MLB Player News

Suarez was slotted fifth in the batting order in the two games since he returned from the World Baseball Classic, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Since Suarez was signed by Cincinnati at the beginning of February, the general consensus was that he'd bat fourth, and that's where he was in four of his first five Cactus League games before departing for the WBC. Reds manager Terry Francona explained the batting-order experiment, indicating the reconfigured lineup (with Sal Stewart batting cleanup) might generate more RBI opportunities for Suarez. However it shakes out, Suarez will be a middle-of-the-order bat for the Reds in 2026.

The Padres reassigned Gillaspie to minor-league camp Sunday.

Gillaspie is likely to open the upcoming season as a swingman at Triple-A El Paso, where he finished the 2025 campaign after being outrighted off the Padres' 40-man roster in July. Prior to losing his roster spot, Gillaspie appeared in three big-league games for San Diego last season, covering seven innings while allowing two earned runs on seven hits and four walks.

Ferguson (oblique) is scheduled for a second MRI on March 25 to determine he's healing well, MLB.com reports.

If doctors feel like Ferguson is making progress, the left-hander could begin a throwing program. He was expected to be unavailable for start of the regular season but is pegged to return at some point in April.

Tawa is expected to be part of the Opening Day roster, after the Diamondbacks reassigned Jacob Amaya to minor-league camp Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Tawa was one of four players competing for three bench spots, and Amaya's reassignment opens a spot for him, Jorge Barrosa and Ildemaro Vargas. Tawa is batting .318 (14-for-44) with eight walks, three doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and 10 runs scored through 16 Cactus League games. He's expected to be a utility player, capable of playing both infield and outfield.

Vargas is expected to be on Arizona's Opening Day roster, after the team reassigned Jacob Amaya to minor-league camp Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

The Amaya transaction seemingly resolves the roster fates of Vargas, Jorge Barrosa and Tim Tawa. Vargas received the news well Sunday, going 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a Cactus League contest against the Padres. He's batting .378 (17-for-45) with four doubles, two homers and nine RBI over 15 spring games. He's expected to serve as a backup utility infielder along with Tawa, who will also find time in the outfield.

Barrosa is expected to earn a roster spot after the Diamondbacks reassigned Jacob Amaya to minor-league camp Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Barrosa, who is out of options, was expected to land a roster spot as one of four players seeking three available bench spots. Amaya's reassignment seemingly locks in Barrosa, Tim Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas for Arizona's Opening Day roster, barring any late claims or trades over the next couple of days. Barrosa celebrated the news Sunday by going 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a Cactus League game against San Diego. He's had a strong spring and batting .333 (14-for-42) with three doubles, two triples, three home runs and nine RBI over 15 spring contests. The switch-hitting Barrosa will operate as the team's fourth outfielder until Lourdes Gurriel (knee) is ready to return.

Moreno started at catcher and went 3-for-4 with a double and two solo home runs in Sunday's spring game against the Padres.

Moreno was back behind the plate for the first time in two weeks. He dealt with forearm tightness for a stretch and returned to action last Thursday as the designated hitter. Now that Moreno is defending again, it looks like there will be no limitations for the catcher heading into Opening Day. He's batting .242 (6-for-33) with three homers and five RBI through 11 Cactus League contests. He and James McCann will split duties behind the plate, although Moreno could garner additional plate appearances as a DH when not behind the dish.

Wrobleski will not make the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Wrobleski will be available out of the bullpen, and he appears to be on track to piggyback Shohei Ohtani in Ohtani's starts, per Woo. The southpaw posted a 4.32 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 76 strikeouts over 66.2 innings in 24 appearances, including two starts, with Los Angeles during the 2025 regular season. The Dodgers will begin the year with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Emmet Sheehan, Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow in their starting rotation.

Sheehan will slot in to the Dodgers' Opening Day rotation, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Sheehan will officially operate in a traditional starter's role, joining Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki in the Dodgers' rotation. There was some thought about the 26-year-old piggybacking off of Ohtani's starts, but manager Dave Roberts clarified that Justin Wrobleski will be the one handling the hybrid role after Sunday's 13-5 win over the Angels. Sheehan produced an impressive 2.82 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 89 strikeouts over 73.1 innings in 15 appearances, including 12 starts, with Los Angeles during the 2025 regular season, and he'll look to build off of those numbers in 2026.

Butto took the loss in Sunday's 2-1 exhibition defeat to Triple-A Sacramento, allowing one earned run on two hits, including one home run, while striking out two over one inning.

Butto entered in the eighth inning and surrendered a home run to the first batter he faced, and he also gave up a single before escaping the inning. The right-hander appeared in only three Cactus League games but pitched for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic this spring, during which he allowed one hit while striking out one in 5.2 scoreless innings over five outings. Butto began the 2025 campaign with the Mets but was traded to San Francisco in late July. Over 21 relief appearances with the Giants last season, the 28-year-old recorded a 4.50 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB in 20 innings.