MLB Player News

The Blue Jays haven't yet decided where Yesavage will begin his pro career, Sam Dykstra of MLB.com reports.

The 20th overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft didn't debut last year after completing his collegiate career at East Carolina, but his stuff is already good enough to potentially handle High-A or even Double-A. Early-season weather concerns in the Northwest and Eastern Leagues may cause the Jays to play it safe with the 21-year-old right-hander and assign him to Single-A Dunedin in the Florida State League instead, to ensure he gets into a rhythm before facing more advanced hitters. Yesavage touched 97 mph with good movement on his fastball during his Spring Breakout game performance March 15 while generating whiffs on all four of the cutters he threw, and his splitter flashed plus as well.

The Twins informed Keirsey on Monday that he has made the Opening Day roster, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Keirsey earned the spot after hitting .275 with one home run and three stolen bases during Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old can handle all three outfield spots and will operate mostly as a backup, although he could draw some starts in the outfield on days the Twins use Trevor Larnach, Byron Buxton or Matt Wallner at designated hitter.

Straw could see action against some right-handed pitching as the Blue Jays prioritize his defense in center field, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 30-year-old will split duties in center with Nathan Lukes while Daulton Varsho completes his recovery from shoulder surgery, but while Straw hits right-handed and Lukes swings from the left side of the plate, the duo isn't expected to work in a strict platoon. Alan Roden might also see the occasional start in center, further muddying the picture. Varsho could make his 2025 in the first week of April, so Straw and Lukes will essentially be competing for a single bench spot after the Jays' starting center fielder is cleared to return.

Barger may return to the major-league roster once Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is cleared to come off the injured list, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old played well enough this spring to earn a place on the 26-man roster, but the Jays needed extra depth in center field with Varsho sidelined, and Barger is mostly limited to the infield and outfield corners defensively. Once Varsho rejoins the roster, which should happen early in April, it could free a spot up for Barger's bat after he went 11-for-30 (.367) in Grapefruit League action with two doubles, three homers and a 4:10 BB:K.

Miranda could be primed to see the bulk of the starts at third base for the Twins to begin the season with both Royce Lewis (hamstring) and Brooks Lee (back) headed for the injured list, Phil Miller of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

After Lewis suffered a moderate hamstring strain March 16, Miranda already appeared in good shape to see near-everyday at-bats while seeing reps at third base, first base and designated hitter, but the back injury Lee sustained last week only further increases the need for Miranda to fill in at the hot corner. The Twins also have super-utility man Willi Castro on hand to play third, but the injury to Lee as well as Edouard Julien's defensive deficiencies likely make Castro in greater need at second base. After Lewis got injured Opening Day of last season, Miranda stepped in as his primary replacement and posted an .852 OPS over his first 90 games with the Twins, but he struggled down the stretch while also managing a back injury and finished with a .284/.322/.441 slash line in 429 plate appearances. If Miranda can recapture the form he displayed in the first half of the 2024 campaign, he should be in good shape to hold down a regular spot in the lineup at DH or first base once Lewis and Lee are back to full health.

Gasper said that he's fine after suffering a left ankle laceration in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, and noted Monday that he has been told he made the Twins' Opening Day roster, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Gasper received six stitches to seal the cut, which he suffered when he was spiked by teammate Brandon Winokur while attempting to field a groundball. The laceration is not expected to hinder him moving forward, and Gasper has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster after slashing .289/.404/.395 this spring. The switch hitter is capable of handling first base, second base and catcher.

Yarbrough agreed to a one-year contract with the Yankees on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Yarbrough was released by the Blue Jays on Sunday after opting out of his minor-league contract and he has quickly landed on his feet with another American League East club. The left-hander will provide protection in long relief with the Yankees while Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco hold down spots at the back end of the rotation.

The Rays reassigned Westbrook to minor-league camp Sunday.

The 29-year-old saw his first big-league action in 2024 with the Red Sox, but after producing a lowly .584 OPS over his 47 plate appearances, he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in August. Westbrook became a free agent in the offseason and joined the Rays on a minor-league deal that included an invitation to big-league camp, but he faced long odds to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. He'll likely report to Triple-A Durham to begin the season and should serve in a utility role.

The Rays reassigned Seabold to minor-league camp Sunday.

Seabold previously made 19 starts at the big-league level between stops with the Red Sox and Rockies from 2021 through 2023, but he fell short in his bid for a spot in the Rays' Opening Day rotation. The 29-year-old right-hander will head to Triple-A Durham to begin the campaign, but after excelling in the Korea Baseball Organization with the Samsung Lions last season and acquitting himself well in Grapefruit League play this spring (4.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, .171 batting average against in 11 innings), Seabold could be in the mix for starts with the Rays later on in 2025.

The Rays reassigned Montes to minor-league camp Sunday.

Montes joined the Rays on a minor-league deal in December and was given a chance to compete for a utility role on the Opening Day roster, but despite turning in an .800 OPS in Grapefruit League play, he wasn't able to secure a spot with the big club. The 28-year-old will head to Triple-A Durham and will look to impress with the hope of earning his first promotion to the majors since 2023, when he appeared in 18 games with the Rockies.