MLB Player News

The Giants designated Fitzgerald for assignment Monday.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of trade acquisition Dylan Smith. Fitzgerald flashed upside with the Giants in 2024 with a .831 OPS in 96 games, but he stumbled to a .606 OPS last season while spending a large chunk of the year in the minors. Fitzgerald has some pop and speed, so there could be interest in him via waivers, but a 30.4 percent strikeout rate in the majors is a concern.

The Brewers acquired Matos from the Giants on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Matos had been designated for assignment by the Giants last week and will now join a Brewers team that was in the need for some position player depth as they navigate injuries. The 24-year-old Matos is a former top prospect but has managed just a .231/.281/.369 batting line in 593 career plate appearances at the big-league level. He is out of minor-league options, so Matos will go directly onto the major-league roster.

The Giants acquired Smith from the Tigers on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Smith had been removed from the Tigers' 40-man roster last week and is now on the move to a new organization. The 25-year-old reliever has minor-league options and has been assigned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Realmuto is not in the lineup for Monday's tilt against the Nationals.

Realmuto will receive a day of rest after starting all three games during the weekend set against the Rangers. Rafael Marchan will do the catching and bat ninth in Monday's series opener.

Nunez is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest in Philadelphia.

Nunez started all three games against the Cubs in the Nationals' first series of the season, but he'll begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Jorbit Vivas is handling second base and batting eighth for Washington.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Monday's game in Philadelphia.

Ruiz and Drew Millas have split starts at catcher in the early going, as Millas will get the call in Monday's series opener. Both of the switch-hitting Ruiz's starts have come against left-handed pitching, though that seems more like happenstance than a trend that will continue.

Young is absent from the lineup for Monday's contest against the Phillies.

It looks to be a routine day off for Young, who had started in center field in each of the Nationals' first three games of the season. The red-hot Joey Wiemer will handle center field and bat ninth for the Nats on Monday.

Lodolo (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with Single-A Daytona on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

As long as things go well in Thursday's outing, Lodolo will be set to make his season debut for the Reds next week in Miami. The left-hander is working his way back from a blister on his left index finger but was cleared for game action after throwing a successful bullpen session Sunday. When Lodolo is ready to rejoin the rotation, Brandon Williamson could be sent to Triple-A Louisville or the bullpen.

Fermin is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Giants.

Fermin and Luis Campusano have alternated starts at catcher in the first four games of the season for the Padres. It will be Campusano catching and batting ninth in Monday's series opener.

Castellanos will start at designated hitter and bat eighth in Monday's contest versus the Giants.

After yielding to Miguel Andujar at DH against lefties in the first two games of the season, Castellanos is now making a second straight start versus a righty. While Castellanos seems to have the early edge over Andujar in terms of playing time against right-handed pitching, there probably isn't a cemented hierarchy just yet. Gavin Sheets and Ty France are also vying for playing time in a crowded first base/DH situation for San Diego.