MLB Player News

Williams cleared waivers Thursday and was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett.

Williams was battling for a spot on Atlanta's Opening Day bench, but he ultimately missed the cut after going 5-for-32 with three RBI and five runs scored in 16 spring games. He doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, so his demotion to Triple-A will cost him his spot on the 40-man roster.

The Padres placed Musgrove (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Musgrove will miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October, so the Padres will strip him of his spot on the 40-man roster and give it to camp standout Gavin Sheets. Musgrove has been working out using plyometric balls this spring, but he isn't expected to begin a proper throwing program until around midseason.

The Padres selected Sheets' contract from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday.

Sheets has done a fantastic job proving he belongs on the Padres' Opening Day roster since signing an NRI deal with the club in February, slashing .311/.367/.756 with six homers and 12 RBI over 19 games. He's now officially been rewarded with a spot on the 40-man roster and has a good chance to open the season as the Friars' go-to DH against right-handed starters. Joe Musgrove (elbow) was placed on the 60-day IL in a corresponding move.

Peguero is a candidate to join the Giants' bullpen during the 2025 campaign, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Peguero, a non-roster invitee to spring training, has made eight appearances in Cactus League play, allowing one walk with eight strikeouts across 6.2 scoreless innings. The right-hander's high-octane stuff has been on display thus far, and he has topped out at 102 MPH this spring. The 27-year-old has yet to make his major-league debut, though his impressive velocity has made him a candidate for a call-up. "We're certainly not ruling him out," manager Bob Melvin said. "It's a credit to him for not only opening some eyes but continuing to do it." Peguero registered a 3.14 ERA and 56:17 K:BB over 51.2 innings with the Tigers' Double-A affiliate in Erie last season, and he will likely start the 2025 campaign with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento.

Estrada (head) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Thursday's Cactus League game versus the Rangers.

Estrada last played on Saturday, when he had to be lifted from the game after being struck in the head by Michael Taylor's foot while tagging him out at second base. Estrada didn't suffer any known concussion and is now ready to go after a few days of rest. Estrada will be the Rockies' primary second baseman in 2025.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Suarez (back) "felt a lot better today" and will play catch Friday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Suarez underwent testing due to back stiffness, but nothing alarming was found and he's been cleared to resume throwing. The left-hander isn't out of the woods yet, particularly since he dealt with back issues last season, too, but it looks like he will have a chance to avoid a stint on the injured list.

Cavalli (elbow) is scheduled to throw against live hitters Thursday, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Thursday will mark the first time Cavalli has faced hitters this spring. The 26-year-old righty is already slated to begin the season on the injured list as he finishes up his rehab from the Tommy John procedure he underwent two years ago, though it may not be long before he returns to a competitive setting if he gets through a few more live sessions with no setbacks.

Lopez (hip) will make an appearance during Friday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Marlins, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Lopez hasn't pitched since March 10 due to a left hip issue but has been cleared to return to game action. Barring a setback, he'll be ready to go for Opening Day. Lopez is projected to serve as a setup man ahead of closer Kyle Finnegan.

Gallen will start Opening Day, March 27 against the Cubs, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Many anticipated Corbin Burnes to make his Diamondbacks debut in the first game of the season, but the team will instead give the Opening Day start to Gallen for the third consecutive year. The 29-year-old has made three appearances in the Cactus League this spring, giving up two earned runs while striking out eight batters and walking three over five innings. While Gallen may never return to his 2022 form (2.54 ERA, 0.91 WHIP), he hasn't lost his strikeout stuff and should be able to comfortably reach double-digit wins with Arizona's high-scoring offense behind him.

The Cubs optioned Wicks to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Ryan Herrera of JustBaseball.com reports.

Wicks was included on the Cubs' roster for their two-game set in Tokyo versus the Dodgers earlier this week, but he didn't make the cut for their domestic opener. The left-hander will be part of the rotation at Iowa as he waits for another big-league opportunity. With Wicks being sent down, Colin Rea appears to be locked into the fifth spot in the Cubs' rotation.