MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday that Kelly has made the Opening Day roster, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Kelly allowed two earned runs on four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts across 7.2 innings in his seven appearances during spring training. The righty began the 2024 season well, posting a 1.53 ERA across his first 29.1 innings. However, he had a 6.59 ERA across his next 27.1 innings, which resulted in him being optioned to Triple-A Worcester in September. He will look to use his spring training as jumping point to recapture what he had in the first half of 2024.

The Padres returned Nunez to the Orioles on Tuesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The Padres selected Nunez in the Rule 5 Draft back in December, but he wasn't able to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster after surrendering four runs (two earned) on six hits and six walks across five innings in spring training. He'll now return to the Orioles' farm system, losing his 40-man roster spot in the process. Nunez will likely open the 2025 season at High-A Aberdeen or Double-A Chesapeake.

Walker (oblique) took seven at-bats in a minor-league game Tuesday and is expected to be in the lineup for Thursday's season opener versus the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 33-year-old finished spring training having played in just four Grapefruit League games due to the oblique injury. However, Walker is ramping up his rehab work and is expected to be good to go for Thursday's Opening Day matchup with New York.

Manager Aaron Boone announced Tuesday that Rice will be included on the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Giancarlo Stanton's elbow issues created an opening at designated hitter, and Rice took advantage of the opportunity during spring training with five homers and an .848 OPS in 69 plate appearances. The 26-year-old is likely to see most of his action at designated hitter but could also get looks at first base and catcher.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Tuesday that Dezenzo has made the Opening Day roster, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

With Christian Walker (oblique) expected to be fine for Opening Day and Jose Altuve and Cam Smith claiming the corner outfield jobs, Dezenzo wouldn't appear to be in line for regular time. His bat has potential, however, making him worth keeping an eye on should circumstances push him into the lineup.

Johnson has secured a spot on the Angels' Opening Day roster, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Johnson was the 74th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft and will bypass the minor leagues as he slots into the Los Angeles bullpen. The hard-throwing right-hander allowed five runs with a 10:1 K:BB over 11.1 innings during Cactus League play. Johnson will probably be eased into high-leverage situations, but he certainly has the talent to eventually become a late-inning reliever. The last player to make his major-league debut without having appeared in the minors first was Garrett Crochet.

Smith will be included on the Astros' Opening Day roster and is expected to start in right field Thursday against the Mets, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The 22-year-old top prospect still needs to be officially added to the 26-man and 40-man rosters, but that's just a formality at this point. After being acquired from the Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade in December, Smith began taking reps in right field during spring training, and he hit the cover off the ball in Grapefruit League action with four homers and a .342/.419/.711 slash line in 43 plate appearances. The 2024 first-round pick has just 32 minor-league games under his belt, but it appears he'll occupy a prime spot in the lineup for his first taste of the big leagues, as he's batting fifth in Tuesday's exhibition versus Triple-A Sugar Land.

Wesneski (foot) is starting Tuesday's exhibition game against Triple-A Sugar Land.

Wesneski needed X-rays after being struck on the left foot by a comebacker in an appearance in a minor-league game last week, but those tests were negative and he is fine. The right-hander will open the season as the Astros' fifth starter.

Smith is starting in right field and batting fifth in Tuesday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Sugar Land.

Smith started in right field and hit sixth against Sugar Land on Monday, contributing a two-RBI triple. Most of the Astros' regulars were in the lineup for both games, which seems to bode well for Smith's chances of being named the starting right fielder. Chas McCormick is starting in center field Tuesday after entering mid-game to play center field Monday.

Manager Aaron Boone announced Tuesday that Dominguez will be included on the Yankees' Opening Day roster, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

The 22-year-old experienced some defensive struggles in left field during spring training, but there's never been any real question about whether he would make the season-opening roster. Dominguez had a decent showing at the plate in Grapefruit League action with three homers, two steals and a .267/.302/.467 slash line in 63 plate appearances. He posted a .747 OPS in 26 MLB games across the past two seasons but is now poised to receive his first true opportunity as an everyday player at the big-league level.