MLB Player News

Stowers will begin the season on the injured list and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks after being diagnosed Sunday with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Stowers sustained the injury during Friday's Grapefruit League contest, which occurred less than a week after he returned from a minor strain of the same hamstring suffered earlier in spring training. The 28-year-old will be sidelined for at least the first half of April, and a specific return date should come into focus as he moves through his rehab program.

Atlanta reassigned Azocar to minor-league camp Friday.

After he was unable to win a reserve outfield spot on Atlanta's Opening Day roster, Azocar is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett. The 29-year-old previously logged 21 plate appearances in the majors between Atlanta and the Mets in 2025, slashing .263/.333/.263.

Thomas went 1-for-2 with a walk, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's spring game against the Rangers.

The 25-year-old gave the Diamondbacks an early lead with a three-run homer in the third inning. It was the second home run of the Cactus League for Thomas, who has hit safely in all four games since returning from the World Baseball Classic. He started in left field Saturday while Jordan Lawlar patrolled center field. Those two have bounced between left and center field this spring, as Torey Lovullo evaluates his optimal outfield alignment ahead of Opening Day. Eventually, left fielder Lourdes Gurriel (knee) will return, and the manager will have to figure out how best to deploy all three.

Yastrzemski (eye) is starting in left field and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.

The veteran outfielder has been sidelined the past couple days due to pink eye, but he's good to rejoin the spring lineup Sunday. Yastrzemski should be a lineup regular for Atlanta on the strong side of a platoon in left field after signing a two-year, $9.5 million contract in December.

The Cubs plan to add Conforto to their Opening Day roster, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

With Seiya Suzuki (knee) set to miss the start of the regular season, Conforto now figures to be the favorite to start in right field on Opening Day. His path to playing time will be much less clear once Suzuki returns, however, as Conforto will likely move into a reserve role while making an occasional appearance as a DH. Since he signed with the Cubs in late February, the 33-year-old has slashed .241/.290/.345 with one RBI and two runs scored through 29 plate appearances in the Cactus League.

Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Suzuki (knee) will not be ready in time for Opening Day, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Counsell added that the team still hasn't decided whether to place Suzuki on the injured list, but the Cubs may play it safe and give the slugging outfielder all the time he needs to ensure he's fully healthy when he makes his season debut. Either way, Suzuki sitting down means that Michael Conforto will likely open the season as Chicago's starting right fielder, as the latter is expected to be included on the Opening Day roster.

Moore (foot) signed a major-league contract with the Phillies on Saturday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Moore triggered an opt-out clause in his minor-league deal with the Phillies on Thursday, which gave the club 48 hours to add him to their 40-man roster before he entered free agency. Now that the two sides have agreed to a major-league deal, Moore will remain in the organization and is expected to be part of Philadelphia's Opening Day bench. The 33-year-old utility man has posted a .566 OPS with six RBI, four runs scored and two steals through 38 plate appearances in spring training.

The Reds optioned Bleday to Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.

Bleday made a great case to be included on the Opening Day squad by slashing .317/.364/.683 with four homers, 11 RBI and eight runs scored over 44 plate appearances in the Cactus League. However, he will come up short and instead begin his first season with the Reds in Triple-A, where he posted a .980 OPS over 132 plate appearances in 2025.

Tauchman was removed from Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Astros with a left knee injury, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Tauchman seemingly injured himself while running out of the batter's box in the third inning. He attempted to play through it but was still visibly bothered by his knee until he was removed in the fifth. The 35-year-old non-roster invitee had been in the running to grab a spot on the Mets' bench, but he now may be in jeopardy of beginning the year on the injured list.

Lockridge will be included on the Brewers' Opening Day roster, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The writing was on the wall that Lockridge had won a bench spot when the Brewers optioned Blake Perkins to Triple-A Nashville on Friday, but the decision is now official. Lockridge did an excellent job separating himself from the competition during Cactus League play, slashing .316/.435/.684 with four homers, nine RBI, 13 runs scored and three stolen bases across 13 contests. As long as he can continue to produce on offense, the 29-year-old outfielder will likely fill in for either Sal Frelick or Garrett Mitchell whenever the Brewers encounter a left-handed starter.