MLB Player News

The Red Sox informed Watson on Monday that he will be included on the Opening Day roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

The 28-year-old righty won a spot in the Boston bullpen after submitting a 5.56 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 7:3 K:BB over 11.1 innings during the Grapefruit League. A Rule 5 Draft selection over the winter, Watson will need to be stashed on the major-league roster throughout the 2026 season, or else the Red Sox will have to offer him back to the Giants.

The Red Sox optioned Samaniego to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Samaniego spun 5.1 scoreless innings in Grapefruit League play, collecting a 6:2 K:BB with just one hit allowed. It wasn't enough to capture a spot on the Opening Day roster, but Samaniego is poised to make his major-league debut at some point this season.

The Rays recalled Palacios from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Palacios was optioned to minor-league camp last week, but he's been given a reprieve with Gavin Lux (shoulder) headed to the injured list. The 28-year-old Palacios could see some starts at second base while Lux is out and is also an option for reps in the outfield.

Lux will begin the season on the injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Lux returned to Grapefruit League play Sunday after a one-day absence, but his shoulder still didn't feel right and testing has revealed an impingement. He was also limited this spring but general upper-body soreness, though it's unclear if that was related to the shoulder issue. With Lux slated to miss time, the Rays could turn to Ben Williamson and/or Richie Palacios at second base.

Pitching coach Matt Blake said Sunday that Gil won't be in line for a starting role to begin the season while the Yankees plan to get by with a four-man rotation for the first 13 days of their schedule, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. "He'd like to be a starter with us, so it's frustrating," Blake said. "But at the same time, he understands the position we're in with the way the schedule lines up for the first two weeks."

The Yankees won't need a fifth starter until April 11, so Gil would appear to be tentatively in line to make his first start of the season that day against the Rays. According to Blake, the team hasn't decided whether Gil will be sent to the minors over the first two weeks, or if he'll be used in a piggyback/long-relief role until he's needed in the rotation. After missing the first four months of the 2025 season while recovering from a lat strain, Gil went on to go 4-1 with a 3.32 ERA and 41:33 K:BB in 57 innings over his 11 starts with the Yankees. He's looked sharper this spring, submitting a 19:4 K:BB in 14.1 innings during the Grapefruit League.

The Red Sox reassigned Thaiss to minor-league camp Monday.

Thaiss attending spring training as a non-roster invitee but didn't make much of a push for a backup catcher spot on the Red Sox's Opening Day roster after posting a .560 OPS over 27 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League. With Boston also optioning Mickey Gasper to Triple-A Worcester on Monday, the Red Sox will head into Opening Day with Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong as their two catchers. Thaiss' minor-league deal contains an upward mobility clause that would allow him to pursue opportunities elsewhere, but he intends to remain in the organization and report to Worcester to begin the season, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.

The Twins optioned Wagaman to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Wagaman slashed .256/.341/.333 with one home run and a 5:13 BB:K this spring for the Twins. With Ryan Kreidler also sent to St. Paul, Tristan Gray appears to have captured the final spot on the Twins' bench.

The Red Sox optioned Gasper to Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Boston also reassigned Matt Thaiss to minor-league camp as part of Monday's roster cuts, solidifying Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong as the big club's two catchers heading into Opening Day. Gasper is kicking off his second stint with the Red Sox after previously spending his 2024 rookie campaign in Boston before he was traded to the Twins last offseason. He saw limited action at the big-league level for Minnesota in 2025, slashing .158/.257/.232 with two home runs, two stolen bases, 11 RBI and 15 runs in 45 games.

The Twins optioned Kreidler to Triple-A St. Paul on Monday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Kreidler was in the running for one of the final reserve spots for the Twins but ultimately didn't make the cut. The utility player will report to St. Paul for now but should eventually get an opportunity with the big club.

Coulombe (illness) is scheduled to make a relief appearance in Monday's exhibition against the Twins, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

The Red Sox sent Coulombe home from camp Saturday after he fell ill, but the veteran reliever has apparently made a full recovery following a couple days of rest. After signing with Boston just under two weeks ago, Coulombe made just one Grapefruit League appearance, but he should still be on track to make the Red Sox's Opening Day bullpen if he checks out fine following Monday's outing.