MLB Player News

Iglesias was informed Saturday that he won't be making the Mets' Opening Day roster, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Iglesias signed a minor-league contract with the Mets in December that included an invitation to spring training. He posted a respectable .294/.333/.471 batting line over 34 at-bats in Grapefruit League play, but the Mets didn't have room for him on the Opening Day roster as a backup infielder.

Williams is expected to make the Opening Day roster after Liover Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Ji Hwan Bae (hip) is also sidelined and could be headed for an injured list stint to begin the regular season. That leaves Williams as Pittsburgh's projected primary backup in the middle infield. His primary asset is his glove, so even on days when Williams is in the lineup, he doesn't project to have much fantasy appeal.

The Pirates optioned Peguero to Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Peguero entered spring camp as the Pirates' likely Opening Day second baseman, but he will instead head to the minors after going 7-for-26 with three RBI. With the 23-year-old in Triple-A, Jared Triolo figures to take over at second base, but Peguero could reclaim his spot if he gets off to a fast start in Indianapolis.

Merrill went 2-for-5 with a double and scored two runs in Thursday's 15-11 win over the Dodgers in the second game of the Seoul Series.

After going hitless in his first MLB game Wednesday, Merrill collected his first big-league knock with a third-inning single off Michael Grove on Thursday. The rookie added a leadoff double in the fifth frame, and he came around to score following both of his hits. Merrill has gone 2-for-8 with three strikeouts through two contests, and he could have a moderately long leash in center field given the team's lack of outfield depth this season.

Peguero (illness) is starting at second base in Thursday's spring game against Toronto.

Peguero has been out of action since March 13 due to a virus, but his illness appears to have subsided ahead of Thursday's contest. Peguero went 7-for-24 with a homer and three RBI during Grapefruit League play before getting sick, and he remains the favorite to start at second base on Opening Day.

Betts went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, a walk, two total runs and six total RBI in Thursday's loss to San Diego in the second game of the Seoul Series.

The Padres built an early 9-2 lead before Betts almost single-handedly brought the Dodgers back into contention with a two-run double in the third inning, a two-run homer in the fifth and a two-run single in the eighth. Per Sarah Langs of MLB.com, the six RBI were his most in a game since 2017 and tied for the third-most in any game in his career. Betts is off to a fast start in his 11th big-league campaign -- during the season-opening two-game set in South Korea, Betts went 6-for-9 with seven total RBI.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Crawford (hand) is aiming to return to game action this weekend, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Crawford hasn't played since being hit on the hand/wrist area by a pitch Sunday, but his return to the Grapefruit League lineup looks to be imminent. The 37-year-old is slated to back up Masyn Winn at shortstop for the Cardinals this season.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that McLain is heading for a second opinion on his shoulder and won't be ready for the start of the regular season next week, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Bell said earlier Wednesday that it's possible McLain will require surgery, so it's not a major surprise the young infielder will be sidelined for Opening Day. The 24-year-old was scratched from Monday's lineup due to left shoulder soreness, and the specifics of his injury beyond that remain unclear. A return timeline should come into focus once McLain receives the secondary evaluation, but at this point he should be expected to be sidelined for at least the next few weeks.

Merrill went 0-for-3 in his major-league debut Wednesday in the first game of the Seoul Series against the Dodgers.

The 20-year-old struck the ball fairly well all three times up, but he ended with nothing to show for it in his big-league debut. Merrill had never played center field prior to spring training, but he took well enough to the position to win the job and become the fourth-youngest Opening Day center fielder in the divisional era, per MLB's Sarah Langs. He was the No. 9 hitter Wednesday, though there is always potential for upward movement in the batting order. First things first, Merrill will have to prove that he belongs at the highest level.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that "all of the options are on the table," including surgery, after McLain (shoulder) underwent an MRI on Wednesday. Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The specifics of the injury remain unclear as the full results of the MRI haven't been disclosed, but it's a concerning development after Bell initially downplayed the left shoulder soreness that scratched McLain from Monday's lineup. The 24-year-old's availability to begin the season is now up in the air, with a trip to the injured list being a distinct possibility, regardless of whether he requires surgery. McLain's status should be updated soon as he continues to be evaluated.