MLB Player News

Smith-Shawver is expected to begin the season in the Atlanta rotation, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

With Ian Anderson traded to the Angels on Sunday and Bryce Elder optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, Smith-Shawver is the last man standing in camp for the fifth starter job. The 22-year-old right-hander earned the assignment by posting a 20:5 K:BB through 16 Grapefruit League innings, and that strikeout potential gives him significant fantasy upside with a potent Atlanta offense at his back. Smith-Shawver will need to out-perform Grant Holmes to stay in the rotation once Spencer Strider (elbow) is cleared for his 2025 debut, however.

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.

Wells (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list Sunday.

Wells is still working his way back from right elbow surgery that he underwent in June, and he'll now be sidelined for at least the first two months of the 2025 campaign. The move to the 60-day IL opened a spot on the 26-man roster, which was filled by right-hander Matt Bowman, who had his contract selected Sunday.

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.

The Red Sox optioned Priester to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The right-hander was competing for a place in Boston's season-opening rotation, but his move to the minors leaves Sean Newcomb and Cooper Criswell in competition for that job. Priester combined for a 4.71 ERA in 11 appearances between the Red Sox and Pirates last season, and he'll likely be back up with the big club at some point in 2025.

The Royals granted Stripling's request to be released Sunday.

The right-hander signed a minor-league contract a month ago but surrendered 14 earned runs over eight innings during spring training. Stripling had a 6.01 ERA in 22 appearances with the A's last year and will likely have to settle for another minor-league deal elsewhere.