MLB Player News

Stephenson (shoulder) has had a setback and is going for more tests to determine the next steps in his recovery, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Stephenson said earlier this spring that he would "absolutely" be ready for Opening Day, but an issue popped up while throwing within the past couple days, according to manager Kurt Suzuki. The veteran righty reported to spring training saying he was diagnosed over the winter with "thoracic outlet symptoms," and he has been limited to 10 innings since 2023. Kirby Yates, Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano could all get an early shot at saves for the Angels, and Ben Joyce (shoulder) could join the mix when he gets healthy.

Jax has given up one run on four hits with seven strikeouts and one walk across 4.2 combined innings between the Grapefruit League and World Baseball Classic this spring.

The right-hander is expected to open the season in a closer committee alongside Garrett Cleavinger, with Edwin Uceta (shoulder) poised to join the mix once healthy. Jax had an underwhelming 4.23 ERA and 1.29 WHIP last season, but his 99:21 K:BB and 2.57 FIP better illustrate his high-leverage upside. He has three straight seasons of 18-plus holds but didn't record any saves last year, which isn't likely to be the case for long in 2026.

Lowe (back) is starting at second base and batting second in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles.

Lowe has been out of the lineup since being scratched from Wednesday's game due to lower-body tightness, but the veteran second baseman has been cleared to return for Saturday's contest. The 2026 season will be his first with the Pirates after he was traded by the Rays in December in a three-team deal that also included the Astros. Lowe slashed .256/.307/.477 with three steals (on five attempts), 31 home runs and 83 RBI across 553 plate appearances in 2025.

The Blue Jays announced Saturday that Gausman will be the team's Opening Day starter March 27 against the Athletics in Toronto.

The announcement doesn't come as much of a surprise, considering Gausman has been the Blue Jays' ace since joining the franchise in 2022. He's coming off a 2025 campaign in which he pitched a career-high 193 innings during the regular season (32 starts) with a 3.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 189:50 K:BB. Gausman will lead a Blue Jays rotation that also features Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber (forearm) and Trey Yesavage.

Newcomb allowed two runs (none earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out six across three innings in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cubs.

Newcomb has made four spring appearances and had allowed six earned runs across eight innings entering Friday's outing. His appearance against the Cubs was his most positive of the spring, and he also ramped up to 63 pitches. Newcomb looks likely to begin the season in the bullpen, but he could work in a swingman role and still has a chance to crack the rotation.

Cleavinger has given up one hit with one strikeout and no walks over two scoreless Grapefruit League appearances. He also struck out one in a scoreless frame for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Cleavinger's game work has been a bit light this spring while away from the Rays for the World Baseball Classic, but he should be ready for Opening Day all the same. The left-hander and Griffin Jax are poised to begin the season splitting closing duties, with Edwin Uceta set to join the mix once he recovers from a shoulder issue. Cleavinger was dominant while serving in a setup role last year, recording two saves and 22 holds with a 2.35 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 82:18 K:BB across 61.1 innings.

Walker went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Cardinals.

It's a positive sign for Walker, who was ice cold to start the spring, going just 1-for-16 in his first eight Grapefruit League contests. While his name came up in trade rumors this offseason, the 34-year-old Walker is poised to open the year as Houston's starting first baseman again. He slashed .238/.297/.421 with 27 homers and 88 RBI across 640 plate appearances last season.

Beck has gone 9-for-33 with one home run across 33 at-bats in 11 Cactus League games.

Beck has hit for a fine batting average, but he has 13 strikeouts across 38 plate appearances. Neither he nor manager Warren Schaeffer is concerned, however, as Beck has primarily focused on fine-tuning his swing in batting practice while hitting off a Trajeckt Arc machine. Per Thomas Harding of MLB.com, Beck has focused more on his work in non-game action because he is assured of a starting position to begin the regular season.

Barlow could begin the season as an option in the Athletics' closer committee, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

The veteran right-hander joined the A's on a one-year, $2 million contract in February after posting a 4.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 75:45 K:BB over 68.1 innings for the Reds during the 2025 regular season. Barlow recorded one save and 16 holds, but he tallied 53 saves from 2021-23 and is an experienced high-leverage option for manager Mark Kotsay. The skipper shifted to a heavy committee approach last season after closer Mason Miller departed at the trade deadline, so the fantasy upside could be limited in this closing situation unless Kotsay's approach changes.

Garcia has gone 14-for-28 with two home runs, five RBI, nine runs scored and three stolen bases in 12 Grapefruit League games.

Garcia is battling for a bench spot in Pittsburgh this spring and has made his case in multiple ways. Per Jason Mackey of MLB.com, Garcia has worked with Marcell Ozuna on his swing decisions, and particularly delaying the timing of his swing. Garcia has also impressed manager Don Kelly with his work in the outfield, an important factor because Ryan O'Hearn -- a subpar defender -- is expected to be the Pirates' primary right fielder. Even if Garcia starts the new campaign with Triple-A Indianapolis, he should play a role in Pittsburgh at some point this season.