MLB Player News

DeLuca is absent from the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates.

DeLuca started all three games in the opening series versus the Rockies, but he'll get a breather Monday. Kameron Misner is handling center field and batting sixth.

The Yankees re-signed Smith to a minor-league contract Monday, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Smith exercised the opt-out clause in his previous minor-league contract with the Yankees earlier this month. After being unable to find a major-league job elsewhere, he's ultimately decided to take another minor-league pact from the Yankees and will provide veteran depth at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Smith (quad) will start at third base and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Reds.

Smith didn't play Sunday after exiting Saturday's contest versus the Red Sox with a left quad contusion, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go for the series opener in Cincinnati. The 27-year-old is in line to handle the bulk of the playing time at third base while Josh Jung (neck) is sidelined.

Clement is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Nationals.

Clement has now hit the bench three times through the Blue Jays' first five games. All of his absences have come against right-handed pitching, so Clement may be viewed as more of a part-time player even after performing at a better-than-league-average level versus righties in 2024 (.312 wOBA, 104 wRC+). Playing time could become even more difficult to come by for Clement when Daulton Varsho (shoulder) returns from the injured list, as Will Wagner would likely be deployed at third base even more frequently after having thus far moved between the hot corner and designated hitter.

The Angels designated Petersen for assignment Monday.

The transaction frees up a 40-man roster spot for Jake Eder, who was acquired via trade Monday. Petersen, 30, has made 16 relief appearances at the major-league level, collecting a 5.95 ERA and 14:11 K:BB over 19.2 innings.

The Angels acquired Eder from the White Sox on Monday in exchange for cash considerations.

Eder has struggled to regain his stuff since having Tommy John surgery in 2021, but he's still just 26 so the Angels felt he was worth a roll of the dice. He's been assigned to Triple-A Salt Lake.

Julien didn't make a start during the weekend series in St. Louis in part due to illness, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The Twins faced all right-handers in the series, but the left-handed hitting Julien's only action came in the late innings of Sunday's game when he played a couple innings on defense. It's not clear how many starts he would have made had he been 100 percent, but the illness did play a part in his absence. Julien is out of the lineup again Monday against White Sox left-hander Martin Perez. It's possible he'll start Tuesday, when the Twins are scheduled to face righty Shane Smith.

The White Sox outrighted Fletcher to Triple-A Charlotte on Monday.

Fletcher lost his spot on the 40-man roster prior to Opening Day but will stick around in the White Sox organization after going unclaimed off waivers. The 27-year-old outfielder struggled mightily during his time at the big-league level in 2024, slashing .206/.252/.256 with a 4.7 percent walk rate and 24.2 percent strikeout rate over 240 plate appearances.

Ober revealed after Sunday's poor outing in St. Louis that he had been battling an illness, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Ober said that he was "pretty much bedridden" Friday and got an IV Saturday due to the illness. He admitted that he "got a little tired" after the first inning Sunday and Twins manager Rocco Baldelli noted of Ober's illness that "clearly, I think it had some effect." Ober wound up getting charged with eight runs over just 2.2 innings against the Cardinals. The righty not feeling 100 percent helps explain why he fared so poorly Sunday, although it should be noted that Ober averaged just 90.3 mph with his fastball Sunday after he averaged only 89.9 mph with the heater during spring training. That's after his fastball averaged 91.7 mph in 2024. Ober will get an extra day of rest before his next scheduled outing Saturday against the Astros.

Lalane, who is currently on Single-A Tampa's 60-day injured list, is recovering from an offseason shoulder surgery, Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline reports.

It's not clear which specific shoulder procedure Lalane had or when he had it, but those rostering him in dynasty leagues shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't pitch this season. Lalane's value peaked when he was flashing three plus pitches while logging a 34:4 K:BB in 21.2 innings in the Florida Complex League in 2023.