MLB Player News

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Sunday that Liberatore will receive "a long runway to figure out what he can do" in the rotation, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals will operate with a modified six-man rotation at the beginning of the season, with Liberatore part of it and Steven Matz pitching in relief for now before making a start on April 16. Michael McGreevy nearly won a rotation spot and looms at Triple-A Memphis, but it sounds as if Liberatore will be given a long leash in the rotation. The left-hander has a career 3.89 ERA as a reliever versus a 5.86 ERA as a starter.

Burnes was slotted fifth in the rotation because the right-hander wanted to remain on a five-day pitching schedule, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Eyebrows may have been raised when the Diamondbacks announced Burnes, a prized offseason addition, was going to start the fifth game of the season. That's because manager Torey Lovullo didn't decide on Zac Gallen to start Opening Day until later in camp, and Burnes wanted to maintain a five-day routine. Burnes last pitched in a Cactus League game Friday, so if the right-hander started the second game of the regular season, he would be doing so on one week's rest. Instead, Burnes will throw a simulated game on Wednesday before making his regular-season debut the following Tuesday.

Snell has been officially named as the Dodgers' starter for Thursday's home opener against the Tigers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Snell will draw his first start as a Dodger when the team resumes its regular season against the Tigers after winning both of its matchups in Japan against the Cubs on March 18 and 19. The left-hander produced a 3.12 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 145 strikeouts over 104 innings in 20 starts with the Giants in 2024, and he'll look to keep it up with Los Angeles in 2025.

Blackburn is expected to start the season working as a reliever, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets dealt with some injuries to their starting rotation during spring training, but Blackburn was unable to take advantage of the opportunity with eight earned runs allowed and a 9:6 K:BB over 12.2 frames in the Grapefruit League. Blackburn could still make some starts at some point this summer, but it doesn't seem like he'll be a consistent rotation piece for New York.

The Phillies designated Phillips for assignment Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander allowed nine runs with a 14:7 K:BB over 10.2 innings during spring training, so Philadelphia elected to DFA him in favor of waiver-claim Carlos Hernandez. Phillips threw a complete game shutout last year but overall struggled in the majors, finishing the regular season with a 6.87 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 36.2 frames.

Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Elder will open the regular season at Triple-A after posting a 4.97 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 12.2 innings in five appearances, including one start, with Atlanta during the spring. Elder has combined to pitch in 224.1 innings over the last two seasons with Atlanta, and he'll likely make his return to the major-league roster in the not-too-distant future.

Suarez was acquired by Atlanta from the Angels on Sunday in exchange for right-hander Ian Anderson, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Suarez made 99 appearances for the Angels since making his MLB debut in 2019, but he'll now continue his career in Atlanta. The left-hander started in three of his 22 outings last year and had a 6.02 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 56:27 K:BB over 52.1 innings. He'll likely fill a long-relief role with his new team, assuming he even sticks on the big-league roster.

Nelson will begin the season working out of the bullpen, as Brandon Pfaadt was named Arizona's No. 5 starter Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Nelson surrendered 10 earned runs across 11 innings during spring training, though nine of those runs were given up in a single appearance. The 27-year-old started in 25 of his 28 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season and had a 4.24 ERA and 126:34 K:BB over 150.2 innings.

Montgomery will begin the season as a reliever after Brandon Pfaadt was named Arizona's No. 5 starter Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Montgomery made just two Cactus League appearances and surrendered five runs over three innings, so it's hardly a surprise Pfaadt won the job battle. The Diamondbacks are likely still looking to trade Montgomery, but his 6.23 ERA over 117 innings last year and $22.5 million salary leave limited suitors.

Pfaadt will begin the season in the Diamondbacks' rotation and is scheduled to start Saturday against the Cubs, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

The right-hander will slot in for Arizona's third game of the season after producing a 3.18 ERA over 11.1 innings during spring training. Pfaadt had a 4.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 185:42 K:BB in 32 starts for the Diamondbacks last season, though a 3.60 FIP provides a more encouraging outlook on his performance.