MLB Player News

The Pirates informed Borucki on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Borucki is in camp on a minor-league contract but pitched his way onto the team by holding a 1.04 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 8.2 Grapefruit League innings. He'll give manager Derek Shelton another lefty option in the bullpen.

Nicolas was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Nicolas impressed this spring, surrendering two runs (one earned) on seven hits and eight walks while striking out eight batters over nine innings in eight appearances with the Pirates. The right-hander produced a 3.95 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 55 punchouts over 54.2 innings in 51 games with Pittsburgh in 2024, and he will likely not have to wait long to join the major-league roster this season.

Cronin is managing left hip discomfort and won't be included on Miami's Opening Day roster, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander surrendered nine runs in 5.2 innings during spring training before Miami backed off his throwing program due to the hip issue. Cronin made 56 appearances for the Marlins last year and had a 4.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB over 70.1 innings. It's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined by the hip issue.

Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hjelle will open the 2025 campaign at Triple-A after compiling a 6.75 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 12.0 innings in seven appearances with the Giants this spring. The right-hander appeared in 58 games with San Francisco in 2024, producing a 3.90 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 75 strikeouts over 80.2 frames, and he'll likely join the major-league roster relatively soon.

The Phillies claimed Hernandez off waivers from the Royals on Sunday.

The right-hander was put on outright waivers after missing out on Kansas City's Opening Day bullpen Saturday, and it didn't take long for him to be scooped up by another team. Hernandez had a 3.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB over 30 innings during the regular season last year, but he struggled in spring training with eight runs allowed and an 8:5 K:BB over 10.1 innings.

Barlow, who has pitched to a 4.50 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 7:0 K:BB over eight innings this spring, could be an option to close games after Alexis Diaz (hamstring) was ruled out for the start of the 2025 season. "I don't think it's necessary that we name a closer," manager Terry Francona told Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday.

Francona said he hadn't "given it a ton of thought yet" and didn't seem in a hurry to settle on one arm in the ninth inning, saying, "We'll just see how we get there, and we'll do it the best way we can." Barlow has racked up 58 career saves to date, including a career-high 24 saves in 2022, but Taylor Rogers and Emilio Pagan also have past closing experience. Graham Ashcraft is also moving to the bullpen and has expressed to the club a desire to work toward the closer role. The club still wants Diaz "to be that guy," Francona said, but a strong performance by someone else in the meantime could change the equation.

Diaz was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation Sunday and will begin the season on the injured list, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The right-hander had struggles with his command throughout spring training with five walks and two hit batters in four appearances, and he'll now be unavailable due to the hamstring issue. It's unclear how long Diaz is expected to be sidelined, with Scott Barlow, Taylor Rogers and Graham Ashcraft the likely candidates to fill in at closer for the Reds.

The Cardinals will place Thompson (lat) on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Thompson is dealing with a Grade 1 lat strain and is in the midst of a 3-to-4 week shutdown from throwing. He had been competing for a roster spot prior to suffering the injury, but it seems likely he'll be sent to Triple-A when he's healthy enough to take the mound again. Thompson had a rough go during five appearances in the majors last season, posting a 9.53 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 17 innings.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Mercado had a rough spring, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The 25-year-old also struggled during his first look at the majors last year, posting an 11.08 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across 13 regular-season frames. Mercado put up solid numbers with Lehigh Valley last year, and he could get another call-up at some point in 2025 if he continues to show development in the minors.

Nunez has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Nunez emerged as a key part of New York's bullpen as a rookie last year, posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB while racking up nine holds and a save over 25 regular-season appearances spanning 35 innings. He allowed two runs over two innings with a 3:0 K:B this spring, but the Mets have decided to have Nunez begin the campaign in the minors. The right-hander didn't pitch in a spring game until March 17 as he continued to recover from a flexor strain that ended his season in July of last year. It's likely that Nunez will be back up with the big club after having more time to ramp up in the minors.