MLB Player News

The Mets selected Benge's contract from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The Mets have long been telegraphing Benge as their likely Opening Day right fielder, and Mike Tauchman's knee injury essentially cinched the job for Benge. The 23-year-old Benge slashed .366/.435/.439 with one stolen base and a 4:9 BB:K over 46 Grapefruit League plate appearances. A left-handed hitter, Benge could cede starts to Tyrone Taylor versus southpaws, but the bulk of the playing time in right field will go to the rookie.

Hernandez went 2-for-4 with a home run, two total runs and three total RBI in Sunday's exhibition win over the Angels.

Hernandez put the Dodgers on the board in the third inning with a solo shot to right-center field. He added a two-run single in the third. The veteran outfielder has swung a hot bat this spring, slashing .457/.490/.804 with four home runs (tied for most on the team), four doubles, 12 runs and a team-leading 20 RBI over 17 games. Hernandez said in mid-February that he played through a groin issue much of last season, which may have been a factor in his OPS dropping over 100 points (to .738) from the previous campaign. A healthy Hernandez could be in store for a rebound year, though he was still pretty productive during the 2025 regular season, recording 25 home runs, 89 RBI, 65 runs and five stolen bases over 134 contests.

Tibbs went 1-for-2 with a solo home run Sunday in a spring-training win over the Angels.

It's been a great spring for Tibbs, who is slashing .333/.396/.711 with four home runs and 11 RBI through 21 games. He's also struck out 20 times in 45 at-bats, so there are clearly still parts of his approach to work on, but Tibbs has nonetheless opened eyes at camp. He spent much of last season at the Double-A level and will likely bump up to Triple-A at some point this season.

The Nationals optioned Franklin to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Franklin has yet to make his MLB debut, but he appeared to have a decent shot at being included on the Nationals' Opening Day roster after Washington had optioned fellow outfielders Robert Hassell and Dylan Crews to the minors in recent days. Ultimately, Franklin will wind up joining Hassell and Crews in Rochester, where all three should get the chance to play on a near-everyday basis. Franklin spent the entire 2025 season at the Triple-A level, slashing .272/.390/.427 with 12 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 117 games between the Cubs' and Nationals' top affiliates.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Suzuki (knee) will begin the season on the injured list, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Counsell had previously ruled Suzuki out for Opening Day and has now confirmed that the outfielder will require an IL stint as he recuperates from a strained PCL in his right knee. It is not expected to be a long-term absence, but Michael Conforto should start in right field versus right-handed pitching while Suzuki is shelved.

Soto went 1-for-3 with a run scored in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Marlins.

The fourth-inning single off Sandy Alcantara was Soto's first hit in three games since returning from the WBC. The 27-year-old superstar is batting just .150 (3-for-20) in eight Grapefruit League contests with a double for his only extra-base hit, but Soto was far more productive for Team Dominican Republic, going 6-for-23 (.261) with two homers and a 5:5 BB:K. After a strong first season with the Mets in which he slashed .263/.396/.525 over 160 games with a career-high 43 home runs and a stunning 38 stolen bases -- he had 40 total steals in the five prior seasons combined -- Soto shouldn't be derailed at the plate in 2026 by a defensive switch to left field.

Marsee has gone 0-for-7 in Grapefruit League play after returning from the World Baseball Classic.

The 24-year-old batted .174 (4-for-23) over six games for Italy during the WBC, and Marsee hasn't found a groove since rejoining the Marlins. He's locked into the starting center field job, and big things are expected from the former Padres farmhand after he slashed .292/.363/.478 over 55 games in his big-league debut last season with five homers and 14 steals.

Barrosa is expected to earn a roster spot after the Diamondbacks reassigned Jacob Amaya to minor-league camp Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Barrosa, who is out of options, was expected to land a roster spot as one of four players seeking three available bench spots. Amaya's reassignment seemingly locks in Barrosa, Tim Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas for Arizona's Opening Day roster, barring any late claims or trades over the next couple of days. Barrosa celebrated the news Sunday by going 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a Cactus League game against San Diego. He's had a strong spring and batting .333 (14-for-42) with three doubles, two triples, three home runs and nine RBI over 15 spring contests. The switch-hitting Barrosa will operate as the team's fourth outfielder until Lourdes Gurriel (knee) is ready to return.

Cook will begin the season on the major-league roster, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Cook doesn't figure to draw starts often, but he'll serve as the fifth outfielder and should also be an emergency option at first base. Cook has had a solid spring, slugging two homers with seven RBI and seven runs scored in 19 games while reaching base at a .347 clip across 48 plate appearances.

The Padres reassigned Taylor to minor-league camp Tuesday.

The 27-year-old is expected to open the season at Triple-A El Paso after failing to win a utility spot with the Padres coming out of spring training. Taylor owns a .205/.272/.260 slash line over 83 career plate appearances in the big leagues across the past three seasons.