MLB Player News

Vaquero (elbow) went 1-for-1 with a base hit and a stolen base Saturday in the Nationals' 2-1 win over the Astros in Grapefruit League play.

Vaquero looks to be back to full health after he missed the final few weeks of the 2025 campaign due to a dislocated left elbow. The 21-year-old outfielder is expected to open the 2026 season at Single-A Fredericksburg or High-A Wilmington.

The Rockies announced Monday that Thomas hasn't been participating in spring training while he recovers from offseason surgery to address a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist, TheDNVR.com reports.

The report doesn't provide any specifics regarding when Thomas had his surgery, making it difficult to project when he might be ready for game action. One of the top prospects in the Colorado organization, the 22-year-old outfielder split time between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford in 2025 and slashed .300/.398/.452 with 14 home runs and 33 stolen bases over 533 plate appearances.

Moniak (oblique) will take batting practice Monday and could make his Cactus League debut this week, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Moniak has been slowed early on in Rockies camp by right oblique tightness, but he appears to be on the mend. Oblique issues can be finnicky, but as long as he avoids setbacks, he will have plenty of time to ramp up for Opening Day. The left-handed-hitting Moniak is slated for regular playing time against righties in 2026 after swatting 24 home runs for the Rockies last season.

The Padres outrighted Ornelas to Triple-A El Paso on Monday.

Though he's no longer a member of the 40-man roster, Ornelas will stick around in the Padres organization after clearing waivers and will continue to participate in major-league camp. The 25-year-old outfielder is expected to begin the season as an everyday outfielder at El Paso.

Cook (hand) made a pair of starts in the Pirates' first three Grapefruit League games over the weekend, going a combined 1-for-5 with a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base.

Cook finished the past season on the shelf at Triple-A Indianapolis due to a hand injury, but he looks to be fully healthy for spring training. The 27-year-old will be competing for a reserve spot in the Pirates' Opening Day outfield, but the fact that he has two minor-league options could work against him in his efforts to break camp with the big club.

Barrosa started in left field and went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.

Barrosa is part of the mix to receive starts in the outfield with both Lourdes Gurriel (knee) and Corbin Carroll (hand) unavailable. The timelines of the two injured outfielders vary, with Carroll expected back around Opening Day and Gurriel ahead of an originally estimated June return. Barrosa is joined by Jordan Lawlar, Tim Tawa and prospect Ryan Waldschmidt in the competition for playing time.

Waldschmidt started in center field and went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against the Angels.

Waldschmidt made his second Cactus League appearance after starting in left field in Friday's spring opener. The team's top prospect is a long-shot candidate to earn a roster spot, and those chances grew dimmer with recent news that Lourdes Gurriel (knee) is ahead of schedule in his rehab and Corbin Carroll (hand) is expected back for or near Opening Day.

Conforto agreed to a one-year contract with the Cubs on Monday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com, Conforto will be joining the Cubs on a minor-league deal, which means he won't have any assurances of being part of the Opening Day roster. However, if Conforto is able to impress during spring training and breaks camp with the big club, he could play right field against some right-handed pitchers while Seiya Suzuki slides to designated hitter. Conforto, who turns 33 in March, is coming off the worst season of his career in 2025, when he slashed .199/.305/.333 with 12 home runs in 486 plate appearances with the Dodgers.

Schwarber went 1-for-2 with a solo home run during Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.

After securing a five-year, $150 million contract with the Phillies this offseason, Schwarber wasted no time getting into the homer column during his first appearance of the spring. The All-Star slugger hit second in Philadelphia's lineup Sunday, and his placement in the batting order throughout Grapefruit League play could offer an idea as to how manager Rob Thomson plans to deploy Schwarber in the lineup this year.

Baddoo went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's Cactus League game against the White Sox.

Baddoo drew a walk in the top of the first inning and smashed a solo home run over the fence in center field in the top of the third. This was a strong first showing from the 27-year-old, who signed with Milwaukee in December and is working to secure an Opening Day roster spot.