MLB Player News

Manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday that Bautista will be included on Baltimore's Opening Day roster, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

There was some recent concern that Bautista wouldn't be ready to go for the start of the regular season, but the skipper put those thoughts to bed Sunday. The right-hander spent most of camp in ramp-up mode while working his way back from October 2023 Tommy John surgery, but he's been cleared after making five spring appearances. The 29-year-old recorded 33 saves with a 1.48 ERA during the 2023 regular season and should begin the campaign as the Orioles' closer.

Hanifee, Brant Hurter and Andrew Chafin are likely competing for Detroit's final bullpen spot to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Hanifee is a righty, while Hurter and Chafin are southpaws, so the decision could come down to how manager A.J. Hinch decides to construct his bullpen. Even if Hanifee doesn't make the cut initially, he figures to be in the mix for MLB action at some point this year. Hanifee impressed in a small sample last year, posting a 1.84 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 29.1 regular-season innings for the Tigers.

Jones is among a handful of players battling for one of Detroit's final bench spots to begin the regular season, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Jones, Spencer Torkelson and Justyn-Henry Malloy are likely competing for two openings. Torkelson, the 2020 No. 1 overall pick, has had a promising spring, and he also recently started getting reps in the outfield to add to his versatility. He's the most likely of the trio to make the team, which would leave Jones and Malloy to battle for the final spot. Jones, who was invited to camp on a minor-league contract, may be ticketed for Triple-A Toledo, but the 27-year-old has flashed some promise and would give the Tigers useful depth.

Robles had X-rays on his right hand come back negative, and he will hit in a batting cage Sunday, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.

The 27-year-old was hit by a pitch during Saturday's spring game but appears to have avoided a significant injury. Assuming Robles doesn't experience any additional complications, it appears he'll be ready to go for the season opener Thursday versus the A's.

Manager Kevin Cash announced Sunday that Pepiot will start Friday's season opener against the Rockies, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Shane McClanahan had previously been named Tampa Bay's Opening Day starter, but a triceps injury will put him on the injured list to begin the season. Pepiot is coming off his first full season as an MLB starter, and he pitched well in 26 starts with a 3.60 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 142:48 K:BB over 130 innings.

Buehler isn't starting Sunday's spring game against Minnesota due to an illness, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Buehler was slated to make one final appearance this spring, but Cooper Criswell has been slotted in to start against the Twins instead. Buehler is slated to pitch on the back fields at Boston's spring training site Monday, so the veteran hurler doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious illness. The right-hander is expected to take his first turn through the rotation Saturday, March 29 against Texas.

Campbell started at second base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

Campbell started at second base for second straight day, which at this stage of spring training is a positive sign he'll open the season as the team's primary second baseman. In addition to swatting his first Grapefruit League home run, Campbell showed off his glove with a diving stop to snare a liner in the first inning. Another hint that he's won the job is that he'll join the club on its trip to Monterrey, Mexico, for exhibition games Monday and Tuesday, per Ian Browne of MLB.com. Campbell's spring training batting line (.174/.304/.587) doesn't inspire confidence, but those numbers didn't factor much into the decision. Boston manager Alex Cora noted Campbell had been late on fastballs all spring but has shown recent improvement in that area.

GM Mike Elias announced Sunday that Suarez will begin the season working out of the bullpen, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Cade Povich won the battle to be Baltimore's No. 5 starter, so Suarez will open the campaign in relief. The right-hander should again work as a swingman in 2025 but may have a difficult time replicating the 24 regular-season starts he made last season. Suarez made eight relief appearances in addition to those starts and finished the regular season with a 3.70 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 108:43 K:BB across 133.2 innings.

Houck allowed 10 runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out two over 3.2 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rays.

Houck's final Grapefruit League outing finishes off what has been a rough spring training for Boston's No. 2 starter. He'll leave Florida with an 11.20 ERA, 29 hits allowed, five walks and seven strikeouts over 13.2 innings. The one positive note coming out of Saturday is that he threw 85 pitches and is ready to start the second game of the season Friday against the Rangers.

GM Mike Elias announced Sunday that Povich will begin the season as Baltimore's No. 5 starter, and the left-hander will make his season debut in the home opener against Boston on March 31, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The 24-year-old earned the final rotation spot over Albert Suarez, who was the early favorite for the job after Grayson Rodriguez was shut down with elbow inflammation. Povich had a 5.20 ERA in 16 regular-season starts as a rookie last year, but he had a strong showing during spring training with a 3.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 15:4 K:BB across 14.2 innings. However, the Orioles signed veteran starter Kyle Gibson on Friday, so Povich may need a strong start to the campaign to retain the rotation spot.