MLB Player News

Bednar is presumed to begin the season the Pirates' closer, but manager Derek Shelton elected not to officially name the team's closer Sunday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's the second time during spring training that Shelton has made clear a decision at closer has yet to be made, though the skipper also indicated Sunday that he's happy with how Bednar has look during spring training, despite a 14.40 ERA and 6:3 K:BB over five innings. After two consecutive All-Star seasons in 2022 and 2023, the right-hander struggled to a 5.77 ERA in 62 appearances last year and was removed from the closer role down the stretch.

Falter (general soreness) is scheduled to start Monday's split-squad game against the Tigers, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Falter was scratched from his spring start Thursday as a precautionary measure due to general soreness, but he'll be ready to take the mound a few days later. The left-hander will begin the season at the back end of Pittsburgh's rotation after finishing 2024 with a 4.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 97:45 K:BB over 142.1 innings.

Joe is slashing .333/.500/.519 with five doubles, no homers, four RBI and a 7:5 K:BB over 36 plate appearances this spring.

Joe has been particularly hot of late, collecting seven hits over his past 16 at-bats. He seems likely to make the Padres' Opening Day roster given his strong spring and ability to play both in the corner outfield and at first base, though it's not yet clear if he'll have an everyday role or be part of a platoon. Lefty outfielder Jason Heyward has gone just 3-for-22 in Cactus League play, but those stats may not be held against him given his veteran status. Meanwhile, Gavin Sheets has forced his way into serious consideration not just for a roster spot but for a significant role by belting six Cactus League home runs, tied for the top mark among all players this spring.

Marsh was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles due to a left knee bruise, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Marsh sustained the injury during the opening frame of Sunday's contest when he fell on the warning track, and Philadelphia has labeled his exit as precautionary. The 27-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury and should be considered day-to-day.

Kepler was diagnosed with a lower-back contusion after being removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Orioles, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

The 32-year-old suffered the injury when he collided with the wall in left field while making a catch, with the Phillies labeling his exit as a precautionary move. Assuming the injury doesn't linger, Kepler could be back in the lineup after taking a couple days to recover.

Manager Bud Black announced Sunday that Freeland will start Opening Day against the Rays on March 28, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The left-hander is one of Colorado's longest-tenured players and will take the mound in the season opener after posting a 5.24 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 85:26 K:BB across 113.1 innings last year. Freeland has pitched well in spring training with three earned runs allowed and an 11:1 K:BB over 9.2 frames.

Lee is out of the Giants' Cactus League lineup Sunday due to back discomfort, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The back issue surfaced Saturday after Lee apparently slept wrong, and he'll need a few days to get back to full strength. The issue isn't believed to be serious, so the 26-year-old could still be ready to go for Opening Day on March 27.

Atlanta reassigned Marisnick to minor-league camp Sunday.

The journeyman outfielder signed as a non-roster invitee in February and went just 4-for-27 with nine strikeouts in 13 games during spring training. Marisnick didn't play in the majors last season and is likely to spend most of 2025 back in the minors.

The Reds assigned Young to minor-league camp Sunday.

Young signed a minor-league contract with the Reds in January after being non-tendered by the Mets in late November. He gave up six runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five across three innings in spring training, and the 31-year-old southpaw will look to regain his form in the minors, likely with Triple-A Louisville.

Kepler (undisclosed) was removed from Sunday's game against the Orioles, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Kepler collided with the wall in left field while making a catch. He was able to jog off the field under his own power but was replaced by Christian Arroyo at the top of the second frame. Kepler's removal from Sunday's game is likely out of precaution, but he'll undergo further testing.