MLB Player News

The Pirates informed Stewart on Monday that he won't be included on the Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

He had been in the mix for reps at first base while Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is sidelined to begin the season, but Stewart ultimately will not head north with the big club. Stewart has an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract and will likely exercise it, allowing him to become a free agent and pursue options elsewhere.

The Pirates informed Borucki on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Borucki is in camp on a minor-league contract but pitched his way onto the team by holding a 1.04 ERA with 12 strikeouts over 8.2 Grapefruit League innings. He'll give manager Derek Shelton another lefty option in the bullpen.

Burnes was slotted fifth in the rotation because the right-hander wanted to remain on a five-day pitching schedule, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Eyebrows may have been raised when the Diamondbacks announced Burnes, a prized offseason addition, was going to start the fifth game of the season. That's because manager Torey Lovullo didn't decide on Zac Gallen to start Opening Day until later in camp, and Burnes wanted to maintain a five-day routine. Burnes last pitched in a Cactus League game Friday, so if the right-hander started the second game of the regular season, he would be doing so on one week's rest. Instead, Burnes will throw a simulated game on Wednesday before making his regular-season debut the following Tuesday.

The Diamondbacks reassigned Vargas to minor-league camp on Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Vargas competed for the final bench spot on the roster but lost out to Garrett Hampson due to the latter's positional versatility. Hampson's ability to play three infield positions, all three outfield spots and his speed/baserunning advantage won out.

Betts was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup against the Angels due to his ongoing battle with an illness, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Betts has been dealing with an unknown illness for multiple weeks. The 32-year-old is reportedly down to 157 pounds after entering spring training at 175 pounds, and he's still struggling to hold down food. The Dodgers may have to start considering other options at shortstop for Thursday's home opener versus the Tigers.

Iglesias will be a part of the Padres' Opening Day roster, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Iglesias will officially make the team's initial 26-man roster after signing a minor-league deal with San Diego on March 5. The 35-year-old went 5-for-25 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and four strikeouts over 11 games with the Padres this spring. Iglesias will likely operate in a utility role with San Diego to open the season, serving as a backup option to Jake Cronenworth, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts in the infield.

Nicolas was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Nicolas impressed this spring, surrendering two runs (one earned) on seven hits and eight walks while striking out eight batters over nine innings in eight appearances with the Pirates. The right-hander produced a 3.95 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 55 punchouts over 54.2 innings in 51 games with Pittsburgh in 2024, and he will likely not have to wait long to join the major-league roster this season.

Betts has been scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

The reason for Betts' removal from the lineup was not immediately available, but this is presumably related to the illness that forced an early return home from the Japan trip and caused him to lose roughly 15 pounds. Betts' status for the Dodgers' final two exhibition games is uncertain.

Snell has been officially named as the Dodgers' starter for Thursday's home opener against the Tigers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Snell will draw his first start as a Dodger when the team resumes its regular season against the Tigers after winning both of its matchups in Japan against the Cubs on March 18 and 19. The left-hander produced a 3.12 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 145 strikeouts over 104 innings in 20 starts with the Giants in 2024, and he'll look to keep it up with Los Angeles in 2025.

Cronin is managing left hip discomfort and won't be included on Miami's Opening Day roster, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander surrendered nine runs in 5.2 innings during spring training before Miami backed off his throwing program due to the hip issue. Cronin made 56 appearances for the Marlins last year and had a 4.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 72:25 K:BB over 70.1 innings. It's unclear how long he's expected to be sidelined by the hip issue.