MLB Player News

Miranda could be primed to see the bulk of the starts at third base for the Twins to begin the season with both Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back) headed for the injured list, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

After Lewis suffered a moderate hamstring strain March 16, Miranda already appeared in good shape to see near-everyday at-bats while seeing reps at third base, first base and designated hitter, but the back injury Lee sustained last week only further increases the need for Miranda to fill in at the hot corner. The Twins also have super-utility man Willi Castro on hand to play third, but the injury to Lee as well as Edouard Julien's defensive deficiencies likely make Castro in greater need at second base. After Lewis got injured Opening Day of last season, Miranda stepped in as his primary replacement and posted an .852 OPS over his first 90 games with the Twins, but he struggled down the stretch while also managing a back injury and finished with a .284/.322/.441 slash line in 429 plate appearances. If Miranda can recapture the form he displayed in the first half of the 2024 campaign, he should be in good shape to hold down a regular spot in the lineup at DH or first base once Lewis and Lee are back to full health.

Gasper said that he's fine after suffering a left ankle laceration in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, and noted Monday that he has been told he made the Twins' Opening Day roster, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Gasper received six stitches to seal the cut, which he suffered when he was spiked by teammate Brandon Winokur while attempting to field a groundball. The laceration is not expected to hinder him moving forward, and Gasper has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after slashing .289/.404/.395 this spring. The switch hitter is capable of handling first base, second base and catcher.

Yarbrough agreed to a one-year contract with the Yankees on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Yarbrough was released by the Blue Jays on Sunday after opting out of his minor-league contract and he has quickly landed on his feet with another American League East club. The left-hander will provide protection in long relief with the Yankees while Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco hold down spots at the back end of the rotation.

The Rays reassigned Westbrook to minor-league camp Sunday.

The 29-year-old saw his first big-league action in 2024 with the Red Sox, but after producing a lowly .584 OPS over his 47 plate appearances, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in August. Westbrook became a free agent in the offseason and joined the Rays on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to big-league camp, but he faced long odds to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. He'll likely report to Triple-A Durham to begin the season and should serve in a utility role.

The Rays reassigned Seabold to minor-league camp Sunday.

Seabold previously made 19 starts at the big-league level between stops with the Red Sox and Rockies from 2021 through 2023, but he fell short in his bid for a spot in the Rays' Opening Day rotation. The 29-year-old right-hander will head to Triple-A Durham to begin the campaign, but after excelling in the Korea Baseball Organization with the Samsung Lions last season and acquitting himself well in Grapefruit League play this spring (4.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, .171 batting average against in 11 innings), Seabold could be in the mix for starts with the Rays later on in 2025.

The Rays reassigned Montes to minor-league camp Sunday.

Montes joined the Rays on a minor-league deal in December and was given a chance to compete for a utility role on the Opening Day roster, but despite turning in an .800 OPS in Grapefruit League play, he wasn't able to secure a spot with the big club. The 28-year-old will head to Triple-A Durham and will look to impress with the hope of earning his first promotion to the majors since 2023, when he appeared in 18 games with the Rockies.

The Rays reassigned Jimenez to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

The transaction was fully expected after manager Kevin Cash said Friday that the 28-year-old outfielder/designated hitter wouldn't be included on the Opening Day roster. Jimenez is slated to open the season at Triple-A Durham, but he'll have the ability to opt out of his contract on May 1 and June 1 if a promotion to the big leagues isn't imminent or if he wants to explore his options on the open market.

The Rays reassigned Barrera to minor-league camp Sunday.

Barrera was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, but he never stood much of a chance to win an Opening Day roster spot so long as both Danny Jansen (ribs) and Ben Rortvedt were ready to go for the start of the season. The 30-year-old will likely head to Triple-A Durham and provide depth behind the plate.

Brennan may not make the Guardians' Opening Day roster after the team acquired Nolan Jones from Colorado via a trade Saturday, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brennan appeared headed for a platoon role in right field with Jhonkensy Noel -- and was informed he'd made the team earlier last week by manager Stephen Vogt -- but Saturday's acquisition of the left-handed hitting Jones throws Brennan's roster status up in the air. "No final decisions have been made," Vogt said. "We just have to work through some things over the next few days. This was unforeseen." That Jones is out of options and can't be sent to the minors while Brennan has options indicates the latter may open the regular season at Triple-A Columbus.

Blewett was told Saturday he won't make Minnesota's major league roster, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Blewett was attending camp as a non-roster invitee, so unless he's released or his minor-league deal contains an opt-out clause that allows him to enter free agency, he'll likely begin the season at Triple-A St. Paul and add bullpen depth. The 28-year-old made 12 appearances out of the Minnesota bullpen in 2024, logging a 1.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 18:8 K:BB in 20.1 innings.