MLB Player News

Roupp is still battling for a spot in the Giants' rotation, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Roupp was seen as the leading candidate for the final rotation spot earlier in camp, but Hayden Birdsong is making a strong push for the job with a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring. Lefty Kyle Harrison remains in the mix as well. "Look, all three of these guys are going to pitch for us this year," manager Bob Melvin said after Sunday's game. "I don't think there's any doubt about that. But it's kind of cool to have three guys that are as talented as they are pitching for that last spot. It means we have some depth, and it means we have a good rotation. To this point, nothing's been decided. Let's put it that way."

Birdsong struck out eight over five scoreless innings against the A's on Sunday and now has a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and 18:0 K:BB over 12 Cactus League innings this spring.

The 23-year-old right-hander is making quite the case for the No. 5 spot in the San Francisco rotation, though manager Bob Melvin stressed after Sunday's exhibition that "to this point, nothing's been decided," per Maria Guardado of MLB.com. Landen Roupp was seen as the frontrunner for the fifth-starter role earlier in spring training, and lefty Kyle Harrison remains in the mix as well in what Guardado described as the "fiercest competition in Giants camp." However, Birdsong might have the most upside for the Giants, and he is arguably the most interesting of the bunch from a fantasy perspective.

Veen is making a case for a starting role in Colorado's outfield to begin the regular season, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

Saunders didn't report anything concrete, so Veen's status to begin the season is far from certain. However, he has maintained a 1.038 OPS across 41 at-bats this spring and has two home runs paired with six stolen bases. Those numbers are tempered by a 25.5 percent strikeout rate, but Veen's fantasy potential would be substantial should he crack the roster.

Taillon traveled with the team to Tokyo but isn't listed on the 26-man roster ahead of the two-game series against the Dodgers, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The Cubs sent out an updated roster after mistakenly including the right-hander on the Tokyo series roster, per Lee. Taillon will be officially added to the 26-man roster following the conclusion of the series due to the unique rules established for this two-game set. The right-hander started an exhibition game Sunday against a team from Nippon Professional Baseball and wouldn't have been available to pitch regardless of his roster status.

The Dodgers selected Garcia's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday.

Garcia will be available out of the bullpen as his club will take on the Cubs in Tokyo during a two-game series set for March 18-19. He got off to a rocky start to the spring by surrendering three runs during his first appearance, but he finished camp by firing 4.1 scoreless frames, ultimately earning a spot on the 26-man roster.

The Dodgers selected Sasaki's contract Tuesday ahead of the team's two-game series versus the Cubs in Tokyo.

Upon joining the Dodgers in January, Sasaki inked a minor-league deal that included a $6.5 million signing bonus, so his promotion to the majors is merely a technicality. The 23-year-old made his second appearance of the spring last Tuesday against the Reds in Los Angeles' final Cactus League game, allowing just one hit over four shutout innings while striking out two batters and walking two. He should be capable of giving the Dodgers around five innings when he makes his first MLB start in Wednesday's series finale versus the Cubs.

The Cubs selected Shaw's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The club announced nearly one week ago that Shaw would be traveling with the team for the Tokyo series, and Chicago has since signed him to the 40-man roster. This isn't an unexpected transaction, as the 23-year-old was penciled in as the starter at third base early in camp before suffering an oblique injury. Look for Shaw to be announced in the starting lineup at the hot corner for the first game of the Tokyo series against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

The Cubs placed Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Assad won't be included on the Cubs' season-opening 28-man roster after he sustained a mild left oblique strain suffered early on in camp, taking him out of the mix for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. The right-hander has been throwing in camp, so he could be ready to make his 2025 debut in early April.

Sheehan (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Sheehan has been cleared to throw off a mound after undergoing surgery on his right forearm in May of 2024, though he's not expected to embark on a rehab assignment for a few more months, likely in May or June. The club should have a better idea on a return date as he continues to progress through his rehab.

Kershaw (toe) was placed on the 15-day injured list Monday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

It was reported earlier in camp that Kershaw expected to begin the regular season on the 60-day IL, so this may be a sign that he's further along in his recovery than expected. Even so, the Dodgers won't make any moves to rush him back from offseason left toe and left knee surgery.