MLB Player News

Acuna will be on the Mets' Opening Day roster, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

The .966 OPS that Acuna delivered in his first 14 games of MLB action late in the regular season last year didn't quite carry over into spring training, as he wrapped up camp with a .250/.304/.269 slash line alongside five RBI, seven runs scored and three steals in 21 Grapefruit League games. Likely destined to spend most days on the Mets' bench, the 23-year-old's best path to playing time is in the short side of a platoon with Brett Baty at second base until Jeff McNeil (oblique) returns.

Cruz is working out with the Padres at Petco Park on Wednesday and could be included on their Opening Day roster, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cruz was optioned to minor-league camp in mid-March, but it looks like he will wind up making the team after all. The left-hander would be making his major-league debut if he gets into a game.

Miller (concussion) is listed as a projected starter for Triple-A Oklahoma City's third game of the season Sunday versus Sugar Land.

Miller was unable to make a push for a spot on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster after he took a comebacker to the head in his Cactus League debut Feb. 20, resulting in him being placed in concussion protocol. Though he didn't make any other appearances in spring training, Miller was cleared to resume throwing a few days after suffering the injury and was able to get stretched out through simulated games and minor-league games on the back fields of camp. Miller should make regular turns through the Oklahoma City rotation as he keeps himself ready for a potential starting opportunity with the Dodgers later on in the season.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesday that Alvarez had the stitches removed from his surgically repaired left hand Monday and will begin strengthening exercises, SNY.tv reports.

After Alvarez has regained the necessary strength in his hand, he will progress to baseball activities. Alvarez is a little over two weeks into a projected 6-to-8 week timetable for his return, so he could make it back before the end of April if everything goes well. In the meantime, Luis Torrens and Hayden Senger will handle the catching duties for the Mets.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that Brazoban will be included on the Opening Day roster, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Brazoban secured one of the final available spots in the New York bullpen. The 35-year-old right-hander is likely to be used mostly in middle relief after he turned in a 3.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 51:25 K:BB to go with five holds across his 51.2 big-league innings between the Marlins and Mets during the regular season last year.

The Mets informed Baty on Wednesday that he'll be included on the Opening Day roster, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

The revelation comes as no surprise after Baty slashed .353/.441/.745 with four home runs and a 6:8 K:BB over 20 Grapefruit League contests. Baty also proved adept defensively at second base, and he is slated to open the season as the Mets' primary option at the keystone versus right-handers while Jeff McNeil (oblique) is on the shelf.

The Mets informed Senger on Wednesday that he will be included on the Opening Day roster, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

He will open the season as the Mets' backup catcher behind Luis Torrens while Francisco Alvarez (hand) is on the shelf. Senger will be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

Kranick will be part of the Mets' bullpen on Opening Day, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

Kranick had a dominant Grapefruit League showing, permitting only two runs with a 15:1 K:BB over 12.1 innings. The 27-year-old's stuff has played up since he switched to relief, and he could work his way into a high-leverage role for the Mets.

Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Wednesday that Blackburn will be placed on the 15-day injured list due to right knee inflammation, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Blackburn's surgically repaired back held up fine this spring, but he'll be shelved to begin the season with a different injury. The right-hander will be shut down for 7-to-10 days but is expected back before the end of April. Blackburn had been slated for a long-relief role before the injury.

The Reds placed Stephenson (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Stephenson will be eligible for activation April 3, but it's unclear if he'll be ready to make his season debut by then while he continues to recover from a low-grade left oblique strain. He didn't appear in any Cactus League or exhibition games after suffering the injury in mid-March, so Stephenson will likely need at least a brief minor-league rehab assignment to pick up some at-bats before the Reds are comfortable bringing him back. In the meantime, Cincinnati will lean on Jose Trevino as its primary backstop, while Austin Wynns serves as the No. 2 option behind the dish.