We are now less than a week until the regular season begins. Less than a week! Get amped, baseball fans, it's finally almost here.
While we're dreaming of the season being moved up a few days, let's do a quick roundup.
Trade
Padres/Astros: Pitcher Dan Straily was traded to the Padres for catcher Erik Kratz. The Astros had been seeking catching help and Straily didn't really fit in their plans, so this makes sense.
Roster moves, announcements, etc.
Angels: Based upon several moves with pitchers, the writing is on the wall that Matt Shoemaker will be the fifth starter.
Astros: First baseman Tyler White has made the team.
Blue Jays: The club announced that it has claimed Jesus Montero off waivers from the Mariners. Montero has struggled in the majors his past few chances, but he hit .355/.398/.569 with 18 doubles and 18 homers in 98 Triple-A games last season. He's 26, so there's time left to turn things around in the majors.
Braves: Nick Swisher was released on Monday. Here are some possible landing spots for the veteran. Also, unsurprisingly Julio Teheran will start on opening day (David O'Brien).
Diamondbacks: Robbie Ray will be the fifth starter (Nick Piecoro).
Indians: Lonnie Chisenhall will open the season on the DL, so Marlon Byrd and Collin Cowgill both made the opening-day roster (Jordan Bastian).
Mariners: Nate Karns was named the fifth starter (Ryan Divish) while James Paxton was optioned to the minors.
Orioles: Chris Tillman has been named the opening day starter (Eduardo Encina).
Phillies: Will Venable, who was released by the Indians over the weekend, was signed to a minor-league deal. Also, Vincent Velasquez will be the fifth starter to open the season (Matt Breen).
Rangers: Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie was released. All signs point to A.J. Griffin winning the fifth starter spot (TR Sullivan).
Red Sox: Outfielder David Murphy was released.
Reds: Raisel Iglesias is the opening day starter with Brandon Finnegan pitching in game two and Alfredo Simon in the fourth game. Anthony Desclafani has an oblique injury. The third game could go to Robert Stephenson (C. Trent Rosecrans).
Injury updates
Astros: Evan Gattis will open the season in Double-A as he rehabs from hernia surgery (Brian McTaggart). Also, Luke Gregerson is recovering from an intercostal injury and will throw a minor-league game Tuesday (McTaggart).
Cardinals: Kolten Wong suffered a knee injury on Saturday, but he returned to the lineup on Monday. Also on Monday, Yadier Molina was scratched from the lineup due to a bruised right foot (Derrick Goold).
Cubs: Dexter Fowler has a side injury, but he's expected back after a one-day break (Bruce Levine). Javier Baez played catch Monday as he deals with a thumb injury and a DL stint to begin the season sounds possible (Mark Gonzales).
Dodgers: Corey Seager managed six minor-league innings on his injured knee (Andy McCullough). Hyun-Jin Ryu will throw batting practice next week (McCullough). Howie Kendrick "is still in the treatment phase" with his calf injury (Bill Plunkett).
Mets: Matt Harvey has a non-baseball medical issue and his status to begin the season is up in the air now. The Mets are staying pretty secretive about it, too. Also, after almost three weeks missed to a knee injury, Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the lineup Monday.
Orioles: Starter Kevin Gausman will begin the season on the disabled list (orioles.com).
Phillies: Cody Asche will begin the season on the disabled list due to an oblique injury (Meghan Montemurro).
Pirates: Though he's only made two spring starts due to a rib injury, Gerrit Cole might not miss much time at all. Also, Jung Ho Kang -- working his way back from a broken leg -- played five innings in a minor-league game (Tim Williams).
Red Sox: Pablo Sandoval played five innings in a minor-league game Monday and will return to the big-league club from his back injury Tuesday (Sean McAdam).
White Sox: Alex Avila will catch Tuesday after missing some time with a stiff back (Daryl Van Schouwen).
Reports, Rumors and Speculation
Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez will be the fifth starter in the rotation.
Orioles: The club is interested in outfielder Matt Joyce, should he not make the Pirates (Rob Biertempfel). Also, there is "heavy speculation" that they'll sign Murphy (masnsports.com).
Miscellany
Carlos Quentin: After failing to make the Twins, Quentin decided to return to retirement (LaVelle E. Neal III).
Jamey Wright: After 19 big-league seasons, the long-time reliever will retire.
