MLB Player News
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Pavin Smith RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Taking seat Monday
Smith is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Tigers.
Smith had started each of the previous two games after overcoming a sore elbow, but he'll begin Monday's festivities on the bench. Ildemaro Vargas will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth for the Diamondbacks.
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Matt Shaw SS | CHC
Cubs' Matt Shaw: Sits in favor of Conforto
Shaw is not in the lineup for Monday's contest against the Angels.
Shaw started each of the first two games of the season in right field, but he's been on the bench in favor of Michael Conforto for the last two tilts. All four contests have been versus right-handed pitching, and the two players could continue to share right field until Seiya Suzuki (knee) returns.
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Sean Murphy C | ATL
Braves' Sean Murphy: Could play in rehab games this week
Murphy (hip) could begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome later this week, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports.
Murphy has rejoined Atlanta to continue rehabbing from hip surgery. He will work out with the big club early this week before participating in a simulated game with Rome on Wednesday. Murphy has not played in a game setting in nearly seven months, so he will need more than just a few rehab contests before being activated from the 10-day injured list. The 31-year-old could be ready for his season debut around the beginning of May.
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Spencer Strider SP | ATL
Braves' Spencer Strider: No timetable for rehab start
Strider (oblique) will travel with Atlanta on its road trip, but he remains without a timetable to begin a rehab assignment, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Strider is expected to throw a live batting practice session at some point during the team's road trip that runs from April 2 through 8, and Atlanta will have a better idea at that point when the right-hander will be ready to pitch in a game. The right-hander is eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list April 6, and while he won't be ready to return by that date, it might not be much later than that.
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Cooper Pratt SS | MIL
Brewers' Cooper Pratt: Finalizing contract extension
The Brewers are close to signing Pratt to an eight-year contract extension worth more than $50 million, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
The deal will also include two option years, locking Pratt up for as long as 10 years. Pratt began this season at Triple-A Nashville after slashing .238/.343/.348 with eight home runs, 31 stolen bases and a 67:80 BB:K over 120 games at Double-A Biloxi in 2025. The Brewers love Pratt's defense at shortstop, and they think there is untapped offensive potential. Pratt will continue his development at Triple-A indefinitely, but this move will allow the Brewers to call Pratt up to the majors if he earns a look this summer.
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Tyler Fitzgerald CF | SF
Giants' Tyler Fitzgerald: DFA'd by San Francisco
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.
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Luis Matos CF | MIL
Brewers' Luis Matos: Traded to Milwaukee
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.