MLB Player News

Benge went 2-for-2 with two walks, a double and a run scored in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals.

Getting the start in right field and batting leadoff, Benge put together another impressive performance. The 23-year-old has done everything he's needed to do so far in camp to show he's ready to begin the season in the majors, slashing a sizzling .406/.472/.500 through 36 plate appearances with a 3:5 BB:K.

Bleday started in right field and went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's spring game against Arizona.

Bleday recorded a hit in his fifth consecutive Cactus League game and is slashing .324/.375/.649 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI over 13 spring training games, but he's still not guaranteed a roster spot. There are five players vying for three bench spots, and Bleday is one of four outfielders on that list having a productive spring. The other outfielders competing include Will Benson (.250, four HR), Dane Myers (.333) and Rece Hinds (.382, four HR).

Castellanos has made seven appearances (including six starts) at first base this spring and has made only one error in 41 chances, Perla Paredes of MLB.com reports.

Castellanos has never played first base during a regular-season MLB game, but San Diego is asking the veteran outfielder to learn the position in order to increase the team's positional flexibility. The 34-year-old has embraced the opportunity, saying, "Learning a new position is always fun," and adding, "I'm approaching it with a lot of enthusiasm and joy." Castellanos isn't expected to have an everyday spot in the Padres' lineup, but if his learning of first base goes well, he could see a decent amount of playing time, especially against left-handed pitchers. In terms of hitting, Castellanos has done fine in exhibition play, slashing .235/.350/.382 with one home run, two doubles, six runs, six RBI and a 5:5 BB:K.

Hope was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hope drew another invitation to big-league spring training, but he struggled to find success at the dish and went 1-for-19 in his last nine appearances before being dispatched to minor-league camp. The 21-year-old will now turn his focus to preparing for the 2026 season, presumably with Double-A Tulsa.

Siani was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Siani was scooped up off waivers by the Dodgers in early February, though he was unable to get his bat going during his time in big-league camp. He hit .143 with one double, three stolen bases and six runs scored in 16 games.

MLB announced Monday that Rojas has been suspended 80 games for violating the league's policy against performance-enhancing drugs, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Word of Rojas' looming suspension came out earlier this month, and Rojas lost his appeal. He won't be eligible to play in the regular season until late June. With Rojas set to miss the first half of the season, Justin Crawford and Brandon Marsh should see somewhat regular playing time in the Philadelphia outfield. Rojas posted an underwhelming .569 OPS across 172 plate appearances at the big-league level last regular season.

Suzuki will undergo an MRI on his injured right knee Monday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Suzuki rejoined the Cubs on Monday after playing for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic. According to Levine, Suzuki was walking with a noticeable limp. The 31-year-old was injured Saturday against Team Venezuela when Suzuki attempted to steal second base. He was diagnosed with right knee discomfort, but the Cubs should know more following the MRI. If Suzuki is forced to miss time, it could open up at-bats for Matt Shaw and Michael Conforto in the outfield.

Young (wrist) will start in center field and bat second in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Young will make his first appearance since Feb. 27 after being held out of action for the past two and a half weeks while he waited for the discomfort in his bruised right wrist to subside. As long as the 26-year-old is able to avoid any setbacks while he picks up at-bats in multiple Grapefruit League and/or minor-league games during the final week of spring training, he should be in line to open the season as the Nationals' primary center fielder.

Betts went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday in a Cactus League win over the Cubs.

Betts went deep for the first time this spring with a third-inning solo shot to center field. The veteran shortstop has managed a relatively light workload this spring, as Sunday was just his seventh Cactus League game. Betts has gone 6-for-19 (.316) with four runs and two RBI in exhibition action.

McCray went 2-for-2 with two stolen bases, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 7-1 Cactus League win over the Brewers.

McCray singled on a bunt in the second inning before stealing second and coming around to score. The 25-year-old outfielder added another single and stolen base in the fifth before being picked off while attempting to take third. The left-handed hitter remains a candidate for a spot on the Opening Day roster, though Will Brennan and Luis Matos are also vying for the fourth-outfielder role. While McCray is more likely to begin the season in Triple-A Sacramento, he's made the competition interesting this spring, slashing .267/.410/.367 with 10 runs scored, four RBI, three stolen bases and one home run across 39 plate appearances in 18 Cactus League games.