MLB Player News

Laureano (fatigue) is starting in left field and batting second in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

The veteran outfielder was scratched from the lineup Sunday due to general body fatigue, but he's good to go after getting a few days to rest. Laureano posted an .855 OPS with 24 homers and seven steals in 132 regular-season games between the Orioles and Padres last year, and he's poised to start in the corner outfield for San Diego in 2026.

Velazquez clubbed a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Mets.

Velazquez took Sean Manaea deep to the opposite field in the bottom of the first inning for his third home run of the spring. The three long balls tie him for the team lead, and he also boasts a 5:2 BB:K. The lack of a 40-man roster spot works against him, but Velazquez is making a real push for starts in left field for the Cardinals early in the season while Lars Nootbaar (heels) is sidelined.

Nootbaar (heels) has been increasing his agility drills and is soon slated to ramp up his running program, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar's running will occur on an altered-gravity treadmill, so while his progression from offseason surgery on both heels is coming along, he does not appear close to being cleared for game action. The 28-year-old outfielder will begin the campaign on the injured list, and there remains no firm timetable for when he might be ready for his season debut.

The Cubs optioned Dean to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday.

The 29-year-old outfielder was claimed off waivers by the Cubs in January, but he was unable to earn a spot on the 40-man roster after posting a .480 OPS across 31 plate appearances during spring training. Dean made his MLB debut with the Dodgers during the 2025 regular season, logging just two plate appearances in 18 games while primarily serving as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.

Tauchman could wind up being the Mets' Opening Day right fielder, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

New York would prefer to see top prospect Carson Benge win the job, but if he needs some more time in the minors, Tauchman appears to be Plan B. The veteran outfielder has had a strong spring since signing as a NRI with the Mets in mid-February, batting .308 (4-for-13) through seven games with three doubles, a homer and a 3:3 BB:K. Benge, for his part, is batting .391 (9-for-23) with a triple, a steal and a 1:4 BB:K. Brett Baty and Tyrone Taylor are also available to cover right field, but they may be ticketed for the bench.

Encarnacion went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-2 Cactus League win over the Royals.

Encarnacion drove a 383-foot homer to right-center field in the third inning, giving the Giants a four-run lead with his first long ball of the spring. The 28-year-old is competing for a roster spot ahead of Opening Day and is out of minor-league options following an injury-riddled 2025 campaign in which he slashed .200/.214/.364 with seven RBI, five runs scored, two homers and one stolen base across 56 plate appearances in 19 outings. While he has primarily operated as an outfielder in the past, Encarnacion has experience at first base and could see time at DH to open the 2026 season if San Francisco decides Bryce Eldridge needs more time to develop with Triple-A Sacramento, per Maria Guardado of MLB.com.

Carroll served as the Diamondbacks' designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday's 13-3 Cactus League loss to the Athletics.

Using an ax-handle bat, Carroll grounded out, flied out and struck out in his Cactus League debut, which had been delayed while he recovered from surgery to repair a broken right hamate bone. He told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com that using the bat was an adjustment but added it was "manageable." The new handle is less painful than the bat Carroll would typically use, and the outfielder will have to work through that discomfort. He's expected to serve as the DH for a few more spring games before returning to the outfield in advance of Opening Day.

Baddoo sustained a left quadriceps strain during Monday's Cactus League game against the Mariners and is set to be further evaluated by the Brewers' team physician Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Baddoo suffered the injury while running to first base following an at-bat Monday. The upcoming re-evaluation should provide insight into a potential recovery timeline for Baddoo, who is competing for a backup outfield spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a strong spring thus far, going 6-for-20 with two extra-base hits, two stolen bases and a 2:7 BB:K over seven games.

Fitzgerald started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 5-4 Cactus League win over the Guardians, and he's competing for a utility role ahead of Opening Day, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

While Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss appear more likely to begin the 2026 campaign in utility roles, Fitzgerald remains an option for San Francisco. However, the 28-year-old hasn't made a strong case for himself at the plate this spring, slashing .154/.154/.385 with six RBI, three doubles and two runs scored across 26 plate appearances in 13 games. Fitzgerald opened the 2025 campaign as the club's starting second baseman but had a down season and spent significant time with Triple-A Sacramento, where he could begin this season.

Carroll (hand) will make his Cactus League debut as the Diamondbacks' designated hitter in Wednesday's game versus the Athletics, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Carroll is less than a month removed from surgery to remove a fractured right hamate bone, but he was cleared to resume swinging a bat by early March and has continued to ramp up his hitting progression without issue. The 25-year-old is being eased back in at DH but should be ready to play the outfield soon. Carroll is on track to be available for Opening Day.