MLB Player News

Siri, 30, could’ve competed for a bench spot on the team’s Opening Day roster with a strong showing during Cactus League play, but he hit just .194 (7-for-36) with one RBI, one stolen base and a 12/1 K/BB ratio. He’ll begin the season as extra outfield depth at the Triple-A level.

Rice steps into the heart of New York’s loaded lineup behind Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger following last year’s 26-homer breakthrough campaign. The 27-year-old slugger’s realistic 30-homer ceiling makes him an upper-echelon fantasy catcher heading into the regular season. Here’s the full lineup set to face Giants ace Logan Webb at Oracle Park in primetime: Trent Grisham (CF), Judge (RF), Bellinger (LF), Rice (1B), Giancarlo Stanton (DH), Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B), José Caballero (SS), Ryan McMahon (3B) and Austin Wells (C).

San Francisco kicks off a new era under first-year skipper Tony Vitello — the first collegiate coach to jump directly to the majors with no previous big-league experience — with Ramos becoming the first Giants player to make consecutive Opening Days starts in left field since Barry Bonds in 2007. The other notable fantasy development is free agent acquisition Luis Arraez in the leadoff spot. Here’s the full lineup set to face Yankees ace Max Fried in primetime on at Oracle Park: Arraez (2B), Matt Chapman (3B), Rafael Devers (DH), Willy Adames (SS), Jung Hoo Lee (RF), Ramos (LF), Casey Schmitt (1B), Patrick Bailey (C) and Harrison Bader (CF).

This just makes official what’s been obvious for weeks. Crawford will start in center field and hit ninth against righties. He’ll probably get a fair amount of time versus lefties, too, at least initially. He actually did a little better against them (.250/.286/.400) than versus righties (.250/.294/.313) this spring. Painter is expected to make his major league debut Tuesday against the Nationals.

Cairo, 24, apparently got an offer to join another team with his upward mobility clause, but the Phillies trumped that by placing him on the 40-man here, even though they immediately sent him down. Cairo spent seven years in the Guardians system before signing a minor league deal with the Phillies in the offseason. He hit just .194/.293/.278 in camp, but he does offer value with his glove.

Wheeler, who had thoracic outlet surgery in September, threw two innings in a simulated game on Monday and is expected to make a rehab start in Triple-A on Saturday. Barring a setback, he should rejoin the Phillies rotation before the end of April

Kerkering, who reported to camp with the injury last month, pitched in a minor league game on Monday and is expected to be ready to return once his 15 days are up.

Lazar, who entered camp as a long shot to make the team, was hurt while pitching for Team Israel in the WBC. He’ll likely be optioned to Triple-A once healthy.

The Phillies seemed to give some thought to carrying Stubbs as a third catcher/utilityman, but given his total lack of offensive ability, there was never any reason to do that. He’ll probably clear waivers.

Sweeney has begun swinging a bat, but his injury has opened the door for Kevin McGonigle to make the Opening Day roster. That may prove to be too big an obstacle for Sweeney to overcome when he’s recovered from his shoulder injury. However, McGonigle can play multiple positions on the infield, which could create an avenue for Sweeney eventually.

Smith had been optioned to the minors at the beginning of the month, but the Tigers needed a spot on the 40-man roster for Kevin McGonigle, so he has now been waived. If he clears waivers, he will likely remain in the Tigers’ organization.