MLB Player News

Manager Kevin Cash announced Sunday that Pepiot will start Friday's season opener against the Rockies, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Shane McClanahan had previously been named Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter, but a triceps injury will put him on the injured list to begin the season. Pepiot is coming off his first full season as an MLB starter, and he pitched well in 26 starts with a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB over 130 innings.

Buehler isn't starting Sunday's spring game against Minnesota due to an illness, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Buehler was slated to make one final appearance this spring, but Cooper Criswell has been slotted in to start against the Twins instead. Buehler is slated to pitch on the back fields at Boston's spring training site Monday, so the veteran hurler doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious illness. The right-hander is expected to take his first turn through the rotation Saturday, March 29 against Texas.

Campbell started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

Campbell started at second base for second straight day, which at this stage of spring training is a positive sign he'll open the season as the team's primary second baseman. In addition to swatting his first Grapefruit League home run, Campbell showed off his glove with a diving stop to snare a liner in the first inning. Another hint that he's won the job is that he'll join the club on its trip to Monterrey, Mexico, for exhibition games Monday and Tuesday, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. Campbell's spring training batting line (.174/.304/.587) doesn't inspire confidence, but those numbers didn't factor much into the decision. Boston manager Alex Cora noted Campbell had been late on fastballs all spring but has shown recent improvement in that area.

GM Mike Elias announced Sunday that Suarez will begin the season working out of the bullpen, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cade Povich won the battle to be Baltimore's No. 5 starter, so Suarez will open the campaign in relief. The right-hander should again work as a swingman in 2025 but may have a difficult time replicating the 24 regular-season starts he made last season. Suarez made eight relief appearances in addition to those starts and finished the regular season with a 3.70 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 108:43 K:BB across 133.2 innings.

Houck allowed 10 runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rays.

Houck's final Grapefruit League outing finishes off what has been a rough spring training for Boston's No. 2 starter. He'll leave Florida with an 11.20 ERA, 29 hits allowed, five walks and seven strikeouts over 13.2 innings. The one positive note coming out of Saturday is that he threw 85 pitches and is ready to start the second game of the season Friday against the Rangers.

GM Mike Elias announced Sunday that Povich will begin the season as Baltimore's No. 5 starter, and the left-hander will make his season debut in the home opener against Boston on March 31, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 24-year-old earned the final rotation spot over Albert Suarez, who was the early favorite for the job after Grayson Rodriguez was shut down with elbow inflammation. Povich had a 5.20 ERA in 16 regular-season starts as a rookie last year, but he had a strong showing during spring training with a 3.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 14.2 innings. However, the Orioles signed veteran starter Kyle Gibson on Friday, so Povich may need a strong start to the campaign to retain the rotation spot.

The Astros have informed Singleton that he isn't going to be on the major-league roster to begin the season, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Singleton struggled at the plate this spring, slashing .171/.239/.195 with no homers and 10 strikeouts over 46 at-bats. He had been in the running to back up Christian Walker at first base. With Singleton not slated to make the club, the door could be open for Zach Dezenzo to land an Opening Day roster spot.

GM Mike Elias announced Sunday that Henderson (side) will start the regular season on the injured list but hopes the absence will be measured in "days, not weeks," Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The news isn't exactly a surprise since Henderson hasn't seen game action since suffering the intercostal strain in late February, but his recent rehab progression gave him an outside chance of being ready for Opening Day. The 24-year-old took live batting practice Saturday and could be cleared to play in exhibition games in the near future, so there's optimism his absence to begin the season will be brief.

Moore has decided not to opt out of his contract and will begin the campaign at Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

As a veteran on a minor-league contract with over six years of service time, Moore had the option to opt out of his deal and look for an opportunity elsewhere. However, the lefty reliever appears set to accept a spot on Boston's Triple-A roster to begin the 2025 campaign. Moore suffered a forearm injury last August that ended a rough campaign with the Angels during which he posted a 5.03 ERA and 1.34 WHIP over 48.1 innings. Moore didn't allow an earned run and posted a 2:2 K:BB over three innings this spring, and he'll be an option for a call-up when the Red Sox need reinforcements in their bullpen.

Lee said Sunday that he will start the regular season on the 10-day injured list due to lower-back tightness, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

The 24-year-old has been sidelined by the injury the past few days and won't be recovered in time for Thursday's season opener. Lee was expected to have a regular role at third base with Royce Lewis managing a hamstring strain, but now both players will begin the season on the shelf. Willi Castro and Jose Miranda are the likeliest candidates to see action at the hot corner.