MLB Player News

Estrada has pitched 4.2 innings during the Cactus League slate, allowing one run on two hits while posting a 6:1 K:BB.

Estrada broke through last season with a 2.95 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 16 holds and a 37.3 percent strikeout rate over 61 regular-season innings during his first season in San Diego. He's primed for a high-leverage role during the coming campaign and will likely open the season helping to set up closer Robert Suarez. Though Suarez has had a rough spring, allowing eight runs over 3.2 frames, he's probably earned a long enough leash to keep hold of the ninth-inning role come Opening Day. However, should Suarez's struggles carry over into the regular season, Estrada would be among the top options to take over in save situations.

Heyward has gone just 3-for-24 with no homers and six strikeouts through 12 games this spring, and it's still unclear how the Padres will approach playing time in left field, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic.

When San Diego signed Heyward and Connor Joe on the same day in early February, the expectation was that the pair would form a platoon in left field. However, Heyward's struggles this spring and the impressive play of other outfield options may have shifted that approach. Joe has slashed .333/.487/.500 and appears to be a lock for the roster, though Lin suggests that the Padres may want to sit him against most right-handers. Meanwhile, Gavin Sheets has had a huge spring, batting .318 and tying for first among all players during the exhibition slate with six home runs, and Tirso Ornelas (.827 OPS), Oscar Gonzalez (.904 OPS) and Brandon Lockridge (.826 OPS, six steals) have all made a compelling case for a roster spot as well. San Diego could make room on the roster for at least four of that group, and it helps that both Joe and Sheets can play first base, while the team's playing time at DH also remains up in the air. The Padres may want to deploy the left-handed bat of either Sheets and Ornelas -- assuming they make the roster -- on a frequent basis given their impressive performances during the Cactus League slate.

The Cardinals reassigned Collins to minor-league camp Sunday.

Collins will be heading into his second season in the Cardinals organization after producing a .796 OPS over 216 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis in 2024. The 29-year-old is primarily a catcher, but he's also capable of playing first base in a pinch.

The Cardinals reassigned Gomez to minor-league camp Sunday.

Gomez signed a minor-league contract with the Cardinals in November and is likely to spend most of the 2025 season at Triple-A Memphis. The 28-year-old righty was a member of the Rays organization in 2024 and turned in a 5.01 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 55.2 innings at Triple-A Durham.

The Cardinals optioned Koperniak to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Koperniak turned in a strong spring training .355/.394/.645 with two home runs across 33 plate appearances in the Grapefruit League, but he faced an uphill battle to win a spot on the Opening Day roster. He'll head back to Memphis, where he turned in an .882 OPS over 513 plate appearances in 2024.

Tena is competing with Trey Lipscomb for an infield utility job and has a .156/.206/.219 slash line through 11 Grapefruit League games.

The pair appeared poised to battle for the starting job at third base to begin camp, but the Nationals then signed Paul DeJong in mid-February. Tena had a .652 in 44 games between the Guardians and Nationals last season, and he's struggled to get on track during spring action.

The Cardinals optioned Saggese on Sunday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Saggese reached the big leagues last September but struggled in his limited action with the Cardinals, slashing .204/.250/.306 over 52 plate appearances. The 22-year-old will get some more development time at Triple-A to begin the upcoming season, but he'll likely rank near the top of the list for a call-up if St. Louis requires an extra infielder at any point.

Lipscomb is competing with Jose Tena for an infield utility job and has a .292/.433/.292 slash line through 13 spring games.

Lipscomb and Tena appeared set to compete for the starting job at third base, but Paul DeJong is likely to fill that role after signing in mid-February. Lipscomb received his first taste of the majors last season and had a .200/.268/.232 slash line with one homer and 11 steals in 61 games.

The Cardinals optioned Helman to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Helman went just 2-for-18 at the dish during Grapefruit League play, which likely eliminated any chance he had at breaking camp with the big club. The 28-year-old infielder reached the big leagues for the first time in 2024 as a member of the Twins, appearing in nine games for Minnesota last September.

Lowe went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in Sunday's spring game against the Rays and is hitting .200 through 13 Grapefruit League contests.

The first baseman hasn't been a strong spring performer throughout his career with a .227 average, so the poor numbers don't necessarily mean much. After being acquired from the Rangers in December, Lowe will bring some stability to first base in Washington after posting a .265/.361/.401 slash line with 16 homers and 69 RBI last year.