MLB Player News

McCoy is not projected to make the Padres' Opening Day roster, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

McCoy was added to the 40-man roster over the weekend, but he has minor-league options remaining and the Padres will use one to send him to Triple-A El Paso. He will provide utility depth in the minors.

Merrill went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's Cactus League victory versus the Diamondbacks.

Merrill opened the scoring in the contest with a 411-foot, two-run shot to right field in the first inning. The 21-year-old has slashed .244/.244/.556 this spring with four home runs and 10 RBI over 45 plate appearances. He hasn't yet taken a walk, but Merrill posted just a 5.0 percent walk rate as a rookie last year and still finished with an .826 OPS and a second-place finish in National League Rookie of the Year voting, so his aggressiveness at the plate shouldn't be a cause for concern.

The Twins optioned Martin to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He lost out on the final outfielder spot to DaShawn Keirsey. Martin had focused primarily on playing the outfield this spring, but he can also play the infield and could return to more of a utility role at St. Paul.

Betts was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup against the Angels due to his ongoing battle with an illness, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Betts has been dealing with an unknown illness for multiple weeks. The 32-year-old is reportedly down to 157 pounds after entering spring training at 175 pounds, and he's still struggling to hold down food. The Dodgers may have to start considering other options at shortstop for Thursday's home opener versus the Tigers.

Iglesias will be a part of the Padres' Opening Day roster, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Iglesias will officially make the team's initial 26-man roster after signing a minor-league deal with San Diego on March 5. The 35-year-old went 5-for-25 with a double, two RBI, a run scored and four strikeouts over 11 games with the Padres this spring. Iglesias will likely operate in a utility role with San Diego to open the season, serving as a backup option to Jake Cronenworth, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts in the infield.

Betts has been scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

The reason for Betts' removal from the lineup was not immediately available, but this is presumably related to the illness that forced an early return home from the Japan trip and caused him to lose roughly 15 pounds. Betts' status for the Dodgers' final two exhibition games is uncertain.

Shewmake was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday.

Shewmake will open the season at Triple-A after going 1-for-12 with three strikeouts and a run scored over six games during spring training. The infielder will look to get into more of a groove at the plate with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in order to potentially earn a promotion to the major-league roster down the road this summer.

Muncy will make the Athletics' Opening Day roster, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Muncy will be set to make his major-league debut when the A's begin their 2025 campaign on the road against Seattle on Thursday. The infielder has produced a .289 average with one home run, seven RBI, seven runs scored and a stolen base over 38 at-bats ion 23 games during spring training. Muncy could begin the year as a starting option at second base due to Zack Gelof (hand) being unavailable for multiple weeks.

The Mariners optioned Rivas to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

The 27-year-old was competing for a spot on Seattle's Opening Day bench but will instead begin the campaign back at Tacoma. Rivas had an .865 OPS in 63 games at Triple-A last year but struggled over 86 plate appearances in the big leagues with a .233/.333/.274 slash line.

Betts (illness) is starting at shortstop and batting second in Sunday's exhibition game against the Angels, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

The 32-year-old flew back early from the season-opening series versus the Cubs in Tokyo while recovering from an illness, but he'll return to action for the final exhibition games of the spring. Betts should be ready to go at shortstop for Thursday's home opener against Detroit.