MLB Player News

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.

The White Sox claimed Vasil off waivers from the Rays on Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vasil was selected by the Phillies during the Rule 5 Draft this winter, but he was quickly traded to the Rays. Tampa Bay elected not to keep him, however, and Chicago then put in a waiver claim. Vasil, who had a 6.04 ERA over 134 innings at the Triple-A level in 2024, will need to spend the full season in the majors with the White Sox, or he'll have to be offered back to the Mets.

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.

The Angels acquired Anderson from Atlanta on Sunday in exchange for lefty Jose Suarez, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Anderson had a 2.65 ERA over 17 innings during spring training, but his command was all over the place with 18 walks. The right-hander is out of minor-league options, and Atlanta's decision to trade him is a clear indication he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster. Anderson should have a better chance of sticking in the majors with Los Angeles.

Manager Aaron Boone announced Sunday that Warren made the season-opening rotation and will make his first start April 1 versus Arizona, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

The right-hander entered camp with an outside shot to earn a place in the Opening Day rotation, but long-term injuries to Luis Gil (lat) and Gerrit Cole (elbow) blew that door wide open. Warren had a good showing during spring training with a 4.19 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 19:5 K:BB over 19.1 innings, though he did serve up three homers. Clarke Schmidt will begin the season on the IL due to a shoulder issue but may not be sidelined long, so Warren may need a strong start to the campaign in order to retain his rotation spot.

McClanahan was diagnosed with an inflamed nerve in his left triceps and will begin the season on the injured list, with manager Kevin Cash saying the diagnosis was "probably the best news that we could have heard," Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The left-hander doesn't have an official timeline for his return as he begins a period of rest and recovery, but the initial diagnosis in encouraging after he exited Saturday's Grapefruit League game with the injury. A timetable for McClanahan's season debut could come into focus once he resumes a throwing program, but it appears he won't require as significant an absence as first anticipated.

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.

Burnes is scheduled to make his first start of the regular season April 1 against the Yankees, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

It was only a mild surprise that Zac Gallen was named the Diamondbacks' Opening Day starter for Thursday's matchup with the Cubs, but the fact that Burnes won't start until the fifth game of the season is significantly more notable. The right-hander inked a six-year, $210 million contract with Arizona in November, but the organization apparently wants to give him a few extra days after the end of camp before sending him to the mound for his team debut. Burnes was dominant in his first five spring starts before being tagged for eight runs Friday versus the Brewers while having trouble with his cutter, though there's been no indication that outing is related to his positioning in the rotation.