MLB Player News

The White Sox optioned Varland to Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday.

Varland entered camp looking like a key piece of Chicago's Opening Day bullpen, but he struggled with his control during the exhibition slate, walking six batters over 7.1 innings while posting a 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and eight strikeouts. The righty reliever will look to get right in the minors, and there is a good chance he'll make it back up to the big-league bullpen at some point during the campaign.

Diaz was diagnosed with hamstring inflammation Sunday and will begin the season on the injured list, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The right-hander had struggles with his command throughout spring training with five walks and two hit batters in four appearances, and he'll now be unavailable due to the hamstring issue. It's unclear how long Diaz is expected to be sidelined, with Scott Barlow, Taylor Rogers and Graham Ashcraft the likely candidates to fill in at closer for the Reds.

Chafin is still in the mix for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, along with Brant Hurter and Brenan Hanifee, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Chafin was invited to camp on a minor-league deal and is not on the 40-man roster, so the Tigers would have to clear room for him if they want to keep him around, but the veteran southpaw could give the team a boost against left-handed hitters. Hurter is also a lefty while Hanifee, a righty, posted a sub-2.00 ERA for Detroit last season, so the team has a tough decision to make. Ultimately, all three players could see time in the MLB bullpen at various points during the 2025 season, but none of them figure to have huge fantasy impacts.

The Cardinals will place Thompson (lat) on the 15-day injured list Monday.

Thompson is dealing with a Grade 1 lat strain and is in the midst of a 3-to-4 week shutdown from throwing. He had been competing for a roster spot prior to suffering the injury, but it seems likely he'll be sent to Triple-A when he's healthy enough to take the mound again. Thompson had a rough go during five appearances in the majors last season, posting a 9.53 ERA, 1.88 WHIP and 20:8 K:BB over 17 innings.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday that Bautista will be included on Baltimore's Opening Day roster, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

There was some recent concern that Bautista wouldn't be ready to go for the start of the regular season, but the skipper put those thoughts to bed Sunday. The right-hander spent most of camp in ramp-up mode while working his way back from October 2023 Tommy John surgery, but he's been cleared after making five spring appearances. The 29-year-old recorded 33 saves with a 1.48 ERA during the 2023 regular season and should begin the campaign as the Orioles' closer.

Hanifee, Brant Hurter and Andrew Chafin are likely competing for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Hanifee is a righty, while Hurter and Chafin are southpaws, so the decision could come down to how manager A.J. Hinch decides to construct his bullpen. Even if Hanifee doesn't make the cut initially, he figures to be in the mix for MLB action at some point this year. Hanifee impressed in a small sample last year, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings for the Tigers.

Manager Kevin Cash announced Sunday that Pepiot will start Friday's season opener against the Rockies, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Shane McClanahan had previously been named Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter, but a triceps injury will put him on the injured list to begin the season. Pepiot is coming off his first full season as an MLB starter, and he pitched well in 26 starts with a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB over 130 innings.

The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.

Mercado had a rough spring, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The 25-year-old also struggled during his first look at the majors last year, posting an 11.08 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across 13 regular-season frames. Mercado put up solid numbers with Lehigh Valley last year, and he could get another call-up at some point in 2025 if he continues to show development in the minors.

The Red Sox have released Ottavino after he triggered his opt-out clause, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Ottavino was informed Saturday that he wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster, and he subsequently opted out of his minor-league deal. The righty reliever struggled somewhat with a 4.24 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 56 regular-season innings with the Mets last year, but he did manage to pick up 15 holds and a save while posting an 11.2 K/9, so it seems likely that he'll get a look from another organization in need of a veteran bullpen arm.

Nunez has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

Nunez emerged as a key part of New York's bullpen as a rookie last year, posting a 2.31 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 48:8 K:BB while racking up nine holds and a save over 25 regular-season appearances spanning 35 innings. He allowed two runs over two innings with a 3:0 K:B this spring, but the Mets have decided to have Nunez begin the campaign in the minors. The right-hander didn't pitch in a spring game until March 17 as he continued to recover from a flexor strain that ended his season in July of last year. It's likely that Nunez will be back up with the big club after having more time to ramp up in the minors.