MLB Player News

The Athletics optioned Alvarado to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

After being claimed off waivers from the Pirates in January, Alvarado was given the chance to compete for a spot in the Athletics' Opening Day bullpen. The 25-year-old right-hander fell short in his bid for a spot with the big club, but he should have a good chance of making his MLB debut later in 2025. He spent the 2024 season in the Miami organization and posted a 2.79 ERA and 71:38 K:BB over 48.1 innings at Triple-A Jacksonville.

The Athletics optioned Holman to Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday.

Holman allowed two earned runs and didn't issue any walks over six innings during Cactus League play, but the fact that he had minor-league options remaining likely worked against him in his bid for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. The 24-year-old righty received his first taste of the big leagues in 2024, posting a 4.02 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 16:9 K:BB in 15.2 innings over 18 appearances for the Athletics.

Through six Cactus League appearances, Adam has allowed five runs on four hits over five innings while posting a 4:1 K:BB.

Adam's spring stats don't look great on paper, though three of the five runs he's allowed came on one swing -- a Joey Wiemer homer March 13. Adam was outstanding last season, posting a 1.95 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 31 holds, four saves and an 81:23 K:BB over 72.3 regular-season innings between Tampa Bay and San Diego. Adam is slated to set up closer Robert Suarez again this season, so he should get plenty of opportunities for holds. Suarez has had a rough spring, allowing eight runs over 3.2 frames, but he likely has a long enough leash to be in no danger of yielding the ninth-inning role come Opening Day. However, should Suarez's struggles carry over into the regular season, Adam and Jeremiah Estrada would be the top options to take over in save situations.

Estrada has pitched 4.2 innings during the Cactus League slate, allowing one run on two hits while posting a 6:1 K:BB.

Estrada broke through last season with a 2.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 16 holds and a 37.3 percent strikeout rate over 61 regular-season innings during his first season in San Diego. He's primed for a high-leverage role during the coming campaign and will likely open the season helping to set up closer Robert Suarez. Though Suarez has had a rough spring, allowing eight runs over 3.2 frames, he's probably earned a long enough leash to keep hold of the ninth-inning role come Opening Day. However, should Suarez's struggles carry over into the regular season, Estrada would be among the top options to take over in save situations.

Topa (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Topa exited his most recent Grapefruit League appearance back on March 6 due to right shoulder tightness, but he seems to be feeling fine after throwing 22 pitches Friday in a minor-league game on the back fields of camp. Assuming his appearance Monday goes without a hitch, Topa could avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season.

Manager Matt Quatraro announced Thursday that Ragans will start Opening Day against the Guardians on March 27, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The announcement comes after Ragans surrendered two runs across 2.2 innings on 83 pitches in a Cactus League game against the Rockies on Sunday. The 27-year-old has had a bumpy spring training, but in 2024 he notched a 3.14 ERA across 186.1 innings in 32 games. This will be the ace's second Opening Day start after getting the nod in 2024.

The Cardinals reassigned Gomez to minor-league camp Sunday.

Gomez signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals in November and is likely to spend most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Memphis. The 28-year-old righty was a member of the Rays organization in 2024 and turned in a 5.01 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 55.2 innings at Triple-A Durham.

Paddack will begin the season in the Minnesota rotation with David Festa and Zebby Matthews optioned to Triple-A, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Paddack showed he was healthy in his last start after suffering a head contusion when a liner deflected off his glove in his previous outing. Paddack, who didn't pitch in the majors after July last year due to a forearm strain, showed he's back to full strength this spring even if his numbers are not overly impressive. He has a 5.59 ERA with nine strikeouts and no walks over 9.2 innings this spring.

Woods Richardson will begin the season in the Minnesota rotation with David Festa and Zebby Matthews optioned to Triple-A, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

Woods Richardson has looked sharp this spring by allowing one run in 11 innings with a 9:2 K:BB. Richardson had his first success in the majors last year with a revamped delivery and increased velocity but ran out of gas late in the season, posting a 5.91 ERA and 4.6 BB/9 in his last 11 starts.

Funderburk was optioned to Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports.

It's a little surprising Funderburk was sent to the minors among the first wave of cuts given the injuries to several veterans (Michael Tonkin, Brock Stewart and Justin Topa) in the bullpen. He could be called up early in the season if the Twins need another lefty in the bullpen.