MLB Player News

Butto (groin) is listed as an available relief option for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, Manny Gomez of NJ.com reports.

Butto hasn't made any appearances since March 7 while tending to a minor groin injury, but after throwing a bullpen session over the weekend without issue, he looks like he'll be incorporated into the Mets' spring pitching schedule Monday. The 26-year-old right-hander should have an inside track on a spot in New York's Opening Day bullpen after submitting a 2.55 ERA and 1.07 WHIP while striking out 79 batters over 74 innings during the regular season in 2024.

The Nationals announced Monday that Gore will start the team's March 27 season opener versus the Phillies in Washington.

Coming off a 2024 season in which he submitted a 3.90 ERA and struck out 181 batters over 166.1 innings, Gore entered the spring as the odds-on favorite to receive the Opening Day nod. The 25-year-old southpaw only strengthened his case to begin the season at the front of the rotation after breezing through his first two Grapefruit League starts, covering 8.1 scoreless innings while striking out 10 and scattering four hits and four walks. Gore will make his third start of the spring Monday versus the Cardinals and should have one more tune-up outing this weekend before taking the hill Opening Day.

The Cardinals reassigned Anderson to minor-league camp Monday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Anderson struggled this spring in his bid to win an Opening Day bullpen spot, allowing eight runs over 5.1 innings. He has an upward mobility clause in his contract, allowing other teams the opportunity to add him to its 40-man roster. If that doesn't happen, Anderson will report to Triple-A Memphis.

Lux started at third base and went 1-for-2 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's spring game against Seattle.

Lux got the Reds on the board in the second inning. He doubled, stole third base and went home after an errant throw. Lux is not known as a prolific base stealer, but he's been successful on all three attempts over 14 games this spring. He's moved around the diamond during the Cactus League, including time in the outfield, but Lux could hold down a regular gig at third base in the regular season.

Nimmo (knee) will start in left field and will bat second in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.

Nimmo made his spring debut in left field back on Feb. 28, but after experiencing right knee soreness coming out of that contest, he was held out of action for nearly two weeks before returning to the lineup as a designated hitter Thursday. He made another start at DH on Saturday, and with Nimmo having thus far experienced no setbacks with his knee, the Mets appear to be comfortable with testing him out in left field again. The Mets could still look to manage Nimmo's workload in the outfield early on during the season, but the fact that he's available to play defense again in Grapefruit League play suggests that he's in line to make the Opening Day roster.

Singer allowed one run on four hits and one walk while striking out five over 4.1 innings in Sunday's spring start against the Mariners.

Singer did not allow a run over the first four innings before being nicked for a home run to lead off the fifth frame. A couple more batters reached base following the homer, and the right-hander was pulled after working his pitch count to 78 in his fourth spring outing. Singer's had a strong Cactus League, recording a 2.25 ERA with 18 strikeouts over 12 innings.

Atlanta announced Monday that Sale will be its Opening Day starter March 27 in San Diego.

If there was any doubt the reigning National League Cy Young winner would be taking the ball for the opener, the club has now removed it. Sale has followed up his Cy Young-winning campaign with a nice spring, posting a 3.52 ERA and 15:4 K:BB over 15.1 frames.

Carroll went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Sunday's spring game against the Padres.

The blast was the fourth of the spring for Carroll, who is having a monster Cactus League. The outfielder is slashing .370/.433/1.285 with five extra-base hits, nine RBI and two steals through 10 games. Given his productive finish to the second half of the 2024 regular season which has continued into spring training, Carroll's first-half slump of 2024 is looking like an aberration.

Hampson started in left field and went 1-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and two RBI in Sunday's spring game against San Diego.

Hampson remains in the mix for the final rotation spot along with Ildemaro Vargas and Jordan Lawlar. The Diamondbacks likely want a utility player, which precludes Lawlar, who doesn't offer much position versatility at this point. Plus, it's unlikely the organization wants the prospect sitting on a bench in the majors. That leaves Hampson (.738 OPS, two steals, seven RBI, 13 spring games) and Vargas (.971 OPS, five extra-base hits, seven RBI, 15 games) as the most likely competitors for the 26th spot on the roster.

Pfaadt allowed two hits and struck out seven over five scoreless innings in Sunday's spring start against the Padres.

Pfaadt was impressive in his fourth Cactus League start against a legit regular season San Diego batting order. After giving up a leadoff single in the first, Pfaadt set down the next 12 batters in order before a harmless leadoff single in the fifth -- the runner was eliminated on a double play. The right-hander threw 57 pitches (43 strikes) and left a good impression on manager Torey Lovullo, who has yet to settle on a No. 5 starter. The manager is mulling Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Jordan Montgomery for the final rotation spot.