MLB Player News

Oviedo is expected to open the 2026 season in the major leagues, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Oviedo and Connelly Early competed for the fifth rotation spot during camp, but it now looks as though Boston will name both pitchers to the Opening Day roster. Cotillo notes this may be due to the fact that Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello aren't as stretched out as much as the club would like, so Oviedo and Early could be relied on to eat up innings in the early stages of the season. This is a creative approach by the Red Sox, so it's not yet clear whether it'll be Oviedo or Early who gets the first crack at starting, or if the duo could each draw opportunities to prove they belong in the rotation.

McGonigle remains an option for Detroit's Opening Day roster, and the Tigers could take the decision down to the wire, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

The fact that McGonigle hasn't been reassigned to the minors yet seems to suggest he's still in the mix for an Opening Day role, though manager A.J. Hinch said no decisions have been made. The Tigers kick off their season Thursday in San Diego, and they may take all the time they can to make final roster moves. If McGonigle does make the team out of camp, he could push someone like Wenceel Perez or Parker Meadows to the minors, with veteran Javier Baez sliding into a utility role and McGonigle ultimately seeing a lot of time at shortstop. The 21-year-old has a ton of potential, and it's just a matter of time until he's showcasing his talent at the MLB level.

Rogers cleared concussion protocol Monday and will be available for Opening Day, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Rogers suffered a concussion at some point down the stretch of spring training, but it won't impact his availability for the start of the 2026 season. "He's already caught a couple of bullpens today and hit in the cage," said manager A.J. Hinch on Monday. "I'm going to get him a couple of at-bats tonight. Tomorrow, he'll catch part of the game." The 30-year-old is in line to open his sixth major-league season as the backup catcher behind Dillon Dingler.

Osuna was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Osuna hit .313 and swiped four bags over 13 spring games, but it wasn't quite enough to earn him a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster. He got his first taste of big-league action a season ago, slashing .212/.313/.278 with two home run, 15 RBI, five stolen bases and 12 runs over 63 games, and he should be in line for more big-league opportunities at some point this year.

Curvelo was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Curvelo struggled to a 5.68 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 19.0 innings a season ago in the big leagues, and he wasn't able to show enough during spring training to secure a place in the Rangers' bullpen. He fared better at Triple-A in 2025, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with a 41:19 K:BB over 40.2 frames.

Helman was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Monday.

Helman flashed some promise during spring training, slashing .233/.242/.575 with one home run, four RBI and two runs scored in 14 games, but he's slated to open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A following Monday's transaction. He hit .232 with five homers, 20 RBI, four stolen bases and 18 runs scored over 38 appearances a season ago for Texas, so he figures to be a candidate for a promotion later in the year.

The Tigers announced Monday that Seabold will be listed on the Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Seabold agreed to a split major-league contract with the Tigers earlier Monday, and it didn't take long for the club to confirm that the right-hander will start the year in the major leagues. The 30-year-old is presumably in line for low-leverage opportunities with his new squad after working to a 4.35 ERA in 10.1 innings during stops in Tampa Bay and Atlanta a season ago. "We're happy to add him," said manager A.J. Hinch, per Petzold. "We really like the adjustment that he made, with both his stuff and the way his pitches are interacting. As his stuff improved, he got a ton of swing-and-miss this spring."

Moran has secured a place on Boston's Opening Day roster, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Moran fared well in limited spring action, as he tossed 2.2 scoreless frames and struck out three in three appearances. The southpaw is out of minor-league options, which may have factored into Boston's decision to name him to the Opening Day roster. Moran pitched in two games a season ago for the Red Sox, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out five over four innings of relief work.

Early has made the Red Sox's Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Early entered spring training competing with Payton Tolle and Johan Oviedo for the fifth spot in the Red Sox's rotation. Per Cotillo, the Red Sox will carry both Early and Oviedo on the 26-man roster (with Tolle starting the season with Triple-A Worcester) in an effort to provide length early in the season as both Ranger Suarez and Brayan Bello continue to build up after pitching in the World Baseball Classic. Garrett Crochet will serve as Boston's Opening Day starter against Cincinnati while Sonny Gray takes the mound Saturday. With Suarez expected to pitch Monday against Houston and Bello to go Tuesday, there's a chance that Early gets his first start of the season as early as Sunday against the Reds. Early put together a strong spring training, appearing in five Grapefruit League games (four starts) and posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 16:5 K:BB across 17 innings.

McCullers has won a spot in the Astros' rotation and will make his season debut March 30 against the Red Sox, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

McCullers logged eight innings during Grapefruit League playing, allowing three runs with a 5:4 K:BB. He's a poor bet to stay healthy and effective, but McCullers is owed $17.7 million in his final year under contract, so it's not a surprise the Astros will open with him in the rotation.