MLB Player News

Martinez struck out two over one inning in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals.

Other than one ugly outing, Martinez has had a strong spring. One of the final questions remaining for the team in spring training is who will be the Diamondbacks' primary closer. Martinez has allowed three runs (all in one outing) on three hits and three walks while striking out nine over six Cactus League innings. His primary competition for the job is A.J. Puk (1.50 ERA, six innings), with Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA, 5.1 innings) also in consideration.

Nelson allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 11 hits while striking out one over three-plus innings in Monday's Cactus League start against Kansas City.

Nelson's uneventful spring blew up in his fourth spring outing (third start). He was responsible for runs in all innings pitched and was chased after giving up four consecutive hits to lead off the fourth. The Royals were jumping on Nelson early in counts -- the right-hander threw just 55 pitches despite facing 19 batters. Nelson, who was a rotation regular in 2024, is competing for the fifth spot this spring.

Kelly allowed three runs on six hits while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Angels.

Kelly was tagged for all three runs in the second inning of his fourth Cactus League start. It was an efficient outing, as Kelly required 66 pitches to get those eight outs. He hinted to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that the high pitch count was partially due to a pitcher using spring contests to test out pitches he might not normally throw in certain situations during the regular season. Kelly worked on his slider Monday, throwing it 24 percent of the time. "I think that was one of the things I walked away with today, with how good it's been in spring," Kelly said. It's a pitch the right-hander hasn't used much during his career and only started introducing the last few seasons.

Freeman was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo due to left rib discomfort, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Vassegh notes that Freeman was on the field for batting practice prior to the game and suggests the first baseman might have felt discomfort during batting practice. The timing is brutal, but if there is a silver lining, it's that Freeman's removal from the lineup is not related to the ankle that required surgery in the offseason.

Conforto will start in left field and bat seventh Tuesday against the Cubs in the first game of the Tokyo Series.

Conforto was initially slated to begin Tuesday's regular-season opener on the bench with a lefty (Shota Imanaga) on the mound for Chicago. However, Conforto will end up replacing Freddie Freeman, who has been scratched for undisclosed reasons, as Enrique Hernandez moves in from left field to cover first base.

Freeman has been scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The reason for Freeman's removal was not immediately available. He was brought along slowly in camp after undergoing right ankle surgery in December. Enrique Hernandez will move in to first base, opening up left field for Michael Conforto against left-hander Shota Imanaga.

Betts (illness) flew back to Los Angeles on Monday after he had previously made the trip with the Dodgers to Japan ahead of the club's two-game season-opening series versus the Cubs this week, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Manager Dave Roberts had suggested that a return to the States was in the cards for Betts after he was ruled out from playing in both games of the Tokyo Series while he recovers from flu-like symptoms. The hope is that Betts can rest up and get back to a regular routine in preparation for the Dodgers' domestic opener March 27 versus the Tigers.

Shaw is in the lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers for the first game of the 2025 Tokyo Series, manning third base and batting fifth.

Widely considered the Cubs' top prospect, Shaw missed time in spring training with an oblique injury but was still able to secure his spot in the lineup for the regular-season opener. He will slot in between Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson against right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his MLB debut, after slashing .284/.379/.488 with 21 homers and 31 steals in 121 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season.

Conforto is not in the lineup for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the Cubs in Tokyo.

This was fully expected with lefty Shota Imanaga toeing the rubber for Chicago. The Cubs are starting another southpaw in Justin Steele on Wednesday and Conforto will likely be limited to pinch-hitter duties again during that contest. Nevertheless, he hit 20 homers in 130 games with the Giants last year and could provide enough power in his strong-side platoon role to be a useful fourth or fifth outfielder in fantasy this season.

Edman will start at second base and bat second Tuesday against the Cubs in the first game of the 2025 Tokyo Series.

In the absence of Mookie Betts (illness), the switch-hitting Edman will move up to the two hole to face southpaw Shota Imanaga in the regular-season opener, breaking up lefties Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the Los Angeles lineup. Edman had an impressive spring with three homers and a .909 OPS in 12 Cactus League games, and he appears slated for a regular role for the Dodgers between second base and center field.