at-bats this spring before the Reds demoted him. He should get the chance to play regularly at Louisville to begin the season.

Hancock is competing to open the regular season as the Mariners' fifth starter, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Per Kramer, Hancock currently has a "leg up" on Cooper Criswell to open the year in Seattle's rotation, with Bryce Miller (oblique) unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. The 26-year-old Hancock has made four appearances this spring, posting a 4.76 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP and 17 strikeouts across 11.1 innings. Hancock was the Mariners' primary swingman in 2025 as well, making 22 total appearances (16 starts). He finished the year with a 4.90 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 6.4 K/9 across 90 innings.

The Reds reassigned Misiewicz to minor-league camp Monday.

Cincinnati already has two other left-handers on the 40-man roster who were projected to be included in the Opening Day bullpen (Brock Burke and Sam Moll), so Misiewicz's dismissal from big-league camp doesn't come as a major surprise. The 31-year-old southpaw was forced to settle for a minor-league deal with the Reds this offseason after he was roughed up for five earned runs on five hits and four walks over 4.2 innings in just five appearances in the majors with Minnesota in 2025.