MLB Player News

The Padres announced Pivetta as their starting pitcher for Thursday's season opener versus the Tigers at Petco Park.

The decision on an Opening Day starter came down to Pivetta and Michael King, with the former earning the nod on the back of his career-best season in 2025. The 33-year-old righty closed the regular season with a 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 190:50 K:BB across 181.2 frames, then went on to strike out nine batters and allow two earned runs in five innings in his lone postseason start. Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, Pivetta dealt with some arm fatigue in the early stages of spring training but was able to get stretched out to 71 pitches and four innings Friday in his final start of camp. He should be ready to handle something close to a typical workload in the opener.

The Nationals optioned Ribalta to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.

Ribalta was one of the Nationals' better relievers in spring training, striking out six over 7.1 innings across seven Grapefruit League appearances while permitting one earned run on five hits and two walks. However, the 28-year-old righty has fared far worse in parts of two seasons in the big leagues (7.81 ERA, 2.06 WHIP in 27.2 innings), and that poor track record was likely a factor in him failing to make the Opening Day roster.

The Cubs optioned Assad to Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad was terrific in three appearances during Cactus League play, allowing two runs (one earned) with an 8:1 K:BB over 6.2 innings. It wasn't enough for him to capture a spot on the Opening Day roster, but Assad will play a role on the Cubs in 2026, either as a long reliever, spot starter or both.

Henry has posted a 3.86 ERA and 6:3 K:BB over 4.2 Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The 26-year-old right-hander made his MLB debut in 2025, producing a 4.27 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 52:32 K:BB over 52.2 innings. Despite those pedestrian numbers, Henry is expected to fill a high-leverage role in the Nationals' bullpen to begin the 2026 campaign, although he appears to be behind Clayton Beeter in the pecking order for save chances.

Martinez finished Grapefruit League play with a 14.49 ERA and 7:6 K:BB over 13.2 innings.

Martinez surrendered a whopping 29 hits (including five home runs) in his four spring training starts. It will not prevent him from occupying a spot in the Rays' rotation -- he's already been announced as the starter for Saturday's game in St. Louis -- and Martinez should have some leash given his $13 million salary. Fantasy managers will probably want to steer clear of starting Martinez for the time being, however.

The Nationals informed Perez on Monday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Perez had been attending spring training as a non-roster invitee and earned a spot in the Washington bullpen after striking out five and allowing just one unearned run on two hits and one walk over six innings during the Grapefruit League. Expect Washington officially select Perez's contract when the team finalizes its roster shortly before Thursday's opener in Chicago. Given the lack of established relief options in Washington in addition to how well he pitched in the spring, Perez could find himself in the mix for a key setup role right away during the season.

Pirates manager Don Kelly indicated Monday that Soto is in the mix to see save opportunities this season, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Dennis Santana will enter the season as the favorite to see most of the save chances for Pittsburgh. However, Kelly noted that he could use Santana in leverage spots earlier in games at times, and the skipper also pointed out Soto's closing experience. The left-handed Soto has held lefty bats to a .211/.306/.294 batting line in his career, making him a candidate to see some save chances when the opposition has lefties due up in the ninth inning.

Pirates manager Don Kelly indicated Monday that Santana will not be the only reliever he uses for save opportunities, Jose Negron of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Santana notched 16 saves for Pittsburgh last season, with 10 of those coming in the final two months after David Bednar was traded. The 29-year-old is the heavy favorite to lead the Pirates in saves in 2026, but Kelly noted that he could use Santana earlier in games at times if the situation calls for it. Gregory Soto looks to be next in the pecking order and could be used to close when the opposition has lefty bats due up.

Chapman has allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out eight over 5.2 spring innings.

Chapman is ready to resume his role as Boston's closer in 2026. The 38-year-old is coming off a stellar 2025, when he converted 32 of 34 save opportunities, lowered a consistently pesky walk rate to a career-low 2.2 BB/9 and was named the AL Reliever of the Year.

Suarez has allowed one run on four hits with a 9:1 K:BB over five Grapefruit League innings this spring.

The 35-year-old right-hander racked up 76 saves for San Diego with a 2.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 9.0 K/9 over the prior two seasons, but he'll begin his time in Atlanta as the top setup man for closer Raisel Iglesias. Suarez could still see ninth-inning action when Iglesias is unavailable, and if the incumbent struggles again early as he did in 2025, it wouldn't be a surprise if the two switched roles.