MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash announced Sunday that Pepiot will start Friday's season opener against the Rockies, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Shane McClanahan had previously been named Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter, but a triceps injury will put him on the injured list to begin the season. Pepiot is coming off his first full season as an MLB starter, and he pitched well in 26 starts with a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB over 130 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.

The Red Sox have released Ottavino after he triggered his opt-out clause, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Ottavino was informed Saturday that he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster, and he subsequently opted out of his minor-league deal. The righty reliever struggled somewhat with a 4.24 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 56 regular-season innings with the Mets last year, but he did manage to pick up 15 holds and a save while posting an 11.2 K/9, so it seems likely that he'll get a look from another organization in need of a veteran bullpen arm.

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.

Moore has decided not to opt out of his contract and will begin the campaign at Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

As a veteran on a minor-league contract with over six years of service time, Moore had the option to opt out of his deal and look for an opportunity elsewhere. However, the lefty reliever appears set to accept a spot on Boston's Triple-A roster to begin the 2025 campaign. Moore suffered a forearm injury last August that ended a rough campaign with the Angels during which he posted a 5.03 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 48.1 innings. Moore didn't allow an earned run and posted a 2:2 K:BB over three innings this spring, and he'll be an option for a call-up when the Red Sox need reinforcements in their bullpen.

Diaz had command issues in an outing against White Sox minor leaguers Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. In a subsequent report from Wittenmyer, Reds manager Terry Francona was not ready to endorse Diaz as the Reds' closer.

"I think we still have some work to do," Francona said. "We want to make sure he's got his legs under him, with his delivery and everything. We know what he can do. We just want to make sure he's ready to do it." Diaz pitched a scoreless inning Friday but only 10 of 20 pitches were deemed strikes. He hadn't pitched a clean inning all spring before a poor outing March 15 prompted he and pitching coach Derek Johnson to work on his delivery. Wittenmyer named Graham Ashcraft as a potential candidate to replace Diaz in the ninth inning. Francona expects Diaz to throw one more inning Sunday in the team's final Cactus League game before camp breaks.

Chavez agreed to a minor-league contract with Atlanta on Sunday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

The 41-year-old was released by Texas on Friday, and it didn't take long for him to rejoin Atlanta. Chavez has now signed four one-year contracts with the club since 2021 and posted a 2.91 ERA in 172 appearances during that span. He could be included on the Opening Day roster if he showcases himself well in the next couple days, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Bednar has thrown two scoreless innings with a 3:0 K:BB across his last two Grapefruit League outings.

The Pirates still haven't named a closer and Bednar had a pair of rocky outings -- one heavily influenced by poor defense -- in mid-March. However, he's managed to get on the right track as the regular season nears by not allowing a baserunner in his last two appearances.

Hernandez will not make the Kansas City bullpen and is set to be put on outright waivers, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

He's out of minor-league options and is likely to be claimed by another team. While he had a 6.97 ERA this spring with a 8:5 K:BB ratio in 10.1 innings, another team may take a chance on his near 100-mph fastball.

Marsh (shoulder) is expected to begin the season on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Marsh experienced tightness in his right shoulder during his offseason throwing program and has been eased back into action this spring. He recently threw in a minor league game, so he is making progress. However, there's no clear timetable for his return.