MLB Player News

Williamson mixes his four pitches well to keep hitters off balance. Many of his cutters bled over the heart of the zone, but the Cardinals’ hitters rarely made him pay because he did such a good job of varying his fastball, curveball, changeup, and cutter usage in every count. It’s a good recipe for Williamson, who lacks a true out-pitch. He’s lined up for a two start week against both the Braves and Pirates at home next week.

France wins a bench job with the Padres after entering camp as a non-roster invitee. The 31-year-old veteran first baseman hit .257 with seven homers and 52 RBI over 490 plate appearances between the Blue Jays and Twins last year.

The decision to jettison Kremer after a solid showing in spring training and the World Baseball Classic signals that Baltimore will go with Zach Eflin as the final member of a five-man, season-opening rotation. The 30-year-old righty led the Orioles with 171 2/3 innings over 31 appearances (29 starts) last year, which provides some insight into how much the club overhauled their rotation this offseason.

It’ll most likely be J.C. Escarra, Paul Goldschmidt, Amed Rosario and Randal Grichuk in bench roles for the Yankees to open the season. Cabrera has hit .234/.295/.346 with 20 homers and 15 steals in 949 plate appearances for the Yankees since 2022. Schuemann was acquired from the Athletics in a trade last month and projects as a utility infielder at the highest level.

The Angels have presumably let Strickland walk after he failed to make their season-opening bullpen. The 37-year-old veteran was in camp as a non-roster invitee. He compiled an encouraging 1.80 ERA and 2/0 K/BB ratio over five innings of work this spring.

Espada told reporters that Peña took swings on Friday and will do so again this weekend. The 28-year-old shortstop hasn’t officially been ruled out for next week’s season opener. It would be Carlos Correa taking over at shortstop if he requires a brief trip to the injured list. He’ll need to progress to taking on-field batting practice before he’s cleared to return to game action. There should be a clearer picture concerning his availability in the coming days. This decision might come down to the wire.

The writing was seemingly on the wall after Allen was torched for 12 runs over 2 1/3 innings on Friday in a spring start against the Mariners. The move clears the runway for intriguing pitching prospect Parker Messick to open the regular season in Cleveland’s rotation.

Slater exercised the opt-out in his minor league pact with the Tigers after he wasn’t added to Detroit’s active roster by the deadline in his contract. The 33-year-old veteran outfielder should be able to latch on somewhere as a lefty-mashing part-time bench player.

Smith tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings with a 7/2 K/BB ratio in Grapefruit League play this spring after missing all of last year recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 32-year-old veteran reliever was in Nationals camp as a non-roster invitee. He’s presumably been granted his release to pursue opportunities elsewhere after failing to land a spot in Washington’s bullpen.

Richards will head to the minors after failing to make Philadelphia’s bullpen as a non-roster invitee this spring. The 32-year-old journeyman showed well in a couple Grapefruit League outings, posting a respectable 3.38 ERA and 11/4 K/BB ratio across eight innings of work.

It certainly sounds like a precautionary move by the Tigers with spring training wrapping up. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. It’ll be Spencer Torkelson entering the lineup at DH in his place.