MLB Player News

The Red Sox informed Mata on Monday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

After spending the entire 2024 season on Boston's injured list due to hamstring, lat, shoulder and elbow injuries, Mata was non-tendered in November before re-signing with the Red Sox on a minor-league deal. Though he's seemingly emerged from spring training healthy, Mata didn't make much of a run for a spot in the big-league bullpen after giving up six earned runs on 10 hits and two walks over 4.2 innings across his four Grapefruit League appearances. He'll head to Triple-A Worcester to begin the season.

Barriera (elbow) is targeting a return to game action by late May or early June, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

A first-round pick in 2022, Barriera underwent a hybrid Tommy John/internal brace procedure on his elbow in April 2024, and arm issues have limited him to just 23.2 innings since he made his pro debut. The 21-year-old southpaw was touching 97 mph with his fastball prior to last year's surgery however, and if he can stay healthy he's still young enough to begin re-establishing his status as a prospect. Barriera's multiple rehabs have also had the side benefit of re-shaping his body. "This is about as good physically as he's looked since we've had him," Blue Jays director of player development Joe Sclafani said toward the end of spring training. "Obviously, he got bigger and then tapered it back. Physically, he's in a really good spot. Mentally, he's in a really good spot. He's trending in a really good direction. We're excited."

Yarbrough agreed to a one-year contract with the Yankees on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Yarbrough was released by the Blue Jays on Sunday after opting out of his minor-league contract and he has quickly landed on his feet with another American League East club. The left-hander will provide protection in long relief with the Yankees while Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco hold down spots at the back end of the rotation.

The Rays reassigned Seabold to minor-league camp Sunday.

Seabold previously made 19 starts at the big-league level between stops with the Red Sox and Rockies from 2021 through 2023, but he fell short in his bid for a spot in the Rays' Opening Day rotation. The 29-year-old right-hander will head to Triple-A Durham to begin the campaign, but after excelling in the Korea Baseball Organization with the Samsung Lions last season and acquitting himself well in Grapefruit League play this spring (4.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, .171 batting average against in 11 innings), Seabold could be in the mix for starts with the Rays later on in 2025.

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.

Blewett was told Saturday he won't make Minnesota's major league roster, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Blewett was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, so unless he's released or his minor-league deal contains an opt-out clause that allows him to enter free agency, he'll likely begin the season at Triple-A St. Paul and add bullpen depth. The 28-year-old made 12 appearances out of the Minnesota bullpen in 2024, logging a 1.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB in 20.1 innings.

Robertson remains one of the more prominent free agents as Opening Day approaches.

Robertson is still without a home for the 2025 season, although he is coming off of a 2024 campaign in which he compiled a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 99 strikeouts, 35 holds and two saves over 72 innings in 68 appearances with the Rangers. The 39-year-old has been one of the most consistent relievers in baseball throughout his 17-year major-league career, and he'll likely find a landing spot sooner rather than later as Opening Day is less than a week away.

Barnes is expected to be a part of Toronto's Opening Day roster, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Barnes will open the year with Toronto's major-league roster after signing a minor-league deal with the team in February. The right-hander appeared in six games this spring, including one start, surrendering four earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out six batters over 5.1 innings.

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.

The Twins informed Castellano that he won't make the Opening Day roster Sunday, so the club must place him on waivers, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The 23-year-old was plucked from the Phillies during the Rule 5 Draft in December but struggled to a 7.59 ERA and 13:10 K:BB over 10.2 innings during spring training. Castellano will be offered back to Philadelphia if he passes through waivers unclaimed.