MLB Player News

Bernardino was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bernardino was thought to be a sure thing to begin the season with the big-league squad after cruising to a 3.20 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with a 58:18 K:BB over 50.2 frames a season ago for the Red Sox. He also failed to surrender an earned run over 6.2 innings of Grapefruit League action this spring. While this is certainly a surprising move by Boston, the southpaw should be a candidate for a promotion at some point this year.

Banks will be a member of the White Sox's bullpen to begin the regular season, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Banks has been a key contributor out of the team's bullpen for the last two seasons, throwing a combined 124 innings. He hasn't been used in high-leverage roles, however, as he has just one career save and two career holds. Even so, manager Pedro Grifol has stated that the White Sox will not enter the season with a defined closer, so Banks could enter the picture if he starts the season well.

Leasure will make the Opening Day roster, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Leasure did not allow an earned run until his 10th appearance of Cactus League action, and he's compiled an 11:4 K:BB across 9.1 innings. He's likely to be in immediate contention for high-leverage roles with the team, though manager Pedro Grifol has made it clear that the White Sox will not begin the season with a defined closer.

Brash (elbow) threw 25 pitches at 85 percent effort Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Brash was recently cleared to resume throwing off a mound, and he's progressed to 85 percent effort after tossing at roughly 70 percent Wednesday. The team will likely re-evaluate the right-hander Tuesday morning to see how he bounces back from his latest side session before determining next steps.

The Yankees reassigned Santana to minor-league camp Monday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Santana pitched well this spring, posting a 3.12 ERA and 10:0 K:BB over 8.2 frames. It wasn't enough to earn him a spot in the Opening Day bullpen, however, so he'll provide relief depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Manager Joe Espada said that Dubin (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session Monday at the Astros' spring training facility, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Facing hitters in a live BP setting marks a meaningful step forward in the recovery process for Dubin, who didn't make any appearances during the Grapefruit League after experiencing shoulder inflammation early in camp. As a reliever, Dubin likely won't require a lengthy ramp-up period, but he appears on track to begin the season on the 15-day injured list unless the Astros elect to option him to Triple-A Sugar Land.

The Yankees reassigned De Los Santos to minor-league camp Monday.

De Los Santos was blasted for six runs (five earned) over just 2.1 frames this spring. He will provide some relief depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Pepiot will be included in the Rays' Opening Day rotation and is scheduled to make his first start April 1 versus the Rangers at Tropicana Field, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Though he'll be taking the hill for the Rays' fifth game of the season, Pepiot is essentially opening the season as the team's No. 4 starter, as Tyler Alexander will make his debut one game before Pepiot but looks to be in line for a bulk-relief role and may have his turn in the rotation skipped during lighter portions of the schedule. Pepiot concluded the Grapefruit League with a 6.75 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 13.1 innings, but a 16:3 K:BB provides a better indication of how well he pitched this spring. The 26-year-old right-hander could have his workload managed to some degree as he begins his first season in Tampa Bay, but he turned in sterling ratios during his time in the big leagues with the Dodgers over the past two seasons and should be useful on a per-inning basis.

Waguespack will open the season in a long-relief role for the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He had been competing for a spot in the rotation, but the Rays have picked Tyler Alexander for that role. Waguespack holds a career 5.08 ERA and 79:38 K:BB over 13 starts and 14 relief appearances at the major-league level.

Alexander has won the final spot in the Rays' Opening Day rotation, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Alexander will pitch in the Rays' fourth game of the season Sunday against the Blue Jays, though it's possible he will follow an opener. The left-hander was used as a full-time reliever last season with the Tigers, but he has plenty of past starting experience and was stretched out to 89 pitches in a minor-league game Sunday. Alexander could be shifted to the bullpen when Shane Baz (elbow) and/or Taj Bradley (pectoral) are ready to return from the injured list, but that might be a while.