Two of the more notable young players acquired by rebuilding teams were optioned to the Minors on March 18. Richard Fitts, part of the Sonny Gray trade, was shipped to the Minors, as was now-Nationals catching prospect Harry Ford.
Cardinals option one
Pitcher Richard Fitts was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on March 18, a move that brought the Cardinals’ spring roster down to 35.
Fitts struck out nine (28.2% Whiff%) over 9.1 IP across three spring outings. The right-hander walked three and conceded nine hits.
The right-hander was acquired via trade from the Red Sox this offseason.
Ford optioned
The Nationals optioned catcher Harry Ford to Triple-A Rochester.
Ford, acquired from the Mariners over the winter, has had a complicated spring. The young catcher slashed .214/.353/.286 over seven Grapefruit League games. He spent most of March with Team Great Britain during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
As we noted earlier in the month, Ford hit a home run with Britain but also sported a swing-and-miss rate just shy of 40%.
Dodgers select Espinal
The Dodgers officially selected the contract of infielder Santiago Espinal from Oklahoma City.
Espinal, a former AL All-Star who was on a Minor League deal with the Dodgers, has hit very well in Cactus League action for the team. The veteran infielder slashed .389/.432/.639 with two home runs and five extra-base hits over 15 games.
In other Dodgers-related news, the team signed Team Canada pitcher Logan Allen to a Minor League deal (h/t Sportsnet (CA))
Other news
Per multiple reports, the Red Sox signed reliever Tommy Kahnle to a Minor League deal.
Catcher Jesus Rodriguez and pitcher Carson Whisenhunt were optioned to Triple-A by the Giants.
Kansas City optioned pitcher Mitch Spence to Triple-A Omaha.
Cincinnati optioned reliever Luis Mey to Triple-A Louisville.
Jose Espada (Orioles) and Brandon Valenzuela (Blue Jays) were sent to Triple-A by their respective teams.
The Yankees reassigned pitchers Harrison Cohen and Carson Coleman to Minor League camp.
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