MLB Player News

Springer went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The 36-year-old is batting just .167 (3-for-18) so far this spring in limited action with zero extra-base hits and a 5:3 BB:K. Springer was one of the biggest surprises for the Blue Jays last season during their run to an AL pennant, with his 32 homers and .959 OPS in 140 games being his highest marks since 2019, but regression is very likely in 2026.

Varsho went 3-for-3 with two home runs and five RBI in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The center fielder took Mick Abel deep for a two-run shot in the first inning before clobbering a three-run homer off Zak Kent in the fifth. Varsho is batting .452 (14-for-31) this spring with eight extra-base hits, including three long balls, and an impressive 1:1 BB:K, an early sign that last year's career-high .548 SLG may not have been a smaller-sample fluke.

Across 12 Grapefruit League contests, Meadows has gone 4-for-30 with 10 strikeouts.

This was seen as an important spring for Meadows, who sported a career-low .621 OPS in 58 regular-season games last year as he dealt with several injuries, and so far he hasn't done much to impress. With top prospect Max Clark starting to knock on the door of the majors, Meadows' hold on the center field role is not particularly firm. Javier Baez and Wenceel Perez could also push Meadows from the current MLB roster if Meadows doesn't snap out of his slump.

Wallner went 2-for-3 in Friday's Grapefruit League loss to Boston. He's hitting .290 (9-for-31) with a home run this spring.

It's reassuring to see Wallner having a good spring as a terrible spring in 2024 resulted in a slow start to the regular season and an early demotion to the minors. Wallner looks set to start in right field and could have a breakout season after some bad luck last year. Wallner reduced his problematic strikeout rate below 30 percent for the first time in his career (29.1%) and had the best contact rate of his career (66.1%), but he had just a .775 OPS, with a .228 BABIP likely playing a factor.

Roden went 2-for-5 in Friday's Grapefruit League loss to Boston. Despite hitting .323 (10-for-31) with a home run this spring, both Matthew Leach of MLB.com and The Athletic project Roden to not make the Opening Day roster.

James Outman is having a strong spring and is out of options, so it's thought the Twins will send Roden to the minors to begin the season. However, the Twins' outfield situation is still in flux. The team has too many left-handed-hitting outfielders and a trade late in spring training seems possible. Roden could still win a role as a strong-side platoon player in left field if he wins a spot over Outman.

Ward has recorded 17 stolen bases across 16 Grapefruit League games with the Red Sox in spring training.

Per Conor Liguori of The Sporting News, Ward now holds the record for the most stolen bases in spring training. Ward's running ability comes as no surprise, given that he logged 56 steals (on 64 attempts) across 96 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He was acquired by the Red Sox from the Rockies in November and has yet to appear in an official major-league game. However, his ability to play multiple positions in both the outfield and infield, coupled with his proficiency on the bases, could earn Ward a call-up from the Red Sox in 2026.

Collins has been dealing with mild back/left side tightness since Tuesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Collins has been idle the last few days, and the Royals are being cautious with the 28-year-old, according to Rogers. Acquired from the Brewers over the offseason, Collins has had a slow spring at the plate, slashing .111/.200/.167 across 20 plate appearances. He's competing for at-bats with Lane Thomas and Starling Marte.

Cabrera (ankle) is starting in right field and batting sixth in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.

Cabrera made his spring debut last week, which was his first game action since undergoing surgery to repair a fracture and ligament damage to his left ankle last May. He's gone 0-for-4 with a walk in his three Grapefruit League games thus far. Cabrera is competing for a bench role on the Yankees' Opening Day roster.

Palacios (back) will start at third base and bat eighth in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Palacios is ready to roll after missing a week-plus of action with back tightness. The 28-year-old is 2-for-15 at the dish so far this spring and is projected for a utility role this season in Tampa Bay.

Langford went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's spring game against the Athletics.

The Rangers put up a six-spot in the bottom of the second inning, highlighted by Langford's three-run home run. It was the third round-tripper of the Cactus League for Langford, who also extended a hit streak to six contests. He's batting a robust .455 (10-for-22) with three walks and 10 RBI over nine spring games.