MLB Player News

Through three Cactus League appearances, Alcantara is just 1-for-10 with five strikeouts.

Alcantara is competing for a spot on Chicago's Opening Day roster in camp, but he hasn't done much to make a mark yet. The 23-year-old has appeared in only 13 games at the MLB level the last two years compared to 137 games for Triple-A Iowa, and he could once again be ticketed for a trip to the minors with an option still in hand. Alcantara remains a talented prospect, and he seems likely to push for a role with the Cubs at some point in 2026, even if it doesn't happen right out of the gates.

The Pirates acquired Callihan from the Reds in exchange for Kyle Nicolas on Wednesday.

Callihan made his MLB debut last season with Cincinnati, seeing action across four games. The 25-year-old utilityman recorded a single, an RBI and one strikeout across six plate appearances. Callihan will compete for a depth role in Pittsburgh after he showed impressive bat-to-ball skills at the Triple-A level in 2025, slashing .303/.410/.528 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 19 runs scored, six stolen bases and a 16:29 BB:K across 106 trips to the plate.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Wednesday that Carroll (hand) has progressed from taking swings off a tee and against soft-toss pitching to taking more traditional batting-practice swings, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Carroll isn't yet taking part in live BP, though he appears to be on the cusp of making that step in the coming days while his surgically repaired right hand has responded well to lighter swings. Though the two-time All-Star won't be available to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and isn't expected to return to the Diamondbacks' Cactus League lineup anytime soon, he still has a realistic chance at being fully cleared for Arizona's March 26 season opener versus the Dodgers.

The Nationals announced Wednesday that Young hasn't been cleared for hitting while he tends to a right wrist contusion, Jessica Camerato of MLB.com reports.

Young has been managing the wrist issue since being hit by a pitch during batting practice Feb. 18, but he appeared to have moved past the injury after he made his Grapefruit League debut last Friday against the Astros. However, Young hasn't been included in any of the Nationals' spring lineups since then, with the bruised wrist apparently still presenting some complications. The Nationals are seemingly hopeful that Young will be ready to resume hitting after a few more days of rest, but any further setbacks or plateauing in the recovery process could put his availability in jeopardy for Opening Day.

Crews (thumb) will start in center field and bat sixth in Wednesday's exhibition versus Team Venezuela.

Crews injured his left thumb during live batting practice Saturday, but after three days off to let the bruised digit heal, he's made enough progress to rejoin the Nationals' spring lineup. Through his first four Grapefruit League games, the 24-year-old has gone 1-for-9 with a 1:3 BB:K, two runs and one RBI.

Rojas failed a drug test for performance-enhancing drugs and is appealing his 80-game suspension, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Barring a surprise during the appeals process, Rojas is poised to sit out the first half of 2026 due to the positive drug test. The 25-year-old appeared in 71 regular-season games for the Phillies last season and had a .569 OPS. Even if the appeal goes his way, Rojas is not guaranteed to make Philadelphia's Opening Day roster.

Nootbaar (heels) remains without a timetable for his Grapefruit League debut, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar is expected to begin the season on the 10-day injured list as he continues his recovery from offseason surgery on both heels. He's going through baseball activities and will continue to ramp things up as his health allows, but there's no target date for his participation in games. A clearer picture regarding Nootbaar's timetable should be available later this month.

Yelich will be in the lineup for Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran slugger will see his first game action of spring training after the Brewers ramped him up slowly at the start of camp. Yelich totaled 29 home runs, 16 steals, 103 RBI and 88 runs with a .264/.343/.452 slash line in 150 regular-season games last season and will be the linchpin of Milwaukee's lineup again in 2026.

Tucker has left Dodgers camp in order to be with his wife, who is expecting a child, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Tucker will get a few days away from the club in order to tend to more important matters. It will not affect his preparation for Opening Day. Tucker is 1-for-7 with a 4:1 BB:K in his first four Cactus League games this spring.

Profar will be suspended 162 games by Major League Baseball after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

It was announced March 31 of last year that Profar was suspended 80 games for a positive PED test, and now he is set to miss an entire season for a second failed test. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the MLBPA plans to challenge the suspension by filing a grievance, though it's highly unlikely it would be overturned. Profar -- who is in the second year of a three-year, $42 million contract -- had been set to serve as Atlanta's primary designated hitter this season. The club could mix and match in that slot now, at least until Sean Murphy (hip) returns, or it could seek help from outside the organization.