MLB Player News

Blackburn is expected to start the season working as a reliever, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets dealt with some injuries to their starting rotation during spring training, but Blackburn was unable to take advantage of the opportunity with eight earned runs allowed and a 9:6 K:BB over 12.2 frames in the Grapefruit League. Blackburn could still make some starts at some point this summer, but it doesn't seem like he'll be a consistent rotation piece for New York.

The Phillies designated Phillips for assignment Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander allowed nine runs with a 14:7 K:BB over 10.2 innings during spring training, so Philadelphia elected to DFA him in favor of waiver-claim Carlos Hernandez. Phillips threw a complete game shutout last year but overall struggled in the majors, finishing the regular season with a 6.87 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 36.2 frames.

Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday.

Elder will open the regular season at Triple-A after posting a 4.97 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 12 strikeouts over 12.2 innings in five appearances, including one start, with Atlanta during the spring. Elder has combined to pitch in 224.1 innings over the last two seasons with Atlanta, and he'll likely make his return to the major-league roster in the not-too-distant future.

Hjelle was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Hjelle will open the 2025 campaign at Triple-A after compiling a 6.75 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 14 strikeouts over 12.0 innings in seven appearances with the Giants this spring. The right-hander appeared in 58 games with San Francisco in 2024, producing a 3.90 ERA and 1.21 WHIP with 75 strikeouts over 80.2 frames, and he'll likely join the major-league roster relatively soon.

Betts (illness) is starting at shortstop and batting second in Sunday's exhibition game against the Angels, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The 32-year-old flew back early from the season-opening series versus the Cubs in Tokyo while recovering from an illness, but he'll return to action for the final exhibition games of the spring. Betts should be ready to go at shortstop for Thursday's home opener against Detroit.

Freeman (rib) is starting at first base and batting third in Sunday's exhibition game against the Angels, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that he expected Freeman to be ready for the Freeway Series versus the Halos, and the first baseman is indeed back in the lineup Sunday. Freeman sat out the season-opening series versus the Cubs in Tokyo due to left rib discomfort, but his absence appears to have been more of a precautionary measure. Barring a setback, the 35-year-old should be good to go at first base for the Dodgers in Thursday's domestic opener versus the Tigers.

The Phillies claimed Hernandez off waivers from the Royals on Sunday.

The right-hander was put on outright waivers after missing out on Kansas City's Opening Day bullpen Saturday, and it didn't take long for him to be scooped up by another team. Hernandez had a 3.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB over 30 innings during the regular season last year, but he struggled in spring training with eight runs allowed and an 8:5 K:BB over 10.1 innings.

Suarez was acquired by Atlanta from the Angels on Sunday in exchange for right-hander Ian Anderson, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Suarez made 99 appearances for the Angels since making his MLB debut in 2019, but he'll now continue his career in Atlanta. The left-hander started in three of his 22 outings last year and had a 6.02 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 56:27 K:BB over 52.1 innings. He'll likely fill a long-relief role with his new team, assuming he even sticks on the big-league roster.

Nelson will begin the season working out of the bullpen, as Brandon Pfaadt was named Arizona's No. 5 starter Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Nelson surrendered 10 earned runs across 11 innings during spring training, though nine of those runs were given up in a single appearance. The 27-year-old started in 25 of his 28 appearances for the Diamondbacks last season and had a 4.24 ERA and 126:34 K:BB over 150.2 innings.

Montgomery will begin the season as a reliever after Brandon Pfaadt was named Arizona's No. 5 starter Sunday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Montgomery made just two Cactus League appearances and surrendered five runs over three innings, so it's hardly a surprise Pfaadt won the job battle. The Diamondbacks are likely still looking to trade Montgomery, but his 6.23 ERA over 117 innings last year and $22.5 million salary leave limited suitors.