MLB Player News

The Reds could elect to hold Burns off the Opening Day roster to ensure he has enough time to ramp up to a starter's workload, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Burns was held to a 24-pitch outing Friday after the Reds didn't like the right-hander's arm movement early in his start, and Rosecrans notes that because Burns may not be as stretched out as some of the other starters, the club could decide to give him a few more chances to ramp all the way up before sending him out on a big-league mound. However, it's important to point out that this is simply a roster projection for a player who will be heavily involved in Cincinnati's pitching plans for 2026. Outside of Friday's appearance, the Reds have been quite pleased with Burns so far this spring, with the team stating earlier Monday that the 23-year-old's Sunday bullpen session went very well, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati.

Waguespack was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The Brewers signed Waguespack to a minor-league deal over the offseason and offered him an invitation to big-league camp, but he was unable to stand out enough to earn an Opening Day roster spot. He'll report to minor-league camp and projects to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Nashville.

Rodriguez was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Rodriguez made three appearances (one start) with the Brewers while in big-league camp, surrendering three runs while fanning four over five innings. He pitched in four games out of the bullpen a season ago for Milwaukee and should once again serve as organizational pitching depth to kick off the 2026 campaign.

Williams was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Williams put together a promising spring after being dealt to the Brewers from the Mets as part of the Freddy Peralta trade during the offseason. Williams went 5-for-12 with two doubles, one triple, three RBI, two stolen bases and three runs in six games with the big-league club. After failing to secure a spot on Milwaukee's Opening Day roster, Williams is slated to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Nashville.

Hope was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Hope drew another invitation to big-league spring training, but he struggled to find success at the dish and went 1-for-19 in his last nine appearances before being dispatched to minor-league camp. The 21-year-old will now turn his focus to preparing for the 2026 season, presumably with Double-A Tulsa.

Irvin was reassigned to minor-league camp Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Irvin signed a minor-league pact with the Dodgers in February and was invited to major-league spring training, but he struggled across four appearances. The 32-year-old posted a 9.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with four strikeouts across eight innings. Irvin will report to minor-league camp and appears set to begin the 2026 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Siani was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Siani was scooped up off waivers by the Dodgers in early February, though he was unable to get his bat going during his time in big-league camp. He hit .143 with one double, three stolen bases and six runs scored in 16 games.

Gervase was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Gervase fared well during his time with the big-league club this spring, as he turned in a 2.89 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over 9.1 frames. However, it wasn't enough to earn himself a spot on the Opening Day roster. Gervase is in line to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he'll serve as bullpen depth.

MLB announced Monday that Rojas has been suspended 80 games for violating the league's policy against performance-enhancing drugs, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Word of Rojas' looming suspension came out earlier this month, and Rojas lost his appeal. He won't be eligible to play in the regular season until late June. With Rojas set to miss the first half of the season, Justin Crawford and Brandon Marsh should see somewhat regular playing time in the Philadelphia outfield. Rojas posted an underwhelming .569 OPS across 172 plate appearances at the big-league level last regular season.

Kerkering (hamstring) is slated to make an appearance Tuesday in a minor-league game on the back fields of camp, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Kerkering is no worse for the wear after tossing a live batting practice session over the weekend, so he'll be available to pitch for the first time in spring training, albeit in a controlled setting. The hard-throwing right-hander has been slowed by a Grade 1 right hamstring strain throughout the spring, but he should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season if he's able to get a couple of appearances under his belt during the final week of camp.